Thursday, January 11, 2018

Looking Forward

The turn of the calendar means a new set of things to look forward to! I'm sure you can guess what I am MOST looking forward to in 2018, though!  ;)

This weekend I'm looking forward to my baby shower! My mom, sisters, and sisters-in-law are hosting it. I'm only having one baby shower as I decided to invite both friends and family to one shower instead of having them separate like I did when we got married. I don't have much local family and do not expect people to travel for a baby shower so I figured it was best to combine them. I feel like we don't have much baby stuff so I will feel much more prepared for the baby's arrival after this shower! I'm also looking forward to the long weekend as we get Monday off since it's MLK Day.

This month I'm looking forward to a spa afternoon with my college girlfriends. We all have winter birthdays so last year I suggested that we get together for some spa treatments instead of buying gifts for each other. There is a spa close to where I live that has a really wonderful deal. You get a 55 minute massage or facial, a manicure, a blow out, and a set of travel products for  $132. I think that's a steal! We'll have brunch or dinner before or after. I think this is the best way to celebrate our birthdays as we all want and deserve some pampering!

In February I'm looking forward to my birthday. Since I'll be very pregnant (35 weeks) I've decided that I am going to have a very low key celebration - I'm inviting some girlfriends over for a drop-in puzzle party the weekend before my birthday. I bought a 1,000 piece puzzle that I'll be working on through the day on the Saturday of my birthday weekend (and probably for the whole weekend unless I get a lot of help!). My hope is that people will stop by, have some snacks, and help with the puzzle. It's the weekend of the Superbowl, though, which is in Minneapolis. So who knows how many will be available as there is a lot going on that weekend. But even if only a few people stop by it will still be a fun day. We'll either go out to eat or order in on my actual birthday depending on how I feel. But I will be honest and say I'm not all that excited about my birthday dinner this year since the gestational diabetes diet is so restrictive. There will be no birthday dessert for me, but I'll make up for that after the baby is born in March.  I've already told Phil that I want him to bring me some treats in the hospital from a GF bakery that recently opened! :)

In March I'm looking forward to the birth of our baby! This is of course the thing we are most anticipating and excited about. I can't wait to find out what the gender is and see what he or she looks like! For most of the pregnancy I was so sure the baby was a boy but I don't have a strong sense anymore as I feel like I'm carrying differently than other friends who have had boys - not that there is any scientific evidence that the gender impacts how you carry! I'm also curious to see how my labor will unfold as every birth story is so different!

This spring I'm looking forward to settling into life with a newborn. I know our world will be turned upside down but I can't wait for all the baby cuddles and to fawn over this new life that we created. I'm also looking forward to working out again. Because of my RA, my 'workouts' have been limited to walking. I can't wait to get back to some sweat-inducing workouts, and to running eventually.

This summer I'm looking forward to *hopefully* buying a house. We started to look this fall but knew we had missed the prime buying season. I'm really hoping that we can find a house and move before the end of my maternity leave at the end of July. Fingers crossed we find the right house. We are being very, very picky, though, because our current house has plenty of room for us for now. I know that holding out for the right house will be worth the wait, though, as we plan to be in our next home for a very long time!

What are you looking forward to these days?

8 comments:

Gracie said...

I think the spa weekend is a great idea, and probably a better way to enjoy company than trying to coordinate multiple birthday parties. A far as super bowl weekend goes...David's birthday was super bowl weekend when it was hear in NOLA, and it was nuts. You're smart to stay in, because we could barely get a reservation for dinner! The city did such a great job hosting, though - it didn't hurt that we had perfect weather, and the whole riverfront was live music and food. So maybe you could see about other activities offered in the city, as well. Not outdoors, I'm sure :)

Marlys said...

I am looking forward to meeting my new grandchild! That is foremost on my mind.
I am also thinking, not looking forward, to moving into one of the apartments we own. I know it is for the best, but overwhelming at the same time. There is much to do before we can put our house up for sale!
Your birthday with friends idea sounds perfect! I hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration without cake & ice cream!

Jeanie said...

You have so much to anticipate in your world right now and all of it is exciting! Good early birthday wishes for you next month -- I love the puzzle party idea.

Hmm. I'm looking forward to a short trip to Canada to do Christmas with our friends Suzanne and Jim!

Charbelle said...

I love this post! I think I'm going to steal the idea! I'm glad that you are all going to the spa for your birthdays! That is a fantastic idea! You definitely have wonderful things to look forward to this year! I think the puzzle idea is awesome! I hope that you will have a fantastic birthday weekend!

Stephany said...

I love the idea of all of your girlfriends getting together for a spa weekend, rather than buying gifts for each other. You can't go wrong with a day of pampering, especially for such a great price!

You have so much to look forward to in 2018! Wheee. Lately, I've been looking forward to my cruise, which is just over 100 days away (yes, I'm counting). I'm also looking forward to getting a new couch soon. I love my sectional, but it's just too big for my small apartment, so I'm looking forward to having more space to enjoy in my living room! (Such a boring adult thing to look forward to, haha.)

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

That is good that you are taking your time and being picky with house shopping. It will definitely be worth it once you find the house for you!

You have a lot to look forward to :-) That spa day sounds glorious! I love to treat myself to a few hours at the spa. I'm looking forward to taking my nieces when they are older; I think that would be so fun.

The puzzle party is a cute, low-key idea.

I am looking forward to cozy weekends at home, and things just generally slowing down now that Christmas is over.

Amber said...

You have such a great list of things to look forward to! I also love how you've chosen to celebrate your birthday - a drop in puzzle party - so fun!! Legit question here as I'm not someone who does puzzles.... what do you do with it once it is done? Do you disassemble it and put it back in the box??

I cannot wait for the birth of Baby S! Both so pregnancy can be behind you and because I'm super excited to find out what you are having!! :)

San said...

Oh that spa day with your girlfriends sounds like such a fun idea. Especially to get pampered before the baby comes! So many exciting things on the horizon for you!

It's still a little ways away, but I am looking forward to seeing my family in a few months!