you go girl

And the winner of the Gender Gander Giveaway is ... Who said, and I quote: "Give us a challenge next time. GIRL. FO SHO."

Now e-mail me your address, you fortune teller, you. {brianahstewartATgmail.com}

A girly gift will be charming your mailbox shortly thereafter.

well hello, little girl

21 Weeks

Look who finally decided to show up! Meet baby girl Bradam at 21 weeks.

Boy, I love her.

P.S. To all those who guessed girl in the gender gander giveaway, I'll be announcing the winner this Wednesday!

P.P.S. Baby bump photo is by co-worker/friend Dave Blackhurst. Thanks, Dave!

gender gander giveaway

We find out what we're having in two weeks, and I thought it'd be fun to take a virtual vote on if we're having a boy or a girl. (Is it so 2009 or what?)

Oh, and don't count on my inclinations of yore. Remember how I thought I was having a boy? Well, any intuition I've had has flitted away. Being flutterpated has gone and left me all confused.

So, without further ado, please answer the following:

Bradam will be:

A) A girl. Obvy!
B) A boy. Dude!

Of the correct guesses, a winner will be chosen at random and will receive a glorious little somethin' somethin' from yours truly. (My very first giveaway!)

Be excited. Be very excited.

all-a-flutter

Mr. Doctor: So, have you felt the baby move yet?
Me: I don't think so. What would it feel like?
Mr. Doctor: Like a little flutter ... or gas.
Me: Then maybe I have!

Except last night there were no maybes about it. I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep when it happened.

Bradam fluttered. He flitted, she floated, he fleetly fled she flew.

Just call me flutterpated.

a pregnant pause

Things are looking up.

1. I found out I was pregnant on the morning of my 26th birthday. I love my 26th birthday.

2. I don't love nausea. It's a wretched, wretched thing. Seriously. So not a fan.

3. I am a fan of sleep, however. I go to bed around 9 p.m. these days (yes, former roomies — 9 p.m!), and I adore every minute of that glorious REM cycle.

4. I know what you're thinking: "If you love sleep so much, why don't you marry it?"

5. Oh. You weren't thinking that because you're not in second grade? Oops-a-daisy.

6. I'm going to have my child say, "Oops-a-daisy." Adorable, I tell you.

7. Remember how I'm going to have a child? Cra-zy!

8. You know what else is Cra-zy? Cra-vings! I've had two. Stove Top Stuffing and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald's. I'm embarrassed to report that the Quarter Pounder with Cheese was both breathtaking and beautiful.

9. Speaking of bellies (did you make the leap?), I want one. Like, now. I realize I may regret this statement later, but for now I'm tired of looking like I ate five too many Quarter Pounders with Cheese.

10. As for the belly, I think we have a boy on our hands. Just a hunch. Although the Chinese prediction calendar thingie says it's going to be a girl. Which, you know, would be equally wonderful.

11. Did I say wonderful? Adam's going to be a wonderful dad. Really. Top notch.

12. And on top of it all, I'm amazed at how in love I am with this little soul — currently the size of a plum. The wee little thing has plum tuckered me out, and I know it will for the rest of my life. But I am absolutely, totally, completely smitten. And in six months, I'm going to love his little birthday, too. (I know, China — or her!)

P.S. Thanks for all the comment love and excitement on my last post. I feel very loved!

april 2010

P.S. I know, right?

P.P.S. Special thanks to my ridiculously talented co-worker/dear friend Jessica for helping me create this baby blognouncement.

feels like home

I know. I know. I know.

This photo of our house is, like, so two months ago. We were just being fashionably late! (Clever, aren't I?)

So without further ado ... isn't she lovely?

that makes two of us

I love you, Adam Stewart. Yes, yes I do.

Thanks for making the past 730 days "for better."

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

extra, extra

Read all about it.

The newest issue of Utah Valley Magazine is out, and in my completely biased opinion, it's a downright delicious read. You can take a gander here.

