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5 Things No One Tells You About Becoming a Mom

Sarah Parlett • January 3, 2019

There is no better feeling than becoming a mom. Babies are adorable! Their first smile, first steps, first words… are all so precious! The bright side is very bright, however people don’t talk enough about the harsher realities.

1) There is no learning curve.

Everything is a stage or phase. Once you master colic/gas, it is over. Once you figure out breastfeeding, they’re onto solids. Once you get baby to sleep through the night, they start teething… The list goes on. At the time, EVERYTHING feels like its going to last forever. You are on the verge of an emotional meltdown in that moment. The nights feel like an eternity. I have good news! Every phase comes to an end but another begins. It is a constant cycle. Be prepared to have a good mental workout and some laughs along the way.

2) The fourth trimester struggle is real.

So, you give birth and have this beautiful new baby. Your body is healing from a vaginal delivery or a caesarean. Your breasts are leaking milk and you haven’t slept. All of these things are usually apart of becoming a new mom. I wasn’t aware how hard the “fourth trimester” would be. It is a sink-or-swim introduction to motherhood. Your little baby is adjusting to their new world outside your womb. Embrace skin-to-skin and baby wearing in this stage. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many other women struggle in this period of transition. You’re not alone.

I will write an in depth blog post about the fourth trimester.

3) You aren’t doing it wrong. It really is that HARD.

We often believe that if something isn’t going right, it is our own fault. I want to be clear with you, some days motherhood is about SURVIVAL. No matter how much effort or time you put into something, it might not work out in your favour and it isn’t your fault! Don’t worry about being judged by others. You need to do what works best for you and your child(ren). Occasionally I catch myself staring into space wondering how people have more than one baby? It seems insane!

Don’t worry. The good days outweigh the tough ones.

Mama, it really can be that hard but don’t be so hard on yourself.

4) You might not be the mom you thought you’d be… and that is ok.

Before having a baby, I had all kinds of expectations of the type of mom I was going to be. During my pregnancy I spent a lot of time researching different styles of parenting, organic foods, Montessori vs. daycare, vaccinations, breastfeeding vs. formula, screentime, etc. Guess what? Things change and you do what is best for you and your baby at the time. I laugh at my “pre mom” self and what I thought I knew. You might too.

5) You’ll become a new version of your old self.

As a new mom, I was on an emotional rollercoaster. Will I ever have a social life again? Will my husband and I ever have date nights again? Sex again? Will I ever sleep again? Will I ever be able to wear clothes without being covered in milk and spit up?

The answer is YES. It is going to take time for you to settle into your new role as a mommy however you will find a new version of your old self. Be patient. Everything takes time.

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Happy Valentine’s Day, my love ♥️

This is your reminder to love yourself today 💗 Self-love is an unconditional type of love that thrives on self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. We’ve heard it told time and time again, self-love is the best love. That really is true, because self-love can never be taken away from you. It’s a permanent form of love, unlike the love that comes from other people. Taking time to love yourself is time well spent. I’ve put together affirmations for you to say to yourself throughout today and everyday. (Be sure to save for later & share) . . . . . #selflove #selfcare #selfacceptance #health #wellness #love #loveyourself #valentinesday #positivevibes #hapiness

It’s the little moments that make life big. Today we explored one of the best-kept secrets in Croatia… the Pula Arena, a stunning Roman Amphitheatre by the sea. . . . . . #travelgram #travel #Croatia #Istria #Pula #family #motherhood #momblogger

These days family vacays consist of hunting down new playgrounds. #momlife #motherhood

I hope they think I’m cool forever.

I constantly go between wanting you to stay little forever, and being excited about all of the amazing things you’ll do in this life 💙

Learning how to soothe and quiet the stress response before and during meals takes practice and can feel challenging – especially when life feels chaotic. A powerful way to keep stress off your plate is to adopt a practice of mindful eating. Mindful eating is the act of being fully present to all your senses as you eat. It includes an awareness of your thoughts, without judgment, and an account of how you’re feeling physically and emotionally before, during, and after meals. Engaging in mindful eating has many benefits, from developing a healthy relationship with food to supporting food choices that are aligned with your health goals. Here are some “mealtime makeovers” to empower you to de-stress your plates. With a few simple shifts, and regular practice, these small changes can have a large impact on how you digest your food, which will help improve your overall digestive health. Are there any that you can relate to? Let me know in the comments below. . . . . . . #mindfuleating #mindfulliving #health #wellness #nutrition #IINhealthcoach #wellnessblogger #healthandwellness

Happy Birthday to me! 🥳 34 feels good. I’m so spoiled by my guys 💕 We spent the day playing superheroes and eating birthday cake.

