diaper bag review: the birch bag

Would you believe that we have never had a proper diaper bag? Six years ago, when I was pregnant with Remy, my dream diaper bag was out of our reach. It was simply much too expensive. As a result, we turned a vintage shoulder bag into a makeshift diaper bag.

Then with Wilder, we used one of my favourite leather backpacks. Although pretty, it lacked on pouches and compartments.

You had better believe that I was over the moon when my friends at Parker Baby Co. contacted me and said that they wanted to send one of their diaper bags! I was about to give birth to our third child and we had everything but that! We ended up choosing the unisex Birch Bag in gray so that both Geoffrey and I would feel comfortable wearing it. Believe me when I tell you that it is just as beautiful in person as it looks online!

What I love about the Birch Bag is that it is incredibly functional. It comes with a changing pad, stroller straps, insulated side pockets, and even a key ring. Not only that, but it is waterproof inside and out! Plus, it has over 10 pockets (which is a huge improvement from my backpack with just a single pocket).

I literally cannot wait to go places and bring this with us. I will no longer have to root through the bag to find an item as everything is just so nicely organized now. Plus, it looks amazing!

Be sure to check out more items on their website here. In doing so, you will be supporting a family business.

Emory

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we went to edmonton

A few weeks ago, we went on a small holiday to Edmonton, AB. We did the same trip when I was pregnant with Remy. It was mostly to buy big baby items, but also to mark the last mini vacation before baby comes! This is what we got up to …

Day One

We arrived around supper time. Our original plans were to check into our hotel, order room service, and then go swimming. But with being locked in a vehicle for over five hours, Geoffrey and I were wanting to stretch our legs and let Remy run around. We decided to go to IKEA then, instead of on our last day (even though we went back then as well).

We had supper in the restaurant, and then went shopping. We purchased:


Leka Baby Gym


Tillgiven Baby Towel


Forsiktig Stool


Raklev Flatwoven Rug


Fladis Seagrass Basket


Soare Place Mats


Minnen Children’s Bed


Plutten Mattress


Vanskaplig Linen


Grusblad Duvet

By the time we had finished it was nearly bedtime. We picked up a snack and made our way to the hotel. We were off to a great start!

Day Two

We began the morning with a continental breakfast at our hotel. We ended up staying at the Radisson, as per usual. It’s a larger hotel with free parking, free breakfast, a hotel, gym, restaurant, pet-friendly, and is basically equal distance between IKEA and West Edmonton Mall. We love it there, and have stayed many times alone, with dogs, and now a child.

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After breakfast we made the short drive over to West Coast Kids. One of the main reasons why we came to the city was to purchase a particular stroller from this store. It was one that I had my eye on since the beginning of my pregnancy, and it just so happened to be on sale! Geoffrey and Remy played while I shopped. I bought:


Peg Perego Book Team Double Stroller


Little Unicorn Muslin Crib Sheet


Kushies Changing Pad Cover


Gautier Studio House Shelf


Boka Wood Pacifiers


Sago Mini Wiener Mobile (for Remy)

I could have spent all day there, buying more and soaking in the baby jitters goodness. Yet, I didn’t want to annoy anyone, or break our budget. Sadly, we left after less than two hours. Afterwards, we ended up going to Canadian Tire to buy straps in order to tie everything down to the vehicle. We also drove to where we used to live when we were first married. It was too smoky that day to go for a walk, unfortunately. So we ordered room service for lunch, and went back to the hotel to eat and nap.

That afternoon, we went to West Ed Mall. All of our plans were thrown for a loop because of the forest fires in BC. We couldn’t do anything outside, like visiting the zoo or walking around. So we decided that day to get all of our shopping over and done with and head home a day early.

Geoff took Remy to Marine Life while I quickly went to a couple of stores. After getting a few non-related baby items, I was feeling guilty and missing them. So I went and found them. We took Remy to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and then walked around to let her burn off all of her sugar energy.

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It was getting late, but we really wanted to go to Galaxyland. We made a quick stop where they went on one ride. Honestly, it was just too loud and the rides weren’t really suited for a 2-year-old. We ended up leaving after awhile, picked up supper, and went back to the hotel. Aside from Galaxyland, the mall was really fun!

Day Three

We had planned on leaving that afternoon, but were out of ideas as to what to do that morning for entertainment. We originally wanted to go to the RAM, but after looking it up online, we discovered that it was closed while they were moving to a new location. We also now had IKEA purchases strapped down to the roof of our vehicle. Not wanting them to get stolen, we decided to return to IKEA to run around and eat before leaving the city. (We figured that they would be the safest there.) So that’s what we did! I ended up buying a few other items:


Fintorp Kitchen Rail


Mala Paper Holder


Mala Paper Roll

We ate at the little cafe before heading out. That was probably the best food that we had the entire trip. Remy and I shared four hot dogs and she devoured the pear juice. At less than a dollar for each item, we should have stocked up. It was a delicious and fun morning. We all just love IKEA.

