In that spirit, we have been trying to enjoy some fall activities. Two weekends ago, we went to Holy Hill to see the fall colors. The trees were just about peaking, and it was a gorgeous day. We walked from this little park up the hill past the outdoors Stations of the Cross (I'd never seen them before) and then enjoyed the view from the terrace of the Basilica. Holy Hill is really such a beautiful place, ESPECIALLY this time of year. Someday, we will climb the 192 foot tower and really be wowed by the view. I remember doing this as a kid, with my family, but Jason has yet to experience it. However, I didn't think climbing 178 winding steps while carrying around (at the time) 25+ weeks of pregnancy weight sounded like fun. :) At any rate, we enjoyed the scenery, and Miri especially had fun playing in the leaves in the little park.
Then last weekend, we met our good friends the Kaisers and the Hazans at Apple Holler in the Kenosha area for some fall fun. Unfortunately, the weather was unseasonably cool (probably around 42 degrees at the warmest point of the day), our family's decision not to actually pick apples (we'd heard the quality and quantity were poor this year due to the drought, and Apple Holler's pick-your-own is a PRICEY endeavor) while the other families DID pick, and trying to coordinate 3 small children's nap schedules made it so that our plans didn't turn out quite like we'd anticipated, in that we really didn't get to spend much quality time with the other families. But we still made the most of it and had a good time nonetheless. Miri especially loved the animals and the corn maze.
Other than enjoying the fall, not too much is new around here. Jason is working hard at his new job, and I am enjoying my return to my normal part-time schedule and more time with our darling daughter. I am starting to get really excited (and also a little nervous) for our Gummi Bear's arrival as I've now officially entered the 3rd trimester. I am feeling more tired these days, but I am still very comfortable for the most part. I really do LOVE being pregnant, despite the little inconveniences. There is just nothing like feeling this little person squirming and kicking away in my belly and trying to imagine who he or she will be. Any time I feel especially fatigued, all I have to do is remind myself what an incredible miracle and gift it is to be carrying this baby, and I feel like the luckiest woman alive again. This is most likely our last child (unless by some miracle we become rich AND I start reverse aging AND I convince Jason that an odd number of children does not mean someone has to ride alone on a roller coaster-- me and my motion sickness would be happy to skip that!), so I really do try to relish each moment, knowing that once this baby is born, I'll probably never feel kicks again or be able to watch my belly shift and squirm. Miri has gotten the opportunity to feel some really good strong kicks in the last week, and it is hilarious to see her eyes light up in surprise and hear her giggle in amazement. I still don't think she really "gets it" though... that she's going to have a brother or sister... who will be there to stay. It will be an adjustment for all of us, I'm sure, but I sometimes worry about how much this is going to just rock Miri's little world. However, she is so sweet and gentle, so wonderfully compassionate, and so incredibly easygoing that while I'm certain there will be some major jealousy and sibling rivalry along the way, I really think she's going to make one heck of a big sister. Gummi Bear is a lucky baby to have Miriam. Neither Jason nor I can imagine life without our respective siblings, and I'm so pleased we're able to give Miri that gift too. 88 days (actually probably less since I'm leaning towards a scheduled repeat c-section) until our little baby will be here!!!
