Week 37 Update

Congratulations to me and Baby Vaught! We are officially full term!! Time has definitely flown by. It seems like just yesterday I heard his heartbeat for the first time, found out he was indeed a HE, felt his first kicks... Now he's got his very own room, an overflow of clothes, and more Ole Miss stuff than we do in the entire house. Hotty Toddy for this sweet little Rebel!! 

 

Ask me how I'm feeling any other day and I would say "Pretty good!" or a less enthusiastic "I'm alright." But today? No bueno. I left work at one, came home and got in bed. I just wanted to be horizontal in a cool, dark room. I know it would probably make me feel much better if I got up and moved around, maybe took a walk around my block. But I'm not having any of that today. Just let the pregnant girl sleeeeeeeeep.

It's six o'clock now and I finally peeled myself off the fresh sheets I put on our bed and made my way to the grocery store for a few items for the weekend. My mom gave us some ribeyes to grill, so we'll be eating good for the next couple of days. Makes me happy :)

Movement: Vaught has calmed down a little. I can feel his little feet kicking the top of my belly, as he is still head down, ready for his big entrance! Or should I say exit??
 

Weight: at Tuesday's appointment I had actually lost a pound in three weeks! Couldn't believe it! My total pregnancy gain so far is 21 pounds. I'll take it!
 

Cravings: I'm all about some Sonic ice right now.

 That's actually what really motivated me to get out of bed this afternoon. We have a new Sonic in Old Towne Olive Branch, and their ice is amazing. I know all Sonic ice is good, but theirs is like biting into a firm snowball. It's just unfathomable. I'm also craving milk and cookies, especially Oreos. But who doesn't love Oreos?! I satisfy this one with three or four Oreos and a glass of milk at nighttime. I try not to overdo it, but it's only a matter of time before I eat an entire sleeve by myself.
 

Tuesday's Appointment: it went really well! I had the Group B Strep test done, which was easy peezy. I have got to stop getting online and reading about these routine tests and exams that pregnant women must endure; so many women claim that "it hurts like hell!" or "I thought I was going to die!" and "Seriously, so uncomfortable." Ehhhhh? I have a reeeeally high pain threshold. Like really high. And I'm just a tough girl. But I went in expecting the worst, and it was no big deal at all. My doctor finally did an internal exam, which, again, was not bad. I was glad to find out that I am soft and thinning but not yet dilated. That can change in a matter of hours or days or even, Lord help, weeks. Again, I do not see myself going much further, as Vaught is already measuring at an estimated 7 pounds and 4 ounces! But that could be off by up to a pound. His head, belly, and spine are all measuring around September fifteenth. My doctor continuously wants growth measurements as this child keeps measuring early.
 

I'm still walking some, but no more hard workouts; I've developed tendinitis in my right wrist. In all 37 weeks I've not had a whole lot to complain about, but tendinitis?? NOT fun! I can't clasp my bra, turn a doorknob, or brush my hair without yelping. Even texting can be difficult.
 

Aside from that, I still feel good, but I'm a sleepy mama. It's cute how my husband still waits around for me to cook supper every night. Yesterday, I came in around 5, and he'd already been home about an hour. I changed clothes and laid down in bed, intending to nap for just a little while. He comes tiptoeing into our bedroom and says, "Baby... When are you gonna cook my dinner?" Not our dinner--my dinner. If I'd had the energy I might have been irritated, but it was actually kind of cute. I did end up cooking his dinner, but I was definitely exhausted by nighttime!

Highlights: my mother-in-law bought Vaught the carseat canopy caboodle from carseatcanopy.com. We put it on after supper tonight; it's cute as can be!! He is our sweet little Ole Miss Rebel! I'm taking the lap blanket to my "monogram girl" tomorrow to have his initials put on it!

Chance is starting to accept his role as "big brother!"

 

Bump Pic

Sorry but this is all I've got for week 37. I took it when I got home from work then went to sleep for three hours. The bump is wayyyy out there now! I cannot believe I actually thought I looked pregnant when I was like 20 weeks. Haha!

Up Next

My family shower is this Saturday at my aunt's house in New Albany. Eric's grandparents from Meridian are going to make the trip. He is so excited! Since we don't plan on traveling very far with Vaught until he's several months old, I'm glad they're coming and will get to visit with us before he's here. Hopefully they'll be able to come back soon after he arrives.

