SUMMER ESSENTIALS

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Is it just me or does anyone else think that summer is going by way toooooo quickly? We're almost halfway through July...and I'm kinda freaking out here! Anyone else? I thought it would be fun to round up a few summer essentials....because everybody needs a giant inflatable flamingo in their life...right!

1. Straw Bag
2. Rose Gold Inflatable Flamingo
3. SPF 40 Sunscreen
4. Blue Jays Hat
5. White Arizona Birkenstock (living in these alllllll summer long #pregnantwomandreamshoe )
6. Red One Piece Swimsuit
7. You Are Gold Water Cup

Such cute things hey!!? Would love to know what's on your summer essential list?

XO!
laura

6 MONTH BUMP UPDATE

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Ok, I'm sneaking this 6 month pregnancy update in...because on Saturday I'll be 7 months pregnant...AHHHH this pregnancy is FLYING BY!!!!

How far along are you?

Almost 27 weeks! One more week and I'm in the third trimester.

How big is baby?

Baby is about 14.5 inches and weighs almost 2lbs. Some sites say she's the size of a head of cauliflower!

Feeling:

Large and in charge. Lols. I have to be honest with you. It's definitely hard to see my body go through sooo many changes. I saw some photos of my pre-pregnancy self enjoying life and got kinda bummed. So many thoughts running through my head...will I ever be that small again? why on earth would I ever think I needed to lose weight then? James has been so amazing through all the changes, he constantly reminds me that I'm most beautiful when pregnant...I'm carrying LIFE! I look at Luca and gaining the 45lbs with him was SO worth it. Babies are a beautiful blessing and I'll have the rest of my life to lose weight...it's just hard seeing your body grow so much when it's been much smaller.

Other than that stuff, I'm feeling pretty good. A little tired, but I'm not complaining! Heartburn has been creeping up but other than that, nothing else crazy going on. Still praying for that placenta to move up! We won't know until my next ultrasound at 32 weeks.

Food love:

Everything sweet...but man, my dad brought over steak tonight and it was THE BEST EVER. I could seriously eat steak all day errrday.

Food hate:

Not really avoiding anything anymore!

Exercise:

With Luca's care and one car and getting home in time to relieve a babysitter, I've been taking the bus more than walking...it's also summer now, so the heat gets to me on that 35 minute walk! I've been doing yoga a couple times a week but I know I need to do more. SO HARD with another baby and a billion things on my to-do list but it's so important. Hoping to get some more evening walks in!

Clothing:

I received another order from PinkBlush and I'm SO PUMPED. I actually feel good in their pregnancy clothes! I will be heading to Van early August so I'm also hoping to scoop up a few things from topshop maternity! I am yet to find nice maternity shorts though...every pair looks like you have serious camel toe...not fun.

What I'm looking forward to:

My next prenatal massage and chiro!! Those things are a MUST for every pregnant woman!!

BTW, how pretty is this beach we discovered on Pender Island? It's kind of a funny story. We had a little date night and wanted to find a beach. We went to one but I refused to get out of the car because it looked like there was a hike down. James was bummed because he wanted to go to a beach before it got dark. We ended up driving away from the other parking lot and randomly turned down a road and found this perfect spot! 30 foot walk to the beach and totally private with no one around! I'm convinced it was God smiling on us :)

XO!
laura

PREGNANCY STYLE + 5 MONTH BUMP UPDATE

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And just like that, I'm five months pregnant! This pregnancy has gone by 1000000000x faster than my pregnancy with Luca. I also think my belly is 1000000x bigger, ha. But that's totally ok, because I've found some maternity clothes that actually fit pregnant people AND look good.

Last pregnancy I remember going shopping for a baby shower dress and being soooo utterly disappointed with the selection. Every dress was either, 1) way too short, 2) way too booby or 3) wouldn't do up at all aka it was HELL and I left feeling huge and unattractive.

So thankful I discovered PinkBlush this pregnancy! They have tons and tons and tons of beautiful maternity clothes (and non-maternity clothes too) that actually fit pregnant people well! Gorgeous dresses that are long enough to accommodate your growing bump and don't show the world your cleavage...hallelujah!

How far along are you?

Almost 22 weeks! Baby is due in October and man this pregnancy is moving along QUICKLYYYY...which I imagine must be quite common for second time mamas.

How big is baby?

Baby is the size of a spaghetti squash...almost 11 inches long, which is a huge jump from last month! 

Feeling:

So at peace. If you follow me on instagram, you would've read that we had some scary test results and had to be retested....so happy to announce that the second test (which is way more accurate) came back 100% healthy. Feeling on cloud 9 and that I can actually get excited about this pregnancy. In the waiting, I had peace but it was definitely hard to be super excited knowing something could be wrong. 

I'm also feeling ALL THE KICKS! Baby girl likes to move, move, move!

Food love:

mmmmm everything. My appetite is starting to go through the roof!

Food hate:

Spicy food is not my friend as heartburn has made a comeback this pregnancy. 

Exercise:

I've been walking to work a couple times a week but man, need to get on the whole pregnancy yoga and weights again! Because of my placenta previa, I can't do anything too intense but I always feel so much better after doing yoga!

Clothing:

My PinkBlush dresses obvsssss!

What I'm looking forward to:

Can't wait for my next ultrasound at 28-32 weeks to see if my placenta has moved up....will also be nice to see baby girl again! Thank you in advance for your prayers :)

Dress c/o PinkBlush (it's a beautiful pale blue but looks more minty in photos than in person!) 

XO,
Laura

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE #3- NEW MOM

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Being a new mom is one of the most intense experiences of life. Pregnancy is tough, birthing is insane and now you have a teeny, screaming newborn to take care of! New moms deserve some gifts (& medals!)

1. Ergopouch- Luca has slept swaddled from day one. We had him in thin ones through the summer/newborn phase and he just grew out of his 3-6 month one so I just bought this one. He loves it and it keeps him warm on these cold winter nights! This one is a 2.5 tog and keeps your baby nice and cozy. The size goes from 3-12 months and you can keep arms swaddled in or out. Luca had arms swaddled in until he found a way to bust out around 2.5 months.
2. Teether- I love how cute these teethers are and the company is out of Vancouver!
3. Stuffy- These jellycat stuffies are sooo soft and so sweet.
4. Lavender Soap- Baths are your best friend postpartum and these soaps look so luxurious!
5. Cozy Robe- For the first couple weeks after Luca was born, I basically lived in my robe! This one looks so cozy and is perfect for winter!
6. Lavender Bath/Body Oil- This stuff looks delightful. I swear by using Lavender to help get me to sleep.
7. S'well Water Bottle- In those early days of breastfeeding you are thirsty (& hungry!!!) ALL OF THE TIME! I love my s'well as it keeps water nice and cold for 24 hours!
8. Welcome Home Onesie- Awe, isn't this onesie the cutest?

New mamas are my heroes, they so deserve to be blessed!!

XO,
laura

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE #1- COZY

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Have you started your Christmas shopping? I usually leave it to the last minute but this time I'm determined (wishing, hoping) to get it done before mid-December!

This gift guide sums up my life right now. It's freezing outside, which means all I want to do is cozy up by our fire with a good book or a cute baby :)

1. Kate Spade Pyjamas  //  2. Mug  //  3. Eye Mask  //  4. Frasier Fir Candle (MY ABSOLUTE FAVE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR!)  //  5. Joggers  //  
6. Giant Knit Throw  //  7. Slippers  //  8. Bubble Bath

Hope this gives you some gift ideas for that cozy lover in your life!

XO,
laura