Our Last Summer Hurrah Before Baby Cherry: Making Memories That Stick

Okay, so I’ve been meaning to share more about our summer, and now that Cherry is here and just the sweetest little bean, it feels like the perfect time to look back at those last few months before she arrived. This summer was just… different, you know? It had this special glow to it bc Tanner and I both knew it was our last one as a family of four. Our last summer with just Stella and Ozzy running around, being our whole world before our little Cherry blossom made her grand entrance. And omg, I’m so glad we made the most of it. I couldn’t imagine not having these memories to look back on now, especially seeing how much Stella and Ozzy have grown and changed even in just a few months. It’s wild how fast it all goes, isn’t it?! :,)

Soaking Up Every Single Second

When you know a big change is coming, it just makes you appreciate the present moment so much more. I feel like I was just walking around all summer with this little internal timer ticking, like, “okay, soak this up, Lo, bc this is it for a minute.” And I did! We really did. It wasn’t about going on some huge, extravagant trip (although those are fun too!), it was more about just being together. Those everyday moments that you sometimes take for granted? We tried to make them feel extra special. Like, going to the park just to watch the girls play for hours, or having impromptu dance parties in the living room. Or even just snuggling on the couch watching a movie, knowing that soon there’d be another tiny human to squeeze in there with us. It was all so precious.

The Magic of Film Photos

You guys know I’m a sucker for film. There’s just something about it, isn’t there? It’s not perfect, it’s not instant, and sometimes you don’t even know what you’ve got until you get the roll back. But that’s the magic! It forces you to be present when you’re taking the picture, and then when you finally see them, it’s like unwrapping a little gift. These film photos from our last summer are just… everything to me. They capture the vibe so perfectly. The sun-drenched days, the messy hair, the genuine smiles, and even the little smirks. They’re not posed, they’re just real life. And that’s what I want to remember. The real, unfiltered, beautiful chaos of our family. I’m so glad we had our camera with us to just snap away and capture these moments before Cherry joined the party. It’s like a little time capsule, and I love it sm.

Simple Pleasures and Family Traditions

We didn’t do anything super wild or crazy this summer. It was mostly about leaning into our favorite simple pleasures and traditions. Lots of pool days, bc what’s summer without endless splashing?! We live for those backyard bbq nights, just Tanner grilling and the girls running around screaming with joy. We did a lot of walks to the park, ice cream runs that always ended up with sticky fingers and happy faces. We even had some movie nights where we’d build a fort in the living room and just pile in there with popcorn. These are the things that stick with you, you know? Not the fancy stuff, but the feeling of being together, laughing, and just enjoying each other’s company. I feel like those simple moments are the ones that really build the foundation of our family. And honestly, with a baby on the way, simple was exactly what we needed. Less stress, more connection.

Cherishing the "Lasts" Before the "Firsts"

It’s funny how life works. You’re always looking forward to the next big thing, and then suddenly you realize you’re in the middle of a “last.” Our last summer as a family of four. Our last time going to the park just the four of us. Our last time fitting everyone comfortably in the car without a third car seat, hahah. I h8 that about myself sometimes, I’m always thinking ahead, but this time I really tried to be intentional about savoring these moments. And it made them feel so much richer. It wasn’t about being sad that things were changing, but more about appreciating the beauty of what we had, knowing that something even more beautiful was on its way. It’s a bittersweet feeling, but mostly sweet. Like, “wow, look at us, we’ve built this amazing family, and now it’s about to get even bigger and better.” I just love that thought. It makes my heart swell :,)

Tanner, My Hype Man and Partner in Crime

I gotta give a huge shoutout to Tanner. He’s seriously the best. He’s always down for whatever crazy idea I come up with, whether it’s a spontaneous dance party or a last-minute road trip. He’s my rock, my best friend, and the most incredible dad to our girls. He was right there with me all summer, making sure we were soaking up every moment, taking goofy pictures, and just making sure we were all having fun. I couldn’t do any of this without him. He’s the one who always reminds me to slow down and just enjoy the ride. And now, watching him with Cherry, it just melts my heart. He’s truly my person, and I’m so grateful for him every single day. We make a good team, and our girls are so lucky to have him.

Looking Forward to New Adventures

Now that Cherry is here, our world has shifted in the most wonderful way. It’s a whole new chapter, and it’s been so much fun introducing her to Stella and Ozzy, and watching them become the best big sisters. Our family feels complete in a whole new way. This summer was a beautiful farewell to one season and a joyful anticipation of the next. And I’m so excited for all the new memories we’re going to make as a family of five. More film photos, more dance parties, more snuggles, and definitely more love. Life is just so good, you guys. So incredibly good. Cherish your people, bc that’s what it’s all about in the end. All the love from our crazy crew to yours! ❤❤