tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45916586344120554872024-03-05T14:43:54.119-07:00A Slice of BrieBrie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.comBlogger407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-28231126864413991822022-01-14T08:00:00.013-07:002022-01-14T08:00:00.177-07:00A Clean Home by Mad Maids <p> Did anyone else get overwhelmed over the holidays with ALL of the things?! From Christmas shopping, to keeping kids entertained, to cooking meals, to trying to keep the house clean, to making memories...it is A LOT and my house was worse for wear by the time the new year rolled around! So when <a href="https://madmaids.ca" target="_blank">Mad Maids</a> reached out asking if I would like a deep clean of my house in exchange for this review, you better believe I did a little happy dance in my (then dirty) kitchen!</p><p>A few years ago I had the pleasure of <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2016/12/a-clean-house-is-happy-house.html" target="_blank">working with Mad Maids</a>, and I was very happy with the cleaning job they did on my house, so I wasn't worried about working with them again. They still continue to work in teams of two, bring their own cleaning supplies and will use eco-friendly cleaners if you select green cleaning on your form. And one of the most admirable parts of their business? For every cleaning job they do, they donate a portion of their proceeds to the World Food Program! </p><p>Booking your cleaning service is super easy as it can all be done online. Pricing is fixed based on how many bedrooms you have in your house and there are no hidden fees. You can book a routine clean, a deep clean, or a move in/out clean. And according to my last blog post from 4 years ago, their prices haven't increased at all! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1dFPrsqEeztK3AdiHeTQdm6KoQGob5E_nxX85WnVMrVNF2drlb9_s6eO-n1n9mQxWVG3xepe7r00MHIB8TM_cip_zoh3QZKajNZWSdbYZzVmMonhrbGRF5pfwKP8O9_4pSclsqnF8lmMqoWETZPgZEEiS6cuQFoS78PcOAP4y5_TlZ0yodCq6gzF0JA=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mad maids cost" border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="640" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1dFPrsqEeztK3AdiHeTQdm6KoQGob5E_nxX85WnVMrVNF2drlb9_s6eO-n1n9mQxWVG3xepe7r00MHIB8TM_cip_zoh3QZKajNZWSdbYZzVmMonhrbGRF5pfwKP8O9_4pSclsqnF8lmMqoWETZPgZEEiS6cuQFoS78PcOAP4y5_TlZ0yodCq6gzF0JA=w640-h172" title="mad maids price list" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Anyway, getting the house ready for the cleaners was a BIG job. Our home was over due for a huge decluttering and tidying spree. We worked for a solid 3 days before my cleaning team arrived, making sure that the team could focus on deep cleaning and not moving around piles of stuff. At one point my husband thought we were crazy for putting in so much work ahead of time, but I promise it paid off in the long run! And I asked on Instagram if this was normal behaviour before a house clean and I was assured it was 100% normal! You want your cleaning team to CLEAN! Not tidy! </p><p>When Anita and Tess arrived on Tuesday morning, they did a house tour with me and they explained how they approach a room (top to bottom while working in a circle) and pointed out all the things they would tackle - like baseboards, doorframes, doors, windowsills, dusting, ceiling fans, etc. My husband stayed home to work in the office, but Emmy and I left to get out of their hair. </p><p>When we returned home and I walked into our clean home, it was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Sure, I clean here and there and tackle chores I'd rather not do, but it's very very rare that my ENTIRE home is clean all at once. Actually, it's not even rare, it doesn't ever happen because it would take me an entire day of cleaning without interruptions and that is not happening lol! And there's something really magical and peaceful about having your entire home clean. Especially after the chaos of Christmas holidays. I didn't realize how much of a mental burden an unclean home had been for me. And I'm starting to realize that perhaps budgeting for Mad Maids to come in regularly might be something Jim and I need to seriously consider. </p><p>Also, when you get back home, your team likes to do a walk through with you to explain what they cleaned and to ensure they didn't miss anything. I loved this part because some of the things they did I might not have noticed, but I sure did appreciate! Like dusting the top shelves of our master closet! </p><p>Ok! Let me show you some before and afters! I found it difficult to photograph some of the befores, so just trust me when I say our home was far from clean! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNGrTKJIvVEzxJUWx31mk11Lk1e7VrkAUkegcJm4f_2S0kp5EzviHArX8RWVWD8erfqCkrNeCfS5m-BUyBSt8cMUAtaC5YngN_oTlfsGi6udjI2x95KaWeSzAIY78TLOqElhw_H4x85nCPePYf_mYGwckrRnAm9h946pz9syu5LQD2BztN70D6ER2igA=s1026" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1026" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNGrTKJIvVEzxJUWx31mk11Lk1e7VrkAUkegcJm4f_2S0kp5EzviHArX8RWVWD8erfqCkrNeCfS5m-BUyBSt8cMUAtaC5YngN_oTlfsGi6udjI2x95KaWeSzAIY78TLOqElhw_H4x85nCPePYf_mYGwckrRnAm9h946pz9syu5LQD2BztN70D6ER2igA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv6mcS7h6JRIMfXGY-qcs4ND2HFfNsoTws90UdqA2UTwMM_HFiBbdsi7djTjqpquEoOoQqtX8VkAwALXIOeevgq0F7HqkxOxd0h9bEWZxGLRfNQKcas-Y_aKTs3X8O93kZjGURegrQYCJTTy92A6nGWvl4ytIMP7LlgQKBcw4Q0s6zop61dSPaTA4haQ=s1026" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1026" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv6mcS7h6JRIMfXGY-qcs4ND2HFfNsoTws90UdqA2UTwMM_HFiBbdsi7djTjqpquEoOoQqtX8VkAwALXIOeevgq0F7HqkxOxd0h9bEWZxGLRfNQKcas-Y_aKTs3X8O93kZjGURegrQYCJTTy92A6nGWvl4ytIMP7LlgQKBcw4Q0s6zop61dSPaTA4haQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPK0-RhUhjENfNbKg1iTgt83GTXzhG5OkMrEsZADrks2Lfp6R4k84rJIwPG4paO7GZIgQvbAPy5UkL_h8UcqpGxJI9nX1ixkAVNQV9V8wAs5yuiACFxcUBUZC4jqlYxOBuhxq8hwGm5gd5KuWlRV1jUJWAAdbTzT7g4Ki70LCIvGJomj_NNv6IvXW4HA=s1026" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1026" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPK0-RhUhjENfNbKg1iTgt83GTXzhG5OkMrEsZADrks2Lfp6R4k84rJIwPG4paO7GZIgQvbAPy5UkL_h8UcqpGxJI9nX1ixkAVNQV9V8wAs5yuiACFxcUBUZC4jqlYxOBuhxq8hwGm5gd5KuWlRV1jUJWAAdbTzT7g4Ki70LCIvGJomj_NNv6IvXW4HA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBBMZ8k-S-MdyBHVDvhZHfM-eN_K1j4bUZyfM6bR-oCITdBjhE0pOJf7WI0ZwpB5muJaLM4fTx3D5i9xbUBXsLw7LIKN87P2SRvs94sqtGSwCbNKEZiVCU02Kzk1y5We0w3cCy6fQ3si4xLK18FZmO6__RLP6427WF0EkQE_CD39IzGKN4d1a8VwFZ9g=s1026" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1026" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBBMZ8k-S-MdyBHVDvhZHfM-eN_K1j4bUZyfM6bR-oCITdBjhE0pOJf7WI0ZwpB5muJaLM4fTx3D5i9xbUBXsLw7LIKN87P2SRvs94sqtGSwCbNKEZiVCU02Kzk1y5We0w3cCy6fQ3si4xLK18FZmO6__RLP6427WF0EkQE_CD39IzGKN4d1a8VwFZ9g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>And some afters!<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuK0PMSpV_JDxYQjwPemDXv93kA2ti0OY66YRa3x1L6r0tEJFCDqlKaZwRmeVBANVW_K3iduhWTpscLUZiJfoYsP8THqUoFLpQmkPz9Idqk2d1aIKnQSHc0Dg8yWXKm5vsD3HXFPzE0WvbrSBfi4jkGUnNah5bTjAe6yAB9iCpvkOxDc9rPNBmn5nEmA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuK0PMSpV_JDxYQjwPemDXv93kA2ti0OY66YRa3x1L6r0tEJFCDqlKaZwRmeVBANVW_K3iduhWTpscLUZiJfoYsP8THqUoFLpQmkPz9Idqk2d1aIKnQSHc0Dg8yWXKm5vsD3HXFPzE0WvbrSBfi4jkGUnNah5bTjAe6yAB9iCpvkOxDc9rPNBmn5nEmA=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_Cy-nwFfGbbRwL_ccXI913QEepJ5PZwNX8hVGqKXjabziW1CbCOcLDP-MgtwK1RkPBPTKjzhnWhax542BDvvFZB2QHG7APeqwZ_jJUXp7JDTZ7ic-VVUCiED1gu47uN7toZHvCD2i-yhqovJR92TOT_0GmrpGFDB8-htqdCfyVQZfiPv2FcoVjIcIWA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_Cy-nwFfGbbRwL_ccXI913QEepJ5PZwNX8hVGqKXjabziW1CbCOcLDP-MgtwK1RkPBPTKjzhnWhax542BDvvFZB2QHG7APeqwZ_jJUXp7JDTZ7ic-VVUCiED1gu47uN7toZHvCD2i-yhqovJR92TOT_0GmrpGFDB8-htqdCfyVQZfiPv2FcoVjIcIWA=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQcGJCd_zSdhDo2GxHz3yZCSBXfrg-mFYD1Q5jElfpoaglBlJ1eKkilnjQdc4Aw7lEnojX3I6xuyah0sV_W0cMoHSbAFYw8_1kQ2opTCBCd1J532Sbr7chNn9feRu1iTzdFERpYFHfNFdIa-0d7FojjbFWZidzg46qoKhiyYcgMNytkAy63dbFYrBAjA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQcGJCd_zSdhDo2GxHz3yZCSBXfrg-mFYD1Q5jElfpoaglBlJ1eKkilnjQdc4Aw7lEnojX3I6xuyah0sV_W0cMoHSbAFYw8_1kQ2opTCBCd1J532Sbr7chNn9feRu1iTzdFERpYFHfNFdIa-0d7FojjbFWZidzg46qoKhiyYcgMNytkAy63dbFYrBAjA=s16000" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They even did a sweep of our basement - vacuumed underneath the couch cushions and on top of them, vacuumed the carpets and cleaned the bathroom we have down there!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0nfoYMw7vI-Oo9akRTak3FsT5wXrT48YkdoGN5507n_gl3OZUfzfsb5WSnfmAeLPmoU1XxXHq7HTr6F2gOLn3RVGvi14jKfyfDOhadTw8QrW4oLIP8G5u9ooToolOZ7eiQwOmA5eucxGAOHNq3h-pylEqGdvYZdajQUoZcay6XWEGe_nnanWsjPgEyQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0nfoYMw7vI-Oo9akRTak3FsT5wXrT48YkdoGN5507n_gl3OZUfzfsb5WSnfmAeLPmoU1XxXHq7HTr6F2gOLn3RVGvi14jKfyfDOhadTw8QrW4oLIP8G5u9ooToolOZ7eiQwOmA5eucxGAOHNq3h-pylEqGdvYZdajQUoZcay6XWEGe_nnanWsjPgEyQ=s16000" /></a></div><br /><p>Amazing right?! I joked that we were going to stay in a hotel that night just so we didn't mess it up right away, haha! </p><p>But it gets even better! <a href="https://madmaids.ca" target="_blank">Mad Maids</a> wants to give the gift of a clean home to one of you, so head on over to my <a href="http://www.instagram.com/cottonandstring" target="_blank">Instagram page</a> and enter to win one of 4 gift cards! Mad Maids covers Calgary, Edmonton, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, Bragg Creek, Chestermere, St. Albert and Sherwood Park, so if you live in one of those areas, go enter! And in the meantime, you can also use my code <b>Brie15 for 15%</b> off any cleaning service you book! Yay for clean homes! </p><p><br /></p></div>Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0Calgary, AB, Canada51.044733099999988 -114.071883122.734499263821142 -149.22813309999998 79.35496693617884 -78.9156331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-11971139215765563632017-08-24T12:00:00.001-06:002017-08-24T12:00:31.606-06:00SeaWheeze 2017 Half Marathon Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6Di28VryIIDrH9xjckx-9ezcgJQP18PRAgyartbIYu44w1LX9txkbLxvxdQ1rHdTCdF2-k7aZCNvBGfU9Dwt85ypdJNgL0l4jZQscHpy-Ms3wadmGGyHtT7BzeUJbBQC4dGWGTD2IJIA/s1600/seawheezeracerecap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze Race Recap" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6Di28VryIIDrH9xjckx-9ezcgJQP18PRAgyartbIYu44w1LX9txkbLxvxdQ1rHdTCdF2-k7aZCNvBGfU9Dwt85ypdJNgL0l4jZQscHpy-Ms3wadmGGyHtT7BzeUJbBQC4dGWGTD2IJIA/s320/seawheezeracerecap.jpg" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Half Marathon Race Review" width="135" /></a></div>
It's hard to believe that my first half marathon has already come and gone. When I registered for the race (which was the most nerve-racking thing to do ever!), I was still pregnant and I really had no idea how well prepared I would fell for running a half marathon 7 months after giving birth. But, <a href="http://www.seawheeze.com/" target="_blank">SeaWheeze</a> is one race I've always wanted to do, and I always wanted it to be the first half marathon I ever did. When <a href="http://www.thebexfactor.com/" target="_blank">Becky</a> also showed interest in doing it (also her <a href="http://www.thebexfactor.com/2017/08/15/seawheeze-half-marathon-recap/" target="_blank">first half</a>!), I knew we both had to try to get in. We've ran several races together and I knew that in order to complete this race, I was going to need her support during training and the run.<br />
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Anyway, the race was on Saturday, but we <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/08/seawheeze-2017-weekend-recap.html" target="_blank">arrived in Vancouver</a> on the Thursday. I was staying with my sister, and my plan was to leave Emmy with her for the morning and have them meet me at the finish line. Adding to the pre-race jitters, was my anxiety over leaving Emmy for roughly 5 hours. Even though she takes a bottle, there's always that fear that that one time she won't. The afternoon and evening before the race, we just hung out in my sister's apartment. I needed that time to pump a couple bottles for Emmy, and after a <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/08/seawheeze-2017-weekend-recap.html" target="_blank">total pump fiasco</a>, I didn't get to bed until midnight the night before the race.<br />
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Somehow, I managed to sleep well, waking at 5am to eat breakfast, get dressed and then feed Emmy in her sleep one last time. I had called a cab when I woke up to pick me up at 5:40am to take me to the Sea Bus and of course the cab was not there when I stepped out of the apartment. Instead, I was greeted by a skunk sauntering down the sidewalk! Thankfully he disappeared into a hedge, and after two phone calls to the cab company (they got the street wrong by one number), I made it to the sea bus just in time!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS0042VFFsqgyf9Lii_ldvj-tFZl34GhOl2i0xBrBGelLImC-Bo2VoTJgiOfFYIy-rhWiBMijhXZcmYtkeyL1eGV-ufFYktKDXfje4dVOpSkkqqRGO4qBfNco11aDictO8peisaZatWdr/s1600/seawheeze2017recap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SeaWheeze Recap" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS0042VFFsqgyf9Lii_ldvj-tFZl34GhOl2i0xBrBGelLImC-Bo2VoTJgiOfFYIy-rhWiBMijhXZcmYtkeyL1eGV-ufFYktKDXfje4dVOpSkkqqRGO4qBfNco11aDictO8peisaZatWdr/s640/seawheeze2017recap.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>{mary//heather//lindsey//chad//me//becky}</i></td></tr>
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I briefly met up with Ange, Lindsey, Chad, Mary and Becky, grabbed a group photo, used the porta potty and then Becky and I made our way into the corrals. We were warned by our friends not to start too far back regardless of our perceived pace because it could take up to an hour to cross the start line otherwise. We lined up with the 2:20 pace beavers (wishful thinking for sure!), and two feet in front of me, I spotted my friend Natalie from Edmonton! What were the odds of finding her in a sea of 10,000 people?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw_ic8pRarm1-iO3SUcXn7unOsHefGQSTyNrevpsbAkBs4Hy-JGW3UJzR58fzRbdm_CNKaKnO1J4zJ6jYkUNylyEVMwJbtLhJsnhS2aiWhZqxEST-8Y2XJ8xSeNEy9aH5jERHFcsQktlF/s1600/seawheeze2017recap4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SeaWheeze Half Marathon" border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIw_ic8pRarm1-iO3SUcXn7unOsHefGQSTyNrevpsbAkBs4Hy-JGW3UJzR58fzRbdm_CNKaKnO1J4zJ6jYkUNylyEVMwJbtLhJsnhS2aiWhZqxEST-8Y2XJ8xSeNEy9aH5jERHFcsQktlF/s640/seawheeze2017recap4.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>{hi natalie!!}</i></td></tr>
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I honestly wasn't really nervous at all waiting to get started. I went into this run with a very open mind. I knew my training was lacking, I knew I wasn't really physically ready to run a half marathon with a great time and I knew that since it was my first time, I truly didn't know what to expect. I chose to cling to all of the optimistic advice I had received leading up to the race that it was going to be fun no matter what (debatable), that is wasn't really a "race" (um, also debatable), and that there were going to be so many other people walking it (not really - I think I was honestly expecting to see droves of people walking!). Sometimes I will grasp at any ounce of hope to make myself believe I will be OK.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO20g4N9JOC-Pv2eCTBrBDXnFvU_suWzUZmRmpQb3xcyLr7rRW9rzN5STpNAuDOSIr4s2bGlhz2tplt27eZ_A58f3BUjQRdNR9xWgR_3zHJhZM2c5FOvSBQMjIsZlsYWZtzdH2vigsI4qC/s1600/seawheeze2017recap3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze Half Marathon Review" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO20g4N9JOC-Pv2eCTBrBDXnFvU_suWzUZmRmpQb3xcyLr7rRW9rzN5STpNAuDOSIr4s2bGlhz2tplt27eZ_A58f3BUjQRdNR9xWgR_3zHJhZM2c5FOvSBQMjIsZlsYWZtzdH2vigsI4qC/s640/seawheeze2017recap3.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEI4Gv1vMpYOXDrSNoPFF71qr5TSZY0w3kQpCLio0roQA2-cPzQqpSlos6mlOLsqZjph9gDgBEneGlpzCPXmHMXUnf82pcaDzjuwtp07DzF_inGNLHe869YqgOYpzgVNJtkf9LNb7tIWR/s1600/seawheeze2017recap2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze start line" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEI4Gv1vMpYOXDrSNoPFF71qr5TSZY0w3kQpCLio0roQA2-cPzQqpSlos6mlOLsqZjph9gDgBEneGlpzCPXmHMXUnf82pcaDzjuwtp07DzF_inGNLHe869YqgOYpzgVNJtkf9LNb7tIWR/s640/seawheeze2017recap2.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
Knowing that my training was weak, I was prepared to run the race alone even though I originally had hoped to run it with Becky. We did decide to start off together though, agreeing that at anytime she could move on without me. I do regret not getting in more training runs. Becky and I run a very similar pace and it's definitely nice to run beside your friend. We talked about running 10 and 1 intervals so as not to burn out too soon. But our start felt strong and we ended up running the first 6km straight before taking our first walk break.<br />
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I chose not to carry any water with me, but I did have a granola bar in my pocket for fuel if needed. I was really impressed with the frequency of water tables, which also offered Nuun water and GU gels. Some stations even had half bananas. There were also porta potty's at every station, but the lineups were huge! Thankfully, my stomach didn't bother me at all during the race.<br />
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After we ran down the Kitsilano bridge and hit the turnaround, I decided to walk back over the bridge since it was a steady incline and I knew it would kill my hip flexors and quads if I ran it so early on in the race. This was around kilometre 10, and I was still feeling pretty good. Thankfully, I was able to catch back up with Becky for the next few kilometres.<br />
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When we came upon English Bay, this is when the pain started to really set in. Around this time, we saw the electronic sign where family and friends could post encouraging messages for us to see. Jim had already texted me to say he couldn't figure out how to send one, so I wasn't expecting to see anything for me, but then a message from Ange popped up and I almost cried! It was seriously just the pick me up I needed. Shortly after this, around kilometre 13, I could feel that my sports bra was causing some serious chaffing right below my breasts. I decided to stop at the medic station for some vaseline and a bandaid and then used the flush toilets that were on the beach. Becky went on ahead without me and that would be the last time I would see her until the finish line.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7u2bfcKu66_5DdJY2CxH4hKtWHHqc5xT6iYsVGD0twI0HIsHCr1I6kAFVDwMAvlM0Faj2ntDeat9G5ems0PtMserSo8CD2pX_1paaztQIgFmvYL8mdDnvtCu7aBNDGqjD2kXadP_oHVnJ/s1600/seawheeze2017recap5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze half marathon" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7u2bfcKu66_5DdJY2CxH4hKtWHHqc5xT6iYsVGD0twI0HIsHCr1I6kAFVDwMAvlM0Faj2ntDeat9G5ems0PtMserSo8CD2pX_1paaztQIgFmvYL8mdDnvtCu7aBNDGqjD2kXadP_oHVnJ/s640/seawheeze2017recap5.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
By this point, my hip flexors and legs were screaming mad. I wasn't sure how I was physically going to be able to finish. It was a tad frustrating because my lungs and cardio felt so good! But my legs just weren't conditioned enough. I feel like I still maintained a slow jog for the majority of the rest of the race, but there were definitely a lot of walk breaks too. It was actually easier to keep up a shuffle, rather than go into a complete walk. I basically did whatever I needed to do to just keep moving forward. Thankfully, there are a lot of fun cheer stations throughout the course to pass the time! I actually didn't put my earbuds in even once and ran the entire race music/podcast free. I just focused on the task ahead and the scenery around me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiANqkqQ-2OnrEOL4574UAVnqo-z6WrQpYLeNIontWL5m56EFWZmEKBnYi6QYUa64qEcN8CXf6_BEd0sLvkLkJBpwIjsS0t-NtpKv7WQ5fgYq9ns7eCHemi9hCFxVpg-0VpIN9OmRerz_/s1600/seawheeze2017recap6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze Half Marathon Review" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiANqkqQ-2OnrEOL4574UAVnqo-z6WrQpYLeNIontWL5m56EFWZmEKBnYi6QYUa64qEcN8CXf6_BEd0sLvkLkJBpwIjsS0t-NtpKv7WQ5fgYq9ns7eCHemi9hCFxVpg-0VpIN9OmRerz_/s640/seawheeze2017recap6.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gICH0ryAx4L6FcovqD_s8AujNwF7gEk9UZ0AD8LCsQaVfB6FtnB0ZLLv8bO8NDny8vZl6OX-YDBCKApWD-vsYExd9xG9_kiZtcD8zmFYlUKZc3Vmn8qCc57cUeNlHwkR8vx-dKtl44i7/s1600/seawheeze2017recap7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze Run review" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gICH0ryAx4L6FcovqD_s8AujNwF7gEk9UZ0AD8LCsQaVfB6FtnB0ZLLv8bO8NDny8vZl6OX-YDBCKApWD-vsYExd9xG9_kiZtcD8zmFYlUKZc3Vmn8qCc57cUeNlHwkR8vx-dKtl44i7/s640/seawheeze2017recap7.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTjXC7o8NJQcDmRrapr8CbWYWPN3qhafkhyphenhyphentgHSSOHZyHREBCh6L2IpT9GfSy30OYzXnGyjuLBQbbHTkaiLw4RyYHeZ7YRTUkW6frqGtxImHcAk0Tr9ptt70SUI0qHneugcTE7iGEOHKo/s1600/seawheeze2017recap8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze cheer stations" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTjXC7o8NJQcDmRrapr8CbWYWPN3qhafkhyphenhyphentgHSSOHZyHREBCh6L2IpT9GfSy30OYzXnGyjuLBQbbHTkaiLw4RyYHeZ7YRTUkW6frqGtxImHcAk0Tr9ptt70SUI0qHneugcTE7iGEOHKo/s640/seawheeze2017recap8.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBxV6vkkuy1uxy_zux4iM3wOV8G63RoPVXjhQtmjVkPFYB6RnY3reQlXsCzwm0xLMhrW3l-LS-TU8M5LoOGCP1wkleMYEwqFTnK3UjrrN4z2mEv2wqVwzQQXrGGTZEDDNqo5K5yfZYwtj/s1600/seawheeze2017recap10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze seawall run" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBxV6vkkuy1uxy_zux4iM3wOV8G63RoPVXjhQtmjVkPFYB6RnY3reQlXsCzwm0xLMhrW3l-LS-TU8M5LoOGCP1wkleMYEwqFTnK3UjrrN4z2mEv2wqVwzQQXrGGTZEDDNqo5K5yfZYwtj/s640/seawheeze2017recap10.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
Somewhere between kilometre 16 and 17, right before I was about to run under the Lion's Gate Bridge, I spotted Becky in the far distance, but I texted her saying I would never catch up to her. Knowing she was still pounding the pavement, and wanting so much to be able to see her at the end, I kept on moving. Looking back, I'm not even sure how I willed my legs to keep going. The pain was unlike any I have ever felt in them. When I neared the last few kilometres, the 2:50 pace beavers caught up to me and my goal was to stick with them. While I didn't have a finishing time goal, I knew I wanted to come in under 3 hours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWRILDrOcORCh-qT9MisblXJ3fF3EefCv4imVj5bWsXTXpmGctaofBfTZacu34dqqvRemf3_WS-qKNgf7WsUaWp0sCD4RyGTCrhf6HSP_rTNg1bd_cBk2kD5eOWd7pYO9Fuas7YwPGmPe/s1600/seawheeze2017recap11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze half marathon review" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWRILDrOcORCh-qT9MisblXJ3fF3EefCv4imVj5bWsXTXpmGctaofBfTZacu34dqqvRemf3_WS-qKNgf7WsUaWp0sCD4RyGTCrhf6HSP_rTNg1bd_cBk2kD5eOWd7pYO9Fuas7YwPGmPe/s640/seawheeze2017recap11.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyo3SCxLwH2pb5ZgTg6Da___EHayex7kZlwuw9TQWMirGWKNeS_61umzoBDMPXpAtaMpQMb4NJ55sFUeBAa5-4Np9fwmfuqQdHlwG0L0qdVEygv9fkgbStMAXpNdrtnxwfybdAcI-qGIa/s1600/seawheeze2017recap12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mermaid cheer station during SeaWheeze" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyo3SCxLwH2pb5ZgTg6Da___EHayex7kZlwuw9TQWMirGWKNeS_61umzoBDMPXpAtaMpQMb4NJ55sFUeBAa5-4Np9fwmfuqQdHlwG0L0qdVEygv9fkgbStMAXpNdrtnxwfybdAcI-qGIa/s640/seawheeze2017recap12.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
The last kilometre was the absolute worst (as I find it is for any race). That one kilometre always feels like ten, and with all the winding we did during the last one in this race felt endless. The tears started to build up at this point - tears for the pain, tears for actually accomplishing this, tears for not giving up. While shuffling to the finish line, someone in the sidelines yelled out that there was only 500m to go, so I pushed through the pain and ran as hard as I could (which wasn't that fast given my state), but it felt good to give that last bit of my first half marathon every ounce of being I had left.<br />
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It's never felt so good to receive a race medal! And despite being bummed that I hadn't been able to cross over the finish line with Becky, I was so happy to see her face. My official time was 2:59. When the 2:50 pace beavers caught up to me, I wasn't thinking about the fact that they would have crossed the start line after me, making them faster than I was. I was SO thankful that I pushed just slightly ahead of them near the end as I would have been so disappointed to have finished at 3:01 or longer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QbRzU4F6TzS1pzcrv_4PHl_hBbQKARQRKHzYc1G4JVZlNp4zGDV_C0EUvSimfwDxGSAKv0yv3ChyphenhyphenZjXU-7KUvoa_fAqvKEvA6Z3VViK86CpkSbi-ante6oRLAK4nPGJghHfYdD3SxVnt/s1600/seawheeze2017recap13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Half Marathon review" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QbRzU4F6TzS1pzcrv_4PHl_hBbQKARQRKHzYc1G4JVZlNp4zGDV_C0EUvSimfwDxGSAKv0yv3ChyphenhyphenZjXU-7KUvoa_fAqvKEvA6Z3VViK86CpkSbi-ante6oRLAK4nPGJghHfYdD3SxVnt/s640/seawheeze2017recap13.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
I found the finish line overwhelming and chaotic. It's a narrow space and after getting your medal, grabbing water, sun glasses and a Vega protein bar, you're immediately corralled into the long line up to collect your free brunch. At this point, I was texting with my sister who was struggling to leave her place with Emmy to come meet me. I was exhausted and didn't want her to arrive only for me to be stuck somewhere in the brunch line, so I made the hard decision to ditch Becky and head back to the Sea Bus to get home to Emmy and my sister.<br />
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In hindsight, heading back to her place right away was the best decision to make. It' was so crowded, and by the time Becky and I finished the race, all of our friends had already left so there really wasn't much point in sticking around. Leaving when I did also ensured that I received my <a href="http://www.saje.com/ca/" target="_blank">Saje</a> finishers gift, which I wanted way more than the free brunch! I thought it was odd that the Saje gifts weren't handed out at the finish line though, and then I heard that some runners didn't get one because they ran out. Not cool, since I witnessed a few runners asking for an extra for "their friend who ran but was waiting over there".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qFP88T_TH5n2tRt3ruGpX1IV4U0ZXkMzn_QBepb356y3yDYnVItJmWjnVQs3qMjdxWHre04bWkQHCIbijHQz21NBwn1Os6FYrrJPNra8JHMnVx64Pd4SACBbx3mnC7grnhYk0FqMruhT/s1600/seawheeze2017raceswag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SeaWheeze Race Swag 2017" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qFP88T_TH5n2tRt3ruGpX1IV4U0ZXkMzn_QBepb356y3yDYnVItJmWjnVQs3qMjdxWHre04bWkQHCIbijHQz21NBwn1Os6FYrrJPNra8JHMnVx64Pd4SACBbx3mnC7grnhYk0FqMruhT/s640/seawheeze2017raceswag.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>{SeaWheeze race swag}</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The walk back to the SeaBus was long and painful. Every step I took was felt in every inch of my body. I have to be honest and say I never felt that "runners high" that made me think I would want to do that again. I was damn proud of myself for finishing, but in that moment all I wanted to do was have a nap. But the race was over a week ago now and I often wonder would I do it again? Knowing what I know, it's tough to say! I feel like I can only improve on the next one, but I also don't know that I have it in me to fully dedicate myself to the training schedule unless I had a running buddy. Your first half marathon is hard because you just don't know what to expect. But your second will also be hard because now you <i>do</i> know what to expect. I loved this race though and everything that went on along with it. The route is beautiful, running at sea level is great, and there is so much going on the day before and the afternoon/evening after the race. I do think if I was to do another half marathon, I would want to do this one again. Except next time I would fully embrace the entirety of it, something I didn't get to do this time around.<br />
