:: momoirs ::

Saw this on coolmompicks and loved the idea. What would you say in six words?

Whether you are a mother or just have one, everyone has a six-word mom story to tell—a "Six-Word MOMoir." SMITH Mag is teaming up with TruuMomConfessions and Postcards From Yo Momma for a six-word mom challenge. We'll choose our favorite six six-word stories about being a mother or your relationship with your own mom. Each winner will get a book of their choice from one of the above sites, or a T-shirt with his or her MOMoir on it from our partner, Spreadshirt.

Check out some of the entries here: Momoirs

And as for moi? "Life is sweeter with wonderful you"

:: camping in style ::

We could be camping in style this summer if we win the Vibe 98.5 Cutest Kid Contest! We already made it really far....Hunter was chosen from over 5500 contestants to be a part of the Top 20. Now all we need is lots of votes to win this fantastic prize package (including this RV which would make camping in the unpredictable Alberta weather soooo much easier with a babe!). Please vote for our little cutie here! He is finalist #1. Merci BEAUCOUP!

$5000 in groceries from M and M Meat shops, a $2500 shopping spree from Gracie and Gruff fine toys, a $5000 RESP from ATB Financial, a $5000 photo Package from KidsPhoto, a Playhouse from Manor Renovations, all access passes from Calaway Park, a trip for 4 to Anaheim, California and a 2010 Dutchman RV from Sunridge RV!

:: wordless wednesday - banana ::

:: can't wait to see this movie ::

:: mommy & me ::

I am loving my friend's new blog - The Domestic Project - and especially her Egotastic Mondays. Isn't it a shame that mommies have so few pictures with their little sprouts? I have a bajillion pics of Hunter but very few of the two of us.

So, I got the Hubs to take this one of us wearing.....wait for it.....matching outfits! What? Mommies and their sons can wear matching outfits? Why yes, we can both look chic in houndstooth (him - sweater, me - headband)

Check us out, aren't we cuuuute? What else can we matchy-match in? Argyle? Plaid? Stripes? Another reason to go shopping :)

:: fabulous news friday ::

You might have noticed the "vote for Hunter" box on the right sidebar in the last couple of weeks. A local radio station is having a contest (with an amazing $45 000 prize package including an RV and trip to Disneyland!) and I found out this morning that we made the TOP 20!

We are so so so excited and we are shamelessly asking anyone and everyone we know to vote for our little cutie! You can vote here: http://cutestkid.vibemorningshow.com/contests/register.aspx

Thanks so much for all your votes that got us into the Top 20! It was (and still is) very stiff competition and we are trying not to get our hopes up too much......but it would be so cool if we won!

:: happy earth day ::

Happy Earth Day from Hunter - wearing his Bum Genius Organic Cloth Diaper and chewing on his new wood teether (made in Canada - find them here)

I have become a lot more conscious of our footprint since having a baby. We are not living the perfect eco family life, but we are trying to make small changes. I saw this on another blog earlier this week but I cannot for the life of me remember which one! Thanks for the idea though! Hopefully you see it and you can comment and jog my memory.

Here are some things we are doing:

- cloth diapering (part time, but still!)

- cleaning with vinegar (safer for baby, earth and WAY cheaper! click here for info)

- buying consignment clothing for the babe

- washing in cold water (except the dipes)

- seeking out used or hand-me-down behemoth toys like jumperoos etc.

- planting our own garden this year for some yummy pesticide free produce

- buying less packaged and processed food (even if you can recycle the packaging, it's still not good for you!)

- use a natural, phosphate free laundry detergent (either Nellie's or Crunchy Clean)

- trying to buy local or at least Canadian for things, reducing the emissions from importing schtuff.

Things we need to do:

- Get power bars for large things like our TV to reduce the power used when they are turned off

- be better about turning lights off! (Hubs....not moi!)

- put a clothesline in the backyard this summer - I can't wait for yummy smelling sheets!

- probably a million other things.....any suggestions?

Happy Earth Day! Hoping we can take a walk later if it is not raining and enjoy the outdoors!

Find some great ideas for going green over at Simple Mom (love that site!)

:: wordless wednesday ::

:: gap, old navy and banana republic bring online shopping to canada! ::

Seersucker Blazer for baby boys from Old Navy

I was browsing the Gap family of websites over the weekend (to find the picture above of the cuuuuute little blazer I picked up for Hunter to wear to a summer wedding) and noticed that they are going to be shipping to Canada soon. Um, woooot! So excited about this! Not sure of the actual date, but I hope it is soon, cause I have my eye on some schtuff.

