My Favorite Body

3-6-16

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside … when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone." Author Unknown

I love how when you are pregnant there is no forgetting that you are pregnant. The moment you may forget, something reminds you there is life stirring inside. Either with a kick, that nasty nausea, or the fact you can't get out of bed without log rolling. 

I've always known I'd love being pregnant. And I think that mentality has really helped this pregnancy be an easy one. Yes I got the nausea all throughout the first trimester. My feet are sore, I can't sleep, and I'm running out of clothes to wear. But I love it. I love waking up to those kicks and envisioning kissing those little toes. I love looking at my growing belly knowing that the more I grow the more he grows. I say about a hundred prayers of thanks a day for this baby and the gift I've gotten to help create him. 

Finding the joy and being thankful for it really makes a big difference. I think that's why I'm so comfortable with this new body of mine. More than comfortable; I'm in love with it. There is no reason not to love the changes that are happening to my body. My body is swelling. For a reason. It is growing another human! He needs room and my body is making him more. 

The stretch marks will come. My stomach won't ever be the same.  But I don't want it to be. I'll be reminded of this time, this time of growing our Lewis. I'll be reminded of the struggles we went through in waiting for him to arrive. And the hopeful anticipation of his birth day. 

This is my favorite body. 

xo / leah

All photos by the ever so talented Nakalan Mckay Photography

Photos taken at 32 weeks

Maternity Photos with Nakalan Mckay

3-5-16

We hired the oh-so-talented Nakalan of Nakalan Mckay Photography to capture this season of our lives, this season of growing Lewis. I've known Nakalan for a while from the periphery (Cory went to college with her husband) and I've been admiring her work ever since I found out she was a photographer. When thinking about maternity photos I knew I wanted her to take them. To say I'm pleased is an understatement! 

When thinking about a place to do our photos I scoured Pinterest for some inspiration. But the further I looked the more I realized those beautiful yet perfectly placed backgrounds just wasn't for us. Our favorite place to be is home so it made sense for us to do a cozy in home session. 

I loved that we were able to be completely ourselves, comfortable, and relaxed in our own house. I wanted these photos to capture what life was like now, with our two pups and my 32 week growing belly. Nakalan totally understood my vision and made us feel more comfortable than we thought possible. 

Thank you Nakalan for capturing our growing family. 

All the heart eyes for these photos!

xo / leah

Lots to Love

2-15-2016

30 wks 2 days

Crazy enough I actually look bigger than I feel. I keep looking down at my belly and think, I don't look very big. But then when I see myself in the mirror or in pictures I realize that he is growing and so is my waist!

I haven't done a bump-date in a while, or ever, so I thought it would be fun to do one now. Why not!

How far along:  30 weeks


Size of baby:  the size of a Cantaloupe, around 2.9 pounds


Must have items: Water! I'm drinking around 4-5 liters a day.


Total weight gain: 13 lbs


Sleep: not happening that much. The first trimester symptom of insomnia has showed up again. And with the pee breaks in the night... we can say I'm used to getting up every 2-3 hours.


Cravings: Potato chips and fruit smoothies


Baby movement: Lots of them! So fun to feel his little punches and stretches.


Challenges this week: Not getting a sore back at work. Seems a little impossible though.


Best moment this week: Every time I feel him kick. I love to sit on the couch with my feet up with some tea and just feel him move. Also, not pregnancy related, coming home to the painted wall in the living room! Cory's best valentines gift thus far ;)

I'll probably do one more bump-date as I round out the end of this beautiful pregnancy. I want to remember all these moments because it truly is going so fast!

xo / leah

Galentine's Day

2-14-2016

My friend Stephie and I hosted our second annual Galentine's day! I really love that we started this tradition. It's fun to know that all the girls will be getting together and celebrating our friendship. We decided to do a little tea-party theme this year. We kept the menu simple: 3 different teas to try, coffee + juice, muffins, fruit, and heart shaped sandwiches. We had a bouquet making station as well as a card making station. We all ate, talked, and were able to take home some pretty blooms.

We didn't have a photo-booth this year so here are a few photos of the pretty ladies. Some are missing though :(

It is always a fun time. Especially since there are so many of us. So thankful for such wonderful friendships.  Excited to keep having these every year.

/ leah

These Days

2-7-2016

 

These days are very happy times. Very happy times. When looking back on these moments, there are a few things I want to remember. When telling Lewis of the time he was growing in my belly, I want to feel happy, content, and joyful when recounting these moments. I want to remember the joy I felt and make sure to leave a good impression on this time of my life.

 

These moments are filled with

... lots of belly kicks from the growing Lewis.

... light rain that makes the air feel clean.

... a sense of hopeful anticipation, watching little green buds start to pop up through the soil.

...a matched anticipation that our little one is coming soon.

... little sleep, but lots of resting on the couch.

... many dreams of his little face and the first time I can see him.

... prayers of thankfulness, continued health, and wisdom as parenthood is soon upon us.

... amazement at my growing belly.

This time is a happy time. And I want to remember that. Feelings are what we remember most more than moments. If I can keep my emotions full of rejoicing and thankfulness, I'll be able to look back at this time with a happy heart. I don't want to look back and just remember the fatigue or soreness I felt. Because that's not positive and that won't make me happy in the long run. I want my children to know that this time was full of thankfulness and contentment. Because it is.

 

/ leah

My littlest love

2-1-2016

Dear Lewis,

When it comes to size, you are my littlest love. However my love for you is pretty darn big. It's amazing how the more you grow the more I love you. At the end of the month we get to see how you are growing. You have one less vessel going to you from the placenta, so we have to make sure you are gaining enough weight. So far things look like you are.

I've been having a few dreams of you my little love. I love these! You had some dark brown hair and these cheeks that were to die for! I love picturing your face and look forward to those moments that I can study each little bit of you. Who will you look like? From our last ultrasound you had a similar profile to mine when I was a newborn. I'm sure you will look like your own little person but I'm excited to see your dad and myself in your little face.

Keep growing my son. We have a few more months to meet you and I can wait. All we've wanted was a healthy little baby. I'll do all I can to keep us both healthy and you just keep growing. Above all, know that you are so dearly loved.

xo, mom

New Month

2-1-2016

Oh the joy of flipping over the calendar! One more month under our belts and another month with this little one growing away. February is here and that means two things: Galentine's Day and Baby Shower month.

My friend Stephie and I are hosting our second annual Galentine's Brunch. This year the theme is tea party. I'll be posting pics once the little party happens. I'm so glad we started celebrating this little holiday. Valentine's is fun and special but my hubby and I make a point of doing things throughout the year. That way Galentine's steals the show a little in February. And it's so much fun!


This month will also be the month that we take our maternity photos and celebrate little Lewis with the baby showers. I've been really blessed with some amazing women in my life and it makes my heart just swell knowing how much each of them love this little guy already.


As you can tell I'm pretty flippin excited about this month! And the fact that I now have an excuse to sprinkle pink flowers all over the house is an added bonus.


Yay for February!


xo / leah