I can't believe it's the end of October already!  Before you know it, it'll be Christmas.  So many things have been going on in the past week. 

{Sammie and Callie enjoying a nice fall day in the yard.} {Mums growing in the yard.}

Last Thursday was the 2nd Annual "Witches Night Out" at work.  I presented three Halloween-Inspired Looks.  The following day we headed south for a family reunion and my birthday weekend.  It was a super fun weekend.  The best part was being in Newport with all the relatives.  According to the locals, Mr. Pretty pees on the sweet potatoes he sells out by the Fred's store and my grandmother saw a random guy wearing scrubs pooping while standing up outside my great aunt's house.  True story.  My grandmother even demonstrated how the guy was standing that she saw. 

After celebrating my birthday with my parents, we headed back north in time to start my 22nd week of pregnancy.  Yay! 

{Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, Lady Gaga, a Pirate, and myself.}   {Family reunion in Newport:  Granny, Mom, Jason, Me, Zach, and Mandy.} {Jason and I.} {Granny, Mom, me, and Zach.} {Birthday cake.}  {22 Weeks}  

We found out last Monday that our Baby D is a GIRL!  I'm super excited, although Jason was a little shocked.  He has always pictured our children as boys.  He had his mind made up that it was a boy.  He's excited now, but I think at first he was stunned. 

{21 Weeks.}

I wanted to be able to tell our families in person, but waiting a whole two weeks to see them was going to be hard on everyone involved.  I made themed cards and sent them to our parents, and made reveal cupcakes for my co-workers, friends, and my brother. 

{Girl themed cards for the grandparents.} {Cupcakes:  Blue or Pink?} {PINK!}

After family members had been notified, I then posted it on Facebook.  I feel better now that everybody knows.  It was only a matter of time before I slipped up and unintentionally revealed the gender. 

Now that I know she's a girl, I'm in total plan mode.  I've spent hours and hours on Pinterest and shopping online for the perfect baby girl nursery accessories. 

I'm also excited that it's almost Halloween (and my birthday)!  Our house is looking extra spooky these days and I've got my "costume" ready to go.  It was actually fun deciding on a pregnant-friendly outfit for this year.  What are the odds that I'll ever be noticeably pregnant on Halloween again?

{Pumpkins and mums for the front porch.} {Spooky pumpkin candle for the bathroom.} {Happy Halloween banner for the fireplace.} {Collection of scary stories, local legends, and ghost tales.}

On Saturday, I met my mom in Cape Girardeau for shopping and some ghost storytelling. 

Our first stop was Shivelbine's Music Store.  Located in downtown Cape, I remember having to visit Shivelbine's every time we were in town as a kid.  It would usually be our first stop of the day.  The rest of the day's activities would be based on our (my brother and I) behavior during the Shivelbine's stop.  I remember spending what felt like hours in Shivelbine's while my mother looked through sheet music.  Being back at Shivelbine's this weekend brought back memories (and a little bit of an anxious feeling).

{I hated this room as a kid; the dreaded sheet music basement.} {Music for band students.}

Our next stop (my favorite) was Annie Laurie's Antiques.  I love this store.  I could spend hours in there and still not see everything. 

{Halloween display at Annie Laurie's.} {More Halloween.} {Racks and racks of vintage clothing.} {Hilarious sign in the bathroom.  I need to put this one up at Potentials.}

Like always, I left Annie Laurie's with several "new" items.

{Annie Laurie's purchase:  Halloween pillows made from sweaters.} {Annie Laurie's purchase:  sugar, salt and pepper shakers made to look like books; for my love of books and seasonings.}

 After a quick lunch, we headed to a ghost storytelling "festival."  (Read about my mother's love of storytelling here and about a previous visit to ghost storytelling here.)  This time the storytelling was inside and the storytellers were more entertaining. 

It was nice to get out of town and spend time with my mom.  Overall, it was a successful Saturday.  When I got home, I located my scary stories treasury book and read through a few scary stories.  I guess the storytelling inspired me. 

{Scary stories and bookmark.}

I can't believe its the middle of October.  I'm 20 weeks this week and half way through this pregnancy!  We found out the gender today, but aren't telling just yet.

This weekend was the much anticipated 10 Year Reunion (read more about "ten years" here).  I'm still recovering from a busy whirlwind of a weekend.  It was so nice to see people I hadn't seen in years.  Maybe next time I won't be pregnant and tired constantly (I'm still waiting on that 2nd trimester energy) and be able to partake in the consumption of adult beverages (those Bud Light Lime-A-Ritas looked pretty tasty).  Everything was so nice and well organized.  I stole a majority of the following photos from other people by the way.....

{A rainy Homecoming football game was substituted with a bowling alley reunion.} {Photo:  Haley Bracey} {Touring the high school:  group photo in the choir room.} {Photo:  Haley Bracey} {Touring the high school:  girls "homecoming" photo.} {Photo:  Haley Bracey} {Touring the high school:  group "homecoming" photo.} {Photo:  Haley Bracey} {Touring the high school:  clarinet reunion with band BFF.} {Photo:  Haley Bracey} {Indoor "Picnic":  All the kids.  I'll be a part of this photo someday.} {Photo:  Julie Burton} {Jason and I at the "picnic."} {Photo:  Katie Scherer} {Reunion Dinner:  group photo.  Class of 2002, 10 years later.}

 Such a great weekend.....now back to reality.  I'm 19 weeks this week and finally starting to feel some movement in there.  We are one week away from finding out if Baby D is a boy or a girl. 

{19 weeks.}

Fall is my favorite time of year and October is my favorite month.  I spent the weekend putting out Halloween decorations and getting ready for what will be a busy month. 




The wreath on the door is actually the hat I made last year (read about that here) for a work event.  I knew I wouldn't need it this year so I made it into a door decoration. 

In baby news, I'm 18 weeks this week.  I'm getting my Pumpkin Spice Latte fix with a "fall spice" hot cocoa I found at Target.  It has the same taste, but without the caffeine.  I've also discovered the maternity line at H&M, called H&M Mama.  Thank goodness for maternity clothes that don't scream "maternity."