 

Ole Miss vs. Vandy at Vanderbilt Saturday at 3:30. My shower is from 2-4, so I told my aunt that at 3:30 we're going to have to turn her TV on SEC Network so I can keep up with the game :) Go Rebels!

 

Our Ole Miss season football tickets came in!! I hope I get to start going back to games in October, assuming my parents and Eric's won't mind a little babysitting :) Hotty Toddy!

 

I'm working on another little project right now that I hope to share with you before next week. I will post to Instagram when I finish it :) Have a wonderful weekend!

The Brunette Pregnant Goddess Barbie

Here I sit, almost 9:30 on the dot in my OB's office. I'm wearing an old sorority tank, size XXL so it nearly hits my knees and would do so if not for a 36 week baby belly, over which I have that fabulous pair of maternity leggings I found at Kohl's. I've not shaved my legs in a few days, and if I knew it wouldn't make things extremely awkward, I would totally be planning an apology to my doctor for it. My feet are comfy and not swollen, although my toenail polish is chipping slightly, and they're slipped into my favorite pair of Teva flip flops that I've worn nearly every day all summer. I've got a little bit of concealer, powder, and blush on, and my hair is in its signature "Kate Nicole bun," as my friends from high school called it. Here's a picture:

 

I look like a hungover sorority girl in her senior year of college, which is odd because I was one of those not too awful long ago, though I wasn't usually hungover. Not usually. Anyway, it's quite clear from the hair, the outfit, the lack of lipstick... I do not give a shit.

 

Sorry. I try to watch my language, as I know I have lots of conservative friends who read. I myself am quite conservative, though I do have a mouth on me once you get me going. But I am nearly 37 weeks pregnant, and I believe it's Miranda Lambert who said "My give-a-damn's busted." (Oh wait it was some other girl... Nevermind). But mine really is and has been since about... week 28 or 29. I run a brush through my hair a few times a week, but I've not plugged in my straightening or curling iron since June. I keep my face washed and moisturized but makeup? Shmakeup. I wear just enough to not look dead. My mom's like, "Honey, just dab on some lipstick. You need a little color." My wardrobe consists of maxi dresses, maxi skirts, and breezy knee length dresses. I wear these leggings with a Piko top or tunic sometimes. Don't get me wrong; I spruced up for my shower August 3rd, and now and then I'll have a day when I just tell myself You need to look pretty today! And it really does make me feel better to dress up a little! But the closer I get to having this baby, the more damns I'm running out of to give. But let me get to the point of this blog...

 

So I'm sitting here and in walks the brunette pregnant goddess Barbie, and today is the third appointment in a row in which we've met. Okay so we haven't actually "met," but we notice each other, smile, and she takes her seat not far from me. She's not hard to remember, but I kind of wonder if she remembers me. She's this perfect pregnant girl and I'm the girl she looks at, thinking to herself, Thank God I don't look like that girl! I look down at myself in shame because I know that's a really bad thought. And because I really do look like shit. She is wearing a short, mid-thigh length, flowy blue dress with a skinny brown belt perfectly situated between her adorable bump (she's at least as far along as I am) and perfect boobs (are those things even real?!). She is tan and glowing, quite literally. Her makeup is perfect (I know those eyelashes are not real) and her long, brown hair is styled in perfectly cascading waves. She's even wearing a cute little beaded headband, like totally hippie chic. I look down and this girl's feet are perfectly pedicured and situated inside a pair of gold wedges, we're talking at least four inches here. Anything with a heel higher than one inch has been foreign to me for about five months now.

 

In a single word, this girl is beautiful. She shows no sign of distress or worry as she tosses her hair over one shoulder and skims the pages of a month-old gossip magazine. Yep. This pregnant mama is feeling a little bit inferior.

But WHY?

 I'll bet you anything she spent her first trimester vomiting her little heart out every morning, while I was often confined to a bed due to severe back pain. I'll bet she's experiencing some of the unusually odd and uncomfortable and totally awkward changes our bodies undergo as we prepare to have a baby. Just like I am. She's here to get poked and prodded and examined in the most personal way. Just like I am. She's growing a human and seems to be doing a pretty good job of it. Just. Like. I am. Although she looks freaking fabulous, I secretly hope she's gained like fifty pounds. I've got her beat there (I'm about 99% kidding).

