Introducing Nine New BRM Contributors

Alexandra relocated to Louisiana from New York in 2013 just before the birth of her son, Nicholas. Leaving her career in fashion behind in early 2012, she became a certified Yoga Instructor and has since added Anti-gravity Yoga and Barre fitness to her repertoire.  Alexandra is excited to be part of the very first all Kids Yoga Studio in Baton Rouge, Playoga, offering classes for children 6-weeks and up.Juggling over 20 classes per week while raising an active toddler in a modern world is not as easy as some make it seem. She believes it’s important to support other moms and their choices on how their children are raised. Sometimes you need to be reminded that you are not the only mom with a toddler that screams all morning or won’t eat his dinner some nights. Feeling supported by other moms, helps to keep you sane.

Alexandra married husband Taylor (from Montana…they met at their best friend’s wedding) in 2014, they will have a second wedding this August in New York at her families church. Their son Nicholas always comes first, but when their busy lives slow down for a moment and are able to find some “down time”, you can find her outside playing with her boys, dabbling in interior decorating, enjoying a glass of wine and definitely not folding laundry. (Why can’t clothes fold themselves??)

“Just remember to breathe”
 

My name is Brittany Anderson I am a life long resident of Louisiana. I graduated Zachary High, Bachelors from NSU in Psychology, and Licensed RDH. I am a first time mom to a beautiful baby girl, Emma Grace. I have a wonderful and loving husband, Cody, of 2 years (and counting). I grew up hunting and fishing and absolutely love cooking (though I rarely have time for it these days). I have had my own battles with being a first time mom from struggling with PPD to deciding how and when to go to work and just learning how to balance motherhood with normal household tasks. I hope to learn from other moms, share my own experiences, and receive great feedback and support from our wonderful community of moms! 🙂

I’m Doris, I was a working mom until a year ago when I was blessed to become a full time stay at home mom. I’m honored & humbled to raise our Jackson who was born with a rare physical disability, Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congentia (AMC), basically he has a lack of muscle and tight joint; and manage our home. It has always been my dream to be a wife and mom who was dedicated to her family and I’m living out that dream. I’m able to serve immensely at my son’s school and here at my home. There is no greater joy for me than serving my Savior and my family, it is my life’s calling.

My name is Jessica Walker and I live in the Central area. I graduated from St. Amant High school and have moved and traveled all across the state as well as Mississippi. I am a full time working, running, first time mom and wife.
I am an old college athlete (washed up) just trying to find the balance of being a good mom, wife and person. I am very family oriented and love spending time with my family. After spending 6 years on the road for my sport and college education, I realized that home is really where the heart is.I ran my first ½ marathon for St. Jude in Memphis in 2009 with my life-long friend and have been hooked ever since. My mom now runs with us and we have made the trip every year, rain, snow, sleet or shine! Last year I ran unknowingly 6 weeks pregnant and had my fastest time thus far. This year, we are running the full marathon! This is going to be a huge time commitment, training wise, so I will have to depend on the hubby and other family to help with the baby.
I am always trying to push myself physically and mentally and I have an old school mentality that I can do anything that I put my mind to, which sometimes gets me in trouble. I tend to be very hard on myself and take it personally when things don’t go as I feel/think they should – AKA – a non-sleeping through the night 9 month old, that is currently sleeping with me (which is of course the #1 mommy rule breaker – to some). I can’t wait to open this new chapter in our lives and connect with other Baton Rouge Moms! I don’t do Facebook, but love Instagram and occasionally Twitter.

Melanie is a Baton Rouge area real estate agent, social media enthusiast, and to borrow a phrase from a friend, lover of the Louisiana life. She is mom to three boys and a cat named Loki

Having lived through divorce herself, she is passionate about supporting single/divorced moms and blended families. She is an enthusiastic fan of sports and most anything techy or nerdy, and also enjoys travel, reading, music, and attempting to run. She can’t craft anything to save her life, but she does cook a mean pot of gumbo.

