exercise – Page 2 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Baby August 22, 2014

Isla Loves: BABYBJÖRN Carrier We (Giveaway)

Living in Durango for the past month has definitely been a change of lifestyle for our family. Instead of being confined to the indoor air-conditioning of Houston, we are constantly out and about, whether it be walking to the grocery store or our favorite restaurants, or going on a hike, we are always on the go. In Houston, I had relied heavily on our City Mini stroller when I was running errands, but we wanted to be more agile once we arrived in Colorado. My mom’s friend lent us a ton of baby items, which saved us from hauling them across the country. One of the items was the BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Original. We quickly learned that this was Isla’s favorite item in the world. She could be crying inconsolably, and we would plop her in the carrier and silence (they aren’t kidding, it’s golden). She loved it, which obviously meant that Sasha and I adored it even more. Bye, bye stroller.

BABYBJÖRN recently released their newest baby carrier – the Baby Carrier We – and they were kind enough to send me one to try. It’s amazing. Seriously. One of the biggest benefits we have seen over the original carrier is the added support for our backs. When you are walking around for awhile, this is important! The Carrier We comes with a pressure-relieving waist belt and padded shoulder straps, which evenly distribute Isla’s weight. In addition, the carrier is designed perfectly to provide ample support for her head, back and hips. Also, it is easy for me to put Isla in the carrier without assistance from anyone else. And she loves it too. She finds it so soothing, and so we take her absolutely everywhere in it (see hiking photos below!). The best part? The Baby Carrier We is ergonomically designed for children up to three years old, so Isla will have many years ahead in this carrier!

I’m excited to be teaming up with BABYBJÖRN to give away a brand new Baby Carrier We to one lucky individual! In order to enter the giveaway, you must do the following:

Reply to this post, including your name and who you’d be carrying around in your Baby Carrier We (or perhaps who you’d like to win the carrier for!)
You will get an extra entry by being or becoming a follower of Snapshots and My Thoughts (see ‘Follow’ button at the bottom righthand corner on desktop version of the blog)
You will get an extra entry by posting the giveaway’s URL to your Twitter or Facebook account (please tag @ailee_petrovic on Twitter or mention Ailee Semple Petrovic on Facebook)

One winner will be drawn at random. The more entries you have, the higher the chance you’ll win! The giveaway ends at midnight on Wednesday, August 27. I will announce the winner by Friday. I look forward to reading your responses. Good luck!

Follow BABYBJÖRN on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

The carrier passed the 6 mi. hike test! We absolutely love it. Sasha kindly carrier her up, and I took the trek down.

I was given the BABYBJÖRN Carrier We by BabySwede for my review. I was allowed to keep the product, but the opinion I am sharing remains my own.

Baby August 19, 2014

Week 5 in Durango

Week five has come and gone, and ohmygosh, I am not ready to go back to the ‘real world’ (i.e. Texas). However, I do miss everyone like crazy, and cannot wait to hug all of my family and friends. This past week flew by in anticipation of one of my best friends, Kirby, arriving on Thursday. I managed to run every day this past week, clock between 13,000-20,000 steps every day, enjoy short hikes to the top of a nearby mountain in the mornings, continue my Illustrator 101 and Floral Arranging 101 classes, work on the blog (some fun giveaways coming up soon!), and spend lots of time with Sasha, Belle (our dog) and sweet Isla. We also hiked the 6 mi. trail of the Animas Mountain together for the first time – Sasha and I did it last Labor Day when we were visiting (see photos here).

As you can tell from the thousands of photos below, I love taking pictures of Isla’s cute face, because I know I won’t have as much time to once we are back in Houston (and because she cannot yet tell me to stop).

In case you want to keep track of our Colorado sabbatical, you can also read about Week 1, Weeks 2 and 3, and Week 4.

Isla being sassy in her Carter’s Romper (similar here) – that last face kills me – her personality is shining through

Pretty in pink (and white!)

Cheesin’ it up

Hot pink is my absolute favorite (similar bodysuit here)

Someone was none-too-pleased with us taking photos before she got to eat ‘lunch’

Bows on bows on bows (buy dress here) – and Sophie the Giraffe making an appearance (and Isla loves her hands if you can’t tell!)

I swear this isn’t a hunger cue, Isla just adores her hands (praying this is ‘self soothing’!)

Kisses from her ‘Tata’ and (the much dreaded) tummy time (similar outfit here)

Saturday mornings are for PJs and superman time with dad

Her hair is seriously out of control, but I love it

Isla’s little Gap peplum top and leggings

This was taken after five minutes in her new heaven – i.e. the Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Gym… she’s enamored (this is a GREAT baby shower gift)

Loving the views from the top of the Animas Mountain – Isla loves the view from over my shoulder (her favorite holding position)

Vegan ice cream at Cream Bean Berry – my one true weakness!

Isla LOVES (eating) this lovie!

A sneak preview of my first homework assignment from Floral Arranging 101 (more to come tomorrow!)

