Long-awaited update

It's been long enough since I posted at my more recent blog that I don't think some of you know that I'm pregnant. Way to welcome myself back with big news, hey? So now let's back up a bit.

The day I found out I was pregnant, I also found out I had Fibromyalgia and Sjogren's Syndrome. A few months before that, I found out I also had Hypothyroidism and PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome). As if my life couldn't have gotten any more complicated when we found out the news of another baby in incubation. ;) I wasn't sure whether to be excited or worried. Of course I only got very worried, excitement unable to set in.

To bring you up to my current status, I'm still pregnant. (Great big smile.) 16-1/2 weeks, to be exact. We find out the sex of the baby in 15 days (yes, I'm counting down).

The first 13 weeks were a crazy roller coaster filled with mostly the big downs. I was super sick, losing about 10 lbs. I was extremely exhausted, not just because of the pregnancy, but also because of my illnesses, well, and then the fact that I was also mothering two pre-school-aged children. It was very hard. I've had one bout of major pain lasting about a week. When I have the bouts of pain, it's hard to function. My arms, legs, feet, elbows, upper back all hurt. (When I say "hurt", it feels just like body aches when you have the flu, only worse. So sit back and imagine that. It's not fun.) I get spasms throughout my body and limbs go numb. I also get really exhausted and just need to sleep, but as all us mothers know, that's nearly impossible. So I just bite my tongue through the pain, try and parent the best I can, and do what I can to just get through another day (all the while complaining and crying to Neil every waking minute he's here -- he's my rock). Thankfully that just lasted about a week. Things have pretty much been in remission since then. Knock-on-wood. I would be quite happy if I could make it the rest of the pregnancy without anymore bouts. Actually, I would be ecstatic.

On the plus side, baby is doing quite well. S/he is growing on time and then some. S/he is measuring 2 weeks ahead (something we'll get more concerned with as time goes on) and his/her heart rate has been nice and high. Now I'm feeling kicks and movements constantly which is reassuring and wonderful. I have missed those kicks...something you hope to never forget once you're not pregnant, but when you are again, you welcome back that feeling with open arms because you forgot how great the real thing felt.

The first few weeks were tough. Not just because I was so sick but because it was a very risky time. I saw my doctor every 2 weeks and had 4 ultrasounds in that time. We went into the pregnancy thinking I was going to miscarry, but s/he came through for me! Making it to the 13 week point was such a huge huge milestone. I have now "graduated" to just every 4-week appointments.

Now we're just waiting anxiously for the next appointment, hoping we get good news from the level II ultrasound which will tell us a lot about the baby's health. I'm very nervous about that. I am taking a lot of drugs and while I know they are deemed safe, it is still scary to put anything questionable in your body when you're carrying a baby.

In other areas of our life... Neil is working hard and traveling a LOT. He got another new responsibility at work and so far that has meant he travels much more. Not my cup of tea, especially during pregnancy. I am hoping he'll get it out of his system before baby arrives. I'll need him much more then. But in the last 3 weeks he has been to New York City, San Antonio, Geneva, Switzerland, and Paris, France. Tomorrow he leaves for Chicago. Based on his pictures, I really hope to get to go to Switzerland with him sometime. Looks gorgeous and a place I'd love to document with my own photography.

I signed Noah up last week for kindergarten. That was hard. On me. I sat in the car and took a few deep breaths and held back tears before heading in. It was just such a big step in his/my life. It means reading, writing, tying shoes, losing teeth, and going full-days at school. My baby is a big boy now. It's hard to come to that realization some days, especially on the day of registration.

Maia is also signed up for next year, pre-school. She'll go every day, half days. She's very very ready and I'm ready for her. (It's so much easier to let go of her versus Noah and I'm not sure why that is, but it is.) She already knows her teacher quite well and a handful of her classmates. I know she will do very well and I'm thrilled for her. She'll have a much better time getting to go to school every day than spending the mornings with mommy and baby. It will also be good for baby and me to have this one-on-one time together. Ultimately will make it easier for all I hope.

In my photography world, to be honest, I've been very slow. After Christmas, most sittings stopped, and I have no weddings booked for 2009 (something I did on purpose and am very excited about). Not being busy has been a Godsend as I don't think I could have done anything, even if asked to, the past 4 months. Now that spring is peeking out it's head, people are getting the itch for photos, so my months ahead are booking up. I love family and baby/child sittings. While I adore weddings, I feel I can be more creative and have much more fun with smaller shoots. Not to mention I get MUCH more time with my family.

