Nine Months to the NOW

Up until today, this blog has been dedicated to my eating disorder recovery journey, my experiences as the proud founder of Southern Smash and the extraordinary people I’ve met and the events along the way. Traveling through the depths of an eating disorder and into the life of recovery puts life in perspective. Seemingly simple life events are richer and colors bolder. The sunshine on your face is warmer and you can’t help but soak in the freedom in each breath and the peace in your mind.

And while my blog will continue to chronicle my journey, my beautiful life just took a very unexpected turn. At 26-weeks pregnant with my second child, I experienced Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (pProm). Essentially, the amniotic sac that protects and houses my sweet baby girl tore and I began leaking amniotic fluid at 1:30pm Monday, September 29. My life, my family’s life changed in the blink of an eye.

From an hour and a half ambulance ride to finally being stable and off every tube and pump the hospital can offer, it has been a whirlwind 48-hours. We have done our best keeping everyone updated, but I thought I would take the massive time I have on my hands to condense our updates into one place. I debated a Facebook page or Caring Bridge, but they didn’t feel right. Writing has become a vital therapeutic tool in my recovery journey and this blog is where I unearthed my talent and the best coping skill I have. So I can’t think of a more perfect place to chronicle Baby Marjorie’s road to life.

I also feel we can all take a lesson from the gift of time that Baby Marjorie is needing me to make for her. We all get so wrapped up in day-to-day to dos and weekly planners, we often forget about the present. Lord knows I am so guilty of this. I have to make a conscious effort to put my phone away and spend time ‘in the now’ with my son. The present. We take it for granted.

But Baby Marjorie is smarter than all of us combined and is teaching her momma a good lesson and maybe you will take something away from her story too. All Baby Marjorie has is this very second. This minute. This hour. This day. Every day in utero is a massive milestone forward. We set small goals: 12-hours, 24-hours and now we can check off 48-hours. Yes, the ‘now’ is so beautiful.

Updates on our progress will hopefully happen once or twice a day under the Baby Marjorie tab at the top.

Faith is a journey that is unique to each of us. I have been on every side of the fence and have never nor will I ever judge another person’s faith or belief system. But I do believe in the power of prayer and I have felt them coming from across the country. If you are a person of faith, I ask you to pray for my baby girl and for yourself. Give yourself a little moment every day to breathe deep and soak in the present. Curl yourself up in the now and feel its beauty.

With massive gratitude for your thoughts, good vibes, prayers, texts, emails, cards, flowers and every message in between – my 44ounce big gulp cup has truly runneth over.

McCall & Baby Marjorie

Oh and in case you’re wondering on her name, she is named after her great-grandmother, Marjorie Tyler Mims. Most of you know her as GaGa, my grandmother, best friend, matron of honor in my wedding and just an all-around extraordinary woman who just turned 91!

I always knew if I had a baby girl she would be named after her Great-GaGa, a woman of character, strength, grace, creativity, compassion, faith and family. Jordan and I can’t wait to welcome Marjorie Mims Dempsey into this world…and we certainly can’t wait for her to be held, spoiled and loved by her Great GaGa.