 

I stopped comparing myself to others years ago when I realized it would get me nowhere and that my best motivation for being better, stronger, smarter is actually myself. And that applies to anything I have going on in my life. However, with this being the third time I've seen her, it's been difficult, as is understandable. In actuality though, this post is really not about her at all; it's everything to do with me. Here's what I know: it matters not how you get there as long as you never give up. Okay, we're usually not talking about pregnancy, but I think it can be applied here. In a few short weeks (or days), our beautiful little guy will be here. For nearly nine months I have lived my life accordingly and changed my lifestyle so that he can have a healthy one once he arrives. I've not gained a hundred pounds, and let's hope that doesn't change before he's here, and I've done a pretty swell job of preparing our household to be the safest, most loving environment for him. I'm sure this girl in my doctor's office has done the same. So what if I'm not in wedges? So what if I've not brushed my hair since Saturday morning? She looks gorgeous and should be proud. I look like I'm fifteen months pregnant and should be proud. There are millions of women out there who would love to have swollen feet, aching backs, uncomfortable examinations if it means having a baby. We're both growing healthy babies and should be proud and grateful. For me, that's all I'm focusing on right now.

 

Maybe I'll see her again this coming Tuesday or perhaps at our six week postnatal appointment, where I will be in that office like....

 

 

Either way, I hope all goes well for her. Not only does she look great, she inspired what turned out to be a pretty thoughtful blog. That's what I love about writing--the more I do it, the more I learn about myself-- and the more I learn to love myself.





Cheers to NOT going into Labor on Labor Day :)

HAPPY SEPTEMBER FIRST, LABOR DAY, and BIRTH MONTH to all (and that last one TO ME)!!!

I thought all weekend how hilarious and ironic it would be to go into labor on Labor Day. But it is currently 7PM and we've made it this far. Surely if it were going to be today I'd have some type of heads up by now. But we've still got a few hours left in the day, so I suppose anything is possible :)

 

If you read me regularly, and I hope you do, then you might remember me mentioning in my week 36 bumpdate that the husband and I were going to go on a date this weekend. I told him last Wednesday or Thursday that I didn't care what it involved--just as long as we didn't sit around the house all weekend long! Friday nights we're both usually pooped from the week, so we ordered pizza and watched college football and stayed relaxed and cozy on the couch. Saturday I made a point to get out and go to Target and TJMaxx, just "browsing" as I like to call it. I ended up finding a pair of black trousers from Target with an elastic, smocked waist; just my size and perfect for post-baby work pants or lounge pants. I have no idea why, because this has not even been mentioned by my doctor, but the moment I saw them I thought, These will be perfect if I end up having to have a C-section! Don't ask me why that was my first thought! But really, they are fabulous! After my browsing excursion, I picked Eric up from the house and we went to Piggly Wiggly (our only grocery shopping outlet now) to pick out some steaks to grill that night. Along with salad and baked potatoes, they went perfectly with all the college football we got to watch! I was probably most impressed with the LSU-Wisconsin game. I had a hunch the whole time that LSU would win, and somehow they did! Although I looooove beating them as a Rebel, I always cheer for the SEC team! And if you wanna talk about those Rebels Thursday night... Wow. We pulled out an awesome 35-13 victory over Boise State, but we didn't really show up to Atlanta until the fourth quarter. Not cool but very typical of the Rebels. Any fan will tell you that.

 

Sunday--rainy and nasty, so we skipped driving to Potts Camp and opted for an afternoon movie. We saw Into the Storm. My review: don't waste your time. Great storm sequences (I love a good disaster movie), but horrible acting. We got back home around 4 and I got dressed for bed. But after laying there for a few hours, Vaught began kicking like crazy, so I got up and went to the gym hoping to settle him down a little. Thirty minutes of walking on the treadmill was just what he and I needed!

