Four Months

I am now 4 months along! This pregnancy is sure going by fast, probably because I am enjoying it so much! My energy is back, along with my appetite. I had a check up last Friday and everything looks good. Fig is about 4 1/2 inches long and moving a lot (as seen on the ultra-sound). I am hoping to feel Fig for myself in another week or so. We have an appointment for Nov. 18 to find out if we're having a Figaro, or a Figiana!

Manor Make Over

The past few weeks we've been busy moving things around and giving the Manor a make over, partly because it was time and partly to make room for Baby Fig. It's always exciting to apply a fresh coat of paint, and decorate with new colors, etc.


After looking at these kitchen windows and telling myself to put curtains up, I finally made the time to sew some myself. They add an instant touch of color and homeiness!


Next, we combined the guest room with the office, since the old guest room will be the nursery.

The office is against the opposite wall. Everything fit great!


Michael painted the room, and we got new bedding and wall art.

Date Night

Michael has decided that Thursday nights will be our date night each week because once our Baby Fig comes, we won't be going much of anywhere for a while! I readily agreed. We decided on Thursday night because it will get us excited for the weekend, and give us something to look forward to on Thursdays, which in my opinion has always been a stupid day (I mean, it's not the middle of the week like Wed, and it's not the end of the week, like Fri--it's just this extra day keeping you farther from the weekend!)

Last night we ventured up to SLO and had dinner at Mama's Meatball, which is tucked behind the Creamery. They have an order out part, and a nice sit down restaurant. We ate in the restaurant. It's excellent food, lovely ambiance, and very reasonable prices.

Anyways, we've made a list of places to go for dinner (we're on a budget still). We're open to more suggestions!

List:
Jack's of Orcutt
Adamo's
Olivia's
Orcutt Burger
Ulivetto
Applebee's
Olive Garden
Red Robin
Gilli's
Chili's
Marie Calendar's
Corner View Bistro
California Pizza Kitchen

October 1st

October 1st is like a holiday for the Shaws. Our tradition of noting this day started when I first moved to Santa Maria back in 2006. October 1st I left a little Halloween goody in Michael's box at the preschool when he was still working there. Ever since then, I have made October 1st special by baking a pumpkin goody and giving Michael a little Halloween gift. We've also made this the day we bring out our Halloween decorations (different from fall decorations BTW) and bring out our Halloween-Fall themed movies.

Both of us love the month of October. For us, it is the biggest month of autumnal festivities. We go to a Sleepy Hallow dinner theatre with my family, we host our Halloween dinner for friends, we watch our old classics like Hocus Pocus and the Addams Family, we go to Avila Barn, and drink and eat all things pumpkin!

For us, October also signifies the start of the holiday season: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. We get excited anticipating and participating in our many family traditions that make each holiday a unique treat.

Today I baked Martha Stewart's pumpkin cookies (yum!), wrapped a little gift, and set out the box of Halloween decorations and movies.

Hooray for October the First!