There is no place I’d rather be 🖤 #boymom #motherhood

Happy New Year✨ It’s that time of year when people usually set a New Years resolution. Personally, I set New Years intentions and goals. These tend to be more sustainable year round. I am sharing 6 tips for realistic ways to prioritize your nutrition and physical health this month and to continue throughout the year. These intentions will help you achieve the goals you set for yourself. Save this post so you can easily refer to it as a reminder. Comment below which one (or more) you plan to incorporate to your daily routine 🤍

When you think of the word “clutter” you likely think of a mess somewhere in your home. When was the last time you stopped to think about how digital clutter affects your everyday life? I am challenging you to carve out some time to do a digital cleanup before heading into 2022. 🤳🏼On social media, unfollow anyone who doesn’t make you feel good or you don’t align with. Keep your social spaces positive and inspirational. Use social media intentionally. 💌Clean up your inbox. Unsubscribe from mail lists you are no longer interested in. Even if you just click delete on the email, it’s draining your energy to receive emails you aren’t engaging in. 📱Get rid of apps on your phone that you no longer use. They are cluttering your Home Screen and literally taking up storage on your phone. 📸Cleanup your photos folder. Personally, I’m a screenshot maniac and often those photos are only relevant to something I’m doing in the moment, and I won’t need them again. I am pretty sure many of you can relate to this! You might be surprised how good it feels to digitally de-clutter. Let me know if you can relate or how it goes for you 😊

Merry Christmas Eve 🎄

Today was Mason’s first day of Kindergarten. I’m so proud of him as he begins this new adventure in Germany.

As a health coach & holistic nutrition practitioner, I teach people to care about what they put into their body… but what about what we put on our body? This is something I turned a blind eye to for too long. Why? Because I didn’t want to part with my beloved beauty products. I was a total product junkie. We don’t know what we don’t know. Now that I know more about the beauty industry, I can’t ‘un-know’ it. Clean beauty is better for your health and better for the environment. Why put money into a product that might actually be causing health issues when you can invest in one that you know is nourishing your body and leaving little impact on the environment? Cleaning up my skincare and makeup has really been the last piece of my healthy lifestyle puzzle and my only regret is I didn’t do it sooner. @beautycounter Makeup Details: Creamy Concealer: Light 1 Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation: Light 230 Satin Powder Blush: Nectar Lid Glow Cream Shadow: Gleam ✨ Brow Gel: Medium Think Big All-In-One Mascara Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick: Rosewood

Game day vibes 🖤

Roaming around Rome. Came for the sights, stayed for the gelato.

When in Rome…

Oh, the places you’ll go 💙

This is your Friday reminder to BREATHE. Have you been feeling stressed or anxious lately? Let go of your week by trying this easy 4-7-8 breathing technique, also known as “relaxing breath”. 1. Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four. 2. Hold your breath for a count of seven. 3. Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight. 4. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths. This breathing pattern aims to reduce anxiety or help people fall asleep. Have you tried it before? How did you feel afterwards? Let me know in the comments.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first 🤍

Mason picked out flowers and brought them home “because he loves me” 🥺♥️

🎃Trick or Treat 👻

Fall is in the air🍂

I’ve fallen in love with Nuremberg.

Your health is an investment, not an expense. People often don’t value ‘health’ until it starts to decline, or something tragic happens. Then it seems that the person will do whatever they can to become healthy again. Trust me, I’ve been there 🙋🏼‍♀️. If we started putting more value on our health, we would stop thinking that ‘staying healthy’ is an expense. Reframe your mindset in that health IS and always WILL BE the number one thing in life. It is not an expense like a cell phone or a car payment. It is an investment that will keep you around longer to be able to live a long and happy life. Put a value on your health before you get sick or develop a chronic illness. If you don’t make time for health, you will likely make time for illness in the future. Take action in preventing illness as best you can. Eat clean, exercise, and learn how to keep your stress levels down. Next time you think something is too expensive for your health, look at how much you spend on other things (eating out, drinks, cell phones, etc). Ask yourself: Is your body worth more than those expensive things? I truly believe the answer is YES 🙌🏼 I would love to help you live your most vibrant & healthy life. Book a free discovery call with me to chat about your health & lifestyle goals.

