This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for my affiliate disclosure. If you purchase items through my affiliate links, I receive a small commission but your price doesn't change.
I had a baby.
I thought of titling this post any number of catchy things such as “How I Lost 20 Pounds in One Month” or “I’m Finally a Trim Healthy Mama,” but sometimes the plain honest truth packs the biggest punch. I had a baby.
Her name is Hadassah.
She was born mid August.
The end.
^^Photo creds for the picture above to my sister Katelyn. This photo and the one at the top of the post are from when Hadassah was one week old.
I hope to pontificate more later about the details of the last five months (since I posted my thoughts about moving back in June), but since this announcement has been long enough in coming already, here’s a brief synopsis of our summer:
- At 34 weeks pregnant, I drove a mini van loaded with belongings from Louisiana to Ohio while my husband drove a Uhaul with a car trailer on the back. We lived in a hotel for 3 weeks while we renovated a house.
- At 37 weeks pregnant, we moved in.
- At 39 weeks pregnant, the carpet was finally installed.
- Hadassah was born at 40 weeks, 6 days.
- Our bedroom furniture was finally moved into our bedroom three days after she was born.
- A few weeks later I found time to move our clothes from our suitcases to the drawers.
And that, my friends, is our summer in a nutshell. Plus, you know, a global pandemic. It’s been a ride, but ya know, it’s been OK. The grace of God has been just enough for each day, as we knew it would be. It makes a good story now that we’re on the other side of it all. 😉
I shall leave you with some pictures and absolutely no assurance of when I’ll be back. 😛 It all depends on Hadassah. You can sign up for email updates if you want to make sure you see future posts.
6 weeks old
PS: I know, I didn’t give many details here. More shall come in the future as I have time to write a bit more of the story. Some personal information I won’t be sharing online.
PPS: I haven’t been current on Facebook or blog comments since before we moved (see timeline of our summer above and then add three months of a colicky baby). I will get to them eventually. I hope. Not trying to ignore anyone.
7 weeks old
This gal is always moving. She’s going to be a go-getter! She’s so alert and expressive.
We’ve determined that Hadassah has my facial features and Ryan’s long, lanky build and face shape. She has his dark hair…but she has my blue eyes (albeit darker)! I don’t know if she’ll keep them or not, but she still has them at three months old.
October 2020, taken by our friend Moses
She loves going for walks in my carrier! We soaked up much golden October.
2 months old
Is she Daddy’s girl or what?? She looks so much like Ryan in this picture. The little dress is one that my Grandma Yoder made for me when I was a baby, hand smocking and all. I love handmade keepsakes.
You may also enjoy…
- a post about why we moved this summer, and where
- our wedding pictures
- our love story, part 1 and part 2
Just found your posts. Congratulations on your first child. Hadassah is a precious name. Looking forward to future posts.
Congratulations on the birth of your little girl..
Congratulations on the birth of your little one. I love your posts and love the name you have chosen for your sweet little girl. She has a wonderful legacy to live up to…
Huge congratulations from the Luceros family to you all! Many blessings ❤️❤️❤️, she’s is a doll!
Congratulations! I discovered your blog this summer while looking for THM recipes, and wondered if you’d stopped blogging because of the move. Move plus renovations plus baby makes for an even more understandable hiatus. Hadassah has the best expressions and I wish you so much joy as a mother. (Both my kids started out with blue eyes like me, and the older one took about 9 months to switch to brown, with a little while near the end where they looked greenish. The younger one had brown eyes by 4 or 5 months I think.)
What a cutie! And a great use of your time. Continued blessings.
Congratulations! Welcome to the family, Hadassah. May God bless you on your journey together. (PS. I remember moving at 39 weeks pregnant. My biggest job on move day was not to go into labor! Memories. <3)
Congratulations! Your baby girl is so beautiful! Blessings to you and your precious family! Merry Christmas!
Congratulations on y’all’s beautiful bundle of joy and your new exciting opportunities you’ve both worked so hard for together!
During this time it’s wonderful to hear happy stories and we all appreciate it when the people we spend time with (even online) and think of as our friends share their joy with us!
Thank you and have a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Angela
I wondered if you were expecting or just acclimating into the new house. Then more time passed and I thought, her new musings is parenthood!
She is beautiful Brianna! IA heritage and blessing from the Lord. Very alert baby. Enjoy each moment Mom and dad as they pass quickly.
I’m so excited for you!!!! Being a mom is the best. She’s precious! I’ll be praying for relief from colic (omitting dairy for a few months from my diet and probiotics for him helped my little guy immensely). I’ve been wondering about you for a bit! Enjoy every exhausting second! I hope your parents can come visit and help!
Thank you! She grew out of the colic at about 2.5 months. We tried many, many things, including eliminating dairy + probiotic drops, but unfortunately it just took time in our case. My mom was able to come help the week after Hadassah was born. 🙂
Congratulations on your baby doll. She’s beautiful. I wish you all the very best! God continue blessing your little family and the new chapter in your lives!💖
Fondest Regards,
Mardel Kalinowski
Congratulation on the birth of you sweet little girl. What a darling little sweetie. Yes she takes after dad. So beautiful. God has blessed you.
Congratulations to all three of you!
Oh, the best reason to be absent, congratulations! I had a doll named Hadassah when I was 10 or so, such a pretty name. Our baby girl (Judith) is our 7th & came in May, our first pandemic baby. I hope you were still able to experience some fun first pregnancy things (showers, etc.)!
Congratulations on your beautiful girl!! I was just thinking about you last week and wondering if you had a child yet. ☺️ Thank you for sharing and looking forward to more recipes when time permits. Also congratulations to Ryan on the fellowship and landing in one of your top spots!
