Like a lot of you parents out there, I am happy to have survived our first week of school, as we have an official kindergartner over here!
It felt like a marathon to get things all sorted out and ready for that (here’s some free lunch note card printables if you are packing lunches, too!).
In other news, in case you missed the announcement online, I’m pregnant with a new baby due in early February, so we are very excited about that!!
There will be a five-year age gap between my daughter Lola and this baby, but I still hear a lot of good stories from other people with bigger sibling age gaps.
But, that doesn’t seem to mean that they can’t still be friends as they grow up. I hope I still remember how to do the newborn and baby stages since it’s been a little bit … it’s like riding a bike, right??
Here’s what else I’m excited about this week …
1. Dying over this jacket.
2. Just got these Target boots in the cognac color, and they are perfect for fall.
3. I’m still very much here for the “shacket” this year, and this and this one are my favorites so far.
4. I didn’t get into the dried pampas grass game a whole lot until now, but I have these tall ’70s-looking vases in my room (this is a cute one, too) that just didn’t work for flowers.
I needed something in them, and the grasses are perfect! Here’s a faux version if you want something easier to store.
5. Based on what I’ll be doing on my fall Saturdays at 10:45 a.m., should I get this cute sweatshirt?
6. Now that it’s September, I told Lola she can start to wear her Halloween pjs. I should get her fall/Halloween book nook together since she’s starting to read on her own now.
7. Stocking up on my pink Kashmiri chai tea packets as the weather cools down. If you like chai tea but haven’t tried Kashmiri chai, it’s SO good.
It has a sweet delicate flavor that’s different from traditional chai tea you may have had. And, it’s pink!!
8. This cute rug.
9. Has anyone else started Selling the OC on Netflix yet? Not sure if it will be as good as Selling Sunset yet (outfit-wise or drama-wise), but I’m happy to give it a try!
10. Love this initial ring. Could totally use it as a couple ring but it would be a good mom gift for a two-kid mom like me next year.
Well, there’s definitely been quite a bit happening at our house recently, so I’m hoping for a little more relaxing by the fire table in our newly made-over pavilion as the weather starts to cool off.
I just love a good fire pit, don’t you? xo. Laura
P.S. Here’s last week’s 10 Things Sunday in case you missed it!
Congratulations on the baby news, Laura! Very excited for your growing family! Age gaps matter more when kids are super young and the developmental stages are drastically different and then they just kind of level off and don’t exist anymore later in life! Lola will be old enough to be a good helper and have some core memories with just you and daddy which is super special! <3
Yes, I thought that too! I’m sure it will be an adjustment to not be just us but she did get a lot of solo time before Baby comes 🙂
Laura
Congratulations! My mom always said she LOVED the 5 year gap between kiddos. She felt like she actually got to enjoy the newborn with one kid in school because she wasn’t so frazzled taking care of two at once all the time. Best of luck!
That makes SO much sense! Hope it’s the same for me!
Laura
Congrats, Laura!!! So excited for you!! We’ll have at least a 5yr gap with our next baby (if we have a next baby) and I’ve heard nothing but good stories, too. Lola will be such a great helper!!
Oh yay, glad the stories are good so far!! And she will be the best big sister!
Laura
Congratulations on the new baby! My sons are six years apart and they are very close buddies. My older son was so ready for a sibling that it reduced rivalry. The younger son idolized his big brother. There was a little adjustment because we were so used to our routine. On the other hand, having a bigger more independent kid made it easier to care for an infant in many ways. I’m sure it will work out wonderfully for your family!
Yes, in a lot of ways I’m so glad she’s more independent for sure! Hope they are buddies too!
Laura
I always look forward to your 10 Things posts, Laura! So many good recommendations every time. Congrats on your pregnancy!!
Aw, thank you!!
Laura
Congrats Laura! I wrote a book especially for kids 5+ welcoming a new sibling called “How to be a big sister” (and there’s a brother version too), available on Amazon. It may be useful for Lola as it can guide a more in depth conversation than all the picture books for younger kids out there (though many of those are great too!). Congrats again!
Oh nice! I’ll have to look it up, thanks!
Laura
Congratulations, Laura! I hope pregnancy isn’t too hard with chronic illness added to the mix. My sister is seven years older and we are very best friends💛
So glad to hear you are friends!! And yes, I think it does make it harder but pregnancy is hard enough so sometimes it’s hard to tell which symptom is coming from which thing! Just doing my best 🙂
Laura
My sister and I are 5 and half years apart, and she is my very best friend! We stayed close from childhood and now into adulthood!
Yay!!! So glad to hear!! 🙂
Laura
Congrats! My two kids are five years apart, and it has been GREAT having an independent big kid while taking care of a baby. My brother and I are (coincidentally) also five years apart, and we shared a lot growing up (playing Legos, watching movies, drawing…) and we’re very close friends as grownups. It’s not how I planned things, but I really like a five year age gap.
Great to hear, thanks for sharing!!
Laura
Congratulations on baby #2, Laura! Wishing you the best for your pregnancy 💕
And btw, are you going to be doing a birth announcement when the baby arrives? I loved the one you did for Lola
I’m sure I will share some on my Instagram so follow along there if you want to see! @gummergal
Laura 🙂
Congratulations!!! That’s so exciting. Also, I saw your husband play in DC last night. What a show!
Aw yeah!! He’s the BEST!
Laura
Congratulations!
My sister and I are 5 years apart, and we are so very close, even when we were very young. I took her with me everywhere.i
So happy to hear!!
Laura
Congratulations to baby Gummer, Laura!! All the best to you!
Thank you!!
Laura