We spent the day surrounded by over 55 million Lego bricks - it was magical, minus the rain.

It feels good to gift clean beauty to family and friends!💄 The highly anticipated @beautycounter limited edition holiday collection is here and it’s gorgeous! 💋 Shop 10 sets that launched which include clean makeup, safe skincare, and luxe body care that look good and feel good. ✨ Use the link in my bio “shop clean beauty” and ask me any questions you have. 💗 Ps. New clients get 20% off their first order and EVERYONE gets free shipping on orders $65+ CAD/$50+ USD all month long!

It’s the little things 💙 #boymom

Tips to balance blood sugar level and hormones: 🍽Don't skip meals. A lot of people ignore breakfast, but that is the worst thing to do. Also, eat either a meal or a healthy, well-balanced snack every 4 hours. Starving yourself more than that can stress your adrenals and thyroid. 🥗Be friends with veggies. If you haven't befriended veggies yet, you need to. Add vegetables to every meal or make one meal that is completely filled with just vegetables, every day. Eat the rainbow. Not only do veggies keep you feeling full but they also provide fiber that aids in healthy digestion. 🥑Healthy Fat is important. It’s essential for the body and, contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t make you fat. Your body will break down healthy fats to use as energy, and it won’t throw your hormones out of whack. Healthy fats include nuts, avocado, organic meat, and dairy, plus coconut and coconut oil. These fats are essential to add to your diet if you want to keep your blood levels balanced and if you want your fertility hormones to stay in excellent balance. 🍝Reduce Complex Carbs. Reducing the use of complex carbs like potatoes, bread, rice, beans, & pasta is essential for healthy and stable blood sugar levels. These foods are starchy carbohydrates, which bring a tornado of sugar into your blood. When your sugar levels are out of balance, chances are your other hormones are out of balance as well. Hormonal imbalance can cause fatigue which makes it hard for you to go through the day at a regular pace. 🍌Add foods that have magnesium to your diet. Magnesium is one of those essential nutrients that is so good for your body and plays a vital role in balancing your hormones, yet many of us are unaware that we have a magnesium deficiency. You can find magnesium in Swiss chard, spinach, squash, sunflower seed, turnip greens, almonds, cashews and beet greens. Likewise, you get loads of B6 through turkey, spinach, salmon, bananas, beef, cauliflower, kale, carrots, collard greens and mustard greens. Adding foods that have zinc in your diet is very important for hormonal health. Pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, & spinach are some of the easiest ways to add zinc to your diet.

Seeing the world through my kids' eyes has changed me. There's plenty to worry about, but if we look hard enough there’s plenty of good, too. As adults, it can be easy to become cynical about such beauty. After all, we have a never-ending to-do list and tiny people looking to us for meals, attention and more. After enough setbacks, we can become hardened to the littlest joys. Yet, my little boys have taught me that's where the good stuff really is. So I’m slowing down and looking more mindfully. I’m savouring every opportunity to look at life through the rose-coloured glasses that my kids never seem to take off. It’s taking some time and I’ll admit that most days it’s an uphill struggle, but practice makes perfect and I’m determined to change my perspective. All it takes is getting down on my toddlers’ level and taking a good look around. 🤍

Hockey night with Mase. (His “my mom is making me take a picture” face) #memories

Date night with my guys.

