NEW ROUTINES... with more to follow.

My sister in law Kelly and I have a regular outing that we try to take about every other week at least. Sometimes more, occasionally less. We have started just calling one another and asking, "So are you up for "the regular" today? What's your schedule looking like?". This makes me quite happy. The regular just consists of meeting one another at Rembrandt's (with future boyfriend and girlfriend, Benjamin and Leia in tow) because they have free, mostly shaded parking. We, well I, usually grab an iced coffee to go and then we head to the Walnut Street Bridge for a couple of laps depending on the weather and the kiddo's. Then we trek back up to Rembrandt's to share some fruit salad and sandwiches.

A few mornings ago we accomplished 'the regular' and I snapped a few photos of the event.
I left my camera at home though so I'll have to include them later...

Its really comforting to know that these regular events are already in place. I know that there will be plenty for me to adjust to when the baby arrives but these sorts of things make me feel a little more prepared, as little as I am capable of at least. What's even better is that Kelly, Ian and Leia will be moving to St. Elmo as of August 1st so they will no longer be 20 minutes away. It will be so nice to have them in the neighborhood! As I get further into my pregnancy and things begin to feel more real I find myself obsessing about these things. I imagine its normal but my emotions have really tended to flip flop a lot lately. One moment I'm ecstatic, the next I'm terrified and then I'm in tears.

I also started going to an open house of sorts for Moms/Moms To Be (which happens to be the majority of the women in and around St. Elmo) and women in the neighborhood who happen to be home during the morning/day. Grace is nice enough to open up her home every Tuesday morning as an outlet and chance to reconnect with everyone, adults primarily. I found it especially nice to hang out with those that we always intend to invite over for that amazing home cooked meal but never seem to have the planning skills to follow through on. I'm feeling really optimistic. Things are looking up (but just give me about 3 minutes and that might change). I'm working on being more content with Gods plan for me and my family and trusting that even with the bad, there is a reason beyond my comprehension.