SHOWER FOR WALKER

Last week some of my closest friends here in Starkville threw me and Walker a little girls night out shower.  It was so sweet and so fun.  I think we were all needing a night out after all the football hype and to gear up for the Auburn weekend. It was low key and perfect and Walker was gifted so many cute things. Lots of gowns and sweet blankets because I already have all the essential baby gear.

Here are just a few pictures from that night!

Group picture minus a few who had already left.

31 & 32 WEEK UPDATE-OOPS

So life was such a whirlwind last week that I didn't get my update for week 31.  Sad face.  Oh well.  I will just combine last week and this week!

How far along 32 weeks and 1 day.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a head of lettuce, 19 inches long and weighs 3.9 lbs.  

Total weight gain/loss? Ugg.  Still gaining.  I am starting to get scared of the number.  Just make it stop going up up up! Make it stop! I know I can't make it stop and when I see pictures of myself and marvel at how chubby my face is I just think that this is just a season of life.  That is kind of the difference with the second pregnancy. It is just a season and I know I will get back to where I want to be eventually. Eventually.  

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  Ordered some maroon things last week.  Maroon clothing is imperative right now with our life being all about football.  I made sure to order a dress for this past weeks game because I knew it was going to be got and pants for me when it is over 80 is just not an option.

Stretch Marks- No. No stretch marks.

Sleep?Sleep is about the same.  Still terrible but I do think that I am just getting used to less sleep.  I have started to expect Elle to come down at some point and I usually get her back to bed within 20 minutes.  It just depends how fast I actually go back to sleep. Then I expect her to come down to our room again around 5.  And I let her crawl in bed as long as she promises to go back to sleep.  And she does.  I know I will still feel so exhausted when Walker gets here but since my sleep isn't so great anyway I hope that it will all be easier.

Best Moment Last Week? I had a girls night out/dinner with my closest friends in Starkville and they showered Walker and I with some of the sweetest and cutest things.  It was such a fun night!  More in depth post to come!  And then of course getting to tailgate with friends and watching my Bulldogs defeat Auburn and become #1 in the nation.  It is such a fun time to be living in Starkville.

Movement? Yes. Constant movement.  And we have more hiccups now. I can remember Elle getting hiccups all the time but with Walker they didn't seem to be as frequent.  But now I am feeling them more.  My belly is constantly rolling around these days.  My favorite thing is when I feel a body part pop out and I can kind of press it and he will move it!

Food cravings? Honey Crisp red apples.  I don't normally like red apples because they tend to be mushy.  But Honey Crisp apples are crispy and I love them straight out of the fridge.  So good!

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? No labor signs.  I have had some painful cramps/contractions but nothing consistent so that is good. And with the contractions I had a couple weeks ago, my doctor has already checked me a couple times so I know I have not progressed any.  I only have a few more progesterone shots too! Eeek! So excited to be done with those.

Belly button in/out? Not in.  Not out.  

What I miss? Still missing my drinks.  Especially when it comes to tailgating and celebrating our big wins! Also being able to breathe. I.can't.breathe.

What I am looking forward to?As fun as football has been I am sooooooooo looking forward to not having football for a couple of weekends.  Texas A&M and Auburn back to back was majorly tough! I am so tired! I am ready for low key weekends and watching the Bulldogs play Kentucky on TV!

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker:  She finally felt him move in my tummy for real.  She hasn't had the patience to feel him.  But the other morning she crawled into our bed and was snuggling with me and Walker had the hiccups so I knew we were getting some constant movement.  So I took her foot and layed it on my tummy and she felt him with his hiccups.  She was so so so excited.  She said "he's boom boom booming in there! He is getting big! It is almost time for him to come out! Hey Walker!!"  It made my very early morning!

THE LACEYS DO THE FAIR

Last week Kenny spent a couple nights in Jackson for business so one of the nights Elle and I drove down to join him.  We wanted to take Elle to the state fair and there might not be anything else loves more than staying in a hotel. 

