BABY BEAR FIRST BIRTHDAY
Last week our baby bear turned ONE. He’s my last baby and even though his entire life has been lived in a pandemic, I still wanted to celebrate him in style.
We’re still in a bit of a social lockdown here so we were not able to have any of our friends over but a few family members who provide childcare came over to celebrate sweet baby Leo.
The MASSIVE balloon garland was created by the incredible Tonye who owns I Dream in Decor. She blew us away with the garland she made! I told her I wanted neutrals with brown and sent her a photo for inspo and she blew it out of the water. The colours were PERFECT and it looks like a waterfall. If you’re local to Victoria, BC, hire her for your party or event!
The adorable bear cake was made by my friend Rachel of Rachel Cakes. She did our wedding cake, first anniversary cake, first birthday cakes for Luca + London and my baby shower cake for London so naturally we had to hire her to make Leo’s! We had to go for the flavour, ‘The Liira’!! It was actually the flavour she created for our wedding cake and it’s AMAZING.
As happy as I was to celebrate our boy, a part of me was saddened. I couldn’t help thinking back to Luca’s + London’s first birthday…we had celebrated with tons of family, friends and little baby friends and Leo wouldn’t get that. Pandemic babies (+ parents of babies) have missed out on SO much. My heart truly goes out to first time mamas who raised their baby during the pandemic, you guys are amazing!
Happy birthday sweet Leo bear!!! We love you so much.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
My Dress is from Jackson Rowe. Use code LIIRA10 to save 10%
MATERNITY FAMILY PHOTOS
Back in December we had our photos taken by Bethany Joy Photography. It was a cold, rainy day but the photos turned out so great! Bethany was such a joy to work with and she was so great with the kiddos! I highly recommend booking her if you are on Vancouver Island!
I was around 25 weeks at the time of these photos. I didn’t want to feel tooo huge so I opted for an earlier shoot, and I’m glad because I’m almost 30 weeks and I am HUGE!
Our last set of family photos before we embark on the adventure as a family of five!! Can’t believe baby boy will be here so soon!
xo, laura
WHAT I WANT TO TEACH MY DAUGHTER ABOUT BODY IMAGE
A SWIMSUIT BODY IS A BODY WITH A SWIMSUIT ON IT.
Wear the suit. Rock the bikini. Have fun at the beach this summer.
Because little eyes are watching. Little ears are listening and tuning in to not only what we say to other but what we say to ourselves.
A SWIMSUIT BODY IS A BODY WITH A SWIMSUIT ON IT.
Wear the suit. Rock the bikini. Have fun at the beach this summer.
Because little eyes are watching. Little ears are listening and tuning in to not only what we say to other but what we say to ourselves.
I grew up hating my body. At 11 years old, some kid called me fat and I never looked at my body the same. I hated my body for years- through my teens, early twenties and a few years into my marriage.
Finally one day my husband called me out on it. I was speaking truth and love to many women and girls yet I spoke nothing of the sort over my own body.
After many months of fighting lies and speaking truth over myself, the self loathing went away and I finally started to love and was kind to the body I was in.
In more recent years, my body has stretched, shrunk and stretched again and if I'm not careful, those old lies try to make their way back into my mind. So I have to FIGHT back because I'm determined to teach this little lady to love her body.
And sometimes fighting means taking off the baggy shirt and rocking the swimsuit. So let's be brave together. Because London needs you, I need you and a whole world of little girls watching needs you too.
HOW TO BE HAPPY ON VALENTINE'S DAY WITHOUT A SIGNIFICANT OTHER
Oh, Valentine’s Day. Some of us say that with an “ohhhh, Valentine’s Day!!” And some of us say that with an “oh. valentine’s day (barf barf).” What camp are you in?
It’s funny because before I was married, I liked Valentine’s Day a whole lot more. I remember LOVING going to school on Valentine’s Day. Dressing up, heart shaped cookies, writing cute Valentines…you name it, I did it all…and ironically, I was SINGLE! Now, it’s just another day but this year I booked myself a massage and bought some cute cookie cutters to use with the kiddos.
Oh, Valentine’s Day. Some of us say that with an “ohhhh, Valentine’s Day!!” And some of us say that with an “oh. valentine’s day (barf barf).” What camp are you in?
It’s funny because before I was married, I liked Valentine’s Day a whole lot more. I remember LOVING going to school on Valentine’s Day. Dressing up, heart shaped cookies, writing cute Valentines…you name it, I did it all…and ironically, I was SINGLE! Now, it’s just another day but this year I booked myself a massage and bought some cute cookie cutters to use with the kiddos.
A few years ago I wrote a post on do’s and don’t’s of VDAY and I thought it would be fun to resurrect it! I was single for a lot longer than I’ve been married, and I’m telling you, you can enjoy Valentines day without hiding from the world or compromising your values.