 

And today was the day I had been waiting for all weekend-- our "date day," we decided to call it. I made breakfast for us, then left for some cardio at the gym but somehow ended up at Olive Branch park where I walk/jogged a mile then grabbed a coffee frappucino from Starbucks. We left the house around 12:15 to see a movie in Collierville. We saw When the Game Stands Tall, which is probably the best football movie I've seen since The Blind Side, though nothing really compares to The Blind Side! Even if you're not an huge egghead like we are, I highly recommend this one--it's such an inspirational movie. Afterwards we met my mom, aunts, cousin, and Grandmother at Firebird's in for an early supper. The original plan was for it to be just the two of us, but my mom just so happened to call as we were on our way there. They had two extra chairs, so why not spend a little extra time with family? The last big thing that was on my to-do list for today was to make this horribly unhealthy but super delicious-looking dessert I'd seen on Pinterest, so we ventured over to Kroger (cheating on the Pig for once), and grabbed everything I needed, along with a few other things to last us through the week (you know, since I'm going through a dozen rolls of toilet paper every week with my six trips to the bathroom at night). Here's the link to the original Pinterest recipe, but I changed it up a bit, so I do believe I can also credit myself.  

 

The website calls it Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Cake; however, I think that's kind of boring, and if you typed it into Google I'll bet you'd get a million different recipes. I'm in the process of thinking of a clever name for the one I created... The best I can come up with is "Orgasm in a Pan" because that's what I feel is most relevant for this one... Too much? Sorry. I'll keep thinking.

 

Ingredients:

10 Neopolitan Ice Cream Sammies--$3.50 for a box of a dozen. Eric ate the remaining two.

8 Oreos-- $2.17 for the off brand at Kroger.

2 cups of lite whipped topping-- $1.75 at Kroger.

6 fun size Snickers-- $1.60

6 fun size Milky Ways-- $1.60

Chocolate sauce for drizzle-- $2

Caramel sauce for drizzle-- $2

 

 

Directions:

Pretty self-explanatory from the pictures. But I recommend crushing your Oreos and slicing your Snickers and Milk Ways first so your ice cream sandwiches don't melt too quickly in the pan.

 

Next, line your sandwiches up in your baking pan or whatever dish you're using.

 

Cover Smother with whipped topping next. This would have worked a tad bit better had I given the topping time to thaw first. Didn't really think about that at the time though. Eric saw me struggling to spread it over the sandwiches, so he felt he had to step in. You know, seeing as how that's the manly thing to do. He did a pretty good job!

 

And you're already nearly done! Add your crushed Oreos and chopped up chocolate bars.

 

Lastly, drizzle with chocolate and caramel sauce, then place in the freezer for an hour.

As you can see, our three pitties LOVE to help in the kitchen!

 

Eric just pulled it out and cut himself a slice (read: enormous chunk) . He says that "Orgasm in a Pan" is a perfect name for this, though the more I think about it the more I feel that it's just a little too inappropriate, especially since I love doing some of my fun desserts with my mom and nieces! I reeeeally don't want to have to explain the name of this one to them! I would say "Sex in a Pan," but I'm pretty sure that's already taken! So I'm still thinking on a name for this; if you've got any, throw them my way. I'll totally give you credit!

 

I have another prenatal appointment tomorrow, and I'm so excited to see if I'm making any "progress" towards labor. I feel like we are so so close to meeting Vaught, but at the same time I want him to come on his own time when he's ready. I'm so grateful for this lovely weekend Eric and I got to spend together! It could be the last one we have where it's just the two of us, or we could very well get a few more in by the end of this month. Even still, it's crazy to think that we are 99% likely to have our baby boy with us by the end of September. My doctor basically told me that he wouldn't allow me to go past September, but you never know. We just continue to pray for a happy, healthy baby! Also, I will be 24 years young on the 18th of this month... I can't help but look forward to my own birthday!

 

As you can see, it's been a fun, relaxing weekend, but all this dessert talk and blogging is making me really sleepy... on top of the fact that I'm always sleepy by eight o-clock now :) Check in with me Thursday for Week 37!!!



Week 36

We are 36 weeks strong today, and I am feeling the pressure! I still feel pretty good in general, but achey and heavy sometimes, especially in my hips. I believe this means he is "settling" or "engaged," meaning I'm that much closer to getting to meet him :) Even still, it's a little uncomfortable sometimes. I don't think there's any way I will make it to the end of September... but I guess I could. My hips and legs just may be completely detached by then!

