It's November! How is it November? Though it's come quickly, it has been the loveliest fall, so you won't hear me complaining. You might hear me groan a little bit in discomfort, but that's different. I feel like this little thing is taking advantage of the room previously made before her--stretching out as much as she can. That's where my groaning comes in. And yes... I did say "her" and "she."
Our little one is a girl.
I failed to document that bit of news on this blog until now. Silly, really. Because I have felt from the beginning that this was our girl. I wish I could explain the feeling. I just... sensed a girl. Every time I thought about the baby, I'd see a girl-- and could only think of a boy if I really forced it. Somehow, I just knew. Which didn't change the excitement and wonder of finding out when we saw her on the ultrasound. We're excited to officially meet her. I've already made note of some differences between she and Peter, however. First of all she just... moves differently. She's sporadic and quick. Peter was calculated and curious. Because of his curiosity, he would always move toward things pushing against him and run his hand against it. The mattress, the laptop, the heart monitor... everything seemed interesting to him in the womb. This girl seems very different on that score. She moves away from things generally. Especially the heart monitor. It's always a game to try to get a read on her heart rate. I wonder if she'll be more introverted like me?
Either way... we are thrilled. I know Peter will be in for a shock when he realizes that mommy's tummy baby is an actual living breathing sibling of his. But I also know that he will be the greatest big brother.
Life is beautiful. And messy. And hard. And fun. And so good.
Just so I don't forget the beautiful season we've enjoyed this year, I'm going to document a list of autumn-y things we've done so I can endeavor to do it again in the future.
-Visited Boyd Orchards and picked apples and pumpkins
-Bought "ah-man joy" hot chocolate (coconut, almond and chocolate... so yummy) and scones from Third Street Stuff and went to Woodland Park to enjoy our treats in the chilly weather (pictured)
-Went on a late hike to the Palisades trail to enjoy the changing leaves and temperature
-Brought lunch to Raven Run and walked the beautiful trail
-Put mulling spices on the stove while cooking and baking
-Baked way too many good treats! (Boston cream pie bars, chocolate ganache sour cream cake, cookies, banana bread, chocolate pudding, brownies... it's been a little intense in the sugar department around here!)
-Focused our dinners on cozy comfort. Things like beef stew, shepherd's pie, roasted chicken & vegetables and creamy chicken noodle soup with biscuits. Breakfast with the same criteria: hearty oatmeal with cinnamon and walnuts, pumpkin pancakes with maple syrup and sausage, egg ham & cheese muffins, scrambled eggs on toast with fruit.
-Listened to a lot of folksy, worn-in music
-Watched cozy movies/series (we've been into the Great British Baking Show lately!) while enjoying a warm treat.. like fruit pie and ice cream, or Belgian hot chocolate with almond biscotti or even just cookies and milk. Other cozy movies to note: Penelope, Julie & Julia, the A&E Pride and Prejudice, Serendipity, Dan in Real Life, Runaway Bride etc. etc. (Any suggestions for cozy movies? I'd love to hear them)
Still on the list:
-Breakfast at Windy Corner Cafe (the cheesy grits are the best)
-Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (since we haven't had enough baked goods! .... i am so pregnant.)
-Chili and cornbread, chicken pot pie
-Farmer's market for cheeses, jellies and late vegetables
-Louisville Zoo
-Red River Gorge