We made the five hour drive home, and returned close to bedtime. Our goose is the quietest traveler in the vehicle, and loves exploring new places. I really cherished this last vacation as a family of three. I’m sure that it won’t go this smoothly once our beloved baby arrives. Haha.

You can relive our previous trip to Edmonton here. Thanks for reading!

Emory

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what i bought baby

Hi friends! I cannot believe that I am publishing a post about what I have bought (or am intending to buy) our baby-to-be. It seems like ages ago that I created posts such as these. And it was! Sort of. Three years ago, to be more precise. I was pregnant for the first time with Remy, and was trying to navigate my way through becoming a first-time parent. I was so lost as to what to buy. This time around, I certainly feel more confident in what to get him/her. Let’s begin!

1. Milo’s Corner Rabbit Blanket

It sounds silly to admit this, but I didn’t know the power of swaddling babies until having one. I thought that they would like to feel free and move around in their sleep, just like adults. I actually thought that swaddling was almost a form of punishment! I knew nothing, apparently.

One thing that I did not have enough of with Remy was muslin blankets. I think that we only bought three, all of which were used heavily! With this baby, I’m going to ensure that we have more than our fair share just so that he/she will always be able to be wrapped up nice and snug.

2. Gerber Onesies in White

Onesies onesies onesies. Give me all the onesies. This seems like such an obvious thing to have, but we did not buy enough onesies, nor any in a Newborn size. My sister usually has big babies that she dresses in sleepers for basically the first year of their lives. I didn’t know if we preferred sleepers or onesies, so I chose to copy what she preferred. With 6 children, I considered her an expert! I also only bought 0-3 month size. It turns out that I make small babies, and I dislike sleepers. We ended up having to do many extra shopping trips just so we would have Newborn clothes to fit our newborn. This time, we won’t make the same mistake.

3. Solly Baby Wrap in Camel

Having my own wrap this time around is a must! When I was pregnant with Remy, I had it in my mind that only crunchy mamas wore their babies in a wrap. Utterly defiant, we purchased a front carrier instead. It looked like a small backpack, only for babies. After I had given birth, I quickly found myself dreading the witching hour each day. Remy would cry nonstop from 4-7 pm. Desperately seeking any advice that I could find, I turned to Instagram and asked other mothers what they did to soothe their fussy babies. All of them said to wear her. So I tried. I put her in the carrier, but she was so small and it just wasn’t a safe option. I gave up until a few days later when I borrowed my sister’s Moby Wrap. Remy was instantly calmed, and I mean instantly. She immediately fell asleep against my chest and so wearing her everyday just became our thing. Eventually, I had to give the wrap back to my sister. Now, I will own one for myself. After much research, I am choosing the Solly Baby Wrap.

You can see my baby wearing post here.

4. Reverie Threads Beanie in Black + White and Camel

I seem to be sensing a Camel theme happening. Colours aside, I really didn’t think to purchase any beanies or bonnets with our first baby. In fact, an entire section was devoted to not covering your newborn’s head during my prenatal class. I forget their reasoning, but I took it as putting a hat on your child was wrong. That was wrong. My sister ended up giving me a bin of girl clothes once Remy came into the world, and I noticed that she had a ton of beanies in it. Curious, I took a few out. After Remy’s bath one night, I put one on her while I was dressing her. It immediately warmed her up, and softened her cries. After that, she wore one every night after her bath until bedtime. Once again, I am making sure that we have a few of our own with this baby! (So far, I have purchased these two.)

Finally, today would have been my due date for our second baby. While being pregnant doesn’t take the pain away, it does give me something and someone to look forward to. Sweet Rowen, we will see you again someday.

<3<3

Emory

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zara haul

With small children, the turn of the season usually means an almost entirely new wardrobe. Remy is nowhere near fitting into last year’s spring and summer clothes. At age 2 and wearing 3T, I didn’t have one item of clothing that she could wear on days that were above 0!

This year, I decided to not only buy a few pieces from Zara, but to buy her entire wardrobe from there. I wasn’t feeling very well when she needed clothes for warmer weather, and really didn’t feel like zipping around the city in search of cute wears. Zara had free expedited shipping (and free returns), so I really couldn’t say no to that!

Here are some of Remy’s new clothes:

1. Embroidered Dungarees

2. Jersey Two Piece Set

3. Anchor Striped Swimsuit

4. Smiley Face Parka

5. Checked Jumpsuit

6. Floral Jumpsuit

7. T-shirt with Ruffles

8. Ruffled Trousers

9. Jacquard Dress

10. Triangle Print Leggings

11. Linen Bermuda Shorts

12. Frilled Sleeve Dress

13. Leather Boots (I also bought a checked shoe- as seen in the photos- but cannot find them on the website! These I purchased later, and Remy likes them a lot more.)

What are your favourite stores to shop at for children’s items?

Emory

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wood wall hangs

  • Hello! My name is Emory. I am a wife, mother of four (three on earth in heaven). This is our life on the Canadian prairies.
    email: helloscarlettblog@outlook.com

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