Take a Picture

I take a lot of pictures. I always have. I usually post around one a day and usually take at least ten a day. My very favorite ones are usually the ones that don't even make it on social media. I heard the saying once, 'you will never regret taking a picture'.. And that's so true. I'm glad I can look back at laugh at my big hair I had in high school and my crazy college days. I'm even glad that I took quite a few of Boston's 'dad and myself for her to look at when she is older. I regret that their are really only about 15 pictures of me through my whole pregnancy. 

That's my whole Sunday night spill... Take a lot of pictures; your future self will thank you and you will be glad you did. Here our some of ours from the last little bit.

Boston and I went jeep riding and she actually insisted she sit up on the hood for a picture after.

Our Fourth of July attire. 

Last weekend we went golfing... she won... but she cheated... but I still love her.

This might not look like a lot to you but with that yellow chalk she drew a scribble and she said it was a picture of me. I was a really proud mom. Also, that plant in the corner we have kept alive this whole summer!

She loves 'fwimming'...

We did big girl things and went down the slide... so we had to hug for a bit after.

I work at the Twilight Concert series in Salt Lake on Thursday evenings with my cousin's, sister, parents and aunt and uncle. Its been so fun.

Sister's are pretty okay... me and my sister's and niece had a girls night out. 

I love when I get to see my high school friends. This is Shayla, and she has THREE boys... so I thought she should practice with a girl.

Boston learned that boys play a lot rougher than girls.

My shopping buddy. She got on the cart like this and was so proud of herself.

Sunday evenings at grandpa and grandma's house are the best.

XO:
Ashlynn&Boston
BRONSON

My Sunshine

While I was pregnant almost every night I would sing, "You are my sunshine" to my baby that was cookin' in my tummy. While she was a little tiny thing I would sing it to her while we woke up countless times during the night so she could have a bottle and cuddle with mamma. The Sunshine song is still going strong in our home with me and my babe and we sing it every day and night before bed. What's really fun for me is that the baby I used to sing to in my tummy now sings that same song in her sweet little voice.

Here is a super small clip of our special song from last night at bedtime ... just in case you need a little extra sunshine today.

XO:
Ash&Bost
BRONSON

also...uploading this was a pain in the butt! I had to put it on YouTube then put it on here... so if you know easier ways I am all ears.

..

We have had an extra great week and because of that have really slacked on writing on here since we have just been so darn busy. I forget how much I love being outside till I am outside again and sharing the fun outdoors is 1000 times more fun with Boston! I checked on my blog main page today and in the past two weeks we have almost tripled the amount of people who read this (crazy). We deiced to share a tiny bit about ourselves if you are just new...

*I am Ashlynn Bronson and I have an adorable two year old daughter, Boston Bronson. I was born and raised in one of the best small towns ever, Preston, Idaho, but we currently live in Logan, Utah. I have the most amazing parents ever who are the most amazing grandparents to Boston. I have two older sisters, Alicia and Emily, and they are the two best aunts to my baby! They tend, buy clothes and treats, love her, spoil her and everything in between. Along with them comes my two awesome brother-in-laws and my 7 nieces and nephews, who are such sweet big cousins to Boston, (It makes my heart so happy when I see the two oldest nephews, that are teenage boys, play dolls with a two year old girl or push her on the swing or give piggyback rides and hugs). I have really been blessed when it comes to family. I work for an amazing company, own a small boutique  Boston's Boutique, am a licensed cosmetologist, and it feels like a professional student at Utah State University... (seriously, I hope to graduate one day). I am a obsessive flosser, I love everything and anything about summer, I have a messy ponytail and leggings the majority of the time, a huge fan of John Steinbeck, I love cold diet coke and I am reality T.V. junkie. Boston is lover of all things Sesame Street, can count to ten, loves playing with kids, is a social butterfly and a good little dancer. I have been so blessed by her coming into my life; I am completely serious when I say I could have never ever asked for a better sidekick. Thanks for stopping by our blog, we appreciate it! & shoot us a message so we can find out about you as well!

Here are some of our pictures from the last week...

*We had our weekly Mommy/Daughter dinner date at Chilies this week on Monday night.

*Monday night Boston was supposed to be asleep in her bed... at about 2:00 am I found her out on the couch.

*Tuesday my littler helper was cleaning the toilet with the toilet brush in nothing but her boots and hat.

*Wednesday we went swimming so that by the time summer gets here she wont be scared of the water at all!

*We went explorin' Thursday evening before going to get frozen yogurt... right here she was telling me to be quite so she could here the butterfly's.

*Friday we had our first snow cone of the season with my friend, Sam!

*Then after had a little cookout with our friends Sam, Chance and James. They sat in the hot tub and were so sweet as usual to Boston; she loves them.

*She also was pretty quick to steal my lemonade.

*Saturday we had a play date with my friend, Lauren and her baby Olivia. Boston and Olivia were sure loving smelling Lauren's flowers together.

*We went to Green Canyon one more time with my good friend, Michael, Saturday night.. (it may be our new favorite place).

That's what we have been up to the last week...this beautiful weather makes for a happy mom and baby! 

