All that is Fall

Today, after snuggling with Cruz for two hours in the recliner, I decided it was time to get out of the house for awhile. I pulled the baby wheels out of the trunk of the car, wrapped Cruz up in a sand colored knitted blanket, and strolled down the sidewalks of our neighborhood. We’re nearing the end of one of the prettiest Octobers in my memory and I was determined to give Cruz the opportunity to get a taste of it before it gets too cold.

Somewhere between giving birth, bringing home a baby, and getting used to this new thing called parenthood, I failed to notice just how pretty our neighborhood was. On our street alone, there was a tree dressed in every shade of fall. Crisp orange, burnt red, golden brown, and lime green covered the sidewalks and crunched under the wheels of the stroller, creating a perfect melody to lull Cruz to sleep. Every now and then, when I stopped to snap a picture of a leaf or a tree, I found myself caught under a rain storm of falling leaves. By the time we reached our driveway, Cruz was perfectly decorated in maple, oak, ash, and birch. He didn’t seem to mind a bit.

It’s been a fall to remember. What began with a belly the size of a pumpkin and cravings for pumpkin spice cappuccino, comfort food, and a Honeycrisp-apple-a-day, has transformed to late night lullabies, footed sleepers, and afternoon naps with a swaddled baby on my chest. Our little hot box has warmed our lives in ways we couldn’t even comprehend…he’s transformed our little family and made our cozy little nest complete.

Hello, October.

Saturday, Beau and I had breakfast together at Morg's, this fantastic little hole-in-the-wall diner in downtown Waterloo.  It's a big hit with the locals, and, well, after about a decade of calling the Cedar'loo' home, it's about time we start acting like locals.  On a typical morning, there's a line standing outside of Morg's.  Today was a typical morning.  To eat a little sooner, we sat at the bar facing the open kitchen and watched the staff fry eggs to perfection, pour pancake batter into plate-sized portions, and roast pot after pot of java.  We sat in sweatpants and shared each other's hashbrowns, pancakes, and ham like we did back in college.  It was that sleepy eyed, greasy kind of love you only get sitting in front of a cooler established in 1960.  It was sweet moment, and the biscuits and gravy were delicious.

On the way home, Beau asked what I wanted this weekend.   

"I want soup, cider, and pumpkins...and a baby."  I replied. 

Well, it's Sunday night and I can tell you I got three out of the four.  And I'll bet you can guess which one I didn't quite get accomplished.

Yes, another Sunday night without my little peanut.  Another Sunday night watching the Bears without a little cub snuggled up beside us.  Another Sunday night preparing for another week of school.  The list goes on.  Two days before my due date, anxious doesn't begin to describe how we are feeling right now.  I turned the calendar over to welcome October and saw three little words that completely define this month for us.  Our due date.  I can't believe we've made it to October, the month that will change our little life forever.  If I only knew what day...  

So, although there was no baby this weekend, there was October.

It came in the form of a stockpot of potatoes, celery, and onion boiling on the stovetop.  A hot bowl of potato soup, a cold Sam Adams (for the Beau of course), and some Asiago cheese bread in front of the TV watching the Hawks defeat Joe Pa once again. 

It came in the form of chocolate chip cookies.  Chewy, gooey, chocolate chip cookies that taste like heaven dunked in a glass of milk.

It came in the form of a travel mug filled with homemade cider, a lost offering check, and a banjo and yukalaylee playing All Creatures of Our God & King.  

It came in a walk through a park, a handful of gummy bears, and a visit from family.  

And it came in the form of a pumpkin.  

Maybe two pumpkins.  

October is here and before this month is over, we will have another little person in our lives.  A little baby boy that will change our lives forever.  It's not every day one gets to say that.       

A whole new level of nesting...

Tonight, Beau and I are sitting at the kitchen table, each hiding behind our laptop screens for one reason...

...we have no where else to go.

I guess you could say my nesting tendencies lately took an all new turn this week.
 
Our living room is empty, and the kitchen and bedroom now hold piles of photo albums, picture frames, and decor.  Last week, I got the wild brain idea that I could not lay a baby on carpet that had never been professionally cleaned.  A little much, I admit, but until it happened, I would never feel 100 percent satisfied that the living room was nest-ready.  My wonderfully loving and helpful husband moved all the furniture while I was at work, vacuumed vents and corners that hadn't seen the light of day since we moved in, and got us a discounted rate on a carpet cleaning, thanks to a fellow networking partner of his.  So on Friday, after a long week of work, I walked in to this...

A fresh room of lush, baby-ready carpet.  I was ecstatic!   Did I care that I spent most of Friday night and all of Saturday morning reorganizing all of our living room belongings?  Are you kidding!?!?
 

I cleaned windows, reorganized drawers and shelves, de-furred most of the furniture, and Windex'ed' picture frames and television screens.  And when everything was spic and span, I decorated for the season of color.


FALL...

And as I decorated, I spent a little extra time on the details.  I found a special place for every leaf, every pumpkin scented candle, and every burnt orange 'pretty' that brought visions of brisk October walks, steamy hot cocoa, and cozy hooded sweatshirts.  These decorations not only represent one of my favorite times of year, but would be the decorations that would welcome a new person into our lives, our home, and our hearts.  Just like my tube of Lip Smackers Strawberry Gloss will always take me back to Friday night football games at beautiful A-B Trojan Field during high school, my pumpkin spice candle, 'leaves' scented wallflower, and cider-scented garland will be the scents that remind me of this special time in our lives.  It's getting so close and it was so much fun preparing for the 'party' that awaits!

Although I had a lot of fun decorating on Saturday, Beau had other things to say.  He followed me around, especially as a I strung garland on top of our cabinets, often mumbling things like, 'you are making me nervous,' or 'this is a bad idea.'  I laughed at his paranoia and put him to work.  

(Sorry, Mom.  I'm sure this picture makes you nervous!)