:: spotted at chapters - snarky baby shower bingo by knock knock ::

image of Baby Shower Bingo Card from Knock Knock website

I am SO buying these sassy baby shower bingo cards for to decrease the lame factor of the next shower I host. My favourite squares? Unsolicited Advice, Hormonal Outburst, Forbidden Libation & Mouth Plug.

Unfortch, these are not available on Chapters' online store, but you can get them, and oodles of other snarky gift gear on the Knock Knock website, or use the store locator here. I will definitely be getting this folder when I go back to work. Ha!

:: friday round-up ::

Hunter wearing (and eating) his new bow-tie bib from Starshine Baby Couture. All dressed up for drooling.

It's Friday, it's warm out and I have a lunch date! How about a quick round-up of some of my favourite things found online this week, non?

Loving the first issue of La Petite Mag from blogger Kenziepoo.

Two new Calgary baby blogs! Here and here.

Still wishing and hoping and praying for lots of votes for the cutest kid in Calgary.....here.

Happy Birthday to the cutest little rambling renovator!

Loving the tea party themed birthday party here.

Coveting this outfit.

Attention husbands? Some great Mother's Day ideas here.

More woodland nursery prints here! Need more wall space!

Happy Weekend.....hope it is warm and sunny where you are.

xoxo Morgan & Hunter

:: owls wetbag from monkeyfoot designs ::

Large Wetbag in Alexander Henry's Owls by MonkeyFoot Design

What was stopping me from cloth diapering while we were out and about? A wetbag! I am so excited about this owls wetbag (love this fabric - it's framed in our nursery!) which is now en route chez nous. Thanks to Raising a King blog for featuring this seller! Even if you are not a cloth diapering mama, you could use this for snacks, swimwear.....the possibilities are endless.

:: wordless wednesday - the evolution of crying ::

:: natural hand sanitizer ::

Image via Lavish & Lime

I am pretty excited about this all-natural hand sanitizer. As a new mommy I am constantly washing my hands. When I am out, I rely on hand sanitizer - and I usually hate all of them! This alcohol-free (read: safe if baby gets a bit in his/her mouth when you inevitably have to replace a soother, sophie the giraffe etc.... when your hands are wet with the stuff) sanitizer comes in two delish scents - Orange Vanilla, and Citrus Herb. And it's a spray. Woot! Get it now at Lavish & Lime. Anyone in Calgary want to split a 6 pack?

:: ohdeedoh loves calgary ::

image via Ohdeedoh

I was so excited to see this gorgeous nursery show up on my RSS feed this evening. Even more excited that it is from my hometown, Calgary! Check out this gorgeous nursery on Ohdeedoh.

:: girls night! ::

Quick post today because I need to start getting ready soon. It's my first girls night out (for dinner and drinks) since little H was born. I am so excited to wear a real bra - woot! Off to check my closet for a dress or top that fits that is fitted and not nursing friendly. I am going all out.

Best part is, the husbands are staying home with the babies and the silly guys think they are somehow going to have a poker game! I told them it sounded like a great idea and I'm a little excited to see it blow up in their faces. Boys and their ideas of how "easy" it is to take care of little ones.

:: it's my birthday! ::

Happy Birthday to moi!

If you'd like to give me a present.....you could vote for Hunter here. We could win a trip to Disneyland and a new RV for camping this summer (and a bunch more!). You can vote once a day if you are so inclined :)

Hope you all have a great day. I am looking forward to take out dinner with the Hubs tonight and watching a movie at home. It's going to be oh-so-chic!

:: mom jean recommendations? ::

So here I am 4 months post-partum and my bod is not what it used to be. Le sigh. I am losing hope of ever fitting into my beloved Rock & Republic jeans again unless I have the help of my Bella Band, and I am ready to shop for a new pair of jeans. (plus, it's my Birthday tomorrow and Hubs says I can go on a jean spree! YAY!)

But, I think I am now in the market for mom jeans. Not totally what you think....just no more low-rise for me. This poochy stomach needs to be held in. I actually tried on a pair of MY MOM's jeans this weekend (they are Seven's but still!) and they fit well. Higher rise, bigger pockets to give me some semblance of a butt.....now to shop for a pair for moi.