I absolutely adore her name! Congratulations momma!!!!
Congratulations on your new sweet addition to the family. Hadasseh is a beautiful little girl who is lucky to have you and your husband as parents. Spend all the time you can enjoying her – you won’t be sorry at all! Best of luck in the coming days, months, and years as your family continues to grow in the Lord.
AWWW CONGRATULATIONS! And she is beautiful! Good for you for laying low while taking care of family. Family first, always. Enjoy every minute with your beautiful baby girl. Time goes too fast and you cannot get those precious minutes back!
Wow what a cutie! Looks like so much personality already! And yes she does look like her Daddy.
Thank you for the update!
Congratulations! She is adorable!
How precious. Thank you for the pictures
Wow that news made my heart skip a beat!! But congrats on your precious gift!! Baby girls are so fun! (Well so are boys;)
We had an unplanned gift of a baby girl arrive in April!… and babies arrive pandemic and all! Add a 14mo old, 4 yr old and homeschooling our 2 oldest!! What a crazy journey our spring/summer also was! But God helps us handle what he gives us! I’m happy to hear you’re doing well!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! YOU are NOT ignoring ANYONE!! You deserve this precious time! Enjoy it as it will fly by!!!
Best wishes as you embark the joyous and challenging voyage of Motherhood 💕 Will she enjoy prepping food like you do?😁 It would be interesting to hear how you stayed “ on plan” during your pregnancy and how that all worked out for you…
Congratulations!!!! So happy for you all. Babies grow up fast and enjoy every second. Thank you for sharing such adorable pictures. Praying for you and your family.
Congratulations on the beautiful addition to your family! She is perfectly beautiful! May the blessings continue to flow in your direction.
I have always loved the name Hadassah! She is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. Congratulations. I’m so thankful that the Lord has blessed you so richly!
Congratulations! She is adorable, does indeed look like hubby, and will keep the blue eyes. Baby’scwith blue eyes turn grey early on, (I don’t remember the exact time but something much less than 3 months) then turn blue again. My don’s did that 40 some years ago.
Congrats!! She’s precious. Glad you you are both well and healthy!
Congratulations beautiful Bri and family! She is such a beautiful blessing with everything going on in the world. Take good care of yourself and your lovely family!
Such a sweetheart! Congratulations! There are many seasons to this life God has given us! Enjoy this time with your little one…colic and all! God bless your family
She is beautiful. Congratulations to you both! ❤️
Congratulations! She is darling!
I remember 38 years ago Receiving My first 35 mm camera with several rolls of film on my August 3 birthday.
Our first son was born eight days later. I went through the rolls Very quickly.
Back then We could not afford to develop the film as quickly as I would use it up! But eventually we got them all developed!
I still love looking at all those beautiful baby pictures!
And I truly love my digital camera!😂
Well, Congratulations Mama and boy, was that a shock! 😁 Enjoy your little one, as they grow up way too fast.
Well! Nothing like an announcement! Since you didn’t even tell your blog readers you were expecting, I figured that the “I had a baby!” referred to a new book or something! Congratulations…enjoy her!
Haha…thank you! I just knew that I wanted to be able to savor this time without feeling pressured to post. I’m glad I did!
Congratulations! She is beautiful! I LOVE her name… I have loved the name Hadassah for a long time! ❤️ (We named our daughter Naomi. 😁)
I like that name too!
Congratulations Briana!! I’ve been wondering how you were doing after your move so it’s wonderful to hear from you and hear about your precious blessing from the Lord! Thank you so much for sharing and I know you’ll soak up and treasure every minute you have with your daughter! Blessing to you and your family!!
So excited for you and Ryan!!! Precious baby. She looks so much like our first, Anna, who is now age 40.!
Congratulations! I just googled this website for the first time since I read your last post, and you’re right, even though I only really know your recipes and not you, that headline packs a punch! 😂
What great photos! In that picture of the three of you, she looks like she could just decide to get down and walk, and in the ones above that, you’d think she’s thinking the thoughts of a five-year-old! Expressive indeed! 😂😂 Best wishes to y’all 😊
Makes me wonder what we’re in for in the future… 😂 I think we’ll have our hands full keeping up with this one!
Congratulations, She is Beautiful!
She is beautiful!
She’s so beautiful! What a crazy summer for you!! But the reward at the end is priceless. Congrats all around!
How precious she is! Congratulations, and also, welcome to Ohio! I moved to Columbus in 2005, with my husband, and my firstborn, who was 6 months old at the time.
She is absolutely beautiful…. Congrats to all of you! God bless your sweet family!
A hearty congratulations! We will be here when you are ready 🙂 ❤
Congratulations! You’ve been a busy momma. She is beautiful.
She is beautiful!
Congrats to you and Ryan. She’s a beauty. Enjoy every moment!!
She is so beautiful – Congratulations!
Do not apologize for being away – you have had your hands full and you need to do what’s most important. Thank you for sharing pictures – what a beautiful family!
I live in Ohio (near Mansfield) and it’s fun to think we are almost neighbors. =)
Be blessed. Rest when you can.
Congratulations on your beautiful daughter! 💗
She is beautiful! Looks like your hubby. Her dress is so wonderful. What a keepsake. Enjoy her and don’t worry about your blog. She will grow up sooo fast. Treasure your time with her. God bless your family!
What a sweet gift she is! I’m so happy to know you and your family are well. 💗 Congratulations, friend!
Congratulations! She is beautiful and you and hubs look so happy. Praying for many blessings upon the three of you. Such a happy time in life!
