We're having a ...

BABY!

That's right. In case you're among the 2 percent of people whom my mom has yet to call to say she's going to be a grandmother, I thought I should post this news on the blog.

We shared the news with our parents a few weeks ago, when we were home for a week of vacation. To let them in on the good news, we had some custom M&Ms made up.

This week, I'm 16 weeks and the due date is October 10. Yes, during football season. Between the Tennessee and Vanderbilt games. I'm checking to make sure the hospital has ESPN.

So far, I've felt fine. I never had any morning sickness, and I'm very thankful for that. We don't know yet if we're having a boy or a girl (though we know it will be a lil bulldog!), but we will find out on May 18. We're feeling a lot of pressure—yes, parents and Julia, I'm talking about you—to have a girl. Of course, we'll be happy either way, and we know they will too.

Just so you know, I won't be posting a progression of "baby bump" photos here. Just like I'll just say no to nude-ish pregnancy photos and saving the pregnancy test. Ick, people. That's just not my style. But I'll occasionally post about other baby-related news. And I won't be hiding from cameras, so there likely will be some photos that show my growing tummy.

We've been joking about choosing names that reflect the culture of Louisiana and saying we'll name a boy Boudreaux, but I just want to be clear that is a joke! Right now, we've just been calling the baby "Mudbug."

Speaking of mudbugs, I wonder if Louisiana is the only state where the doctor's list of food choices to limit during pregnancy includes crawfish. I can only have two servings a week, which really isn't a problem for me. But I did have some delicious crawfish etouffée from Crawfish Hole No. 2 just last night!

We're excited and also a little nervous about becoming parents, but we feel very blessed to have such wonderful things happening in our lives, from a baby to new job opportunities to moves back to Georgia!  We would, of course, appreciate your prayers for a healthy baby, and if you have name suggestions, we're open to ideas!

DGD: Aaron Murray

Bulldogs, we've got a good QB on and off the field! 

I Know How Lewis Felt

You may have never guessed it, but award-winning journalist Lewis Grizzard and I actually have a lot in common. No, not the awards. I've never won any of those. 

We did, however, both attend the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia. 

He was an unapologetic Bulldog fan, as am I. 

He believed God talks like we do, and I'm inclined to agree. 

And for a brief stint, he had to move away from his beloved home state. He wound up in Chicago, bless his heart, while I at least have had the good fortune to stay in the South.

But after about a decade of living "off," I know how he felt when he wrote:

I never would have guessed I'd have held addresses in Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana. They are perfectly fine states (or at least two out of the three), and I've actually enjoyed experiencing each stop along the way and proving that I can make it just fine some 700 miles away from home. But home is home, and I'm not going to lie—I want to wind up back there.

Earlier this year, Matthew interviewed for a sports medicine fellowship. Yes, after you finish five—or in our case, six—years of residency, you can do a fellowship for an additional year to specialize your skills. Matthew interviewed all over the place: Virginia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, and ... GEORGIA!

This week we found out that he matched for his fellowship at the well-regarded Hughston Foundation in Columbus, Georgia.  I'm very, very proud of him! And very, very excited to be heading closer to home.

Now, it's still a ways off before we actually make the move. He'll finish his residency in June 2012, and then start his fellowship that August. But, we're so glad to have the next part of our journey figured out, and that it will bring us to Columbus.

In fact, did you know Grizzard was born just down the road in Fort Benning?