Contractions: I have sporadic contractions throughout the day and have begun jotting them down. They're getting stronger but are still fairly painless, lasting about 15-20 seconds. As much as I'm not really looking forward to it, my doctor better perform an internal exam on the cervix Tuesday. That's all I got to say 'bout that.

Exercise: I'm doing all upper body now along with some cardio, which usually makes my hips, legs, and back feel better on rough days surprisingly. I have a love/hate relationship with cardio; I get bored with it unless I'm running one of the routes in my neighborhood. But since it's wayyyyy too hot for this mama-to-be, I've stuck with the treadmill and the elliptical. I can still jog but not for long--mainly because of the constant urge to pee!

Weight: I haven't stepped on my home scale in a  few weeks, and I don't intend to, so I won't know for sure until my appointment Tuesday morning. I've kind of turned my back on the healthy diet I've followed for the past 8 months, but maybe that's not so bad since I can't eat much at all (running out of room!). I've probably put on a few pounds since my last appointment, but I'm alright with that. We are almost done, and it's going to all fall off in the weeks following Vaught's debut! At not quite 34 weeks, I had gained just a little more than 20 pounds... I'd say that's a pretty good accomplishment for this mama!

Highlights

I used my birthday coupon from Victoria's Secret for a few pair of new-mom-friendly undies and some sweats. When I saw these black sweatpants I couldn't help but picture myself living in them for the first few days of Vaught's life. They're going to the hospital with me too!

 

The husband and I are paid up on our bills through the end of September and some through October. This was a HUGE weight off our shoulders!

I also got Vaught's circumcision procedure paid for, which is something they recommend you do by 36 weeks (apparently the price goes up if you don't). I don't mind sharing, so for those who may be curious it is $225 at our hospital.

Up Next

It is Labor Day weekend, and Eric and I are going on a date... No clue what we're going to do yet, but we figured we deserved one last night out, just the two of us. I kind of hope a movie and some popcorn are in store, but we'll see.

Ole Miss Football starts... TODAY, and I've been pumped all day. I used up the battery on my phone before two o'clock just reading stats and predictions on the game tonight! My blood pressure is about to be all over the place. Any Ole Miss fan will tell you that it's not healthy being one of us :)

My family shower is next Saturday, and I'm so excited to see everyone and get a few last minute gifts for Vaught. Hopefully he'll hold off until then, but I totally wouldn't mind if he didn't.

Bump Photos

Yes, I cut  my head off. Looking a little ratchet this afternoon.

Did I just use the term "ratchet?"



35 weeks + 5 days Tuesday.

I guess you could say I'm a little anxious to have him here. Pregnancy has been so good to me, and it's flown by. I'm so thankful that things have gone as well as they have, but I'm ready to meet our little guy. I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to meet him. I know being a new mother will be tough sometimes, but I also know how worth it it's all going to be, and I am so looking forward to the journey.

Game Predictions: Ole Miss 2014

Quick disclaimer: I am not a football analyst, so don't expect super accurate statistics and other crazy numbers. I am a woman who loves college football. I am a devoted Ole Miss football fan. I mean really, I'm naming my son Vaught. One thing I love about my passion for Ole Miss football is that I am not what my husband and I refer to as a "committee fan." Now, there's nothing wrong with being this type of fan. It simply means that you know whether or not your team won their most recent game... and that's about it. You are not staying up every night and waking up early on Sunday morning to watch ESPN or the SEC Network's pre-game/post-game reviews. You don't read the mile-long reports after each and every game your teams plays, noting what did work, what didn't, what went wrong, what your team did right. That's okay. You can be a fan of something and not be "all up in it" in a sense. There is nothing wrong with that! But I pride myself on being a true fan. I bleed red and blue. I'm not ugly or offensive about it, but I know that my team, my school--The University of Mississippi-- is the greatest team, the greatest school in America.

 Just like you know yours is.

You get me, right? Okay. Just had to be sure.

August 28th vs Boise State in Atlanta: A few years ago, I might have been worried. Boise State had a great football program, but they've fallen in the last few seasons. At the end of the 2013 season, Ole Miss held a national record for the most bowl wins, claiming 23 wins of the 35 bowl games they've played in team history and six consecutive wins. This says a lot about my team, including that the Rebels play well in neutral territory. In addition to the slight downfall of Boise State's program, I like that we're playing in Atlanta. I'm going to say it's a win.