Brianna + baby Hadassah + Ryan
Already beautiful and yes I see Ryan
and your blue eyes- but hers are a bit darker…her very own version.
You and Ryan have much to discover. And this too is exciting for little miss.. You will never be bored.
May God bless all three of you.
Wow, no wonder you haven’t been posting. Hard to find time with a baby around. Congratulations, she is beautiful!
Congratulations on your little one and yes it has been quite the year for many of us
She is a beautiful girl and will keep you on your toes I’m sure 💕
Take your time and enjoy all the moments parenthood will bring.
Love and prayers to you and your family
Congratulations, she’s beautiful! What a lovely family photo!
Briana! Congratulations!! I literally was thinking about you this morning and wondering how you were! I thought about posting something random on Facebook, asking you, but didn’t want to intrude in your life. Wow, wow, wow!! Hadassah is gorgeous and I can understand why you’ve been so busy! Please know that we’re so happy for you and now we know how to pray for you even more! Thank you for letting us know AND for all of the pictures. XOX
You’re so sweet, Cindy. Thank you!
She is so beautiful and precious. Praise God for we are fearfully and wonderfully made as is Hadassah. Such a gorgeous name also.
Oh my goodness, she is precious! Love the name! I was just thinking a few days ago that we hadn’t heard anything from you in a good long while, and I was hoping everything was okay with you! Looks like things have been more than okay, if a little hectic, exhausting, stressful, etc. Blessings!
Congratulations! What a beautiful blessing!
Congratulations! She is beautiful like her mama. 🙂
I had a feeling that the move wasn’t the only thing you were experiencing this summer/fall!! So I prayed for you! Babies are welcome anytime! Blessings to you and your dear husband and precious Hadassah!
Oh my! Congratulations! I absolutely love her name. I obviously have not been on facebook as I had no idea that you were even expecting. Praying for you & your sweet family.
Congratulations!!! So very exciting!
I figured that’s why you were silent. She’s a beautiful baby. We’re all so happy for you and hubby. Congratulations and abundant blessings to you all.
Congratulations!! I love the name! The Hebrew version of Esther. Such a beautiful family. Take care of yourself. I’m glad to hear you a napping when baby is napping. May God give you and your husband the widsom and patience to raise this child in the fear and knowledge of God.
Congratulations! I live in Ohio also and have been enjoying the beautiful weather with my five children. I’m so happy for you to be a mom! Thanks for the update and photos! I always enjoy your encouraging posts and healthy recipes 🙂
Congratulations! How very exciting. She’s so precious. I’m so glad you are now truly a Trim Healthy Mama!
CONGRATULATIONS! Many blessings to you all. She is absolutely precious and does look like her daddy. I am in love with her beautiful blue eyes.
Beautiful baby! What a blessing! I’ve missed you. God bless you and thank you for sharing your life events with us. Means a lot to a see your dedication to the Lord in all you do. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
so beautiful!! what a wonderful treasured blessing from God. i can’t believe you kept your secret for all those months. i was so shocked to see your post on facebook this morning. how exciting!!! (and yes, the colic doesn’t last forever, although it seems that way sometimes!)
Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉
SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Congratulations!!🎉🎈💗🌸
Congratulations, Briana. She is precious!
Congratulations 🎊
She is adorable and very alert! Enjoy this season and glad you are focusing on it!
Absolutely adorable!! I’m so happy for you!! Enjoy this time! It zips by so quickly!! ❤️
Congratulations! She is adorable!
How exciting for you all! She is a beauty! What a lovely family you are. You take your time. I’m sure you are enjoying being closer to your family, too. Blessings
She is absolutely adorable!!
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations to you and your husband.. she is beautiful! Can’t wait til you are back blogging! I love your recipes!
What a beautiful, delightful surprise! Congratulations! I love the picture of her in the carrier.
Congratulations on your beautiful Hadassah! May she grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. She is so sweet! Thank you for sharing pictures of her.
Congratulations!! A baby is a blessing. The day they are born is a long time treasured memory followed by the joy and delight of watching them grow. May God bless your little one.
Congratulations! Your baby is so beautiful as is the heirloom pink dress! I pray the Lord bless you all and your darling girl as she grows.
Oh my goodness!!! Congratulations! So exciting and unexpected (for us 😆). Shes absolutely gorgeous! Welcome to a new world and new meaning to Trim Healthy MAMA! ❤️❤️
She’s absolutely beautiful!! Congratulations!!
My grandfather’s mother was Anna Yoder(married Morris Freed). She is a descendant of Han Yoder. Are you related to that line?
I’m sorry – I have no idea!
So exciting, Briana and Ryan … she’s just precious. 💗
Congrats
Oh, my word! What a treasure she is! Congratulations!! I can see what has kept you busy since July!
Absolutely darling! Best wishes to you and Ryan. At some point would live to know how you chose her name.
Definitely planning to share more about her name meaning when I can!
Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl,she’s lovely!
Congratulations! You’ve definitely been busy! May God continue to bless your family as you enter this new season. She’s beautiful and you look wonderful!
Congratulations Briana!! She is lovely!
Congratulations one your little blessing she a beautiful baby.
Congratulations! I have a daughter named Hadassah, too!
We missed you, but you’ve been busy! Congratulations what a precious gift!
Congratulations! What a beautiful family!
Congratulations! What a beautiful baby 😍
Congratulations!!!! She is adorable!!
Congratulations!!! She’s beautiful!
Congratulations! Hadassah is absolutely gorgeous.