Any recommendations for a good pair of jeans for the new mom body? I am definitely going to check out these Sevens....even if my Mom owns a pair too, she is a pretty stylish lady (love you Mom!)

p.s William Rast jeans are on HauteLook today! I love that they are designed by my love, Justin Timberlake, but I am not sure if they live up to my new fit criteria.....any fans out there?

:: cafepress customized shirts ::

Watch for an upcoming review and giveaway from custom t-shirt company CafePress!

I am loving these onesie designs *giggle*. Which one would you choose?

:: who's the cutest of them all? ::

So, I am going all pageant mommy and entering H into a cute baby contest. One of the prizes is an RV (hello! camping!) and a trip to disneyland (woooooot! I've never been!) so naturally I have been sifting through the thousands of pictures I've been taking of him and searching for the perfect one to send in.

Here is a collage I made of all the cutest pics. Which one would stand out to you to vote for in a contest?

:: fashion friday - maternity at asos ::

Why did I not know that Brit online store ASOS has awesome maternity stuff when I was pregnant? Definitely filing this link in the "things to buy for next time" bookmarks....le sigh....I want all these things now, in regular sizes!

:: bikini boot camp ::

So, I think I'm ready.

I was going to go all April Fools on you and say I was ready for another baby, but......it's not really even funny!

What I am ready for is blasting these last 10 pounds before I have to wear a bathing suit. Living in a lake community, I know I'll have to wear one this summer since I plan on spending a lot of time there with my mommy friends.....and I can't wait to see how Hunter likes the water.

And so, I must get back to working out. And hard.

I got an email from Bikini Boot Camp yesterday and it could not have come at a better time. It's warm outside, I tried on bathing suits last week (disaster!) and I am looking for ways to get out of the house in the evenings to let the Hubs take care of the baby solo. He gets hockey nights.....so I need to take some me-time too. Lately it's been to go grocery shopping. *yawn*. I would so much rather be with other women chatting, working out and enjoying some time in the fresh air.

Solution? Register for Bikini Boot Camp!

I took a Bikini Bootcamp class with a friend before I got pregnant and I loooooved it. Like really really loved it. It sounds weird to say that you love being forced to run stairs for an hour, or hills, or do push-ups and burpees and all the things your crazed gym teachers used to make you do in junior high, but I honestly loved it. I was in great shape by the end and I was so motivated that I could get so fit without ever having to set foot in a gym. My trainer (Laurie) was awesome and made all our treacherous workouts fun and it was so incredibly nice to spend our time sweating in the cool evening air rather than the sweaty stench of the gym! Did I mention I am not a fan of the gym?

The program isn't cheap, but I promise it is worth every penny. The Hubs has hockey fees, baseball fees and ridiculous amounts of new equipment "needs" each season so really, it's a drop in the bucket, and I know it's going to make me feel so good to get out of the house and get a great workout in. Happy Mommy = Happy Family, non? Plus, after the program I am really hoping that I can go back and brave bathing suit shopping again.

Anyways, Bikini Bootcamp is running a contest and the person that refers the most new participants to the program will get a FULL YEAR OF FREE BIKINI BOOTCAMP! I would love this, and since I know I have readers across Canada and Bikini Boot Camp has recently started programs in many Canadian cities, I am asking you to register (if you dare!) and use my name as your referrer. I promise you won't regret it, even when your legs are close to collapsing after running the stairs for the umpteenth millionth time :)

Kick Butt Programs are currently running in:

Alberta - Calgary, Chestermere, Airdrie, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Sherwood Park & Sylvan Lake

Saskatchewan - Candle Lake, Emma/Christopher Lake, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Warman/Martinsville, Yorkton

British Columbia - Kelowna

Manitoba - Winnipeg

Ontario - Mississauga, Whitby, Toronto, Ottawa, Pickering

Learn how Bikini Boot Camp started right here in Calgary here. FAQ's are also here. Program descriptions are here. There is something for everyone - Pre-natal, post-natal, beginner, intermediate, advanced, extreme....and the list goes on!

Most importantly, check out the amazing programs running in your city and register here! (and if you wouldn't mind - use Morgan Chapman as your referrer name!)

If you are a bit nervous to take the plunge, make sure to go to a free workout to try it out. You'll be hooked!