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Friday Favorites | New Beginnings

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Good Saturday morning! Whew, it's been a busy week. How about yours? This truly feels like the end of summer now, with Labor Day upon us, the pool closing, and school starting this week (ahhh!). It's funny, spring gets all of the glory for new beginnings, but there is so much to anticipate and look forward to in the fall, don't you think?

I thought I'd touch base with some "life lately" updates in lieu of the typical Friday Favorites, one day belated. 

Countdown to Baby #3


We are less than three weeks away from meeting our third little girl! I really can't believe it. A full 35-week update probably isn't necessary, but here's a little glimpse into life at 35 weeks pregnant: restless leg syndrome at night, huge baby rolls and stretches (this sweet girl is running out of room!), 5 lbs 3 oz at our 34 week growth scan with the most perfect cheeks and little lips, momma can't get enough of anything cold and thirst-quenching -- plums, Italian Ice (especially lemon), ice chips. I'm nesting hard and literally snapped the handle off of my Swiffer Mop cleaning the kitchen floors so intensely the other day - a new low, ha! We've crossed almost everything off of our "to-do before baby" list, except: clean and set up the Baby Brezza, sanitize bottles, pack our hospital bags (her's is ready to go), and clean/set up baby gear like swings, co-sleeper, etc.

The big girls are so excited and we're getting anxious to meet this babe, and to safely and healthily have the delivery and recovery behind us and the rest of our lives as a family of five (six including Layla pup) ahead of us. :) 


New Instagram Account for The Lucky Lifestyle

One morning last weekend, Steve was so sweet to deliver my iced coffee and protein bar while I was still in bed and I'm not sure if it was the luxurious feeling of lounging for a few extra minutes, but I suddenly felt inspired to create the separate Instagram account I've been dreaming and scheming up for a while now for this little space. I haven't had time this week to devote to it, post anything, or follow anyone but several of you have already found me, so if that's you... thank you! And I promise to begin sharing there soon. Why a new and separate account? I've finally accepted that Instagram is the tool to help expand the depth and breadth of wonderful people I can connect with, grow this space, and share authentically while protecting the privacy of my kiddos as much as possible.



Back to School

Both girls head to school very soon, and we're all excited to see what they learn and how they grow this year! Don't get me wrong, I will absolutely be weeping at the bus stop for the first couple of days, but I keep repeating to myself "this is good." This is what is supposed to happen when you have children, right? You prepare them, little by little, for the great big world. This feels like our first real step into it. Wish us luck!

Here are my favorite places to back-to-school shop, by the way -- check out Labor Day Sales!

-H&M (you cannot beat their $4.99 dresses, just size up one size!)

-OshKosh (cute and classic playtime favorites)

-Target (is anyone surprised? Cat & Jack is the best and their Art Class line is super cute, too!)

-Kohls (we love their Jumping Beans and Sonoma lines)


Our New Car


We knew when we found out we were expecting our third child that we'd need to upgrade to a car with a third row. It took almost the entire pregnancy to finally go shopping, but after a couple of weekends of waddling around lots comparing a few of the models we liked, we found the one! Say hello to our (new-to-us) Honda Pilot! We received recommendations from several people with three kids that the Pilot was awesome, and so far, we're loving it. Truth be told, my eyes filled with tears as I watched my old car drive away (thanks hormones), but I'm sentimental like that. Anyone else? 

Anyway, if you're in the market for a three-row car and want to chat about different features and what we compared, liked, and didn't like... feel free to reach out! 



Finally, I wanted to share a really cool idea inspired by a friend who recently messaged me on Instagram. This was a girl I went to middle and high school with -- we keep in touch on social media but haven't seen each other in a good decade probably. She messaged me wanting to spread some positivity and let me know about a conversation we had many years ago that helped her decide on her college major, which led to a career she loves. I was totally surprised and really touched -- that this one conversation so long ago meant something to her, and that she would take the time out of her life to let me know that. Thank you, Brooke!

Her kindness and openness inspired me to do the same, and I hope it does for you, too. :)

Have a wonderful, warm, and safe LDW friends!

Back to School Must-Haves: Kindergarten Edition

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Happy Sunday, friends! It's been a second since I could actually hit "publish" here, and that's because the back-to-school whirlwind, an uptick in work, and prepping for a new baby has taken over (and I've allowed it!). There's much to catch up on, but first I wanted to share some back-to-school favorites.

This is an especially exciting fall for us with one kiddo headed to kindergarten -- hold me -- and another starting preschool (and yet another coming into the world! ;)). We haven't gone too crazy with shopping since the girls have a great summer wardrobe to get them started, and it's still warm here at the beginning of the school season, but we've definitely scooped up a few new things and wanted to share our must-haves! 



Scratch-off lunchbox notes // Sturdy backpack (this pattern sold out) // Bento box (sale!)

First day dress (Under $9) // Stasher bag (this stye on sale!) // Rainboots (GREAT sale)


Does it ever seem like one day all of your kid's shoes fit, and the next day they don't? I hope we're not the only ones! We had to get all new shoes for Carrington for fall, and those adorable rainbow sneakers were first on the list (still working on learning to tie those laces!). When I saw the Joule rainboots on such a great sale (40% off), I had to get them. There are so many cute designs on sale right now to choose from. We also recently hit up DSW for these athletic sneakers -- PSA: don't forget to check your rewards points at every store you visit, just in case! I had $20 that I almost missed out on. Also, if I had a boy, I would get these immediately. So cute!

This is the first year C will be eating lunch out of the house. Santa brought her a new rainbow lunchbox last Christmas ;), so we invested in those great bento boxes to help keep her food separated. The boxes plus those Stasher bags (genius) will help us greatly reduce the number of plastic baggies we use. For every day things like water bottles, you can't go wrong with Camelbaks (we find ours at Target). They come in a ton of different colors and patterns, last, and don't leak. 

Speaking of lasting, the LL Bean backpack is so sturdy -- I'm hoping it carries us a couple of years beyond kindergarten. C was so excited to pick out that flower pattern herself (that pattern is now sold out, but there are others still in stock! Plus free shipping!). She'll be rocking it with that floral dress for her very first day.

And, just for fun, how cute are those scratch-off lunchbox notes? We're big into note writing/picture drawing in our family and I'm excited to send C off with little surprises each day for her to find when she opens her lunchbox. 

I'm going to miss that kid so much when she's away all day. It's going to be an adjustment for all of us, I think, but seeing how ready she is to learn all of the things, make new friends, and be more independent makes letting go just a teeny, tiny bit easier. 

Anyone else sending a kid off to kindergarten this year?


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