Kenny grew up going to the fair as did many people from the Jackson area.  I have only been once before with Kenny in college.  I have to say it isn't my absolute fave.  Especially really pregnant and on a hot afternoon.  But Elle loved it and it was a great night spent as a family.  Family of three.  Starting to cherish these nights more and more. 

The night before I read the book Angelina and the Fair so Elle would kind of have an idea of what a fair is. So naturally upon arriving at the real fair she wanted to ride the ferris wheel first. So that is what we did.  This ferris wheel went a little too fast for my liking and maybe Kenny's too.  We were holding on to Elle for dear life!

Did stop and take a quick picture before we started flying around and around.

After the ferris wheel we stopped for a quick snack of friend oreos.  We all loved them!

Then it was on to the bumper cars.  Kenny and Elle had a ball doing these.  There was a little bit of a scary moment where they hit head on with two cars and it scared Elle a little.  It was a pretty big bump!

Before the ride started.

You can't go to the fair and not eat the really delicious and terrible for you food.  So that is what we did for dinner.  Kenny enjoyed a giant turkey leg, Elle had a slice of pizza and I had some of those curly potato chips with cheese and bacon and chives. Washed it all down with fresh squeezed lemonade! Yum!

Kenny and his giant turkey leg.  He loves these things!

Elle and I took a quick selfie before a carousel ride.  That carousel seemed to go really really fast too.  It was scary.

Elle rode a few more rides with Kenny and by herself before it was time to head home.  It was getting dark and close to bedtime.  We were sad because the fair is the prettiest at night and since we were there in the afternoon Elle did not get to see it.  But as we were leaving all the lights were turning it on and it she saw a little bit of it.

Elle walking with her Daddy.

We planned to get a funnel cake on our way out but were still pretty full.  So we all shared an ice cream cone before calling it a night.  I am not sure the fair will be an annual affair but Elle really did enjoy it so that made it all worth it!

MSU VS. AUBURN! WE'RE NUMBER 1! WE'RE NUMBER 1!

Well before we could even recuperate from last weekend's game and all the excitement it was time for this weekend's match up against Auburn.  #2 vs. #3! ESPN's Gameday came Starkville for the first time ever and the buzz around the game was crazy.  The amount of people that were descending on Starkville was stressful too. It was insane. We had a very full house of people making it fun and had decided a few weeks ago before we even knew how our season was going to go that we would have a babysitter come get our kids from the tailgate and enjoy some grown up game time.  

We chose the best game to have kids free.  We arrived at the tailgate super early allowing them plenty of time to play, eat and all of us to have fun.  But Elle was pretty pooped by babysitter time and happily went home to play with her friends and the babysitter.  And we were able to watch, nail bite, ring our cowbells, cheer on our Bulldogs on to a victory against Auburn!  It literally was history in the making.  I got goosebumps, and came close to crying so many times.  Then on Sunday to find out that our Bulldogs are ranked #1 in the nation!  #1!!!!!   If you are a State fan you know that this would of never happened in our absolute wildest dreams. It still feels so surreal!!

Here are a few pictures from this weekend!

Elle was being so sweet at the tailgate and giving out lots of love! I love both of these pictures!

My sister came in town for the game and spent the entire weekend with us! I love that Elle is holding my cowbell in this picture.

We were up 21-0 in the first few minutes of the game and sent this picture to my Uncle who has all of a sudden started watching MSU football and giving us some credit!

And after the glorious football weather we had last weekend we had another very hot and muggy weekend this time and a large torrential downpour.  When we got to our seats I was burning up.  So so so hot! I asked Kenny to go get me an empty nacho tray to use as a fan and the concession people told them they would have to charge him $5 for it.  He explained he had a very pregnant wife and they knew me so they tore off this big piece of cardboard for me which was so nice and was actually really awesome.  So Annie snapped this picture of me large and in charge fanning myself with one hand and riniging my cowbell in the other.

  I had to post this funny picture for memories sake!

It was such a fantastic historical weekend and was so much fun.  But I am seriously looking forward to some off weekends.  I think a couple low key weekends will be absolutely wonderful! We need the rest!!

FIRST PUMPKIN PATCH TRIP!