XO:
Ashlynn&Boston
BRONSON

My Motherhood

If I am to talk about the one thing in my life I have the most assurance in, passionate about and worked the hardest for it would easily be my motherhood. On that same note it is also the one aspect of my life that I am the most sensitive and vulnerable about. 

I didn't find out I was pregnant alone and I obviously didn't get pregnant alone. But hearing the news of it left only one of us prepared for it and pregnancy for me was a sad and lonely time. I went to Dr. appointments alone and soon it became not an alone feeling but a proud feeling that this baby was mine and I knew I could be what she needed and through all of the sad moments, the scared moments and the tears it brought me to the realization that I was stronger than I knew I was.

I will give credit where credit is due and Boston's 'dad was with me while I was in labor (although he got countless phone calls and texts from a girl at the time). During the newborn-up-all-night times it was just me and Boston. To this day if Boston needs something it is me that does it...bath time, Dr. appointments, dinner, being held, play time, finances and everything in between....

Growing up I was never sure what I wanted to do with my life... I have changed my major at Utah State a few times, put in a semester at Idaho State and even completed cosmetology school in the process. Some people would say "you need to do this" and mention something they thought I excelled in or they would say, "you were born to do that" and mention something else that I had a little skill in. Until Boston I was never really certain on "what I was born to do"... Now I realize that I was meant to be a mom, Boston's mom. I never really thought that I would be the type of woman who was defined by motherhood but it's more so as if all previous definitions have vanished. This is why my motherhood is what I am the most passionate and vulnerable about; it is by far the most time-costuming but also most rewarding thing I have put my heart in to. 

I have ALWAYS tried to treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to me. Not because they are nice but because I am. I actually really enjoy being nice to people...I like surprising people with cupcakes on their birthday, I like giving complements and I like looking for ways to cheer a sad or stressed out friend. My mom taught me to be kind, my dad taught me to show respect,  and my grandparents taught me "to turn the other cheek". I will never understand some people's motives, thought process, facade they put on or vindictive actions but I honestly don't know if it's something I would really ever want to understand. 

I guess at the end of the day I need to be thankful that I had good parents and good examples and I need to realize that some people didn't have those good role models. I need to realize that I have seen some really mean and toxic people and I have seen some wonderfully kind ones. I am thankful for my sweet baby, she has certainly changed me for the better. I am glad for the countless nights I do wake up and get to go hold her and sing to her as she sleeps. I am thankful that she is smart and knows who has always been there for her but I am sad she has been through so much in her two years. I may not be able to hold her up the highest but I will hold her up the longest without letting her fall. Having someone continually try to dampen or demean your motherhood is something I wouldn't  wish on anyone... but my motherhood is something I wouldn't change for the world.

XO:

Ashlynn&Boston

BRONSON

All About Boston

My baby Boston is officially 26 months today... And yes, I am completely aware that you stop counting in months at a certain age but we love having things to celebrate. We are going to go get frozen yogurt to celebrate later today but I also wanted to dedicate a whole post to being all about Boston.

•She loves all of her big cousins. She asks to play with them almost daily and will randomly ask for one of them during the day.

•Her mullet is finally growing out but her bangs are the slowest growing things ever.

•She knows how to push ALL of my buttons... 'Terrible two's' are real. But she also knows how to make it better by giving amazing hugs and saying "love you... Mamma!"

•She LOVES my mom... Like, it could almost be scary how much she loves "namma".

•She loves to sing! She puts on great performance of "ehhh go!" (from Frozen), "la la la... Elmo's world"... "My sunshine" and any other song she puts her heart into.

•She loves dancing, and we have been practicing so she can start lessons in the fall. We say "tap tap tap" and she does a little tap step!

•She loves riding in tractors with pappa (grandpa).

•She loves going on bike rides with her mamma.

•She loves going and playing with the kids at the Kids Club at Sports Academy. 

•She loves driving her little car around outside, blowing bubbles and loves coloring with sidewalk chalk. She loves being outside.

•She doesn't have accidents at home but has a bit of a harder time when when she isn't home.

~She loves when we paint our nails.

•She can count to ten and sometimes past it.

•She makes the weirdest, scrunched faces.... That sadly I realize I do as well. 

~She is left handed.

•She is a cuddle bug.

I could seriously go on and on about how amazing she is, how funny she is and how smart she is becoming. I am so dang lucky every time I hear her little voice call me, "mom".

XO:

Ashlynn&Boston

BRONSON

I told her she could help write for her first time on this post... here it goes...
rggyyy77777sssss /2w       fd       v=og

*With the right pair of shoes a girl can conquer the world...

 Just a swingin'

Our Pictures

My VERY favorite app is Instagram. I love pictures. I have always heard the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words" and I totally agree. Their are about a handful of people I follow on Instagram that I'm just in love with their beautiful pictures and moments that they capture, a ton of fitness and health ones for motivations, some other users I follow are moms who post super cute pictures of their life, who I look up to, and I actually follow a page that posts a ton of different amazing recipes and pictures of cookies (they are probably my biggest weakness). I first got Instagram and I didn't realize it was a social network, I just thought it was a photo editing app. I posted my first picture of me, Boston and her 'dad and was so confused when I got notifications for it (I swear I am technology illiterate).We have been so busy lately that I have slacked on posting any blog posts so I decided we would share some of our pictures and Instagram pictures from the last week. If you have Instagram find us (ashnbost_bronson) so we can find you and have some more fun pictures to look at.

