Mate, November seemed to fly by.
I’m not sure if it’s that speedy run-up to Christmas or the fact that my due date is rolling around, but time just generally seems to be going faster! So much so that I barely posted many blog posts this month… In my defence I’ve had my handover at work, NCT antenatal classes and Christmas shopping in the Black Friday sales to worry about. So y’know, priorities.
But look, here we are at the end of the month and we are due a catch-up. Here’s everything that’s been going on in my world in November 2018.
November Faves
This Month I’ve Been Watching… Fireworks
I kicked off the month by heading to the Betsey Wynne in Swanbourne (just outside Milton Keynes) to watch some nice fireworks with my friends. Although I have to admit, I’ve definitely reached that part of pregnancy when you start to slow down a bit, and my pals had to find me a chair to sit down in. Y’know, like I’m 100.
But still, with the hot drinks and hats and scarves, I think Fireworks night always feels like the beginning of winter and the festive season. Bring on Christmas!
This Month I’ve Been Wearing… My New Doughnut Backpack
This month I was gifted with a Doughnut Macaroon backpack and I completely love it. It’s cute and pink, with lots of pockets inside and a laptop sleeve – it would make a pretty decent bag for hand luggage actually. Although with my current situation, I’m eying it up as a changing bag for the baby. Normal, boring nappybags just won’t cut it, buddy!
And of course I customised it with some of my favourite enamel pins. It’s a keeper, for sure.
This Month I’ve Been Eating… Thanksgiving Dinner
I know it’s an American thing and a lot of people think it’s weird, but my friends and I always celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a tradition. Sometimes we go all out with home-cooked dishes, sometimes it’s a quick, casual thing, but either way we always make sure we have dinner together. This year it was the latter and we just went to a local carvery for a roast and a catch-up. It’s pretty much just a nice excuse to hang out with your faves.
This Month I’ve Also Been Eating… At Eat Street MK
Me and my pals have got into the habit of going to Eat Street MK every month lately. It’s a street food event in Stony Stratford (Milton Keynes) on the first Friday of every month and has a nice selection of food trucks that change every time. There’s also a bar and a DJ and fairy lights so it has a good vibes. It also feels quite family friendly so I feel comfortable going there at 7-8 months pregnant, know what I mean?
If you’re local, definitely check it out (Instagram: @mk_eat).
This Month I’ve Been Attending… NCT Classes
Yep, antenatal classes pretty much consumed my evenings in November. We decided to take an NCT course as I read great reviews and as first-time parents we wanted something a bit more detailed and in-depth about birth and early parenting. I’ve written about these classes in a bit more detail in my Third Trimester Pregnancy Diary (coming soon), but generally, I felt like I came away with a lot of information and feeling prepared for anything. So that’s good. Although they can be pricey and are time-consuming, I’d definitely recommend them to anyone.
This Month I’ve Been… Washing & Ironing Baby Clothes!
Ok, well my mum has done most of it for me to be honest… But the point is, I’ll be considered full-term from mid-December so I’ve been getting this chick’s clothes all washed and ready for her arrival. Because washing baby clothes before they wear them is a thing apparently.
But LOOK HOW CUTE.
This Month I’ve Been… Getting My Christmas Shopping Done Early!
I always start my Christmas shopping during the Black Friday / Cyber Monday hype. I can’t help myself. I’m a sucker for a bargain. But this year I tried to get a jump on things and got the majority of my presents bought during the sales. I think because the baby is due so close to Christmas I want it all done as early as possible this year, just so that I can relax. And y’know, if the baby arrives early, it’s one less thing to stress about.
(Oh and don’t forget to check out my THREE Christmas Gift Guides for 2018 – over here, lads.)
This Month I’ve Been… Putting The Christmas Tree Up!
Talking of which, I also put our Christmas tree up… Yes I know it’s November!!
I normally wait until the first weekend in December but I figured being heavily pregnant was a good enough excuse to get it done as early as possible. And naturally I complimented this task with Christmas songs and watching The Holiday Calendar on Netflix and snacking on a pregnant-friendly cheese board and yes I’m ready for a white Christmas now.
What’s Coming Up In December?
That’s all for November, but what’s coming up next month?
I mean, Christmas. Duh.
But I’ll also be getting ready for baby girl’s arrival and wrapping up work to go on Maternity Leave which is pretty terrifying. Can’t believe the year is nearly over and in the not-too-distant future I’ll have an actual human being to take care of. Mental.
I’ll be posting my December Faves a little early because y’know childbirth, so come back in a few weeks for the big Christmas catch-up. Have a lovely December, gang!
What have you been up to this November? Let me know in the comments below or head over to my Instagram and Twitter pages for regular updates on my travels, my pregnancy and life in general.
Total Blogger Transparency: The doughnut backpack featured in this post was a gifted item but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I wouldn’t play you like that, shorty.