I knew it would be soon!! Congratulations, Sweet Briana! She is beautiful! Many blessings to you, Ryan & Precious Hadassah! 💗💗💗
Your baby girl is beautiful! Congratulations! I just got to meet my great nephew yesterday. He was born on August 22 so sounds like they are the same age.
Congratulations! We have missed you. I knew something special must be going on. God Bless you and your family. Haddasah is precious. 💕
Congratulations! An adorable little girl 🙂 Wishing you much needed sleep! LoL!
Wow, congratulations! What wonderful news!
Precious. Congrats!!!
Congratulations! She is beautiful! God’s blessings to your family!
Congratulations! What a busy life you have been living the past few months. Your baby daughter is beautiful and I am so happy for you and your husband. Hope Ohio is becoming home for you and that you have much happiness and love in your new home. Enjoy time with that sweet baby girl and savor every moment. Those babies grow up so fast.
Congratulations on your little blessing!❤
Congratulations she beautiful take what time you need stay safe and we hear from you in the future God bless your little family
Awe, your baby girl is beautiful. She does look like her daddy.
Congratulations!
Congratulations! She’s beautiful! I’m sad you’re not still in my Louisiana, but it’s best to be nearer to your relatives. God’s greatest blessings to y’all !
Congratulations! She is as beautiful as her name.
Congratulations! Just this week I was wondering how your move went, chalking up your silence to the pandemic. A baby is a much more exciting reason! Enjoy your little blessing!
Thanks for sharing about your sweet little blessing!! Congratulations! Your daughter is beautiful!
So today I was wondering, what is Briana up to? And now I see what’s been happening. Soooo excited for you and Ryan. Congrats on your move and the birth of Hadassah. May God lavish his blessings on your family in this new chapter of your life together.
This is the best post ever😁 Congratulations!!
You’re doing it right. Family, rest and then if you can spare a minute share your joy with us.
Love a Canadian mom of 8, grandma to 2
Xo
Congratulations on this special bundle of joy!
Congratulations! She is beautiful! So happy for you and Ryan ❤️
Congratulations! I wondered where you went ! What a beautiful baby !
CONGRATULATIONS! What exciting news! She is a darling…and I can really see her daddy’s face in hers. What an exciting life you lead! I’m so impressed you found time to update us all. Take good care. I love that you’re keeping first things first…have fun with that growing baby every single day. They certainly grow up way too fast. I have a dear friend who named her child Hadassah too! I think meanings of names is so important – she may be a strong leader just like Esther! May God shower you all with the sweetest blessings – besides a precious new babe!
Beautiful beautiful baby girl! Congratulations to you and Ryan. God bless your little family and keep you healthy.
Congratulations on your beautiful baby, Hadassah, and all the life changes you’ve experienced over the last few months! This update is timely as I was just the other day wondering why I haven’t seen a blog post from you in a while. I’m glad it was due to such great news. God bless you, all three.
Congratulations!! I knew you must have something like this going on. She is absolutely beautiful.
She is just beautiful! Thanks for sharing her with us!
It is no surprise, though it is good to know that all is well with you and yours. Congratulations on your sweet blesssing. I have thought of you every time I opened your cookbooks…which is often. Take your time coming back. You have different priorities now.
Congratulations Briana and Ryan! What a blessing! Hadassah is a lovely name for your beautiful daughter. Thanks be to GOD! Your “I had a baby” title put a really big smile on my face and made me put down my phone and get my iPad. I wanted to have a bigger picture of whatever you were going to share. Thank you for sharing. Cindy
Congratulations! So happy to hear that you have been blessed with a baby.
Congratulations! She’s a beautiful baby. And you’ve had a lot of transition!
Many congratulations and blessings! A beautiful name for a beautiful little girl.
Congratulations, Briana! She is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing what you do — you always uplift me! I just made a snack from your first cookbook in honor of this happy news. 🙂 Best of luck in your new home! Enjoy that sweet little one!
I wonder what you made. 😉
Congratulations Briana! You have a beautiful baby girl😍 May God bless you on your motherhood journey!
Congratulations!! I was just thinking about you a day or so ago and realizing we hadn’t heard from you for a while. Hadassah was born just about the same time as our new grandson, Liam. <3 Enjoy your little blessing–she's adorable.
Ohhh! So beautiful she is – dear baby Hadassah! This is just the best news!!! Congratulations!! God is so good! Like a shiny promise for the future is a precious new little life!❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations and Best Wishes to you and Ryan on the birth of Hadassah. She’s Absolutely Beautiful and a True Blessing from “GOD”
Congrats! She is beautiful!!
Congratulations to both of you. She is adorable and so alert in the pictures you have shared. This has been a memorable year for everyone but your’s has been truly blessed. Babies grow so fast, take all the time you and Ryan can to enjoy her and each other. All of us fans can wait for new recipes, I’m still trying out all the ones in your books. Happy holidays.
Congratulations!! New life is so precious!! She’s beautiful 😃😃
She’s beautiful!
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!
CONGRATULATIONS!! This is very exciting news. She is incredibly cute!
Congratulations
Oh my goodness! Congratulations!
I was paging through both of your cookbooks last night looking for some healthy carb meals and dishes, and I am not kidding you, I thought to myself, I’m kinda surprised she hasn’t announced a pregnancy by now. …Well, then your email today!!
How completely wonderful! So happy for you. Forget about blogging for now, catch a nap if you can. Best wishes, mama!
Rejoicing with you in the birth of your beautiful daughter! ❤️
Congratulations! So happy for you and Rayn.
Congratulations! She is beautiful! And Hadassah is a lovely name. Glad to “hear” from you once more. Enjoy that precious little one!
Congrats!! She is so adorable! I was just thinking the other day that it had been forever since your last post, and, honestly, I kept watching for a baby announcement. I’m so happy for you guys!
