Sugar and Spice...

It is a well known fact in my family that I cried for three days when I found out Eliza was a girl one month before she was born. I thought she was a boy. I was ready for a boy. It was one more head of hair I would have to do. I got over it fast. She is wonderful. I am really enjoying this time with her. Today she helped grandma and I make strawberry jam. Her job was to stir. And I must say she did a great job!

another skivvy picture at pine valley

Our easy going girl

trademark bows, doing her hair isn't so bad! Lindsey and Emily used to tell people that I didn't want a girl because I would have to do her hair!

...And eveything nice. Thats what little girls are made of. Thanks for not being a boy! I am sure glad that Aunt Becky had a boy so she could use the boy blessing outfit I bought for you!

A few weeks ago the photographer who did Sara and Neils wedding set up a photo shoot for Gracie. She called today to tell me they were finished. She did a fantastic job. It is so good to see my little Gracie photographed so beautifully. Check out this link to see a slide show of the pictures, just put brownbaby in for the pass code. Thanks Shellee, this means the world to me
http://www.photographybyshellee.com/pickpic/gallery/login.php

Enjoy

snips and snails...

I like to laundry. I know its weird, but I have come up with a really good system for doing it. One of the reasons I enjoy it is because after I wash the kids darks I am sure to find stuff like this resting on the bottom of the washer. It amazes me what little things Tyler finds to stuff his pockets full with. I am not great at checking pockets (just ask Ben about the time I washed and dried his blackberry :( ) so I always get a little surprise from Tyler. I love love boys. When I found out Tyler was a boy I filled the dresser with blue things. I would go into the nursery numerous times throughout the day and drink in the blueness of everything. It was so nice to see something other than pink!

He has to have spikey hair, and likes to pretend he is poking me with it!

Tyler is known for his hugs and kisses.

Kindergarten boy, wow five!

Swimming in his skivvys :) That's what happens when mom forgets the swimming suits.

...and puppy dog tails, thats what little boys are made of. Boy I am glad that I have a boy. I love you more than Disneyland:)

NICU clinic

Can you believe that she has gone from this... ...to this? I sure can't! What a miracle. Today I took Gracie to the NICU graduate clinic. We met with the lactation specialist, the dietition, and the neonatologist. We rotated from room to room and got an update on Gracie. Her adjusted age is one month and she now weighs 8 pounds 8 ounces. They are so happy with her progress. The only thing we need to work on is getting her to turn her head to the left, because she favors her right side. It was so great to see the staff that we worked with for so long. It was like having a family reunion! Our favorite nurse came in on her day off to see Gracie. We cried when we saw each other. I am so greatful for her for taking such great care of Gracie. They also scheduled our appointments back to back with our friends the Roemers who we shared a room with. Their daughter Abbey was born two days before Gracie. After the clinic we all went out to lunch and got caught up on our darling girls. The NICU nurses referred to Abbey and Gracie as "the twins that never were." Because they were doing the same things at the same time. It was so good to catch up with good friends

Jenn (holding Gracie) was her primary care nurse, and we love, love, love her! Kerry Ann the lactation specialist who cheered me on!

The twins that never were sporting the cadillacs of carseats!

Ben, Stephen and the girls.

Just like Grace.

Gracie hamming it up for mom. 4 months old .
Napping in her crib for the first time.

Beautiful baby

Today Emily and Eliza found gracies canulas and decided they wanted to be like Grace. They even made oxygen canisters to hook the canulas into.

The hospital room

Funny girls!

brownieisms/ the honeymoon is over

Our house is small. Very, very small. Lately the only quiet place for Gracie to sleep is in my closet. It is dark and quiet, and she won't remember sleeping under all the clothes! She is back on oxygen after a day and a half without it. She just couldn't keep her saturation levels up. On Friday we go and meet with the Nicu doctors. I think that the "honeymoon" is over with Gracie. This week she has finally started demanding things like a "real"baby. I think it is kind of fun to have her cry and try to figure out what she needs. She also reached another milestone this week and she is finally smiling! Hip hip hooray! A few conversations with the Brown kids...
Mom: Liza, do you want marshmallow mateys for breakfast?
Liza: No, I don't eat the mateys, just the marshmallows.

Mom: What did you do at school today?
Tyler: Everything Mrs. Shelley told me too.

Emily: I have a new boyfriend.
Mom: Oh really, What's his name?
Emily: I don't know. He just does everything I tell him to.

Happy birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me!
Happy Birthday to me!
We made it through the summer!
Happy Birthday to me!
We did it! It is finally here! The first day of school! My kids are just as excited as I am. I love school. I love backpacks and lunches. I especially love, love, love the way the school smells. There is just something about it that brings peace to my heart! I am so happy that my kids have a great school to go to. I ran into tons of people today who are so sad that I am not coming back:) I really put a wrench into some poor kindergarten families this year...oh well, I know I made the right decision. As I sit in my super quiet house this morning I am reminded that at some point during the week I will be alone with Gracie Brown for two full hours! Oh sweet school system thankyou!!!! The Brownie bites all ready for school.

Lindsey third grade

Emily first grade

Tyler kindergarten

Eliza preschool

New face!

hmm, something feels different... Thats what it is, theres nothing on my face!

We are doing a trial run today without oxygen! One of the last steps we have to take at home. She is doing so great. The funny thing is that I don't recognize her without her canula in her nose. I think she feels pretty good!

where we have been, how far we have come.

I feel the need to write. To share our story. My precious baby. I look at her everyday and can see the miracles handed down from Heavenly Father. My heart can not even begin to express the profound love I have in my heart for my children. For the miracle baby that is ours. During family home evening tonight the kids were trying to get Gracie to fold her arms for the prayer. How sweet that ones so small are trying to teach someone smaller than them. Gracie has been home for three weeks now and is thriving. Sometimes I sit and hold her and marvel that I got to see her grow so much. I have watched her change and have the looks of each one of my children (right now she looks the most like Tyler, who knows what next week will bring.) Sometimes I am so mad that my body is so depleted and that I have no energy, I want the old me back. And then I kiss her tiny "brown" lips and smell her sweet breath and I gain a sense of peace. Today I went to the breakfast for the teachers at the school. It felt good to go there and get the confirmation that I made the right decision to not go back to teaching this year. I am excited to get to stay home with sweet Grace. I keep telling my kids that even though I love them, the best birthday present I will get is when they all go back to school on the 13th (Washington Elementary is the happiest place on earth!) I can't believe that we made it through this summer. I didn't think we would. Through this whole experience I prayed that my children would be safe and cared for. They were, thanks to all of you. I know that my prayers were answered. Even in the darkest times when I wonder how this happened, and why anyone so small should have to fight for their life, I am reminded of the plan. That we chose this. I am so happy I chose to be a mom. Thankyou Ben, Thankyou Linsdey, Thankyou Emily, Thankyou Tyler, Thankyou Eliza, Thankyou Gracie for making me realize my true calling.

we've had a wilde week!

Becky and her kids came to St. George for the week. One of the highlights was a outing to Tuacahn for the play Annie!

Some women are dripping with diamonds. Some women are dripping with pearls. Lucky me, lucky me, look at what I'm dripping with...little girls!

Stopping at grandma Browns on the way to St. George for a little good clean fun!