IT TAKES A VILLAGE

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It takes a village to raise a child. I am a major believer in that phrase. In my pre-baby life I would hear the phrase and then smile and nod. Yes, it takes a village but 'I got this' was my previous mantra. Pre-baby, I would be so proud of the fact that I was an independent woman! Sure, I relied on God sometimes but help from others? no, it's okay, I got this. I didn't want to be a bother and I was confident that I could do things all by my lonesome. And then I had a baby.

Before Luca, I thought, oh a baby! It will be so darling! We'll just go to the backyard and lounge all day and instagram.....(insert crazy/crying laugh HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA). Sorry to burst your bubble (if you are a little bit naive like I was) but becoming a parent has been the hardest thing I have ever done. And I like to think that I have done hard things. Lead teams of volunteers, live in another country at 18, direct conferences, preach, missions trips, run a half marathon, etc, etc...yep, becoming a parent has been harder than all of those things put together. I have seen more tears in the past 6 weeks than in the past 6 months, heck, probably the past 6 years. Oh, how I needed (and still need) my village.

The first two weeks were INSANE. I was a teary, snotty, anxious mess. All of a sudden my world was turned upside down. I had been entrusted this tiny, crying baby who didn't come with a manual. Oh, and my body was feeling as if it had done 6 marathons. Oh and did I mention I was hardly sleeping, ha. I didn't like going into public because I would burst into tears if someone asked me how I was. I lashed out at James way too often. I constantly watched Luca because I was paranoid he would suddenly stop breathing. But my village intervened.

My village made meals when my only goal of the day was to feed my baby...shower if I'm lucky. My village helped with housework and laundry (true friends right there). My village answered my constant questions and gave advice with no judgement. My village held my baby so I could nap. My village gave me hugs, kind words from God and prayers that I needed so desperately. My village blessed my baby with clothes, diapers and toys. My village poured out love and brought flowers. My village reminded me that God chose me to be Luca's mom and that He would give me all that I need. My village loved on James too. My village reminded us that as parents, our need for God would be greater than ever and that's a good thing.

Oh, how I love my village.

My village showed me that it's okay to ask for help. My village showed me that it's essential to accept help. My village revealed how much I need my village. My village inspired me to look around and be a village to others.

We are not meant to be alone. God never intended us to do this whole life thing alone. I'm extremely extroverted and I still have to be constantly reminded that I can't do this alone. Community can be a messy thing...people are complicated but it can also be a very beautiful thing. I hope and pray that you have a village like my village.

My village reminded me of who I was and that I was capable. And I'm proud to say that at six weeks postpartum, I know with all of my heart that that is true. I'm doing this mom thing and I have confidence (imagine that!) and I don't cry everyday anymore, ha! It's still hard but I truly believe that 'I got this'....but not on my own...with the support of my amazing God and my village.

I love you my village and wouldn't be the momma I am without you...you know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

XO,
laura

HELLO WEEKEND

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Again another week has passed! The sun has come out and it is hooooot...and apparently it's going to get even hotter! Normally I'm all like yaaaay but with a sweaty baby who is super tired in the heat and wide awake when it's cool at night, I can't say I feel the same way, ha. But we're learning how to deal so it's all good.

TGIF!! Today we're going to see James play at Rock the Shores with Towers & Trees...I'm a little nervous how Luca will do. I'm bringing baby headphones to block out the loud noise but I'm a little worried about the heat. Would love any tips on bringing a baby to a music festival if you got them!

On Sunday Luca is being dedicated at our church. We're committed to raising our little man with God's grace and love. Our heart's desire is that he will know God's great love for him. Oh, it's going to be special.

On Saturday Luca turns 6 weeks! Which means I'm 6 weeks postpartum and my doctor has given me the go ahead to start exercising. I'm going to start out slow but man, am I ever excited to get moving...even just a little bit more than walks. I'm trying to be realistic about goals but it's hard to not put too many expectations on myself. Once again, I'm in need of grace for myself and need to remind myself that it took 9 months to grow Luca, it may take just as long (or longer) to go back to the way I was. :)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

XO,
laura

NEWBORN ESSENTIALS

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Our little Luca is almost 6 weeks old and I guess that means that he's almost out of the newborn stage....wowza! During pregnancy, looking through baby stuff was so overwhelming. There are so many things and everyone has a different opinion on what you need. I'm no expert but this is what we've found so helpful for our little lion.