Last week we took Elle to the pumpkin patch in Caledonia for the first visit of the season.  We love this little pumpkin patch so much and this visit did not disappoint!  We are so lucky that with Kenny's schedule we can try and do these things on weekdays when we kind of avoid the crowd and get places all to ourselves.  This was one of those mornings.

Right away she was obsessed with the new tractor barrel slide thing that is new this year.  Even Kenny got in on the action.  I don't think I would of fit in the tube so maybe next year.  But it was fun to watch them race and come flying out the bottom. They were having so much fun.

Kenny watching for Elle the first time.

Cheesing before the big climb!

Just thought this picture was funny!

That's more like it!

Digging for buried treasure.  I sat in the shade and watched.

Seeing how we measure up this year.

And probably my favorite picture from the whole day. Playing in the corn box is always a favorite!

We also took a hayride and rode the barrel train.  She loved the barrel train last year and did not want to do it this year.  But she said she would ride it so I did.  So I climbed in.  It was really really uncomfortable for me and once I was in the barrel I could not move at all for fear of having a major cramp.  But she loved it like I knew she would.

Once we were all worn out from playing it was time to stock up on lots and lots of pumpkins for decorating.  I need to post pictures of our fall decor! I am somewhat pleased with how it all looks!

I am positive we will be back to the pumpkin patch a few more times because it honestly never disappoints!

PERFECT FOOTBALL WEEKEND WITH A WIN!

After our last big win against LSU we were on cloud nine! Well things have gotten better than we could of ever dreamed! Mississippi State is ranked number 3!!! Gameday will be HERE in Starkville this Saturday as we face off against Auburn! It is nuts! Our Bulldogs are playing the best they have ever played and it is so much fun to watch!! 

This past weekend we played Texas A&M and were so happy to have a bunch of our friends from Memphis in town.  Elle was thrilled to see her best friends Lizzie and Loftin and their parents were so excited they chose such a fabulous weekend to come in town.  The hype around the game was intense. SEC Nation was here and with a cold front coming through Friday night the weather was the absolute most perfect weather you could ask for.  I was able to wear jeans.  We all needed jackets at times too.  It was glorious! Glorious I tell you!!

Friday morning Kenny and I ran some errands while Elle was at PDO.  We ran into the men's clothing store here and also ran into our Heisman candidate quarterback Dak Prescott.  He was shopping for a swanky game day outfit and was so gracious and nice when we asked for a picture with him.  Kenny and I were so excited!

I was so happy I had showered and we were both wearing our maroon for Maroon Friday.  And you can't miss Walker in my large and charge belly. I plan to frame this picture for his nursery!

Saturday morning we were up super early to get to the tailgate for an 11:00 kickoff.  The kids were so ready.  

Having some cereal before we head out for the Junction.

Once we got to the tailgate we headed over for the Dawg Walk.  The weather was so nice and the day so beautiful that even I felt up to it!

Elle holding Mr. Jay's hand on the way to the Dawg Walk.  She adores him!

Family picture while we waited on the players.

So happy to have our Memphis friends in town!

Once we cheered on the Dawgs and then layed an eye on the SEC Nation production we headed back to the tailgate to enjoy breakfast, the weather and friends! The kids had a ball running around playing and then a lot of our Starkville friends came by too.  With our new tailgate location we are close by to lots of friends which is perfect.  The girls don't get sick of each other because they are together all day but can still visit and play peridocially!

Elle with some of her very good friends.  Addison, Elle, Miriam and Abigail.

And two of my closest Starkville friends, Mary Martha and Sarah

 and mommies to Miriam and Abigail!

Sweet friends taking a stroll.

Then it was time for the ball game! I was a little unsure as to what to expect.  Scared our win against LSU was a fluke but our guys are good.  Really really good!  Elle loves the games but did want to go back to the tailgate some because she wanted to go back and play with all her friends.  We had to explain to her that everyone was at the game and she wasn't missing anything.  Eventually she kind of got it and we had the best time watching the game as a family!

These binoculars or "noculars" as Elle calls them are from a Chick Fil A kids meal and they are the biggest hit! I was so glad I threw them in our bag!