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For now though, I'm just happy to be able to say I'm finally a part of the half marathon club!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLwhDUxG27v3xkmf9WswpzT06-Yu75W2Ir-arwLcksDSei4Z-Bu7Qu61WlYBtI2fbDCl2TM7kIrm-GMPk5yu7MVQLcLrVgGnG-m67f4ai7CXw7UiOxqOZ4WN9xcGI4CYIiu50o42f7zMD/s1600/seawheeze2017recap14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLwhDUxG27v3xkmf9WswpzT06-Yu75W2Ir-arwLcksDSei4Z-Bu7Qu61WlYBtI2fbDCl2TM7kIrm-GMPk5yu7MVQLcLrVgGnG-m67f4ai7CXw7UiOxqOZ4WN9xcGI4CYIiu50o42f7zMD/s640/seawheeze2017recap14.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Recap" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>{because I took off so quickly, we never got an post race photo taken together, </i><br />
<i>so we had Jim snap this one of us at the airport when we arrived home}</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>If you've run a half marathon, I'd love to hear what your first one was like! </b></span></div>
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</tbody></table>
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-84019195631101589432017-08-18T06:00:00.000-06:002017-08-18T06:00:04.838-06:00SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend RecapLast Thursday, Emmy and I hopped on a plane and flew to Vancouver to see my sister and to run my very first half marathon, SeaWheeze 2017! When I first registered for this race 9 months ago, I was still pregnant, and I had no idea what this weekend would look like: would I go alone, would the whole family travel with me, would I bring Emmy along? When I booked my flight, I booked it as if I was bringing Emmy along just in case, but there was a time I was hoping I would be able to go out there solo. As the weekend drew nearer and nearer, I knew there was no way I could leave her at home. For one thing, I'd miss her too darn much! But she's also exclusively breastfed, and while she will take a bottle of expressed breastmilk, the idea of having to pump all of that milk beforehand, and then continue to pump while I was in Vancouver, just made no sense at all to me.<br />
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I'm glad she came with us though! We stayed with my sister in North Van and it was so great to catch up, hang out and have a mini girls weekend. Of course, some of that fun was interrupted by my race, but overall, I had such a fun weekend in one of my favourite cities to visit! My only real regret is that I barely took any photos during the whole weekend! I'm not even sure why, but I wish I had at least taken more of myself with my friends.<br />
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But let's back up...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRcnjPnAK_JE7quGDOC1IqyE_DpKHYnzOYbLVlJLwafUdjYnfRwa4uZVOD_X9xo0rmJ75tp_pxgO2_dy0P0H_MWSAJQDP5rQg5i37ofSlovsRXo3hjZixTwG20Oo3oJWRBFcjPYBhxIGE/s1600/seawheezeweekend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="718" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRcnjPnAK_JE7quGDOC1IqyE_DpKHYnzOYbLVlJLwafUdjYnfRwa4uZVOD_X9xo0rmJ75tp_pxgO2_dy0P0H_MWSAJQDP5rQg5i37ofSlovsRXo3hjZixTwG20Oo3oJWRBFcjPYBhxIGE/s640/seawheezeweekend.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
On Thursday, my mom and Sully dropped Emmy and I off at the airport where we met up with <a href="http://www.thebexfactor.com/" target="_blank">Becky</a>. She was on the same flight as us, which was super helpful when you are trying to get through security and into your seat on the plane! Emmy was a fantastic little traveller and slept the entire flight. When we arrived in Vancouver, <a href="http://arunningtale.com/" target="_blank">Lindsey</a> and Chad were waiting for us (they got in 30 minutes before us), and they helped me with my luggage as we navigated our way to the skytrain and into Yaletown where we stopped for beer and lunch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9IrUT7WYamgbBH52PiNoOnrIJeJQx_OhsC9IWOqDyrbwbNPuX_FY9LnkIhwFq1qYLxLPnFX8FNkf9Sc3nZRrZgy6d1bYmheuRsCuuPRyAH6ubxUA41T1G_1uhjz1QRY9tOmsZExGc0of/s1600/seawheezeweekend2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yaletown, Vancouver" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9IrUT7WYamgbBH52PiNoOnrIJeJQx_OhsC9IWOqDyrbwbNPuX_FY9LnkIhwFq1qYLxLPnFX8FNkf9Sc3nZRrZgy6d1bYmheuRsCuuPRyAH6ubxUA41T1G_1uhjz1QRY9tOmsZExGc0of/s640/seawheezeweekend2.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXwXkaPdAhssfNctMYp1y54UYs56BvLbDS_IJbJFBDUH1ec52SHGgk7rH_OQoawuDBgt9dHPLhWHGkcPYkzwx8y_Al9zEAs0tGoTpd_9ElaBRaYB8RA4Bq-qCtHMntsiwGvWPfd-L2Z1H/s1600/seawheezeweekend3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yaletown, Vancouver" border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="718" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXwXkaPdAhssfNctMYp1y54UYs56BvLbDS_IJbJFBDUH1ec52SHGgk7rH_OQoawuDBgt9dHPLhWHGkcPYkzwx8y_Al9zEAs0tGoTpd_9ElaBRaYB8RA4Bq-qCtHMntsiwGvWPfd-L2Z1H/s640/seawheezeweekend3.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjFGzETQIy8PWuj3p-xM8QV8NpTuB4ARzR0nH1mqplTIW7ERc6qhJaPQWFKpGzO-XIhjxWGy6HbB6_1Fs-Ei6Wc9iuF2-4YFNbLBCsVto_ziJhytcX6VktqSXfjqo1e55FEnYXKp1yk03/s1600/seawheezeweekend4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjFGzETQIy8PWuj3p-xM8QV8NpTuB4ARzR0nH1mqplTIW7ERc6qhJaPQWFKpGzO-XIhjxWGy6HbB6_1Fs-Ei6Wc9iuF2-4YFNbLBCsVto_ziJhytcX6VktqSXfjqo1e55FEnYXKp1yk03/s640/seawheezeweekend4.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
Since my sister had to work that day and rush hour traffic is crazy, Emmy and I spent the day downtown with Becky. After lunch, we headed to Becky's hotel room where she had a nap. Then we met up with some other runners for dinner at Milestone's and once we got back to the hotel, my sister was there to pick us up.<br />
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On our way to her place, we stopped in at my aunt's for a quick visit and Emmy slept through the whole thing.<br />
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Friday we slept in a bit before making our way back downtown to pick up my race package. Since we arrived late, we met up with everyone for lunch outside. Of course, not one person thought to take a group photo! But it was so nice to catch up with <a href="http://www.kaellaontherun.com/" target="_blank">Kaella</a> and Tawnya at lunch since I don't get to see them in person very often. After a delicious lunch, I went and got my race package and then we quickly checked out the exclusive Lululemon store since there was no longer a line. It was pretty picked over, but I was not impressed with anything that was left. Our race packages were nice though! A drawstring backpack, a Lulu water bottle, nuun tablets (not pictured) and a coupon for a free coffee. I was disappointed to find out that we aren't given race bibs as I like to save those.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58FRE0eFwdMJmws1jqB4Mmnx2Oug10p_xo13rxKnAqMGkvlEJZLj0uIdH7sZh6QheGTPoAR0rhQYZo1DDr4Y19FAvGoaHsibF4YSqdXvCzwsE9b441ez_4Kxly1Wk1NqTrJp811GCZ027/s1600/seawheezeweekend5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend Recap" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58FRE0eFwdMJmws1jqB4Mmnx2Oug10p_xo13rxKnAqMGkvlEJZLj0uIdH7sZh6QheGTPoAR0rhQYZo1DDr4Y19FAvGoaHsibF4YSqdXvCzwsE9b441ez_4Kxly1Wk1NqTrJp811GCZ027/s640/seawheezeweekend5.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Race Package" width="640" /></a></div>
We headed home to just relax for the rest of the day since I knew I needed to pump some bottles for Emmy to have while I ran my race. When I pulled my pump out, I realized I had somehow forgotten the tube that connects the pump to the bottle. Oh boy. We quickly walked over to the Shoppers and then the London Drugs, but neither had the part so I ended up having to buy a manual pump. Of course, once we got back home I was too stressed to pump any milk and I actually thought I might not be able to do the run if I couldn't get a bottle pumped! Thankfully, we put on a movie and I tried to relax and eventually I was able to pump enough milk. Phew!! Talk about a stressful evening before a race.<br />
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Saturday I was up at 5am to get ready for the race, but I will recap that in another post!<br />
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After the race was over, I headed back to my sister's apartment where we napped, hung out, showered and got ready to have dinner over at my aunt's place. My cousin Lauren also joined us, and we had a fun evening of eating dinner outside, catching up, and drinking far too much prosecco! We made it home around midnight and I literally fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOyFTy2kvUU76e2o_f9fhsAS4FOb_7wykBHOKSYyOVM_aUHALf3FC5Q0BEn8MfeqqWnbbovjRvjq84uEsK1FCSe4zn1PW8oRhDKxCBB2pyJ7tIyqtB-hc6xuPlPX3b9RJe36nn6t6Q0QL/s1600/seawheezeweekend6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOyFTy2kvUU76e2o_f9fhsAS4FOb_7wykBHOKSYyOVM_aUHALf3FC5Q0BEn8MfeqqWnbbovjRvjq84uEsK1FCSe4zn1PW8oRhDKxCBB2pyJ7tIyqtB-hc6xuPlPX3b9RJe36nn6t6Q0QL/s640/seawheezeweekend6.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzFRUfb-EYXNWHOSEHGQeyyNiOefJII6D-5MtBkdTg4GZa3ly0YA-gReWaRj0zMxF010olcMvlGPtZJjWTQe1RIjhGXNY4JtjyOnY72y3DVO4FlumCbS7wbQadq662_hXd-IkCgApIo7F/s1600/seawheezeweekend7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzFRUfb-EYXNWHOSEHGQeyyNiOefJII6D-5MtBkdTg4GZa3ly0YA-gReWaRj0zMxF010olcMvlGPtZJjWTQe1RIjhGXNY4JtjyOnY72y3DVO4FlumCbS7wbQadq662_hXd-IkCgApIo7F/s640/seawheezeweekend7.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjAbR3eKavkPykwVwJUU7UKYNNakYCwF7ngJAqTC0Hd073Zjq57bD_kCciMttrXgGwBMx9nC028IWnXHIbHAOoKJIn4RAowIN5CNuVI_m7TpwHcUxAwjLk9v8Xn5v7h7dEHsK_2yNObUo/s1600/seawheezeweekend8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Weekend in Vancouver" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjAbR3eKavkPykwVwJUU7UKYNNakYCwF7ngJAqTC0Hd073Zjq57bD_kCciMttrXgGwBMx9nC028IWnXHIbHAOoKJIn4RAowIN5CNuVI_m7TpwHcUxAwjLk9v8Xn5v7h7dEHsK_2yNObUo/s640/seawheezeweekend8.JPG" title="SeaWheeze 2017 Weekend Recap" width="640" /></a></div>
Sadly, Sunday I had to be at the airport for 11:30am, so we didn't get much time to hang out with my sister. In hindsight, had I just decided to bring Emmy at the beginning, I could have booked a later flight in the day, or even stayed an extra day or two. The visit was far too short and I was so sad to say goodbye to my sister again. Emmy was a rock star on the flight home and again slept the whole flight. The good thing is, knowing what a good little traveller is, we will be back to visit as soon as we can!<br />
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<i><b>Tell me: What's your favourite city to visit? Any night before race mishaps you'd like to share?!</b></i><br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-44565267867868458062017-08-17T07:00:00.000-06:002017-08-17T07:00:08.152-06:00My 5-Minute Makeup Routine<div style="display: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE4wE4L0JDQfAuzoHD0VkIjpXgQwqjQG-xwWCohWskfU8NG-mlW4DSB72tX6Ak7ufhwZrc6eRHElQYZsKMgmm-Q4MJszbzKL8MITSp6eNJ6i1IOGHNj1pawcrH5BDxIVLweQSI9_00ALf/s1600/makeuproutinebeautycounter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5-Minute Make up Routine for an easy, flawless look! " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="633" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsE4wE4L0JDQfAuzoHD0VkIjpXgQwqjQG-xwWCohWskfU8NG-mlW4DSB72tX6Ak7ufhwZrc6eRHElQYZsKMgmm-Q4MJszbzKL8MITSp6eNJ6i1IOGHNj1pawcrH5BDxIVLweQSI9_00ALf/s640/makeuproutinebeautycounter2.jpg" title="5-Minute Makeup Routine with Beautycounter" width="252" /></a></div>
I've never been one to wear or own a huge amount of makeup. This is because I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to putting it on, so shopping for makeup is completely out of my comfort zone. I also prefer to look like I'm not wearing a lot of makeup as I have this thing where I think everyone is staring at me if I AM wearing makeup. I know, I have issues!<br />
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That being said, I do like making my skin look more even toned, and making my eyes pop and not look so tired #momlife. Before <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/05/what-beautycounter-means-to-me.html" target="_blank">I discovered Beautycounter</a>, I hadn't bought new makeup in years. Actually, I can tell you exactly when I bought new make-up - it was a few months after Sully was born and I had a whole bunch of Shoppers Optimum points to redeem. I made my mom go with me, and I had a quick makeover done and then I went home with all new makeup. Some of it I barely used, but a few pieces became part of my daily routine. Anyway, clearly I've been due for new makeup!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xy4Aqza1aDtJHp1L2IwmKWauo66EauzoHX-PcprT-IKX58KnTmdMnQxnBzQUgLyq1y36bTD2EgbbKuVf8rrTeV9eoq3NzBhJHoG7TTzOCWgn4JmCk1NDcrrHX3W-aDD21nWMl4gytz8/s1600/5minutefacebeautycounter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="6 safer beauty products to help you achieve a flawless look in just 5 minutes" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xy4Aqza1aDtJHp1L2IwmKWauo66EauzoHX-PcprT-IKX58KnTmdMnQxnBzQUgLyq1y36bTD2EgbbKuVf8rrTeV9eoq3NzBhJHoG7TTzOCWgn4JmCk1NDcrrHX3W-aDD21nWMl4gytz8/s640/5minutefacebeautycounter.JPG" title="5-Minute Face with Beautycounter" width="640" /></a></div>
As I started to become more and more aware of what I was putting onto my body, I knew I needed to make better choices when it came to my makeup. When you think about which products are sitting on your skin for the most amount of time, makeup is right up there at the top of the list. And unfortunately, most makeup out there isn't tested for heavy metals as it's not required. Enter Beautycounter: when I first ordered makeup from them, I started with the Tint Skin (foundation) and mascara. It wasn't long before I added in blush, bronzer, an eyebrow pencil, and lip gloss. Of course, most days I just wear the tint skin and mascara, and if I'm staying home, just a little bit of mascara. But I love that I know just have a handful of safe, high-performing makeup products for when I do need them.<br />
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Yesterday, Beautycounter revealed their <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser?goto=5-minute-face.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5-Minute Face</a>, which will give you effortless beauty with just 6 products (for a stinkin' deal I must add!). I've never really timed how long it takes me to put my makeup on so yesterday I thought I would and I can say it takes even less, as long as no little humans are interrupting you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-q5OoVIQ6eZsZvWQ1A5uYSSFZWqACqAoP567vdF7kLqMSQWxT4ytlPWQnxhqHP2rcytuMREtBHuxnF3FFpK-BfRPbLNYlfzy3TUsLQJ-9Ntg8Z8QH3kJhKdZNwNJ5xGDIKxIZNKGWEbo/s1600/5minutefacebeautycounter2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to achieve a flawless look in 5-minutes" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-q5OoVIQ6eZsZvWQ1A5uYSSFZWqACqAoP567vdF7kLqMSQWxT4ytlPWQnxhqHP2rcytuMREtBHuxnF3FFpK-BfRPbLNYlfzy3TUsLQJ-9Ntg8Z8QH3kJhKdZNwNJ5xGDIKxIZNKGWEbo/s640/5minutefacebeautycounter2.JPG" title="5-Minute Face with Beautycounter" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's my before and after. I took the photo in the same light and didn't edit it at all. I know the difference isn't that drastic in the photos, I have a lot of freckles in the summer which I don't try to cover up, and to be honest, for a few months now, I have been having the best skin ever (no breakouts, not a lot of red patches, no dryness). But I love how I look just a little more even skin-toned, and how my eyes pop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC438WRRQmyI1t7hM1rBRcGBYnKd2Qcs37tbwp1VWW6_4sdui1tQ_iAvhmv-PnSXI9r8Sg0naO5UNNV1cMV4Zae5QN7bBAqrMJlCJV4RIYzeLS1SlEjrf70M67vietlQr45RPT5Jj99qDU/s1600/beautycounterbeforeandafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5-Minute Makeup Routine Before and After" border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC438WRRQmyI1t7hM1rBRcGBYnKd2Qcs37tbwp1VWW6_4sdui1tQ_iAvhmv-PnSXI9r8Sg0naO5UNNV1cMV4Zae5QN7bBAqrMJlCJV4RIYzeLS1SlEjrf70M67vietlQr45RPT5Jj99qDU/s640/beautycounterbeforeandafter.jpg" title="5-Minute Face Before and After with Beautycounter" width="640" /></a></div>
Here are the products used to create your 5-Minute Face:<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser?goto=cosmetics%2Fface%2Ftint-skin-hydrating-foundation.html" target="_blank">Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation</a> (I'm wearing porcelain)<br />
2. <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser?goto=cosmetics%2Fface%2Ftouchup-skin-concealer-pen-6.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Touchup Skin Concealer Pen</a><br />
3. <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser?goto=cosmetics%2Feyes%2Fcolor-define-brow-pencil-4.html" target="_blank">Eyebrow Pencil</a> (I'm wearing light)<br />
4. <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser?goto=cosmetics%2Feyes%2Fvolumizing-mascara.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mascara</a> (I'm wearing volumizing)<br />
5. <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser?goto=cosmetics%2Fface%2Fpowder-blush-duo.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blush</a> (I'm wearing Bloom/Tulip)<br />
6. <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser?goto=cosmetics%2Flips%2Flip-gloss-1.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lip Gloss</a> (I'm wearing Bare Shimmer)<br />
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It's that easy! I adore Beautycounter's Tint Skin because it's moisturizing and it provides coverage without looking like I slathered foundation all over my face. It blends SO well. You can build additional coverage by layering if needed. The concealer pen is awesome for brightening up the area under your eyes and covering up any blemishes. (I didn't include one in the photos because I don't actually own one yet. Yet!).<br />
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Two new mascara's were also revealed yesterday: a reformulated lengthening mascara as well as a volumizing one (it's amazing!). I'm wearing the volumizing one in the after photo. I'm not a huge lip gloss wearer because I'm always kissing boo-boo's around here, but my favourite is Bare Shimmer which provides just a hint of colour and feels so nice when it's on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fr4-Vdcaib0T5Wxm3C34TENTnnyTxKt5TbIYiEoaitU6zpxeABTrO9YgyTJvAz0sCn0CqkqSyrsFaH1N32OJ3ngak2yC6n05K_q4j1I8fWSxgC1DNE46BrSe8RBhvvFqXuSFkr6oZFSJ/s1600/5minutefacebeautycounter3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5-Minute Makeup Routine with Beautycounter" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fr4-Vdcaib0T5Wxm3C34TENTnnyTxKt5TbIYiEoaitU6zpxeABTrO9YgyTJvAz0sCn0CqkqSyrsFaH1N32OJ3ngak2yC6n05K_q4j1I8fWSxgC1DNE46BrSe8RBhvvFqXuSFkr6oZFSJ/s640/5minutefacebeautycounter3.JPG" title="5-Minute Makeup Routine" width="640" /></a></div>
And that's it. All you need is five minutes and you will feel refreshed and way more pulled together. It's pretty much impossible that my hair, outfit, and makeup are all done on the same day, and while just-washed hair always makes me feel the most pulled together, a little bit of makeup definitely makes me feel like I have my sh*t together. And 5 minutes to pull it off is so doable! Maybe you like rummaging through a makeup bag or drawer, but I prefer a more streamlined approach. Too many choices gives me anxiety and I then start to doubt my makeup application abilities.<br />
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So my friends, I say this with pure love for you and your skin, but there is no better time than now to breakup with your makeup. No one's perfect, but when we know better we do better. Even just making small changes gradually will make a difference! I'd love to chat safer beauty if you have any questions! :)<br />
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<b>Tell me: what's your current makeup routine look like?</b><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*affiliate links have not been used, but I am a consultant with Beautycounter, so should you purchase something under my account, I would receive a commission. Your support is greatly appreciated!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-87397063896030308412017-08-01T14:28:00.000-06:002017-08-01T14:28:16.899-06:00Emmeline: 6 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXGqRcwcmBxN4tMuhmpXWbw08reMxwPYBZ4MyWzrbHmnQSSf2nVgM6O1yMb7q8xSOnU5IXHL2qOGZ38pe0pvT2m7ZM-AXrWUnJcIDIXHDpH54fn3pVZn_6JLYq1cwHGnLO1W-3Pw7osyy/s1600/emmy6months.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmeline 6 Month update" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXGqRcwcmBxN4tMuhmpXWbw08reMxwPYBZ4MyWzrbHmnQSSf2nVgM6O1yMb7q8xSOnU5IXHL2qOGZ38pe0pvT2m7ZM-AXrWUnJcIDIXHDpH54fn3pVZn_6JLYq1cwHGnLO1W-3Pw7osyy/s640/emmy6months.JPG" title="6 Month Update" width="640" /></a></div>
Oh Emmy....I should be writing up your 7 month update, but here I am, writing your 6th an entire month late! Just know, I did in fact take the photos on the day you turned 6 months! But finding time to sit down and write has been challenging lately. I just want to spend all my time with you and your brother! :)<br />
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So what's new in your sixth month? Well, you're still our little peanut - you had your immunizations on your 6th month birthday and weighed in at 12lbs 3oz. You're trucking along on your own curve and we aren't worried at all about how petite you are. Secretly (or not so secretly), I love that you are tiny as it lets me enjoy the baby phase for that much longer. It also makes it a lot easier to hold you when I'm trying to do things around the house, or wear you in the ring sling when we are shopping. You're still wearing a mix of 0-3 month and 3-6 month clothing, depending on brand and what it is (onesies seem to fit forever in 0-3 month). You're still also wearing size 1 diapers - I tried size 2, but they just seemed way too big, so we will wait on moving up for now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzazdcQlnkN1gzf-6U-M_8RpUZqsBL9nn90ouRle_Xn2Esr-4d6et5Qzm7MZivmO-Rx9pUcNrWqFjZi6oHGdMcQycMB7WZYhQPzPxhK6kNBuplFz3XAHloiNlLq1vQHV-p-elKbYItNIXT/s1600/emmy6months2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmeline 6 Months" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzazdcQlnkN1gzf-6U-M_8RpUZqsBL9nn90ouRle_Xn2Esr-4d6et5Qzm7MZivmO-Rx9pUcNrWqFjZi6oHGdMcQycMB7WZYhQPzPxhK6kNBuplFz3XAHloiNlLq1vQHV-p-elKbYItNIXT/s640/emmy6months2.JPG" title="6 Months Old Update" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhDPK336puw-IdxV0I6G51puE_rV2khFbsljdw0oSvzaACcFWoRr_YKnm7M5BDLR3YJReD5QnAcWQqSwGdHDbSVFQxzBZF6SkyibMB-Jh2-0Ru8cbmpDepNcWLJKcCQck4ZDYJUFeROb1/s1600/emmy6months3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmeline 6 months old" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhDPK336puw-IdxV0I6G51puE_rV2khFbsljdw0oSvzaACcFWoRr_YKnm7M5BDLR3YJReD5QnAcWQqSwGdHDbSVFQxzBZF6SkyibMB-Jh2-0Ru8cbmpDepNcWLJKcCQck4ZDYJUFeROb1/s640/emmy6months3.JPG" title="6 Months Old Update" width="640" /></a></div>
Not much has changed in the sleep department. You still have a long nap 2-3x per day, depending on how on the go we are that given day. The car usually puts you right out, but you most often wake up as soon as we get to wherever it is we are going. I thought by now I'd be trying you in your crib at night, but I haven't been able to bring myself to do it! You seem so little and I just love having you sleep beside me. Plus, it makes nighttime feeds so easy! You're also our last baby and I know these days of sleeping together are limited, and since you still are content to sleep in your <a href="http://amzn.to/2uThvJ5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dockatot</a> at night, I shall let you be.<br />
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We will be starting solids with you this month, and up until now, you're still exclusively breastfed. Thankfully, we did finally find a <a href="http://amzn.to/2uWFl5c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bottle that you love</a> so that's been handy for when I need to be away for more than a few hours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnE_KGzD40HcDbtINccNYd4PFbUtxa-knH337tOO5JUUZnciFejJxWDnXvFJEOaQnTCuhljjL9NCkJjhp1mcghbmgWxrSvGLoz_acqP-gSZhbZy-rYBsd2w5_itM0LJxp8HK7iNTlmxP-/s1600/emmy6months4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmeline 6 Months old" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnE_KGzD40HcDbtINccNYd4PFbUtxa-knH337tOO5JUUZnciFejJxWDnXvFJEOaQnTCuhljjL9NCkJjhp1mcghbmgWxrSvGLoz_acqP-gSZhbZy-rYBsd2w5_itM0LJxp8HK7iNTlmxP-/s640/emmy6months4.JPG" title="6 Months Old Update" width="640" /></a></div>
You've started rolling over all the time, but you get SO mad when you roll onto your tummy. It's kind of funny and sad at the same time. You are able to roll from tummy to back as well, but I think you get too upset to even try and fix the situation you got yourself into in the first place! We're working on sitting up though, which you enjoy since you can see more of what's going on around you. We've started putting you in the jolly jumper as well, but you just kind of hang out in it and haven't caught on to the jumping part of it. Your tolerance for being in it and the jumperoo are limited though!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMOgXY8HuFnLoZcjkAncyguoMVBknl-p06DUN7OPfsKI-izkSGImppP6dlF3vm4_EeFNWsQ_jb_QMOgDKipuLyEUjtliiPdmUJ2gBKSsuAJiH8wund7YrSDHQ-1Hz2ferFN51CYqTf0vb/s1600/emmy6months5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmeline 6 Months Old" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMOgXY8HuFnLoZcjkAncyguoMVBknl-p06DUN7OPfsKI-izkSGImppP6dlF3vm4_EeFNWsQ_jb_QMOgDKipuLyEUjtliiPdmUJ2gBKSsuAJiH8wund7YrSDHQ-1Hz2ferFN51CYqTf0vb/s640/emmy6months5.JPG" title="6 Month Old Update" width="640" /></a></div>
I find myself thinking back to this time a year ago, when you were growing inside of me and it's hard to believe how fast time goes. I know that's the most cliche saying you will ever hear, but that's because it's the truth. A year ago, I had no idea who was inside of me, what little person would join our family and complete it, and now that you are here, I am thankful every day for you and the joy and love you bring all of us! Just the sight of you lights up my mood, and watching you and your brother interact more and more is the best thing in the world.<br />
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Happy Half Birthday, Emmy!<br />
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xoxo<br />
Mommy<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*affliate links have been used</span></i><br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-79604771853849411632017-07-03T06:00:00.000-06:002017-07-03T06:00:21.392-06:00Camping in the Kootenay Plains <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9yGO0yzYaptN42vzOfeULBhD_tmW2Kem9GuEr-5A6ee18_eqXGJPMLSpd7D7k8Z9IYOhi05QzIeR5h19ItwaLZGPHWDcROtlRJmKvHDVv2s89utK8LIgeAi2MHbzx86kyysg19Cc6nJn/s1600/campingkootenayplains1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9yGO0yzYaptN42vzOfeULBhD_tmW2Kem9GuEr-5A6ee18_eqXGJPMLSpd7D7k8Z9IYOhi05QzIeR5h19ItwaLZGPHWDcROtlRJmKvHDVv2s89utK8LIgeAi2MHbzx86kyysg19Cc6nJn/s640/campingkootenayplains1.JPG" title="Camping with Kids" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>{the view from our campsite}</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other weekend (Father's Day weekend), we ventured out on our first camping trip of the year! We really didn't have any plans to camp in June, but when my best friend Karen invited us to join her family and some others at a group site, we figured why not! Karen and her family camp a lot, but we've never been able to join them before. I knew it would be a blast for Sully to have other kids to play with during the day, and the beauty of camping with your friend who has a trailer is chances are good that if you forget something, they will have it!<br />