Three weeks left! Have a great day. xo

Personal August 5, 2014

Life in Durango & Isla’s Two Month Anniversary

Our first week in Durango was very go-go-go. We’ve gotten into more of a routine by the point, which helps this feel more like home. We’ve established local restaurant favorites – Himalayan Kitchen, Grassburger, Durango Coffee Company, and Cream Bean Berry – and had a schedule for exercise, feeding, sleeping, “working,” etc. Isla is growing by the second – I wish we knew her exact weight, because I feel like she’s doubled in size in the last 8 weeks. She celebrated her two month anniversary on Monday, August 4. I cannot believe it. She is super smiley, gurgles all day long, wants to be “standing” all the time, still spits up everywhere after eating (see bottom photo), does not enjoy tummy time except for the first 1-2 minutes, and is very used to having a camera in her face. Isla’s gassiness is much better now that I’ve cut out all dairy (i.e. become a vegan – ohmygosh I miss cheese!). Her (okay, my) favorite books are Snuggle Puppy and Oh Baby, Go Baby. She is finally getting used to taking a bottle, but I am not a huge fan of pumping! Isla went on her first hike and slept through the entire adventure (typical!). She loves, and I mean loves, sleeping in the BabyBjorn carrier. We are doing CIO (ah!) and had her fall asleep without a peep the last two nights (praying it stays that way!). We’re still learning lots and lots every day. We love her to pieces.

I put together two short videos: here and here

Lastly, the Trumpette giveaway winner is Caron B! Congratulations!

Sasha’s special feeding time // Bloomers by Baby Grace // Happy little Isla

Mesmerized by the sun – I need to get her in some shades quickly

It’s hard to tell, but that onesie was covered in spit up minutes before these photos were taken

Finally taking a bottle – this is a huge accomplishment and relief to me after much resistance

Sleepy girl in my favorite J. Crew onesie // Working on tummy time // Her signature Zoolander look

Our first baby is loving Colorado (perhaps the most!)

After every feeding, Sasha tries to teach Isla to stand – he seems to think this is a requirement at 2 months… crazy man

If Sasha wakes up first, Isla will be wearing her UT onesie

Sasha’s dad drove from Texas (16 hours) for TWO days!

Getting ready for a MAM pacifier giveaway (coming soon!)

I love Baby Gap so much – this dress is one of my favorites

Two months already? How is this happening?

This face is a regular

I couldn’t get enough as you can tell!

Little Miss-chievous Isla

Working hard on that tummy time

Some iPhone snapshots

Braving dinners out on the town with this little unpredictable one – Grassburger is our favorite

Sasha’s hardcore strength training is beginning to work // And that is his repayment // My favorite face in the world

Personal July 25, 2014

Highlights of Week One in Durango

We’ve been in Durango for just over a week now, and we are loving it. Sasha said to me yesterday, “You realize the most important and stressful decision we make all day is what we’re going to eat for dinner.” I laughed – but it’s true. We go on about four to five walks a day, as my parents live within 5 minutes of the grocery store, Main Street where all of the restaurants and shops are, Animas River, and mountain trails. My Nike Fuel Band is back in action! I wrote a Durango Travel Guide post last year, but I definitely have to update it after trying many new restaurants, juice bars and ice cream shops. I’ve put together an assortment of photos from our first week – as you can tell, I’ve been very trigger happy as of late.

What are your summer plans?

PS Happy birthday, Mum and Karine!

Isla flew from Houston to Denver to Durango and slept through every second of it (thank you, Lord!)

Walking to Durango Joe’s for morning coffee with the whole Petrovic family

Hiking and biking (while the grandparents were here to babysit!)

I finally found a bow that is semi-appropriately sized for a newborn – and a tutu dress from my sweet co-workers!

Celebrating our one year anniversary — with dinner and on a raft!

My favorite bow romper from Paola (I love Janie and Jack!) and our romantic rooftop anniversary dinner

Staring at that face all day and praying she always wants to hold my hand

Geared up for a day on the water (another Paola gift!) and a wet pup from lots of Animas River swimming

Isla’s new nap place – the BabyBjorn – and a tired tanner in her Baby Gap swimsuit from Erin

Navajo State Park adventures with the whole family (Isla slept through the entire experience)

A sneak peak of Isla’s newborn photos from Taylor Lord and I’ve finally sent all of the birth announcements!

Father-daughter bonding moments that make me heart melt

Hamming it up – and wearing her UT apparel! Girl’s gonna be a Longhorn fan, for sure

Fashion August 7, 2013

Nike Fuel Band

I love running. A lot. In fact, until I started my current project at BP where they have free personal trainers, it was pretty much all I did – 3 to 5 mile run, every day. Now I mix my workouts up and do 3 to 5 miles every second day, with weights and cross-fitness training on the alternating days. Working out is one of my favorite things to do, so I don’t mind spending a bit extra to get good quality exercise gear.

I love my new racerback Lululemon tank so much – I got it in that amazing pink. Their Energy Bra is the best I’ve ever worn. I stick with Nike shorts, as I like a little more coverage than Lulu provides. Nike tennis shoes work best for my pronating feet, and the Drymax socks keep your feet less sweaty than any other competitor.

Last, but not least – the Nike Fuel band. Our Accenture team at BP decided to participate in a fitness challenge recently, and the Partner on the account bought our team these amazing bands. I had been meaning to get a Fitbit for ages, and am now glad I didn’t. I’m fiercely competitive just with myself! I got home yesterday and walked both dogs separately to try to rack up “Fuel Points” and my steps. 15,000? That’s it? Keep going, keep going (a constant inner dialogue). How do you stay motivated?

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Read my previous workout gear post here

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Featured Image via Lululemon