1. Milk Snob Cover- I use my milk snob every time we leave the house! It serves as a cover for the carseat, feeding cover and shopping cart cover for when your little one can sit in a shopping cart. Luca sleeps way longer in the carseat with this on. It blocks out sun, wind and creepers from touching your baby, ha. I seriously am in love with mine.

2. WubbaNub-  This was gifted to me by my sweet friend Lauren. It's a soother that doesn't fall out right away. For now we stuff it under a blanket and Luca is able to suck away and if he stops, it doesn't fall out. When he gets a little older, he will be able to hold onto the elephant's legs which will help the soother stay in his mouth. And it's soo adorable too. I got the lamb one for my little niece. If you're local to Victoria, you can buy this at Momease. 

3. Sleep Sheep On the Go- This is a white noise machine in disguise of a super cute sheep. We were gifted the travel size and I was so happy. I find the original to be a bit on the big size. This one comes with a velcro strap, so we often strap it to the stroller or car seat or wherever he's asleep! We use this every night and I personally get a better sleep with it too. Luca is a great sleeper, so I'm thinking this has something to do with it!

4. Summer Infant Sleeper- Luca sleeps in this little bassinet beside our bed every night. We only have a double bed, so we don't do this but it folds down so you can put your baby right beside you on the bed. It also folds up so you can take it on the go. I'm planning on having Luca sleep in this on our trip to Parksville.

5. Aden & Anais Dream Blanket- We received this as a gift and I love it so much. It's not entirely an essential but I swear Luca sleeps better when he's swaddled in it. It's incredibly soft and they also make them for adults too! 

6. Little Unicorn Muslin Swaddles- Muslin swaddles are such an essential for your newborn! We swaddle Luca up for every nap and bed time and often it's with these guys. They also provide a nice, lightweight blanket for the super hot days. I linked up to Little Unicorn because I love their patterns but there are many other (cheaper) brands that make muslin swaddles!

7. Summer Infant Swaddle Pod- I know I've mentioned swaddle like 10 times but these are amazing!! We were gifted two of these at our shower and he's almost grown out of them. We put him in this at night instead of pajamas and it keeps him all tightly swaddled. He's way less likely to wake himself up in the middle of the night when his reflexes throw his arm up. And oh my goodness, he looks so cute in it too...so sad that he's growing out of it :(

Oh and I forgot the Diaper Genie! I absolutely love it and could not live with stinky diapers in the trash!

So there you have it, my newborn essentials. I'd love to know what newborn essentials you couldn't live without!

XO,
laura

SUMMER FEELS

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This summer looks different than any other summer I've had. No longer can I quickly pack a bag and simply head to the beach to soak up some rays. We still have some fun things planned (hello Parksville with James' family!, seeing daddy play at Rock the Shores, bbqs, my 30th birthday...) and now that our baby is five weeks (AHHHH!) we're way more comfortable with bringing him out. BUT part of me is living vicariously through these lazy days of summer pics...I mean, lounging in a flamingo floatie...will I ever be able to do that before I'm 40 and the kids have grown out of infancy? lols

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

Oh summer, I love you.

Happy Monday!
laura

HELLO WEEKEND

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Three posts in one week...who am I?!!!! Now that I've started to put Luca on a bit of a schedule, I can surprisingly get some stuff done around the house and blog! Last night he slept for almost 5.5 hours in a row (and then two 2.5 hour stints)!! I cannot wait for the day when it's 6 ahhhhhhh.

TGIF! This week James finished a job early so we had a bit of an early jump to the weekend. We went for a nice little stroll in Beacon Hill Park (ps. thank the good Lord, the sun is back!!!!) and I was so surprised to see so many people catching pokemon! I think it's a great game to get people outside and active haha but seriously, a friend told me someone walked off an 80ft cliff playing and apparently ppl have had car accidents playing it. That's just so extreme...it seems fun and all, but be safe guys!!! Have you started playing it yet?

I'm on the hunt for a cute one piece for this postpartum body...how cute is this one from Jcrew? or this one from anthro? I'll probably do a round up post of some cute ones next week because I've found so many cute ones!!

It's date night tonight!! YEEESSS. I know in yesterday's post it said it was date night but man, my brain is pretty mush these days so I really have no idea of what day it is, ha. But anyways, can't wait to spend some quality time with my man. Hope you guys have a delightful weekend! 

XO,
laura

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