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We packed up Friday morning and made the 3.5 hour drive north west of us to the Calvacade Group campsite in the Kootenay Plains. For local folks, this is about 65km west of Nordegg. The drive for us was beautiful, as it took as through the mountains up towards and through the Banff and Lake Louise area. I've never camped in a group site before, so I really had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that the sites were unserviced (not an issue for us since we tent it anyway) and no running water, so pit toilets only. I called ahead to make sure that the walk from our site to the closest outhouse wasn't too far and was told that each site had it's own outhouse.<br />
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When we arrived, I was taken aback by how beautiful the area was. Nestled in amongst the mountains, you would never expect the area to be a campsite. There were 8 sites and only 3 were booked for the weekend. But each site was so large that even if you had neighbours, you would barely notice. Our site in particular, also had a large outdoor shelter, complete with a wood burning stove and picnic tables in case weather took a turn for the worse. Pretty cool! Firewood was also included in the cost of camping which was great as we didn't have to haul any along with us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJJMn0MzxO2Msh2ZC8_h5Y8NAOkXgL10k5f97MJRE6y4oDcOWed2glWZZpLUktC5UrltvChwnofqfEV9IvknHe9kn170Oz6z1DH8Ko9-EqyntDtjNWv5jYllfUZZLPch9mTZTYBP-UBXL/s1600/campingkootneayplains2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJJMn0MzxO2Msh2ZC8_h5Y8NAOkXgL10k5f97MJRE6y4oDcOWed2glWZZpLUktC5UrltvChwnofqfEV9IvknHe9kn170Oz6z1DH8Ko9-EqyntDtjNWv5jYllfUZZLPch9mTZTYBP-UBXL/s640/campingkootneayplains2.JPG" title="Tent Camping with Kids" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLboXecWFiS4WcFwkytYKpYA5WHupYarsAtPDrNNua7xmEzw9OdiYDG1QHJ8jzwx4V-zuhGOWWuIcUGOn4q6JzD1Z8uZYc6F19mG5Ixtz-QHjk6lNi4a7yuLYUnHcAg6q0bHRoZPml6K7/s1600/campingkootenayplains14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLboXecWFiS4WcFwkytYKpYA5WHupYarsAtPDrNNua7xmEzw9OdiYDG1QHJ8jzwx4V-zuhGOWWuIcUGOn4q6JzD1Z8uZYc6F19mG5Ixtz-QHjk6lNi4a7yuLYUnHcAg6q0bHRoZPml6K7/s640/campingkootenayplains14.JPG" title="Camping with kids" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepGaMSQOiAguBOBhyEB8MDPbrJ3ts9qumYlkWsstmsi0K4YYedN8gmftPXEh1vwz-XUt3LagsIwvkuGn5oVvZeyTY0PL2iGtQxKsmPjmkBsyRfhPQUdKPtY4RYh1acNFNtNg7SbnjrHqb/s1600/campingkootenayplains15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepGaMSQOiAguBOBhyEB8MDPbrJ3ts9qumYlkWsstmsi0K4YYedN8gmftPXEh1vwz-XUt3LagsIwvkuGn5oVvZeyTY0PL2iGtQxKsmPjmkBsyRfhPQUdKPtY4RYh1acNFNtNg7SbnjrHqb/s640/campingkootenayplains15.JPG" title="Tent Camping with Kids" width="640" /></a></div>
We arrived around 4pm, quickly set up camp and then spent the evening cooking, eating and drinking, while the kids and Karen's dog ran around and played. So much open space for the kids! A couple sets of friends weren't able to make it after all, so it was just us, Karen's family and Karen's husband's Aunt and Uncle. It was great spending the weekend with my best friend and watching our kids play so well together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-N5ix3kZyQt0buo1SKowPw9gFGZtOB9TTa4HAAx8ax5jk_chOsLzFj5SOeZzxSIds_hx1YtCVbO-Pl2kyMERuJlB01XwzKeMI6-nk3mlS0iIs8xypnkHxbowo_eUhl5_HHHYJujb295Z/s1600/campingkootenayplains16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Calvacade Group Camping Kootenay Plains" border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-N5ix3kZyQt0buo1SKowPw9gFGZtOB9TTa4HAAx8ax5jk_chOsLzFj5SOeZzxSIds_hx1YtCVbO-Pl2kyMERuJlB01XwzKeMI6-nk3mlS0iIs8xypnkHxbowo_eUhl5_HHHYJujb295Z/s640/campingkootenayplains16.JPG" title="Camping with Kids" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFd4M9BqhylCqQJ6j4V8CVSX9JzC60KWQI8satxLl2-yByQwYK8EjckZxv-IXSTEX7Mr8VgYTVMMiAX2Zz6e1lejZxGpfDAlMT-JC72Wuw-z0L_ASaMikzRKQ77Jan4632IeVZaRx-_5vx/s1600/campingkootenayplains17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Calvacade Group Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFd4M9BqhylCqQJ6j4V8CVSX9JzC60KWQI8satxLl2-yByQwYK8EjckZxv-IXSTEX7Mr8VgYTVMMiAX2Zz6e1lejZxGpfDAlMT-JC72Wuw-z0L_ASaMikzRKQ77Jan4632IeVZaRx-_5vx/s640/campingkootenayplains17.JPG" title="Camping with kids" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1v2RVYssoh8qJFlSbQLzuTa5fCoOxBnUIIxvc19DEhmyh-2IZXBb9PF9btAOeo5Te0R30vvanrj104pooPNG9AsCrkOGMo_ywm0r40B10hTIRoVex4FMMWSlG_d36gzIq1R4m0zTrZmgF/s1600/campingkootenayplains18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kootenay Plains, Alberta Group Camping" border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1v2RVYssoh8qJFlSbQLzuTa5fCoOxBnUIIxvc19DEhmyh-2IZXBb9PF9btAOeo5Te0R30vvanrj104pooPNG9AsCrkOGMo_ywm0r40B10hTIRoVex4FMMWSlG_d36gzIq1R4m0zTrZmgF/s640/campingkootenayplains18.JPG" title="Camping with Friends" width="640" /></a></div>
As for night time - I'm not going to lie. It was COLD. I wasn't really thinking about how early in the year it was, so I was not prepared to be so cold at night! I definitely regretted taking my leggings out of my duffel bag at the last minute! Emmy was a trooper though and napped and slept great! Karen leant us a travel sized playpen for using in the tent, and I brought along her <a href="http://amzn.to/2sexrld" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dockatot</a>. At whatever time she would wake up to eat in the middle of the night, I would just bring her into bed where I kept her till morning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qizF4Uu6RWlTNogR8qUdtsi88swNoxYPiNWfFLnseGFKh7UGdVFJYdQ5jWD4wEOl4HjZ7rfUJkY_ENtpq73Hi-4Xqh_Dmx90tjxM7R0lOE7aOdXL4ebijkpiglCfRYBg2CRfMDczrV9D/s1600/campingkootenayplains19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping with a baby" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qizF4Uu6RWlTNogR8qUdtsi88swNoxYPiNWfFLnseGFKh7UGdVFJYdQ5jWD4wEOl4HjZ7rfUJkY_ENtpq73Hi-4Xqh_Dmx90tjxM7R0lOE7aOdXL4ebijkpiglCfRYBg2CRfMDczrV9D/s640/campingkootenayplains19.JPG" title="Camping with the Dockatot" width="640" /></a></div>
I was worried about how Sully would take going to the washroom in a pit toilet, but he thought they were totally funny and awesome! He couldn't get over the fact that he was peeing into a big hole and that there was no handle to flush. Thank goodness he thought it was a novelty to use them! And I have to say, the outhouses at the campground were spotless and maintained daily, which made using them that much easier.<br />
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I already feel like the rest of the summer weekends are filling up quick, so I'm so glad we made it out once already to camp. We do plan to keep the rest of our camping trips this summer closer to home, but we definitely plan to return to this place again in the future!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJT7Rg2b64DPvHKcUOVCfqXW_cf1D4iX0t7LBnlFFuTH92ID3i8l0z7_SMEL3f2964GTIcRDwV6V4Xlg6I7GYzNW9dj_LPPAhYCGC78TGOZL5BGsSBQqJ83HwF-rRZpF_ZraEnTMKq9C2/s1600/campingkootenayplains5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hiking in the Kootenay Plains " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJT7Rg2b64DPvHKcUOVCfqXW_cf1D4iX0t7LBnlFFuTH92ID3i8l0z7_SMEL3f2964GTIcRDwV6V4Xlg6I7GYzNW9dj_LPPAhYCGC78TGOZL5BGsSBQqJ83HwF-rRZpF_ZraEnTMKq9C2/s640/campingkootenayplains5.JPG" title="Camping with kids and babies" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpmWeVygK4dIS5gcDTS92P5l6tn8A6N5ZKtmZEP70g0jUakTWpDRAfcyIeWKx33xmD2ZdPI1Pzrb3AfPHlfmEMdtKlEy4bFvo50eyDdhYgVFBd81Nsesom4S4rB-5ESWK6oc3CHH2H7E-/s1600/campingkootenayplains7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hiking in the Kootenay Plains" border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpmWeVygK4dIS5gcDTS92P5l6tn8A6N5ZKtmZEP70g0jUakTWpDRAfcyIeWKx33xmD2ZdPI1Pzrb3AfPHlfmEMdtKlEy4bFvo50eyDdhYgVFBd81Nsesom4S4rB-5ESWK6oc3CHH2H7E-/s640/campingkootenayplains7.JPG" title="Camping with Friends" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6kt4fgnVIQylE9tpZSONCjz8_FiDXqofbK-CAXUbfL-thci4q12Kn-OVWvfaUIx62mSMjNpltGSdJphbtY66C8FFHmzjAZRQGnSTROuTxj7xo_I7hyphenhyphenACbpSm-5Q01xb3qOgUThugDQct/s1600/campingkootenayplains6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6kt4fgnVIQylE9tpZSONCjz8_FiDXqofbK-CAXUbfL-thci4q12Kn-OVWvfaUIx62mSMjNpltGSdJphbtY66C8FFHmzjAZRQGnSTROuTxj7xo_I7hyphenhyphenACbpSm-5Q01xb3qOgUThugDQct/s640/campingkootenayplains6.JPG" title="Camping with kids" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VkVOVryzaatnC1ghq2-4rRh1_0tuF6yoTRNngZqYlFGz4V8ZR-Y0K4N3SkLB44URyXeenPXn_enENtdYinAennxST5s_vWF-ZtyOpK107tLzPB4Oze29mQxhg4Lq3uRGOR0JxQmncR4D/s1600/campingkootenayplains13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VkVOVryzaatnC1ghq2-4rRh1_0tuF6yoTRNngZqYlFGz4V8ZR-Y0K4N3SkLB44URyXeenPXn_enENtdYinAennxST5s_vWF-ZtyOpK107tLzPB4Oze29mQxhg4Lq3uRGOR0JxQmncR4D/s640/campingkootenayplains13.JPG" title="Camping with a baby" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rXfuGCYTtLBCWfPFxZ7H1KJc8bl-EJKaeP0UCITckNZNL6s_X72cqmsP_3j4C22pWg11dyND42pfWHc4PNOTaOSWhVmEUppJgfjcEDye7ayY1FJU-WxiDgNOVguIbu5bk7yDppQrxPS8/s1600/campingkootenayplains8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rXfuGCYTtLBCWfPFxZ7H1KJc8bl-EJKaeP0UCITckNZNL6s_X72cqmsP_3j4C22pWg11dyND42pfWHc4PNOTaOSWhVmEUppJgfjcEDye7ayY1FJU-WxiDgNOVguIbu5bk7yDppQrxPS8/s640/campingkootenayplains8.JPG" title="Kootenay Plains Suspension Bridge" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH-35ROaxoZ5zi4if5sTy-nEOGyKRVWc7Rns4way7BmuewJzzM-8NMkd1Jhp653xxa-mCe6uI7siuYW-rNOALM9YJtIQDc4o_9FGqp7QSvbpv-TpZWsUfHWpJKcsqHhL7ur2E75oljgFM/s1600/campingkootenayplains9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH-35ROaxoZ5zi4if5sTy-nEOGyKRVWc7Rns4way7BmuewJzzM-8NMkd1Jhp653xxa-mCe6uI7siuYW-rNOALM9YJtIQDc4o_9FGqp7QSvbpv-TpZWsUfHWpJKcsqHhL7ur2E75oljgFM/s640/campingkootenayplains9.JPG" title="Suspension Bridge Kootenay Plains" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmrnKckAKzyiQq_4lj68Jk0L7wr50QQyELHRc2__1qBAYViPx-YrsOLyXITNzO-rvPSZ4HYGvoHtAdAUdR9B8CdUBy3wkSUf9oGyelIb0R9hPm7YWIXUcto7sxwreFkj8Pqj_PbJecroO/s1600/campingkootenayplains12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmrnKckAKzyiQq_4lj68Jk0L7wr50QQyELHRc2__1qBAYViPx-YrsOLyXITNzO-rvPSZ4HYGvoHtAdAUdR9B8CdUBy3wkSUf9oGyelIb0R9hPm7YWIXUcto7sxwreFkj8Pqj_PbJecroO/s640/campingkootenayplains12.JPG" title="Kootenay Plains Suspension Bridge" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8LPbDmzE-S-FySB-CCKpSVFCA3htJLV0hEDYHETcVy80ARPkn_Cio6qk-MWSU2oDdkQx7sWQAvxEAUOxXF8wnVvBit54F5_4xF1qXFEefOo2HLzC1-3fT1llwWt2dJG4j66i3w8zfXnm/s1600/campingkootenayplains10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Camping in the Kootenay Plains, Alberta " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8LPbDmzE-S-FySB-CCKpSVFCA3htJLV0hEDYHETcVy80ARPkn_Cio6qk-MWSU2oDdkQx7sWQAvxEAUOxXF8wnVvBit54F5_4xF1qXFEefOo2HLzC1-3fT1llwWt2dJG4j66i3w8zfXnm/s1600/campingkootenayplains10.JPG" title="Kootenay Plains Suspension Bridge" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>{the coolest 6 year old I know}</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>Do you like to camp? Where's the best place you've every camped?</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>Tent or trailer? :) </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-90823530239329540732017-06-21T19:27:00.000-06:002017-06-21T21:14:36.769-06:00Emmeline: 5 Months<i>*This post is about 3 weeks late, but better late than never, amiright?! ;) </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAghu3elX-VGLG2AxcGQ_1Rgpg1GHxXV1SGbDcFfxgMeNznRwpN9hxvKVQc2KXRMqUih-O0SP0O7QZkER0gg2zmpn-PxiwXGSyzN9d2SJlwnIUkxk6qF-Ktq-OEqt32SteoD50vMHXhaf/s1600/5months.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 Months Old" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAghu3elX-VGLG2AxcGQ_1Rgpg1GHxXV1SGbDcFfxgMeNznRwpN9hxvKVQc2KXRMqUih-O0SP0O7QZkER0gg2zmpn-PxiwXGSyzN9d2SJlwnIUkxk6qF-Ktq-OEqt32SteoD50vMHXhaf/s640/5months.JPG" title="5 Months Old Update" width="640" /></a></div>
Oh Miss Emmy!<br />
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How are you 5 months old already?! Sometimes I look at you in your beloved <a href="http://amzn.to/2rXzNnB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mamaroo Swing</a> and I can't get over how big you look in it compared to when you were first born. We didn't get you weighed this month, but you're starting to grow out of your 0-3 month clothes and some 3 month clothes as well, so I know you're growing!<br />
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You're still exclusively breastfed, and will take the odd bottle of expressed milk when needed. I'm looking forward to starting you on solids next month though! Your brother's first food was avocado on toast cut into strips and I think we will try the same on you to see your reaction to it. To this day, it's still his favourite food to eat!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoxYY7a5PFmNdHSt8HezXQK8OrhUuKGTbHkd3pJZaNxAA3dHh3QjFa7GONdqE7C9VhDgDXQRMdhgb19S3UqPVY5rE2H3pKUpBM2uQ81SCnry0OtgVTlE8Lc6OdiXLDXWeAHTryitYx2DA/s1600/5monthupdate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Five Months" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoxYY7a5PFmNdHSt8HezXQK8OrhUuKGTbHkd3pJZaNxAA3dHh3QjFa7GONdqE7C9VhDgDXQRMdhgb19S3UqPVY5rE2H3pKUpBM2uQ81SCnry0OtgVTlE8Lc6OdiXLDXWeAHTryitYx2DA/s640/5monthupdate.JPG" title="5 Months Old Update" width="640" /></a></div>
You still aren't rolling over, but you are SO close. That darn, pesky arm just keeps getting in the way! The day before you turned 5 months old, you finally found your toes! This is one of my favourite milestones, watching babies grab their toes and rock back and forth. You are strong enough to sit up in the jumperoo without any padding, but you only tolerate for 15 minutes at the most. Guess it's time to dig out the jolly jumper! You're usually pretty happy to just lay on your activity mat and grab at the toys hanging above you, and when that no longer entertains you, then you like to be held facing out so you can see everything that is going on. You really resist being put in a sitting position, preferring to be held while standing. It's like you're reading to take to the ground running before even learning to sit or crawl! I imagine life will become much more exciting for you once you are able to sit on your own.<br />
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Emmy, you're still such a happy baby and such a good little sleeper. I still nap you in your swing, but at night, you sleep peacefully in your <a href="http://amzn.to/2rXAcqg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dockatot</a> in our bed. I realized that this is around the time I transitioned your brother to his crib so we will probably get on that soon. While I love having you right next to me, I can't help but wonder if you would sleep longer stretches without me being by your side. We shall see! Even though you nurse at night and go straight back to sleep, it would be nice to get more than 3-4 hours of sleep in a row!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pcqsqh5QJW-OW9TWoRegICBpGCPyo3f0oWI_KBcP2qHQxpApNcNp0qyEZ2j04ywbjGEonjK5HVSmLRnsJOyTmLZBWUlsz9HhstNx7N0ziWf_i8Kk1woHGRhkGwdMY2oXMgzxodQ8enaV/s1600/5monthupdate3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 Months Old" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pcqsqh5QJW-OW9TWoRegICBpGCPyo3f0oWI_KBcP2qHQxpApNcNp0qyEZ2j04ywbjGEonjK5HVSmLRnsJOyTmLZBWUlsz9HhstNx7N0ziWf_i8Kk1woHGRhkGwdMY2oXMgzxodQ8enaV/s640/5monthupdate3.JPG" title="5 Months Old Update" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR4hToy21LWhbJKYPua0wKZvyI7jHfvTfybqM0aG2ldh6YBoTBHDB1jOI_Mw28PJzh_0C4pBXsKSu2r-mYJczORmCdqAJu5e9yd-gfz9PWsd25TImmxzgnSUlNyGRRsunpjRegKcAVQxw/s1600/5monthupdate2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 Months Old" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR4hToy21LWhbJKYPua0wKZvyI7jHfvTfybqM0aG2ldh6YBoTBHDB1jOI_Mw28PJzh_0C4pBXsKSu2r-mYJczORmCdqAJu5e9yd-gfz9PWsd25TImmxzgnSUlNyGRRsunpjRegKcAVQxw/s640/5monthupdate2.JPG" title="5 Months Old Update" width="640" /></a></div>
It's such a joy watching you grow, Emmy. The love I have for both you and your brother is a love I never knew was possible! I'm so grateful I get to be a mom to both of you.<br />
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xoxo<br />
Mommy<br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-13160201320066465032017-05-30T06:00:00.000-06:002017-05-30T06:00:33.085-06:00What Beautycounter Means to MeWe live in a world where pretty much everything we could want is available at our fingertips. There's a grocery store on every corner, box stores full of disposable fashion, makeup and beauty products, in every quadrant of the city. In fact, you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home, as everything is available online with a few clicks and a credit card. What I've started to notice about this conveniency is that it can result in a lot of mindless purchases, choosing the product off the shelf that has the best advertising, best price, best smell, or it's the only one available. This in turn creates overflowing toiletry drawers, crammed junk drawers and the feeling of needing to declutter way too often.<br />
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Then Emmy was born. And I was reminded again of the fact that I'm not just responsible for myself, but I'm also responsible for two tiny humans. A new baby, with brand new skin, really made me reevaluate the products I was purchasing: were the "natural" products actually natural? Were the ingredients listed ones I was comfortable slathering all over their precious skin? Was that cartoon character, "hypoallergenic and gentle" bubble bath safe? Could I do better? And then I started thinking...why am I only concerned about what I'm putting on my children's skin? Why am I not questioning the products in <i>my </i>bathroom?<br />
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Recently, as my 34th birthday approached, I started to reevaluate the kind of life I wanted to live and the kind of life I wanted to model for my impressionable children. I used to pride myself in cooking healthful, clean meals, avoiding processed snacks, questioning the beauty products I was putting onto my body, cleaning with nontoxic cleaners, and purchasing quality items over quantity. But somewhere in the past year or so, I have lost my way. I am far from perfect, and with a toddler and a baby at home, my home is also far from perfect. I am not a minimalist, nor will I ever be one, but I do desire simplicity where I can find it, and luxury where I can afford it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1DlP_aL24NPab94euaZ1PlGM1dr0r9AYQUPvAcXzyNj_ibrsYnaq4pihYzAgrdto6HDwg5soUjo4waYRe9LnOwVnX1EQjDWjLLj2l-p7S2o93e700ipRtEmoVWrU5RgZg3GcXJtPuzkk/s1600/beautycounter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What Beautycounter means to me" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1DlP_aL24NPab94euaZ1PlGM1dr0r9AYQUPvAcXzyNj_ibrsYnaq4pihYzAgrdto6HDwg5soUjo4waYRe9LnOwVnX1EQjDWjLLj2l-p7S2o93e700ipRtEmoVWrU5RgZg3GcXJtPuzkk/s640/beautycounter.JPG" title="Why I Joined Beautycounter " width="640" /></a></div>
Around this time, I started to notice <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser" target="_blank">Beautycounter</a> products popping up on my social media, and then also around this time, I happened to connect with a woman on Instagram who was already involved with Beautycounter. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dawncstringer/" target="_blank">Dawn</a> ever so gently provided me with some information on the company while also giving me some samples of their products. After doing a lot of research and trying some of the products, I was not only hooked, I was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r71fevA_77s" target="_blank">inspired</a>.<br />
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You see, Beautycounter is more than just a line of luxurious and toxin-free beauty products. It's a lifestyle. It's a movement. It's an opportunity to change the beauty product market. The more research I did, and the more I educated myself about the products I was currently using (some that I assumed were safe because of good marketing), the more horrified I became. There are currently more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today, and only 500 of them have been prohibited for use in the cosmetic industry in Canada. The US has only banned 30 to date, but the EU is far ahead of the game, with more than 1300 chemicals banned in personal care products. Beautycounter is a company devoted to progress. They have created a <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/the-never-list/" target="_blank">Never List</a> - a list that includes over 1500 questionable or harmful ingredients that they will never use in their products.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGAHuW6tk_Mt2jQzNL6NATxfvfo9hBuS8nCBhGfDSy_0h2DMNJKdjmQWeFKyKKzxUnaxC68hzxpiDb0oVrYSFJRNIBOMxikaa0M9xkjwMi2LmndfDZ411eKZNpBuiowbZ6c97wdLO6PFV/s1600/beautycountersneverlist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ingredients that should never be in beauty products via Beautycounter" border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="960" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGAHuW6tk_Mt2jQzNL6NATxfvfo9hBuS8nCBhGfDSy_0h2DMNJKdjmQWeFKyKKzxUnaxC68hzxpiDb0oVrYSFJRNIBOMxikaa0M9xkjwMi2LmndfDZ411eKZNpBuiowbZ6c97wdLO6PFV/s640/beautycountersneverlist.jpg" title="Beautycounter The Never List" width="640" /></a></div>
Beautycounter wants to make <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/our-story" target="_blank">the world a healthier and safer place,</a> and so do I. To me, it's more than just purchasing their products. It's about educating yourself and the loved ones around you. Start reading the labels on your beauty products, familiarize yourself with some of the <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/the-never-list/" target="_blank">big no-no ingredients</a> (BHA, BHT, EDTA, Parabens - methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- etc., Phthalates, Retinol - vitamin A, SLS & SLES, Fragrance - a term that can include any combination of up to 3000+ chemical ingredients) just to name a few.<br />
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Our skin is our largest organ. How can we care about what we eat, about how often we workout, ensure we take our vitamins, if we're just going to slather chemicals all over our bodies? It takes less than 30 seconds for our bodies to absorb the chemicals in our beauty products into our blood streams. I cannot help but think about the impact this has to be having on our bodies. Don't we deserve better? Don't you deserve better? Don't our children deserve better? If I can care about what I'm putting on my children's skin, I should care about what I'm putting on my skin.<br />
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So, if you're still reading this, to make a long story short, I joined <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/en-ca/brieanafraser" target="_blank">Beautycounter</a> as a consultant because I want to be part of the change and I want to share it with everyone I know and love. Do I think you need to own every single product of theirs? Of course not. There is plenty of room to continue to support the small, local shops that are also contributing to this movement by making safe, and clean beauty products. My wish is to educate, to get my friends and family reading the labels on their beauty products just as much as the labels on their food. To vote with their dollars by making better choices as we move forward. To be more mindful in what we not only put in our bodies, but by what we put on it. To choose safe, quality beauty products over quantity.<br />
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Beautycounter has become a part of my daily life now, so you will see it pop up here and there. If you want to learn more, I would love to talk with you. Send me an email, or find me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sliceofbrie/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. But most of all, I want you to remember that your body is worth it.<br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-28335841728837061632017-05-19T06:00:00.000-06:002017-05-19T06:00:14.322-06:00Mind & Body 4 Months Postpartum This is a vulnerable post. This is where I'm going to talk about what my postpartum journey has been like. It's raw, honest and real. Sometimes I don't think this part of pregnancy and motherhood is talked about enough. And with social media nowadays, it's mostly the pretty and curated that is shared. Not that I don't too share that, or enjoy seeing those photos in my feed, I just think it's important to recognize and appreciate all aspects of the postpartum process, not just the beautiful baby that is the result of one's pregnancy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0rd-w84t5d87VMzpgg3gXakeYi7XZVq-Knmwmj0xcc0Dri_bSn71DqiyIo81vZb6ROHtyehb8QGljDO7K3L-aJpH64rGoJhxmgDu5cey3MgYodI7chQk6QJqrtLjl3_hmKEG3lx7C82y/s1600/postpartum4months2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mind and Body at 4 months postpartum" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0rd-w84t5d87VMzpgg3gXakeYi7XZVq-Knmwmj0xcc0Dri_bSn71DqiyIo81vZb6ROHtyehb8QGljDO7K3L-aJpH64rGoJhxmgDu5cey3MgYodI7chQk6QJqrtLjl3_hmKEG3lx7C82y/s640/postpartum4months2.JPG" title="Mind and Body Post Partum - an Honest reflection" width="640" /></a></div>
I don't often talk about my physical appearance. I've never publicly shown "before and after" photos. While I don't completely refrain from posting photos of myself, I don't like to draw attention to my body either. But I try to remember where I've come from and where my journey is taking me.<br />
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Pregnancy is hard on your body. You grow and change shape, all while nourishing a little human being inside of you for ten months. Just when you think your belly cannot possibly get any bigger, it does. Everything you do, including breathing, becomes uncomfortable and it's hard to imagine that you will ever feel "normal" again.<br />
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But then one day, that little baby finally decides to vacate it's premises and all of a sudden you're not pregnant anymore. It's a really surreal feeling to go from pregnant one minute, to not pregnant the next. Your breasts are larger than ever, and mostly likely becoming engorged. Your belly, while flatter than you're used to, still resembles something like a 6 month belly bump, except it's soft and lumpy, not nice and round. Your muscles are soft and you will experience uterine contractions that rival any menstrual cramp you've ever had. Going poop will be a terrifying experience for the first several days. And you will bleed enough over the next few weeks to make you think you are making up for ten months of no periods.<br />
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And if you've had a c-section, like I did, then you can add healing of your incision, numbness and pain to the list. And don't forget that you can't pick up anything over 15 pounds, or drive, for the next 6 weeks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_zC36dbiiW1GjQyBrgYVxVWAWfBJ2Bdhr5r_VEhFQjxo4nfLVGa10GP-J7atgd9KF8oXjfX0-krn1FQc6KLUl8MyuwdtDHnY2RlPVJ2UPyBQqderUW2rAt8lE6LZ_UKMMi-VwJmySExf/s1600/postpartum4months1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mind and Body Post Partum" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_zC36dbiiW1GjQyBrgYVxVWAWfBJ2Bdhr5r_VEhFQjxo4nfLVGa10GP-J7atgd9KF8oXjfX0-krn1FQc6KLUl8MyuwdtDHnY2RlPVJ2UPyBQqderUW2rAt8lE6LZ_UKMMi-VwJmySExf/s640/postpartum4months1.JPG" title="Mind and Body Post Partum - an honest reflection" width="640" /></a></div>