Yours truly wrote two feature packages — one on the angels among us, and another on women and the "doors" we walk through. I got to interview the most beautiful, inspiring people. The kind of people who remind me why I'm a writer.

I have the best job. Ever.

last week ...

I might have gone to a Kelly Clarkson concert.

I might have stood in the rain with Fellow Fanatic/BFF Alison — swaying and singing all the while.

I might have screamed such sentiments as "I love you, Kelly!" and the ever-classic "woo hoo."

I might have gotten jiggy with it.

I might have purchased a totally rockadelic Kelly Clarkson T-Shirt. (That I will so totally wear, Adam.)
I might be 25 years old.

And I might have made a pact with Fellow Fanatic/BFF Alison to see our girl Kelly every time she has a concert in Utah. Yes, a pact.

Shhhhhh.

Don't tell Adam.

you say goodbye, i say hello

It's moving week around these parts, which means Adam has turned into Sir Pack-a-lot.

Me: If we pack three more boxes, THEN can we get frozen yogurt?
Sir Pack-a-lot: Yogurt-schmogurt. Pack, woman, pack!

But amidst all the boxes and bargaining (and frozen yogurt), I started to think about the goodbyes and hellos to come.

Let's take a look-see, shall we?

Goodbye Pleasant Grove ... Hello Lehi.

Goodbye rent check ... Hello mortgage payment.

Goodbye lengthy commute for Adam ... Hello lengthy commute for Bri. (A whole 15 minutes!)

Goodbye car port ... Hello garage (you blessed thing).

Goodbye three-minute walk to Maceys ... Hello grocery shopping for more than one meal at a time (sigh).

Goodbye walking up three flights of stairs every day ... Hello search for a new form of passive exercise (as sister Kara calls it).

Goodbye fancy people that take care of our grass (we'll miss you, Lawn Ranger) ... Hello yard work by Adam and Bri.

Goodbye not knowing how to decorate ... Hello magical knowledge of divine decor. (This comes with the purchase of the house, right? I mean, right?)

Goodbye Bajio Grill across the street ... Hello Cabela's down the street — aka elk burger heaven. Jeaaalous?

Goodbye singing in the shower ... Hello belting in the shower (with nary a neighbor in earshot).

Goodbye walls we can't paint ... Hello cans of color.

Goodbye condo ... Hello house to call our own.

gilmore girls night in

The only plus to Adam being in L.A. on business (aside from my husband sounding ridiculously important), is I get to marathon it with Lorelai and Rory — with nary a "they talk too fast and no one is that witty" rant in sight.

I love you, babe, but you have no taste in gushingly girly TV.

Love those Gilmore Girls.

my glasses were SO BIG as a kid ...

... they had to rest on my cheeks. True story.

about last month

You might say it's been an eventful month. So eventful, in fact, that I feel a list coming on. (I can't help myself.)

In the last 30 days ...

1. I went to Hawaii for my Grandpa's funeral. It was a perfect weekend celebrating an amazing man with a family I absolutely, totally adore.

I heart Hallstroms ...

... and Uncle Jim's Kalbi ribs ...

... and work parties at Grandpa's house ...

... and the "return-me rhyme" in Grandpa's
books, found at said work party ...

... and terrifying quantities of KFC ...

... and cousin Chris eating this entire plate of Chantilly Cake,
all because someone said, "I dare you" ...

... and self-portraits — Hawaiian-style ...

... and cool cousins ...

... and the loveliest of grandparents.

2. My hair has returned to its blonde roots — however artificial they may be. It's good to be back.

3. We went to Idaho Falls to help Adam's parents move into their beautiful new home. It was so fun to be a part of the transition (not to mention show off my brute strength), and we can't wait to make millions of new memories on Strawberry Lane. By the by, don't you just love that street name? My inner 4-year-old was hoping Strawberry Shortcake would show up with a plate of cookies welcoming them to the neighborhood.

4. We found out these two crazy kids are coming home.

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

5. We attended General Conference, which was completely special and completely inspiring. Remember Elder Holland's talk? I remember.

