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July 11, 2017

OUR SECOND FOURTH IN MINNESOTA

How many times in a row makes a tradition?

My husband, two dogs, and I hopped in the car two weeks ago and took a road-trip to Rochester Minnesota, where we celebrated 4th of July last year. We spent the long weekend with my best friend and her family, including her adorable son (my first nephew!). I never grew up around children so my weekends spent around him are the longest periods of times I’ve been around a baby before, and the biggest thing I’ve learned is that they grow so quickly. My mom always told me that she felt like she closed her eyes for a second when we were children, and she opened them and we were suddenly adults. Although I don’t have children of my own, I’m starting to understand where she’s coming from – they’re babies for such a short period of time! Although we were only there for a few days, watching his eyes light up when he picked up something new, or seeing him experience the little details in life was truly the highlight of my trip. A close second is the beer pong we played one night ;).
Now that I’m done being a sap (I just love that my best friends are having babies!), I’ll share a little of my trip. Best friends are truly defined by people you don’t have to do much with and still have the best time. It was so much fun hanging out with our husbands (and dogs!), drinking wine, eating ice cream, cooking, and watching trashy reality shows. We also made matching shirts for our 4th of July BBQ, because you’re never too old to match. On Saturday we headed to Four Daughter’s Winery and we couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather. The wine was delicious, the food was yummy, and it was a beautiful day to roam around the venue.
I also always wanted to see Mall of America, which we went to on Sunday. I could NOT believe how tremendous the mall is. Being the forever 15-year-olds we are, we decided to participate in the obstacle course they have set up at in the Nickelodeon area (YES, NICKELODEON). From there, we zip-lined through the top of the mall – my first time ever doing it.
The worst part of the weekend were the crocs I had to wear doing the obstacle course – and still, we got a few funny Instastories from them. I hope your fourth of July was as good… minus the crocs!

x Jill

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(I'll go first...)

 

FOLLOW ALONG @jillbadlotto
Yesterday we celebrated Heathie boy’s 6 month bi Yesterday we celebrated Heathie boy’s 6 month birthday. ❤️ Can not believe it’s been half a year but also can’t believe there was a time where he wasn’t a part of our family. Heath has such a peaceful presence and calming nature. I love the way he takes the world in, a little skeptical and curious but still always smiling. He is so happy to be out on adventures and admires everything that Jude does. He’s constantly laughing, rarely gets upset, loves when we play music, and is turning into a little water baby. But nothing makes him happier than putting him in his sleep sack and taking a nap (just like his mama 😂). He is truly an angel on earth and we are so lucky he is ours. ❤️ #heyheathjoseph #6monthsold #babyboy #childhoodunplugged
Foolishly thought because I felt fine after my fir Foolishly thought because I felt fine after my first shot that the second #covidvacccine would be fine. Yeah... 😂😂. Had body aches and a bad headache all day yesterday that kept me in bed, with a fever last night and chills. Feeling so much better today, especially sitting outside in this beautiful weather we’re having. So excited to be fully vaccinated and hopefully pass along some antibodies to my children! #ᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴇssᴀᴠᴇʟɪᴠᴇs #florida #darlingescapes
YAY for science! And vaccines! 💉 Received my 2n YAY for science! And vaccines! 💉 Received my 2nd dose of the #covidvaccine and it feels like Christmas in April. I know we still have a bit to go and it’s crucial to follow CDC guidelines, but this shot in the arm felt like that light at the end of the tunnel actually exists. This time last year I was sad that my job was put on hold (and eventually eliminated), we had all of our weddings for our coordination business postponed, and I had no idea when I’d see my family again. And now I can almost taste an overpriced glass of wine in a crowded bar with my friends. So grateful for science, doctors, nurses, essential workers, and all those who continue to carry our society through this pandemic. #WillSelfieForVaccines #covid_19 #ᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴇssᴀᴠᴇʟɪᴠᴇs
Sharing some photos from our time in Florida so fa Sharing some photos from our time in Florida so far and some tips for road tripping with two kids on the blog today! 🚗 🌴 #linkinbio
Spent the afternoon at the Miami Beach Botanical G Spent the afternoon at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens with the family. ❤️ Jude looked like a leftover Spring Breaker with his black eye (he ran into the rocking chair a few days ago) and one shoe that he lost. 😂
There are two dates every year that I dread when t There are two dates every year that I dread when they come around, one of those being April 1st. Three years ago I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant and I unfortunately lost the pregnancy soon after. While I know that there was a reason that pregnancy failed, the hardest part about my miscarriage experience was that loss of innocence around pregnancy. I was so sad that my first time telling my husband and those memories of sharing our joy with our family and closest friends was forever tainted. I wasn’t just losing a “what could have been”, I was losing that perfect image of what I always hoped pregnancy would be. And although I got pregnant quickly after and have dealt with my grief through therapy, there’s still a forever piece of my heart missing. It took me awhile to accept that I can be angry about losing my first pregnancy, but also extremely grateful things turned out the way they did. Two opposite ends of grief felt at once. Without that unbearable heartbreak there would be no Jude or Heath, and that’s a love I can’t remember how I ever lived without.