My recovery this time around was a completely different experience than my first c-section. My pain was better managed, my milk came in right away, and my bowels woke up much quicker. I was up walking with assistance less than 12 hours after my surgery. I felt 100x better than I did after my first delivery and I was home 3 days later. I haven't experienced any baby blues this time around and I have more energy and motivation as well. Mentally, I feel fantastic.<br />
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Around 7 weeks postpartum, I remember thinking that the incisional pain/tingling/numbness was never going to go away. I was still periodically getting weird twinges and was very aware of my incision. But then, just like that, I woke up one morning and all those weird physical feelings were gone. It was also around this time that I finally felt ready to embark on my postpartum fitness journey, and at 8 weeks postpartum, I was cleared to resume all regular activities and exercise. But being cleared and actually resuming an active lifestyle are two different things. I've dabbled in the odd workout, but I've been unable to stick to any sort of routine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlzoI0t_FIITHD37Pxpja7mQU20pkm85cvm5WvNdi-lNb7Y4Fsflkslv9IjLjZi6qg-XmrtHikTRPfZR_kiq5_ZsUmPOcM_bl3y2VMg07-Tg1suw8ncIjHsfXkDXUHIoC-ZrCno-rrA1_/s1600/postpartum4months.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="an honest reflection on the postpartum process" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlzoI0t_FIITHD37Pxpja7mQU20pkm85cvm5WvNdi-lNb7Y4Fsflkslv9IjLjZi6qg-XmrtHikTRPfZR_kiq5_ZsUmPOcM_bl3y2VMg07-Tg1suw8ncIjHsfXkDXUHIoC-ZrCno-rrA1_/s640/postpartum4months.JPG" title="post partum reflection" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm not happy with what I see when I look in the mirror. I am beyond happy with what my body has provided me with - another child - and I marvel at the true miracle of childbirth and I will always be thankful and grateful for what my body has given me, but no, I'm not happy with the extra 25 pounds I'm carrying, I'm not happy that nothing in my closet fits, that maternity clothes are more comfortable than regular clothes, that my breasts are larger than they ever have been, and that I'm self-concisous of the extra rolls around my mid-section.<br />
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I truly believe you can love your body but also not like what you see. And I'm also realistic. I know I just had a baby. I know it took ten months to grow and nurture my daughter in utero. I know I'm beyond lucky that breastfeeding is easy for me. And I know that it takes kindness, patience and time to get my body back to a place I want it to be at. But it's also hard not to want it "right now!". And I'm also finding it hard to motivate myself to work on that better version of myself. Taking care of a toddler and a small baby is exhausting. I'm not in a place where I want to get up early to workout and I definitely don't want to in the evenings. And during the day, well, I'm just trying to keep everyone alive and fed.<br />
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I also know that this is just the season of life for me right now. My baby won't always be <i>as</i> needy, my son will soon start pre-school, I <i>will</i> get more sleep at night, my breasts will change as the demand for my milk changes, and I will figure out a way, hopefully, to somewhat balance motherhood and the need for self-care. Because my babies are worth it. Because I'm worth it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetDdMxAAbtx4jzGhagVhMCN7I6OEJK_EOBsXuG7VoxLfyt8ASivaFz8Bo4tWWhPbxswGTDOZVUMQaka0d0bRmBaucFj0OobByN64EPBF8qZz1iouFp3h4ydBKH09nkl3T4bpt8uK_WUwA/s1600/postpartum4months3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="postpartum an honest discussion" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetDdMxAAbtx4jzGhagVhMCN7I6OEJK_EOBsXuG7VoxLfyt8ASivaFz8Bo4tWWhPbxswGTDOZVUMQaka0d0bRmBaucFj0OobByN64EPBF8qZz1iouFp3h4ydBKH09nkl3T4bpt8uK_WUwA/s640/postpartum4months3.JPG" title="4 months postpartum" width="640" /></a></div>
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*<i>I took these pictures 2 months ago when I was 10 weeks post partum, but I'm pretty sure I look the same today.</i><br />
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Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-88603051270429497902017-05-16T06:00:00.000-06:002017-05-16T06:00:37.879-06:00Florida Family Vacation 2017Ever since Jim's parents bought a retirement place down in Florida several years ago, we've maintained a pretty good track record of getting down there almost every year. With young kids, it's so nice to have a tropical place to go visit where your accommodations are taken care of and you're family is at. We had so much fun when we took Sully to Florida <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2016/02/florida-family-vacation-2015.html" target="_blank">for the first time</a> back in December of 2015, so I was really excited to get back there with him. As luck would have it, both Sully and I ended up getting really sick while we were there, which put a bit of a damper on doing all the things we had hoped to do. But with a baby in tow, our expectations were low to begin with, and we were just happy to be somewhere warm and with family.<br />
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It's hard to believe it's already been a month since we got back home! There was a lot of downtime while we were there, but I'm sharing my favourite photos from the trip which capture the fun we did have. Some of the highlights include: sunny days at the pool, playing shuffleboard, hitting up my favourite stores: Target and Trader Joe's, riding in the golf cart, watching the dolphins swim in the ocean and eating the most delicious ice cream at the Orange Grove. My camera roll has a lot of photos of Emmy sleeping and I joked earlier on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sliceofbrie/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> that she slept through the entire trip! Such a good sleeper, that little girl of mine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdYdloi9r4eC2AMxg40FBIaKnQ8Ka_uuON7DQwixLVqveXw25Od8D5Y6burhrJY-wKmEUbSvuTCjLFGP97C29tf6AWhl3ifpAqxmu_TY7ECrRYb6I95W7AAbwkC4qUjvPOodoq0UwwWvj/s1600/floridatrip3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Family Vacation 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdYdloi9r4eC2AMxg40FBIaKnQ8Ka_uuON7DQwixLVqveXw25Od8D5Y6burhrJY-wKmEUbSvuTCjLFGP97C29tf6AWhl3ifpAqxmu_TY7ECrRYb6I95W7AAbwkC4qUjvPOodoq0UwwWvj/s640/floridatrip3.JPG" title="Florida Vacation 2017" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rsqOLdGvtljYporizhf_7x4d92Yai9eWlfM7peafUOA2zrUerMG9QMa74hMVf8rTsCNtI3S6SBwZcnOpEV7E2vH6IhudvPhGKrtjo4crwcG0oLZX9U_MJq77rBT4qXF30rYaOExJslc6/s1600/florida4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rsqOLdGvtljYporizhf_7x4d92Yai9eWlfM7peafUOA2zrUerMG9QMa74hMVf8rTsCNtI3S6SBwZcnOpEV7E2vH6IhudvPhGKrtjo4crwcG0oLZX9U_MJq77rBT4qXF30rYaOExJslc6/s640/florida4.JPG" title="Florida Family Vacation 2017" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxSUXBb4He-jVy8CngkPIuHuSMwuGzbVICUvQ1SIj722ykVmFY8LpZD8QVoZ4cTm_Q05QGgVCxd8xb-2ZZdTCi4h3CJ2v2Ld-TSTUTPKx9MgFVK4zusFHc4U09AoGadDmVdVjCRPaWALI/s1600/floridatrip5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Family Vacation 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxSUXBb4He-jVy8CngkPIuHuSMwuGzbVICUvQ1SIj722ykVmFY8LpZD8QVoZ4cTm_Q05QGgVCxd8xb-2ZZdTCi4h3CJ2v2Ld-TSTUTPKx9MgFVK4zusFHc4U09AoGadDmVdVjCRPaWALI/s640/floridatrip5.JPG" title="Greetings From Florida!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cRX_GZXOzBRYDrZT0wD60SIeyOZ8p0yxmT0mk7OC0KWLFHhOSJLH7KhjqlaLq2GZP9swG3nHuZBfXD4ojiMXiG3FfaGl4k8zVg4nLSl4MgYlcfnuhOtDQ-l_zlLaKo8v6Rm4hLG3akQN/s1600/floridatrip6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Vacation 2017" border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cRX_GZXOzBRYDrZT0wD60SIeyOZ8p0yxmT0mk7OC0KWLFHhOSJLH7KhjqlaLq2GZP9swG3nHuZBfXD4ojiMXiG3FfaGl4k8zVg4nLSl4MgYlcfnuhOtDQ-l_zlLaKo8v6Rm4hLG3akQN/s640/floridatrip6.JPG" title="Florida Family Fun" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkVTIijVILtklmNbJryKZ7iJ_nGcfliwMaOZ051VxcSBVdIStcJuKu7RL95XTndYCPw37vtMYYorx88-bbu3df-RHz77Q4k_-JV3H96XUzIpSFrj4EDMTDdOIPTy0PWYC6fy39aKoRyEL/s1600/floridatrip7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Vacation 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkVTIijVILtklmNbJryKZ7iJ_nGcfliwMaOZ051VxcSBVdIStcJuKu7RL95XTndYCPw37vtMYYorx88-bbu3df-RHz77Q4k_-JV3H96XUzIpSFrj4EDMTDdOIPTy0PWYC6fy39aKoRyEL/s640/floridatrip7.JPG" title="Trader Joe's Sarasota" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLvI0tZIV0POsXN-geonwBXVWZAaXL5fxoqB27wwQGj5DrUoAhe_StSb57Zpkm_p6qldqdZBLNo_d500JjM0YnnMA9B-ERRsbPEIJt0roLlln6jlDxSwTmT1fJsj3_M1CqstsGHvoluuI/s1600/floridatrip8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Family Vacation 2017" border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLvI0tZIV0POsXN-geonwBXVWZAaXL5fxoqB27wwQGj5DrUoAhe_StSb57Zpkm_p6qldqdZBLNo_d500JjM0YnnMA9B-ERRsbPEIJt0roLlln6jlDxSwTmT1fJsj3_M1CqstsGHvoluuI/s640/floridatrip8.JPG" title="Trader Joe's Sarasota" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzHmQyT-vpvKGaiEQG2MIelHgbJ51DrDt73jt7UPaD0wImXGMMaWkPpqnua9emgcHEOFUfd8XwUsgYd90FYceBPgEKN1c6yWDid6KlwHGN7WXEixwMt4qj48_oagVVvT4Fc6Oj4k2UkFo/s1600/floridatrip9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Vacation 2017" border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzHmQyT-vpvKGaiEQG2MIelHgbJ51DrDt73jt7UPaD0wImXGMMaWkPpqnua9emgcHEOFUfd8XwUsgYd90FYceBPgEKN1c6yWDid6KlwHGN7WXEixwMt4qj48_oagVVvT4Fc6Oj4k2UkFo/s640/floridatrip9.JPG" title="Target Sarasota Florida" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlwL_gGqO7pop-IFazrkVU3rIc9p8LT3S1JDMR-Iz-d2qYi85dfIyK64tj01cowD9uYQQo-eqheILCSUA09MVEygaTth8dml6MvZYr9Ego87CYLA0NIWD6xhQMd9mLc5NZpDe6YyvYUvd/s1600/floridatrip10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Vacation 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlwL_gGqO7pop-IFazrkVU3rIc9p8LT3S1JDMR-Iz-d2qYi85dfIyK64tj01cowD9uYQQo-eqheILCSUA09MVEygaTth8dml6MvZYr9Ego87CYLA0NIWD6xhQMd9mLc5NZpDe6YyvYUvd/s640/floridatrip10.JPG" title="Florida Family Vacation " width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2B0W_g4fuKYEsXrwg-_wTbD9oKkoEEE6ydGPWJ2K9YQtu6QHoxnllSM-sLyObhzw67baJSwW2UDyepioQzS5EFcHSor8CEuKagDUYn1UotHzHocm0zeQ4CMdCpp0BSSGmzPzKWXyJEEKj/s1600/florida16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Family Fun" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2B0W_g4fuKYEsXrwg-_wTbD9oKkoEEE6ydGPWJ2K9YQtu6QHoxnllSM-sLyObhzw67baJSwW2UDyepioQzS5EFcHSor8CEuKagDUYn1UotHzHocm0zeQ4CMdCpp0BSSGmzPzKWXyJEEKj/s640/florida16.JPG" title="Shuffleboard in Florida" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kgm3bQrY5Mq-C2nWUYa2ws2559wnBRKPjbASn2LvJZU7GC0N8COaeqqwYf4b46GxbW7dirxFQF4IZdlHN1FK80FF9LV8hpu6-54A8AXk4Jnqs-WqFkKjy6tOzFMI8FF-dZqxpWosZtu0/s1600/florida17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Family Fun 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kgm3bQrY5Mq-C2nWUYa2ws2559wnBRKPjbASn2LvJZU7GC0N8COaeqqwYf4b46GxbW7dirxFQF4IZdlHN1FK80FF9LV8hpu6-54A8AXk4Jnqs-WqFkKjy6tOzFMI8FF-dZqxpWosZtu0/s640/florida17.JPG" title="Shuffleboard Champs" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiA6eQNyBw-xn_XhTqkeCuZkCe06aTSJBiyiOPCBJ3Da-iqHEIOEGT9hPFCW8VNuViR9MjnkYQU5vATCKMl-N4nCk87_NlTU8LIIH9PZttpIT0ONuouOwwDTDEwCrYmavBY5Qi3Ug8CQv8/s1600/florida18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Vacation 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiA6eQNyBw-xn_XhTqkeCuZkCe06aTSJBiyiOPCBJ3Da-iqHEIOEGT9hPFCW8VNuViR9MjnkYQU5vATCKMl-N4nCk87_NlTU8LIIH9PZttpIT0ONuouOwwDTDEwCrYmavBY5Qi3Ug8CQv8/s640/florida18.JPG" title="Nokomis Beach, Florida" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkr1YNYRfnQ8dWQWGhSlN5pXift_NrlLpDWM8n3fLs1hwoamynbOhaW-OUwI4DCsEqp5bHIagepW13wylOArh0RKbrWqiT55c_blnfSmFT9G6skBgP3eW4LmQCrpmsn7CZc_bJ-YdW442M/s1600/florida19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Vacation 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkr1YNYRfnQ8dWQWGhSlN5pXift_NrlLpDWM8n3fLs1hwoamynbOhaW-OUwI4DCsEqp5bHIagepW13wylOArh0RKbrWqiT55c_blnfSmFT9G6skBgP3eW4LmQCrpmsn7CZc_bJ-YdW442M/s640/florida19.JPG" title="Nokomis Beach, Florida" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezjw7aHTsbdP5sfQ1RdlrRcZafSfpYoqtyyGmfZvZEHp96fHh_yfi-pyJ1L1i7D5oc6YqNJ42v4AamVHv2B4-udM89EFFG3v5CvH0X7GCC99pzL68FPZX6JRUPZn8AjPiSvaKVS-bpPvZ/s1600/florida20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Vacation 2017" border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezjw7aHTsbdP5sfQ1RdlrRcZafSfpYoqtyyGmfZvZEHp96fHh_yfi-pyJ1L1i7D5oc6YqNJ42v4AamVHv2B4-udM89EFFG3v5CvH0X7GCC99pzL68FPZX6JRUPZn8AjPiSvaKVS-bpPvZ/s640/florida20.JPG" title="Nokomis Beach, Florida" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kERV2T0N8in2vdGSS9bC4phfWHZsZtHXnzDbnZ4W6KWKioo3av4Cud3x7G1YSGy3gmypniOfXN9zEJ1o3LrnVnH-ITIw-3kZe-8y0CHkOlN1PzIEZJUPRcyZKWG9FgZbTVW5nfKe3WTO/s1600/florida21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Best Ice Cream in Florida" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kERV2T0N8in2vdGSS9bC4phfWHZsZtHXnzDbnZ4W6KWKioo3av4Cud3x7G1YSGy3gmypniOfXN9zEJ1o3LrnVnH-ITIw-3kZe-8y0CHkOlN1PzIEZJUPRcyZKWG9FgZbTVW5nfKe3WTO/s640/florida21.JPG" title="The Orange Grove, Nokomis, Florida" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1LfFMtqlO4fTE6gW03hmxUFLWfGnNr3zI-xz_mu6tK6medX9989f_SZmXuoNEFeO_8DKXNm6S3b2WVa_UJcSlc-wB7QXvbI6tk2aSWvumEUxTcGXtgz472uGU_m-LyK7PdkwWUmWi_W8/s1600/floridatrip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1LfFMtqlO4fTE6gW03hmxUFLWfGnNr3zI-xz_mu6tK6medX9989f_SZmXuoNEFeO_8DKXNm6S3b2WVa_UJcSlc-wB7QXvbI6tk2aSWvumEUxTcGXtgz472uGU_m-LyK7PdkwWUmWi_W8/s640/floridatrip2.jpg" title="Florida Vacation 2017" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHNz5SIMcRXCooZY0EsAeWBlnnXFJ99M5ixBXtGKB73he_-qPXZ3ZmNBBCjgE6Z2h3_C51SAponIUyPdy91_xmwIsANMKdwZpeEnnv_QGRyTRY1WPrfKwHuAkVchU7_slJpd3ZxcTcdwg/s1600/florida11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHNz5SIMcRXCooZY0EsAeWBlnnXFJ99M5ixBXtGKB73he_-qPXZ3ZmNBBCjgE6Z2h3_C51SAponIUyPdy91_xmwIsANMKdwZpeEnnv_QGRyTRY1WPrfKwHuAkVchU7_slJpd3ZxcTcdwg/s640/florida11.JPG" title="Florida Family Vacation 2017" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MJ_JJlRyM6GpvfQX49Fn2uvqVo0a9MvImEXzeJHKnNv96YSFRTwVF0qTBPHp62_VZCDDU85HqCAx1NcE3t-zM6Z33xzgp5f0ctjrUF8ycdlukBy98igDW87AGABu3X2Knvz3thAQs6KX/s1600/florida22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Florida Family Vacation 2017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MJ_JJlRyM6GpvfQX49Fn2uvqVo0a9MvImEXzeJHKnNv96YSFRTwVF0qTBPHp62_VZCDDU85HqCAx1NcE3t-zM6Z33xzgp5f0ctjrUF8ycdlukBy98igDW87AGABu3X2Knvz3thAQs6KX/s640/florida22.JPG" title="Traveling with kids to Florida" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that's a wrap! I'm already dreaming about the day we can go back and do it all over again! :)<br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-17881936509430520482017-05-15T11:28:00.001-06:002017-05-15T11:28:51.954-06:00Emmeline: 4 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8biE_aiqP__COnsP8-mQ6XzLCCECH_R1K4azhaMor_mkKdhA6h9R-7PTE-_YOWtXpKFT-bc9xjW-3N0BQb1lm79STY5xNjMP7cey3aHhWVxdgCypGmEbWUdyvEn1oLZ9FsWCjTbSFvXlU/s1600/emmy4months.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmy Four Months" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8biE_aiqP__COnsP8-mQ6XzLCCECH_R1K4azhaMor_mkKdhA6h9R-7PTE-_YOWtXpKFT-bc9xjW-3N0BQb1lm79STY5xNjMP7cey3aHhWVxdgCypGmEbWUdyvEn1oLZ9FsWCjTbSFvXlU/s640/emmy4months.JPG" title="Four Months Update" width="640" /></a></div>
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My dearest, sweet Emmy...<br />
<br />
Suddenly, you are no longer my squishy little newborn. Instead, you are bright-eyed baby, alert and anxious to see everything going on around you. You have lots to say and make the cutest sounds. You've found your laugh this past month and it's the best sound ever! Of course, your big brother is the best at getting you to laugh. You love to watch him and are happiest when he plays with you when you are on the ground. You rolled over once from tummy to back and once from back to tummy, but have yet to do it again, but you are soooo close!<br />
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You might not be a newborn anymore, but you're still my little peanut, tipping the scales at 10lbs 10oz and 23 inches long. You've grown out of all your newborn clothing, and are wearing 0-3m and 3m clothes, and still rocking size 1 diapers. You're still exclusively breast fed, but you've started taking a bottle of expressed milk when needed, yay!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuhobh4Snc1gafsE_BESiEKi5JxVNGJeZ2FSsRb4m4PcAkPvIGpyQQWHfJeEEPyt97qDxKQbTeyZrn2N2chmMouSJsZWwCh_JZNxczSaTacFN-oiY6dVbw4h-HHSi9w3W8F7EFth1sDGf/s1600/emmy4monthupdate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmy 4 Months" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuhobh4Snc1gafsE_BESiEKi5JxVNGJeZ2FSsRb4m4PcAkPvIGpyQQWHfJeEEPyt97qDxKQbTeyZrn2N2chmMouSJsZWwCh_JZNxczSaTacFN-oiY6dVbw4h-HHSi9w3W8F7EFth1sDGf/s640/emmy4monthupdate.JPG" title="Four Month Update" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGcURXhtKiozKeG1vmRULRIonoJiYiWoincXguYTGOUwhxEgFCwpYma6k2LIGgYkY5vEhp1KWTgaJHZN2jo4oJurDqZjhJaThTgni9V0463X2ZX177rSZf2ixFxGEm3H7WLK0Aj7RinU7/s1600/emmy4monthupdate2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmy Four Months" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGcURXhtKiozKeG1vmRULRIonoJiYiWoincXguYTGOUwhxEgFCwpYma6k2LIGgYkY5vEhp1KWTgaJHZN2jo4oJurDqZjhJaThTgni9V0463X2ZX177rSZf2ixFxGEm3H7WLK0Aj7RinU7/s640/emmy4monthupdate2.JPG" title="Four Month Update" width="640" /></a></div>
You still love to sleep, napping several times throughout the day, and are often out like a light as soon as we get in the car. The only time you really cry is when you are tired. You are usually ready for bed around 630/7, and then up to eat around 10/11 and then back to bed until sometime in the middle of the night, usually 3:30am. Luckily, you nurse and fall right back to sleep, so I don't mind one bit! I figure you need all the extra calories you can get. You're still sleeping in our bed in your <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/02/good-night-sleep-tight.html" target="_blank">Dockatot</a> and I'm not sure I'll ever be ready not to have you so close by!<br />
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This month we also took you on your first plane ride! We travelled all the way to Florida to visit your Nanny and Papa and you slept the entire plane ride there and back! No joke. Each way is about 4.5 hours. Your brother has always been a good traveller too, so hopefully that continues. We didn't end up getting you into the pool like I thought we might, but you sure enjoyed being dressed in less clothes and feeling the warm air on your bare skin. Plus, those palm trees swaying in the wind sure kept you entertained!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEQiQxMOSnFekfWcYn31weodmmEVd1IOI6XwJQUJjY_M_qjndF8Ct_PMGovZzpzJ017m2zhg7PgQKLouk5-1CxbkXk12urYZ2kYwPBQq0ssdCVxRW9_QrBpPg2f_SPS-3GNW_7SSVs5_r/s1600/emmy4monthupdate3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmy 4 Months" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEQiQxMOSnFekfWcYn31weodmmEVd1IOI6XwJQUJjY_M_qjndF8Ct_PMGovZzpzJ017m2zhg7PgQKLouk5-1CxbkXk12urYZ2kYwPBQq0ssdCVxRW9_QrBpPg2f_SPS-3GNW_7SSVs5_r/s640/emmy4monthupdate3.JPG" title="Four Month Update" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFLj7ioCDZoJrs2sUz4xfT4bZdg-qy2gv-M-le9DSAIhfeQMQFjX6choJ847JNQ3TVr77VVF82AtH13dpckSVqHvepgsEuBZFMELlXahEOjTiD4gKyGp_4FRHPjFJ5db5SqTfzcHhkXG8/s1600/emmy4monthupdate4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmy 4 months" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFLj7ioCDZoJrs2sUz4xfT4bZdg-qy2gv-M-le9DSAIhfeQMQFjX6choJ847JNQ3TVr77VVF82AtH13dpckSVqHvepgsEuBZFMELlXahEOjTiD4gKyGp_4FRHPjFJ5db5SqTfzcHhkXG8/s640/emmy4monthupdate4.JPG" title="Four Month Update" width="640" /></a></div>
Emmy, sometimes I look at you and I can't believe it was a year ago already that I was finding out I was pregnant with you. And now, here you are, 4 months old and I can't imagine our lives without you! We love you so, so much, my sweet little girl.<br />
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xoxo<br />
Mommy<br />
<br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-56603791162374898182017-04-25T05:00:00.000-06:002017-04-25T09:55:40.967-06:00Books We're Loving<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*affiliate links have been used</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Confession time: I haven't been reading much at all these days. Like, I've read half a book so far for the month of April. January started out really strong, with 4 books read, and then my reading progress just piddled away from there. I can't even really explain it, but I'm just not reaching for a book when I have time to read. Blame it on being too tired, focusing on other hobbies right now, or just lack of interest in reading. Perhaps a combination of all three even, but however you look at it, my reading is severely lacking so far. That being said, the books I have managed to read at least have been really good reads! There's nothing worse than reading bad book after bad book, especially when you aren't reading very much to begin with. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYnhyphenhyphenbrW6B6sF6sksvZH7WtVmigHeRkSkvsAGMNbxp9fU9quyT1_M59hbElzb2b6r0hc7Xsi69It8e_MiNOXlaPHY9oLUZnS-zCf2PX9Kj6xQ7xmnzgpWf8deU4_KqYiR5BB0ufNBkCA_/s1600/bookslovingapr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Great Books You Must Read" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYnhyphenhyphenbrW6B6sF6sksvZH7WtVmigHeRkSkvsAGMNbxp9fU9quyT1_M59hbElzb2b6r0hc7Xsi69It8e_MiNOXlaPHY9oLUZnS-zCf2PX9Kj6xQ7xmnzgpWf8deU4_KqYiR5BB0ufNBkCA_/s640/bookslovingapr2.jpg" title="Adult Fiction Book Recommendations" width="556" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Loved</span></b>: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1594138419/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=522404-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1594138419&linkId=64abcbe70de91fc1449bfcff154de7d5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry</a> <span style="font-family: inherit;">was such a charming and lovely book. The writing was beautiful and it hit me with all the feels when I was least expecting it. <span style="background-color: white;">It's about loss and love and family and how when you least expect it, the right people (both young and old), will find their way into your life. </span>And it's a book about books, so what's not to love? </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0176M3U10/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=522404-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0176M3U10&linkId=973b16aeea9c6597fbe7aa3d86db92d7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It Ends With Us</a> <span style="font-family: inherit;">was also a really good read. A little more chick-lit and a lot more sexy times than I was expecting, but I had a hard time putting this book down. I was worried that the ending was going to be too cliche, but I think the author approached a difficult topic really well. I don't want to give anything away, but the message this book sends is really important and be sure to read the author's note at the end!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last good book I read was</span> <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0345507940/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=522404-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0345507940&linkId=286bf391335dce289bb2cb33be20c6f0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Lost Husband</a>. <span style="font-family: inherit;">If you've read any of my last book posts, then you know I adored Happiness for Beginners by the same author so I was excited to dig in to one of her other books. I wasn't disappointed in the least! <span style="background-color: white;">This is a book about loss, moving on, forgiveness, hope, love and self-growth.</span><span style="background-color: white;">While I couldn't relate to having lost my husband, I could relate to being a mother, and I just really liked the main character, Libby. She was honest, real, and just trying to live a good life in order to give her children a better life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Currently Reading</span></b><span style="color: #181818;">:</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I had high hopes that I would read all of the books while on holidays in Florida, but alas, that never happened. I started reading</span> <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00A2819FU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=522404-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00A2819FU&linkId=cebf99f3bd54f441a78971654b1d001d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Forever, Interrupted</a><span style="color: #181818;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Taylor Jenkins Reid while on the airplane and devoured 150 pages. I was pulled in on page one and crying by page two. But, despite loving it, I haven't been able to bring myself to read anymore (see first paragraph again, haha!). Anyway, my goal is to finish it by the end of the month! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking Forward To</span></b><span style="color: #181818;">: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel like this is a trick question, haha! I can't say I'm looking forward to reading anything right now, BUT, I do have two books I recently purchased that I am really interested in reading as soon as I find my reading mojo. <a href="http://cowgirlruns.com/" target="_blank">Ange</a> highly recommended</span><span style="color: #181818;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01H03IBHS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=522404-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01H03IBHS&linkId=93397d88efd0bbd5e977ad3e2bc1e1c3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unf*ck Your </a></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01H03IBHS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=522404-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01H03IBHS&linkId=93397d88efd0bbd5e977ad3e2bc1e1c3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess</a> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">to me and I think it will be really helpful in learning how to attack clutter and disorganization in my home. The second book I picked up was</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0812996933/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=522404-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0812996933&linkId=7da97ce7d72b4278fc31a772b10c5ec6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Rules Do Not Apply</a><span style="color: #181818;"> </span>by Ariel Levy, a memoir about the adventures and heartbreak of being "a woman who is free to do whatever she chooses". Let's hope the reading bug hits me again soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't forget to head over to<span style="color: #181818;"> <a href="http://www.thebexfactor.com/" target="_blank">Becky's blog</a> </span>to see <span style="font-family: inherit;">what </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she's loved, is currently reading and what she's going to read next! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>What are you reading right now? </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Any new releases you're looking forward to?</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-48776052962637322922017-04-21T05:00:00.000-06:002017-04-22T22:58:19.541-06:00Peace of Mind with Owlet <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP40yX23b_JvOJDXkSiTOG5_-XfY2txJtyiY8Ow3HQBbKfjK4X2QCtX_FQ-UoqXbeGpbsHP9zF8ONWg9ulbedWvZzkCPE1WJnA7cwFxszcOx481w8cV_G4jwruJ3wnf4Bh7i3qidlZpsJW/s1600/owletbabymonitorreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Owlet Baby Monitor Smart Sock 2" border="0" height="1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP40yX23b_JvOJDXkSiTOG5_-XfY2txJtyiY8Ow3HQBbKfjK4X2QCtX_FQ-UoqXbeGpbsHP9zF8ONWg9ulbedWvZzkCPE1WJnA7cwFxszcOx481w8cV_G4jwruJ3wnf4Bh7i3qidlZpsJW/s320/owletbabymonitorreview.jpg" title="Owlet Baby Monitor Review - The Baby Item Every Parent Needs" width="1" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulHzfT6CcBELDgEYivd9AYvKRMGBqglVB-Uink422MdLqWquehNtpDUtqw7hfeSNCAZ4CfjAHwileGlp23Tqiih-0S4Ru1zQuHLDbQul3z0B3JmE8bdu-_vubJZcQCnfFnU_x44OSDoov/s1600/owletbabycare2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Owlet Honest Review" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulHzfT6CcBELDgEYivd9AYvKRMGBqglVB-Uink422MdLqWquehNtpDUtqw7hfeSNCAZ4CfjAHwileGlp23Tqiih-0S4Ru1zQuHLDbQul3z0B3JmE8bdu-_vubJZcQCnfFnU_x44OSDoov/s640/owletbabycare2.jpg" title="Peace of Mind with Owlet" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post was sponsored by <a href="http://www.owletcare.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owlet</a>, but as always, all thoughts and reviews </span></i>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that </i><i>continue to </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>make </i><i>this hobby of mine possible!</i></span></div>
