The Next Chapter…

Sorry for the break in posts, but my little one decided to come early on May 4th! We had a little boy – Jack, and we are IN LOVE with him! In preparation for his arrival I was feeling nostalgic and wrote a blog post that I never got around to publishing. Better late than never so here it is! Life with a newborn is pretty hectic so my blogging will be sporadic at best over the next few weeks, but I hope to get back to writing on a regular basis soon!

 

“My due date is fast approaching, and my hubby and I are so excited to meet our little one. It’s kind of a surreal feeling; John and I have been together since 2001 – just the two of us, and very soon it will never be just the two of us again.

I was organizing our files the other day (I think they call this kind of crazy behaviour “nesting”), and while sifting through boxes of papers and documents I couldn’t help but think of how far we’ve come as a couple: rental agreements from our first apartments together in Toronto, pay stubs from first jobs, mortgage agreements, to do lists, goals for the future, our wedding speeches to each other…I even found a note that I wrote to John the morning of our wedding that referenced “adding members” to our family one day. I can’t believe that day is finally coming.

We’re about to embark on a new chapter of our lives together, and it’s one of the rare moments when I really don’t know what to expect. I’m just trying to keep an open-mind, a positive attitude and to enjoy every moment. Being pregnant has blown my mind – I think it’s such a miracle, so I can only imagine what meeting our baby for the first time, and being parents will be like.

One thing I know for sure is that I probably won’t have much time to blog in the coming weeks, but I will be back!

As I’m feeling a little nostalgic (again, I think another pregnancy symptom), here’s a little photo journey of the first few chapters…can’t wait for the next one.”

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 Western University: the night John got my number!

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 In love, and not a care in the world.

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 We did it! Graduation from University of Western Ontario.

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 Not sure what to do next…let’s take off for a couple months and travel Australia & Hong Kong!

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 He put a ring on it 🙂

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 Our wedding on the beach in Barbados – one of the best days of my life
(I’m thinking there’s another best day coming up really soon!)

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 Our first baby!

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 Let’s shake things up: rent out our condo in Toronto, and take off on an 8-month South American and Caribbean adventure!

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 Island living in Barbados for 2 months!

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 Homeless and living at the cottage for the summer!

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 Back to our condo in the Big Smoke!

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Toronto condo sold – signed the papers while on a remote island in South America!
(see the small internet cafe in the background?)

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Our new home on 3 acres North of the city…life is about to change!

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 The soon-to-be newest member of the pack 😉

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Newest member of the pack: JACK xoxox

24 Responses to The Next Chapter…

  1. Senior May 15, 2014 at 11:11 am #

    Beautifully done Lauren. We love you. XXOOXX

    • Lauren May 16, 2014 at 5:31 am #

      Thanks guys! Love you too xo

  2. Sara May 15, 2014 at 5:51 pm #

    Agreed 🙂 xoxo

    • Lauren May 16, 2014 at 5:32 am #

      And you 🙂 xo

  3. Brooke May 15, 2014 at 5:56 pm #

    Love you guys

    • Lauren May 16, 2014 at 5:31 am #

      Love you!

  4. Shans May 15, 2014 at 6:40 pm #

    I am so happy I was there to take those first few photos and have been in your life ever since that first photo was taken…..onto the new chapter this made me cry well done…………. xoxooxoxoxoxxo see you soon

    • Lauren May 16, 2014 at 5:31 am #

      Haha! You did take that first pic of us! Loves always Shans xo

  5. Ali Wilcox May 15, 2014 at 6:52 pm #

    Awwwww that so cute you have a dog and a baby boy name jack

    • Lauren May 16, 2014 at 5:29 am #

      Thanks Ali! They’re a pretty cute duo!

  6. JoAnne Follett May 15, 2014 at 11:35 pm #

    Lauren… That was AMAZING. (((HUGS))) for each!

  7. JoAnne Follett May 15, 2014 at 11:36 pm #

    Oh… Love the feetsies!!! 🙂

    • Lauren May 16, 2014 at 5:29 am #

      Thanks Joanne! Can’t wait for you to meet him!

  8. christal May 16, 2014 at 3:16 am #

    So sweet Lauren!! Congrats on everything. Love going through old pics…good times!!

    • Lauren May 16, 2014 at 5:28 am #

      Thanks Christal! It was fun!

  9. Cathy Grant May 16, 2014 at 6:01 am #

    This is amazing. Love the pictures of you two. Congrats to you both on your lovely boy Jack. Say congrats to your Mom & Dad too!

    • Lauren May 16, 2014 at 11:12 am #

      Thanks Cath!

  10. Your mom May 19, 2014 at 3:17 am #

    Awesome! We are so proud and love you all! XOX

    • Lauren May 23, 2014 at 6:24 am #

      Love you too mama! xox

  11. Chelsea May 21, 2014 at 4:11 am #

    Lauren- that was so beautiful I am crying at my desk lol. You two lovebirds look so young in your Western pictures. So cute. Can’t wait to see little Jack again soon xox

    • Lauren May 23, 2014 at 6:24 am #

      Awe! Thanks Chels! xox

  12. saida May 28, 2014 at 8:41 pm #

    Congratulations! I’m in Canada too. We used to live just south of Aurora but moved to Maple last year. I didn’t think I’d say it but I miss being further north. Life moved a little slower up there 🙂 Where is your 3 acres?

  13. Sara July 18, 2014 at 10:54 am #

    I cried reading this lol! Really great post and pictures leading up to the birth of Jack. Your blog is awesome – I have printed out the coconut curry BBQ chicken recipe and will trying it next week on my vacation! Enjoy your maternity leave 🙂

    • Lauren July 18, 2014 at 12:40 pm #

      Thank you Sara! So glad you enjoy my blog. The posts have been a little sparse since Jack came along, but I’m getting better. It’s a great recipe – easy, healthy and delicious – my kind of recipe. Enjoy your vacation!

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