Tuesday night Bosty and I did our facial masks. She loves it!

Wednesday, on my day off, I went and worked for my brother-in-law doing construction. Cause, ya know, babies are expensive. Boston's Uncle Ryan helped babysit along with her Aunt Ami, so I was able to work an extra day. It was really nice of them.

"Mere' mommy... Sit... Me" translation: "come here, mommy. Sit by me." I love my big girl.

Our toenails are always matching but Friday we made our matching summer anklets. This is our third summer doing this!

Saturday morning we went and saw the Easter Bunny and to an egg hunt in Franklin. Although she looks scared this may have been one of the top three moments of her life. She was so excited! She went back over to him countless times to give him hugs and five. Franklin is such an awesome community and it was so great going with my family to it.

Saturday we played with my friend, Kat and her little boy, Cash. Boston is so happy and content coloring with the sidewalk chalk.

EASTER!

Easter 2011 I took Boston's 'dad to my family party. He helped hide eggs, was so cute to my nephews and I was pretty certain that was going to be my favorite Easter I ever had... I was so wrong.

Easter with my baby was the best time ever! The Easter bunny left toys and outfits and treats around her basket with eggs hidden around the house... The Easter Bunny was pretty excited about it.

And Boston loved getting all of her stuff!

We had an Easter egg hunt with all of the cousins.... Boston and my niece, Bracken got a huge head start.... and Boston still was pretty terrible at it... but she loved it and was adorable!

W

We also played a game where we put shower caps and shaving cream on our heads while the rest of the family in teams competed to get cheese puffs to stick (strange but really fun)... My parents and nephews were a little too excited to be able to throw cheese puffs at my head.

I always say that Easter is one of my top days of the year but I have to honestly that this is the BEST of I have had YET!

I take a picture each Easter of my baby....It's mind-blowing to see how much she has changed and grown!

That's our life in pictures for the last week... to say we had a great, fun-filled week would be an understatement. I basically ate my weight in Cadburry Eggs and Peeps so I would say it was a success! Boston was however pretty upset this morning that their weren't any eggs around the house and baskets full of toys and treats. We are two blessed girls. I hope your holiday weekend was great, too!

XO:
Ashlynn&Boston
BRONSON

Two Year Olds Are Exhausting

I love Boston.... I don't even think their is a word invented that could properly describe how much I love her, but two year old Boston is making me exhausted.  She NEVER holds still, is into everything, makes a million messes and can rival even the best in the occasional tantrums she throws. Today when it was time to leave the gym she was so mad at me for making her go and she kept telling me she was going to tell on me to grandma. I'm exhausted a lot, but I can already tell when this phase is over I will miss it and reminisce about it just like I have the previous ones. Two year olds are a handful, but they are so fun; she makes every day an adventure. I don't think I would ever want to change a second of my exhausting life with anyone. I am pretty thankful to call this energetic two year old mine.

Throwing rocks and stroller walks at Stewart Nature Park are some of our favorites.

•

And feeding ducks with cousin, Millie...

although in this picture she was mad at me for giving the bread to the geese and tried to chase it down to give it to them herself. 

She loves swinging.

I ended this long Monday with a tea party with my favorite little peanut.

XO:

Ashlynn&Boston

BRONSON

Toddler Foods

Boston usually eats what I eat for dinner, which is awesome because it's helped her not to be a picky eater. For lunch she usually has something different than myself and on days I work I pack her a lunch. For a while I was in a rut and would just pack Easy Mac because I knew she liked it and it was super quick but lately I have been working on better food choices for her. I have found a bunch she likes and that are easy and fast.

Main Dishes:

•Rice, beans and cheese.

•Peanut Butter and Jelly roll up.

•English muffin pizza.

•Scrambled eggs.

•Quesadilla.

•Tuna or Chicken Salad.

•Noodles with marinara sauce.

Side Dishes/Snacks:

•Soft cooked apple slices.

•Peaches

•Corn

•Avacado slices 

•Watermelon

•Steamed carrots 

•Steamed broccoli

•Pinapple chunks

•Gogurt that is frozen 

•Greek Yogurt with any berries and/or coconut flakes.

Today's lunch:

•A half sandwich PB&J

•Almond Milk

•Chai Seed corn chips 

•Smashed up avocado to dip them in (she loves dipping things and this was a healthier option)

She had a candy necklace and she loved it. We altered it a bit and made her a bag of 'candy necklaces' on Sunday to last her for the week. We use peanut butter multi-grain Cheerios and apple slices instead of candy and she loves it. I like to used colored string or ribbon and she likes that it's 'petty' (pretty).

She ate all of the apples off first.

I'm not a nutritionist but these are what we researched and what has worked best for us for healthier, quick options. If you have any we would love to hear them.

XO:

Ashlynn&Boston 

BRONSON