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I think one of the scariest things about being a parent is nighttime. You so desperately want your babies to go to sleep so that you can get some sleep, but then once they are asleep you can't help but worry. Are they safe? Are they still breathing? What if I don't hear her if she wakes up? I'm a pretty easing going parent, too easy, some might say, except when it comes to sleep. Peace of mind at nighttime can be hard to come by when you're a parent.<br />
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I like to keep my babies close during those first few months. I sleep better with them in my room, and I'd by lying if I said I didn't check on them a few times in the middle of the night to feel for their chest moving up and down. Emmy likes to sleep wrapped up like a burrito so sometimes it's hard to tell if she's moved at all once I've put her down for the evening.<br />
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And no matter how many times I check on Emmy, nighttime still makes me nervous. Plus, she goes to bed hours before me, so I'm not always upstairs when she's sleeping. This is where <a href="http://www.owletcare.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owlet</a> comes in and gives me peace of mind. The Owlet Smart Sock 2, which debuted last month, tracks your babe's heart rate and oxygen saturation and is designed to notify you if either falls out of the preset zones. As a registered nurse turned stay-at-home-mom, this technology is amazing to me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7TnWlzYnElPvHKd9L-qB_LhaZVzb4Vl7yurpASU8Yuf_bVT1G4C9GiDGZovgChW7vevsv55f5hF19KvlQytItoJT3JgbcI6WNmGzi7ZyJJGBmA5UIBKWl7jrRdXQ4po3aAZjQo7sLxKi/s1600/owletbabycare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Why I love the owlet baby monitor" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7TnWlzYnElPvHKd9L-qB_LhaZVzb4Vl7yurpASU8Yuf_bVT1G4C9GiDGZovgChW7vevsv55f5hF19KvlQytItoJT3JgbcI6WNmGzi7ZyJJGBmA5UIBKWl7jrRdXQ4po3aAZjQo7sLxKi/s640/owletbabycare.jpg" title="Owlet Smart Sock 2 Review" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.owletcare.com/smart-sock-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owlet Smart Sock 2</a> comes with a small, minimalist base station and 3 different sized socks which are meant to grow with your baby. For reference, Emmy is wearing the second sock, which is designed for ages 1-4 months. The sock can be worn on either foot, and even with a squirming baby, is easy to put on. Then you download the Owlet app on to your phone and it will take you through the set-up, which was also incredibly easy. I did have issues getting my wi-fi to connect with the base, but I followed the trouble-shooting guide and all I had to do was restart my phone. There's also a short video on the app when you're setting it up which I found useful, so I would definitely recommend not skipping it. You can customize the app to your baby by adding his/her birth date and photo and you can turn the base station off and on right from the app. If an alarm goes off, both your phone and your base station are designed to notify you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSylnUWERJ1fkLbGETP_EwrPnUIJ5Y6g9mTYoKQ5WcfKvh8jvC2G7ZP2PVgnAHkoEKc_6TVRdC-jWWdLpH2nFLGg2Eb6bZJ50XwqVdY8UkwWM5Tu4aOv0h5cbtUUsgQgp4cdknx00qgGd/s1600/owletbasestation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Owlet Baby Monitor App is easy to use" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSylnUWERJ1fkLbGETP_EwrPnUIJ5Y6g9mTYoKQ5WcfKvh8jvC2G7ZP2PVgnAHkoEKc_6TVRdC-jWWdLpH2nFLGg2Eb6bZJ50XwqVdY8UkwWM5Tu4aOv0h5cbtUUsgQgp4cdknx00qgGd/s640/owletbasestation.jpg" title="The Owlet Baby Monitor" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tZdAXM_libeeZsAd9mZRwClFTt5N__S1UKefIDKAd7Y5qhWZq6Dp20Lv0rW6GWylOFQx-efuAAsP3U_OYriUEY-3T9xqHaFacHFNOUaoJssa3gyQR8lyY7HvXC5du51pMp30LHWWyWQ7/s1600/owletbasestation2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Peace of Mind with Owlet" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tZdAXM_libeeZsAd9mZRwClFTt5N__S1UKefIDKAd7Y5qhWZq6Dp20Lv0rW6GWylOFQx-efuAAsP3U_OYriUEY-3T9xqHaFacHFNOUaoJssa3gyQR8lyY7HvXC5du51pMp30LHWWyWQ7/s640/owletbasestation2.jpg" title="Owlet Smart Sock 2" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuwkm-XWoZfwbKtFenujgBopbj0Njgpb7Nonw6iGer66hNtxyAKcMeLAu2umdHsMQY6_99_tt6WTL3wwxXC3rZRLb1ub2dP8qe65KM-K2LX_gpslHo_JafOu0gHUP1mZHYu-yQZJ9yBoq/s1600/owletbabyapp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuwkm-XWoZfwbKtFenujgBopbj0Njgpb7Nonw6iGer66hNtxyAKcMeLAu2umdHsMQY6_99_tt6WTL3wwxXC3rZRLb1ub2dP8qe65KM-K2LX_gpslHo_JafOu0gHUP1mZHYu-yQZJ9yBoq/s640/owletbabyapp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I can't compare the <a href="http://www.owletcare.com/smart-sock-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smart Sock 2</a> to the original one since I never tried that one, but from what I've learned, the improvements Owlet made to their original design have only further enhanced the brilliance of this product. The sock has been redesigned so that it fits more securely and the sensors are positioned so that there are fewer false notifications. The bluetooth range has been increased to 100 feet, which means the sock can be further away from the base station now, and the socks have been made open toed, making them more breathable and also allowing placement on either foot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl3VV_DFP8sIJamTbGfBtoddy-ZUDD1badWJum339r23K_TmGrGXOwAfO0QGf5ALLzT9Oeg1J03tCCPMj7jDbDfFaBRKhDk0f7hDfLqX5Yol6VagZ3JtHvD8yr_cYKqfKGfRnXd3_e3U3/s1600/owletbabymonitor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Owlet - baby gear every parent should have" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl3VV_DFP8sIJamTbGfBtoddy-ZUDD1badWJum339r23K_TmGrGXOwAfO0QGf5ALLzT9Oeg1J03tCCPMj7jDbDfFaBRKhDk0f7hDfLqX5Yol6VagZ3JtHvD8yr_cYKqfKGfRnXd3_e3U3/s640/owletbabymonitor2.jpg" title="The Owlet Smart Sock 2 is so easy to use and will give you peace of mind at night" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2w2TJxoglkHdQRycMRFtSinrR4xW9_XabLbjt-5GispD54nOqlbz6rNMML5DiuctoH2DA6hrfElj2voaHdHeP_ai2UG6DzT2qN73yc8ASUqTgmKlmB3Cl6n-rusGw2irTVQOMnuigsvy/s1600/owletreview2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Must have baby item - the Owlet monitor" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2w2TJxoglkHdQRycMRFtSinrR4xW9_XabLbjt-5GispD54nOqlbz6rNMML5DiuctoH2DA6hrfElj2voaHdHeP_ai2UG6DzT2qN73yc8ASUqTgmKlmB3Cl6n-rusGw2irTVQOMnuigsvy/s640/owletreview2.jpg" title="Baby Monitor Every parent out there should have" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oawCWaCwCCHzDvss1QlJ-cxgLpTuAgRJZ-OvJ8QOXvrnWxtjxt2-dkvGEPBmxNj2at-EsU-pz4K15_fME781VuxjTO8PmUdUU3RNXALMTbkJN84xk6ccQXlc4AIN4ulMlN6Zt7mATQzC/s1600/owletmonitorreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Review of why I love the Owlet Baby Monitor " border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oawCWaCwCCHzDvss1QlJ-cxgLpTuAgRJZ-OvJ8QOXvrnWxtjxt2-dkvGEPBmxNj2at-EsU-pz4K15_fME781VuxjTO8PmUdUU3RNXALMTbkJN84xk6ccQXlc4AIN4ulMlN6Zt7mATQzC/s640/owletmonitorreview.jpg" title="Owlet Review" width="640" /></a></div>
We've been using the <a href="http://www.owletcare.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owlet</a> for a few weeks now, and I cannot emphasize enough, the peace of mind it has given me when I go to bed at night. Or anytime Emmy is sleeping. I know there are so many "must have" baby products out there nowadays, but I honestly think, sponsored post or not, this is that one item that every parent should have, whether you're a first, second, or third time parent. And if you're not a parent, but you know of one, or one to be, do them a favour and let them know about this product. If I could go back in time and have this technology for when Sully was a baby (had I known it about then), I 100% would!<br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-32448473515327441652017-04-13T05:00:00.000-06:002017-04-13T05:00:11.847-06:00Currently // April Hello, from Florida!<br />
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If you don't follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sliceofbrie/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (but why not? you really should!), then you probably don't know that we're currently vacationing in Florida right now! Even though I was really organized leading up to us leaving last week, I was also super busy getting ready for the trip, plus mommying and the posts I had hoped to have posted before we left never happened. I don't generally blog much when we go on holidays, but since it's been awhile since <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/03/emmeline-three-months.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, I thought I'd share a little currently post - Florida edition!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxxFiui8qqqrCZ6ugQweDVN9IiWhsXK2mZyRLu4dHCLtj9tRmjDckjLc0MGYF221N60ABcHXCRYBPynS_3tfvkGBk7CL0zSPgS4fYySzi_AHlESNU4CP595xLHzwdddoRW4-eCRoATCa5/s1600/currentlyfloridaedition.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxxFiui8qqqrCZ6ugQweDVN9IiWhsXK2mZyRLu4dHCLtj9tRmjDckjLc0MGYF221N60ABcHXCRYBPynS_3tfvkGBk7CL0zSPgS4fYySzi_AHlESNU4CP595xLHzwdddoRW4-eCRoATCa5/s640/currentlyfloridaedition.png" title="Currently Florida Edition" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>Enjoying</u></b>: just being. My in-laws place in Florida is so relaxing, it's hot out, and I'm just enjoying waking up every morning with my family and not having an agenda. We've been down to Florida many times, and we plan to return many more, so we never feel this urge to have to do and see everything while we are here. This family vacation is exactly what I have been needing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdNJ9jowxklraxyAZbeTBnngNleEzFNymDt7iTNWsIi2WuGYWbWziYaof0r1lrjePdOLfL4yQTdML_UsXw__xCskQTSYb0UihUVrsR2-qQmhtgjwRJYP9gj_xOq9IskhMl0eVqZrEhhry/s1600/hellofromflorida.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdNJ9jowxklraxyAZbeTBnngNleEzFNymDt7iTNWsIi2WuGYWbWziYaof0r1lrjePdOLfL4yQTdML_UsXw__xCskQTSYb0UihUVrsR2-qQmhtgjwRJYP9gj_xOq9IskhMl0eVqZrEhhry/s640/hellofromflorida.JPG" title="hello from Florida!" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>Reading</u></b>: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16130531-forever-interrupted" target="_blank">Forever, Interrupted</a>, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I started this on the plane and read almost 150 pages. I haven't picked it back up since we got here, even though it hooked me from page one and had me crying by page two. I'm just having a serious problem with picking up a book these days. Even Jim commented the other day on how he hasn't seen me read in weeks. That's because I haven't been, I told him. I can't even call it a reading slump, I'm just not in the mood.<br />
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<b><u>Listening To</u></b>: nothing. So, I downloaded a whole whack of podcasts for the plane rides, only to get my phone out during the flight and realizing that you need that dumb headphones connector for the iPhone 7! Ugh, never have I been so annoyed at Apple in my life! I looked at TJ Maxx here for a connector, but they didn't have any. If I make it back to Target before we leave, I will look there, but it seriously annoys me to buy something that I already have at home! These are the Podcasts I was hoping to listen to: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-minimalists-podcast/id1069757084?mt=2" target="_blank">The Minimalists</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/happier-with-gretchen-rubin/id969519520?mt=2" target="_blank">Happier with Gretchen Rubin</a>, and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/thats-so-maven/id1123912823?mt=2" target="_blank">That's So Maven</a>.<br />
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<b><u>Eating</u></b>: all of the food from Trader Joe's! There's a Trader Joe's in Sarasota that's not too far from my in-laws place, but it's also not convenient to go to either. But we always make sure to go on our first or second day here so that we can buy some groceries from there to enjoy during our stay. I also stock up on some of my favourite nonperishables from there. I'm also indulging in all of the Chobani I can stomach, champagne from Trader Joe's because I have a serious love affair with champagne and it's so cheap from there, and fun cereal you can't get in Canada. Healthier eating can resume next week! ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG1v_wTqbsoGEBcy7ixaqSxcfCG8FuPSxay5-nF_HMW3belcqMm-N9alOuuJvUg-4_QqBJ_RYAHkKh1bylR4RTSCJUNqLMOE0k70Z8n8FDFEWA96k2xsDnXC_epewIeeWgOQlDs22acax/s1600/traderjoessarasota.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="shopping at trader joe's" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG1v_wTqbsoGEBcy7ixaqSxcfCG8FuPSxay5-nF_HMW3belcqMm-N9alOuuJvUg-4_QqBJ_RYAHkKh1bylR4RTSCJUNqLMOE0k70Z8n8FDFEWA96k2xsDnXC_epewIeeWgOQlDs22acax/s640/traderjoessarasota.JPG" title="trader joe's sarasota florida" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>Doing</u></b>: cross-stitch. So, I haven't been reading or blogging because I've recently become obsessed with cross-stitching. I've been intrigued by some really neat cross-stitch designs I've been seeing on Instagram lately, and even though I haven't cross-stitched since I was a young girl, I just had this strong desire to start it up. I find it SO relaxing, and it's an activity that's much easier to do while watching TV or chatting with my family than reading or writing is. I'm pretty pleased with how my first piece is turning out and I'll be sure to share the finished product with you!<br />
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<b><u>Looking Forward To</u></b>: Our last few days in Florida. Sully started fighting a cold after the first few days here, and it's just getting worse. He is not himself and he just looks and sounds horrible. Then I felt like I was coming down with something, but thankfully, have been able to fight it off, although at one point I was convinced I had an ear infection, which has since gotten better with some polysporin ear drops my mother-in-law just happened to have on hand. Thank goodness for that! You can't purchase them in the States apparently, but she always brings them down from Canada with her. Here's hoping Sully starts feeling like his old self so we can get back to enjoying the pool, get to the beach, and just have some fun during our last few days here!<br />
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I won't be posting again until we are back from vacation next week, but I'll be posting over on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sliceofbrie/" target="_blank">Instagram account</a> if you want to follow along! And once we're home, I'll share all the highlights from the trip, as well as how traveling with both a toddler and an infant went!<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Tell me something you're looking forward to!</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">How do you like to pass the time on plane rides? </span></i></b><br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-90183664311493395422017-03-31T05:00:00.000-06:002017-03-31T05:00:26.256-06:00Emmeline: Three Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzn3OXav3sDJSoSvLrpJbzgiZY_Glss8WsoqSs9YDOWjWVP2t-4KMheCRwK5Tf8H0gBVUnqbYIqhDLE8Px9Wn-hYXlJsOHUaZqqssDx7UaJGCWe7E0AAtGC2bswB-WNROvSXmIgsbYUox/s1600/threemonthsold2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="emmy three months old" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzn3OXav3sDJSoSvLrpJbzgiZY_Glss8WsoqSs9YDOWjWVP2t-4KMheCRwK5Tf8H0gBVUnqbYIqhDLE8Px9Wn-hYXlJsOHUaZqqssDx7UaJGCWe7E0AAtGC2bswB-WNROvSXmIgsbYUox/s640/threemonthsold2.JPG" title="three months old update" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh Miss Emmy,<br />
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I cannot believe you are already three months old! Your personality is coming out more and more and it's such a treat to have more awake time with you. You are still a pretty easy going little thing, but when you are not happy, you are NOT happy! There's not much of an in-between, that's for sure! Your daddy is pretty confident that you might end up having a stubborn personality just like your big brother. You can blame me for that trait later on ;)<br />
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You are still a wee little thing, weighing only 9.5 pounds. You are proving to be a very slow gainer, much to the frustration of your doctor. Your daddy and I think you are just perfect though. You are bubbly, alert, and hitting all of your milestones for this age. You refuse to take a bottle right now, but we're going to work on that! At least you are finally fitting in your 0-3 month clothing. I think I am going to be in trouble when it comes to shopping for you! Little baby girl clothes are just so darn cute.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-bK5lpjUMjQio0RfTxhJC6AnwzDd7M8zNqh3cCT4VlIqHklzzpkxJdFN-Ql2ftWG0VdRifuWLrekwcLCXkNS4NMMYeQjI-9Xu_o-80rmMiUHnEBe8wHKhJPyL-qU7SpMV6l9uYetr3ss/s1600/threemonthsoldmilestones.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lulujo mountain blanket" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-bK5lpjUMjQio0RfTxhJC6AnwzDd7M8zNqh3cCT4VlIqHklzzpkxJdFN-Ql2ftWG0VdRifuWLrekwcLCXkNS4NMMYeQjI-9Xu_o-80rmMiUHnEBe8wHKhJPyL-qU7SpMV6l9uYetr3ss/s640/threemonthsoldmilestones.JPG" title="I will move mountains receiving blanket" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_f1dwSNSNluln1CzZ7A10f1aQkD_HZWgEUyXET0WnW2JHO3DMuKq2-YgZcOgt5BUK28Pg6dqu6jCz-5vaPq6SGXm22IF1aLcznxp8BjC1lZ0EuY3i2bTZ4P2e8hJaO3bnF3bDcGnAOxF/s1600/threemonthsoldupdate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I Will Move Mountains blanket" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_f1dwSNSNluln1CzZ7A10f1aQkD_HZWgEUyXET0WnW2JHO3DMuKq2-YgZcOgt5BUK28Pg6dqu6jCz-5vaPq6SGXm22IF1aLcznxp8BjC1lZ0EuY3i2bTZ4P2e8hJaO3bnF3bDcGnAOxF/s640/threemonthsoldupdate.JPG" title="three month update" width="640" /></a></div>
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You are a great napper, and still spend a big portion of your day sleeping. And at night, you love sleeping in your<a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/02/good-night-sleep-tight.html" target="_blank"> Dockatot</a> beside me in bed, and often give me 7-8 hours of sleep. You are also a good little traveler so far and we took you <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/03/a-little-mountain-getaway.html" target="_blank">to the mountains</a> for the first time the other week (which makes the blanket in these photos so very fitting!).<br />
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You really seem to adore your big brother and are always looking at him when he is near and he can really get the smiles out of you. He likes to lay with you under your activity gym and he also reminds me to do tummy time with you, which he likes to do with you as well. Watching you two grow up together is going to be one of my life's greatest pleasures, I just know it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUIG5BAvhrnO_jwemNtR507EzVmdZHCFT7ohprKMd5Snk2O-pJBElIyV5VDskr8HZwUHky_bJdnHsy3fMJturoVqPYowpvNRYLcbUh648I471oeG7r1Gco24APdxOM3rDj1spqpzPsh-A/s1600/threemonthsold.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emmy Three Months" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUIG5BAvhrnO_jwemNtR507EzVmdZHCFT7ohprKMd5Snk2O-pJBElIyV5VDskr8HZwUHky_bJdnHsy3fMJturoVqPYowpvNRYLcbUh648I471oeG7r1Gco24APdxOM3rDj1spqpzPsh-A/s640/threemonthsold.JPG" title="Three Months" width="640" /></a></div>
Emmy, I still can't believe you're mine, some days.<br />
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I love you with all my heart,<br />
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xoxo<br />
MommyBrie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-43899822613944985132017-03-24T10:06:00.000-06:002017-03-24T10:06:10.622-06:00Personalize Your Phone and Laptop with CaseApp {& A Giveaway!}Ever since I one dropped my (previous) phone on concrete and smashed the screen to bits, I vowed to never go without a phone case again. As much as I love the sleekness of not having a case on my phone, and granted, screens can still crack even with a case on, I'm in the camp of some protection is better than none. And while I want to protect my phone as best I can, I'm just not a fan of huge, bulky cases. I also think it's fun to personalize your phone with a cute/pretty/loud/stylish case.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UKuBsvlPN8enEo2se_40gYSb7ATXfMlsdbHPFPFyLGjY-jy4pvBPJZmcIXcTMU_wkc-v8mGxHN3lYdler48SQxmKFTFfo6LvJFG7aWpWTzXHNsBPCLzFiAjk94yF6k9RoDhzDS7vsAt8/s1600/marblemacbookskinandphonecase2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="marble phone and laptop case from CaseApp" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UKuBsvlPN8enEo2se_40gYSb7ATXfMlsdbHPFPFyLGjY-jy4pvBPJZmcIXcTMU_wkc-v8mGxHN3lYdler48SQxmKFTFfo6LvJFG7aWpWTzXHNsBPCLzFiAjk94yF6k9RoDhzDS7vsAt8/s640/marblemacbookskinandphonecase2.jpg" title="custom MacBook and iPhone case from CaseApp" width="640" /></a></div>
When <a href="https://caseapp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CaseApp</a> reached out to me asking me to design my own custom phone case and laptop skin, I was pretty pumped! At the time, I was currently rocking a clear phone case and I was ready to change it up. The hardest part about this whole process was deciding on a design. CaseApp has a ton of <a href="https://caseapp.com/custom-cases/iphone-cases/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pre-designed phone cases</a> and <a href="https://caseapp.com/skins/macbook-skins/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">laptop/tablet skins</a>, to which you can add font or your own photos/designs. Or you can completely <a href="https://caseapp.com/custom-cases/custom-iphone-7-case/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">design your own case</a> from scratch. The options are pretty endless!<br />
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I went back and forth between different design options, but ultimately, this <a href="https://caseapp.com/custom-cases/iphone-cases/iphone-7/white-marble-and-pink" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">marble</a> one kept catching my eye. I loved the pop of pastel and I decided that this time around, I wanted a sleek, yet eye-catching phone case.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAjyz9YGainicKwjQD0RYpK4B4IhPOcsQV0mI_lniS5MzeoA0-dDYStBuobFdqJBst4LUQi7-OXI69i0UW21zYtvAzHioggYI4RgZ737NY22gl-JQOuuHinjrdcAjBlUpDr6YT5AjwnFB/s1600/marblemacbookskinandphonecase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="marble and pink phone case" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAjyz9YGainicKwjQD0RYpK4B4IhPOcsQV0mI_lniS5MzeoA0-dDYStBuobFdqJBst4LUQi7-OXI69i0UW21zYtvAzHioggYI4RgZ737NY22gl-JQOuuHinjrdcAjBlUpDr6YT5AjwnFB/s640/marblemacbookskinandphonecase.jpg" title="custom laptop skin and phone case from CaseApp" width="640" /></a></div>
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CaseApp offers phone cases in <a href="https://caseapp.com/our-iphone-cases/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">two different styles</a>: a "regular" slim-fitting one, which offers light protection from bumps, scratches and shocks, or a "tough" case, which offers protection against more aggressive falls and bumps. The cases also come in either matte or high gloss finish.</div>
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I opted for the tough case in a matte finish, and I'm so glad I did. It's not nearly as bulky as I feared it might be, and the quality is top-notch. The matte finish makes the phone less slippery, which I really appreciate when texting one handed, or transferring my phone into and out of my purse or diaper bag.<br />
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For my MacBook skin, I <a href="https://caseapp.com/skins/macbook-skins/macbook-pro-touch-bar-15/marble-and-pink" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">matched it</a> to my phone case, but I added some text to customize it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7sZ1Bb3x4-CPOn2tKcW6GlqcgWQxtsSDpaKdKaPklENTbDN-sgGkzC0KQhkuYU0WhpysgXyCSHntV3r-z9Qvwnmrk8jj1H7A6DWbmtDo3uihTqoMvNY_eHwc3s3gQWiScmVKwCc1k3P_/s1600/marblemacbookskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="custom phone cases and laptop skins" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7sZ1Bb3x4-CPOn2tKcW6GlqcgWQxtsSDpaKdKaPklENTbDN-sgGkzC0KQhkuYU0WhpysgXyCSHntV3r-z9Qvwnmrk8jj1H7A6DWbmtDo3uihTqoMvNY_eHwc3s3gQWiScmVKwCc1k3P_/s640/marblemacbookskin.jpg" title="customize your phone case with CaseApp" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozZnZrkk2IyAI0Tl1xCtpXVMZ9N4KznwEnTA1kGeIy8mSDUyEYXW7oPMtS_9NfIuIARDLqJ9sOzEgfmZ3vnEWl93aU_yiQfZCKvRiNz5KuMaoAtY_3IgPpA5gk0oEciSf3lJe9mVhWd_o/s1600/marblemacbookskinandphonecase3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="marble and pink custom iPhone and laptop case" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozZnZrkk2IyAI0Tl1xCtpXVMZ9N4KznwEnTA1kGeIy8mSDUyEYXW7oPMtS_9NfIuIARDLqJ9sOzEgfmZ3vnEWl93aU_yiQfZCKvRiNz5KuMaoAtY_3IgPpA5gk0oEciSf3lJe9mVhWd_o/s640/marblemacbookskinandphonecase3.jpg" title="custom phone cases and laptop skins with CaseApp" width="640" /></a></div>
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But I've saved the best part for last! I'm giving away to one lucky person, their choice of either a custom phone case or custom laptop/tablet skin! Head over to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sliceofbrie/" target="_blank">my Instagram page</a> to enter!</div>
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In the meantime, you can use code <b>SLICEOFBRIE20</b> to receive 20% off your order on <a href="https://caseapp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CaseApp</a>. </div>
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Code is good until March 31/17 so don't wait!</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">*I received a custom iPhone case and MacBook skin from CaseApp in exchange for this post,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> but as always, all thoughts and reviews expressed are my own. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Thank you for supporting the companies that continue to make this hobby of mine possible!</span></i></div>