Congratulations!! So happy for you! Wow, the Lord has lifted you up, taken care of you, and blessed you in this strange year! She is so precious!!
Yay!! Congratulations, Briana and Ryan!! Hadassah is beautiful!!! So happy for you both!!
It’s good to hear from you again. Have missed your postings. But, love your happy announcement! Congratulations, and enjoy!!
Congratulations!! She is beautiful.
Congratulations!!! She is so beautiful!!! I have a daughter whose middle name is Hadassah. She was born in August as well 14 years ago. 😊
Congratulations! She is beautiful. I’m so happy for you.
Congratulations! I was thinking about you last week & wondered what was going on. Glad to hear all is well
Beautiful baby girl! Congratulations and ENJOY!
Congratulations and blessings to you. Shes a cutie.
Congrats!!! I am so happy for you. There is nothing like having a newborn in your home. Enjoy every moment. It passes way too quickly.
We have 7 children and 19 grandchildren. Everyone a blessing.
Yay!!! Congratulations!! 🎊🎉
Congratulations! Enjoy every minute with her. They grow up so fast. I have the ivory sleeper with pink flowers for one of my girls as well (it’s been a long time ago that I used it though, she is now almost 7 years old). My last 2 have been boys 🙂 . I hope she has been an easy baby for you. I had a baby boy in May, just when lockdown started to lift here in British Columbia. To say the least it has been a bit of a ride with all 5 of the children home at the same time, but we can’t complain. We have an acreage so that has helped in us keeping our family busy. Take care of yourself 🙂
Congratulations!!!!! Welcome precious Hadassah!!! Motherhood looks great on you!!!! Thank you for the privilege of letting us know such precious news.
Congratulations. I love her name! The photos are beautiful. She’s such a sweetie. Welcome to Ohio. I’ve lived here over 20 years from California . Great to hear from you
Congratulations! Hadassah is a doll! 💗
Shocker!!!!! congratulations on your beautiful little princess. Love to all.
Congratulations!!!! She is beautiful!!!!!
what a wonderful surprise Briana..welcome to your beautiful daughter who will turn your world upside down in the best way. May her presence fill you with joy and may you know the power of God’s grace when there seems to be no rest in sight.
Your blog always refreshes my spirit and I have always enjoyed your THM recipes.
God is good
I was suspicious due to your absence from the blog! Congratulations!
Congratulations! You have a beautiful family!
Awwww!!! Congratulations!!! She adorable!! What a cutie!! I know, a lot of exclamation points. But, excited for the two of you 🙂 enjoy 💗
Congratulations!! Such a sweet baby!
Briana and Ryan. So good to hear from you. Have been wondering, but everything has been so strange this summer. Hadassah is beautiful as you already know. What a gift! You are one brave young lady!! I have followed your adventures for several years and feel like I know you personally and I know I know you spiritually. I know you have family connections with your relatives that live close to where I live, and who knows maybe I have met and talked to them. God bless you and will await updates. I will pray for you and your new life. Glad you are back in Ohio.
Oh, so happy for you all! Congratulations!
A precious baby girl! She is so beautiful!
Enjoy each moment, as she will grow and change quickly! And yes, she and your dear husband are priority over us your readers.
But thank you so much for sharing this wonderful update!
Soooo good to hear from you and that all is well! A BABY GIRL….how very exciting…. she is precious! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Thanks for taking the time to update us all!
Melody
Congratulations on finally becoming a Trim Healthy Mama!! Your Lil Miss Hadassah is adorable ❤
Congratulations!
What a ride you have had these past few months!
Such a little blessing to behold!
Much love,
Renee’
Oh my goodness, Briana, your surprise post absolutely made my day! I’m so happy for you and Ryan; Hadassah is an angel and absolutely gorgeous! She definitely looks like her Daddy, but I have no doubt she will be as creative, thoughtful, loving and as in love with the outdoors, horses and ice cream as her Mama! 😉
Congratulations! She is one blessed baby girl!
Congratulations!!! Love the name Hadassah! It’s our second daughters name! May God give you grace and wisdom to raise her for His glory!
God bless you, your beautiful baby and wonderful husband!
Congratulations
Oh, how wonderful! Hadassah is beautiful and so, so precious. Blessings on your little family .
So adorable! (and such good pictures) Enjoy your baby we can wait, although I love hearing from you.
Oh Wow!!! Congratulations!!! Such a precious little blessing from God! She’s so expressive. Just adore the pictures in the blue dotted outfit.
Oh, congratulations to both you and Ryan! Hadassah is beautiful and has such bright eyes. What a wild ride 2020 has been for you! Blessings abound ~ 😊💕🌈 🍦
Congratulations! What a cutie! She looks like your husband to me. May God continue to bless you. Thank you for sharing.
So beautiful!! Congratulations on the move, the renovations, and the precious little one!
WONDERFUL news, Briana! She IS alert and expressive, and beautiful! Take this time to enjoy her, and we’ll just be patient and hear from you when we hear from you. Congratulations to you and Ryan as you build your little family.
Oh my, you’ve been busy!! She’s absolutely adorable and very alert, that’s awesome!! And I have to add you look lovely in purple! One of my favorite colors. Enjoy your mommy and baby bonding time for it unfortunately doesn’t last long!! Haha I have 4, the oldest a teenager and I just said she’s not a baby anymore, where did the last 17 years go. God bless your family
Congratulations Briana and Ryan! Welcome to this new chapter of life.
