2017 SUMMER READING LIST
If you've been following this blog for awhile, you'll know how much I love to read! I'm a bonafide book worm/nerd and my favourite summer activity is sitting in the sunshine with a cold drink and a good book! It's a bit more difficult to get my read on with my little munchkin running around BUT I still manage to getttterrrr done.
Here is what's on my list for summer 2017! Would love to hear your recommendations from all of you bookworms out there!
1. Into the Water by Paula Hawkins- The author of The Girl on the Train brings out another thriller. I'm expecting it to be an easy beach read! Love these thriller/page-turners in the summer time.
2. Anne of Green Gables Series by L. M. Montgomery- Well apparently I'm not actually a Canadian because I didn't grow up reading the classic Anne of Green Gables....but I'm making up for it now! I purchased the whole set at a used book sale and I'm currently on #2. I absolutely adore Anne. Can't wait to read these with baby girl!!
3. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist- I've only heard good things about this book so I'm excited to dig into it this summer! The subtitle says, "Leaving behind frantic for a simpler, more soulful way of living."...yessss please!
4. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan- It's the third instalment of the Crazy Rich Asians series! I didn't like the sequel as much as the first but I still found it a quick, entertaining read which is perfect for those poolside days!
5. The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure- A story of a french architect who is paid to create temporary hiding places for Jewish people in Paris during WW2. I have a feeling this will be a tear jerker.
6. The Identicals by Elin Hildebrand- Love these summer reads. I've read a number of Elin's books and although they're crazy predictable chick lits, they're still fun to read in the summer. It makes me want to visit Nantucket.
7. Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire- I'm a diehard Harry Potter fan...and very proud of it lols. I'm rereading the series and just finished #3. Goblet of Fire is next on my list!
8. Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple- I absolutely loved Where'd Ya Go Bernadette so I'm so I'm pretty pumped to read this one!
9. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate- I briefly read the synopsis of this one and it seems very intense...based on a true story about a man who would kidnap children from orphanages and sell them to wealthy families.
Now bring on the baby free beach days so I can actually get some reading done, haha.
Would love to know what's on your summer reading list!
XO,
laura
PREGNANCY STYLE + 5 MONTH BUMP UPDATE
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
BABY LIIRA #2...IT'S A......!
ames and I are so happy to announce that we are having a BABY GIRL!!!!!! It feels so surreal! We both guessed correctly but still it was so nice to have it confirmed. James is over the moon and so excited to be a daddy to a little girl. I love being a boy mom but man, I am sooo excited to raise a fierce, world changing, little girl!
Huge thanks to Rachael for taking these photos! And also to our good friend, Tyson who took more that I will post soon :)
James and I are so happy to announce that we are having a BABY GIRL!!!!!! It feels so surreal! We both guessed correctly but still it was so nice to have it confirmed. James is over the moon and so excited to be a daddy to a little girl. I love being a boy mom but man, I am sooo excited to raise a fierce, world changing, little girl!
Huge thanks to Rachael for taking these photos! And also to our good friend, Tyson who took more that I will post soon :)
Can't believe we're having a GIRL! Bring on all the cute clothes and accessories!!!
I'll be back soon with even more pictures!
My gorgeous maternity dress from Shop Pink Blush
XO!
laura
LUCA THE LION // 10 + 11 MONTH UPDATE
So this update is a two in one...blame it on pregnancy + going away + going back to work + house renos! And you guys...this is the last update before Luca is a ONE YEAR OLD! I'm going to have a one year old...good thing another baby is on the way haha.
Here's the Lion's 10/11 month update.
LUCA AT 10-11 MONTHS
So this update is a two in one...blame it on pregnancy + going away + going back to work + house renos! And you guys...this is the last update before Luca is a ONE YEAR OLD! I'm going to have a one year old...good thing another baby is on the way haha.
Here's the Lion's 10/11 month update.
WEIGHT: 24lbs?
I actually have no idea lols. He's been gaining weight but also seems to grow a couple inches every few days, so I'm looking forward to finding out where he's at at his one year appointment next month!
HEIGHT: Haven't measured him lately but I'm guessing he's gained at least an inch in the past two months!
WEARS: Mostly in 12-18 month clothing but I've been squeezing him into a few things that are 9-12, but they're tiiiiight ha! I love the summer look, he looks just so cute in a t-shirt with his belly hanging out ha.
SLEEPS: Like an angel. In the past few months he's only woken up (when we had to go in and soothe him) once...and that was when he was sick a couple nights ago! He's still on two naps a day. I'm finding if those exceed a total of 3 hours, it's harder to get him to sleep at 7pm. But man, we are so blessed with this little guy.
EATS: Still loving food! He now has four teeth so he's getting so good at chewing! He pretty much eats whatever we're eating for dinner, so it's pretty easy to feed him. He's now fully on formula as he weaned himself a couple months ago. I had cut back to nursing him in the morning and at night because I just felt so drained being pregnant and nursing but he ended up not really wanting to nurse anymore at all, so now it's bottle feeding. At first I was sad but now I'm totally ok to let the girls have a break for a few months before baby #2 comes lols lols.
PLAYS: Oh man, this little guy keeps me so busy! He is constantly on the move. Always wanting to climb the stairs...which results in me carrying him back down because he just can't figure out how to go down safely, lols. He still love chasing Coco around the house but she had scratched him a few tims :( It's mostly when she's sleeping and he sneaks up and grabs her tail. He hasn't cried but I still get nervous so I usually put her behind the baby gate.
HIGHS: All the cuddles. My little guy is becoming such a cuddle monster and I LOVE IT. I love when I'm not in a rush and can just cuddle him while he drinks his post sleeping bottle. It's my favourite. He's such an affectionate little guy.
LOWS: Luca got sick over the weekend with a high fever and vomiting. It was so so so sad and scary too. Thankfully tylenol and rest worked and he was back to his normal self within 48 hours.
PARENTING: Going back to work has been good yet hard in ways too. I love working. I don't think I'm cut out to be a stay at home mom but the struggle is real! This is a whole post in itself but man, I am feeling the strain of wanting to further your career but also wanting to birth more babies and raise a family. Being a mama is so sacrificial. I'm trying to remind myself that this is a season and it the scheme of things, it will seem soooo short so I need to just embrace the season that God has given me. Work will always be there but my sweet baby won't always be a baby.
POSTPARTUM: I guess I'm technically prenatal now lols! Speaking of which... I will give you another pregnancy update soon!
WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO: Luca's first birthday! We're doing a lumberjack theme and I'm sooo excited!!
Can't believe the next update will be about my ONE YEAR OLD SON!!! Oh sweet Luca, it's such a joy and privilege to be your mama.
XO,
Laura
MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE
It's time to show your mama some love! I'm especially excited for mother's day this year and I may have been sending some not so subtle hints to my hubby for the past few weeks, ha!
Here are a few products that I think any mama would enjoy...
It's time to show your mama some love! I'm especially excited for mother's day this year and I may have been sending some not so subtle hints to my hubby for the past few weeks, ha!
Here are a few products that I think any mama would enjoy...
1. Soap (made on Vancouver Island!) // 2. Mama Bear Bracelet // 3. Mom Life Tee // 4. Mama Bear Mug (just ordered this one for myself lols) // 5. Dream bag // 6. Floral Notebook // 7. Tassel Keychain // 8. Perfume (this one is on my gift list lols)
Happy Monday everybody!
XO,
laura