HOW TO BE HAPPY ON VALENTINE’S DAY
DO
1. Choose joy. Joy is a choice that’s not based on circumstances. Choose it and keep choosing it.
2. Spread love to others. Make some cookies for your co-workers or hand some out to homeless people. It’s hard to be lonely and sad when you’re focused on others!
2. Eat chocolate.
3. Hang with friends! Watch a comedy, go out for dinner, have a party.
4. Enjoy your freedom. Go to bed early. Go to bed late. Go for a drive. Plan a trip. Do what YOU want to do before you have to consider someone else in your decisions.
5. Do some self care. Do a face mask. Get a pedicure. Book a counselling appointment. Go to the gym. Do what your soul needs.
6. Journal/pray how you really feel. God already knows your heart and is there to listen. He is the one who can give you true peace.
DON’T
1. Watch too many chick flicks.
2. Pin your future wedding.
3. Not eat chocolate.
4. Think that you’re going to be alone forever.
5. Settle for creeps on tinder, bumble, etc etc
At the end of the day, Valentine’s is JUST a day. Don’t let it dictate how you should feel. Show it who’s boss (that’s YOU, incase you were wondering ;)
XO,
Laura
32 + SOME FAMILY PHOTOS
Today I am 32. I don't know what it is but I look at that picture above and I feel that I look 32...which is odd to me because I feel like I've been 29 for the past 5 years...and will say I'm 29 for at least five more.
Today I am 32. I don't know what it is but I look at that picture above and I feel that I look 32...which is odd to me because I feel like I've been 29 for the past 5 years...and will say I'm 29 for at least five more.
My 31st year (or was last year my 32nd year? I can't remember how that works...I'm pretty sure it's my 32nd come to think of it because this fall London will turn 1 but this whole year was her first year so scratch that, it was my 32nd year!) was a crazy one. It went by in an instant.
With us getting pregnant January 2017, I went back to work one month early so by my birthday last year, I had one month left of working and had a 14 month old little lion. It seems so surreal that one year later, I go back to work in just over a month, have a TWO year old and a baby girl who is turning ONE in less than two months!! INSANE.
31 went by waaaay too quickly! I started out by finishing work, then waiting for London to come and between that my beloved Nana Rosa passed away.
And then London came on October 19th, 2017 and we had TWO children under the age of 16 months. It was pure insanity. So so special but such a blur. I can remember certain moments from those early days but it breaks my heart with how much was a whirlwind.
2018 came and I felt like I could finally take a breath. I slowly got the hang of taking care of two kiddos and I sloooooowed down. I neglected this space for awhile...I'm sorry but I can only do so much.
We went to Mexico and NYC and had some good times with family. But there were also LOTS of hard times. Hard times where I got mad at the kids or mad at James or mad at something. Remember instagram often shows the highlight reel. There is sooo much more behind the scenes that isn't shared.
But God was always there, giving me new mercy after new mercy. I've come to know His grace for this season in a huge way. My devotions look different than they once did and I know one day they'll be that again but He knows I need sleep in this season...and I'm learning to give myself a bit more grace.
Things I learned this past year:
- It's ok to not have it all together.
I'm a bit of a control freak and this whole past year was out of my control and you know what, I survived. It's ok to not be at your goal weight. It's ok to put your career on hold. It's ok for your house to be a mess. It's ok. - Slow down and enjoy the season.
This summer was one of sloooowing down. We went to lots of parks and lots of playdates. We didn't accomplish a whole lot but that's ok. I made memories with my favourite people and that's what counts. - God's grace is always there.
Like I said before, I felt his grace more than ever. I made mistakes, said things I shouldn't and yelled at my kids. My devotions were nothing like they've been in the past but God was so gracious to me. He loves me because I am his child not because of my efforts. He gave me strength to be a mama and a wife and he will continue to do so. He gave me peace in those early postpartum days and hope when things were tough. He is a faithful God. - Kindness is important.
I didn't talk much about my word for 2018 but it was KINDNESS. Kindness is something I need to work on and I'm still working on it but what I do know is that it is dang important.
Goals for 32:
I have a few goals which I'll be working on but in a nutshell my main plan is to focus on:
- JESUS. Get back to consistent daily devotions. I'm about to order a 40 day prayer devotional. London sleeps through the night so I really have no excuse. I can go to bed earlier and wake up early.
- FAMILY. When I return to work, I'll be going down to four days a week. My plan is to be very intentional on those Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. I signed Luca up for gymnastics so I'm excited to have some dates with him there!
- HEALTH. I have totally neglected my health and I am feeling it. My goal is to get signed up to a gym in September and commit to working out/running/walking 3x a week.
- WORK. I have a new role at work and it freaks me out in the best of ways! I get to do what I'm passionate about but I'm going to reallly need Jesus' strength!
I have some more things I want to work on but I'm trying to simplify it!
31, you were one for the books....crazy amazing, but also crazy hard. 32, I'm coming for you!
XOXO,
Laura