September 6th at Vanderbilt: For the second year, we play at Vanderbilt. Although I was thrilled with the season opener victory last year, I hated watching that game. Honestly, the win should not have been that close (39-35), as Vanderbilt is another program that's never been inherently "good," though they have definitely risen in the last few years. Even still, I just feel that they don't compete as well as part of the SEC. Among other things about this team, they have a new head coach. I'm calling this one a win... let's just hope it's significantly better than last year's, points-wise at least.

September 13th vs Louisiana-Lafayette: This is our first home game. Have you ever been in Vaught-Hemingway for the first home game? Or any game for that matter? If not, you're missing out. The Rebels will be on fire. Win. All day.

September 27th vs Memphis: Yet another home game. Memphis's football program hasn't thrived in several years, and I do not expect this year to be any different. Win.

October 4th vs Alabama: This is where it gets interesting. Goodbye to A.J. McCarron (I actually really like him), and the Tide is left without a quarterback--or at least not one with very much game time experience. In addition, they lost several key players to the draft and graduation. Last year, we were expected to win. People made a huge ordeal out of it, but I still kind of knew it wasn't going to happen. Not in 2013. But 2014? With every year, at least in the Freeze era, I feel that the Rebels become more and more powerful. I believe that our "big year" will be 2015, but who says we can't accomplish big things this year? We play Alabama at home for the first time in three years; our last victory versus the Tide was in 2003. Alabama is a power force, they really are. And I acknowledge that and respect it. They're an outstanding team. However, if there's going to be a big upset this year, it will be on October 4th in the Vaught. I'm stepping out on a really shaky limb here... But win.

October 11th vs. Texas A&M: Seriously, the last two games (2012,2013), were won by A&M by the skin of their teeth (I think that's the correct expression.) Without Johnny Football, they are nothing (he'd probably get sexually excited if he read that--gosh, I can't stand him). The third time will be the charm for the Rebs. Win.

October 18th vs. Tennessee: Again, another program that used to so great! I remember the years when Tennessee being a force to be reckoned with! But in the last few seasons, not so much. In addition to that, this is Homecoming for the Rebels. Win.

October 25th vs. LSU: If you weren't there for this last year, you missed it. People who hate dislike Ole Miss were talking about it for weeks--well of course they were-- everyone was! I don't see how ESPN did not include this game in their Top 25 a few weeks ago! This was incredible. I was screaming, laughing, crying, jumping up and down with my husband. This was the game of the season, in my opinion. However, moving forward... LSU is ready to reclaim their dignity. They're a brutal team, quite possibly the most brutal in college football. They're mean and a little bit psychotic in my opinion. They're looking for redemption. And revenge. Seeing as how we are playing in Death Valley this year, I believe they'll get it. It's hard, but I am deeming this one a loss.

November 1st vs. Auburn: It's not as much to do with them as a team as it is Gus Malzahn. I have a lot of respect for that man as a football coach. They're going to be a power house as long as he's there, and I feel that they're looking for another shot to play for a national championship. Loss.

November 8th vs. Presbyterian: WHO? Like I had to Google this team and found them on the second page. Win.

November 22nd vs Arkansas: Really? We smoke whole hogs where I'm from. Pig whoooie???? Win. But for real, Arkansas is trying really hard, they are. But they won't be there for a while. We all have to suffer now and then.