One afternoon when I was healing from my miscarriage, I was laying down on the couch and in a state of half dreaming and half awake, I saw a little boy standing there smiling. Part of me felt he was part of me, but part of me also understood he was never mine. I woke up feeling at peace. Is is stupid to believe in those types of things? Probably. Maybe it was just my brain giving me the closure I was desperately looking for. Whatever it was, I was so grateful for that moment of peace. It’s a peace I hope all women can have at some point in their journey of grief.

My story is one in a sea of millions of women who, unlike me, didn’t have anyone to share tears with, are waiting for their rainbows, or have experienced this grief over and over again. Please think of these stories before you make a pregnancy April Fool’s joke.

For me, tonight I’ll put two little boys to bed with a husband by side, and I’ll lay down to sleep with a full heart that I’ll never take for granted. And every year on this day, I’ll think of the never-forgotten soul that could have been, who gave me my two greatest gifts. ❤️

FOLLOW ALONG! @JILLBADLOTTO

Yesterday we celebrated Heathie boy’s 6 month bi Yesterday we celebrated Heathie boy’s 6 month birthday. ❤️ Can not believe it’s been half a year but also can’t believe there was a time where he wasn’t a part of our family. Heath has such a peaceful presence and calming nature. I love the way he takes the world in, a little skeptical and curious but still always smiling. He is so happy to be out on adventures and admires everything that Jude does. He’s constantly laughing, rarely gets upset, loves when we play music, and is turning into a little water baby. But nothing makes him happier than putting him in his sleep sack and taking a nap (just like his mama 😂). He is truly an angel on earth and we are so lucky he is ours. ❤️ #heyheathjoseph #6monthsold #babyboy #childhoodunplugged
Foolishly thought because I felt fine after my fir Foolishly thought because I felt fine after my first shot that the second #covidvacccine would be fine. Yeah... 😂😂. Had body aches and a bad headache all day yesterday that kept me in bed, with a fever last night and chills. Feeling so much better today, especially sitting outside in this beautiful weather we’re having. So excited to be fully vaccinated and hopefully pass along some antibodies to my children! #ᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴇssᴀᴠᴇʟɪᴠᴇs #florida #darlingescapes
YAY for science! And vaccines! 💉 Received my 2n YAY for science! And vaccines! 💉 Received my 2nd dose of the #covidvaccine and it feels like Christmas in April. I know we still have a bit to go and it’s crucial to follow CDC guidelines, but this shot in the arm felt like that light at the end of the tunnel actually exists. This time last year I was sad that my job was put on hold (and eventually eliminated), we had all of our weddings for our coordination business postponed, and I had no idea when I’d see my family again. And now I can almost taste an overpriced glass of wine in a crowded bar with my friends. So grateful for science, doctors, nurses, essential workers, and all those who continue to carry our society through this pandemic. #WillSelfieForVaccines #covid_19 #ᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴇssᴀᴠᴇʟɪᴠᴇs
Sharing some photos from our time in Florida so fa Sharing some photos from our time in Florida so far and some tips for road tripping with two kids on the blog today! 🚗 🌴 #linkinbio
Spent the afternoon at the Miami Beach Botanical G Spent the afternoon at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens with the family. ❤️ Jude looked like a leftover Spring Breaker with his black eye (he ran into the rocking chair a few days ago) and one shoe that he lost. 😂
There are two dates every year that I dread when t There are two dates every year that I dread when they come around, one of those being April 1st. Three years ago I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant and I unfortunately lost the pregnancy soon after. While I know that there was a reason that pregnancy failed, the hardest part about my miscarriage experience was that loss of innocence around pregnancy. I was so sad that my first time telling my husband and those memories of sharing our joy with our family and closest friends was forever tainted. I wasn’t just losing a “what could have been”, I was losing that perfect image of what I always hoped pregnancy would be. And although I got pregnant quickly after and have dealt with my grief through therapy, there’s still a forever piece of my heart missing. It took me awhile to accept that I can be angry about losing my first pregnancy, but also extremely grateful things turned out the way they did. Two opposite ends of grief felt at once. Without that unbearable heartbreak there would be no Jude or Heath, and that’s a love I can’t remember how I ever lived without.

One afternoon when I was healing from my miscarriage, I was laying down on the couch and in a state of half dreaming and half awake, I saw a little boy standing there smiling. Part of me felt he was part of me, but part of me also understood he was never mine. I woke up feeling at peace. Is is stupid to believe in those types of things? Probably. Maybe it was just my brain giving me the closure I was desperately looking for. Whatever it was, I was so grateful for that moment of peace. It’s a peace I hope all women can have at some point in their journey of grief.

My story is one in a sea of millions of women who, unlike me, didn’t have anyone to share tears with, are waiting for their rainbows, or have experienced this grief over and over again. Please think of these stories before you make a pregnancy April Fool’s joke.

For me, tonight I’ll put two little boys to bed with a husband by side, and I’ll lay down to sleep with a full heart that I’ll never take for granted. And every year on this day, I’ll think of the never-forgotten soul that could have been, who gave me my two greatest gifts. ❤️

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