6. Oh, and we bought a house. Adam and Briana Stewart are, you know, homeowners.

7. I know, right?

the golden boy

It's Adam's golden birthday today (turning 29 on the 29th), and since I can't be with him on this most happy of days (I'm in Hawaii for my Grandpa's funeral), I want him to know that I love him more than the 29 Kalbi Ribs I plan to eat for dinner tonight.

That's true love, right Uncle Jim?

Happy Birthday, honey. Miss you like crazy.

Hawaii loves itself some Adam Stewart.

belated blogiversary

Dear Blog,
I owe you an apology.

You turned 1 last week Friday, and I treated it like every other same-old, same-old day. I went to work. Amy and I beat the boys mercilessly at Hand and Foot (no, like mercilessly). And then I went to bed with nary a birthday greeting in sight.

Shameful, indeed.

I should have been throwing virtual confetti. I should have been closing my eyes and Googling a wish (or 10). And I should have been eating colorful cupcakes while perusing past posts (mmmm cupcakes).

But alas, a belated birthday sentiment will have to do — along with a shout-out to a few of my favorite posts here, here, here and here.

Do you have any favorites? (Because this blogiversary is a celebration of me, obvs. :)

Happy Birthday, Blog. You're growing up so fast!

Love,
Bri

xxxooo

Grandpa Hallstrom passed away last night. He was in his 91st year, as he would say (whilst Grandma would shake her head and say, "Why would you want to sound older than you are!").

There is too much to say about just how amazing Grandpa was, so I'll sum it up by saying he had class — just like Grandma did.

Miss you, Grandpa.

xxxooo,
Breezy

I adore this picture of Grandma and Grandpa.
Thanks for posting it, Megs.

to the queen of birthdays ...

There's no one in the world quite like my Mom.

Isn't she lovely?

And on this, her birthday (it's the 25th of February in Hong Kong), I want her to know how much I absolutely, positively, completely, unequivocally love and adore her.

Have the happiest of birthdays, Mom. I wish I could be there to give you 58 hugs, kisses and smiles. Muah!

eat your heart out

Happy Valentine's Day!

XOXO, the Stewarts

By the way ...

We so used to serve heart-shaped pizzas at Brick Oven on Valentine's Day.

I so used to say "eat your heart out" every time I served one to a table.

And I so thought it was amusing — every darn time.

that's so random

This tag has been going around Facebook the last few days, but I decided to steal it for the blog. (Shhhhh. Don't tell Facebook.)

Here are 25 random things about yours truly.

1. I'm fairly certain I look strange in 99 percent of close-toed shoes.

2. Adam makes me laugh at least five times a day.

3. I love holiday-shaped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups way better than regular ones.

4. I have the raddest friends.

5. I got into journalism because I wanted to do the New York City internship program in the Communications department at BYU. When I applied for the major I remember thinking, "Sure, I could write." I fell in love with journalism shortly thereafter.

Thanks, New York City.

6. I can be a bit of a workaholic.

7. I'm really talented at napping.

8. Adam and I have a lot of weird coincidental connections. We were in the same ward a year before we met — and didn't know each other. He and his dad used to home teach my boss' family in Idaho Falls. And, strangest of all, one of my closest friends, Kel-Bel, married one of his closest friends, Salter — three years before we met. And we both attended their wedding in California! Craziness.

9. I'm slightly obsessed with combing my hair throughout the day. Marcia Brady and I would have gotten along swimmingly at sleepovers.

10. I loved me some "Troop Beverly Hills" growing up. ("Patches? We don't need no stinkin' patches.")

11. I might be the only girl in the world who doesn't like the "Twilight" books. But if you do heart "Twilight," I don't judge.

12. I like the idea of cooking way more than actual cooking.

13. I can be a little bit of a "gamer." I'm crazy awesome at SEGA Genesis (which I still own, btw), I'm pretty darn good at Mario Kart on the Wii, and I beat the first Halo game while Adam looked proudly on. (Did I just type that out loud?)