As a holistic health and nutrition coach + yoga instructor, I am very passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle through movement and nutrition. For me it all started with a desire to feel "healthier". I suffered from an undiagnosed thyroid disease for many years. In 2018, I was 6 months post-partum living in Berlin, it all came to light. I received an autoimmune diagnosis that changed my entire world - Hashimoto’s Disease. After years of struggling with numerous ailments, I began to realize I could manage my symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes. As soon as I started to experience improvements, I knew it was my calling to share with others what had helped me. In September 2019, I enrolled at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to become a certified health coach. I am so proud to have completed the program in 2020 and join an amazing community focused on health and wellness. I am thrilled to be able to share my knowledge and experience with my clients. My mission is to coach you to a healthier and more fulfilling life. I offer a safe, judgement-free, and supportive approach to those who are wanting to improve and enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. I want to empower you to be an advocate for your own well-being. Message me to book your free discovery call ✨ #healthcoach #healthylifestyle

Colton’s First 🏒 Game. The boys are thrilled that hockey is back! . . . . #bestfriends #brothers #icetigers #icehockey #hockey #boymom #biggestfans

Showering my sister & Baby Madelynne 💕 I can’t wait to be an auntie!

I honestly never pictured myself a “boy mom”. I pictured pink and purple dresses, hair ribbons, Barbie dolls, dance recitals, and stealing my makeup. I pictured all things sass and sweetness rolled into one cute package. Life has a way of surprising you. What you imagined your life would be like rarely is exactly the same. Sometimes, it’s not what you expected but it turns out even better than you could’ve dreamed. Some days I believe there’s a greater plan than the one we thought we wanted for ourselves. I’ve been blessed with two amazing little boys and can’t express how much I am enjoying their brotherhood. I was made to teach these future men how to be tender and tough at the same time. I was made to show them a mother’s grace and what a strong woman looks like. They were meant to be mine💙💙 . . . . #boymom #muskoka #instagood #bestfriends #boys #brothers #brotherhood #lifestyleblogger #motherhood #momsofinstagram #motherhoodunplugged #momsofinstagram

Our last weekend in Muskoka before we move to Germany ♥️ These boys make me the happiest girl in the world. . . . . #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #boymom #lifestylerblogger #muskoka #lakeofbays #nature #brothers #mytinymoments

Ladies! Pelvic Health Physio is so important for post-partum recovery no matter how you gave birth. It has been a key part of my healing journey after delivering my boys. Have you tried it before? Would you like more information? If you are currently pregnant or recently have had a baby, check out @physioroop. She is AMAZING! She can assist you in rehabilitating your body for optimal physical function. On a side note: after living in different European countries I’ve learned that pelvic floor physio therapy is a standard post-partum practice there. However, in North America too many women have never heard of it before. DM me if you have any questions or are curious about my experience 💕 . . . . #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #postpartum #health #wellness

My little blondie🤍

GIVEAWAY! Talk clean to me🤍 Calling all clean beauty lovers out there! I like my products how I like my people... non-toxic. Our skin will absorb up to 60% of the beauty products we put on it. Over time, harmful ingredients can cause a build up of toxins in our body that have been linked to numerous health issues - from autoimmune diseases to breast cancer. I am so excited to share some of my fav clean products/brands with you! How to enter? It's simple: 1. Follow me @sarparlett 2. Like this post. 3. Tag as many friends, family, and colleagues as you wish. Every tag acts as another entry. 4. Share this post to your story and tag me @sarparlett for an additional entry. Winner will be announced Saturday, August 14, 2021. Goodluck! #iliagiveaway #alevagiveaway #opalexgiveaway #lawlessgiveaway #beautycountergiveaway #cleanbeautygiveaway #giveaway #sephora #skincareproducts #cleanbeauty #lifebydesign #lovetheskinyourein #beautytools #holisticbeauty #cleanbeautyrevolution #cleanbeautyproducts #cleanbeautyblogger #cleanbeautythatworks #cleanbeautymovement #cleanbeautycommunity #beyondcleanbeauty #cleanbeautygram #discoverunder5k

They will outgrow my lap but never my heart. . . . . #boymom #muskoka #instagood #bestfriends #boys #brothers #pinelake #lifestyleblogger #motherhood #momsofinstagram

