Life lately and a bunch of other random updates + things on my mind ✨

No. 28 - August 2024

Aug 15, 2024

Hi friends! This newsletter is (usually) a monthly-ish round-up of life things - what I'm enjoying, reading, learning, buying, doing, thinking about, and more. Sometimes, it’s a bit more vulnerable and personal, talking about things like how to handle rejection and feeling left out. Sometimes, it’s a deep dive into a specific topic, like travel or crowdsourced baby gear.

Today’s newsletter is a life update dump!

LIFE UPDATES: PREGNANCY

I’m currently 34 weeks along! I can’t believe we’re 8.5 months into this pregnancy and get to meet our baby so soon! My labor with Lucy started on my due date and she was born the next day, and Winnie was born a day before her due date. I have no idea when this baby will come, but…we’re definitely in the final stretch.

Physically, I’ve been feeling pretty good. Around 30 weeks, I had some pretty severe back pain that was making it difficult/painful to walk. Thankfully, from either pelvic floor therapy, sleeping with a pregnancy pillow, and/or stretching, that issue has resolved. Also - HOW did I make it through two entire pregnancies and 3/4 of a third pregnancy without a pregnancy pillow? 10/10 recommend.

Emotionally/mentally, I’ve also felt pretty good, but feel a bit more hormonal more recently. I’m very well aware of all the changes coming up soon, and so excited for the baby, but it’s also bittersweet to know our life as a family of four is about to evolve.

I recently had maternity photos done and love how they turned out! The photos with the girls are extra special to me. 💛

LIFE UPDATES: HOME RENOVATION

We’re four months into our home renovation! I’ve shared a bunch about our renovation on Instagram (lots saved here), but things are really moving along! As a refresher, we’re adding ~1,000 square feet onto our house including two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, a laundry room, pantry, larger more open-concept living space + kitchen, half bath and patio. There’s definitely been slooooow periods (especially with a million different inspections) but we’re now in the drywall phase with tile going in next week and paint happening soon! We’re hoping to move in by November. 🙏🏼

LIFE LATELY: OTHER

We’re fully in fall / back to school mode over here! It’s been a refreshing shift from slow summer schedules, but the routine and structure will be good for us all around. I shared this crowdsourced advice about starting kindergarten (applicable to starting any school/new grade) last year that may be helpful if you have kiddos starting school soon!
I was definitely feeling pretty ‘blah’ about all things presidential election, but feeling SO MUCH more excited these days about the Harris/Walz ticket. 🗳️🙌🏼 You can make sure you’re registered to vote here.

RECENT REFLECTIONS / THINGS I WROTE

How do you hold the good and hard at the same time?
I’m expecting a new baby this year — the same year two dear friends of mine both suddenly lost a parent.
I’m beaming with pride at my daughter’s kindergarten graduation, and a friend is explaining to her daughter why her dad doesn’t live with them anymore. I’m tucking my healthy, wiggly girls into bed and another mother is holding her child’s hand in the hospital. I’m feeling kicks inside me from my growing baby and someone else is leaving the doctor’s office sobbing.
What does it look like for joy and gratitude to coexist with pain and loss? Is there room for both, in the same day, at the same time?
It’s strange to order champagne for an engagement and flowers for a funeral on the same weekend.
There’s new jobs and weddings and first houses to celebrate, and there’s also funerals to attend. I sign up for a MealTrain for exhausted, blissful new parents and send DoorDash credit to a friend feeling the weight of a recent loss.
There are days when the blinds stay closed and leaving my dark cave feels impossible. Other days, I twirl carefree for hours in the sunshine.
How do you celebrate exciting announcements and grieve magnificent losses side by side? How do I hold the good and the hard at the same time?
My daughter’s face lights up in a big smile when she sees me in the morning, the peonies on the kitchen table unfold and bloom, the sunset takes my breath away once again. Life is so beautiful. And at the same time, can be so heartbreaking sometimes.
So I sit here wrestling with my thoughts, trying to hold space for the heavy and remain openhanded to the joy.

THINGS I’VE BOUGHT & LIKED

Super cute and comfortable mesh flats under $55! I sized up a half size and got them in white, but now I’m eyeing the red 👀
Very into this collagen sheet mask - it comes in a pack of four and feels so hydrating and soothing!
The girls are obsessed with these colorful bath tablets. For just ten cents each (!!), you just plop one in the water to change the water colors.
I had low expectations for this $6 undereye brightener but pleasantly surprised with it! Been wearing it daily!

RECENT BLOG POSTS

CODES & DISCOUNTS

BEDDYS - use code LUCKYANDI for 15% off
BETTER DAYS - use code LUCKYANDI for 10% off
CADENCE - use code LUCKYANDI10OFF for 10% off
CHATBOOKS - use code LUCKYANDI20 for 20% off!
EIZZY BABY - use code ANDI25 for 25% off
HIYA VITAMINS - use this link for $15 first order + free shipping
NUULY - use this link for $10 off your first order!
QUINCE - use this link for $20 off your first order
SHOP LUCKY COLLECTIVE (my Moroccan textile shop!) - use code LUCKYANDI for 10% off!
STORQ - use code LUCKYANDI for 10% off your order

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Thanks for reading! I love hearing from you so always feel free to shoot me a note!

andi lately

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