getting ready for fall

You know the weather has changed when one day you go off to work in the morning only to realize you have drastically underdressed. That happened to me about two weeks ago and, though there were lots of hot days in between, now I guess I can say this new season has finally come to stay.

I love cold weather - and as much as I'm a huge winter fan, I also love fall. Chilly weather, woolen blankets, beautiful colors and... rain. Who doesn't love rain? Ok, I know many people who hate it, but I personally find it invigorating, cleansing and romantic. And maybe sad, but a good sad. It is raining outside right now and I love that smell. I opened the window and it left me shivering, wishing I was wearing something a little warmer. I'll have to make sure to enjoy these few days (maybe a month) when you can still leave the windows open for a while and not freeze instantly.

So, now I know that I have to start preparing for this new life as a mom. I guess the nine months of pregnancy are probably nature's way of telling you to prepare, but many of us end up choosing not to. I was still going to work until very recently and the only thing my husband and I actually did was to prepare the home for the baby -  including clothes, of course - which is no easy task, if you ask me.

Anyway.. with this new autumn baby in the house, this brand new mom will have to learn a hundred thousand different things in the first few weeks, one of them being the ability to relax under the all-so-new extreme stressful circumstances. And that's why I felt the urge to finally start preparing for this new season in life. And I found these things might as well help:

1. I've learned in prenatal classes that exercising with a gym ball is a great way to get your pelvic floor muscles back into shape after giving birth. If that's true, it's pretty awesome because I've already bought one to help myself relax and try get back into shape sooner than later. And I find it extremely relaxing to simply sit on the ball and move my hips while watching tv. And it's nice that there are so many easy exercises you can do with it later on as well.

2. Buy different scented candles. My husband and I love them and we often light candles on the weekends after cleaning up and while having dinner. I personally love the ones we can find at Ikea. They are beautiful as decoration and they smell great (and they're so cheap!) - it is amazing how you can change the atmosphere of a room just by lighting a candle. It gives it such a welcoming feel. I often buy the pink and red ones that smell like flowers and he prefers the white vanilla scented candles. In addition to the ones we already buy, I made sure to bring some different kinds this time as well.

to be continued...