PREGNANCY STYLE + 5 MONTH BUMP UPDATE

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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

MY GOLDEN HOUR MATERNITY SHOOT

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Last week I had my maternity photos taken! I meant to get them taken at around 30 weeks when my belly wasn't massive but I'm happy to have these and can't believe that one day I'll look back at them and tell my son that he was in my tummy then...pregnancy is so incredibly beautiful.

I was 35.5 weeks when these were taken and the Lion was sitting real HIGH! At my doctor's appointment that week I was measuring 38 weeks...lols. But the next week I was measuring right on track at 36 weeks. I'm now almost 37 weeks and can't believe "go time" is coming sooo soon.

It all feels so surreal right now. James and I are trying to soak in as much "us" time as we can get...movies, dates, hanging out with friends, etc. Our bathroom reno is pretty much done and the nursery is almost finished! I'm planning on working until 38.5 weeks so I'm really hoping baby doesn't come until after then, ha.

I will so treasure these photos. They mark the edge. The edge of the scariest yet most beautiful journey we're going to take...what an adventure it will be.

XO,
laura

All photos by Tamiko Sianen
Flower Crown by Tiffany Sityayev

MY WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE BABY SHOWER

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Last Saturday my besties Rachel & Courtney (along with the help of many other amazing friends) threw the Lion and I an incredible baby shower! Oh my goodness. I felt beyond blessed. I was a wreck when I thanked everyone...lols. I just can't fathom how amazing my friends and church family are! 12 years ago, I went to GT knowing no one and here I am 12 years later, knowing full well that my son is already so incredibly loved by so many. Church community is a beautiful thing.

Incase you haven't guessed it by now, the theme was "Where the Wild Things are" and my goodness, didn't they do an amazing job of making the not so pretty church room, look so cute? I have to admit, I designed the invites and soap labels because I'm OCD lols...but they did everything else! The blooms were designed by the amazing, Tiffany Sityayev. The cupcakes were by Rachel Cakes and the cake was made by my friend Amy. It was all so DELISH. Also thank you to my friend Beth who helped me make all the soap favours!

Thank you to everyone who came. The Lion and I were soooo blessed. :)

Now time to get his nursery organized because it's ONE MONTH TILL DUE DATE!!!! Weeeeee!!!

XOXO,
laura

PREGNANCY POST // 8 MONTH BUMP UPDATE

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How far along are you?

I'm almost 33 weeks pregnant...OH MY GOSH. Just over 50 days to go, that's if he comes on time...but most likely it will be a little bit longer because first babies tend to cook a little more...but a girl can dream/wish/pray he'll come early righhhhht???

How big is baby?

At week 33, baby is the size of a pineapple. Over 4 pounds (EEEEEEEEEEEE!) and over 17 inches long!

Feeling:

ALL OF THE FEELINGS. My body feels pretty good, other than some lovely pelvic pressure and general soreness if I've had a long day. It's been quite warm here so the cankles are coming out! Oh my gosh, remind me to not wear skinny jeans and sandals on a hot day...because my ankles look like sausages! I just switched my wedding rings with a fake set because I'm nervous there will be a day when I can't take them off anymore! I started chiro and that has been AMAZING. I'm trying to do all that I can to get this bod ready to bust out baby. ha.

Emotionally I'm feeling so excited/in denial that this is actually happening. We did prenatal classes this month and they have been so amazing. (If you're local, I highly recommend the ones at the hospital through camosun with the instructor Kimberly Yates...she's AMAZING) The classes have been so informative and are making me feel real good about labour. I know, I'm naive. It's my first baby and all and I'm a highly optimistic person BUT I'm getting excited, the way I felt before my half marathon. I know it will be insanely hard but I know my body was made to do this so all I can do is keep training and trust in Jesus. 

He's moving around all the time, and every time, my heart swells knowing it's one day closer until I get to hold him on the outside, stare at him all day long and kiss his delicious cheeks.

Food love/hate:

I'm really trying to eat a pretty balanced diet. I've been loving smoothies in the morning, I actually crave them! I've also been craving nuts so I made sure to grab a big batch at costco this week. And as per usual, I can't really go a day without sweets...gotta keep it balanced, ha!!!

Exercise:

Still walking to work a few times a week, noticing I have to go at a much slower pace. Still going to the gym 2x a week with some home exercises as well. My chiro recommended I cut down on running and do more elliptical so I've done that and have noticed my joints don't feel as sore. I bought an exercise ball this week so I'll probably incorporate some home exercises with it...and hopefully it will help me labour!!

Clothing:

Lately, I've been loving my bump so you'll usually find me in maternity jeans or leggings and a tight t-shirt or tank. I'm noticing my tanks are getting shorter and shorter so I'll probably run out to Forever 21 this week to buy some long ones! I'm also on the hunt for a dress for my shower and potentially a maternity shoot...hoping I'll find something there!

What I'm looking forward to:

Our bathroom reno starts this weekend!!! I'm a bit scared because I know there will be days when our shower is out of commission...not to mention when the toilet gets switched (but I'll most likely stay somewhere else when that happens because I pee every 2 minutes)!  But it will all be worth it when we have the new tub in (which I'm planning to labour in!)  and heated floors (THANK YOU JESUS!) I honestly have the greatest husband in the world. He's worked so hard on this and will be working insanely hard to get it all installed. I'm so thankful, I seriously feel like the luckiest woman alive.

I'm also (obviously) SO looking forward to meeting our boy and becoming a mama. Oh sweet Lion, we can't wait to meet you.

Thanks for following along on this journey...can't believe it's 7ish weeks to go!!!!!

XO!
laura