HELLO WEEKEND

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And just like that, it's FRIDAY! James is taking today off because he starts a big job tomorrow and will be working pretty much until we leave for San Diego. I strained my back lifting Luca (who weighs over 16lbs now!!!) and it majorly sucks😭😭😭 so I'm trying to rest and lay low in hopes that it will get better before our trip. 

•  I've been living vicariously through this instagram account for awhile now but in one week I won't need to because WE'LL BE IN DISNEYLAND!!! As you may recall, Disneyland is my favourite place in the whole world and I can't wait to bring my little lion there. We're only doing one day and I know it's gonna be crazy with a baby but still, I'M SOOO PUMPED. 
• How beautiful is that chunky knit throw above? I want one so badlyyyyy but will have to find a knock off because this one is almost the same price as a mortgage payment, ha.
• Do you have any recommendations for San Diego? We're staying in an airbnb near Balboa park and would love your recs...I'm so looking forward to going to Hash House A Go Go again and of course...TRADER JOES!
• Joe Fresh is having a baby sale! We bought Luca this hoodie...yes there is colour in it..HA. I wanted to get him the grey one but he already has 2 grey sweaters. Oh and we also bought this little long sleeve. Baby boy clothes are just so good these days, we were JUST at Joe and already they have new things that I want (like this, this & this, ha). We will be hitting up Zara Baby in the states so I need to calm down for now.
• It's almost November and I still haven't made these muffins yet! If my back is better on Saturday, I will definitely be baking a batch!

Hope you have a marvellous weekend!
xo,
laura

TRUST HOPE LOVE

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A few days ago I was reading 1 Corinthians 13 and the words above jumped right off the page. Trust steadily (in God), hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. I was moved, challenged, and inspired and I immediately wrote them down. 

I want to be a woman who trusts steadily in God even (and especially) when things don't go as planned. I want to hope unswervingly even in the most dismal outlook. And love...this may be the most challenging one of all...to love extravagantly...going beyond what is justified or deserved...the way how He loves us.

XO,
laura

LUCA THE LION // 4 MONTHS OLD

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LUCA AT FOUR MONTHS

Oh my goodness, my sweet baby boy is now FOUR MONTHS!! He officially is not a little baby anymore (insert crying face emoji!!!!). We have a ton of fun together. He may not be teeny anymore but he is interacting so much and brings James & I so much joy...oh how I love my little lion.

He has seriously changed SO MUCH since he was born. A lot of his dark hair has fallen out but it's been replaced with fuzzy blonde hair! He doesn't look as Italian anymore, which makes me sooo sad but he's still cute as heck...and looking a lot more like his daddy these days.

WEIGHT: 15lbs 9oz
Again, he's right on the 50th percentile for weight and height (still around the 85th-97th for head size LOLZ). My doctor at our four month check up called him perfect...I know she probably says that to every mama but oh, it made my heart beam..ha.

HEIGHT: 25.1 inches
I have a feeling he's going to be tall like his daddy. His feet and hands are HUGE!

WEARS: Still fitting 3-6 month clothing but some of it is getting TIGHT! I'm sure I'll be putting him in 6-9 month clothing very soon. We're heading down to San Diego later this month, so I'm hoping to get some cute numbers from ZARA!! I'm also on the hunt for more sweaters & jackets as it's been getting pretty cold around here. How cute is this one and this one?

SLEEPS: He's still sleeping great.....my fingers are crossed as I keep hearing about this dreaded 4 month regression! He did have a cold for two weeks and that usually caused a wake up around 2 or 3 but then back to sleep until 8. But since he's been cold free, he's been sleeping between 10-12 hours straight. We've moved his bedtime to 7-7:30pm and I think that is helping him sleep better. He also uses his hand to self soothe so I'm sure that's what helps him get back to sleep instead of nursing. I'm convinced our next child will be one who is up every two hours ha...

HIGHS: A huge highlight of my day is going into his room in the morning and seeing how happy he is to see me. He gives the biggest smiles and is giggling more and more. I also love to put on music and sing silly songs with him. That always guarantees a ton of smiles!

