Janssen Bradshaw

Janssen lives in Austin, TX with her husband and their two little girls. A former librarian, she is an obsessive reader, especially of picture books, young adult novels, and adult non-fiction. She also loves food in any form, whether it’s trying a new restaurant in Austin or making dinner at home with her little sidekick. On her blog, Everyday Reading, she recommends books for all ages and shares her favorite recipes.

Dear Mom: All the Reasons I Love You

Dear Mom,

When I was a teenager going to girls’ camp each summer, parents were supposed to write their daughters a letter to open and read one evening around the campfire. When I opened my letter, instead of a long, sappy letter, you’d made a long list of reasons I was fantastic. After that first year, reading the new list each summer, for five years in a row, was one of the highlights of my year.

Mom and Me at Disneyland

Who Did You Tell About Your Pregnancy?

I think most people have at least one close friend or family member they told about their pregnancy long before they announced it to the world at large. But have you also told a fairly random person about your pregnancy, either because you were bursting to tell SOMEONE or because circumstances just made it necessary?

Pregnancy

A "Mustache Bash" Baby Shower

Are you tired of mustaches yet? I didn’t think so. There’s a reason they are so popular – they’re just amusing!

I love this theme for a boy baby shower, since so many shower themes tend to border on the girly. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for for food, favors, and decorations:

After Nap Time: The Best Time of Day

For the moment (and with two children, I feel certain that this moment will be very brief), my girls nap at the same time in the afternoon.

After Naps

The Red-headed Baby I Didn't Know I Wanted

Have you ever gotten something you’d never even considered wanting or needing and then, once you have it, you can’t imagine life without it? That’s how I feel about my red-haired baby.

Redheaded Baby
Rocket Fuel