I used to wear hair extensions. Don’t get me wrong, I loved having them! I couldn’t get my hair healthy enough to grow long and strong. I’ve learned that healthy hair starts from the inside. Of course genetics plays a role however, if you nourish your body on and off of your plate you’ll notice a big difference in the health of your hair. Stress is a common reason for hair loss. Persistent emotional stress is a hormonal hurricane for the human body. It can have many harmful effects on an individual. Hormonal imbalance can be due to internal as well as external reasons. Internal reasons include: • Poor gut health • Toxic overload • Estrogen dominance • Emotional stress • A constant state of anger or depression External factors include: • Hormone pills • Birth control pills A diet rich in whole foods is crucial for balancing your hormones and managing hair health. I have created a FREE guide on the 17 different kinds of foods that are most effective in the prevention of hair loss. These are natural foods that contain no chemicals and provide nutrition that your body needs for better hair growth. Click on the link in my bio to get the free guide sent to your inbox 💕 . . . . #hairhealth #hormonehealth #health #wellness #healthlyliving #healthylife #nutrition #healthychoices #iin #wholefoods #motivation

Lions and tigers and bears - OH MY! 🦁🐅🐻 . . . . . . #family #familytime #torontozoo #toronto #zoo #zoolife #animals #wildlife #boymom #boys #brothers #mytinymoments #makingmemories

Date Night 💕

💍5 years married 👦🏼👦🏼2 amazing little boys 📍Lived in 4 different countries (5 cities) 🌎Travelled to many more… 🇨🇦3 Canadian addresses ✨Countless memories What a wild adventure it’s been! I love doing life with you and adore the life we are creating together. ♥️Happy 5th Anniversary, Blake♥️ 🎥@honeyanddear @bigwinisland @hollymatrimony @seasonsinthecountrymuskoka

🥳Happy 4th Birthday to the little boy who stole my heart and made me a mommy. I love you so much Mason George ♥️

Dear little boy, Don’t be afraid to make a splash. Not everyone is going to like everything you do and say... and that’s okay. Do it anyway. Be bold. Be brave. Be you. 💙

Pine Lake weekend photo dump 🤍

The only thing better than having you as a husband is our boys having you as their daddy ♥️ Happy Father’s Day @parzy05!

Happy #HEALTHCOACHDAY to all of the health coaches! I am grateful to be a part of this growing community in the health and wellness industry. I am so thankful to have found this career path. I have always had a passion for health and wellness. It began almost 10 years ago when I became a yoga instructor. Even though I believed I was living a "healthy life" I was chronically stressed and tired. It was affecting my digestion and hormones. I was experiencing daily cravings. I felt guilty when I ate certain foods. My Hashimotos flare ups were awful. In 2019, I discovered @nutritionschool and my health coaching journey began. I found my authentic wellness. 🤍I learned to balance my life on and off the plate through primary and secondary food. 🤍I learned to set boundaries and feel confident. 🤍I learned to deconstruct my cravings and tune into what my body was telling me. 🤍I learned we are all bio-individual. We are all different from one another and that is perfectly okay. 🤍I learned about mindful eating. I feel empowered and guilt-free about my food choices and what works for my body. #IIN changed my life in the best way possible. I love helping clients find their health and happiness. If you are interested in working with me, comment below or send me a DM. I look forward to helping you discover YOUR authentic wellness. . . . . #healthcoach #health #wellness #IIN #iinalumni #happiness #mindfuleating #holisticwellness

I love slow mornings with my little guys. I used to get anxiety about feeling unproductive with work or around the house. I’ve realized that there is nothing more important 🙌🏼 . . . . . #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood #motherhoodmoments #theeverymom #momlife #momblogger #boymom #babyboy #mytinymoments #lifestyle #love #instalove #instagood #blogger #parenting #family #baby #parenthood #happiness #nature #kleinburg #mentalhealth #wellness #bugaboo #bugaboodonkey3

My boys are my WHY. They’re little sponges. Our words and actions are shaping who they will be. This season of life is challenging and so rewarding at the same time. I cherish all of these tiny moments 🤍 Happy long weekend, everyone✨ . . . . . #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood #motherhoodmoments #theeverymom #momlife #momblogger #boymom #babyboy #firstbirthday #mytinymoments #lifestyle #love #instalove #instagood #blogger #parenting #family #baby #parenthood #happiness

Happy 1st Birthday, Colton James 💙🎂 You’re my stubborn, dramatic, and super sweet little boy. Although I like to play innocent and say I don’t know where you get it from, we all know it’s from me 💁🏼‍♀️ Before you were born I didn’t know how badly we needed you. Now that you’re here, I don’t know how we ever lived without you. Happy Birthday, my sweet Rainbow Baby. I love you so much.

