Welcome to November!

The "it's officially Fall" month is finally here! (It's been fall for a little while, but it really feels like it this month with all the oranges, yellows and reds around). November is always such a beautiful month. Living in northern Florida for most of the falls I remember, this is a season for bonfires and leaf changing, hot coffee and scarves, jeans and boots.. and raking yards. One of the best times of the year. It's perfect for me when it is chilly but not freezing. I've always looked forward to it.

Joseph and I have moved south just in time for this season. We are not experiencing bonfires or chilly weather for that matter. The lows around here can be found at 64 degrees and that's at 1 o'clock in the morning. Some days are cooler than others. We experienced a low of 72 this last week! Woohoo! But, it was 90 yesterday. So if you want shorts all year round, move it down on south people!

From what I've been told, for "chilly-like weather," I better wait for December. So I'll be patiently awaiting the cold front however short-lived it may be.

November is a month to think of all you're thankful for, to cherish those around you and the ones at a distance and to appreciate the little things we have. A little November challenge? Each day choose something that I'm thankful for, however big or small.

November 1st: Teamwork. Joseph & I work so well together and I'm very thankful for that. Whether it is something small like double teaming dinner, him on the grill and me with the oven and stove, or its something larger like formulating a plan for things we need to take care of, we do it together. I couldn't imagine a better life partner. I love having him as my rock and me as his. We help each other and support each other and we accomplish goals together.  I'm very thankful for the team we are.

 

 November 2nd: College Game Day. I am thankful for Saturday College Football. I'm thankful for how happy my husband is when he wakes up on Saturday mornings #guesswhatdayitis #gameday. I'm thankful for Florida State and the amazing season they've had so far. I'm thankful for ESPN, Jameis Winston, Osceola and Renegade. I'm thankful for Alabama football and for their continuing victories. I love that football is something Joseph and I enjoy so much together. Saturday's are always fun around our house. Football, food and family makes our Saturdays complete. I'm thankful to spend Saturday's with my husband doing something we both enjoy.

November 3rd: My 2 Boys. I am thankful for Joseph & Ace. They bring such joy and happiness to my life. They always make me smile and laugh. They play and are silly and make it hard not to enjoy being around them. I am thankful that they love each other and that we are one little happy family. I love that they BOTH love Caroline already. I am thankful for the comfort that they bring to me and how safe I feel with them around. I am thankful that I have these 2 beauties to share life with.

I think it's the most adorable thing when Ace rests his head on my stomach. He tries to be as close as possible to his little sister. I can already tell how much he loves her and how protective of her he is going to be. It's the sweetest thing to see. Any and every chance he gets he lays his head on my stomach. I know he can hear her in there.

November, it's the month of Thanksgiving, which means family, friends and food, food, food. As I have mentioned, Joseph and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving just the two of us this year, and although it will be different, I am excited for it. It means that we get to start new traditions together, as a family.

I've got our menu set up already and most of the fall decorations are out. I've just recently ordered our newest fall addition and I cannot wait for it to arrive. #picturestocome

On news of our little love bug, I am 27 weeks pregnant! Princess Caroline is getting so strong. I think she dances in my belly or she is going to be a gymnast like her mom was with all that flipping around she keeps doing! She moves twice as much when Joseph rubs my stomach, it makes my heart melt. He brags about it (which makes me smile).

 I don't know if he knows it yet, but his heart is already hers, you can tell. She'll definitely be a daddy's girl.

 

How far along? 27 week! (13 to go!)
Total weight gain/loss: 18 lbs
Maternity Clothes? Still wearing them. I got really creative recently though with pre-pregnancy clothes. Yay, for more options!
Stretch Marks? Still doing good. Putting on lotion in the morning and at night before bed is like a ritual these days. Sometimes its annoying, but I know I'll be extremely grateful for it later on.
Sleep: The dreams are getting more strange. I'm still getting up once in the middle of the night for a potty break, but it's OK.. I get the best sleep ever afterwards!
Best moment(s) this week: Watching Joseph (and Ace) paint the nursery. I'm completely in love with Caroline's nursery already. I find myself spending more and more time in there now.
Miss anything?: How good does a Mich Ultra sound? Or a Sweetwater Blue? My goodness, delish. & I'm missing my body. Old photos make me jealous. Ready to get the pre-baby body back and take it to the next level.
Movement: More & more frequent. She plays up high at night and down low during the day. Still getting stronger, I can't help but stare at my belly when she's moving, its amazing to watch.
Food cravings: This week I've been wanting lots and lots of yogurt. Strawberry Banana, Raspberry, Blueberry and Blackberry are the winning favorites.

Labor Signs: no, no, no.

Belly Button in or out? Still an innie.

What I am looking forward to: My mom getting here on Monday & my ultrasound on Wednesday. I wonder what my mom's reaction is going to be? (it's the first Grandchild, so I'm not sure what to expect). I know she's really excited which makes me even more anxious for this appointment! Then Friday Joseph & I take a little vacay to Apollo Beach. Yay for shopping & golf!

Weekly Wisdom: "Feeling fat lasts 9 months, but the joy of becoming a mom lasts forever"