HELLO AUGUST
Hello August!! It's a holiday Monday around these parts and daddy is off!! We're hopefully going to hit up a beach or park as the weather is so delightful.
Looks like Luca is just as excited about this month as I am. August is my favourite month because it holds our wedding anniversary and my birthday. And this year it's a big one...THIRTY (insert wide eyed emoji and also horn with confetti emoji) So many thoughts on saying goodbye to my 20's and hello to my 30's are running through my head. Look out for many blog posts on this transition later this month!
This month we're also going on a little holiday! As I've mentioned before, James' sister, hubby and cute little boy (yay cousins!) are arriving from Texas in a couple days and the whole famjam is going to Parksville. Parksville is a gorgeous little beach town about two hours north of Victoria. I'm so pumped for some beach time, visiting the boys at the campsite (the girls and babies are staying indoors, haha), minigolf and ice cream from Coombs!
Well happy August. Hope you have an amazing one and if you want to download that calendar above beside that cute baby, click here!
XO,
laura
HELLO WEEKEND
Happy Friday everyone! It's a long weekend round these parts...but when you're on mat leave and your husband is self employed, that really doesn't mean anything, haha...But I am excited for the weekend! On Saturday night, we're heading to Buchart Gardens to watch the fireworks...yipee! They always do an amazing job and it reminds me of Disneyland...without the rides, or churros...someone please send me to disney asap.
Our weather is still HOT which means I'm perma sweaty because there is a perma sweaty baby glued to me most of the day...let's just say, I'm a wee bit excited for fall!
Speaking of fall, have you checked out Nordstrom's anniversary sale? They have a ton of fall stuff on sale until August 8th! I have my eye on this white tee as I'm on the hunt for a few basics.
My good friend Amy launched her site, Honestly Amy. She's an incredible writer and will make you giggle and cry in the same post. Do yourself a favour and check it out!
Our little lion has officially moved to his crib at night! It was hard but man, we all sleep better at night and my goodness, he slept 8 hours in a row the first night!!! I felt like a whole new woman. Oh sleep, I love you.
Well hope you have an amazing weekend!
XO,
laura
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FREE PRINTABLE AUGUST CALENDAR!
My favourite month of the year is just around the corner...AUGUST (can you believe it!!!!) The month that contains my birthday (30th this year ahhhh!!!!!!!) and our wedding anniversary! James' sister, hubby and little baby boy are coming up from Texas in August, so I'm even more excited. I can't wait for Luca to meet his cousin Sebastian. It's going to be baby cuteness overload. We're all going to Parksville for a family vaycay and I'm pumped...hoping this gorgeous weather lasts.
Here is your free monthly calendar to mark all your August plans!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR AUGUST CALENDAR
(FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY)
XOXO!
laura
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
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
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