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!