A few months ago I was offered a job through a graphic design firm in Decatur to work for them doing specific photo shoots every month. They kind of interviewed me and I got to see and hear exactly what they wanted from me. I was excited with what I saw and the girls at the firm were excited with what they saw in my work. (Yay!) So, now that the magazine is finally starting up, I can talk about it! It's called "Thrive" and it's about Decatur (and surrounding areas) focusing on the good and positive about Decatur (especially night life and recreation; Decatur's reputation isn't that wonderful to outsiders, even some insiders) and highlighting those positive things on a monthly basis. I am, and will be, the main photographer documenting these things! My first "job" begins this month and the first publication will be out in June. I am very very excited. A great way to expand my work portfolio, have a steady stream of moolah coming in, and it will give me the chance to open myself up more. I tend to stay in this nice little bubble most of the time and I think I need to get out more :)

I was also contacted at the beginning of the year about my "Informant" movie photos. This magazine "Illinois Country Living" has decided to do a special issue dedicated to the movie and will be published in September when the movie comes out. They've chosen my photos for the article as well as the COVER photo!! They interviewed me, too, and I'm kinda nervous about that part, hoping they won't publish any of it. ;) I think I had some pretty corny answers. It's hard to come up with clever stuff! But, ultimately, I am soooo excited and hope to get a few copies to hand out to those of you who love me most ;)

Well, I will end this post for now. I have a feeling it's already WAY more than what you were hoping for. I guess that's what you get when you don't see "me" anymore and my blog doesn't see you. Sorry for the hiatus. I've missed you all a lot. I'm also going to update Grandma's Diary. I've been getting lots of slack from my mom and Great Aunt...in very nice subtle ways ;)

Lots of love ~ Val

{Forgive me. . . }

. . .for not being around. I have quite a few things ailing me. Figuring out a couple things (just yesterday we found out two) and still awaiting the other (next Thursday). Nothing to be worried about. Believe me, I'm relieved that I finally know what's partly wrong with me. I was so so so so worried. I know worrying doesn't get any of us anywhere, but it's really hard not to worry when you have a family that you still have to take care of. I was so exhausted and wasn't managing that well.

What I have made time for is my photography because, as I told some friends, it's really one of the only things that brings me comfort and joy, other than my family of course. I have found some great photography support in the flickr community, so I spend a lot of time there just looking for inspiration to improve my own work. Here's a recent fave of mine, which has also been a fave of my flickr-ites:



Before I started not feeling so well, I did have a couple sorta big accomplishments. I saw that my 2nd billboard was up (!) which was discovered as Neil, myself and the kids were driving back from my cousin's wedding (which myself and my friend, Patty, photographed) in southern Illinois. I wasn't paying attention and Neil said "is that yours?" really calmly. And so I look up and uncalmly I shrieked, "YES!! Turn around!!!" So he turned around and I got out on the highway so I could take a picture. He was a little embarrassed by me, but hey, nothing new with Val :c)

So the wedding went fantastic-o. I still have not proofed them because I was busy finishing up some other sessions (of some cute adorable little people which you can see some of here), and then I started feeling crummy. But I'm hoping to begin working tonight on that wedding. Finally.

And then last weekend was Heather's bridal shower which my mom and I threw for her. It was a huge success in every way. We all had a blast. Afterwards mom and I packed up some of our stuff and went to Heather's for the evening alone, just the girls, watching movies and snacking on the leftovers from the shower :)

Speaking of Heather, she and Lee closed on their house yesterday, the one which I showed you all a little while back in this post. Soooo exciting for them. Their first home for both of them! Congrats you guys!

I feel like I've lost a lot of bloggy readers and that makes me sad, but I totally understand. I just don't have time for it as much as I want to have time for it. I haven't had time (or energy) to blog and haven't had time (or energy) to read the words of my dear blogging friends. Please forgive me on this, too. One day I will be back full-swing.

I leave you with this:

You are built to pull a cart,
to lift a heavy load and bear it,
to haul up the long slope,
and so
am I, peasant bodies, earthy, solid
shapely dark glazed clay pots that can
stand on the fire.

—Marge Piercy

Tidbits - read if you're bored - ha!

My site is completely done, but there's a hold up with getting it "live" which is pretty discouraging, but hopefully SOON! Believe me, I want to share it with you! Alexis has seen it since she is my editor-in-chief (seriously, she is, that's her job), and she is even antsy about getting it up! I hope soon soon soon. Cross your fingers that it gets to be "live" this week. I'm so anxious, it's not even funny!

