This was supposed to be a five month update, but I am a bit late as I will be six months along by next week. I've really been struggling with keeping up with my blog because of everything else that is going on (training for my new job, studying like mad for my designation, taking care of a toddler, and the list goes on). I am trying my best though, as I know I will want to read these posts later on. I've recently been revisiting posts I wrote while pregnant with Liana and have gotten quite emotional over a few of them! I feel very close to those posts because they represent who I was and everything I was feeling while carrying my first child, which is something I can only experience once. I feel compelled to keep up with updates this time around and feel similarly emotional about them since this will most likely be the last time I carry a child.

On a lighter note, this baby is wriggling around all day long, which apparently isn't surprising, as Liana's updates note that she was also regularly beating me up by 25 weeks. Speaking of Liana's updates... her 25 week update includes a photo of my breakfast for that day and when I saw it, my mouth started watering! Now I want waffles with cream cheese and berries... Mmm. I've also been craving anything chocolate lately and I have been really upset that most hot cocoa mixes have milk in them. -- I actually just had to pause after writing that sentence to google how to make hot cocoa with pure cocoa rather than a mix because I remembered we have cocoa in the cupboard. I know what I will be curling up with later!

Liana's 25 week update also included plans for Liana's nursery, which kind of makes me sad that we won't have a nursery set up for little sprout #2. We currently have three bedrooms in our home, one is mine and Ashton's, one is Liana's and the third is a spare room and a place for Abel when he stays over every other weekend. I have definitely thought about turning the spare room into the baby's room and having Abel sleep in Liana's room when he is over since they both sleep completely through the night. However, we have a lot of odd furniture in the spare room including a futon, two desks, two book shelves, a wide bureau, an end table, and an entertainment system with a large TV on it, as well as all of Abel's toys and bits. I get so overwhelmed every time I think about it, but I know I will be even more stressed out if I wait until the baby arrives. I'll have to browse pinterest later for some space saving ideas!

Besides the nursery situation, I have been feeling really well. I do tend to get exhausted a bit easier than during my last pregnancy, and am guessing that it is due to the fact that I have a desk job now. During my last pregnancy I was on my feet at work and was used to walking around for eight hours a day, five to six days per week, so I got plenty of exercise. This time around, my exercise consists of walking up and down two flights of stairs at work three times per day and chasing Liana around on the weekends. I'm actually disappointed in how little exercise I am getting, and know that I need to start being more active before I get too big and uncomfortable.

My overall current feeling is that I simply can not wait until the baby is born. Not because I am not enjoying being pregnant, but because I am excited to have a newborn again, and to see my two littles grow together in a new chapter of our lives. ♡

Hello November!

We all know that October sparks the beginning of autumn's festive nature with color changing foliage, the pumpkin spice craze, and the first appearance of boots in our wardrobe. But the autumnal coziness is undeniably evident in November, with the addition of sweaters and scarves, crunchy leaves, more crisp air, and, of course, we can't forget the delectable comfort feast that is Thanksgiving.

I'll admit that I am not the biggest fan of cold weather. I get cold fairly easily, so I tend to stay inside as autumn approaches. But everything outside is so nice to look at during this time of year. This may be a New England thing, or maybe just a New Hampshire thing, but I grew up around the tradition of "leaf peeping." That is, hopping in the car and going for a long ride just to witness the sheer beauty of the changing foliage. Am I the only one who enjoys this? Yes? Alright then.... moving on.

As for staying in, who doesn't love warming their hands on a cup of cocoa while bundled under a cozy fleece blanket and enjoying a romantic comedy with your partner? I would, except that romantic comedies aren't Ashton's thing, so we usually end up watching Law and Order SVU, Top Gear, or a stand-up comedy. But hey, a girl can dream, right? And pass me a cookie that I can dunk in my cocoa!

Two other hobbies come to mind during this time of year: baking and reading. I absolutely melt over baked goods and love when the scent fills the whole house. Muffins, scones, donuts, pies.... I'll have to do some research and whip up a good recipe to share. A great way to appreciate your warm baked goods is over that book you got earlier this year but haven't found time to read yet. I'm currently looking forward to picking up my copy of Girl Online by Zoe Sugg. I actually received it as a Christmas gift last year and have yet to open it up, but I've heard a million and one great things about it, so that is definitely on my to do list this season.

This year I am five months pregnant as we welcome the autumn season. What a great time to dress my expanding bump in some cozy new sweaters to keep warm. I've been craving a shopping trip and I feel this is the perfect excuse! I'm on the hunt for some black maternity pants that I can wear to work and some sweaters that aren't knitted and see-through (I have a habit of picking out cute knitted sweaters that require a perfectly matching undershirt to show through the holes). I'd also love some new leggings (who wouldn't?) and yoga pants to wear at home. If I'm feeling glamorous I'd like to splash a little autumn color on my nails since they've been lacking attention. Maybe I'll get a little festive with them around Christmas as well!

What are your favorite things about autumn?
Do you have traditions or activities that you look forward to during this time of year?