I have missed you…enjoy that baby girl…they grow up quick! My one and only 17-yr old son started driving this summer, just started a regular job (he was doing yard work and home repairs during the pandemic), and is now applying for college for Sept 2021.
Praying for God’s blessing for your family.
~Sandy
My such a sweet little girl you have!! Neat to see the pictures and hear from you again! Best wishes to the new mom and dad.
Wow! You have had quite a ride! So exciting! Congratulations, she is beautiful 💗💗
Congratulations! Lots of big changes!
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!
Awww!! Congrats on the move and the new baby!
Congratulations to you and Ryan! Children are a blessing from the Lord. We may not all sleep, but we shall all be changed! (Colicky baby verse learned by experience!) So happy for you!!
Congratulations!!! She is absolutely adorable! And I love her name. Have always loved that version. Don’t worry about the blog – get some sleep when you can. Many blessings!
Wow, Briana, that’s so exciting! Congratulations to you and your growing family, and may God bless you all, one day at a time through your busy life! I’ll be eager to read any updates and details, if you ever feel you have time! 😉 My husband Ryan and I got married in June, with the pandemic in full swing, so we’ve had a crazy time too, albeit no baby! Now you really are a trim healthy mama! Your family is so beautiful. Wishing you all the best from our little nest in Ontario, Canada!
Congratulations!!! She is beautiful! I love her name 😊
Congratulations!! What a beautiful blessing! I LOVE her name. 🙂 May the Lord bless you and your family.
Simply adorable! Congratulations to you and Ryan.
Wow, congratulations! Praising God with you for your sweet new addition. May He bless you & your family in amazing ways.
She’s A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.!!!
Congratulations!!!! As a Mom, I can totally understand not being sure if you’ll ever get back to the “normal” you had with all its activities 😄. Short answer—no. But you will find a new normal with all the essential activities and SO much more love!!! Motherhood is such a wonderful journey 💕
Congratulations!!! She is so precious and I’m so happy for you and your sweet little family!
Motherhood is definitely a ride, but I’m confident that with God’s grace and help, along with the people Hesput in your life, you’ll handle this ride well.
Perfectly? No mom does that. But you are the mom Hadassah needs and God knew that 😉
Enjoy every moment. I know it sounds cliche but they really do grow up so quickly. I’m not sure where the last 20 (and almost 13) years have gone, but I’m now a grandma of 3 in addition to my 2 babies (20 and almost 13) and 3 grown up stepsons.
Most of all, enjoy the ride!
Thank you, friend! It’s definitely been a ride but so much easier now that she’s growing out of the colic! We love her so much and she brings an extra fulfillment and satisfaction to our lives.
Oh I have been wondering where you were and I suspected maybe it was because you were going through a pregnancy! What a joyous surprise it is to find out that you’ve now had this beautiful blessing born to you and Ryan! I always look forward to your posting and can’t wait to hear more from you and your story but I understand now why you’ve been so off the grid so to speak! Waiting patiently for more thank you!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! She is gorgeous!
Your blessing is adorable! Just the other day I was thinking of you and thought… I bet she’s pregnant! What a crazy summer you’ve had! Congratulations to you!
Oh my goodness! She is adorable Briana! I was just wondering where you had been cause you hadn’t been in my inbox for months. 😉 So glad you’re doing great and loving being a Mama. ❤️
Oh my goodness!!! Congratulations! I was so shocked when I saw the title of the post. I thought I have totally missed reading blog posts. 🙂 I am absolutely in awe of everything you have accomplished in the last few months! What a wonderful, wonderful new stage to your life. I will look forward to your updates as you get time. I know life will look even more new and different now. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pics, she is so very precious!
Oh Briana👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏽How wonderful. My hearts rejoicing with you . Our God is so precious and his Grace is sufficient for our every need, As I know you would testify to that.
I’m not on FB so this brings such joy in hearing about your journey with your Ryan and now Hadassah❤️ I have a dear friend who name her daughter now 15 Hadassah (Ester)! Many Blessings dear lady. Joni Mosteller
Congratulations she is so precious! Busy mommy times and a Joy very exhausting!
Congratulations!! Hadassa is absolutely beautiful and precious. She is a beautiful gift from God. Blessings to your family of 3!
Omigoodness!!! She’s beautiful! Congratulations! (And on the move too.)
They grow up so fast. My youngest just graduated from high school this year…and I swear his oldest brother was just this size last week. He’s a big hairy 26 yo now, and there’s nothing little about him. Some days I wish they could have stopped for a bit– they are so much easier to look after when they are still this little! ❤
Enjoy these moments…even the colicky nights. They are what grow you too.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your daughter is beautiful. Welcome to Ohio. We live in the Akron/Canton area. Are you anywhere near?
Thanks,
Brenda
Thank you! We’re not too far from there. 😊
Congratulations! She is absolutely lovely, as are you! I have both your cookbooks and my family is truly enjoying the great recipes fully. Thank you! Blessings to your little family, Briana.
Congratulations!!! Babies are such a sweet blessing from God.
Congratulations!! You have had a very busy summer. You enjoy this time with with her as they change so much the first few years! Take care in this pandemic! Will look forward to updates about your family.
Sooooo happy for you!!! Now we know where you’ve been! Thank you for sharing your sweet family with us!!
beautiful baby girl- congrats to both of you
Congratulations!!!
What wonderful news!
I’m so happy for the both of you.
Enjoy that little bundle of joy and God bless your family.
Love from Belgium
Your daughter is adorable! Never take for granted what a miracle she is. Spend all the time with her that she needs, it will be ok if we don’t hear from you for a while, even if it is a few years. Enjoy this time, so many never get to experience this miracle.
Mmmm…yes. Good reminder.