Silly Selfie Session! 

After our win we went back to the tailgate and spent the afternoon snacking on a more lunch and savory snacks and watching the Ole Miss game on tv.  We finally came home from the tailgate around 7 and just relaxed and got the absolutely exhausted kids to bed.

Sunday morning we hit up City Bagel for breakfast and then we spent the rest of the day cleaning up and resting up and just relaxing after the big weekend. It really was the epitome of the perfect football weekend.  And now we are already preparing to do it all over again this coming up weekend!

CAN'T CHOOSE JUST ONE!

We got our pictures back from our fabulous photographer, Monica Allen the other night and I am just obsessed.  There were so many great ones.  I had the hardest time even choosing a few to post on here because I love them all.  I did exclude most of the family pictures because I haven't decided for sure which one we will use for our Christmas card but these are some of my favorites!

30 WEEK UPDATE

How far along 30 weeks and 1 day.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a Butternut squash, 17 inches long and weighs 3.1 lbs. Although after our ultrasound last week we now know he is bigger than this. He is measuring in the 78% for his size.  Uh oh.  Big baby.  I think Elle would of been a big baby if she made it full term because she was a good weight as a preemie! We will see!  Also, I am so excited that I now have 9 weeks and 6 days until my due date! Single digits! 

Total weight gain/loss? Right at 29lbs as of my doctors appointment last week.  My weight gain has slowed down.  I gained less than a pound last week and I am happy with that.  Not to mention my hands and feet are so swollen so I know some of that weight can be attributed to that.

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  Nothing really new to report on this.  Just yes to maternity clothes.

Stretch Marks- No. No stretch marks.

Sleep?Sleep sleep sleep.  Lets just say that I think I am learning to live with less sleep and more coffee.  The sticker chart did its job okay for the first week or so with Elle.  We went and picked out a nice brand new toy.  But she hasn't really cared one way or another this week.  Kenny and I have made a plan for when Walker comes for one of us to possibly make our playroom/fold out couch home base for one parent each night to handle Elle and the baby getting up which allows one of us to get a really good night of sleep without any intteruption.  It makes me cringe to write that because Kenny and I sleeping in the same bed has always been really important to us but just as important is not having babys and children in our bed sleeping.  So this is what we think will work so we can survive at first. 

Best Moment Last Week? Having an ultrasound at our doctors appointment and getting to see Walker.  It was just nice to say hi! My mom and sister also came to Starkville this weekend and we got almost everything accomplished in the nursery.  I have a couple more finishing touches and it will be ready and I will do a post! It was fun having them in town!

Movement? Yes lots and lots of movement.  I think I like this kind of movement better than the first little flutters because your whole belly moves when they get this big and you can actually feel their hands, feet, elbows and knees.  Even though it can be painful at times too.  

Food cravings? No real cravings.  Still loving my cinnamon dolce lattes! 

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? Well we talked to my doctor about the pain  I was having and she did think it could be contractions.  I had not progressed at all when she checked me so that was good.  She did want me to take it easy and also limit my workouts to the pool from now on.  I really like the pool workouts just hate putting on the bathing suit.  Oh well.

Belly button in/out? Not in.  Not out.  

What I miss? Still with the alcohol and not having constant aches and pains.  I am sleeping with a heating pad most nights which helps but by the end of each day my whole body just hurts, especially my back.

What I am looking forward to?We have a major weekend coming up! Mississippi State is playing Texas A&M.  SEC Nation will be here.  And we have a big group of our Memphis friends coming in to town.  The game is at 11 AM so that calls for a double decker tailgate day.  Breakfast in the morning and snacky food in the afternoon.  It will be a huge and fun filled weekend! Cannot wait!

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker:  Can't necessarily think of any funny stories.  But she has just been so sweet about all the attention and activity that has been paid to Walker.  She played all day contently while my mom, sister and I did thinks for the nursery and then when it was pretty much done she was so thankful for our work and loves showing it to people.  She really and truly is so excited for her baby brother.  I hope the excitement sticks around after his arrival!