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-77869475123072770472017-03-22T05:00:00.000-06:002017-03-22T05:00:13.388-06:00Meet Me at the BarreThe other weekend, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/albertablogsquad/" target="_blank">The Alberta Blog Squad</a> was invited to have a private class at <a href="http://barrebodystudio.com/" target="_blank">Barre Body Studio </a>at their Ramsey location here in Calgary. I'm no stranger to barre, I've even done Mommy & Baby classes at one of their <a href="http://yeg.barrebodystudio.com/" target="_blank">Edmonton locations</a>, but it's not an activity that I get to go to very often. Plus, a private class with my girlfriends is always a good time. And the youngest honorary member of the Blog Squad, Emmy, even got to tag along! I had planned to wear her, but the little slacker slept through the whole thing in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRRxtooAECR/?taken-by=sliceofbrie" target="_blank">her carseat</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dM6Wt8cVGhbTYWp9vSMnXJ5_RuS8KdidXzsAu75NzfoEc2A5falKQ_lv9-aRnXQGGA7WMTu3ceTFEIH7yo-kaJ287vgdI7M7ncQTWKmExJroGEig5So4ncNEpYBM1D6N_jjdyNuidcJZ/s1600/barre+body+studio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Barre Body Studio Review" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dM6Wt8cVGhbTYWp9vSMnXJ5_RuS8KdidXzsAu75NzfoEc2A5falKQ_lv9-aRnXQGGA7WMTu3ceTFEIH7yo-kaJ287vgdI7M7ncQTWKmExJroGEig5So4ncNEpYBM1D6N_jjdyNuidcJZ/s640/barre+body+studio.png" title="Barre Body Studio What to Expect at a Class" width="640" /></a></div>
Anyway. Barre class. It's not a new fitness trend and I'm pretty confident it's not going anywhere anytime soon! I'm also pretty sure that if you haven't yet tried a class, you have at least heard all about it. And if you haven't tried a class yet, you should really get on that! (Psst - there's a discount code for you at the bottom of this post!)<br />
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Barre Body is a low-impact workout, consisting of a million repetitions (not even joking!) in order to build lean muscles, tighter behinds and stronger cores. The phrase "up an inch/down an inch" will haunt you in your dreams! Little pulses are no laughing matter. Classes often utilize equipment such as light weights (1, 2, 3 or 5 pound weights - I stuck to 2 pound weights and was sore the next day!), resistance bands, a ball, and a balance disk, but a lot of the class focuses on using just body weight as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xVHfKv1QFu68XhZbGmNGBagaiqwek70IQYyPUlx9apeeAiDNeKEzey9-CVS37A2p4YY2Y3El5qt27jC2BP3en7II5QMiRg6cU_uRCzhH9N94AGJrJCf7RrGkyb-jbibn8BieHBMp_XsU/s1600/barrebodystudio8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Barre Body What to Expect " border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xVHfKv1QFu68XhZbGmNGBagaiqwek70IQYyPUlx9apeeAiDNeKEzey9-CVS37A2p4YY2Y3El5qt27jC2BP3en7II5QMiRg6cU_uRCzhH9N94AGJrJCf7RrGkyb-jbibn8BieHBMp_XsU/s640/barrebodystudio8.JPG" title="Barre Body Studio Calgary" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bVNz_JtUEq8DXN9zGyRwLxVXxUo9dgBio6KTEKhYy-_kLax78I07LauQazdn3ybw7xqRY_B69DllpkcREm-BhV0nAfUjRYhMj3lUJCdZCUgwP-xwi9HLLUEWJZsYpefUEQPsOZAsVVFh/s1600/barrebodystudio6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Barre class review" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bVNz_JtUEq8DXN9zGyRwLxVXxUo9dgBio6KTEKhYy-_kLax78I07LauQazdn3ybw7xqRY_B69DllpkcREm-BhV0nAfUjRYhMj3lUJCdZCUgwP-xwi9HLLUEWJZsYpefUEQPsOZAsVVFh/s640/barrebodystudio6.JPG" title="Barre Body Studio What to Expect" width="640" /></a></div>
In your one hour class, you are put through a warm-up, strength exercises for your arms, leg exercises which can consist of movements both on and away from the barre, cardio sprints and a core workout, ending with a cool down. If you think you aren't going to sweat just because this class is low-impact, you would be wrong! Our instructor Lanette, put us through a gruelling workout that had us all sweating by the end.<br />
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Barre is one of those classes that you go into thinking "this is no big deal, how hard can this actually be!?", only to find yourself swearing under your breath at the burning sensation in your gluten and thighs! This class works muscles you didn't even know existed! Which is why I love it. Plus, the inner ballerina in me loves me some barre work. Pli<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">é, first position, second position, etc...it all takes me back to my days of dancing. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8blKndkSw4unvucxUsX7te-NgPu2QzDmS1AphiC6GikQIZNfNurSUPNRGaINjD6OMpfNd9_Vq08Vmn_eTSuoNZ_tkDhGZKX_73sqeeWAVn81XJTaN1MuOpWfu7UfD5ge2MB90a11X-kc4/s1600/barrebodystudio4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Review of Barre Body Studio Calgary" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8blKndkSw4unvucxUsX7te-NgPu2QzDmS1AphiC6GikQIZNfNurSUPNRGaINjD6OMpfNd9_Vq08Vmn_eTSuoNZ_tkDhGZKX_73sqeeWAVn81XJTaN1MuOpWfu7UfD5ge2MB90a11X-kc4/s640/barrebodystudio4.JPG" title="Barre Body Studio Ramsey what to expect" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluop9pLDsnPOFsmQBxRnUVstKq7nXZNXIQkpQvvABziFmdeeYjMAegyNqNrBVt5gJzO1iyeGXVhZGf4lJWWlPibNs925tST5unpRTuhq-xwPSY5Y-QmUL3xgvhKHFOxrSG-louFzXBeLy/s1600/barrebodystudio3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Review of Barre Body Studio Calgary" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluop9pLDsnPOFsmQBxRnUVstKq7nXZNXIQkpQvvABziFmdeeYjMAegyNqNrBVt5gJzO1iyeGXVhZGf4lJWWlPibNs925tST5unpRTuhq-xwPSY5Y-QmUL3xgvhKHFOxrSG-louFzXBeLy/s640/barrebodystudio3.JPG" title="Barre Body Studio What to Expect" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzMTBk3S6nNiQagPB7c6ofdryL6-hkcAEnRptjnFiQvuOls1T85k2ofLkmt2P3U0vIBSsrfD0eH51se5f18FKZFLng2y9Dylvz5gXuh7g_QxEoGsfVrjWl7_9lbrLK6UtxFtYm-7J2SLw/s1600/barrebodystudio2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Barre Body Studio Calgary" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzMTBk3S6nNiQagPB7c6ofdryL6-hkcAEnRptjnFiQvuOls1T85k2ofLkmt2P3U0vIBSsrfD0eH51se5f18FKZFLng2y9Dylvz5gXuh7g_QxEoGsfVrjWl7_9lbrLK6UtxFtYm-7J2SLw/s640/barrebodystudio2.JPG" title="Barre Body Studio Review" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIBb4fh3GaziTK-pZso3bg0t7I6R1Q7HqY2ez4zpKYQvWspPq36xsqNH-U-rR3QlZO7kFcHeOT2sq5iytJqN7ngz6ODtGl7ZowoelVHJwrM7U3c4B8WqgWCjwoZglI7SDF3nINbqdNQJh/s1600/barrebodystudio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alberta Blog Squad Barre Body Class" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIBb4fh3GaziTK-pZso3bg0t7I6R1Q7HqY2ez4zpKYQvWspPq36xsqNH-U-rR3QlZO7kFcHeOT2sq5iytJqN7ngz6ODtGl7ZowoelVHJwrM7U3c4B8WqgWCjwoZglI7SDF3nINbqdNQJh/s640/barrebodystudio.JPG" title="Alberta Blog Squad reviews Barre Body Studio Calgary" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, the class is tough, but the beautiful exposed brick walls and pretty lighting in the studios at the Ramsey location distract you from the pain a bit. The locker rooms are equally as stunning, and offer guests complimentary hair dryers, deodorant, hand cream, hair elastics, as well as free lockers. There's even a private shower should you wish to use it. The entire ambiance of Barre Body is on point! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What you should know before taking your first class at Barre Body:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">you must wear grip socks (bring your own, purchase a pair for sale at the studio, or rent a pair for $1 - </span>proceeds go to charity<span style="font-family: inherit;">)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">wear comfortable athletic clothing (think yoga/dance wear)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">bring a water bottle, you will need it!</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">most importantly, don't be afraid! Even if you don't have a dance background, the moves will be explained and nothing is overly complicated (meaning you will pick it up quickly!)</span></li>
</ul>
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<b><a href="http://barrebodystudio.com/pages/pricing" target="_blank">Prices</a></b>:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>1-Month New Client Intro pass: $65</li>
<li>Drop-in: $25</li>
<li>5-Card Class Pass: $112</li>
<li>10-Card Class Pass: $195</li>
<li>20-Card Class Pass: $390</li>
<li>Mommy &b Me Class: $225 (I did this in <a href="http://yeg.barrebodystudio.com/" target="_blank">Edmonton</a> with Sully when he was 7 months old and highly recommend it!)</li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Locations:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Ramsey: 1202 20 Ave SW, Calgary, AB</li>
<li>Bow Trail: 4251 Bow Trail SW, Calgary, AB</li>
<li>Whitemud Crossing: #184, 4211 - 106 Street, Edmonton, AB</li>
<li>Holland Plaza: 11996 - 109A Avenue, Edmonton, AB</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtBpYOKvpqSTEDXjKHgFgkBLgLL9o6reva_udQmzKyeUX0iGspSHotQ4KbjlM56S4rW5J87Yytt4K3CCwRgrz-0AWFRh20JkfjC8dE4QciuMaQzcQGpfXB2dW1sJZ8ErB49hXqtfGTTYD/s1600/barrebodystudio7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Barre Body Studio Review" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtBpYOKvpqSTEDXjKHgFgkBLgLL9o6reva_udQmzKyeUX0iGspSHotQ4KbjlM56S4rW5J87Yytt4K3CCwRgrz-0AWFRh20JkfjC8dE4QciuMaQzcQGpfXB2dW1sJZ8ErB49hXqtfGTTYD/s640/barrebodystudio7.JPG" title="Alberta Blog Squad Barre Body Studio Class" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://cowgirlruns.com/" target="_blank">Ange</a>//<a href="http://thebestthingislove.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Leigh/</a>/<a href="http://www.prettylittlegrub.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a>//<a href="http://www.kaellaontherun.com/" target="_blank">Kaella</a>//Me//<a href="http://alisonandjustin.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Alison</a>//<a href="http://www.thebexfactor.com/" target="_blank">Becky</a>//<a href="http://scribblesandsass.com/" target="_blank">Laura</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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And good news for you! Use code <b>BRIE10</b> to receive $10 off either a 10-Card Class Pass, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or a 1-Month New Client Intro!<br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks again to BBS for hosting the Blog Squad, and to Ange for organizing it! </div>
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<b><i>Have you tried Barre before? Thoughts? Let me know in the comments!</i></b></div>
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Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-91778509738570983402017-03-21T05:00:00.000-06:002017-03-21T05:00:07.774-06:00A Little Mountain GetawayLast week, we decided on a whim, to head to the mountains for the weekend! Meaning, we booked a hotel room Friday afternoon, packed that evening and loaded up the car Saturday morning. Who says all spontaneity dies once you have children? ;)<br />
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We didn't have too much of an agenda - the hotel we booked had a pool with a waterslide, and we knew we wanted lots of time to enjoy it with Sully. He loves swimming right now, and loves going down waterslides, so we knew it would be a big hit with him (it was!). We stayed at the Best Western in Canmore, and I would definitely stay there again. The rooms are nice and clean, there was a fridge and microwave (a definite must when traveling with kids!), and a fireplace! Plus, my other must have when staying at a hotel: hot continental breakfast. Nothing makes you feel like you're getting your monies worth than a free breakfast for you and your kids! Unlimited juice for everyone!<br />
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On Saturday, we headed out past our hotel, to Banff, where we had lunch and then walked around for about an hour. It was unfortunately raining all day, but it wasn't too cold so it wasn't miserable. Plus, Sully had a blast jumping in all the puddles and throwing snowballs on the sidewalks (snow plus light rain equals the best snowballs).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxZgb-jKQ9en6adSXy0X6bma8PJX_7s8q15Yhc8ma2SpMV6CCeNp4Mh3FX5a9LaBSwXMvXtHkCwBIBHmxiIljYzgYXTmmLmsI28I617DnnxCIRB94LlL6YlTr4MSpIaR9j6C0w4Jt1Fdq/s1600/banfftrip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Banff, Alberta Weekend Getaway" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxZgb-jKQ9en6adSXy0X6bma8PJX_7s8q15Yhc8ma2SpMV6CCeNp4Mh3FX5a9LaBSwXMvXtHkCwBIBHmxiIljYzgYXTmmLmsI28I617DnnxCIRB94LlL6YlTr4MSpIaR9j6C0w4Jt1Fdq/s640/banfftrip.JPG" title="A Little Mountain Getaway" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDhNRFONHA7h1NcZLhsUD7M3JxmvzFQzvOXFD4DWq00HwcMeI4zR4DAlWiD6lK2vyFHjAhW58zb_zf23Qz-CMeyoKzgJyfg6_VR9XsSLcBkmgJcmUuTy5TLo7rd1kz02DSnDBNZchD41g/s1600/banfftrip2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Banff, Alberta" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDhNRFONHA7h1NcZLhsUD7M3JxmvzFQzvOXFD4DWq00HwcMeI4zR4DAlWiD6lK2vyFHjAhW58zb_zf23Qz-CMeyoKzgJyfg6_VR9XsSLcBkmgJcmUuTy5TLo7rd1kz02DSnDBNZchD41g/s640/banfftrip2.JPG" title="A Little Mountain Getaway" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1Tl_xNeJNdlwEZk_ZyitIGtN_lBi38J3tuX0wWBxwZl3AFnwk6PjfOTCd7brkzmN-SWRg0bGtW9neUo3Yof5oGGXxC6uK2Y4UdRl_USRnKd_Wdzscp7hXOVbjDbovajTeJeti-fKdLTZ/s1600/banfftrip3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Banff, Alberta" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1Tl_xNeJNdlwEZk_ZyitIGtN_lBi38J3tuX0wWBxwZl3AFnwk6PjfOTCd7brkzmN-SWRg0bGtW9neUo3Yof5oGGXxC6uK2Y4UdRl_USRnKd_Wdzscp7hXOVbjDbovajTeJeti-fKdLTZ/s1600/banfftrip3.JPG" title="A Little Weekend Getaway" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyuCXuvhODPOqCDM27UzvibHCnIPN0ZLYJlOfUnH_wdvhLdStCL05qkkSt8tlDcEjCzo7rVcfDceeQ6oGH2JOJvVSogYLAvBK_PeXr-zj3jiCRg9mu7br1j2qF3FcJ-SuC-tAXANrKcCk/s1600/banfftrip4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Explore Banff, Alberta" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyuCXuvhODPOqCDM27UzvibHCnIPN0ZLYJlOfUnH_wdvhLdStCL05qkkSt8tlDcEjCzo7rVcfDceeQ6oGH2JOJvVSogYLAvBK_PeXr-zj3jiCRg9mu7br1j2qF3FcJ-SuC-tAXANrKcCk/s640/banfftrip4.JPG" title="A Little Mountain Getaway" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cdiaKAkYQy0m4ob0z3C0GuLzhCKrCZMiLRg5erZHBFuI0b5lABajldruWsimpfJo0he6HMPzctkZ5dstIUTcANsMY7ge3YcJgRtTtSVNO4V8FOVfsIcaV7J7ljP_WKWQ1vU58NfyFgp8/s1600/banfftrip5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Explore Banff, Alberta" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cdiaKAkYQy0m4ob0z3C0GuLzhCKrCZMiLRg5erZHBFuI0b5lABajldruWsimpfJo0he6HMPzctkZ5dstIUTcANsMY7ge3YcJgRtTtSVNO4V8FOVfsIcaV7J7ljP_WKWQ1vU58NfyFgp8/s640/banfftrip5.JPG" title="A Little Weekend Getaway" width="640" /></a></div>
The hotel had a late check-in time of 4pm, so around then, we made our way from Banff back to the hotel. We changed into our swimsuits and headed down to the pool for a few hours. Emmy slept in her bassinet the entire time, which allowed me to get a few runs in down the slide and some time in the hot tub. We ordered pizza in that night for supper and when it was time for bed, Jim and I wished each other the best of luck! Haha! We chose a room with two queen beds so that Jim and Sully could sleep in one, and Emmy and I slept in the other. Sully was pretty restless all night and fell out of bed once (oops!), but thankfully Emmy slept well, other than needing to be fed and changed once in the middle of the night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdfgTwYPwk7TUl_DaKQsYm0_7Rrd1mWP7FU-F6ia17yXlFFXgRCfgCeBCsusPeUXX4cX16psVLKuouVMfmH0xydA2PFnSqMRXH6XIIFutDxTXoX1vcvPl3AulMhO2m0sxNVxVLrQdm-hw/s1600/banfftrip6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pool and Waterslide at Pocaterra Best Western" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdfgTwYPwk7TUl_DaKQsYm0_7Rrd1mWP7FU-F6ia17yXlFFXgRCfgCeBCsusPeUXX4cX16psVLKuouVMfmH0xydA2PFnSqMRXH6XIIFutDxTXoX1vcvPl3AulMhO2m0sxNVxVLrQdm-hw/s640/banfftrip6.JPG" title="Pocaterra Best Western Hotel Pool Canmore, Alberta" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jWR0-LoIN6WYoZYtXx85aOTqGA3sbDOlvwx_RCcEuL7_9ZxiumhwFpfCJXPFvzfv8vVkxJLATzAX9hC87KQS7uIrkfy2Bu8UJw_9pl0jkOQKs6nFf7x2-4pWKmk5Wxx3ydI_ui699xsa/s1600/banfftrip7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pocaterra Best Western" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jWR0-LoIN6WYoZYtXx85aOTqGA3sbDOlvwx_RCcEuL7_9ZxiumhwFpfCJXPFvzfv8vVkxJLATzAX9hC87KQS7uIrkfy2Bu8UJw_9pl0jkOQKs6nFf7x2-4pWKmk5Wxx3ydI_ui699xsa/s640/banfftrip7.JPG" title="Pocaterra Best Western Canmore, Alberta" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbUtdCMzGmFYmOtm9kA431iDz7LrpVNmLZ1hW1-5nqXCpG1JY1pygokLG3MjaTdJICyuAlSOOQD023jb9VM3N8wKAbxnx6IsMGJqBVeUVbvQdVTfw5sTqYw8kemndXfmYjm5vM5CqAPJk/s1600/banfftrip8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Best Western Pocaterra" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbUtdCMzGmFYmOtm9kA431iDz7LrpVNmLZ1hW1-5nqXCpG1JY1pygokLG3MjaTdJICyuAlSOOQD023jb9VM3N8wKAbxnx6IsMGJqBVeUVbvQdVTfw5sTqYw8kemndXfmYjm5vM5CqAPJk/s640/banfftrip8.JPG" title="Pocaterra Best Western, Canmore, Alberta" width="640" /></a></div>
We didn't have time to go swimming again Sunday morning, but we did take advantage of the hot breakfast, and then once we were packed up, we headed back out towards Banff to drive around and explore. There's so much out that way that I've never actually seen and we made lots of notes of places we will return to once it's a) warmer out and b) the kids are older.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_jIbJD9KJH5NFcUelVQtxoLoYdPLSodQ0ZS1nQhsAQbkYlxkBjHSZ8Zfo7Y2_kp_7Ozw_ubvAE2WY0389pjCWIDCrBLGgU1K-Nj9SERFqBbSqa4SD0Bzz0QxvqA6RfO16_hdHNGe_jhv/s1600/banfftrip9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lake Minnewanka, Banff, Alberta" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_jIbJD9KJH5NFcUelVQtxoLoYdPLSodQ0ZS1nQhsAQbkYlxkBjHSZ8Zfo7Y2_kp_7Ozw_ubvAE2WY0389pjCWIDCrBLGgU1K-Nj9SERFqBbSqa4SD0Bzz0QxvqA6RfO16_hdHNGe_jhv/s640/banfftrip9.JPG" title="Lake Minnewanka, Alberta" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfuJbdI1leAilAiTPtUsrFWGub2WMoJriBc5ateqETktJRFd44fz8C5W7tB6cSwqAr64678zS0SdWeL-y0ngHY96T4VTuh9FGLkkdYGl_g19ewx5k698CQdPtS2z4GX3zfvw6xHFL4JOQ/s1600/banfftripmountains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tunnel Mountain, Alberta" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfuJbdI1leAilAiTPtUsrFWGub2WMoJriBc5ateqETktJRFd44fz8C5W7tB6cSwqAr64678zS0SdWeL-y0ngHY96T4VTuh9FGLkkdYGl_g19ewx5k698CQdPtS2z4GX3zfvw6xHFL4JOQ/s640/banfftripmountains.JPG" title="Tunnel Mountain, Banff, Alberta" width="640" /></a></div>
Then on our way back into the city, we detoured a bit towards Kananaskis and attempted to hike to Troll Falls. I did this hike on a <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2016/01/alberta-adventure-girls-weekend-retreat.html" target="_blank">girls weekend trip</a> just over a year ago, and it's an easy, family friendly hike. I knew I wanted to return with Jim and Sully one day, but unfortunately, all the rain turned the trail into a sheet of ice. We managed to get about 3/4 of the way by walking on the edges of the trail where there was still some untouched snow, but it was challenging for Sully and for me since I was wearing Emmy. But my family was a great sport about it and Sully walked the entire time, so I was proud of him! I'm sad they didn't get to see the frozen waterfalls, but we will be back!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevjhN4fdVv2cUx4uZrL5wRSoQP500rAhnQa05cg-Cj2hvF3P1MwBjS3rnac76UuKXsqobPTG0PKaDzIXSMSgmFIlfPbLn4WeXoBKx-v9xRDH9IPqwv_3b2PYRkdesFRaN9QCdA2df6fSF/s1600/banfftripmountains2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Troll Falls Family Friendly Hike" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevjhN4fdVv2cUx4uZrL5wRSoQP500rAhnQa05cg-Cj2hvF3P1MwBjS3rnac76UuKXsqobPTG0PKaDzIXSMSgmFIlfPbLn4WeXoBKx-v9xRDH9IPqwv_3b2PYRkdesFRaN9QCdA2df6fSF/s640/banfftripmountains2.JPG" title="Troll Falls Hike, Kananaskis" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-irsRcvWeNqNqmeNK0dajgSF1cI95p9ss21jZsANYOUO9jBQcbufUj8lP6YkLf1dsDq0ngX-8J2y0N8qj5Tv5k5wmbDZsi7N6LlgVUUc4-YAQ7Tdz6Sk1u7qrYaKcPeLicPIwmh1uWmN/s1600/banfftripmountains3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Troll Falls Family Friendly Hike, Alberta" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-irsRcvWeNqNqmeNK0dajgSF1cI95p9ss21jZsANYOUO9jBQcbufUj8lP6YkLf1dsDq0ngX-8J2y0N8qj5Tv5k5wmbDZsi7N6LlgVUUc4-YAQ7Tdz6Sk1u7qrYaKcPeLicPIwmh1uWmN/s640/banfftripmountains3.JPG" title="Troll Falls Hike, Kananaskis, Alberta" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9j-zyu2lztGsoKqgsohVRrZEKWMbhLqIzuIJITrkedBRq3j-cpziNiXs5Xs7OzW1hItHrhzZ5Hzbkr_TnaIOSP0yU4czabzCoTxhxih-onKOHFhKqdfN0Yrb_4D568_mnWKSPqeTlefs/s1600/banfftripmountains4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Troll Falls - A family friendly hike in Kananaskis, Alberta" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9j-zyu2lztGsoKqgsohVRrZEKWMbhLqIzuIJITrkedBRq3j-cpziNiXs5Xs7OzW1hItHrhzZ5Hzbkr_TnaIOSP0yU4czabzCoTxhxih-onKOHFhKqdfN0Yrb_4D568_mnWKSPqeTlefs/s640/banfftripmountains4.JPG" title="Troll Falls, Kananaskis, Alberta " width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa9tbHjpRJ1AXsZ3e17v1i0YzlnN7Fl5IlGL1QU5KbbW7ntaUkellnG5vCeGV2stwdm0Rt2jiYYrNOGr6kfL3jVfozIRgkFO-cnztSp8CQdQiKrejkL6Pp-qck7JIkfuyjHRMTCE19VF5/s1600/banfftripmountains5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Troll Falls - A Family Friendly Hike" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa9tbHjpRJ1AXsZ3e17v1i0YzlnN7Fl5IlGL1QU5KbbW7ntaUkellnG5vCeGV2stwdm0Rt2jiYYrNOGr6kfL3jVfozIRgkFO-cnztSp8CQdQiKrejkL6Pp-qck7JIkfuyjHRMTCE19VF5/s640/banfftripmountains5.JPG" title="Troll Falls Hike, Kananaskis, Alberta" width="640" /></a></div>
And that was about it! Our little hike ended around 5:30pm, so we hopped back in the vehicle and made the drive home. Despite the logistics of traveling with a toddler and a newborn (ohhhh the logistics!!), we had a really nice time. The weather didn't end up being as nice as we had thought it was going to be, which made everything a little bit more challenging - like stopping to nurse and change diapers - everything had to be done in the vehicle with it running. But I think we made the best of it, and a trip to the mountains, no matter how short, is always so good for the soul.<br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-9195779685290375082017-03-16T05:00:00.000-06:002017-03-16T05:00:23.279-06:00Get Ready to Rumble!The other weekend, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/albertablogsquad/" target="_blank">The Alberta Blog Squad</a> had the opportunity to try out another boxing studio. Having just taken my <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/03/box-it-out-at-undrcard.html" target="_blank">first boxing class</a> shortly before this, I was super excited to have another go at throwing punches and unleashing my inner bad-ass. There is something so cathartic about wrapping your hands, donning boxing gloves and letting loose in a dark, loud boxing studio.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJjO4Hj4uSTpg48HOQyhzX0zJcxbV9fmFKm_0ZSRIgShPv-lHMOqCeBz-u5BHUZHqH3hHLNa239MN-QVIa-sd1dwGlm1uicBgfP-M5o0o2f0VbhN9q63UdRWRxXPqaSUji1z3VVGuzw_x/s1600/RUMBLE+BOXING.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What to expect at Rumble Boxing Studio" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJjO4Hj4uSTpg48HOQyhzX0zJcxbV9fmFKm_0ZSRIgShPv-lHMOqCeBz-u5BHUZHqH3hHLNa239MN-QVIa-sd1dwGlm1uicBgfP-M5o0o2f0VbhN9q63UdRWRxXPqaSUji1z3VVGuzw_x/s640/RUMBLE+BOXING.png" title="Rumble Boxing Studio Calgary" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://rumbleboxing.com/" target="_blank">Rumble Boxing Studio</a> invited The Blog Squad to have a private class and I have to say, I was much less intimidated this time around. Both because I sort of knew what to expect, and also because I was surrounded by my girlfriends and I'm not nearly as worried about making a fool of myself in front of them!<br />
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<a href="http://rumbleboxing.com/" target="_blank">Rumble</a> is located in the heart of 17th Ave in Calgary. When we arrived, we checked in at the front desk which also doubles as an acai/juice bar (perfect for refuelling after class!), were given boxing gloves (which are always complimentary), and got to work wrapping our hands (you must purchase wraps if you don't already own them). There's also free lockers to stash your stuff in, full change rooms complete with showers, a water fountain and complimentary towels. Make sure you take a towel into class with you - you will need it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KZ-YcsPmael27RsErLKV5QVC4Hgy1EIrl20MhpbnjCB6JF8GDmrFuaQYnrnaMsAGB-3Snwct6OZorw3HzbcJKQA6TQT7Zlz6qaMI7c3xdrBsnPaidg2T1FqITQB7PCg3W7Belnz5CUPw/s1600/rumbleboxingstudio4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What to expect at your first boxing class" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KZ-YcsPmael27RsErLKV5QVC4Hgy1EIrl20MhpbnjCB6JF8GDmrFuaQYnrnaMsAGB-3Snwct6OZorw3HzbcJKQA6TQT7Zlz6qaMI7c3xdrBsnPaidg2T1FqITQB7PCg3W7Belnz5CUPw/s640/rumbleboxingstudio4.JPG" title="Rumble Boxing Studio Calgary" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_jYMcxU4jFEuqcEhCEDQGeC0fMlgeflwYPuSZjsxg7s_fuodzs281wFa0N-0OhiOpapqagQFPEMgrWAGLCgJYNzdzLZc-OqfNDAPIRQ1mG_mH9I2aTXZ-Hc0iBt4z8wOrFbqWN3JVLIK/s1600/albertablogsquadboxing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Alberta Blog Squad at Rumble Boxing Studio Calgary" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_jYMcxU4jFEuqcEhCEDQGeC0fMlgeflwYPuSZjsxg7s_fuodzs281wFa0N-0OhiOpapqagQFPEMgrWAGLCgJYNzdzLZc-OqfNDAPIRQ1mG_mH9I2aTXZ-Hc0iBt4z8wOrFbqWN3JVLIK/s640/albertablogsquadboxing.JPG" title="what to expect at your first boxing class" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhIRrrKt8fACaOWBlreaM7ZwGkNpL0kA0NRVfaBCPA-i8zGDJvK2EzT62d40npoHZe7MJEjWgt7W1xgpgh5rv78FddnD4ay4OY64vA9ROoG6N0mISiZvCNpENYrE1F8meEnAo_-vOLgkt/s1600/rumbleboxingstudio2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="what to expect at Rumble Boxing Studio" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhIRrrKt8fACaOWBlreaM7ZwGkNpL0kA0NRVfaBCPA-i8zGDJvK2EzT62d40npoHZe7MJEjWgt7W1xgpgh5rv78FddnD4ay4OY64vA9ROoG6N0mISiZvCNpENYrE1F8meEnAo_-vOLgkt/s640/rumbleboxingstudio2.JPG" title="Rumble Boxing Studio Calgary" width="640" /></a></div>
The studio is set up in such a way that the instructor is smack dab in the centre of the room, with the participants boxing bags surrounding them. This allowed all of us to grab a bag facing the instructor. Because of this, I found this class much easier to follow along with and it also made it easier for our awesome instructor, <a href="http://rumbleboxing.com/motivators/kealan-bailey/" target="_blank">Kealen</a>, to come around to each of us to check our form or encourage us to punch harder. Just like last time, each punch is given a number (1=jab; 2=cross; etc), and I felt much more in control with my punches this time. I found if I over thought the combinations, I got flustered and lost track of which punches to throw, but if you can learn to let your mind relax and zone out, it just flows. Boxing is a really cool sport that way! You get to punch sh*t and meditate, haha!<br />
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<a href="http://rumbleboxing.com/motivators/kealan-bailey/" target="_blank">Kealen</a> led us through a tough and sweaty workout for an hour, that combined punches and squats. We were spared an ab workout at the end which I appreciated. I feel like boxing is already an ab workout as you need to engage your core the whole time. I'd rather box for an extra ten minutes than get down on the floor and do crunches!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeGBFyFNBzNJ_L_zkUjvSIXqvOwIeSoDyLvHFRJVV0s0pqK0zGXqch5TROpKSAb1YNMdxcd8aQ7-E_bH3fvDevzjC8tQYJ5-DVVG0N2leytNZcww9AhWv8D5Xr6aIa3S0PSYXTLfbmUUr/s1600/rumbleboxingstudio5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alberta Blog Squad boxing class" border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeGBFyFNBzNJ_L_zkUjvSIXqvOwIeSoDyLvHFRJVV0s0pqK0zGXqch5TROpKSAb1YNMdxcd8aQ7-E_bH3fvDevzjC8tQYJ5-DVVG0N2leytNZcww9AhWv8D5Xr6aIa3S0PSYXTLfbmUUr/s640/rumbleboxingstudio5.jpg" title="what to expect at your first boxing class" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QrxYOIav2GDjFyL0z39BvRPfOGMRcDyTsTZC7G8ReGECDWf1_CK5EtP230_K0_kkUR83XZOoPHWynC20j5zH_w094LuoP2HmUjxYggLutjI-D9yCM8JvUM3AV-UVHnBV_Rx8UhBeoQLk/s1600/rumbleboxingstudio1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="what to expect at a boxing studio" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QrxYOIav2GDjFyL0z39BvRPfOGMRcDyTsTZC7G8ReGECDWf1_CK5EtP230_K0_kkUR83XZOoPHWynC20j5zH_w094LuoP2HmUjxYggLutjI-D9yCM8JvUM3AV-UVHnBV_Rx8UhBeoQLk/s640/rumbleboxingstudio1.JPG" title="The Alberta Blog Squad at Rumble Boxing Studio Calgary" width="640" /></a></div>