Big news! Two of my dearest friends had their new baby boy, Anderson Troy, September 25th in the wee hours of the morning. He is so beautiful! Check him out with daddy Rusty. (Rusty and I have gone to school togehter since kindergarten all the way through college. We lived together one year in college -- what great memories. I still remember one of our conversations at the dinner table when we were talking about marriage and babies. He never ever thought he'd see either. Now he's a very amazing father to two!)Congrats, guys! Love ya!

While I'm not shooting and getting orders organized or working on the site, I am trying hard to get ready for this Halloween party that I'm throwing, which seems to be getting bigger all the time. I need to plan the menu and my decorations. But I'm not sure when. Someone I'm sure I'll squeeze in time. Probably during one of my late nights (mornings) staying up when there is peace and quiet in my house. I haven't seen much sleep in the past few days. That's okay. I'm seriously not complaining. I love my coffee.

One of my bestest friends, Kristin, is coming to visit me tomorrow. She wants to see the house. What she doesn't know is, she's coming into a house full of boxes, clutter and dirt. It's so messy and so, uck. There just isn't time. If you're reading this, K, now you are prepared! ;c)

And, big news, Maia pooped on the potty last night! I'm so excited! Maybe NO MORE DIAPERS is in our new future. I really really really really really hope so. Really!

Alexis is having a big huge interview today for a kick-arse job for her at-home PR business. Thinking of you, Alexis!!!! Can't wait to hear!!

Ok, off to get ready for the shoot and package up some things that are going off to the post office today. I swear the next post I make will be "It's Live"!!!!! I promise. You won't see me till then. Can't wait to really be "back", too. I hope soon.

Squeezing in a 'hello' & update

Site should be up this week! Yay!! I put in my request to "go live", so we'll see how long it takes! Yippee yay yay yay!!!!!

I'm having mega Internet troubles, though. Apparently many people in my town are. So we're on a waiting list to get fixed. Ugh, ugh, ugh. My signal is hit or miss. The tech guy was just here so he has it connected for the time being, but he said it could "just go" at any time. So, if you email me and don't here back in reasonable time, that is why! He said it could be a WEEK before it's fixed. Oh my goodness . . . a week?! I'm sure everyone has reasons why they need to be online, but I think mine is pretty valid -- I WORK online . . . all my photos go online and my ordering takes place partially online. I NEED the Internet. It stinks how much we rely on technology in this way. But what other choices do I have? Not many. This is the only Internet company that my teeny town has. So I have to wait and wait and wait and twiddle my thumbs and put more of my work on hold even that much longer. Just when I thought I was getting caught up and doing so well, too. Ahhhh well.

When my site does "go live", I will be finding a way to let you all know even if that means a special trip into town to a coffee shop that has wireless. It's going to be so exciting! I am just so so proud of how it has turned out thus far. I hope you will be also.

Oh! Some other really cool bits of news ---

I heard from my brother last night and he helped create a video that will be on MTV's TRL for The Chain Gang _______ (something-or-other). I'm super excited for him even though I have no idea who the group is?! (R&B or Rap, I'm assuming??)

And I found out, just this week, that a relative in our family is preggie and so is a friend of mine AND another friend just had her baby girl named Ryleigh. Congrats April and Carey! And our friends, Brian and Melissa, had their first baby girl just last week and I get to see her tomorrow when I do her newborn shoot @ just ONE WEEK OLD! Babies just keep comin' from every direction and it makes me so happy! When does a baby not make a person smile?

And the best news of all. Noah has successfully went to school 3 days in a row. No "I-don't-want-to-go-to-school"s and absolutely no complaints or whines. He went every day with a smile and returned with an even bigger smile. I hope this is a beginning of good things for him in school. (I really really really really hope.)

Talk to you again soon . . . who knows when?!

Update-a-roos

Update #1 -- I've finally begun updating my VWC blog with recent stuff I'm doing or have done. I will be slow getting everything up, because there has been quite a lot going on outside my moving, unpacking, cleaning and decorating of the pad, but as you see fit, please check me out o'er there :c)

Update #2 -- My pot/St. Joseph post sprung some fun interest and comments. My very dear Catholic friend, Katie, commented giving us some clarification behind St. Joseph, which actually makes a whole lot of sense. Thank you, again, Katie :c)

Now, off to do a maternity shoot. I have a feeling one of us is going to melt, and it will probably be her. With the humidity factor, it's right around 100 degrees here today, which isn't all that normal for central Illinois. And if you don't hear from me, it's because she is delivering (she is already dilating -- woo-hoo) and I'm with her photographing a baby being born! I know . . . you're sick of my excitment over this, but I don't care ;c)