14. When I lived in Hawaii, I wore sweatshirts in 80-degree weather.

15. I really liked the TV show "Reba." Yeah, I said it.

I don't care what you say — Van and Cheyenne were hah-larious.

16. I think YouTube might be one of the best inventions ever.

17. I don't like shopping at places like TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack because I can't handle the clutter. It stresses me out.

18. I want to smack Bikini Girl on "American Idol" upside the head. Ughh.

19. There was a time when I thought Breezy was my middle name, because surely (surely!) my parents wouldn't have NOT given me a middle name. I even signed my diorama project "By Briana Breezy Hallstrom" in second grade. Mrs. Ching had to break the news to me gently.

20. My sisters are knitting wizards.

Sister Erin knit this for nephew Ryan. I know, right?

21. I'd love, love, love to be a columnist for a magazine someday.

22. I often lost shoes as a child, because I'd get to school, immediately kick off my sandals and run barefoot all the day long. I so didn't have haole feet.

23. I averaged four hours of sleep in college. I'm positive I'm still recovering from it.

24. I can't wait for the new Kelly Clarkson album. (Sometimes I have tween tendencies.)

25. I've never met a cupcake I didn't like.

Yum.

fancy

In case you didn't know, I have a really fancy job with a really fancy Web site and a really fancy staff picture and bio.

You can check out the fancy link here.

Oh, and I'm having a competition with the guys at work to see whose bio page gets the most views. If I win, I can mercilessly taunt them with my popularity, so help a sister out and click on the link, will ya?

face the music

A few of you already saw this on my mother's blog, but for those of you don't regularly read her words of wisdom and wit (seriously ... what are you waiting for?), here's the link to Adam and I singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for the senior missionary couples on our New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

By the way, I'm not kidding. That New Year's night with the senior couples was totally rockin'.

the farewell tour

All right. This is a long one, folks. But I tried to keep it peppy, so as to avoid blogging you to boredom.

Let's hope it works! (And if it doesn't ... lie, people, lie!)

But without further ado, here's "the farewell tour" of our trip.

First up, The Peak, which is a hilltop view of the city.

Isn't this beautiful?
We dined with this (well, a version of this*) as the backdrop —
ooh and ahhing all the while.
*Confession: This fancy photo was NOT taken by yours truly.

But first, we had to ride a tram to the top,
which travels upward at 45 degrees.
Here are Mom, Dad and I waiting for the ride.

Next up was Ocean Park, which is an amusement park filled with rides, aquariums and ... (drum roll, please) ... pandas!

Is it just me, or is he smiling at me?

Unfortunately, Mr. Smiles was the only active panda in the bunch.
Meet the rest of his family: The Lazy McLazersons.

We got our inner-child on and posed with a man in a shark suit.
We rode cable cars to the other side of the park.
(Hong Kong is very hip when it comes to transportation.)

And we went to the Jelly Spectacular, which truly was spectacular.

Then, Adam finally got some "street food."

It wasn't his first choice of who-knows-where-that's-been-and-ew-what's-that-smell "street meat," but the sweet potato would have to do.
Pretty potatoes.

And finally, we saw Big Buddha, nestled in the mountains of Lantau.

To get there, we once again had to ride by cable car, which was completely ensconced in mist.
So we rode along, enjoying the misty memories, when suddenly the cable cars stopped dead in their ropes. Now, one of the cable cars (sans people) had infamously fallen to its demise during a test run a year or so ago. So when the cable cars stopped ...
... Adam did this.

... and I very calmly and rationally freaked out.
(Sadly, the above photo is not a dramatization.)

Luckily we made it (phew!), and we saw this beauty up close.
But not until we climbed 256 stairs to the top.
(Yeah, I counted.)

The good news is rather than admit we were tired, we just stopped for well-timed snapshots. Genius, eh?
Oh, and Adam took to Asia's tradition of flashing the
peace sign in Every. Single. Photo.

So long, Hong Kong.