I’m Taresa, 30 years young and a stay at home mom to my 19 month old son Landen. Originally from New Roads, Louisiana, I now live in Zachary with my fiancé and our son. My fiancé and I met while attending ULL together. We’ve lived in Zachary for 5 months now. Between Storytime at different libraries, play dates, museum visits, and other baby targeted events around the city, I’m one busy mama! I enjoy family time more than anything. Whether it’s playing in the yard, our Saturday trip to the farmers market, or just being at the table together for dinner.  I make sure that between cooking, cleaning, flash cards, and ABC’s that we always make time for “family time.”

A few Other things I enjoy are Pilates, cooking, walks in the park, “me time”,  and exploring healthy living for my family. We are regulars at Whole Foods Market and the farmers market.  There’s so much fun in teaching my son about fresh foods and where our food comes from. 

Being a mom (and stay at home mom) is the most challenging yet rewarding thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the best, and most important.

Tiffany Brooks studied Psychology at LSU. She is a Homeschooling Mompreneur and Coach. She helps passionate female entrepreneurs build their businesses in a way that honors their priorities and allows them to enjoy the journey. She truly wants to see more people living their truth.  Learn more about Tiffany and get inspired on her website.

Whitney is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with her Bachelor of Interior Design. After a couple of years in the design field she found her home in Baton Rouge, LA. Her passions lie in playground sports, keeping a messy home (much to the dismay of the fiance), drinking lots of caffeine, dancing in the kitchen, getting (well trying to get) her booty in shape, and making people smile. She is working as the creative director for a group of dental clinics. She devotes her time to three things that fall very close to her heart: her little family, her 2 weenie pups, and the urge to never stop creating.

She is getting married in August of 2014 to a guy who is her counter-points. He though a pilot is firmly grounded while she spends most of her time with her head in the clouds. With him comes a 8 year old with more energy and awesome than she knows how to keep up with. Keeping up with Jones has become keeping up with Audrey. She’s a newbie to this mom thing, balancing this whole step-parent versus friend thing, but has found that everything can be fixed by making good bread, butter, and her mom’s “Terry Berry Mayhaw Jelly.” As a tiny little family they make life work with amazingly creative grilled cheese sandwiches, streamers, Steen’s Syrup, and maybe a bubble bath.

You can see the day to day (well almost, kinda, more monthly these days) of all (okay okay most of) her adventures on one of her blogs, Paper Rainbows or I Saw My Mom. Till then she will keep chasing paper rainbows and living the southern narrative.

I am wife first. Mom second. Photographer third. I try to keep them in that order as best I can. I have two boys who are 21 months apart. I really did not think that one through. My oldest will be 5 this year and my youngest will be 3. My boys are all boy, wild and out of control. If left alone for more than 30 seconds, my boys can make a room look like a war zone.

I am new to the Baton Rouge area. We relocated here for my husband’s job, in April. My husband works at LSU, as a recruiter and instructor for the ROTC department. We are a military family. My husband has been in the army for the last 20 years. I am thankful we have not had to endure a deployment since we have been together.

I am able to work from home. Working from home is such a blessing! Working from home can seem like a joke with kids. I don’t know how I do it, but eventually work gets done. I love photography. It has always been a passion of mine. I worked with film a lot in high school and did not own my first DSLR camera until 2008. I started my business, Rachel Ezzo Portraits, in 2012. I am self taught when it comes to my business, photography and Photoshop. I learned everything I know by watching online tutorials, videos, reading, trial and error and a lot of practice. I am constantly learning, and trying to improve my skills and business. I don’t claim to know it all! I love sunsets. I love them even more when they show up in my photos. Natural light is so important to me, when shooting. I work with children and families. My all time favorite shoot is when I get to work with my newborns. I love cuddling and soothing those sweet babies, into adorable poses. I don’t love it enough to want another baby. Let’s be honest.  My kids are like squirrels on a sugar high.

I was born and raised in upstate New York. I attended college at Liberty University, in Lynchburg Virginia, where I lived for the last 11 years. I have a degree in Psychology. I worked as a counselor with children and teens on a Psychiatric unit for a few years before having my own kids. I met my husband while living in Virginia, who was also from New York. My husband made a list of attributes he wanted in his wife, and named the list his “Rachel List.” He prayed for his Rachel for 7 years. I did not know him until about 3 years after he had been praying. We did not date until 4 years after that. I believe God has a plan. I believe he chose me for my husband, and him for me. I believe God’s ways are higher than my ways and better than anything I could imagine for myself.