A Southern Mama

Friday, November 20, 2015

Friendsgiving

The Bakers, Weathers, and Mimms host a monthly supper club together, rotating houses every month. For our November supper club, we decided to do a potluck Thanksgiving feast and all bring a traditional thanksgiving dish. I asked Charlie to smoke a ham (as it is so delicious). I will get him to give me the recipe, so I can share with you on here. I made a Pecan Cheesecake Pie, but had a hard time deciding between the pie and this - Creole Bread Pudding. If my week wasn't so hectic with commitments, I would have tried the Creole Pudding. Maybe I can make it for the Holiday's when we are home in Mooresville.

Kathleen, the Barefoot Contessa Diva, made Mac & Cheese, and DEFINITELY not your every day mac & cheese. It was DEVINE. It's Tupleo Honey's recipe... you will want to try and may not ever go back to the traditional mac & cheese. (Thanks for sharing some of the leftovers with me, Kat!) She also made a traditional twice baked potato dish. Ejoye made her grandmothers sweet potato pie, not sure she will want me to share, but oh my, its like eating dessert. We also had a very southern style green bean dish with soy sauce, brown sugar, and bacon.

We are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving in Bishopville this year on Thursday and Friday, that is, if the doctor will let me. Its a 40 minute drive... so close enough if baby comes calling. Also, looking forward to having my parents and Adam here as well to celebrate with the Mimms family.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

The Nursery... finally finished! (well maybe)

I think we have finally finished the nursery! After she is here, we may hang a few more photos on the wall, but for now, I think we are finished. Our 3rd bedroom is very very small, hence the reason we chose it to be the nursery. Having most of our family out of town, we wanted to keep our 2nd bedroom as the guest bedroom for our parents and friends, so they are able to still stay the night.

When we started with the nursery back in June, the only thing I knew I wanted was pink silk drapes. Everything else, I wanted to be white. I went back and forth about having her crib skirt made out of the same pink silk fabric, but I decided to be a little bit more practical for future babies down the road, and ordered a custom skirt off Etsy. I ordered the silk from JRB Silk, a family owned company out of Georgia. They were superb to work with, and if I have drapes made again, I will order from them. The fabric I chose was titled "pink." It does not look like this on their site, so I encourage you to order samples before you buy. I ordered 12 samples before we chose the "pink."

The chest, end table, and wall shelf are from pottery barn kids. I am very satisfied with the quality and look of the set.

The Angel Giclee is from Anne Neilson Fine Art out of Charlotte. I ABSOLUTELY love love love her art work, but until I can afford a true painting one day, a print will have to do. Her story is truly amazing, she paints Angels, and if I could buy one of her paintings to hang in my living room I would.

The beautiful Moses Basket is from my sister-in-law, Jennifer. It is on loan for Baby Mimms and is a family heirloom. Sweet Anna Hamilton slept in it the first several weeks of her life. I'm not quite sure where Baby Mimms will be sleeping the first few weeks, its up for debate, but I imagine the precious Moses Basket will get used a lot! :)

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

The Countdown

I'm in a mixed feeling stage right now, where I am so anxiously awaiting the birth of our daughter, yet I am also enjoying the last few days/weeks of being able to go and do as I please.

Our topic of conversation most evenings revolve around what we think our child will look like. It's hilarious to hear Charlie tell me what he thinks she is going to look like and act like. We both have very differing opinions on this.

I, like my optimistic self, think she is going to get the best of both Charlie and me. Charlie is very laid back, go with the flow, a perfectionist, and so very humble and kind. I often times think she will be a lot like Charlie, laid back and easy going. However, everything I've read about firstborns is not this case. Anyway, I can't wait to meet her, hold her, love on her, and welcome her into this world and into our loving family. We have prayed for this child for a long, long time, and we continue daily to pray that we are the parents, full of wisdom and Godly guidance that the Lord has called us to be.

