Some may look at the glorious images of being able to head away for a sunny holiday and no more, but others may have spotted a little tiny image on our cover photo and be scrolling for more!

I’ll start at the beginning of July and work my way through the month. Our family has been looking forward to July for a while. I would say since this year turned into a slight flop personally and economy-wise. We had booked a winter week away with friends, and it was just what we needed. Then the opportunity came up for Scarlett and me to head to Hawaii, and quite frankly, I was ready to escape to some warmer weather and take some time away from daily life. 

We headed down to Queenstown and had such a beautiful time doing all things wintry! Layers were on, and we packed in many great activities. It’s a must-do trip in winter especially. We are very lucky to have a family home down there where we escaped to. Luge runs, playgrounds, ice creams, Deer Park, lunches, snow fun & fluffies were all enjoyed! 

We then came home to get ready for a sunnier vacay! From merinos to togs, it was a tad easier to pack for! It was a slightly hectic few days leading up to this, getting everything sorted for the business so I didn’t have to be on all the time. I’ve never been so organized in my life since taking over our socials and email outs again and had everything set day by day. Alex, my husband, was in charge of dispatch, which I slightly blind-sided him with before leaving! 

Before jetting away, I had a feeling that I needed to do something but I had been putting it off for a couple of days due to our baby loss earlier in the year. I came to terms with peeing on a stick and was not too surprised when two lines came up. It was a super exciting moment that I shared with Scarlett who, of course, joined me in the bathroom! It doubled with fear of what happened before happening again. I got confirmation that indeed I was pregnant again before we left with a happily growing bub. I was slightly further along than I thought too, which quickly skipped through some of the ‘your baby is a chia or sesame seed or blah blah weeks on Flo’ (if you know, you know!) 

Mum cap on, I continued with getting Scarlett and me on a plane, waving Alex behind who, sadly couldn’t come with us. We conquered the flights together and in fact, Scarlett was incredible. We met my parents, sister, & brother-in-law in Hawaii. (A little tired-eyed on my half after travel/little sleep, but never fear, the sun was there!) We had a glorious time all together. Pools, beach, no agenda, naps, shops, snacks & lots of hot chippys (beige food of choice for S!)

I knew something wasn’t quite right when I started spotting. We were in the early stages of our trip, so my family took the reins of constant ‘in the pool please’ time while I hoped it wasn’t the inevitable. I waited it out with the support of my OB + doctors at home and once we got home I was to find that yes, I was losing our baby once again. It’s a hard pill to swallow going through everything again such a short time later from our loss earlier in the year. This was a different experience than our last loss but not any easier. I’ve got lots of ‘whys’, but we are still in the midst of the miscarriage throws and those are put to the side for these few weeks ahead. So before you judge a book (or a gal trying to run a business, be a mum + a wife who got a holiday! Thanks DMs) It’s not all rainbows and butterflies. 

I said it last time and I'll say again, it wasn't our time, but our time will come, I am sure. If you got this far through this entry, then thanks for sticking around & supporting A+O. 

On a happier note, August will be brighter, and it's only 20 weeks until Christmas, eek!  

Grace x