FROM: STELLA

TO: LAURA

1. I’ve officially entered the third trimester! Today marks 28 weeks pregnant for me. I’ve been going to lots of yoga and really enjoying making smoothies first thing in the morning. I’ve also been trying to fit in as many freelance event gigs as I can and after working the premiere last night, I am super pumped to go see Brittany Runs a Marathon.

   

   

2. During open enrollment last year, I decided to take advantage of my company’s Flexible Health Savings Account in addition to my normal medical coverage. I love getting to pay for health expenses with pre-tax dollars but also am finding it hard to estimate what my health expenses for the entire year will be. My medical coverage takes care of a lot of the costs so I am a bit worried I won’t use all of the money I set aside even given the large expenses I have this year. I was thrilled to find that Amazon has an FSA store where you can find a slew of items that qualify and a lot of things I need but wouldn’t have thought of!
3. Southwest just opened up flights for early next year, I love their flexible flights and it’s especially great for planning a trip home to see our families with a new baby in tow. We have no idea what traveling with an infant will be like so having flexibility in our travel plans feels even more important.
4. Is it too early to start thinking about pregnant Halloween costumes? I kind of want this cute tank top just for life.

FROM: LAURA

TO: STELLA

1. Baby Ernie has officially entered the grasping stage which means… hair pulling! I’m trying out these “phone cord” hair ties as an alternative to the many ribbon-style I have already.

   

2. My husband and I started the childcare search pretty much as soon as Ernie was born. We have a nanny hired for when I go back part-time, and are now trying to figure out what our solution will be for full-time care in January. I’ve been using WeeCare to research home daycares and am really loving the site and service so far!
3. Anyone else not know that Chase recently went through a company name change? I got a credit alert recently that said something about “your JPMCB payment” and my gut reaction was, “I don’t recognize that name… is something wrong with my credit?!” Just took a tiny bit of sleuthing to figure out that it was my Chase card! The more you know…
4. I just learned about Pacific Theatres’ “Monday Morning Mommy Movies” where they show new releases to an audience that is accepting of infants being brought! I think Ernie is a little too old to sleep through a feature-length movie, but I might still try to get to one before my maternity leave is over!