I have prepared myself to not get a lot of sleep over the holidays, and I have (to the best of my ability) asked every question under the sun to friends, family, and co-workers about infants, breastfeeding, labor, delivery, and everything in between. I am so thankful everyone has been truly honest about their experience. Thank you!

Technically, we have 2 1/2 weeks left, but if she is anything like her Mother (impatient) she will come early. I was born almost a month early, and my mother was born almost 6 weeks early. Not sure if this will be any indication of her arrival time.

Until then, baby girl, we have several parties to attend over the next few weeks, and work commitments, but our bags our packed, your nursery is ready, and I am as ready as I will ever be! Not to mention, your Baba is beside herself about meeting you.

We officially have a name, but, we must see your precious face first to confirm it! I am so in love with your name, it has so many meanings to us personally, on so many levels, and I can't wait to tell the world what it is and what it means to us!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

C-L-E-M-S-O-N Weekend!

So glad Charlie and I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Clemson together for the Clemson vs. Boston College game. We had a wonderful weekend full of good food, tailgating, friends, a big WIN and a good last weekend away together.

We have been planning to go to the Clemson vs. FSU game next weekend, but due to a few early labor symptoms, we will be staying put in Cola town over the next few weekends waiting for Baby Mimms to arrive. We are going on 35 weeks this week, so still a little early for her arrival, but praying she stays put for at least two more weeks!!

Charlie and I tried Rick Erwin's Restaurant in Clemson for a late dinner on Friday and it was absolutely superb! We actually met Rick while we were waiting for our table. What a special little treat. I really wanted to get a rare steak, but under cooked meats are a no-no for prego ladies, so I stuck to their delicious petite crab cakes! Charlie of course, helped himself to a steak, and I had a teenie little bite! Best bite of steak I've ever had!

Even though game time was set for 7pm we made it to tailgate around 10:30am. Lucky for us we ran into Mr. Davis, Lauren's uncle, who works for Clemson and he gave us a little behind the scenes tour of the stadium. It was a fun little adventure, something we were not planning on! Thank you, Uncle Jack!

So thankful to be able to spend the weekend in Clemson with my husband and my besties!

Miss Clara's Baptism on Sunday Morning

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Coming along!

The nursery is almost finished. I need to pick up Baby Mimm's pillows and hang a few more pictures on the wall but other than that, we are almost finished!

I am so pleased with the way it turned out. The only thing I envisioned when we started decorating was having pink drapes. Everything else I wanted neutral. I am so thankful for the way the drapes turned out, as a precious lady from Bishopville made them for me. The funny thing about these drapes is I had to order over 12 swatches of "pink fabric" because Charlie was not satisfied with the shade of pink. It took us over a month to decide. The lighting on my phone makes them appear darker than they really are.

Week 30

Monday, September 28, 2015

Thank you to my dear friends for the most Beautiful Baby Shower!

I have the most sincere friends, and for that, I am truly thankful. Most of these girls I met freshman year at Clemson, but some, I have gotten to know over the past 6-7 years during my time in Columbia, and through Charlie.

Almost all of my friends have children, and boy have I loved spending time with their precious blessings, and learning from their wisdom and natural maternal instinct. There are times I still feel like this pregnancy is a dream, but others (when looking down toward my feet), I know its a reality about to be a real live dream!

I have been very blessed most of my pregnancy, as I have had maybe 4-5 days of illness, and I am so thankful for that. I continue to cycle and lift (light) weights about 5 times a week. As the weeks go by I can definitely tell a difference in my breathing, as I become short of breath quite frequently.

On Saturday, September 19th, the girls hosted a Baby Shower in Columbia at Landrum's parents house. It truly was the prettiest shower I have ever been too. The brunch type food was delicious, the flowers, décor, pictures, diaper cake, china, baby book... the list goes on, was perfect. I am so thankful to have many friends and family present to share in our joy. We are almost set with the nursery and other items.

Charlie knows me best because I am always way prepared. Ali and I are already "packing" our hospital bags just in case. Sorry y'all just the OCD in me! Always want to be prepared!