Rachel, Author at Rachel Lake

Third Trimester Woes Barbie

August 23, 2023August 22, 2023 by Rachel

Didn’t they discontinue the pregnant Barbie?

Ah, the trifecta of third trimester pregnancy symptoms: restless legs, insomnia, and heartburn. Combine these into a with life with two toddlers and you’ve got a recipe for an exciting time! Been trying to keep my caffeine intake down, and thankfully Matt only worked mornings last week so I have been able to nap, but knowing I still have (fingers crossed at LEAST) four weeks left.. is an exhausting thought it itself. BB2 is still having nighttime sleep troubles, and what used to work – co-sleeping – is becoming harder and harder for me. I remember this happening at this stage with BB1. Eventually it somehow works itself all out but I know the transition for everyone will be tough.

Anyway, we had a great end of the week last week. We impulse bought the kids a swing set / slide and although the purchase hurt initially, it’s already paid for itself in joy for the kids and a bit of relaxation for us. We are spending tons of time outside, racing down the slide and swinging on the swings.

Tackling Outside Time with Toddlers: 1000 Hours Outside Challenge

February 4, 2025August 14, 2023 by Rachel

As if my daily life of raising two toddlers 3 & under while pregnant with a third isn’t challenging enough, I also decided to take it upon myself to attain a nearly impossible goal of spending as much time outside as possible – specifically: spend 1000 hours outside in a single calendar year. This was prompted by the 1000 Hours Outside Instagram page, which I learned about from my sister-in-law. The idea is that you balance screen time with outdoor time. According to the 1000 Hours Outside website, the average American child spends 1,200 hours in front of a screen. That’s over 3 hours a day. Comparitvely, kids spend only 4-7 minutes playing outside a day. Now, we aren’t a screen free family, but I will admit that I fear that some of the wonder of childhood can get lost between all the screens we have access to. This topic is probably almost as dividing as sleep training, and not an issue I wish to debate with other parents. I think we all do what works for us and try to do what’s best for our child(ren). But I personally love the outdoors, and find my children are better behaved outside (and I worry less about messes, things breaking, etc) and want to raise the boys with the same love for camping, hiking, and general exploring that my partner and I have. So, I took upon this rather challenging goal.

A Quick Note

February 4, 2025August 13, 2023 by Rachel

Before I get too far into blogging here – and perhaps I’m thinking too far ahead already – I just want to make note of how I will share. While I will, inevitably, be sharing photos and stories, I have decided to mostly leave my kids faces out of photos, as well as names. This … Read more

#BringBackBlogging

February 4, 2025July 30, 2023 by Rachel

Do people still blog?

I miss it. I really do. I was always a “writer”. I always had a diary as a child. I still carry around an agenda to write down all my appointments and keep track of my day. For three years I consistently updated a blog with photos and paragraphs about my life. Not because I thought anyone would be particularly interested, but just because I enjoyed doing so.

For me, writing is therapeutic. It allowed me to examine my life as I wrote about it. It helped me deal with difficult situations. While in Japan, my friends and I used to say, “this will make a great blog post!” about every situation that didn’t go as planned. That outlook – the mindset that, looking back, this isn’t going to be a big deal – helped me navigate difficult times in my life. And I did always look back and laugh. I reread my posts and remember the feelings of anxiety and fear, but also of adventure and experience.

So, as I navigate now through a new phase of my life – becoming a mother – I turn back to what has always aided me: writing. What this new blog will turn out to be or how it will fit into my life, business, etc, has yet to be decided. But hey, it’s no fun if it’s all predictable right out the gate, eh?

Puppy Photos

September 8, 2017 by Rachel

Who can resist pictures of puppies!? Back in June Matt and I adopted a Shepherd/Collie mix who is a bundle of loveable energy! Introducing, Cayo..

More photos below.

Bruce Peninsula National Park

May 26, 2017May 26, 2017 by Rachel

I came home from work at around 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon. I was slightly hungover from a fun evening the night before and was planning to take a nap. But Matt had other plans! He told me to pack a bag, since he had gotten the next day off (and I did as well) and we drove 6 hours up to the Bruce Peninsula. We had no plans and no idea what we were in for, but we love an adventure!

Baby Dude

December 23, 2016 by Rachel

Baby Jordan. From the archives: October 21, 2015.

Danica & Nick: Engaged!

February 4, 2025October 20, 2015 by Rachel

Two of by best friends recently got engaged and I could not be more excited for them! I met Danica and Nick at university back 2007 – before they were even dating. We went through university as close friends/roommates and continued to keep in touch after graduation. While I was living in Japan, Danica and Nick were just a short distance away, in South Korea. Now, I am lucky enough to see these lovebirds fairly regularly. They are the most bubbly, friendly, and easy-to-love couple I know. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity take a few engagement photos for them.

couples engagement session in toronto ontario

Maternity Silhouette

October 20, 2015October 15, 2015 by Rachel

After taking this silent portrait of Momma and her baby belly, I’m now a firm believer in the power of the maternity silhouette shot. This beautiful Momma already has two little ones, and a Jack Russell. But between all the running around we managed to find a quiet moment, where she could take a deep breath and reflect on her last few days carrying her Baby Boy.

Cassandra_01_WEB

Read on for some tips on how to create your own silhouette shot, and to leave your comments.

Gender Reveal: It’s a Boy!

October 30, 2023July 5, 2015 by Rachel

CONGRATULATIONS – IT’S A BOY!!!

This past month, I excitedly rushed to my cousin’s house to find out the gender of her third baby. (Photographer bonus, I found out a day before they announced it to everyone else!) Although the immediate family knew the gender, Chris and Cassandra wanted a few fun photos to share on their social media. After building up the anticipation by having friends and family place bets, they shared these photos to make the big announcement.

Chris and Cass already have two beautiful little girls, so I bet a boy is a welcomed change for their household!