Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary, My Love!

4 years ago today, on May 24, 2008, I married my best friend. I can't imagine life without you Nate and I feel so blessed to share my life with you. We are perfect compliments to each other. Where I am weak you are strong and vice versa. Thank you for being a wonderful husband, father, provider, best friend, and partner in life. I love you!

Baby Brown Has Arrived

It's a boy!!!

"Your first breath took ours away". With joy we welcome Orion Alexander! Born May 5, 2012 at 7:53am. 7 lbs 15oz 20 inches. Mom and baby are doing well! More pictures and his birth story to come.

39.5 Week Pregnancy Update (aka You Haven't Had The Baby Yet?)

I haven't done a pregnancy update in almost 10 weeks! At least a lot of my posts have been baby related so everyone still probably is somewhat up-to-date.

 39.5 weeks 4/30/2012

39.5 weeks 4/30/2012

Due date: May 4, 2012



How far along: 39.5 weeks


Maternity clothes: My belly has gotten so big almost none of my maternity clothes fit. Most of the shirts are like the one in this picture, too short. I can't stand anything tight on my belly so I am limited in the pants department too. I am definitely looking forward to not wearing maternity clothes.


Baby bump: For weeks it has felt like my belly can't get any bigger but it still does.


Gender: We aren't going to find out the gender. We are really excited to announce both the gender and the name once the baby is born.


Heartbeat: The past few weeks the baby's heart rate has been in the 130's and goes up to the 140's when the baby is moving which is perfect.


Movement: Late 3rd trimester movement is different than earlier movement. It get elbows and knees and shifts in position but the baby is out of room. My baby has never been a big mover though. I hope that means the baby is a calm baby.


Symptoms: Late 3rd trimester pregnancy sucks! There isn't a nice way to put it. You don't sleep, you're huge, you're uncomfortable, everything hurts, you are just ready to meet your baby!

Tests and midwife appointment updates: All my appointments the last 10 weeks have been very low key. Only trace amounts of protein, great heart rate for the baby, measuring right on track via fundal height. I have been allowing myself extra time to arrive at my appointments so I am not rushed and using my Hypnobabies techniques once I am there to relax and help lower my blood pressure and have been very successful. My blood pressure has been great at all my last appointments and was only 102/70 on Friday which is amazing for me. I am GBS negative which is great since I want a natural childbirth and don't want to be hooked up to an IV. It also allows me to labor longer at home because I won't need to receive to doses of antibiotics before baby is born. Honestly everything at my appointments has been great!


Exercise: I did prenatal water aerobics until about 35 weeks but then just had too many conflicts with the kids schedule so I stopped. I have been still walking 4-5 times per week since the weather has been great.

Next Appointment: Friday, May 4th, my due date.

Here is the link to the Baby Center: Your Pregnancy: 39 Weeks  some of the highlights are: your baby is ready to greet the world. He continues to build a layer of fat to regulate his body temperature after birth though he is likely to measure 20 inches and weigh over 7 pounds.

Happy 12th Birthday Brennan!

It's hard to believe that 12 years have passed since my baby boy was born. At 5'1" and 105 pounds he isn't much of a baby anymore. He is almost done with his first year of middle school and is excelling in many areas. Brennan I love you more than words can describe. I am proud of the young man you are becoming and proud to be your mom. Happy 12th birthday!

Love,

Mom

 No better birthday gift for a 12 year old than his own set of tools

and money, a book, and candy

 July 2011 Yellowstone

 Kindergarten graduation May 2006

November 2001, 18 months

 May 2000, newborn