MY GOLDEN HOUR MATERNITY SHOOT

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Last week I had my maternity photos taken! I meant to get them taken at around 30 weeks when my belly wasn't massive but I'm happy to have these and can't believe that one day I'll look back at them and tell my son that he was in my tummy then...pregnancy is so incredibly beautiful.

I was 35.5 weeks when these were taken and the Lion was sitting real HIGH! At my doctor's appointment that week I was measuring 38 weeks...lols. But the next week I was measuring right on track at 36 weeks. I'm now almost 37 weeks and can't believe "go time" is coming sooo soon.

It all feels so surreal right now. James and I are trying to soak in as much "us" time as we can get...movies, dates, hanging out with friends, etc. Our bathroom reno is pretty much done and the nursery is almost finished! I'm planning on working until 38.5 weeks so I'm really hoping baby doesn't come until after then, ha.

I will so treasure these photos. They mark the edge. The edge of the scariest yet most beautiful journey we're going to take...what an adventure it will be.

XO,
laura

All photos by Tamiko Sianen
Flower Crown by Tiffany Sityayev

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE TRIFLE

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Throughout this pregnancy so many people have asked if I have had any cravings. I haven't had any crazy ones but I've definitely noticed my sweet tooth increasing...surprisingly, I usually crave candy more than chocolate...but this one day in particular, I was craving the heavenly combination of chocolate and peanut butter....so I decided to make this trifle. 

Now just warning you, this is a crazy rich dessert. I used brownies but next time, I would definitely use a lighter chocolate cake instead.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE TRIFLE

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch of chocolate cake from a box (don't bother making from scratch, but do if you really really want to), cooled and cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 large box of chocolate pudding
  • 1 bag of mini peanut butter cups, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 3-4 tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup icing sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 brick of cream cheese at room temperature

Directions:

  1. Beat heavy cream and regular sugar in an electric mixer on medium high until stiff peaks form. Transfer the whip cream to another bowl and put in the fridge.
  2. Beat peanut butter and cream cheese in the electric mixer on medium until the mixture is creamy. Add in the icing sugar and mix until combined. Add in the milk.
  3. Add 1 cup of the whipping cream to the peanut butter mixture and mix until combined.
  4. Grab your dish and begin to assemble the trifle. Clear dishes are obviously better but use what you have! I assembled it in this order: chocolate cake, peanut butter, peanut butter cups, chocolate pudding, whip cream and then repeat. Make sure you save some peanut butter cups for the top layer!
  5. Enjoy!

MMMmmmmm now I want this all over again....

Happy Tuesday!

XO,
laura

MY WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE BABY SHOWER

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Last Saturday my besties Rachel & Courtney (along with the help of many other amazing friends) threw the Lion and I an incredible baby shower! Oh my goodness. I felt beyond blessed. I was a wreck when I thanked everyone...lols. I just can't fathom how amazing my friends and church family are! 12 years ago, I went to GT knowing no one and here I am 12 years later, knowing full well that my son is already so incredibly loved by so many. Church community is a beautiful thing.

Incase you haven't guessed it by now, the theme was "Where the Wild Things are" and my goodness, didn't they do an amazing job of making the not so pretty church room, look so cute? I have to admit, I designed the invites and soap labels because I'm OCD lols...but they did everything else! The blooms were designed by the amazing, Tiffany Sityayev. The cupcakes were by Rachel Cakes and the cake was made by my friend Amy. It was all so DELISH. Also thank you to my friend Beth who helped me make all the soap favours!

Thank you to everyone who came. The Lion and I were soooo blessed. :)

Now time to get his nursery organized because it's ONE MONTH TILL DUE DATE!!!! Weeeeee!!!

XOXO,
laura

HELLO WEEKEND

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Happy Friday everybody! Who's ready for the weekend? THIS GIRL IS! I got another stupid cold this week and I'm hoping it will be gone ASAP. Our bathroom reno is close to being done! Toilet is in, vanity and sinks are in, tiles are done..just waiting on the trim, mirror, paint and a few other things! James is AMAZING!

I think I've officially started to nest...I want to get the Lion's nursery organized ASAP and I found myself cleaning the microwave this week...who am I? HA! Our house is in shambles because of the reno, but thankfully we can start getting it in order after the weekend.

I have my baby shower on Saturday and I'm so excited. I can't believe how loved my little boy is already. It gives me such joy knowing he's going to grow up surrounded by so many incredible people.

If you follow me on instagram, you may have seen this post from last night...I had my almost 35 week check up and I'm measuring 3 weeks ahead!!! My doctor didn't seem too concerned but let's just say the Lion isn't going to be a tiny baby...my doctor also commented on my slim hips...lols. I'm trying to not let that freak me out re: labour...all I can do is continue chiro, stretching and PRAYER!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

XO,
laura

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WARDROBE // 13

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Oh my goodness...it's been almost a year since my last wardrobe post! Ha, sorry about that but ya, I finally have a style post for you...a short one...but still one! James and I went to a wedding a couple weeks ago and snapped these pics in his parent's backyard. As you can see, this dress shows how high my little one is sitting! It's a not a maternity dress, just a super stretchy one! (Check out the dress here! There are tons of different colours as well!) And I love it because it's not too short, especially with my big bump!

I'm 32 weeks in these photos and currently almost 35! A friend is taking a few more photos on Saturday...I'm much larger but still so excited to see how they turn out! I'm feeling very large but am constantly reminding myself that I am growing a baby that fits and it is an honour to be able to grow this little life in me :) Oh sweet baby boy, we can't wait to meet you!!!!

Past Wardrobes- 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

XOXO,
laura