LOWS: Having his first big cold definitely SUCKED! He absolutely hates the nose frida and don't you even dare put a kleenex anywhere near his nose. So that being said, getting those boogers out of his nose were the WORST. 

PARENTING: Ah, I love being this little guy's mama! Luca is at an age where he can just chill on our laps at restaurants/shops and it's the best. It doesn't take much to entertain him and he isn't moving like crazy so I can still put him down and get stuff done! I feel like he's reached such an easy going age and I cannot wait for unlimited family time in San Diego! 

POSTPARTUM: As I shared last month, I started to make a bit more effort in the whole going back to pre-baby size. Some days have been real good and others have been GIVE ME ALL THE FOOD. ha. I did start doing a workout video program (which I do on days where I'm home in the morning..so mostly 4 days per week) and I just got a membership at a gym..yay! Hopefully this will kick my butt into gear before we go away but honestly, I'm totally okay with my postpartum body. As I continue to make effort, I know the pounds will slowly shed BUT I'm also really trying not to beat myself up when I miss a workout or eat poorly.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO: One word...DISNEYLAND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We're doing one day in Disney and it's going to be INSANE but I am SOOO EXCITED. (I've had TWO separate dreams where I wasn't able to go on any rides so my hopes aren't too high ha.) Also, lots and lots of family time in San Diego.

Okay and look at those LASHES. Seriously, cutest little boy in the whole wide world, ha. Love you so much my little lion.

XO!
laura

FEELING GREY (+ BLACK) FOR FALL

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I went for a walk with Luca a couple days ago and I found myself stopping mid walk to exclaim, "OH MY GOSH, it's so fall!!!" The wind was blowing, the leaves were falling and I was a bit chilly but not too chilly, which in my opinion is perfect fall weather. The Lion was bundled up in a little sweater with a cute bear hood (this one from the gap but in grey!) and it was the sweetest thing ever. I'm definitely looking forward to lots of fall walks...ohh and how cute are these little booties I just bought (ps. I bought grey ones and they were in the unisex section!!)??

That walk got me feeling all the fall feels, which always makes me crave fall fashion! Because we're going away this year, I won't be purchasing a new coat (and my dang Zara coat that I bought 3 years ago is still in great condition...dang you long lasting clothes..haha) but a girl can dream right? 

For fall this year I'm all about the grey + black combo. Seriously, you can never go wrong with this monochrome palette and it easily transitions into winter!

1. Grey coat   |   2. Black ankle boots   |   3. Cat activity tracker   |   4. Grey toque   |  
5. Grey cardigan   |   6. Black bag

Ahhh, now I'm finally inspired to go shopping beyond baby clothes!!

Over & out,

laura

PUMPKIN SPICE SCONES

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Attention pumpkin spice lovers. I made you a scone I think you will really really really really really like. It can be your breakfast or dessert or midday snack or midnight snack...no judgement :)

Don't mind my messy baking process. According to strengthsfinder 2.0 my process is not always pretty, ha....BUT I get the job done. And seriously you guys, these scones get the job done!

I made them with a basic glaze but I think the next time I make them, I'm going to go all out and do a brown butter glaze (like the one on these banana scones) because brown butter wins always.

PUMPKIN SPICE SCONES

makes 16 scones

Ingredients:

for the scones:

• 4 cups flour
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1.5 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp vanilla extract

for the white glaze:

• 2 cups icing sugar
• 1/4 cup milk

for the spiced glaze:

• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1/4 tsp each, cinnamon, cloves, ground ginger
• pinch of nutmeg
• 2 tbsp milk 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line baking pans with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, spices, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Use a pastry blender or fingers to cut butter into dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse sand.
4. In another bowl mix together the pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. 
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together until a soft dough is formed.
6. Roll dough out on a floured surface. You should be able to get two large rectangles out of the dough about an inch thick. 
7. Cut each rectangle into 8 triangles (see above photo).
8. Place on baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
9. Mix the first glaze ingredients together and set aside then mix the spiced glaze ingredients together. If glaze is too thick, add more milk.
10. When scones are completely cooled, add the first glaze, wait till dry and then drizzle the spiced glaze over.
11. Enjoy!

Ohhh and these go very well with a homemade pumpkin spice latte.

Happy Monday!

XO!
Laura