After class, we were treated to the best part: Ewan MacGregor! He was in the studio boxing it out in the boxing ring that's in the foyer of Rumble when you first walk in!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-2okerBjEmGoGsoEAau4vcvVbNuqlxW0I16rTQz0m3lDGkRdwSO0w7YW5CXtcWtTa8O6uF6Lf-O5uV7N9uOJWWv2O1IGQTkyItZFup3JZrXBxYQws6mL-WgCQtipq_DEOBTCu_OSr582/s1600/ewanmacgregorboxing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ewan MacGregor at Rumble Boxing Studio Calgary" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-2okerBjEmGoGsoEAau4vcvVbNuqlxW0I16rTQz0m3lDGkRdwSO0w7YW5CXtcWtTa8O6uF6Lf-O5uV7N9uOJWWv2O1IGQTkyItZFup3JZrXBxYQws6mL-WgCQtipq_DEOBTCu_OSr582/s640/ewanmacgregorboxing.jpg" title="Ewan MacGregor Boxing" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, here's what you need to know before taking a class at <a href="http://rumbleboxing.com/" target="_blank">Rumble</a>:<br />
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-You have to purchase your own wraps ($15) or bring your own<br />
-Boxing gloves are complimentary<br />
-Prior boxing experience is not necessary<br />
-Arrive early to fill out your waiver and wrap your hands<br />
-Wear running shoes and bring a water bottle<br />
-Most importantly: don't be afraid! The staff at Rumble are so friendly and welcoming!<br />
-Parking tips <a href="http://rumbleboxing.com/contact/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<b>Prices</b>:<br />
<ul>
<li>Drop-in: $20</li>
<li>10-Class Pass: $180</li>
<li>20-Class Pass: $320</li>
<li>1, 3, 6 & 12 Month Passes also <a href="http://rumbleboxing.com/pricing/" target="_blank">available</a> </li>
</ul>
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If you can't tell yet, I have a newfound love for boxing! I tried really hard (both during this class and while writing this post), not to compare the two studios I've been to. Based on my experiences, I liked the style of the class at <a href="http://rumbleboxing.com/" target="_blank">Rumble</a> more, but that could be because I wasn't as intimated this time and had a better idea of what I was doing. Of course, I need to go take more classes to really pick a favourite though!</div>
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<b><i>Have I encouraged you to take a boxing class yet?! </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Have you ever had a random celebrity encounter? I want to hear about it!</i></b><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b>Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-44032531133044164872017-03-09T05:00:00.000-07:002017-03-09T05:00:19.218-07:00Emmeline: Two Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoK8IzJVlfu2gXDD_Q4wnMWYxVYzWGHsUHlNqSkI1Mo8pdDj8oMc16WNE4qKlGcap-vPgWyMObyGLyLoUP5vkt7upuqPIG_aGagNvgcvtwrMY9tYlkLv8t5mMbBXIMfsxsri7tNLl9r7o/s1600/emmytwomonths.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoK8IzJVlfu2gXDD_Q4wnMWYxVYzWGHsUHlNqSkI1Mo8pdDj8oMc16WNE4qKlGcap-vPgWyMObyGLyLoUP5vkt7upuqPIG_aGagNvgcvtwrMY9tYlkLv8t5mMbBXIMfsxsri7tNLl9r7o/s640/emmytwomonths.JPG" title="two month update" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dear Miss Emmy,<br />
<br />
Every day you become less newborn and more "baby". I'm already having trouble remember just how teeny tiny you were the day you were born. You're still a petite little thing, weighing in at just under 9 pounds, but you've gained a few inches, bringing you up to 21.6 inches long! You're finally starting to outgrow your newborn sleepers (just in length though) and you're officially in size 1 diapers. You nurse about every 3 hours and when you're done, you are done! The other night I tried to wake you up to feed you before I went to bed, and no way were you having any of that!<br />
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You're still an amazing little sleeper, a fact I still can't over most days. I exclaim to your daddy all the time, "I can't believe she's still sleeping!". I don't have the luxury of holding you all the time when you sleep, but when I can, you bet I keep you in my arms. There is nothing better than looking down at your sweet, peaceful face when you are fast asleep. You also continue to sleep well at night, allowing me to have 4-5 hours of uninterrupted sleep, sometimes even longer. And when I run errands, or take you places with me, I can pretty much count on you to sleep through it all. Car rides knock you right out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimUNlVFem4krgpGqRP1Nep_JXZFvuG7-V1nflzSV27DRTtCyyARxbafyzpovxHUT1GsryJnXv0CPbPIqpiKiuAiGcUr4k2Bdvg7OJk8HLzXlszU7v73iHpdUwjTwhq-J_fU23KJkcdYLl/s1600/emmytwomonths2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I Will Move Mountains blanket" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimUNlVFem4krgpGqRP1Nep_JXZFvuG7-V1nflzSV27DRTtCyyARxbafyzpovxHUT1GsryJnXv0CPbPIqpiKiuAiGcUr4k2Bdvg7OJk8HLzXlszU7v73iHpdUwjTwhq-J_fU23KJkcdYLl/s640/emmytwomonths2.JPG" title="two month update" width="640" /></a></div>
I think the best thing that has happened this month though is hearing you coo to us. I had forgotten what a sweet sound that is. You also smile a lot now, big toothless grins, and certain sounds I make can really get them out of you. I can't wait until you start laughing! Interacting with you is just the best thing ever.<br />
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You still love your baths in the washpod, although you love to kick up with your little legs from the bottom of it which I think is hilarious. You also enjoy tummy time, and it's something your big brother loves to do with you. Sometimes he even tells me he thinks it's time for some tummy time! When I place you under your activity mat that plays melodies and has some lights and birds that turn with the music, you coo and coo away at it. It's so neat to see you starting to notice things and be more alert.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MSsUuEr1nVV8mNLhxHxeG8yNDNYS1y36zhqVaZIUVn_fgcT1-koC-K_iF1iqDgWC7awJ2xJOoLEVyiZlaSNbQXFchZvjMphk9o9aQnlhDo9GkXOFR86P6RDfDb81q8XP88TN13D7guSP/s1600/emmytwomonths3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I Will Move Mountains Blanket" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MSsUuEr1nVV8mNLhxHxeG8yNDNYS1y36zhqVaZIUVn_fgcT1-koC-K_iF1iqDgWC7awJ2xJOoLEVyiZlaSNbQXFchZvjMphk9o9aQnlhDo9GkXOFR86P6RDfDb81q8XP88TN13D7guSP/s640/emmytwomonths3.JPG" title="two month update" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPDx73a4w1IkIuk0z_lHPkGCMrEmV7uMDc8QofwMhDqgli6RuAC_kQI1DyPQgxXPTVblOr98xP1YyLIsDUF_iMTgVXrwRwH4YC8Y55CWueuAIRzr5EOEroKoBtiL_FPG_bhqpXGPqRo4E/s1600/emmytwomonths4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I will move mountains blanket " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPDx73a4w1IkIuk0z_lHPkGCMrEmV7uMDc8QofwMhDqgli6RuAC_kQI1DyPQgxXPTVblOr98xP1YyLIsDUF_iMTgVXrwRwH4YC8Y55CWueuAIRzr5EOEroKoBtiL_FPG_bhqpXGPqRo4E/s640/emmytwomonths4.JPG" title="Two month update" width="640" /></a></div>
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Your eyes are still a piercing blue, but we still aren't sure what colour your hair is going to end up being. Sometimes it looks really light, especially on top, but in the back, where it's a lot thicker, it has a light auburn tone to it.</div>
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Emmy, you are the sweetest, calmest, most beautiful baby girl ever and I'm so lucky that you are mine!<br />
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I love you with all my heart,<br />
xoxo Mommy<br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-473800734141446012017-03-08T05:00:00.000-07:002017-03-08T12:00:18.832-07:00The Transition From One Child to TwoYou hear it a lot: when a mother of one becomes pregnant with her second child, often her biggest fear is how will she possibly have enough love for both her children? For me, this was never a question of doubt. I knew I had more than enough love to give two children. Instead, I worried about how I was going to manage a newborn baby and a toddler at the same time. I touched on it briefly in <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/02/good-night-sleep-tight.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, but Sully was a pretty high maintenance baby, requiring me to hold him for pretty much the first year of his life. Of course, as he became more mobile, he tolerated being put down, but the only way I could get him to nap was by holding him or driving around in my car. So in my mind, as I was preparing for baby #2 to come along, I envisioned a second child requiring just as much of my undivided attention and both of my hands. And all I could think of was "HOW?!" How will I cope both physically and mentally with a needy newborn and a demanding toddler?<br />
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So that was my biggest fear. We only know what we know, and so for me, I assumed my second baby would be just like my first.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb74lnxOIEa2w97fQsV8SfBADqLt8fNMCUOdyaKUmwv3HKIgi38rme6WnKDuwR5xgcnHm_FnpdPm3vv2wzDVgYt1RXh8_j4t0MGD1lSitc92dk7BTgMbu4qcsxSIefOeyTp_jMQnFKwJy/s1600/emmaandfinnpajamas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="organic cotton elephant safari pyjamas from Finn + Emma" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBb74lnxOIEa2w97fQsV8SfBADqLt8fNMCUOdyaKUmwv3HKIgi38rme6WnKDuwR5xgcnHm_FnpdPm3vv2wzDVgYt1RXh8_j4t0MGD1lSitc92dk7BTgMbu4qcsxSIefOeyTp_jMQnFKwJy/s640/emmaandfinnpajamas2.jpg" title="The transition from one child to two, an honest discussion" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>{<a href="https://www.finnandemma.com/collections/safari-collection/products/elephants-pajamas" target="_blank">elephant pyjamas</a> c/o Finn + Emma}</i></td></tr>
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Then Emmy was born. And from that very first day, I knew she was different than her brother. She was quiet and calm, only becoming fussy when she was hungry. I don't think we heard her actually cry until a few weeks after she came home. She literally, ate, pooped and slept. I think of all the times, during Sully's first year of life, where I would hear other mother's bragging about the 3+ hour naps their newborns would take (NOT in their arms) and I would be torn between feeling absolutely jealous and thinking they were big fat liars. I couldn't even fathom what that would be like it was so far from my reality.<br />
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I don't for a second regret all those hundreds of hours I spent holding him. Those are some of the best memories I have. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't, at the time, also resent all those "lost" hours. Hours I felt I should be doing something more important - like cleaning, or laundry, or showering, or making dinner. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and I realize now that there was nothing more important at the time and I wouldn't trade those hours spent snuggling my son for anything.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2zfp3TQDFi2GIPSbW4jnJ0lyvpXC7osRvEr5UbJr2uff-OrtXj_97w1zNFiG_dJz4XyYa5UkNtR3h8dPG8YOOKQE5hMsjp_NFAdX2jvOhplMRSqf5iGyXT_x44i4BjcljDO8zp3cRGRi/s1600/emmaandfinnpajamas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="finn + emma organic cotton pyjamas for baby and toddler" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2zfp3TQDFi2GIPSbW4jnJ0lyvpXC7osRvEr5UbJr2uff-OrtXj_97w1zNFiG_dJz4XyYa5UkNtR3h8dPG8YOOKQE5hMsjp_NFAdX2jvOhplMRSqf5iGyXT_x44i4BjcljDO8zp3cRGRi/s640/emmaandfinnpajamas3.jpg" title="our transition from one child to two - an honest discussion" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXj9W1YhXyux2I69D1I9xaqoRkPaZaTAtIfxfuZc70ycTu-U_WQtJTj4V8-R6AimJyQ5Xwc5xTHRI72WK20XzNrKP4qfg_eKx9zNNEalwyJGVow3aIRNShl1dBRKksyM9lFv7AFku-vBtE/s1600/emmaandfinnpajamas4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="matching pyjamas from Finn + Emma for brother and sister" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXj9W1YhXyux2I69D1I9xaqoRkPaZaTAtIfxfuZc70ycTu-U_WQtJTj4V8-R6AimJyQ5Xwc5xTHRI72WK20XzNrKP4qfg_eKx9zNNEalwyJGVow3aIRNShl1dBRKksyM9lFv7AFku-vBtE/s640/emmaandfinnpajamas4.jpg" title="the transition from one child to two" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q4Dj5SE-L9lvjUgjJZzcEknw3qhx_P1aaduptTSnXMZ66STPP1Axc7PH4o6b4VRla0dRhtzBqgUfJgQkDKhEyapsB3CSkuj-6tm8kejRm1N6BE6Ee_-F9MLRRm5_Hfepn8mZ51kthYkc/s1600/emmaandfinnelephantpajamas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Finn + Emma elephant pyjamas for baby and toddler" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q4Dj5SE-L9lvjUgjJZzcEknw3qhx_P1aaduptTSnXMZ66STPP1Axc7PH4o6b4VRla0dRhtzBqgUfJgQkDKhEyapsB3CSkuj-6tm8kejRm1N6BE6Ee_-F9MLRRm5_Hfepn8mZ51kthYkc/s640/emmaandfinnelephantpajamas2.jpg" title="matching pyjamas for boys and girls" width="640" /></a></div>
Emmy on the other hand, has been a great sleeper since day one. She still sleeps a great deal, both in my arms when I'm able to hold her, or in one of the many baby seats/swings we have around the house. She's pretty content all of the time, and when she isn't, it doesn't take much to soothe her. She loves being in the car and I can take her places knowing she will most likely sleep through it all. She has made the transition from one child to two, incredibly easy for me.<br />
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Of course, my transition wasn't the only one in question here. The transition for Sully from only child to older brother was tough at first. I wasn't naive about it, I knew to expect "the worst" and that jealously and an increase in temper tantrums would most likely ensue, but I think a big part of me hoped he would welcome his sister with open arms and that her sudden presence in our family wouldn't be an issue.<br />
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When Sully first came to visit us in the hospital after Emmy was born, he was pretty smitten with her, which made me think that he truly was going to be okay with not being the only child. But then we came home and I realized just how much this was going to rock his world. The first two weeks were the toughest and thankfully Jim was home during that time with us. There was a lot of crying, from both Sully and myself, a lot of meltdowns over absolutely nothing, and a lot of jealousy. For those first two weeks, the first thing Sully would say to me when I came downstairs with the baby was "Put the baby in daddy's hands!". I did my best to give Sully one on one time with just me, without the distraction of a nursing baby, and I made sure to do my best at keeping some of his routines intact, such as his bedtime one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpDVEb92zhfXd7AozJ6czhAulK2n9-uRXOxmt3pPbLvKEppMmnHUmrP7udlETKx-cvXmfE_iFY6dnPwdA_IM4KcFOu9dqe8NXJ2lYChbJB77mojFluEqZ47kvpyrw8ERn_CYMHdyXhx1R/s1600/emmaandfinnelephantpajamas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="super soft, organic cotton pyjamas from Finn + Emma for you baby and toddler" border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpDVEb92zhfXd7AozJ6czhAulK2n9-uRXOxmt3pPbLvKEppMmnHUmrP7udlETKx-cvXmfE_iFY6dnPwdA_IM4KcFOu9dqe8NXJ2lYChbJB77mojFluEqZ47kvpyrw8ERn_CYMHdyXhx1R/s640/emmaandfinnelephantpajamas.jpg" title="transitioning from one child to two - our experience" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>{elephant safari pyjamas c/o <a href="https://www.finnandemma.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Finn + Emma</a>}</i></td></tr>
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Thankfully, all transitions are temporary. Navigating your new role in a new family dynamic is tough, especially for an almost three year old who is still learning how to express his feelings. I can honestly say now though, that Sully adores his baby sister and rarely shows any jealousy. He hugs and kisses her all the time, asks where she is if she's in another room sleeping, tends to her if she's crying (gives her her soother back), asks to hold her and has even given her a bottle. The incredible, overwhelming feeling of love I get when I see how much he loves her is hard to explain. It's pure and honest, as only a three year old knows, and I couldn't love my children anymore if I tried.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahyhV78SrbWAtWadx9EAmiXP58FeH_xiG5yoVeTC92xPl-QTn2O4teKvdbbaiC8j6nxxG5-6ANkFC_SaGSLZ-bMiDac9ysMUCwfI5fJmdAOlVKDs3baFMAQpH_siNPKgmoCfme76NkyUf/s1600/emmaandfinnelephantpajamas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="finn + emma pyjamas" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahyhV78SrbWAtWadx9EAmiXP58FeH_xiG5yoVeTC92xPl-QTn2O4teKvdbbaiC8j6nxxG5-6ANkFC_SaGSLZ-bMiDac9ysMUCwfI5fJmdAOlVKDs3baFMAQpH_siNPKgmoCfme76NkyUf/s640/emmaandfinnelephantpajamas3.jpg" title="the transition from one child to two - an honest discussion" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdDHZutki4Xd9dimjJxRrR1QFNYZF1Qvps1lHpc6k41iEN1NT6NWULqimv1wtDSmS4JNPFb2b0ygTAQIYzULR0c3dCas2LfzLZIrjqDwTfRJrNoo5UZOAOH2vTFHpb8438oXCjPRxigy5/s1600/emmaandfinnpajamas5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="matching pyjamas for siblings from Finn + Emma" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdDHZutki4Xd9dimjJxRrR1QFNYZF1Qvps1lHpc6k41iEN1NT6NWULqimv1wtDSmS4JNPFb2b0ygTAQIYzULR0c3dCas2LfzLZIrjqDwTfRJrNoo5UZOAOH2vTFHpb8438oXCjPRxigy5/s640/emmaandfinnpajamas5.jpg" title="our transition from one child to two" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybDBujUAcBaM5l6gMx3MW8IvnHBN0ukvh0kGWwmjMOSimKRm8JC8w3fi93FjfIJPsE9-PhlDPouuOFDguMzA3WVGKpVOtMNAs_lc4DUHNpt9ecyuAnYF73V2nYHZDQizYRyFeCoNIBV_F/s1600/emmaandfinnpajamas7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="soft, organic pyjamas for your baby and toddler" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybDBujUAcBaM5l6gMx3MW8IvnHBN0ukvh0kGWwmjMOSimKRm8JC8w3fi93FjfIJPsE9-PhlDPouuOFDguMzA3WVGKpVOtMNAs_lc4DUHNpt9ecyuAnYF73V2nYHZDQizYRyFeCoNIBV_F/s640/emmaandfinnpajamas7.jpg" title="How the transition from one child to two went " width="640" /></a></div>
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And as much as I often wish I could freeze time in these early, tender years, I'm also excited to watch these two grow up together and hopefully become the best of friends. This is only the beginning. And who says you can't dress your son and daughter in matching clothes? ;) It will be a sad day when I have to pack up these super soft, organic cotton pyjamas from <a href="https://www.finnandemma.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Finn + Emma</a>.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Parents - how was your transition from one child to two (or more)? </span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Was it easier or harder than you expected?</span></i></b><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">*Elephant Safari Pajamas c/o<a href="https://www.finnandemma.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Finn + Emma</a>, but as always, all thoughts and reviews expressed are my own. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Thank you for supporting the companies that continue to make this hobby of mine possible!</span></i></div>
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-43547464900215386002017-03-02T10:17:00.001-07:002017-03-02T10:17:12.010-07:00Currently // MarchWell, February sure flew by in a flash, didn't it? February was a busy month for us, we had my sister visiting for a week (so much fun!), and we celebrated Sully's <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/02/a-dinosaur-themed-birthday-party.html" target="_blank">third birthday</a>! I'm always a little happy to see January and February go though as it means we are that much closer to spring! Anyway, here's a little look at what I've been up to currently.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_H3Q8F4Mpnzg2DCC517QG3mhKiyTTOjnqOixLtuq4fczdC7XbGRE8bW4fibjgvHWijOXpl75OexO62G3o77tlt-QGR-jcGRXmlKZLXWb9vhV_-hXE0pM9zOyZG9RZ3Mfk3vWczlNuXiJ/s1600/currentlypostmarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Currently March " border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_H3Q8F4Mpnzg2DCC517QG3mhKiyTTOjnqOixLtuq4fczdC7XbGRE8bW4fibjgvHWijOXpl75OexO62G3o77tlt-QGR-jcGRXmlKZLXWb9vhV_-hXE0pM9zOyZG9RZ3Mfk3vWczlNuXiJ/s640/currentlypostmarch.jpg" title="Currently post" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>Thinking About</u></b>: How amazing the human body is. As of today, I am 9 weeks postpartum, and 9 weeks post c-section. I have a post in the works talking about mind and body at this point after delivery, so it's been on my mind a lot. Up until about 7 weeks postpartum, I was still having quite a bit of weird discomfort in my belly in the area above my c-section incision and it was still very numb feeling. It's so hard to describe, but it wasn't always pleasant. Every day I would think, "Did I pull something? Am I ever going to feel better?" and then boom! I woke up one morning and there was no more pain, no more pulling, no more weird numbness. And that's when I finally started to feel "whole" again and more like my old self. This is also when I was like "ok, I'm ready to be cleared for exercise, I'm ready to move and workout!", something I definitely did not think in those first few weeks of recovery.<br />
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<b><u>Reading</u></b>: February was a slow reading month. I haven't been making the time for it in the evenings like I usually do, instead I've been interneting (totally a word) into the wee hours of the night because sometimes (especially during nursing sessions), interneting is just so much easier. I still have Faithful by Alice Hoffman checked out from the library that I need to read so I plan to devote some time to getting into it (I literally read the first two pages last week before shutting it and picking up my phone instead).<br />
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<u><b>Listening To</b></u>: Sully is showing way more interest in music lately than he ever has in the past. He asks me what every song is called that we are listening to and if he doesn't like the title I give him, he tells me what he thinks the title should be, (he calls the song 'Home' by Blue October, 'Dancing in the Kitchen', because that's a lyric from it). It's pretty cute. I also have noticed that he is picking up song lyrics now so I have to watch what comes on the playlist. Anyway, all that being said, I haven't actually been listening to anything new. His most requested song of all time is Carol of the Bells by the Piano Guys. Yes, we are still listening to Christmas music over here, but I'm not complaining - this instrumental song is beautiful and The Piano Guys are so talented. Plus, Sully likes to imitate playing the cello when listening to this song and it's the cutest thing ever.<br />
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<b><u>Watching</u></b>: I've been working my way through the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjRnbOgoAUQ" target="_blank">Santa Clarita Diet</a> on Netflix (3 episodes left!) and really enjoying it. Have you watched it? I adore Drew Barrymore. This show is a little gruesome, but that kind of thing never bothered me, plus since it's a dark comedy, I don't take the gross scenes too seriously. Highly recommend it though! Otherwise, I'm still watching the same old stuff...Gilmore Girls, Riverdale (a few episodes behind), This Is Us (also a few episodes behind), and Love Sick (another Netflix original I highly recommend!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7rU-Jqd37MADpYA3b8BmPTITbK5yjip5chEfGf_Pvd-UScM7OH2s3bA5qx1IJh5uSHJ_k1nwcuCjmzBZp8C4Df_klSaE2KX5jD7NmlMAos83cKgTS02k-G6AgTSDx_billDo573gpZXt/s1600/santaclaritadietnetflix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7rU-Jqd37MADpYA3b8BmPTITbK5yjip5chEfGf_Pvd-UScM7OH2s3bA5qx1IJh5uSHJ_k1nwcuCjmzBZp8C4Df_klSaE2KX5jD7NmlMAos83cKgTS02k-G6AgTSDx_billDo573gpZXt/s640/santaclaritadietnetflix.jpg" title="santa clarita diet" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>Eating</u></b>: I'm trying to clean up my diet in efforts to start living a more healthier lifestyle. When I'm pregnant and/or breastfeeding, I really start to let myself eat whatever I want, using those two things as an excuse. But even though breastfeeding burns extra calories, does not in fact give me the right to eat extra calories worth of junk (which I've been doing). I really have no will power when it comes to sweets in the house, so I told Jim he's going to start having to satisfy his sweet tooth at work as I am not bringing them into the house anymore. I've also noticed that I can go all morning without eating anything, sometimes as late as 2 p.m. before I even realize that all I've had is coffee. BAD! Not eating is not doing me any favours. So, needless to say, I've got some work to do in my diet.<br />
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<b><u>Wearing</u></b>: A mishmash of old clothes and maternity clothes (because ruching is a postpartum mom's best friend). Seriously though, my closet is the most depressing room in my house. Last night, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the VIP event for the brand new Women's Sport Chek at Chinook Centre that opens today (more on that tomorrow!), and I think I spent a good hour trying to figure out what to wear to it. Nothing fit how I wanted it to. My closet needs a serious overhaul.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rp_xOPIa-3h6HryJCc9Ded_KmDVoFsazCxXYvKeq3P4fUy4G0zIGtB9wManuYUK6RWBCCI-9ftKoZKUhKqygluhte37t2o73tEhKj5MT6zQpu8Uov3I7KGfYmuANYkbJkPQGe_vXMNPt/s1600/sportchekshoewall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="VIP event for Women's Sport Chek at Chinook Centre" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rp_xOPIa-3h6HryJCc9Ded_KmDVoFsazCxXYvKeq3P4fUy4G0zIGtB9wManuYUK6RWBCCI-9ftKoZKUhKqygluhte37t2o73tEhKj5MT6zQpu8Uov3I7KGfYmuANYkbJkPQGe_vXMNPt/s640/sportchekshoewall.JPG" title="Sport Chek Women's VIP event" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>Laughing About</u></b>: This Buzzfeed post sharing <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/100-parenting-memes-that-will-keep-you-laughing-for-hours?utm_term=.no6xoyaa0r#.rbEA9l77Nd" target="_blank">100 parenting memes</a>. You guys, this is the funniest thing I've read all week because it's so, so true. I screen capped so many of them to text Jim throughout the day. One of my favs because this is my life 100% and why I go to bed at ungodly hours:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1eK7Rf9Gs0YpkE5GnJir_Eo5GZtWPOhb0-ZVEmphfbyPZSL8byN58floFLKagYFLCk0hCGrdpWfoxff7m-UY1u6y2yAwUVCnLDpDqV6wVWiVNFyUrUokBF-4_NhmMiswR7Fk6KMEiBT7/s1600/parentingmeme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1eK7Rf9Gs0YpkE5GnJir_Eo5GZtWPOhb0-ZVEmphfbyPZSL8byN58floFLKagYFLCk0hCGrdpWfoxff7m-UY1u6y2yAwUVCnLDpDqV6wVWiVNFyUrUokBF-4_NhmMiswR7Fk6KMEiBT7/s400/parentingmeme.jpg" title="parenting meme" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><u>Looking Forward To</u></b>: This weekend! It's jam packed full of fun workouts and dinner with friends. On Saturday, I'll be trying out another <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/03/box-it-out-at-undrcard.html" target="_blank">Boxing class</a> with the Blog Squad and then a bunch of us will be going out for dinner to say goodbye to our good friend <a href="http://www.prettylittlegrub.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a>, who will be leaving us for a year as her and her husband <a href="http://www.prettylittlegrub.com/2017/02/21/the-big-secret-reveal/" target="_blank">travel the world</a>! Amazing, right?! And then on Sunday, we'll be hitting up a private Barre class (Emmy's coming with!), and then some of us will be heading over to Chinook Centre to take a fitness class offered by Sport Chek Women in celebration of their grand opening. It's going to be busy and tiring, but worth it!<br />