Congratulations! I applaud you for putting family and yourself first. Blogs and Facebook will fade away. This time with your baby is too important to miss a moment. I pray the colicky part is over. That is tough. God Bless
your baby is beautiful! Yes she is a good mixture of you two! Love the heirloom dress! Blessing on your family!
WOW_WEE!!! what a summer you’ve had! Sooo very happy for you!!! Parenthood is the greatest Adventure! Enjoy every minute….it passes sooooooooo quickly! Don’t even blink!
Congratulations! I have been wondering what happened to you and thought you may be expecting! Your daughter is beautiful!!
How crazy to have this post pop up in my email feed today!! I was just thinking about you this morning, out of the blue, and wondering how you were and how the move turned out. I have also moved several times in my life, and know how a year can turn into an absolute whirlwind! Congratulations on your beautiful daughter!! She is absolutely lovely; I haven’t seen a baby quite this pretty in some time!! I love her name!! You are blessed beyond measure, and you absolutely GLOW with such radiant beauty!!
Congratulations to you both, what a gorgeous little girl. Now you are three. Wishing you all happiness and thanks again for helping us all eat healthier.
Pat Siddons
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter. God has given You and your husband a special gift. May the blessings of the Lord die with you all!
Congratulations!!!! What a precious bundle of joy! 💓
Oh Briana! Congratulations 👏!! She is beautiful! What a wonderful blessing in the midst of all that craziness! Enjoy every moment!
Hadassah looks like she is taking in every bit of this world and still looks so content. What beautiful pictures, your sister is so talented. Hope the colic doesn’t last long I know that has to zap your strength. Prayers to you, your husband and your little one for rest.❤️
Awww…congratulations! She is precious. We have a great niece named Hadassah who just turned four. God bless your little family!
How exciting a life you are living! And being a mama is the BEST job of all. She is a beauty & you & Ryan are so blessed. Thank you for sharing as I worried a little when we did not hear from you. But this world is crazy this year. Take care & I still eat many of your fantastic recipes that are my favorites!! Love to you & your precious family. No need to respond…..
Congratulations! Beautiful baby, beautiful family. ❤
She absolutely adorable. Congratulations. 😊
Oh my goodness how beautiful!! You and that precious baby! You have been on my mind and I have been wondering where you were. Thank you for updating us and please don’t stay away too long, but of course that depends on her ☺️♥️ Prayers, Blessings & Congratulations!!
Ahhh! She is beautiful and you are blessed! Congratulations.
Oh Bri I almost forgot – Queen Esther’s name in Hebrew was Hadassah. What an honorable name for your baby girl. She is already so blessed being raised in your household. May God be with you.
Congratulations. She is a doll.
Congratulations! And welcome back- I wondered what had happened to you! She is adorable 😍 My firstborn was also colicky. She is 30 now. I had totally convinced myself that if she was born in this day I would have had multiple tools and resources to prevent her from being colicky. Lol. Anyway- hugs to you as you struggle through this stage… know that you are not alone! I love reading your blogs 😊😊
Thank you! We’re very grateful that she’s growing out of the colic now. We tried many, many things but in the end it was just something that required time!
Congratulations! She is beautiful! God bless you in this new phase of life.
She is so beautiful! Her picture at 7 wks old took me right back to my firstborn — she had the same cream colored outfit with roses!
Doxology! Have been missing your newsletters! Soak up every minute with Hadassah! Great is His faithfulness.
Congratulations! I am so happy for you! What a blessing to be a part of raising the next generation to serve and proclaim Jesus to a lost world!
Hadassah is adorable! Congratulations! As to a colicky firstborn…my first was also. And as to the other five children, they did not have it (well maybe the fourth had a little but compared to the first, it was nothing). Anyway, I was thankful it was the first when I didn’t have others competing for my time. It is a joy to follow your life journey! Keep trusting Him!
Congratulations! I heard a while back that you were pregnant and I wondered when the news would show up online. 🙂 Hadassah sure is a cutie, and I agree with you that she looks like a daddy’s girl. I’ve heard that often oldest daughters look like their dads, so it’s interesting to see that she does. Enjoy the baby snuggles; I don’t need to tell you that she won’t be little long!
Congratulations on the beautiful baby girl! Hang in there even though in the midst of the sleepless nights it can be more challenging but they grow so fast cherish every moment! My daughter’s name is Hadassah Rose.
Oh my goodness!! She is beautiful and so precious!! Congratulations!! Just a couple days ago I was using one of your recipes and I thought to myself, it’s been so long since I’ve seen anything of Brianna. I knew you were moving but now I totally understand how busy you’ve been. What an awesome gift from God!! Blessings on your wonderful family!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! Hadassah is a beautiful little girl, and that smile looks like she is ready to tackle the world! It sounds like you have had a verrrrry busy summer. Are you related to Lynette Yoder who does YouTube’s? I too grew up in Ohio and still miss the beautiful countryside. Enjoy your new location and all the baby snuggles. Happy Fall,
No, I’m not related to her that I know of, but perhaps we are distantly related.
Congratulations! You have a beautiful family. It’s been a blessing following your journey over the last few years.
What a beautiful family, congratulations to you all….
congratulations!!! She is beautiful!
Bri I am so happy for you and your husband on the birth of your baby girl Hadassah. I knew there was significance to her name or you wouldn’t have chosen it, and when I looked it up the meaning was the myrtle tree which is a symbol of recovery and establishment of God’s promises of abundance. Someday maybe you will give your readers your insight (if that’s not too personal) into why you selected that beautiful name. She is so precious and I know that you and your husband are so in love with her. It’s an immediate bond between you and your daughter, and a love stronger than anything that you can ever explain. She will always have a special place in your heart. Congratulations Bri.
