This fall has looked pretty different for us, in a few big ways. First of all, we are taking it easy and nesting it up at home because we have our little one’s arrival approaching this winter! It has been all about keeping the house clean, prepping for baby, and planning out the nursery. We are still awaiting furniture and also making decisions about what goes where). It’s been about 10 times that I changed my mind about what stroller color to get…! I know a million first time moms wonder what they will even need, and that’s where I currently am.

I have been really busy with work, and I struggle with the ability to “turn off” once I am home. It really does make it a challenge to relax. It’s something I’ve struggled with for a few years - in the summer I go completely off the grid, but then come the fall I am back to full throttle. Maternity leave will definitely be interesting!

Another change this fall involved fall travel. For a number of reasons, we did not get to do our annual LBI fall trip to the beach this year; it was a huge bummer, but also a smart decision. With rising costs, growing families and limited time off for me especially, it just didn’t pan out. It is honestly one of my favorite family traditions so I hope we can bring it back someday, even if it is a different iteration of our past trips.

Anyway…

Because we are staying close to home, and we haven’t taken a proper babymoon, and I need desperately to reeeelax, we decided to have a “staycation” babymoon this past weekend. Just me, S and Rosie! Lots of crisp fall walks, including a picturesque riverside morning…resting and relaxing (I am tired!)... and even a lovely dinner out at one of our favorite Italian restaurants. Dinner last night was a perfect date night with amazing food and a chance to go out to eat, to be waited on, which we really don’t do much anymore since Covid.

Our staycation babymoon was really, really simple; I wish we could have traveled, but at the same time I am so grateful for where we are in our lives and what we’ve got. We got to enjoy the outdoors in our most beautiful season, indulge in a really fancy dinner, and heck, even take a nap, is really all that I need. We are certainly making the most of it, and eagerly anticipating the new addition to our little family!