What a difference one year makes. I was 39 weeks pregnant with Colton in this photo. The second time around was easier for me in all aspects of labour, delivery, postpartum recovery, and motherhood. In fact, it has gone by way too quickly. I’ve learned to embrace every phase a little more because I know it only lasts a short time. I already miss the newborn snuggles and sleepless nights♥️ Tonight I’ll hold my baby a little longer because tomorrow he wakes up a toddler 😭 (but he will always be my baby…) . . . . #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood #motherhoodmoments #theeverymom #momlife #momblogger #boymom #babyboy #firstbirthday #mytinymoments #lifestyle #love #instalove #instagood #pregnancy #blogger #baby #parenthood #happiness

Current mood if you live in Ontario 🙋🏼‍♀️

Not. A. Fan. Who else dislikes packing and unpacking? We have moved SO many times over the course of Blake’s career. You’d think I’d be a pro by now but I still despise it. At least I have a super cute sidekick to “help” me. 🥰

Goodbyes are hard. As the hockey season comes to an end I get emotional. It doesn’t get any easier each season. Finland has been so good to us. Mason learned to skate at the rink with Blake. He learned to speak Finnish at preschool - super proud mom🙋🏼‍♀️ Colton came here as a young baby and is leaving a walking (almost) toddler. We spent our first Christmas as a family of four in magical Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland✨ I will always cherish these moments and the amazing memories we create through this crazy hockey life. Thank you @tapparafansofficial for the opportunity. Now it’s time to pack up our lives and get home to ARNOLD♥️

A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset. Grateful for this little man. 🤍

We’re the three best friends that anyone could have (when Daddy is away at hockey, otherwise four best friends). There is never a dull moment around here between the messes, giggles, tackle hugs, naked bums, and laundry. Watching their brotherly bond evolve has been the most amazing experience as a mama. I’m so grateful for these tiny moments.

Happy Earth Day 🌎 I’m deeply thankful that I’ve been able to experience so much of this beautiful planet. Protecting it starts with you. 💚 Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. 💚 Use a stainless steel or glass water bottle. 💚 Shop wisely: bring a reusable bag when shopping. 💚 Choose organic food when you can. 💚 Don’t send chemicals into our waterways. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and office. . . . #earthday #nature #earth #happyearthday #earthdayeveryday #environment #savetheplanet #Croatia #love #travel #earthpix #planetearth #plitvicelakes

A lakeside walk with my little babe works wonders for my soul🤍 I’ve been in such a sour mood lately mixed with quite a bit of anxiety. Getting outside is really great for my mental health. Even though I’m still bundled up in the middle of April, the sun is shining and the views are beautiful. Life is good. . . . #motherhood #honestmotherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodmoments #theeverymom #momlife #boymom #momblogger #mytinymoments #lifestyle #thehappynow #instagood #instalove #lifestyleblog #blogger #health #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #wellness #finland

Happy Easter from the Parlett Boys 🐣 . . . #motherhood #honestmotherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodmoments #theeverymom #momlife #boymom #babyboy #momblogger #mytinymoments #lifestyle #thehappynow #instagood #instalove #happyeaster

Tonight is Blake’s 600th professional hockey game. I am so proud. Words can’t describe it. I have supported him since the beginning and been there through the ups and downs. Being an athlete takes grit and perseverance. Not everyone can deal with such a competition. The road to success is paved with many adversities. Blake has overcome them and is stronger because of it. Persistence can change defeat into extraordinary achievements and here we are today. He has a great amount of wisdom to share with others. Blake’s hard work, dedication, passion, and love for the game has gotten him to this point in his career. I am so incredibly grateful our sons have him to look up to. He is an amazing father and husband. Tonight we’ll be cheering extra loud for #55. 💙🧡 . . . #hockey #athlete #Finland #Tappara #Liiga #motivation #proudwife #inspiration #fatherhood #lifestyleblogger #bloggerlife

