If we were on a coffee date…

I would order the chestnut praline latte from Starbucks because Amber (who does the best coffee chat posts) said it’s awesome and I trust her. And also because ordering at least one holiday-themed drink from Starbucks is on my holiday bucket list this year – and if there’s one thing I love, it’s crossing things off lists!

I would mention that Tim and I found the best hot chocolate ever a convenient half mile away from our house and I may gain 50 lbs, but it will be worth it.

I would admit that I love my pregnancy body even though I’m in the stage of awkward bumpiness. And I’m not sure about my hair still. I mean, I love the way it’s so low maintenance, but I’m also very partial to my hair when it’s long. I think I look older when I have short hair, and who really wants that as they’re approaching 30!? Still, I’m happy with my decision overall.

I would ask if you’ve read ‘Love in the Time of Cholera‘, because I’m reading it right now and it’s taking me quite a bit of time to get into. I tend to be partial to books that keep me interested right away, and this has not been that book.

I would also ask if you’ve seen Parks & Rec because I’m obsessed with it and I’d also ask if you’ve seen Veep, because that’s next on my list of shows I need to get into. And Downton Abbey.

I would confess that we still don’t have a solid list of names for Baby Beni and that I keep adding to my list daily. I would tell you that we thought we had our names, and then I talked myself out of both of them. I would tell you that naming our second baby is harder than naming my first because I feel extra pressure to ensure the names sound right together.

I would tell you that I’m done wearing my non-pregnancy jeans because I just got Mavi jeans (similar, non-maternity version) with my last Stitch Fix box and I’m so obsessed that I’m never taking them off. Ever. I may even sleep in them.

I would share my frustrations that my ‘bump muscles’ hurt so badly when I jog that the other day I got exactly one minute into my workout before I had to stop and head home. I would tell you that I’m doing yoga instead and that I really, really love prenatal yoga so that’s keeping me happy. Still, I know I need to get some cardio into my days and I’m vowing that after the holidays I’m going to get my butt to the gym for the few more weeks I feel good before getting huge.

I would excitedly share that I’m planning a babymoon for the spring and I haven’t really told Tim yet so hopefully he agrees to go with me. I’m sure he will because I mean, duh, it’s a vacation!

I would excitedly detail how I’ve been on a mission of self-exploration lately and that it’s really, really making a difference in living my life intentionally. I’ve been taking courses on fashion and interior decorating and have been spending time and money to invest in these areas of my life. Specifically, I’m attempting to zone in on why I appreciate certain things and why I don’t love others. I’m figuring out patterns of my likes and dislikes. I actually can’t believe this took me so long! I really feel like I’ve been lacking intention in some areas of my life before now. Because of this new approach, my house is coming together (very slowly but surely) and my wardrobe is looking more put-together than it ever has before. Of course, this whole pregnancy thing is cramping my style a bit, but I’m in a good place of cleaning out my closet so that when I’m not pregnant anymore, I have a refreshed look that works for me. And I’m being intentional about buying maternity pieces I love instead of doing what I did the first time around, which was to wear non-maternity pieces (uncomfortably) for far too long.

I would admit that Tim and I have been looking through ‘old’ (how old could they possibly be, really?!) pictures and videos of Clara and I start to tear up after just a few minutes of reliving the memories of her as a newborn and tiny baby. Gosh I love this little girl!

I would ask you how you’re spending your holidays and whether you’re excited about your plans. I would also ask what’s on your holiday to-do list and what traditions you most enjoy. I would ask you if you’re done gift shopping and whether there’s any gift you’re receiving that you’re really excited about. Or if you bought a gift you can’t wait to give the recipient. I would ask you how you’ve been doing and what you’ve been spending your time and energy on lately.

I would wish you a very Merry Christmas season, just in case I don’t see you again before the actual holiday, and I would tell you that I hope you’re able to keep focused on the reason for the holiday and not be distracted by the bijillion other things that this holiday brings about. I would tell you that I hope we can get together in a few weeks when I’m back in town!