A Love Note on Baby Three

Angel three is on their way <3

I recently shared that our family is growing. The gift of doing this again is immeasurable. We are feeling the hearts of so many of you through your messages, comments, and notes!

This has been a special moment we’ve been celebrating as a family for awhile now — I am already 20 weeks, or about halfway there. And no, we don’t know what we are having ;) We never find out, and it’s the most fun surprise ever day-of!

Okay, so there’s a lot to catch up on, and I will share more over the coming months. We’ve always deeply wanted a third child, but following my surgery for thyroid cancer back in February, I started to feel more and more fearful of going for another. I questioned if I was physically, mentally, or emotionally ready — and would I ever be ready? 

In the midst of the decision weighing heavily on me, we got a positive pregnancy test. 

As someone who loves to plan — this was not in my plan. Not now, anyways. And so the initial news felt really different from my other pregnancies, of obsessively checking calendars, and buying pregnancy tests in bulk. With Ella specifically, the process was highly emotional following a hard loss early into our second trimester. And so trying to become pregnant with her was incredibly intentional, emotional, and like every angel everywhere was alongside us through it all. 

This time felt different. I had to really spend a few days alone with myself, reminding my body it was strong enough to do this. Reminding myself that I was safe in my body. Reminding myself to trust my body in whatever it would or wouldn’t do for me, and for us. And in those days, I started to feel such relief. Relief because I could find an inner trust. Relief because I let go of control. And relief because the little soul that Jake and I had always felt was missing from our family was indeed on their way — and already reminding us of what we already know: parenting is the constant act of hanging on and letting go, and it’s in the power of letting go that we truly receive the most.

And so, here I am, hanging onto the beautiful feeling of creating life, while letting go of the fear surrounding the unknowingness of it all. I am exactly where I need to be. 

And my hope for you this week is to recognize the same. You are exactly where you need to be.

FIVE FAVORITES THIS WEEK:

1 - Summer Fridays Holiday Sets:

Okay here’s a reason to celebrate the holidays extra early!! We launched two Summer Fridays holiday sets this week. Our Lip Butter Balm trio set, which includes our NEW flavor, Iced Coffee, in a stunning warm neutral shade. We also launched our Skincare Set — which includes a full-sized Jet Lag Mask and mini versions of CC Me Serum, Light Aura Eye Cream and Lip Butter Balm Vanilla. This is such an incredible value and a great way to try some of our best-selling skincare products for glowy, hydrated skin. We’re also bringing back our Jumbo Jet Lag Mask this holiday!

2 - Low/Mid Rise Jeans:

Comfy denim + an oversized sweatshirt/sweater has become my fall pregnancy uniform. I’ve been loving low/mid-rise jeans and sizing up two sizes from my usual so they fall nicely on my growing body. These new pairs will also work nicely postpartum rather than trying to fit into my original denim. I love this pair of jeans from Grlfrnd (pictured above) and the Levi’s I mentioned last week. I also put together a list of a few I’ve ordered to try from Revolve.

3 - Brown Polish:

I am in all of my fall feels right now. So different from my usual nude polish choices - I’m loving this brown for fall. This is shade “Espresso Your Inner Self” from OPI! I used regular polish this week, but they also have this shade available in gel. 

4 - Play Sink:

This play sink is a current backyard obsession for the kids. It’s so sweet, and attaches to a hose, so the experience is similar to that of a real sink. Ella particularly loves to practice washing dishes here, and also uses it as a practical way to rinse off any time we paint outside! It also aligns well with her Montessori school activities that she’s adjusting to at school right now.

5 - Silver Accessories:

Another fall trend I’m loving, silver everything accessories for a fun metallic pop. I just got this bag from Staud that I’m loving and I’m eying these heels from Mango (need to order). I’ve also been into big silver statement earrings - I got this pair from Revolve last month and I love these ones from Aureum, this pair from Eclatant is another fave.

With love, 

Lauren