Let them be little 🤍 Some days it is challenging to take the time to embrace these tiny moments, especially with two children. The mom guilt never ends. The dishes, laundry, cleaning, and work can wait. I will never get these moments back. . . . #motherhood #honestmotherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodmoments #theeverymom #momlife #babyboy #momblogger #mytinymoments #lifestyle #thehappynow #instagood #instalove #wellbeing #raiseyourvibrations

Life becomes more meaningful when you realize the simple fact that you’ll never have the same moment twice. . . . #lifestyle #blogger #instagood #travel #inspiration #instalove #theeverygirl #motivation #mindbodyspirit #selfcare #wellnessadvocate #nourishyourself

Tonight I’m reflecting on the world we are currently living in. I am so grateful we had the opportunity to live in China. Hockey has brought us to many amazing places around the world. I remember when Blake first told me @krschina offered him a contract. My initial reaction was “umm no”. We were adjusting to life as new parents and Germany was comfortable. My concerns: What would I eat? What about the air pollution? The language barrier? What about bringing a baby there? Looking back, it’s one of my favourite places we have ever had the privilege to live. I’m fortunate for the opportunity to experience the amazing culture and beauty Shanghai has to offer. Life is short. Take the chances. ✨ . . . #motherhood #hockey #KHL #travel #traveller #seetheworld #shanghai #thebund #mytravelstory #grateful #lifestyleblogger #bloggerlife #instalove #theeverygirl

Because... baby jeans and that cheesy smile😍 #motherhood #babyboy

Being a mom has made me so tired and so happy. It can be hard to get up everyday and have little people rely on on us. Their world revolves around us. Parents...even on the hard days know how special you are. Especially to your little ones. Remember, the days are long but the years are short. #motherhood #parenting

Random Facts About Me: 🩰I was a ballerina and went to an arts school for dance. ♥️💍My husband and I are high school sweethearts. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧I’m adopted. (I am forever grateful for my family) 👦🏼👶🏼I am a BOY mom. 📺Friends is one of my all time favourite TV shows. 🍫Chocolate is my guilty pleasure. 🤓I wear glasses for reading. 🐶I am obsessed with my French Bulldog, Arnold. 📍Muskoka is my favourite place in the world. 🌍I have lived in Croatia, Germany, China, and Finland (for my husband’s career). ⚓️My first job was at a marina on Lake of Bays. 🗣I talk A LOT. 🐍I am terrified of snakes and spiders. 🤰🏼I suffered postpartum depression (and postpartum rage) after Mason’s birth. 🎄Christmas is my favourite holiday, and not because of the presents. I love the lights, music, and time with family. 🎶I love attending concerts. 🙋🏼‍♀️I have Hashimoto’s Disease.

Baby, it’s cold outside

He has Daddy’s eyes and thighs 😍

This is 33🥳 I spent the day surrounded by love and I’m grateful for every moment.

Goodbye 2020👋🏼 The year that gave us sweet baby Colton. The year we stayed home. The year we slowed down. Important lessons from this year: ▪️Find happiness in the simple things. ▪️Difficult times show us the real face of life and the real face of people. ▪️Make self-care a priority not a privilege. ▪️Time is a limited resource. Don’t waste it for people and things that don’t add value to your life. ▪️Protect your energy. ▪️Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Don’t be judgemental. Be kind. ▪️Don’t take anything for granted. Be grateful for what you already have. I’m looking forward to 2021✨

🎅🏼Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus. ❄️It is the capital of Lapland and lies right on the Arctic circle which makes it the gateway to the Arctic. ✨We crossed into the Arctic in Santa Claus Village, a magical experience.

Christmas magic is in the air

♥️Merry Christmas🎄

‘Tis the season to sparkle✨

I am a health coach🤍 I learned a lot about myself throughout the program last year. I was reluctant to become a health coach because I am not “perfectly healthy” however, my imperfect struggles have allowed me to grow. I have always been passionate about living a holistic lifestyle. I look forward to empowering others to do the same. I’m excited to work with future clients and improve their health and wellness. #WeareIIN

Finland’s beautiful landscape🤍

6 months💚

My baby BOY👼🏼 When I was pregnant with Colton I thought he was going to be a girl. I always dreamed of having a baby girl. Little did I know the universe had other plans for me. I didn’t know how much I needed this little boy in my life. Colton is my sweet angel baby. #boymom