Pumpkin Patches

We completely embraced all things falls and visited the pumpkin patch 3 times this year. The first time was to Black Island Farms. We go there every year around the boys birthday with James, Melinda and their family. We were out of town this year so we went a bit later, and it cooled down so quickly. We're usually boiling. We got on the hay right right away and set out to find the perfect pumpkins for our porch.

The girls loved the bumpy ride and Ellie wanted to make sure she got just the right pumpkin for our porch. She actually wanted a kitty pumpkin (?) and was very proud when she found it.

After we got our pumpkins loaded up in the cars we went into the slides and other activities that they had. Sadly, about 3 feet in, Ellie told me that I forgot to tell her to go to the bathroom...and then went to the bathroom. Did I bring any spare clothing? No. Bless Melinda, she helped me scrounge up some sandals, a swim diaper, and a blanket for a sarong. We made it for a few activities, but Ellie was freezing so we headed home. Darn.

Lucky for us, we went back a week later with a little preschool group. We made it through without any bathroom mishaps and had a grand old time. Ellie loved being with friends and so did I! Plus, the weather was beautiful and we got an extra pumpkin for our porch!

Lastly, we went to Pac Farms with Mimi. Right before we headed out we stopped by the pediatrician for Ellie's well check. This girl is getting so big! She needs to slow it down.

Mimi took the kids around to pick pumpkins for her porch and by this time Ellie felt that she was somewhat of a porch pumpkin pickin' professional. We found some good ones, went through the little maze and my mom decided that it was time for Fitz to learn how to walk. So she spent the next little while patiently hunched over helping him walk. I guess that's kind of my job, but you know, second child problems.

We stopped at Home Goods after, spent too much money, and tried on all the best witch hats.

This isn't completely related to pumpkin patches, but they are fallish, and we seriously loved and soaked up every moment of this season. I am so grateful that I can be at home with my kids and do these things with them. I love watching their excitement pulse through their little bodies. I love when my hand is grabbed and I'm dragged from one place to next. Being a mom is the best.

38

I went a tad bit cray cray this last week, and it was no bueno. On Sunday (the first day of my 38th week) I had just decided that I was done. I hurt, I hadn't slept in a few weeks and, AND, I got my first stomach stretch mark. While other stretch marks have appeared, I was really hoping to avoid the stomach ones. Well, why the heck would I be that lucky. I think I've gained a new one every day. Good thing my bikinis are packed deep in the depths of who knows where. Just kidding, I know exactly where because I did such a good job nesting.

Speaking of nesting, I got home Wednesday evening, put a little laundry away and realized that all of my house projects and cleanings are DONE. I guess 38 will be known as the week of "dones". I didn't even know what to do with myself, so I put my feet up and watched TV with zero guilt. I think that was the universe giving me a little bit of a break, it calmed me down and I'm not as in big of a hurry to get her here. I know that sounds kind of mean, but really, I need some guilt free relaxing time in a bad bad way and I plan on doing that for the next week or two. It's maybe the best feeling. BEST.

My doctors appointment this week lasted about 10 minutes.

Weight: Normal
BP: Fine.
Elle's heart beat: award winning according to the doctor
Effaced: 40%
Dialated: 0.5 cm STILL

She's so comfy in there it's not even funny, but because I'm officially ready for her arrival I'm not going to complain about kicking back and relaxing.

We were lucky enough to have j.rue's pops in town for a couple of days and did a little bit of early celebrating. Sadly, he had to leave before his big 5-0 (which was yesterday), but who hates celebrating birthdays early? Not us.

J.rue and I both had Friday off so we spent most of that day birthday shopping, with some baby errands mixed in of course, because really, there's no escaping it. So. Much. Baby. Stuff. I also decided that I would be inducing labor that weekend so we walked. a lot. I probably would have tried to walk to Park City if he would have let me. It did snow a tiny bit in PC while we were shopping and that was kind of fun. We're definitely not ready for a white world yet, but it was a fun interjection. So Friday we walked, and walked, and walked, and ate some spicy food.

^^ how's my pregnant face doin'^^

Saturday we went on a hike that about killed me. Since it about killed me, there are no pictures just because it was not pretty. It was however, the perfect day for a hike and it was gorgeous up in the mountains. Later that evening we went with the fam to Black Island Farms for some pumpkin pickin, hay riding, corn maze, sliding fun. I was hoping the slides and hay rides would tick Ellie off enough to come. So, I put myself through this:

^^let's call this gem "Mother of the Year" shall we?^^

But alas, here we are, Wednesday, October 2nd, when I thought she would be here and she's not. So I'll continue my walkin', but probably call it quits on all of the other "methods" out there. I'm just too tired. BTW, I have a pregnancy count-down at the bottom of my blog. We just have 5 days left. FIVE. It's gone by so quickly. If only I had some sort of guarantee it wouldn't be longer than 5 days.

le sigh.

I know that this is kind of awful of me to say but...

...I think I'm ready for fall. There I said it. Yes, the warm weather is glorious, but honestly, being out of school and working full time doesn't change much when it's summer time. It's just not fair. We, at Ruesch Manor, have greatly enjoyed ourselves, and while I'm sure there are several summer adventures to come, I'm ready for a change.

It probably doesn't help that all of the cute sweaters, loafers, and the like are hitting the shelves. I just can't resist it. Actually, the more that I think about it, the more and more and like fall and winter clothing more than a summer wardrobe. I'm in love with layers, they make me feel more put together. It took me a good month and a half to realize that it was too dang hot for more than just one layer. Plus, sweaters and boots are just plain cozy.

Here's what I'm crushing on so far:

fall fall fall! by chelseablythe featuring levi jeans

GAP jacket / Levi's levi jeans / GAP shoes / FOSSIL leather cross body handbag / Tory Burch chain necklace / FOSSIL vintage watch / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics