tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84943551299377375152024-02-21T10:44:44.820-07:00half&half.Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.comBlogger1366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-12220903513771299952015-10-21T13:04:00.000-06:002015-10-21T13:04:21.043-06:00The biggest confession session of my life. <div>
I haven't been able to sink my teeth into this blog for a while now. It didn't feel genuine writing about my life in a place covered in unicorns and Justin Bieber icons. When I was living that single college life it fit me perfectly, but now? Not so much. I finally accepted the fact that 90% of my posts were about my kids and I had officially reached "mommy blogger" status. But I'm not like other moms, I'm a cool mom. So I'm calling it quits over here and moving on to grown up things. </div>
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Is it dumb to say it's been a big and scary decision? Because it has been, especially since I decided to change blogging platforms (whaddup, WordPress). As much as I want to say "followers don't matter, blah blah blah." it took a <i>long </i>time to get you guys here (we're talking six years and a ridiculous amount of YouTube videos) and I feel like we're friends. So I'm taking the plunge and leaving blogspot and half&half and I really, really hope you follow me over.</div>
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<a href="http://mothershewrote.co/">Mother, She Wrote</a> isn't some weird attempt to reinvent or rebrand myself, I just needed a fresh start. While I can't promise you cutesy icons, I <i>can </i>promise you lots of baby pictures and possibly some more Biebsy-centered posts (because, you guys, I think he's BACK). And I can 100% promise I won't let my new blog shrivel and die like I did this one.</div>
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Hopefully...</div>
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If you don't feel like making the change for me, do it for the kids.<br />
Ezra's thighs need to be appreciated on every social media outlet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnm4JbE9ZChQ3hIFC4P-RQFZA1qqO9QEKPn7m4TvNTe7MUYaKv8KHAUH-mJzYzoKSsT6D3WsIf5n6gsrOGSY8w-6DBQwxEfIsvhuk1rBgdmH26L9MSrJuWGCYLYdbzok8dcZsRH_J6gIS/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnm4JbE9ZChQ3hIFC4P-RQFZA1qqO9QEKPn7m4TvNTe7MUYaKv8KHAUH-mJzYzoKSsT6D3WsIf5n6gsrOGSY8w-6DBQwxEfIsvhuk1rBgdmH26L9MSrJuWGCYLYdbzok8dcZsRH_J6gIS/s640/IMG_0963.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well, I guess this is it. </div>
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The end of an era.</div>
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See you later.<br />
Maybe? If you want.</div>
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Or not. Whatever. </div>
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Okay...Bye.</div>
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Uggghh. </div>
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This is so awkward and weird and real</div>
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and I just don't know what do to with my hands </div>
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so I'll give you a virtual Voldemort hug and call it good.</div>
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Okay.</div>
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Now.</div>
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Byeeee. </div>
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Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-90423118071134996742015-09-04T11:39:00.004-06:002015-09-04T11:39:41.884-06:00Mental snapshot.Yesterday we had the target ultrasound for our sweet little boy. A target ultrasound is where they really focus on looking at his development. They check his spine, heart, brain and fluids to make sure everything is progressing the way it should. Everything looks great and from the 3D ultrasound we got, he looks like a perfect mix of Jude and Ezra. Oh, and he yawned. He yawned and it was the cutest thing in the world.<br />
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We took Jude and Ezra and made a day of it. I'm sure people thought we were crazy when they saw a pregnant lady holding hands with a 1.5 year old followed by a dad holding a nine month old. In fact, I <i>know </i>they thought we were crazy. When our tech asked which pregnancy this was and I told her my third she said, "Oh! Oh, so...they're both yours." Her eyes got reeeal wide when I told her their birth dates and she realized all three are December babies born one year after another.<br />
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Before I got up on the exam chair, I settled Jude in her seat next to Cory and Ezra. I told Cory her tablet was in my bag in case she needed some technical sedation. Before I was able to hop onto the chair, Jude started climbing off hers saying, "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?" She crawled onto the chair next to mine and rested her head on my chest for nearly the entire ultrasound, like she was protecting me. When we saw his face on the screen she perked up and said, "Baby!" I showed her his eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs and she repeated after me and pointed to those parts on her. She kept saying "Mommy baby belly." A few times during the ultrasound she turned to face me and gave me lovey eyes, smiled and patted my chest. It's like she was making sure I was okay and letting me know she was really happy.<br />
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Not to be outdone by his big sister, Ezra reminded us he was there too with his squawks. Ezra's squawks cannot be ignored. He does them when he's happy and he does them when he's mad. The only way you can tell the difference is by looking at his face. He had the biggest, goofiest smile and shook his arms and legs so we knew he was happy. It's equal parts adorable and ridiculous and there is literally nothing we can do to stop it. He doesn't offer any warning prior and by the time you realize what's happening you're deaf in one ear. It wasn't the most relaxing ultrasound I've had, but it was my favorite. I loved that plans fell through and we "had" to bring our babies along. I love how well-behaved they were. I love that they got to see their baby brother. I love how they turn the simplest moments into the sweetest memories.<br />
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I was so worried after we had Jude that I wouldn't be able to love another child as much as I loved her. But with each pregnancy, I find that my heart grows along with my belly. Parenthood is such a beautiful thing. I've never been in a situation where I have to figure everything out as I go. I surprise myself with the things I swore I would <i>never</i> do that I'm doing (re: a baby tablet) and the things I thought I'd do that I'm not. Raising these children is the most wonderful and noble thing I will ever do with my life. I am so grateful to Cory for choosing this life with me. For not shying away from this baby army we're building and for jumping in with all his heart every time I get two pink lines on a pregnancy test. Heaven knows I couldn't do this without him. Especially when we have back-to-back days of poopy bathwater and crusted oatmeal hair.Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-36928509168194771242015-09-01T13:02:00.000-06:002015-09-01T13:02:07.760-06:00Writing about August in September with pictures from July. It always feels like I have so much to say until I actually sit down to write. So here we go. Shooting the breeze with some pictures from the Fourth of July. Because that's just how we do over here.<br />
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Ezra has been crawling for about a month now. Two weeks ago he decided he was ready to start pulling himself up onto things. <i>Now</i> he's pulling himself up to standing and kind of walking along furniture. It's all happening so fast I feel like I don't have a time to soak it in. It took him longer to start crawling than it did Jude, but once he got that down, he had an "okay, what's next?" attitude. What a little champ.</div>
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His bottom two teeth are the only "real" teeth he has right now but he's got some little vampire fangs slowly working their way out. When it comes to eating, Ez is basically a hoover. He has to have<i> at least</i> two containers or pouches of baby food along with some solid food to be content. He has these legitimate fits of rage when he sees other people (especially Jude) eating and he's not. You might think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. He's a redhead. The rage is real. Other than his hanger fits, he is the calmest, chillest baby I have ever met. He's happy to be held, to sit on the floor, to play with others or play by himself. I pray his demeanor stays this way, because I know having him be my calm is the only way I can handle three babies under two. Oh, did I mention he's a total momma's boy? Because he is. And it's the beeeeest.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">^^^Not the most glamorous shot, but definitely the most accurate picture of my life on boogie patrol.^^^</span></div>
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Jude's vocabulary grows every single day. She's been forming longer sentences and making connections all over the place. Some of my favorite phrases include.<br />
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"Love you so much." </div>
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"I got you, mommy!"</div>
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"Oh no, what happened?!"</div>
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"Oh goodness."</div>
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"Daddy wooking?"</div>
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"I yike it!"</div>
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"Happy day to you!"</div>
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"Rah! Rah! Rah! Goooo Coo-goos!" </div>
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It's amazing to see her repeat a word or phrase right after I say it. When she was younger I would say things over and over for her to repeat them and now it's like she doesn't even have to think about it. Every morning she wakes up and asks if daddy is working. When we're playing downstairs or driving in the car, she will suddenly start singing "I Love to See the Temple." When I look over, she's touching her two pointer fingers together making a steeple while she sways back and forth singing, "Teeeemplleee. Gooooing. Teeeemple. I gooooing." It makes me emotional every. single. time. because babies and small children are so sensitive to the spirit and they understand so much more than we give them credit for. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I'm afraid the closer we get to two, the sassier she gets. We've officially reached the, "Stop it!" "Hey! No." "No share." phase of toddlerhood. Yaaaayyy... I keep thinking/hoping/praying it will get better, but mine and Cory's mom's just laugh and say this is only the beginning. Double yaaay. Luckily she doesn't throw fits often and she gets over them quickly. I </span><i style="text-align: center;">really </i><span style="text-align: center;">lucked out in the great babies department. </span></div>
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Other notable updates no one will care about because they're not baby related:<br />
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Cory and I celebrated our three year anniversary on August 9. It's crazy to think it's "only" been three years because I feel like I've known and loved and been with him for so much longer. We've packed a lot of living and growing and babies in three years, but I wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
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I turned 26 on August 26. Cory was on a business trip and the kids and I were at my parents. Jude and Ezra helped me eat my cake and Bachelor in Paradise was extra dramatic. It's like ABC knew it was my birthday.<br />
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And finally, I close with these pictures because they're hilarious and SO accurate of Jude and Ezra in July. She'd go from perfect hair and smiles to messy hair and a death glare in less than a second. And sweet little Ezra just didn't care about fireworks or anything non-food or snuggle related.<br />
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<br />Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-35215101086313256322015-08-14T13:23:00.000-06:002015-08-14T13:23:16.542-06:00Another dip on that roller coaster of feeeeeeelings. This pregnancy has undoubtedly been my most emotionally stable one. I rarely find myself crying because clothes don't fit or I'm scared to bring a(nother) baby home. Pregnancy and its emotions have become my norm. And if we're being completely honest, I'm more worried about how I'm going to handle <i>not </i>being pregnant for a while. Feeling so grounded and confident has been such a blessing this go-around, but it also makes days like today really, <i>really </i>hard.<br />
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I just want to sit and cry all day long.<br />
I have to eat but nothing sounds good.<br />
The jeans I ordered are a size too small.<br />
My other jeans ripped because I was constantly pulling them up because they were a size too big.<br />
Leggings are too hot.<br />
Ezra <i>just</i> went down for a nap and Jude hasn't taken one yet.<br />
The internet is being crazy slow so I can't watch ANTM.<br />
Pregnancy dreams are so vivid and real and awful<b>.</b><br />
I want to go out, but sometimes the thought of going out with both kids is more overwhelming than the actual act.<br />
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It's a weird mixture of feeling nothing and feeling everything and not knowing how to explain it because you really can't grasp it unless you've felt it. Nothing is technically wrong, but my heart hurts. It's aching, really. And I don't know how to fix it because tomorrow I'll wake up and my heart won't be heavy and my mind won't feel sad. Everything will be okay. And that's what makes these tears so frustrating. Because if nothing's wrong and nothing hurts and nothing's broken, why do I feel so small?<br />
<br />Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-52521659326869353242015-08-12T15:31:00.001-06:002015-08-12T15:31:20.960-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ezra had an early nap, so Jude and I snuck into the backyard for a few hours. She played in the pool, kicked the soccer ball around, threw some rocks and even picked up an ant (because apparently she loves bugs now...?). Homegurl only stopped for some blackberries, Mama Angel's wheat bread and some snuggles(!). Do you have any idea how special I feel to be ranked above the pool or soccer? Do you?!! </div>
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She even shared her blackberries with me. When Jude turns to you with one of her favorite foods and asks, "some?" before shoving said food in your mouth, you're in. I mean, I'm her mom, so I was a shoo-in for the best friend spot, but <i>stttiiiilll</i>! It's kind of cool to know your kids like being with you as much as you like being with them. </div>
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I'm not going back on what I said about fall, but summer with this girl* has been the bee's knees. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*and Ezra, obviously, but he's only eight months so he just does baby things like rolling or crawling or drooling or laughing. So still fun, just a different fun. Just wait until next year when he's her age and she's two and a half. Oh the havoc that will be wreaked! </span></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-14827168551128849902015-08-11T09:12:00.001-06:002015-08-11T09:12:46.997-06:00I like my air like I like my chicken nuggets. Crispy. Last week we went to Costco to stock up on burgers and buns for a barbecue we're having with friends tonight. We were looking at the buns when I asked Cory if I should just pick up an 8-pack at Smith's instead. "I don't know why you keep thinking summer is over. It's barely August. <div>
We still have <i>thr</i><i>ee months</i> left of grilling season."</div>
<div>
I guess he's technically right but, if we're being completely honest, he's also 1000% wrong. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think my internal clock is synced with Target. And right now Target has their back-to-school stuff set up and mama's in full on fall mode over here. AAAAND Michael's has most of their fall and Halloween decorations 50% off. So I did what any sane person obsessed with fall would do. Dropped $20 on candles, watercolor paper and paint. Because these chilly mornings are begging for creation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Every year I feel like I wake up when fall comes. The crisp morning air gives me life. I love that I have to turn off our ceiling fan in the morning because the house is 68* and it's just too cold. I live for the nights we sit on the deck. Cory sprawls out on his chair and sips his cream soda trying will summer to last a little longer. I huddle across from him with the goofiest grin on my face and make up songs about needing a sweater because it's chilly. While I sing Cory rolls his eyes and calls me ridiculous and I get the giddy stomach shakes because sweater weather is coming and hi, could I be any more basic? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I guess what I'm trying to say is fall is here whether Cory likes/believes it or not. </div>
<div>
It's here and I am l o v i n g it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
tbt to some previously posted pictures of Jude from last fall because I just can't help myself! </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, and I guess I'm trying out proper capitalization again. My brain is trying to convince me that since I'm almost 26 I should probably start taking myself seriously, but we'll see how long that lasts.</span></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-57418759476657254212015-07-16T14:24:00.003-06:002015-07-16T14:40:36.972-06:00three is basically nbd at this point. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">first. second. third.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">i fully expect these birth announcements </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">to get more and more casual with each baby. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">it's just so on brand for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here we are again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
another year, another baby in the christensen household.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and boy howdy* are we excited!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like, really, <i>really</i> excited. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i'm 17 weeks along and due december 23.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we're planning on being induced the week before his due date.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because HIIIII, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i know we're crazy for having three babies in three years</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but we're not crazy enough to have back-to-back birthdays.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in case that hint got lost in there, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we're having a</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>boy.boy.boy.boy.boy.boy.boy.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we would have been thrilled either way, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but we can't wait to have another cory clone running around.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
despite being outnumbered, jude and i still run this joint.<br />
<br />
oh! and before i forget.<br />
(because, honestly, this is all anyone cares about.)<br />
jude will almost be two and ezra will be one<br />
when this next baby is born.<br />
so for a week, we'll have three babies one and under<br />
before we upgrade to three under two.<br />
hahaha.<br />
it's so ridiculous and so, so wonderful.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we have a name picked out</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but have opted to keep it a secret from the internet this time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just trying to be mysterious and keep up with the kardashian's. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
speaking of the kardashian's...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it looks like kim and i will be doppleganging each other <i><a href="http://brissalaura.blogspot.com/2013/11/and-now-for-game-of-who-wore-it-best.html">again</a></i> for halloween this year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh pregnant kim, thank you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thank you for everything. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*i've never said that before, and i don't know how i feel about it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">i'm not 100% for it, but i don't hate it enough to delete it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">which is basically my motto with life lately.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">i don't love this outfit, but i don't hate it enough to exert the energy to change it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">i don't love this snack of hummus and carrots but i'm too lazy to make brownies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">^^^</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">that last line was deceiving. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">i've literally had carrots and humus three times this pregnancy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">one day my body will be mine again to "exercise" with or whatever, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">but until then, we feast!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pluckers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/both_hands.gif"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdM3Ud6KnrAdBT7cscP9iROkDRtuafe39b7vz-YiX7FzFcUT3X0G0Ubv5LIBwu6YQC8JzkN7Oc2yTSBSXXsJtALUaoTe02SlIO2WsaJfGeXd-HMtHyWrSL1_sYmZClVV70AG4si-FINfd/s400/ron..gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-82282109377302502872015-07-08T11:37:00.001-06:002015-07-08T11:37:33.529-06:00four little monkeys. i kept my eyes open during family prayer last night. <div>
<div>
the four of us were snuggled on our bed.</div>
<div>
cory played with jude's hair and she played with ezra's.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
moments like these.</div>
<div>
the quiet, often forgotten ones, </div>
<div>
are what make my motherhood so beautiful.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-35490994080580695842015-05-22T14:07:00.000-06:002015-05-22T14:07:41.285-06:00juss rill quik<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFWOLmRPPfZJzKiJ1xqK5WzFfYlmOAj0SIdkI-3y5PfaAu31FkroRcwyo33NXGFvBq2ersE_yKq0Ls_-bX8PwKDtQK2C6y6VMzX8c0xULf-tKbQxGwJelxXcjdKWITQkTrRiL60w-4mYn/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFWOLmRPPfZJzKiJ1xqK5WzFfYlmOAj0SIdkI-3y5PfaAu31FkroRcwyo33NXGFvBq2ersE_yKq0Ls_-bX8PwKDtQK2C6y6VMzX8c0xULf-tKbQxGwJelxXcjdKWITQkTrRiL60w-4mYn/s640/004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here's an update for you:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my babies are still cute.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cory is still the best.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i'm still alive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
AND</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the bachelorette is going to give my trashy tv group</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>lots </i>to talk about this summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ahhh.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
let the gaaaaames begin!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-25897272505400394372015-05-13T12:33:00.004-06:002015-05-13T12:33:41.563-06:00snapshots<div>
ezra <i>might</i> have pneumonia so we stayed home from church on sunday.</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">it's kind of a joke how much we've been sick this winter.</span></div>
<div>
he would have a complete come apart if he couldn't see me. </div>
<div>
i got up to change my clothes and told cory</div>
<div>
to turn ezra around to face me.</div>
<div>
he thought i was kidding.</div>
<div>
as soon as he turned that red-faced, screaming baby around,</div>
<div>
he immediately smiled and cooed.</div>
<div>
talk about making a mama feel special on mother's day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
>>></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
when i put jude to bed on sunday night,</div>
<div>
i played with her hair and said,</div>
<div>
"thank you for making me a mommy. i love you so much."</div>
<div>
and she said, "yeah."</div>
<div>
and it was perfect and sweet and so jude.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
>>> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
last night jude woke up coughing at three am.</div>
<div>
cory tried and tried but couldn't get her to calm down or stop coughing.</div>
<div>
nothing seemed to help soothe her.</div>
<div>
i took her into the kitchen and we split a cherry twin-pop</div>
<div>
while watching our current favorite episode of daniel tiger.</div>
<div>
it's the potty episode.</div>
<div>
jude is <i>so</i> excited about all things potty right now.</div>
<div>
i think she might end up potty training herself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
it was so sweet to watch her hold her own popsicle half.</div>
<div>
i loved wiping the little red drops that dribbled down her chin</div>
<div>
because she was too busy saying, "wash! wash!" to notice them.</div>
<div>
i loved the cuddles i got after we finished our throat soothing treats.</div>
<div>
we snuggled in the living room and said a quick prayer </div>
<div>
that her coughs would calm down so she could sleep.</div>
<div>
she squeezed my neck while i walked her into her room</div>
<div>
and fell asleep almost instantly.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
>>></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
my life isn't fancy or perfect.</div>
<div>
but it is filled with love</div>
<div>
and sweet little voices that jabber all day long.</div>
<div>
i wouldn't trade this life for anything in the world.</div>
<div>
nothing is more important to me than taking care of my people.</div>
<div>
than teaching them and loving them and keeping them safe.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-39241229817763866952015-04-15T07:00:00.000-06:002015-04-15T11:07:14.565-06:00fifteen months: smarts and stuff. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtrvZ6sOsmgzjLxBH5S4F0ZurywTCAzkocZqT3krso7l6I0JCWD2W_ETpFeYqadJm8O-QtHNFbcCFCNsplpBh6pGdgFpj0iH7RTU4m3F9XUTqzWQLZeCse0WK0szg5_egiebZwMpX9Uft/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtrvZ6sOsmgzjLxBH5S4F0ZurywTCAzkocZqT3krso7l6I0JCWD2W_ETpFeYqadJm8O-QtHNFbcCFCNsplpBh6pGdgFpj0iH7RTU4m3F9XUTqzWQLZeCse0WK0szg5_egiebZwMpX9Uft/s1600/001.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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21.something pounds</div>
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31 inches long.</div>
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<br /></div>
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mama. daddy. ezra. ita. kiki. appa. angel. amma. nonna.</div>
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nana. cheese. bite. baba. ball.</div>
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walk. bath. hi. bye. baby. buddy. </div>
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anna. olaf. elsa. barney.</div>
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owl. puppy. snack. please. thank you. book.</div>
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no, no, no (sassy finger wag included).</div>
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eye. mouth. boca. belly button.</div>
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these are all words she can say on her own,</div>
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but lately she's been repeating the words we say and it is so great.</div>
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<br /></div>
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she can point to her</div>
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eyes/ojos, nose, ears, mouth/boca,</div>
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hair, toes and belly button.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
her understanding of words and objects is incredible</div>
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she will walk to her stroller, stop and say, "walk?"</div>
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after dinner when i ask her if she wants a bath she says,</div>
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"bah? bah?!" tugs at her seatbelt and runs to the bathroom after she's down.</div>
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when we tell her to give ezra kisses when he cries,</div>
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she runs over to him and gives him a big ol' smooch.</div>
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when we ask her to look for something, like the lid to ezra's bottle,</div>
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she hunts around the room looking for it until she finds it. </div>
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she tried to clip olaf's fingernails for pete's sake!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
when she sees cheese she says, "cheese!"</div>
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when she sees a cow she moo's.</div>
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when she sees a sheep she baa's. </div>
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every time she sees an owl she says "ow-a!"</div>
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when she sees a banana she says, "nana!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
when asked what these animals say,</div>
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she responds with the cutest (and correct!) little noises.</div>
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cow. sheep. owl. puppy. kitty. piggy. </div>
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elephant. froggy. monkey. lion.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
she quit using her binkie and bottle in the same week.</div>
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she recently mastered climbing down the stairs.</div>
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she prefers running to walking.</div>
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outside is her favorite place to be.</div>
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she likes to pick up sticks and eat rocks.</div>
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she is so smart and so sassy</div>
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and i am so glad she is ours. </div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-42001894047110752502015-04-13T13:15:00.001-06:002015-04-13T13:15:03.850-06:00this sickness has got to go. <div style="text-align: center;">
i started writing this past weekend down in list form</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and i realized it would be 100% confusing to try to understand it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if you weren't me or cory.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and, i mean, i know that's how most of my wiiknd lists go, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but this one was getting ridiculous.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so here's the deal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cory had to finish up an install project on saturday which had him</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
gone most of the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like 9-7.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i woke up with half a sore throat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and my left ear aching. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it wasn't great, but it was manageable. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it got progressively worse as the day wore on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and morphed into body aches, chills to hot flashes, dizziness, nausea.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you know, all that good stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
every time cory asked me how i was doing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i simply told him my head and throat hurt.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mostly because i felt this, while accurate, would have been too dramatic.</div>
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/OocfEJF.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYduY3IsX608iYvlMb85iwOo_OXacKxHd60cW7y1XLwBPnj7JlNQ6PMjeJ5qq8seJhCe7WOw8l2L_4xwGG5sIJg6i8oesZKAroept8jO4yWDmfq2tvBcI1vfEY6dSTQxX9VaRTtQ-LVDAm/s1600/ded.gif" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by six i couldn't take it anymore,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so cory called his dad to come over and help.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
god bless daddy al. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he took jude while i brought ezra in bed with me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and let him kick while i slowly died.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the next thing i knew, cory was right by my side with the most worried look on his face.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i guess my "i'm fine" texts weren't <i>suuper</i> accurate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which led to a quick but real talk about me needing to be honest</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
via text when i'm basically dying. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he brought me a sprite and a sea salt caramel talenti</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and i could have kissed him right on the mouth if i weren't worried about infecting him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cory took the best care of me all night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he made me dinner and played with my hair.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he rubbed my shoulders and turned on my lavender diffuser. </div>
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he pumped me full of medicine and let me rest.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
yeah, serious heart eyes over here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sunday was worse than saturday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we ended up at "insta"care only to wait one and a half hours</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before we got seen by the doctor. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"it's strep." </div>
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<a href="http://myreactiongifs.com/gifs/blahfacestevecarrell.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRO9zKEL1BRaUH9dW4KfyPUZmSObuPIdDI5_5FREYJJIym6W3-JCR4vHkzDS7FPiWS5voS9k1l1QjBOLUGfd_TuEgloMU7C37vk8GhX3euMj9mEzzcE74SHHVpqt00EhqtUAEeK-KmHrx/s1600/no.gif" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i opted for the penicillin shot in my [almost] butt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and found out i wouldn't be contagious after 24 hours.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we stopped by fresh market on our way back home</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for ginger ale, saltines and some aunt jemima butter syrup</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cuz, yolo. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we also made a pit stop at maverick</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for an xxl cup of pebble ice and a ddp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cory took the babes downstairs while i scoured netflix for some decent trash tv.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
n o t h i n g. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hulu ended up saving the day with real world: skeletons. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after jude went down for the night,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i asked cory if he wanted to come in bed to watch tv with me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"i mean, i wanna spend time with you,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but i don't want to be near you..."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
understandable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what with the germs and all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after an hour i tricked him into letting me go downstairs to be with him </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with some ice cream and new girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the promise i'd sit on the other end of the couch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tru luv, ppl.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
oh, and let's give a shout out to my doctor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who told us not to be "intimate" so i wouldn't get cory sick.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn2.hellogiggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/31/ohno.gif.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RGp3FDveOShPRr19khOmV_APrc4H_fMLsYjhieuDSXvqxWm9TraV0qyCj_lhCbh5SS54m-vkSMkDasg1jP4H011E7sSp5Aq3ToI8i4RdTXRy7V7LTfexu6nDn4KOqFhZVTRCCzGE2GTz/s1600/ugh.gif" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-15682031384706124082015-03-31T13:58:00.000-06:002015-03-31T13:58:00.173-06:00little zini. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9n2mSc2RXgO_QrAwyW9EM0gmGQE6J4nO5SShyphenhyphenVSRsPE19ndAXw9sjyqISsYfQIKaWqIdSr_XXGIRMJDQA5wZNN5d5VmjaYKuHJCC5QxIZhLszVW_QhYsA0gH7FXWygwoM1DsKvXZ5RTw/s1600/010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9n2mSc2RXgO_QrAwyW9EM0gmGQE6J4nO5SShyphenhyphenVSRsPE19ndAXw9sjyqISsYfQIKaWqIdSr_XXGIRMJDQA5wZNN5d5VmjaYKuHJCC5QxIZhLszVW_QhYsA0gH7FXWygwoM1DsKvXZ5RTw/s1600/010.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycgSzYfvfiFlKU61bAgRDyWoTDWhcSJHEIbSq_pqZsijwqJEd7vt8dOgKnz7Wq-01VlO8sX6RsT448aXuCPi2OpMFNJuFgrJ4HgJKFWOEvmf1d-DrYDV4TqkqNQneuK5dmkPfb5GX0EPq/s1600/013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycgSzYfvfiFlKU61bAgRDyWoTDWhcSJHEIbSq_pqZsijwqJEd7vt8dOgKnz7Wq-01VlO8sX6RsT448aXuCPi2OpMFNJuFgrJ4HgJKFWOEvmf1d-DrYDV4TqkqNQneuK5dmkPfb5GX0EPq/s1600/013.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI_cDsyxc66PdXDF_yTIHX3gi_Z81edLl57idBRzlLrXZUfnrpcVNsujeNTZ9zsHZ5jnO4sQvR84DWopMcL2ht5tCcMQxTnFV2iRLDEy5QXtdVrREQzB2mocvUknIylYsuFai3KrA07fP/s1600/014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI_cDsyxc66PdXDF_yTIHX3gi_Z81edLl57idBRzlLrXZUfnrpcVNsujeNTZ9zsHZ5jnO4sQvR84DWopMcL2ht5tCcMQxTnFV2iRLDEy5QXtdVrREQzB2mocvUknIylYsuFai3KrA07fP/s1600/014.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i like the way you love your arms swaddled tight to sleep </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and how you freak out if there is any blanket touching your feet. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we get it. your puppies need to breathe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i love your sweet little lopsided head.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i like how your toes have started to go goofy like jude's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and how they always seem to trap lint.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even when you're not wearing socks...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i love how much you love to be held and worn and snuggled.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i like the way you kick your legs during your puppy dreams</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and how your whole body shakes when you laugh in your sleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i love you so much, sweet boy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you make everything brighter and better. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-60918542791194959492015-03-27T13:30:00.000-06:002015-03-27T13:30:25.052-06:00two hours a week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpvqxzmcnoaRx-nqQyV_PuWwyJFy1dO3rNDdQomgoSoD5A3u0Yz5oU_TNe7Ah9WT_BTJjKDQrk2cjWe7aztUgd_ZsglttblVTAT4zm53rRQBTxFEGZZDkB7y8Kbcow57frwi831ddsnoa/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpvqxzmcnoaRx-nqQyV_PuWwyJFy1dO3rNDdQomgoSoD5A3u0Yz5oU_TNe7Ah9WT_BTJjKDQrk2cjWe7aztUgd_ZsglttblVTAT4zm53rRQBTxFEGZZDkB7y8Kbcow57frwi831ddsnoa/s1600/003.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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last night was the second night of my community photography class. i'm sure there's a more eloquent way to say this, but it was just so great. despite taking a few photography classes in college, i never learned how to shoot in manual. this class is helping me with that and i'm really pumped about it. it has been so nice to take off my mom pants for a few hours and just be brissa. it's nice to talk to other adults and even make some new friends. even if we did bond over having two babies really close together. you can take the lady out of the mom pants, but you can't take the mom pants out of the lady. yaknowwhatimeeean?</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">i love being a mom and i'm completely sincere when i say it fills my ice cream cup past the top with vanilla. but these extra things, like a photography class or doing some freelance writing for a company (!!!) are like the hot fudge and cherry on top. you can live your life with just a cup of vanilla and be completely happy, but if you had the chance to add a few things to make your cup a little better, why wouldn't you? i know these opportunities will help make me a better person and a better mom. i hope my babies can see that i never stopped learning or trying or chasing after a dream. i know there will be seasons in life where all i can handle is being a mom, so i'm taking advantage of this time and allowing myself to focus on me for a bit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">my heart is full and my cup runneth over with the hottest fudge.</span></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">
</span><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
life is good.</div>
</span><span style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
life is just so, so good.</div>
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</div>
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</span>Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-668740743158007002015-03-17T20:58:00.000-06:002015-03-17T20:58:55.650-06:00here is a list of things i'm grateful for today, march 17, 2015.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
healthy babies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spiritual promptings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hospitals, doctors and sweet, sweet nurses.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
amoxicillin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the bbg.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
two and a half hour naps for both babies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
jude's bedtime routine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ezra and his sweet smiles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
our sun-filled living room.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
our double-stroller.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
warm weather.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
an afternoon walk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pulled pork sandwiches.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
homemade kfc coleslaw.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a quiet evening.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a clean kitchen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cory.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the happiness in normal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my only regret is not buying myself</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ice cream when i went grocery shopping yesterday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
woof.</div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-13647120137965555622015-03-13T10:00:00.000-06:002015-03-13T10:00:06.093-06:00sweet ezra boy. <div style="text-align: center;">
those first few days after ezra came home<br />
were some of the sweetest of my life.<br />
my heart was so full<br />
having the three people i love most in the world<br />
under the same roof.<br />
<br />
we were exhausted and sleep-deprived,<br />
but we were so, so happy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/120534284" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<br />
thank you, <a href="https://vimeo.com/user5879183">madi</a>.<br />
thank you for always knowing how to capture my family.<br />
cropped crocs and all.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">if you want to keep the tears flowing,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">here's a flashback friday </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">of little </span><a href="http://brissalaura.blogspot.com/2013_12_01_archive.html" style="font-size: small;">bb jude</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> fresh from the womb. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-4055315426601583502015-03-12T09:00:00.000-06:002015-03-12T09:00:00.372-06:00namesake.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">stewart ezra.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
when i got pregnant with jude i was certain we were having a boy.<br />
cory and i decided baby names before we got pregnant<br />
so i was positive little ezra was swimming around in my belly.<br />
<br />
one spring sunday,<br />
we went with cory's family to visit grandpa stewart's grave.<br />
i don't know how it happened,<br />
but i had a few minutes alone with grandpa stewart.<br />
i stood at his headstone and cried.<br />
i felt so much love and respect for a man i had never met.<br />
i was overcome with peace and happiness and the spirit.<br />
i felt like grandpa stewart was giving me his blessing.<br />
like he felt honored we were choosing to name our boy after him.<br />
<br />
oh ezra,<br />
my sweet little boy,<br />
you are named after your daddy's grandpa stewart.<br />
he was a wonderful man full of faith and love.<br />
i have no doubt you will live up to his name<br />
and be a good man with a good heart.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-3193130475927295472015-03-11T11:26:00.000-06:002015-03-11T11:26:19.676-06:00down with the sickness. rsv has quite literally taken over our home. jude and ezra are infected. i haven't gone to the doctor to confirm it, i'm pretty sure i have it too. yay. so we're just chillin in quarantine, coughing and snotting all over each other. except ez, his boogs are too far up his nose we had to rent a fancy super snot sucker to clear his airway. did you know that until they're about six months old, babies are exclusive nose breathers? the more you know, ya know.<br />
<br />
our throats are raw from all the coughing we're doing. it's so sad to watch jude and ezra cough. their little faces get so red and their eyes water. during lunch on monday jude coughed so hard she laid her head down on the table and covered her eyes as if to say, "i quit, mama. this is too hard."<br />
<br />
i've also decided i'm going to be that parent whose kids end up getting <i>fatter </i>when they're sick. if all jude wants to eat is fries and veggie straws and popsicles and cheese, that's a-okay by me. calories, baby. i'll stuff her full of spinach and carrots when she's more willing to eat.<br />
<br />
anyway, here are some pictures of simpler, less infected times.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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full disclosure:<br />
all solo pictures of ez are two months old.<br />
i refuse to believe he is three months and <b>12 lbs 12 oz</b>.<br />
so i'm just going to keep looking at pictures of his skinny little one-month old self.<br />
back when his eyes and nose were too big for his face<br />
and his forehead was all sorts of crusty. </div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-5716251716878062062015-03-02T09:33:00.002-07:002015-03-02T09:33:19.424-07:00wiiknd: wire baskets for living room toy storage have changed my life. <div style="text-align: center;">
the waiting game.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
better homes & gardens.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
design + organization.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sick cory.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"yehyo" - jude</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
breakfast for dinner.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
solo costco + target run.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
speed buy all the things!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
early morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
snuggly baby boy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bookshelf staging. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
speed cleaning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
visit from mama angel + daddy al. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lil' sleezy's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's always sunny.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
fixer upper.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
brissa = mint chocolate chip ice cream.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cory = hazelnut chocolate. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sweet, sweet slumber.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
crazy bread 4 breakfast. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
five little monkeys.<br />
property brothers.<br />
baby snuggle city.<br />
ice cream + parks and rec.<br />
<br /></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-69001845369450951492015-02-27T11:24:00.000-07:002015-02-27T11:24:00.435-07:00i don't want to forget.<div style="text-align: center;">
jude.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the way she walks around calling out "go-weeee."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the saddest face and noise she makes when she "meews" like a kitty</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how her puppy goes "fff wfff wfff"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how excited she gets when she hears the door open when cory gets home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
saying "hi buddy!" to ezra.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ezra.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his constant smiles and coos and giggles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the way he snores at night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the way he holds onto my shirt while he eats.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
his "drowning" way of eating. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the way he sprawls in the tub during his bath. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but most of all,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i never, ever, ever want to forget</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how much they both love each other.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she smothers him with hugs and kisses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he smiles every time she looks at him. </div>
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<br />
<br />Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-1346126683374325802015-02-25T10:25:00.001-07:002015-02-25T10:25:25.388-07:00a desk: woman's best friend. on valentine's cory, jude, ezra and i braved ikea. we bought pillows and a rug for the playroom, picture frames for the living room and a desk just for me. it's white and perfect. cory set it up for me and it proudly sits in the corner of our living room next to a giant window.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i love having a desk again. i always had a desk throughout my childhood and into college. it was my place to sit and write (read: google best-dressed lists or stalk blogs or watch netflix while i painted my nails). it was my place. brandy had her own little corner in her own little chair and i had my desk. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
it's taken me almost three years to realize why my writing has suffered. it may sound dramatic (and it probably is), but in losing my desk, i lost a little bit of myself. i didn't have a special place to write so i didn't. i can feel a void when i don't write. i know exactly what is missing every time i feel like i'm not moving forward. so i finally did something about it. hopefully having a big piece of furniture staring me in the face every day will help me get my act together. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
so here's to fresh starts in february. </div>
<div>
here's to clean, white desks and using nap time to write instead of shower. </div>
<div>
here's to doing what makes me happy. </div>
<div>
here's to finding myself again. </div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-36626811889069934002015-02-02T10:02:00.000-07:002015-02-25T12:43:31.169-07:00wiiknd: gimme all da spinach dip. <div style="text-align: center;">
cafe rio leftovers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
baby laundry. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"anna! elsa!" - jude. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thx 4 visiting, belita. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
soup. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tv catch-up + laundry sorting. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
baby laundry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
magnet wall, painted. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
playroom progress. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what we do in the shadows.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
popcorn.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11:14 wake-up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spinach dip.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
queso.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
brisket.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
jude luvs bbq chips.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
commercial induced crying.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
insomnia.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--3--><!--3--></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-18640737201099078802015-01-28T10:57:00.000-07:002015-01-28T10:57:09.117-07:00because<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1LsVvL_8XMdm0O70b-qDsESe5Xp1VogP6295vMFuSFOwCNXbAV2cEkQgm93MbRWUQo_5EuXUedaS4r1Fc0h9TZsQROPA2Fdlur7ASXMlutFzOSEuIyajRR-diYO7OJHqAb9-r_BITTIY/s1600/IMG_2388-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1LsVvL_8XMdm0O70b-qDsESe5Xp1VogP6295vMFuSFOwCNXbAV2cEkQgm93MbRWUQo_5EuXUedaS4r1Fc0h9TZsQROPA2Fdlur7ASXMlutFzOSEuIyajRR-diYO7OJHqAb9-r_BITTIY/s1600/IMG_2388-3.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
i've seen this #webravewomen movement floating around instagram<br />
and i'd like to add my two cents.<br />
<br />
i am brave because i am a mom.<br />
because i put the needs of my children before my own.<br />
because i have given up my body for the past two years<br />
to grow and feed my babies.<br />
<br />
i am brave because i am learning to love my body and myself<br />
so my children can have the confidence in themselves<br />
i wish i'd had growing up.<br />
<br />
i am brave because i am trying to remember to go after my dreams<br />
because i want my children to fight for theirs.<br />
<br />
i am brave because i am fulfilled as a mom.<br />
because i feel accomplished with each bottle fed,<br />
each boo-boo kissed better and each onesie folded.<br />
<br />
i am brave because i am proud to stay home.<br />
because i know i'm not "just" a mom.<br />
because i am a mom and that is enough.<br />
<br /></div>
Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-76638872724456471962015-01-21T22:55:00.000-07:002015-01-21T22:55:42.875-07:00one month || 01.08.15it's kind of hard to believe a month has passed since i went to the hospital to get my "leaking" checked out. i had a feeling it was my water breaking, but i didn't want to be that crazy pregnant lady who mistook incontinence for a slow water leak. i cleaned the house like crazy. i'm calling it speed nesting. other than a few mild cramps in my back, i felt fantastic. cory was worried but kept quiet while i frantically changed the sheets and wiped down our nightstands. he's a good man.<br />
he kept telling me i didn't need to worry about bringing all my stuff just to get checked out, but i knew. i knew once i stepped foot in that hospital, i wouldn't be coming home without a baby.<br />
<br />
my water broke but my body wasn't <i>in</i> labor. we basically had to start from scratch. i was admitted to the delivery room around two o'clock sunday afternoon and didn't have a baby until 4:46 monday morning. funny story. right before i had ezra, the nurse checked me and i was at a six. two minutes later another nurse checked me and i was at a nine. three contractions later and little ezra was here. i held him for maybe three minutes before i let them check his stats. with jude, they checked her and i got to hold her immediately after. i thought it would be the same this time. it wasn't. they checked him, saw he was in respiratory distress, wrapped him up and let me hold him for one minute before they took him away. i wasn't able to see him for an hour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_IFHuZ6lJ3PbB6p2oJtgtMOkI0DSAgQhbLXGDs-CHPwG7iTP4x1Me6kgVNqLWCwTT89oLaCEa9ChnM-ZRFqui6dYiVT5UeSZFw6vZB-KUj2Z7xbrQNvb3wowuDSDS0T_GS6DDyKgaMjK/s1600/019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_IFHuZ6lJ3PbB6p2oJtgtMOkI0DSAgQhbLXGDs-CHPwG7iTP4x1Me6kgVNqLWCwTT89oLaCEa9ChnM-ZRFqui6dYiVT5UeSZFw6vZB-KUj2Z7xbrQNvb3wowuDSDS0T_GS6DDyKgaMjK/s1600/019.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
when i first saw my boy he was perfect. pink and squirmy and screaming. just the way i like my fresh little babes. the second time i saw him, he was hooked up to oxygen with wires stuck onto his tiny little torso monitoring his stats. i didn't get to hold him. i didn't get to kiss him. i didn't get to snuggle and study him the way i wanted to. all i could do was sit in my wheelchair and touch his little hands and legs and feet. he could only be in transition for six hours and if he didn't improve by then, he'd have to head down to the nicu. while in transition, cory and his dad gave our sweet little boy a <a href="https://www.lds.org/youth/article/importance-of-priesthood-blessings?lang=eng">priesthood blessing</a>. as scary and foreign as this situation was for us, the blessing gave us peace. the spirit comforted us and i wasn't as terrified anymore, i knew ezra would be home soon. i just knew it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rLfz67XcS8KoQZpnFb4KSzfUKg3Wi-R_EnfacvxHklR8yMwXzjlT1qutnmisVKVkSMrXbdG01Fggjm6p-weEXgK_t1iPq8iL9jGDCj6XFbVO41oCjfjDmvv3_d3bkRwlrOyOkG864tDA/s1600/020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rLfz67XcS8KoQZpnFb4KSzfUKg3Wi-R_EnfacvxHklR8yMwXzjlT1qutnmisVKVkSMrXbdG01Fggjm6p-weEXgK_t1iPq8iL9jGDCj6XFbVO41oCjfjDmvv3_d3bkRwlrOyOkG864tDA/s1600/020.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
six hours and one hallway puke later, ezra was moved to the nicu. he was in the pod with the "newest and the sickest." when i heard that, my heart sank. but one of the sweet nurses assured us he was just in there because he was a recent add to the nicu, not because he was the sickest. little ez did so well. on his fourth day, he was off oxygen, his iv fluids, antibiotics and bili lights. it was amazing being able to see him with just his feeding tube. ezzy boy spent the next five days resting and mastering the art of eating on his own.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LYzPR8NK51GJ-56urJpqKjW51-sEf1ZRaz3NygvJnTyHqhoTtPgPRdVJ2GGDmtqIuHVpOj7byje4cke0GDUxHSUmXu22wdbeO-j4rKQmuXemGq3ahNMqX1lv5rJ3PlXBDzn6QIJHpbCh/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LYzPR8NK51GJ-56urJpqKjW51-sEf1ZRaz3NygvJnTyHqhoTtPgPRdVJ2GGDmtqIuHVpOj7byje4cke0GDUxHSUmXu22wdbeO-j4rKQmuXemGq3ahNMqX1lv5rJ3PlXBDzn6QIJHpbCh/s1600/021.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
when that little kid decided he was ready to get better, he meant it. ezra was discharged on the 17th at nine days old. i cried when i said goodbye to the nurses. i have so much love and appreciation and respect for all the doctors and nurses who work in the nicu. it was so humbling to see how many people were involved with ezra's care and recovery. i have a special place in my heart for the nurses. they loved ezra as much as we did. they told us to go home and get rest so we could take care of him. they told cory to feed me ice cream so i could keep making milk. they helped make something so scary and hard a little bit easier and i am so grateful to them for that.<br />
<br />
it's been a month since sweet ezra joined our little family.<br />
it's gone so fast and felt so right.<br />
i don't know how we ever lived without him.<br />
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<br />Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494355129937737515.post-89000041403048295292015-01-05T10:36:00.001-07:002015-01-05T10:36:13.587-07:00wiiknd: every time we pull out jude's amoxicillin she goes, "mmm!"<div style="text-align: center;">
snuggly jude.</div>
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sick jude.</div>
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sad jude.</div>
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after hours doctor's visit.</div>
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verdict: double ear infection. </div>
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<br /></div>
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the best saturday.</div>
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mommy + jude.</div>
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giggles & snuggles & kisses.</div>
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cory cleaned errthang.</div>
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apple scented venison roast.</div>
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bangin' gravy. </div>
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too.much.popcorn.</div>
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baby snuggles.</div>
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perfect day. </div>
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<br /></div>
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cinnamon sugar butter toast.</div>
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rehab addict.</div>
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the office finale.</div>
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"i'm just so happy. thank you for everything."</div>
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corn chowder. </div>
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a spotless house. </div>
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the blacklist. </div>
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Brissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887834932421567389noreply@blogger.com5