Random Pregnancy Stuff

Okay, for those of you who have ever had a negative idea of taking a Lamaze class, get that idea out of your head right now!! Marc and I recently completed Lamaze and I'm so glad we did! Six Thursday nights in a row for 3 hours did get kinda tiring, but it was well worth it. Usually people think of having a natural birth (no meds, C-section, anything...) when they think of Lamaze, but this class taught us about everything. We were the only couple in there out of 12 or so who admitted that we wanted an Epidural right away; everyone else was so gung-ho about going "all natural" and experiencing every single moment of the actual birth. When it got to us, I flat out told them all, "Good luck, let me hear how it goes!!" They all cracked up!! Alot of the time, Marc and I kinda made fun of everything that was going on and were in our own little world making fun of some of the poses and stuff that you get in to try different labor positions. Some nights we would have to take blankets and pillows and each couple would lay on their little bed thangs and we would try these different labor massage techniques. Thank you. It looked like we were having either A) a big co-ed slumber party, or B) nap time in kindergarten. We couldn't take it all seriously and many nights acted like we were 5 years old. :) But, we still learned so much and tried to stay as mature-acting as we possibly could. By the end of the session when most of the births were quickly approaching, some of the girls were changing their minds out of fear and thinking they would probably end up using meds. Anyway, it was great class that taught us about how to know when you're in labor, when to go to the hospital, the differences between dilating and effacing, the different phases of labor, Epidurals, c-sections, parenting, etc., etc. We learned about lots of stuff that every pregnant couple needs to know, not just about how to be big and tough and take every lick of pain of the labor/delivery. But, I was kinda almost being brainwashed by the end to try and go natural. Umm... I think though that I'll try to be tough the next time, if there is a next time, and stay on the safe side for this one. :) We took the class at Centennial and if anyone wants to know more info on how to find a Lamaze class or even what Lamaze is, we can answer any questions you may have. Oh, Marc and I are the biggest experts now!! hee hee!!
Here are a couple of pics we took our last night there. We wanted a group shot of everyone, but class got out late that night so Marc and I left a bit early and didn't want to call everyone out of the parenting video we were watching to take a picture. At least we got a pic of our wonderful nurse teacher thang, Emily, and another couple we grew somewhat close to during the 6 weeks. Oh, we love Emily! She says that one of the things you can do while you're laboring at home, is to have your friends over and play Batgammon. Okay, does our generation even know what that is? Do I even know how to spell it?? So, on the last night we were doing a review session and she asked us to name off 3 things to do at home before we get to the point where we should go to the hospital, and Marc with the most serious look on his face and tone of voice he could muster up, raises his hand and says, "Have our friends over and play Batgammon." Everyone cracked up and it was the funniest thang!! Emily finally realized that all of us probably had no clue what that even was.

35 Weeks and Still Hangin' On!!!

Okay, Marc is kinda freaked out by this one!! It kinda looks like an alien growing from my belly! We haven't done any face-front ones like this so it kinda took us off guard at how far my belly really is pertruding out!!


Marc talking to his baby!! It's so funny... whenever he puts his whole hand flat on my belly like that, Mason really responds!! He starts moving all around after being so still for a while, like he really knows his daddy's touch and voice!! Soooo sweet!! There is nothing like it!

Our newest purchase!!!

