Fall: Even More Fun With a Little One

Around this time last year, I was entering my second trimester and finally shared with the world (the world = my personal Facebook page) that we were expecting. The end of summer marked not just the beginning of fall, but a point where my husband and I could finally openly enthuse about what made us excited to become parents.

I’m not sure if it was just because I was craving pumpkin everything (um,pumpkin crumb coffee cake? Don’t mind if I do!) or if suffering through my first trimester in the swamp-like DC summer made me desperately desire crisp air, but I was especially looking forward to all the fall fun I could eventually have with a little one. Plus, I knew that by the time the season hit, our baby would be 6 months old — a time where, perhaps, I would finally be out of the newborn fog and could actually foresee myself putting on real clothes and taking her out and about without fretting about everything and anything (reminder:first-time parent here).

So, while trying to feel for tiny kicks, I dreamt of pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, and apple cider doughnuts with a wee one in tow.

 Fall Funsign

Can you enjoy all of the above without a kiddo by your side? Of course. But, I think it just came down to the fact that I was really eager to show the things I loved so much to someone I loved so much.

Fast forward to this year. I can happily say that, unlike much in parenthood, one thing is going as planned: June and I are doing our best to soak up the season. Last weekend, my husband and I took her to a local attraction here in Leesburg, Virginia —Pumpkin Village atLeesburg Animal Park — and delighted in her babbling away during the hayride, giggling at goats in the petting zoo (I know that’s not seasonally specific, but it was still pretty darn cute), and breathing in that oh-so-wonderful air.

I know she won’t always like what I like — or even be willing to accompany me along the way — but, for the next few years, I’m always going to look forward to fall. She’s only 6 months this time around, so I still have a ways to go. And, who knows? Maybe someday, she’ll take her own child apple-picking and lean over to say, “I used tolove doing this with your grandma when I was your age.”

xo ~Cassie