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<b>Over to you! </b><br />
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<b><i>Tell me something you're looking forward to! </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Current favourite song? TV show?</i></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">*Linking up with </span><a href="http://www.seeyouinaporridge.com/" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kristen</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> & </span><a href="http://www.gretchruns.com/" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Gretchen</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> for </span><a href="http://www.seeyouinaporridge.com/2016/01/monthly-link-up-announcement-with.html" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">What's New With You?</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrJbvKiOwb2P__lHDbKX_E6kcgD1qIA9l40CNGx6r3o6unZKjZa9MIeGwAL2DQaD7o7ap9Ems4HdMCqRmut8Qw-Ye2yHqbvyJBiC1GLlO52YpUbbqkYMs57t38PucGxBWqRithMMfX0py/s1600/k5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrJbvKiOwb2P__lHDbKX_E6kcgD1qIA9l40CNGx6r3o6unZKjZa9MIeGwAL2DQaD7o7ap9Ems4HdMCqRmut8Qw-Ye2yHqbvyJBiC1GLlO52YpUbbqkYMs57t38PucGxBWqRithMMfX0py/s320/k5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-37630511365639558712017-03-01T10:35:00.000-07:002017-03-01T23:14:09.457-07:00Box it Out at UNDRCARDLast week, I made my official return to the world of fitness since having a baby, by hitting up a boxing class with the Blog Squad. Go hard or stay home, right? Last Thursday night, we found ourselves at the coolest studio I've ever been to, wrapping our hands in anticipation for what promises to be a kick-ass workout, in a "fight club meets night club" atmosphere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooasvgRLzzFYJxtU8xE0PiZn0C3nIKU7Q_Mi7kAbpbZdnRf2JjiT1-ZpvGxxbhoiWQpzPqnea-nArF0j1weQqAYpD2ERcQEgPXyMNQqOdTEusDrnPedko9g0_SDIzKwa0QCziPdXFJzDx/s1600/UNDRCARD+BOXING+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What to expect your first time at UNDRCARD boxing studio Calgary" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooasvgRLzzFYJxtU8xE0PiZn0C3nIKU7Q_Mi7kAbpbZdnRf2JjiT1-ZpvGxxbhoiWQpzPqnea-nArF0j1weQqAYpD2ERcQEgPXyMNQqOdTEusDrnPedko9g0_SDIzKwa0QCziPdXFJzDx/s640/UNDRCARD+BOXING+%25281%2529.png" title="UNDRCARD Boxing Studio - A Review" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.undrcard.com/" target="_blank">UNDRCARD Boxing Studio</a> is Calgary's premier boxing studio which combines actual boxing technique with a night club atmosphere. From the moment you step inside their doors, you feel pretty bad-ass. The check-in counter is bright and boasts a monochrome wall of boxing gloves. Head in and around the corner is a full-fledged boxing ring. Further on down, there are complimentary lockers and fully stocked change rooms. There's also a coffee, juice and food bar, plus a little corner store where you can purchase all the latest boxing culture gear.<br />
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I honestly wasn't sure what to expect and to say I was intimated beforehand is an understatement. Thankfully, the boxing class truly is like a nightclub: lights are kept low and the music is pumping and LOUD. I mean, I haven't been to a nightclub in ages, but I'm pretty sure this is still what they're like, right?<br />
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Our instructor was awesome, more than welcoming and never made us feel out of place. While I found it difficult at times to see her from where I was standing, she did move around to show us the combos and made the rounds to help us out a bit. I've taken my share of aerobic style kick-boxing classes, but I've never truly "boxed".<br />
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We started the class with just our hand wraps on, moving through a warm-up and practicing our jabs and undercuts. Then the gloves go on and you get to work on your bag. Each punch is given a number so that as the class progresses, the instructor calls out numerical combos. This was tough and takes some brain power. All that memorization from dance classes from my youth definitely helped, but I still got lost a few times. The first class of anything new is always the hardest though! I can only imagine that after another class or two, the moves and combos would come to you much more quickly. UNDRCARD also offers a 30 minute <a href="http://www.undrcard.com/boxing-101-workshop/" target="_blank">Boxing 101</a> class for anyone new to boxing or wanting to focus on the basics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBgD7qoE_LerTGw_zxLUMPZI6fjgqAKJg39F6wFizVUn6foXASLAv3PPDOGY1EXU2YWuRC-68jS6T2tMfYh3o34SUWHVFkiieu_6DM-j8F03G_lkojQcWegDIXgWQE7GicouD_suObP9h/s1600/undrcardboxing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What to expect when you go to UNDRCARD Calgary" border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBgD7qoE_LerTGw_zxLUMPZI6fjgqAKJg39F6wFizVUn6foXASLAv3PPDOGY1EXU2YWuRC-68jS6T2tMfYh3o34SUWHVFkiieu_6DM-j8F03G_lkojQcWegDIXgWQE7GicouD_suObP9h/s640/undrcardboxing.jpg" title="UNDRCARD Boxing Studio review" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrVktpXSU9bqrlHwA6t0hMGP4utUHiUwgryGvIllNPDtwoLWkbbjHo0Lb7kM9o1HIDmLtWWFyoVGlmZAbunWoaztL6HKwc-ys04TTACKIH9um7322SBNb2GDAf-_V5-iQ1W0L4PlMSoAH/s1600/blogsquadboxing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UNDRCARD What to Expect at your first class" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrVktpXSU9bqrlHwA6t0hMGP4utUHiUwgryGvIllNPDtwoLWkbbjHo0Lb7kM9o1HIDmLtWWFyoVGlmZAbunWoaztL6HKwc-ys04TTACKIH9um7322SBNb2GDAf-_V5-iQ1W0L4PlMSoAH/s640/blogsquadboxing.jpg" title="Review of UNDRCARD Boxing Studio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXef_-cPMuzEaFoBjkN4QlEcd8JCm5SofQe5TFZ_jhPkPpaUtiYX-gzAmXQFj4lqP_s1IRI5Erfxdd8BJT0hgYpksBioW_XSSJe9LKexPyG3jcEplWzZQH9SxL4tv7DNAo0yb0gELhOYsh/s1600/blogsquadboxing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What to Expect at UNDRCARD Boxing Studio" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXef_-cPMuzEaFoBjkN4QlEcd8JCm5SofQe5TFZ_jhPkPpaUtiYX-gzAmXQFj4lqP_s1IRI5Erfxdd8BJT0hgYpksBioW_XSSJe9LKexPyG3jcEplWzZQH9SxL4tv7DNAo0yb0gELhOYsh/s640/blogsquadboxing2.jpg" title="Calgary Blog Squad reviews UNDRCARD Boxing Studio" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl31gZMhYcpWIWX-sxGIC2HOnYupXahKBiDcglxXb2VT8KoQMo24KuR19NDhUHqkW7iR-1F1WNuyq9Iw3RTiWAY_gHU-uYthJAd7xBFrvaFm__Bp5XF8j7N_XQZTDBSHMLRf7JBFZltbu/s1600/boxinggloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UNDRGROUND Boxing class review" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl31gZMhYcpWIWX-sxGIC2HOnYupXahKBiDcglxXb2VT8KoQMo24KuR19NDhUHqkW7iR-1F1WNuyq9Iw3RTiWAY_gHU-uYthJAd7xBFrvaFm__Bp5XF8j7N_XQZTDBSHMLRf7JBFZltbu/s640/boxinggloves.jpg" title="Boxing Gloves at UNDERGROUND Boxing" width="640" /></a></div>
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But hitting and punching your bag? Even if you make up your own combo routine? What a release. There's no denying that exercise makes you feel better, but there's something to be said for letting it all out on your punching bag. And boxing is one of those sports where you get out of it what you put into it. The harder you throw those punches, the more you are going to feel it. And let me tell you, punching that bag and pretending you know what you're doing, that feels pretty darn bad-ass. </div>
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For the most part, I gave it my all in that class. It feels good to hit things! Since I'm 8 weeks postpartum and had a c-section, I did sit the ab portion out, except for the planks and v-sits. I was so sure I was going to wake up the next day incredibly sore and unable to move my arms, but surprisingly, I felt really good! I was comfortably sore, but not in any pain.<br />
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Here's some things you should know before you go to a class at <a href="http://www.undrcard.com/" target="_blank">UNDRCARD</a>: You have to buy your own wraps ($8) for sanitary reasons, but you can reuse them over and over. Boxing gloves are provided though. You can leave your wedding rings on because there's enough space between your knuckles and the gloves to protect them. Bring a water bottle and wear running shoes (although you can go barefoot, but I wouldn't recommend it). Arrive 30 minutes early. This gives you time to lock up your stuff, fill out your waiver and wrap your hands. Don't be scared! I know I was, but honestly, everyone was super friendly and inviting. When you're signing in, pick a bag (they're all numbered) closer to the middle of the room, right in front of the instructor. Here's some <a href="http://www.undrcard.com/first-time/" target="_blank">more tips</a> to ease your mind.<br />
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<b>Prices</b>:<br />
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<li>Drop-in: $24</li>
<li>10-Class Pass: $199</li>
<li>20-Class Pass: $379</li>
<li>Monthly Membership: $209</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ938f9t8htGV0yJO7u-MYxgj-Z7TxQKNrAw59Vbvj_0hGivln2QCvQyiTGCpBQSxzuHQ1mjkXAQYE3h9NtxLz-SeVKVas_KUq4TKjLlcWnz2spAZZBYfHDNlXJyZYs7UEK-6AiDBnzC5k/s1600/boxingringundrcard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What to Expect at your first Boxing Class" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ938f9t8htGV0yJO7u-MYxgj-Z7TxQKNrAw59Vbvj_0hGivln2QCvQyiTGCpBQSxzuHQ1mjkXAQYE3h9NtxLz-SeVKVas_KUq4TKjLlcWnz2spAZZBYfHDNlXJyZYs7UEK-6AiDBnzC5k/s640/boxingringundrcard2.jpg" title="UNDRGROUND Boxing Ring" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtZ4lEkBFgOmi5j17erZMApDAj2NEZ1NB05NZh9NG6l3RScav3_roRx9tZzb6gMsX-8t6dG8-v5xgvgG52kJWerbcyTqb5IrQ7n150EmZSCZL412Z8HFoTNzl4GX5yd-nISwts5ptW9iQ/s1600/boxingringundrcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="UDNRGROUND Calgary" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtZ4lEkBFgOmi5j17erZMApDAj2NEZ1NB05NZh9NG6l3RScav3_roRx9tZzb6gMsX-8t6dG8-v5xgvgG52kJWerbcyTqb5IrQ7n150EmZSCZL412Z8HFoTNzl4GX5yd-nISwts5ptW9iQ/s640/boxingringundrcard.jpg" title="What to Expect at your first Boxing Class" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Blog Squad: <a href="http://www.prettylittlegrub.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a>//Me//<a href="http://cowgirlruns.com/" target="_blank">Ange</a>//<a href="http://scribblesandsass.com/" target="_blank">Laura</a>//<a href="https://nutcaseinpoint.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you've never taken a boxing class before, I cannot recommend it enough. You owe it to yourself to go beat up on a punching bag at least once. Your body and mind will thank you for it. I promise, it's the most bad-ass you will feel in a long time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuh7yTCbqqREKruP6-2Z19-Zk6CDIVjsenW6ryXsSWs0XyG0odyzGm9c7O6KezJvBNjSTU6Wa1vGlEQUjBb694id4mUBmnsZ2ohilb39TSxvP5d9rUN9D22S4-aRoe89NIft7B08xxATl6/s1600/undrcardboxing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UNDRGROUND Boxing Calgary" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuh7yTCbqqREKruP6-2Z19-Zk6CDIVjsenW6ryXsSWs0XyG0odyzGm9c7O6KezJvBNjSTU6Wa1vGlEQUjBb694id4mUBmnsZ2ohilb39TSxvP5d9rUN9D22S4-aRoe89NIft7B08xxATl6/s640/undrcardboxing2.jpg" title="What to Expect at your first boxing class" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>*Photos c/o <a href="http://cowgirlruns.com/" target="_blank">Ange</a> & <a href="http://scribblesandsass.com/" target="_blank">Laura</a></i><br />
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A big thank you to <a href="http://www.undrcard.com/" target="_blank">UNDRCARD</a> for inviting the Blog Squad to try out a class in exchange for an honest review.<br />
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<b><i>Have you ever boxed? Would you?</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>What's the most intimidating fitness class you've ever taken?</i></b><br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-47693446541768120612017-02-28T05:00:00.000-07:002017-02-28T05:00:23.181-07:00What's in My Diaper BagWhen I was pregnant for the first time, I went out and splurged on an expensive diaper bag that I just "had to have". I told myself, if I was going to be trucking along a diaper bag for the next few years or so, I wanted it to look pretty as well as be functional. That bag served it's purpose, but now that I have a few years of parenting experience under my belt and am the mom to a toddler and a newborn, I've learned a few things along the way when it comes to diaper bags and what to pack in them.<br />
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This time around, I've ditched the traditional style diaper bag as lugging around a heavy diaper bag on my shoulder isn't fun, no matter how pretty the bag is. And while it can seem daunting, especially for first time moms, to leave the house after baby is born, I've also learned that I don't need to bring the entire nursery along with me. Three years of parenthood under my belt and I like to think I have streamlined the process of packing a diaper bag! </div>
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So here's a look at what I deem to be diaper bag essentials:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamBabXLwog9pyltakIRFA8CjSckq8MouoUd2RVrIZIbsmyN7yL5aIB8CJsgK68x-UvT-E6_-imn9_5MbaCTzV4AbCPCp0FQI1XRdVMEnlhiKugl53N_xSljT3egLnXOk9TZdE26SQrurU/s1600/Diaper+Bag+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="packing a streamlined diaper bag - the must haves" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamBabXLwog9pyltakIRFA8CjSckq8MouoUd2RVrIZIbsmyN7yL5aIB8CJsgK68x-UvT-E6_-imn9_5MbaCTzV4AbCPCp0FQI1XRdVMEnlhiKugl53N_xSljT3egLnXOk9TZdE26SQrurU/s1600/Diaper+Bag+%25281%2529.png" title="diaper bag essentials for newborn and toddler" /></a></div>
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1. <b>Back Pack</b>: This time around, I ditched the shoulder style diaper bag for a <a href="http://www.fjallravencanada.com/equipment/kanken-backpacks.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">backpack</a>. This <a href="http://www.fjallravencanada.com/kanken-no-2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">classic pack</a> that <span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.fjallravencanada.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fjällräven</a></span></span> sent me is the perfect size, is comfortable to carry around and saves my shoulders. I also love that it's multi-purpose (it would make a great over night bag or carry-on bag on the plane) and it's something my husband can use too without feeling silly. </div>
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2. <b>Reusable Snack Bags</b>: Snacks for the toddler are one of the most important things I can pack in my bag. I never dare leave the house without them. These ones from <a href="https://www.bumkins.com/collections/snack-bags" target="_blank">Bumkins</a> are eco-friendly, waterproof, and machine/dishwasher safe. And snacks out of cute bags just makes even the most boring of snacks that much more fun. </div>
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3. <b>Water Bottle</b>: I love my <a href="http://www.swellbottle.com/shop-swell-bottle/" target="_blank">S'well water bottle</a> because it keeps my water cold all day long (I can't stand warm water). And nothing annoys me more than having to purchase a bottle of water when out running errands.</div>
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4. <b>Lip Chap</b>: Given the climate I live in, lip chap is a must. This one from <a href="http://www.burtsbees.ca/natural-products/lips-lip-care-beeswax-lip-balm/beeswax-lip-balm-tube.html" target="_blank">Burt's Bees</a> is my current fav. Loaded with vitamin E and coconut oil, it keeps my lips soft and I love the cooling effect the peppermint extract provides. </div>
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5. <b>Granola Bars</b>: I've been the victim of hanger one too many times so I know better than to not have snacks on hand for me. While I don't like to rely on protein or granola bars every time I go out, having one on hand is a much better option than hitting up the drive-thru. Knowing what a huge fan I am of chocolate mint, Ange gifted me a box of these <a href="http://www.kindsnacks.com/store/dark-chocolate-almond-mint.html" target="_blank">Dark Chocolate Almond Mint KIND bars</a>, and they are my absolute favourite now. </div>
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6. <b>Baby Wipes</b>: Not just for babies! Sure, now that I have a baby requiring multiple diapers changes in a day, wipes are a must, but I think having wipes on hand is awesome even when you don't have children with you. I use them from everything from diaper changes, to cleaning off public tables, washing hands and faces, cleaning up spilt coffee, etc. I like to buy my wipes in bulk and then put some in one of these cute little<a href="http://www.toysrus.com/buy/baby-wipes/huggies-natural-care-baby-wipes-clutch-n-clean-carrying-case-32-count-color/styles-may-vary-40722-33552676" target="_blank"> portable wipes clutches</a> from Huggies. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1zfWLLF57hY0GJHip-FnqKXLGxy2SS_EEhmUMChkEk2YgjJ_AWkPsXikZpb9gcTPVtkv9K98r9ZZioRriwrnE6d1YPxEs03_Uef7Zi5JN2OfJCMEZysaFj1Y17yc4tZLVf5vpIa5B5aR/s1600/diaperbagessentials.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="what's in my diaper bag" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1zfWLLF57hY0GJHip-FnqKXLGxy2SS_EEhmUMChkEk2YgjJ_AWkPsXikZpb9gcTPVtkv9K98r9ZZioRriwrnE6d1YPxEs03_Uef7Zi5JN2OfJCMEZysaFj1Y17yc4tZLVf5vpIa5B5aR/s640/diaperbagessentials.JPG" title="must haves for packing a streamlined diaper bag" width="640" /></a></div>
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7. <b>Hand Cream</b>: Again, dry climate demands hand cream even at the best of times. In the winter months, I'm especially prone to really dry, chapped hands, so I'm always on the lookout for a good, non-greasy one. I love this one from <a href="http://shop.skinfixinc.com/products/hand-repair-cream" target="_blank">Skinfix</a>, and while pricey, a little goes a long way. </div>
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8. <b>Swaddle Blankets</b>: A <a href="https://www.adenandanais.com/swaddles/swaddles/" target="_blank">large swaddle blanket</a> is a must now that I have a newborn again. I consider it a multi-purpose item as I can use it as a blanket, a burp cloth, or a change pad. Rolled up tight, they take up very little room in my bag so I always have one or two with me. </div>
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9. <b>Shopping Cart Hammock</b>: For these early months with a small baby, I love <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/02/shopping-with-kids-made-easy.html" target="_blank">my hammock</a> from Binxy Baby. It gives me more room in the cart and keeps my baby safe. While I don't like trucking around extra baby gear, this rolls up nice and tight so it fits in my back pack easily. </div>
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10. <b>Books</b>: I always have a book or two on hand to entertain my toddler while waiting for appointments. We're both big fans of these <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/davids-father/9781550370119-item.html?ikwsec=Books&ikwidx=49" target="_blank">mini Robert Munsch</a> ones as you can bring along several without sacrificing space or adding additional weight in your diaper bag.<br />
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11. <b>Car Seat/Nursing Cover</b>: Every mom needs one of these <a href="https://www.4foldthreads.com/collections/all4one-cover" target="_blank">multipurpose covers</a>. It makes a stylish car seat cover while also providing shelter from all types of weather. And it's the easiest nursing cover I've ever used. It folds up into practically nothing, fitting easily into even the smallest of diaper bags. I love them so much, I own two! </div>
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And it probably goes without saying, as I didn't include it in my list, but obviously a few diapers and an extra sleeper for baby make it into my bag as well. </div>
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So, that's what's taking up real estate in my diaper bag!<br />
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<b><i>What are some must have items in your diaper bag?</i></b><br />
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<b><i>No diaper bag? Tell me something you have in your purse!</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*This post was sponsored by </i><span style="background-color: white;"><i><a href="http://www.fjallravencanada.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fjällräven Canada</a>,</i></span><i> but as always, all opinions and reviews expressed are my own. </i></span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thank you for supporting the companies that continue to make this hobby of mine possible! </span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Affiliate links have not been used.</span></i></div>
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Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591658634412055487.post-24502120482597949652017-02-27T15:32:00.000-07:002017-02-27T15:32:40.201-07:00A Dinosaur Themed Birthday Party!This past weekend, we celebrated <a href="http://www.sliceofbrie.com/2017/02/this-is-3.html" target="_blank">Sully's third birthday</a>. I asked him a few weeks ago if he wanted a trains party or a dinosaurs party and he shouted dinosaurs! So dino themed it was.<br />
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We had a packed house full of his little friends, our friends, and some of our family. My best friend from Edmonton even travelled down for the party with her three kids in tow! It was so great that almost everyone we invited was able to attend. I forgot, like usual, to take a lot of photos, but that always just means I was having too much fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2spVPkenP9E-fLE5FftIVdCM4oS2QsrrhQCwa1dRJJw3cwy9mkb8_9oFGHuA2mX3YKD-Xn4qOmKMd1YHWlwrZLSOPw5WZ8PJypN-5XbbWpC6qC6VZw32kezAwYTz4IVA7a_veVKdTTqQ/s1600/dinosaurparty2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="toddler dinosaur party ideas" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2spVPkenP9E-fLE5FftIVdCM4oS2QsrrhQCwa1dRJJw3cwy9mkb8_9oFGHuA2mX3YKD-Xn4qOmKMd1YHWlwrZLSOPw5WZ8PJypN-5XbbWpC6qC6VZw32kezAwYTz4IVA7a_veVKdTTqQ/s640/dinosaurparty2.JPG" title="Dinosaur themed birthday party decor" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3xSMbEBXYF7-8H2Mhs4bna6r-oOSb0kjRxLBLlLc63INphZfXKsjRxfH3gilLySeQ35d5uc3-0aZSyytUbfqBm9oHVBlZ4-OoZCeD6VNJeV_6gFf3AXAQyiO0PVpCyEearLPw54T590L/s1600/dinosaurpartydecor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur themed party decorations" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3xSMbEBXYF7-8H2Mhs4bna6r-oOSb0kjRxLBLlLc63INphZfXKsjRxfH3gilLySeQ35d5uc3-0aZSyytUbfqBm9oHVBlZ4-OoZCeD6VNJeV_6gFf3AXAQyiO0PVpCyEearLPw54T590L/s640/dinosaurpartydecor.JPG" title="Dinosaur themed birthday party for a toddler" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RwRi40EVPF3uZeCU-pj8KYVznaHQmROSVynZPohcgosS5dGg9-L4JJifLUBYQC8S3_8gDYVN_fqXB-Wu15EzYppHT5w5TDLXdUz-V6Dymj8UIoN7ijy6yYwXaU7PQOU1hFhClNazxuVu/s1600/dinosaurpartyfood4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur party ideas for a toddler" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RwRi40EVPF3uZeCU-pj8KYVznaHQmROSVynZPohcgosS5dGg9-L4JJifLUBYQC8S3_8gDYVN_fqXB-Wu15EzYppHT5w5TDLXdUz-V6Dymj8UIoN7ijy6yYwXaU7PQOU1hFhClNazxuVu/s640/dinosaurpartyfood4.JPG" title="Dinosaur themed party food" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JQjyS2Y5Tk3NERs1v5L-OyiW6rxOXkyt0uGprJA5huJNBhpEbsn69D-2T4wmslngqhbv6AebaBBa5PnUCaIYbGEmyq6V5k19pFbUCZ6gphFoCqhHZzwm9mfWRyA9wgBHvpKNBl91nlS-/s1600/dinosaurpartyfood5+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur party food labels" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JQjyS2Y5Tk3NERs1v5L-OyiW6rxOXkyt0uGprJA5huJNBhpEbsn69D-2T4wmslngqhbv6AebaBBa5PnUCaIYbGEmyq6V5k19pFbUCZ6gphFoCqhHZzwm9mfWRyA9wgBHvpKNBl91nlS-/s640/dinosaurpartyfood5+.JPG" title="Dinosaur party food ideas" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2XaGyTo9Pa4U2L-jsUWAwSBYnkfGtPdJaU1brAXXTTwkkV5rInHULU23hdRflXkP4DLdvTOc3W3NlF8y1qTbtglMdS3hH4AIuSXxG0ouTHDdw3B2rGjP9C3gwroEAqAU1Oiyp8m0-XXh/s1600/dinosaurpartyfood6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur themed party food labels" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2XaGyTo9Pa4U2L-jsUWAwSBYnkfGtPdJaU1brAXXTTwkkV5rInHULU23hdRflXkP4DLdvTOc3W3NlF8y1qTbtglMdS3hH4AIuSXxG0ouTHDdw3B2rGjP9C3gwroEAqAU1Oiyp8m0-XXh/s640/dinosaurpartyfood6.JPG" title="dinosaur themed party food ideas" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrTc09D8X6rIHbNTTilpUBSek7tsA74EeQBs6mVOvX8hyykanktkxQT16ThEWAWogl0CcgmrN8j_KCB-EuavE-bM9lu8JAWGho-V3fQ1RuuB3pjWEMSzgYAW3C2FWEkbRg7OGhGfdPNAU/s1600/dinosaurpartycupcakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur party ideas" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrTc09D8X6rIHbNTTilpUBSek7tsA74EeQBs6mVOvX8hyykanktkxQT16ThEWAWogl0CcgmrN8j_KCB-EuavE-bM9lu8JAWGho-V3fQ1RuuB3pjWEMSzgYAW3C2FWEkbRg7OGhGfdPNAU/s1600/dinosaurpartycupcakes.JPG" title="dinosaur party cupcakes" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99UdIh403wFml1tmvyM5Jjpiq-X2BMi_4O2LroadGHcF5MGNzldFTQ-n6wXYdFHJG7vFj26lt85ShO4n3W01UtuaX_POJtYBqUd2Un7Y5GM53HiZv3LGm_4K2Yah4nR_L8V4qnEmqk0wu/s1600/dinosaurpartyfood3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur party food labels" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99UdIh403wFml1tmvyM5Jjpiq-X2BMi_4O2LroadGHcF5MGNzldFTQ-n6wXYdFHJG7vFj26lt85ShO4n3W01UtuaX_POJtYBqUd2Un7Y5GM53HiZv3LGm_4K2Yah4nR_L8V4qnEmqk0wu/s640/dinosaurpartyfood3.JPG" title="dinosaur party food ideas" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEKtXEPnO5jMBh1H4Vu3A40u9rawjgGYmgXvwLBX7kAIArl4lEOsod6Y7UcLtvBzYJXs8gTtYg2ZNMJuUgkhCtILkkLnK2IvAP3Fi9IzwxP0v7viejhUFDYPpNbGN5evkKRJ2hfTEmofx/s1600/dinosaurpartyfood2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur party water bottle labels" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEKtXEPnO5jMBh1H4Vu3A40u9rawjgGYmgXvwLBX7kAIArl4lEOsod6Y7UcLtvBzYJXs8gTtYg2ZNMJuUgkhCtILkkLnK2IvAP3Fi9IzwxP0v7viejhUFDYPpNbGN5evkKRJ2hfTEmofx/s640/dinosaurpartyfood2.JPG" title="dinosaur party drink ideas" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtoRzOHCLUKbrW_vDRr7Qi-l3j1VTzDdg9DFkFzpRZpm7BRgxUfb6bMs-r5MFMWjlQoodB64or-F47kpXNHF8r1fM-DxWCS6kaDlvYoVKt30udSICwpSTJMBHjr_dx2qcWxz6lqezPb3P/s1600/dinosaurparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtoRzOHCLUKbrW_vDRr7Qi-l3j1VTzDdg9DFkFzpRZpm7BRgxUfb6bMs-r5MFMWjlQoodB64or-F47kpXNHF8r1fM-DxWCS6kaDlvYoVKt30udSICwpSTJMBHjr_dx2qcWxz6lqezPb3P/s640/dinosaurparty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>*water bottle and treat bag labels <a href="http://placeofmytaste.com/dinosaur-themed-party-and-free/" target="_blank">here</a></i><br />
<i>*food labels <a href="http://www.supermommy.com.sg/dinosaur-party-printable-food-labels/" target="_blank">here</a></i><br />
<i>*dino colouring sheets <a href="http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/dinosaur-coloring-pages/" target="_blank">here</a></i><br />
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Thank you to all our friends and family for helping us celebrate Sully turning 3!<br />
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<br />Brie @ A Slice of Briehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12147847971814025018noreply@blogger.com0