Marc kinda sold my car unexpectedly last Monday night. We had been talking for a while now about getting me a new car before the baby arrives so we could have something a little more reliable and roomy. I had been driving the Altima for 5 years and nothing ever major went wrong with it, but we thought it was probably getting to the point where it would just die out of nowhere. And we didn't want that to happen while Mason and I were on the Interstate!! Marc had listed the Altima in this online Vanderbilt newsletter thangy, but we weren't really getting any calls. I thought maybe we would just wait until this summer to worry about it. Well, Marc decided to list it on Craig's List last Monday morning and it sold it just a few hours!! We were blown away!! Craig's List is our new best friend!! So, there I was without a vehicle. I drove my parents' family van for a few days and even got hit on by the Vanderbilt valet dude while I was in it. Thank you. We found our new car the first day of looking, on Craig's List of course, but still wanted to look around some and do our research. Marc and I never make big decisions like this too quickly cuz we love to do our research and check out Consumer Reports and everything else out there there is to check! I married Mr. Practical. Anyway, we went back on Saturday and go the first car we had seen earlier in the week cuz we couldn't take our minds off of it!! Who knew someone would have such luck on Craig's List? I really do recommend you all checking it if you ever need a new car. We got a 2005 Toyota Highlander. I had never paid much attention to them before until my friend Carrie drove up to our house the weekend we went to ATL with her mom's Highlander. I loved it and told Marc that something like that would be perfect for us and Mason when we do decide to go car shopping. We wanted a smaller SUV since they get good gas mileage (and I can't drive big vehicles!!) and something with a bit more room than our Altima. It still doesn't seem real, though... Marc said it's like we're driving a rental car or something cuz it has that new smell and has absolutely nothing in it!! I tried to make it a little more homier yesterday by adding a pair of sunglasses, an umbrella, and a bottled water to it. Thank you. The Akins were our first guinea pigs as we drove them around in it Saturday night right after we got it. It was the most fun cruisin' in the Highlander and getting ice cream!! Johnathan even did a cute little pose in front of it. Thank you. Here it is!!

Here are a couple I took while we were first test-driving it at this family's house. Marc was checking it out!! We had no idea I was taking pics of our future purchase!!






Notice Trixie and the baby seat! We're the biggest little family now! Trixie was the most confused by the car and the weird baby seat thang that she had never seen before in her life! We actually found our car seat/travel system on Ebay last week and went ahead and bid on it instead of waiting to see if anyone got it for us off our registry. We need it ASAP in case that baby decides to get here sooner than expected! So, we bid on it and won! AND, the lady happens to live in Madison!! So, we drove to get it Saturday morning before we went car hunting and tried it out in some cars. I'm pretty proud of Marc cuz he figured out how to install it rather quickly and made it look the easiest. Now, we just gotta put it in there for good and get it inspected, or whatever we have to do with it.








Thank you, Johnathan, thank you.

One of many of Jody & Christy's Shower's!! This one was a fun BBQ at Donnie Nickey's

Marc and I spent our 5 year anniversary, March 8th, at Donnie's house for a shower for my brother and his wife-to-be, Christy. Donnie and Daniel hosted the shower, 2 of Jody's groomsmen. They did a great job! :) There was a very interesting, but great band there performing right in the middle of the living room! You will see in the pics below where my mom because best friends with one of the guitarist thangs. Thank you. It was a very laid-back evening, and we ate lots of BBQ and just socialized. My grandmother was there getting kisses from all of Jody & Christy's guy friends!! It was the funniest. She loved them all and they're now all her adopted grandsons. Donnie is a TN Titan and you can see where my mom, Ginger, and I was stalking this one room in his house where he had some of his memorabilia!! We had the most fun posing with his autographed footballs and being crazy fans!!

Girls' Trip to Atlanta before I'm a mommy!!

Back in February, 4 of my best friends joined me in the family van for a road trip to ATL. We had the best time and all really needed the break! We stayed in the LaQuinta, our favorite cheap hotel with the best free breakfast ever, ate LOTS of yummy food (including Corner Bakery and Cheesecake Factory!) and shopped at Lenox Mall and IKEA. We helped Carrie pick out LOTS of items to decorate Colt's new playroom. He now has the cutest playroom ever, and I especially want to give his Auntie Paula a special shout out for all her muscles in carrying around all the furniture and loading into the van!! We picked him out a cute little table & matching chairs, storage system with cubbies, fun stuffed animals, a rug, curtains, pillows, and I can't remember what all else. I was just glad to get away with my girlfriends one last time before I have little Mason. I know there will be MANY more girls' trips, but it was just fun being pregnant and talking about what it's gonna be like to be a mommy.. and how different it's going to be! Next year, I'll leave Mason with Nana Kay or Grandy C. and my girls and I will still hit the Interstate for Atlanta! Being a mommy definitely won't stop the fun times wtih my friends. I love you girls!! I LOVE these memories!!