Thank you, Jan! Yes, I plan to do a post sometime about her name meaning.
What?! You definitely know how to get to the point!!! 😂 Thank you for the update and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Hadassah is beautiful and you look so healthy and fantastic!! So excited for you all! I’ve been working through some of the recipes in your most recent cookbook and they have all been SO good!!! You always come through for me! I’m always telling my husband you are my THM BFF. 😂 He knows I just love you and your recipes so much! So thank you!!!!! ❤️
Congratulations! She’s beautiful.
Oh Congratulations! She’s such a cutie! And I must say I immediatly thought she looked like your husband! But I can definitely see features of both in her!😉 Good to hear you’re all doing well! May God bless you all!🤗
Congratulations! She is adorable.
Congratulations! She is absolutely adorable!
Oh my congrats and yes she is VERY expressive and alert. Beautiful.
Congratulations!! She is beautiful. And wow, just wow all you were doing in the few weeks prior to her birth. I’m glad all is well and you are moved into your new home.
I love her little name. God bless you both.
I’m so so happy for you! Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to here more as time allows. Blessings on this next phase of life !
Congratulations!!! What a wonderful (and adorable) blessing. Enjoy every precious moment!
Oh this is a bright news item! So happy for your blessing, this sweet Hadassah! To everything there is a season, and what a sweet season for your family. Your summer sounds intense…
She’s BEAUTIFUL!! She will look different at each stage in her life, and every eye sees different too! My husband and I are always disagreeing on which parent our grandchildren resemble the most!! HA!!
Sounds like you are starting off great in your new location….enjoy every moment with her…and thank goodness for pictures!! Ours are 35, 33, 29 and 28. With 12 g’children! You will treasure memories forever with PRINTED pictures– be sure to do That!!
I totally agree – I already printed a batch for myself, the grandparents and great parents, and also have a photo album with copies for Hadassah when she’s older. 😊
Oh my goodness, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so happy for the two of you 🙂
She’s beautiful! (And I think she looks like Ryan)
Congratulations! So very happy for you. She is absolutely adorable.
Wow! You sure can keep a secret! Didn’t know you were pregnant! Congratulations on baby and successful move!
Take care of yourself and Hadassah and Ryan! Love you!
Oh congratulations girl!! She is beautiful!! Enjoy mommying, it goes by so very fast.
#trainupachild
Congratulations! She is beautiful and I love her name!
Awe Congratulations! I thought it had been awhile since we heard from you! She is adorable!
She is adorable. Congratulations to your family. Looks like she knows how to work a camera.
She does seem to be remarkably photogenic! But then I may be a bit biased…
Congratulations!💜💜💜
Congrats! She is so precious!
I am so happy for you two. You kept it a well guarded secret! She is a beautiful baby and has the cutest smile! Congratulations!
If you ever announced you were pregnant, I missed it, but I had a strong feeling that you were earlier this year. I have this uncanny ability to tell when someone is (including me – I dreamt of my daughter in the days before I tested). In any case, she’s beautiful. Congrats!
Thank you! No, I never announced it. I didn’t want to feel pressured to post until our new routine was established. 😊
Congratulations To you and your little family! Such a blessing! Hadassah is just adorable. Thanks for sharing the photos. I’ve been missing your blogs, but now I understand. I’d like to reassure you that things will settle down, but babies have a way of keeping things hopping. 🥰 God bless y’all!
Congratulatiions, she is just beautiful. Enjoy your time with her as a family. I’m so happy for you both.
Also, miss your posts and will look forward to anything you have time to write.
Congrats!!!!!!! She’s precious!! You know, I’ve been wondering how y’all were doing since the move. I prayed for y’all. I’m glad she waited the 6 extra days- sounds like you needed it. My first baby was right after a devastating hurricane (we were fine) and he was late by 4 days- just after we got the power and water back on. I was miserable, but glad he didn’t come in the middle:)
Thank you for a wonderful update 🙂
Congratulations!!! She is adorable!
Congratulations! What a joy and blessing!
I did wonder why you hadn’t posted in so long, but I highly encourage you to live by priority and don’t worry about answering every message or keeping up with many posts.
Congratulations!! She’s beautiful!!
Congratulations to you and your husband!!! She is absolutely adorable! May God continue to bless you both.
Oh my! I had to comment – she is adorable! No response needed! She looks like a perfect mx of both of you and that hand smocked dress – glorious!
She is beautiful!!!! Congratulations!!
Congratulations! So happy for you and your family!!
You had a beautiful baby. God bless you and your sweet family. Congratulations!
Hadassah is beautiful! Congratulations and many blessings to you and your family.
Wow! Congrats!
I was waiting on this blog post. Totally should have gone with the 20 lb loss in a month caption🤣🤣 she’s so cute! Your last few weeks of pregnancy almost gave me anxiety just reading it…glad you survived to tell the story and have the memories😉❤
I forgot to say, she’s gorgeous!💕
Congratulations! So happy for you all! I have missed your posts and certainly understand your absence. Enjoy every minute. As mom to an 18, 17 and 15 yr old, it’s true, they grow up way too fast! And as I am also in Ohio, we are so happy to have you here!❤️
Congratulations! Beautiful baby like her Mom. Thank you for posting pictures. Enjoy your sweet little one, time passes too quickly.
She is absoulty beautiful; congratulations to all of you. Your family has been very blessed.
Congratulations on your precious blessing! She is adorable!
Happiest congratulations! She looks so well tended and loved. Welcome Hadassah!!❤️