November 29th vs. Mississippi State: I guarantee many of you skipped all the above to get to here. That's understandable--the Battle of the Golden Egg is among the most popular rival games in the nation after all! In 2012, my husband and I were on our way back from Meridian the Saturday of this game. We were 10 miles from the Batesville-Oxford exit on I55, when he turns to me and says, "Baby... let's go to the Egg Bowl." So we ended up in Oxford where we scored tickets for $40 and watched the Rebels mow over the dogs for the first time in three years. It was amazing. But I said it then, and I think it's going to stand true: "For the next two, maaaaybe three years, the home team will win the Egg Bowl." And what do you know? The dogs claimed the trophy in Starkville last year. Now, that was a bit upsetting; I really thought there towards the end the Rebels had a chance, though both teams played horribly, and we all know it. Had Prescott not been put in for the bulldogs, I truly believe the Rebels would have taken home the Egg. This year, the Egg Bowl is in Oxford, and I have to say that I think it will be a fairly easy win for us. For a game like this, the home team always has a major advantage. I read in 2009 that the home team will win the Egg Bowl 8 of 10 times. Mississippi State has the better quarterback--or at least they did at the end of the season last year. But we've got a stronger defense, possibly the strongest in the SEC this year according to ESPN's analysts, and a more powerful offense. I really hope Bo Wallace is as good as he is predicted to be this year. If he can pull himself together, the Golden Egg will be back where it belongs--with the Ole Miss Rebels, making the overall record 62-43-6... Oooooole MISS. Win.

The Rebel in me wants to believe that we really can achieve a 10-2 record. But the Rebel FAN in me knows how tough it will be. If not 10-2, my next bet would be 9-3, and I only say that because the Rebels have a horrible habit of "choking" in important games. Any Ole Miss fan will tell you that being one of us takes a good several years off your life, but I love games like that. Even with this sweet baby coming, I'm looking forward to some good football starting this Thursday in Atlanta.

Are You Ready?

Week 35 Update

 

     So, I did decide to do an update for week 35 today, but it is going to be rather short. Above is one of our lovely maternity photos with Angela Ammons from two Saturday ago. She sent us a sneak peak album; they are gorgeous! Well, most are, haha! Their meaning is beautiful at least. I'm going to her house to pick and choose and order tomorrow and am so excited. I can't wait to have a few in Vaught's room.

     Vaught has been really active this week and was especially so today. I actually halfway thought that something big was going to happen this afternoon; the Braxton Hicks are getting stronger and stronger! Still not painful, but they often stop me in my tracks and I'm like "whoa!" I still went and worked out tonight (I've been going four times a week for the past two weeks--yes!) However, I am officially done with lower body, aside from some light squats. My hips and back are nearly kaput; I have perfected the pregnancy waddle because of it. I think it's kind of cute :) My husband comes to the gym with me and has me do back, chest, shoulders, and arms, and of course a little cardio. I still feel great and am hoping to work out until the day Vaught arrives!

     We rolled the bassinet over to our side of the bed, as part of our "training the dogs for baby" exercises we've got going on. It made it all the more real! I cannot wait to have Vaught here beside us. I'm likely to be the mother with her arm in there all night, holding his sweet little hand. Okay, I have to stop! But can we talk about Lola??? She sat there and looked over in it like, Okay... I'm not quite sure what this is. Mom?? She stuck one of her paws down in it, just feeling around. I know we probably should have said "No!" but it was too cute! We will from here forward, but I think it's good to let them explore a little. Chance and Anabelle want nothing to do with it, but part of the training is giving them time to come around on their own. They're getting so good with being calm and quiet in the baby's room--I have no doubt they'll be great siblings!

      We've also got the car seat set up and ready to go; we each have a base in our vehicles, so it will be easy to move him around. And as of tonight (with those crazy contractions I was having), I've officially got our bags packed and ready for the hospital in Eric's truck! We are ready whenever he is!

          Bump Photos

        I just have one from earlier today.  My mom got this pretty navy dress for me, on sale from Target's maternity section. She got it for me to wear to the first Ole Miss game. However, I may not make it that far! And with Eric's promotion at work (not the full good news from yesterday but definitely part of it!) he is likely to be working a lot of Saturdays again starting in September, so if he can't go we are probably selling those tickets. It seems like we're going to end up selling a lot of our tickets between work and baby, but it's all worth it :)

      Up Next

The Ole Miss game predictions blog will post Sunday evening. Ole Miss football starts in SEVEN DAYS!!! Look for the week 36 update next Thursday :) Have a safe, happy weekend!!!

Some good news and a very bad idea...

     My husband proofreads a lot of what I post on here, giving me ideas on how to make it better, more interesting, more concise, etc. Often, however, he'll say, "Delete this... That's too much information." Ha! Yes, although I claim to be a private person, I am pretty much an open book when I'm comfortable, and I must say that I'm quite comfy in the blogosphere! I love sharing my life and what I'm going through with you all. I have a pretty big audience of people I know and trust, and I really don't mind giving you all an inside look at my life.

