Singing the Blues Today ...

I'm having a "sad day" as Bella would say. It's really strange, too. I've got the house to myself. The sun is out and the day is gorgeous already -- a big change considering the amount of rain we've had over the last two weeks. I am watching a grown up DVD during the day for the first time in ages. (I'm watching "Exorcist: The Beginning")

So why the depression? It's two-fold.

1. We're still pregnant. After being told on July 24th that "YOU COULD GO INTO LABOR THIS WEEKEND!!!!" and rushing to finish the final details, I am ready to be done. I've had the Celestone shots. I have been on bed rest. I have had my "bloody show." I've had cervical pain. Where the heck are the contractions? I'm the only person that I know that loves the postpartum period ... but has prepartum depression. Weird. Perhaps a part of it is the inability to move about as I'd like. I have gained 40 pounds with this pregnancy. The weight along with the water retention makes it hard to get around... especially in this humid, Southern heat. I feel like a cow. A big ol' cow.

2. Bella officially began school this week. We went with her yesterday, but today she went -- excitedly -- by herself. So, I am here in this empty house. I am so used to our daily routine, to having her here and doing things with her. The silence is deafening, it's thick and depressing.

I know that I should be relaxing, enjoying my final days without having to take care of a child, but I can't. I am so going to be one of those over-protective mothers ... then again, they don't call me GATOR MOMMY for nothing. LOL ... (Try messing with a momma gator's nest or her babies!)

Mentioning Gators, football season kicks off this week! There are two great S.E.C. showdowns coming up -- Spurrier and the Gamecocks face off against the Wolfies from N.C. State on Thursday night (GO COCKS!!) and Ol' Bama will take on the kitties from Clemson (ROLL TIDE!) on Saturday. My Gators play host to Hawaii on Saturday as well. We had hotel reservations and such for that game, but, alas, I won't be able to go. I would if it were at all possible... but the idea of a four-hour drive does not sound fun at all. I have to pee every 15 minutes and I can't stay in one position comfortably for too long. But, damn ... if you give birth in the stadium during a game, that's gotta be good for free tickets to another game, right?

And, honestly, who needs an epidural when you've got the sounds of the crowd shouting "Orange! Blue!", the band playing the "Jaws" theme, the sounds of touchdowns and celebrations all around? Anna could be born to the chant of "It's GREAT to BE a FLORIDA GATOR!"

LOL ...

Seriously, though. I'm really ready for Autumn this year. The cool temps, the smells of Fall, the sounds of football and the festivities that come with it, etc. I can't wait to take Anna to the Upstate to celebrate my Dad's birthday and to go apple picking. I can't wait for our Halloween triple play -- Zoo, Aquarium, and neighborhood (all on consecutive nights). I can't wait to watch football, to have a crackling fire going in the fireplace, to start Christmas shopping, to celebrate mine and Andy's birthdays, etc.

I adore Summer in the South, but October is my favorite month of the year -- the sights, smells, and ambience that is the true beginning of Fall here. Pumpkins and apples, turkey and dressing, birthday cakes and shopping. It's not yet too cold to require heavy clothing -- a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt is comfortable -- but it's nippy enough to tingle the nose when you go outside.

Oh well ... It's 11 a.m. and I have some errands to run before I go to pick the kiddo up from school in a couple of hours. YAY!! In ending, I hope that you have a wonderful day ... and enjoy these dog days of summer as best you can.

God Bless and Go Gators!