     With that being said, I cannot go into very  much detail about the phone call I got from my husband today, but I will say this: it was much needed, prayed for, and it is the perfect proof of God's Word. In Luke 12:22-34, Jesus instructs his disciples not to worry... about anything. He tells them not to worry about the clothes they'll wear, food they'll eat. He basically says, "I'm going to take care of it." And He did and still does for us as Christians. It's so hard for me to wrap my mind around sometimes, but God truly does not want us to worry about anything. If we hand it all over to Him in good faith, He will take all the worries and stress off our shoulders, gladly. It's a hard thing to do, as I'm a bit of a control freak who wants to figure everything out and fix it all for myself. I have to remember that God's timing is a hundred times better than my own. His plans overcome any that I could dream up for myself; I just have to be patient and trust in Him.

     Eric called me during his lunch break and gave me the best news we've gotten in a while, aside from knowing that Baby Pace is healthy at every appointment! I began crying quietly at my desk. I had to excuse myself to the restroom, where I got down on my knees and just thanked God. Sounds really dramatic, I know, but have you ever had a prayer answered after feeling so hopeless? It's an incredible feeling--of both relief and God's love.

     I have no worries now, no fears. I am constantly being shown that His timing and His plans outweigh my own tremendously; I just have to be patient and pray. When nothing in this world is for sure, we know He holds the future; what a comforting thought!

And now, for a little light hump day humor on this lovely (and HOT) Wednesday...

     Be honest: unless you've had a baby recently, been invited to be part of the audience when a woman has done so, or have an occupation in which you see it multiple times a day, you've probably not watched a birth since that horrible day in health class when you had to sit through a video from the 80's of the whole ordeal, squirming uncomfortably in your seat as you try not to laugh/vomit/die of embarrassment. Yeah, that's definitely me, my husband too. So, we were laying in bed Monday night, I'm playing around with the blog a little bit, when suddenly I have this big, bright idea.

You already know what's coming.

     I had the Internet, a wealth of information, right there in front of me, so I say to my husband, "Babe! Let's watch a birth video!" Did I really want to do this in the first place? No, not really. But seeing as how I'm about to go through all that myself, I figured I needed to. And my husband definitely needed to. I was halfway hoping he'd argue with me and say no, but surprisingly he agreed. So I found a video with a woman named Lisa (if you've Googled this, you've probably seen it too), and we proceeded to watch as she gave birth to a baby girl.

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      I cannot kid you; these are our exact expressions after watching the five minute video. During certain parts I was pulling that sheet over my face, shaking my head saying "Oh no, no, no, no, no." I really think I was more mature as a tenth grader watching a birth video than I was as a pregnant, twenty-three-year-old adult. Coming from the girl who loves any movie written/directed/produced by Eli Roth or Quentin Tarantino, you'd think that watching someone have a baby, donned a "beautiful experience" by most people, would be nothing compared to my taste in horror films. But that was definitely not the case.

     I think it was a really bad idea. The whole labor and delivery process doesn't bother or scare me at all, but I don't think it was necessary for me to watch someone else's. It's kind of like the fear of roller coasters I had when I was younger; I didn't want to watch a friend ride it first. Just get me on there and let me do it! And I do think it is beautiful, especially to the new mom and dad and family members who may be present. But seeing a stranger give birth didn't leave me with fluttery butterflies.

     Despite the trauma, I have no doubt that I'll handle it just fine, especially with Eric by my side and an even stronger power in control. I've got a great team behind me, and I am not afraid. I'll be fine, Vaught will be fine, and no matter what happens it will be the best day of our lives, welcoming him into this world.

     No, watching a birth video definitely was not the best idea! But on the bright side, I know a little more now about what I can expect to happen, and I suppose that is one good thing that came out of it. Do I need to add that I did tear up a little when she was handed her baby for the first time?? I cannot wait to hold Vaught in my arms!

    
      We are 35 weeks along tomorrow, and I still can't decide if I'm going to do a bumpdate or not... If I do, it will be short and sweet! Check back or stay updated on the Instagram :)

Hope you all had a happy happy happy HUMP DAY.