We Just Love Her

Josh and I were both commenting on how this baby feels different than it did with the boys.
Maybe it's because she is a girl--I don't think so. I think it probably has a lot more to do with having two wild men running around CONSTANTLY and then looking over at that little peaceful face. We just know to be more thankful for this stage than we ever have been before. I'm in no hurry for her to grow up. Stay small, sweet Josie.

Details, Details, Details

So cute!

Daddy is smitten

The boys think she is cute, but thankfully, aren't so impressed that they are constantly hovering over her. They have been good big brothers so far, and good helpers. It's nice they have each other with mom and dad so distracted.

Immediately after delivery. I'm not usually so scantily clad! This hospital was big on skin to skin contact, so...

I could not have been happier at this moment.

I purposely put the pictures first, so that anybody uninterested in the details could just see pictures and happily scoot on their way. For those not easily scared off, I invite you to continue.

I had my regular doctor's appointment on Wednesday morning at 10:00 (4/21). The doctor wasn't going to check me, again! but with a little whining the medical assistant convinced her to, and when I asked her to be "rough" about it so that we could get things moving, she offered to strip my membranes. I had never had this done before, and now recognize that this manuever could also double as incentive to launch oneself right off the exam table. After she was done, I was on my way with the understanding that if I were ready to go into labor anyway, this could help set things in motion.

I got home and started cleaning. Really cleaning. Scrub brushes, disinfectant, dusting, the whole bit. Thankfully, for my house the nesting instincts set in early, and remained until delivery. After Will got home from school, Josh had promised to take him on a bike ride to the dirt hills. We went and did that as a family, and as a result of being out, kind of missed dinner. We promised the boys a trip to McDonald's for dinner, and I was sitting on the couch waiting for Josh to get ready, and when I stood up to get ready myself at 7:30pm and noticed-WET! Huh?! My water didn't break with my boys, and I was pretty sure that I hadn't peed, but who knows, right? Thankfully, it wasn't a huge gush, and didn't cause much mess anywhere but on me. We called Darcy and Zach...thank you, thank you, thank you! who graciously watched our boys the whole time we were in the hospital, and called the doctor, who told me to head to the hospital.

Isaac was incredibly distraught as we moved around getting everything ready. My heart was breaking at seeing my little boy so upset by my having to go and disrupt everything by bringing a new person into our lives, until I listened more carefully to his cries which were less to the effect of you're ruining my life, and more like, "I want to go to McDonald's!" Oh, well, in that case. No problem. We took them to McDonald's, then to Darcy's, then got Josh some food at Jimmy John's. Now, with everyone fed (except me of course) and things conveniently taken care of, we could go and have a baby.

We got to the hospital at 9:30pm. My doctor offered to let me wander the halls of the hospital to get labor going strong, but with my current fluid situation this seemed less than appealing, and I'm pretty sure that housekeeping would not have appreciated the snail trail I would have left behind. Option 2: pitocin and an epidural--deal! My contractions did kick in on their own pretty quickly, and by the time the epidural was placed, even before the pit drip was started I was contracting every 2-3 minutes. With epidural in place at about 11:00pm, the nurse was trying to get me all settled in for a long night. I told her it wouldn't be that long, but she must have thought that was wishful thinking. I was a 3 at 11:00. Around midnight I told her that I was feeling pressure. She checked and I was a 5, but with baby's head "right there". By 12:15 I was complete. Ready to push.

Josie was born at 12:42am (4/22). I actually had to push a little for this one, although, many other mom's have said that 20 minutes of pushing isn't really pushing. It felt long after the boys, who were just a few pushes.

She is perfect. Beautiful. I knew I would be more emotional with her than I was with the boys following the miscarriage, and by virtue of having waited longer in between babies so I was less overwhelmed and just more excited, and I have been. I am so blessed. She is curled up peacefully sleeping on my lap as I type this. Daddy is taking a nap up in the bed, and the boys are downstairs playing cars. My house is still ultra clean ;) and all is right in our world. Blessed.

Little Lady

Before...brace yourself momma

Happily, after!

Welcome, Josie Jacquelyn Brown.

Do we look happy or what?!

More pictures to come, and the details too. I just wanted to get a few up so family could have a peek.

Born: 4/22/10 at 12:42 am

Weight: 6lb 6oz

Lenth: 18 inches

Perfect!

Oh Yeah

Most days I look down at my bulging belly and then up at my wild boys, and think to myself, "Why am I doing this again?" Then they go ahead and remind me why it isn't completely crazy by saying things like Isaac said to me this morning.
We were sitting on the couch together watching a movie and he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I think that you are the prettiest ever." I snuggled him and told him thank you, and then he said, "You know why?" I encouraged him to continue (I'm self absorbed like that) "Because you wear the prettiest clothes and look the very prettiest when you come out of the temple."
A compliment like that is worth bringing a whole new person into the world. I'm easily swayed!

**baby update: I just got home from the most worthless check up ever! Apparently, my doctor doesn't feel the need to check you every week in your last month. She thinks it just adds to the aggravation expectant moms feel as the get overly anxious waiting for the big day. She may have a point, but who doesn't want to know if they are progressing?! I've been having a lot of discomfort and contractions at night time, but I know it isn't the real deal--probably just a result of the excessive cleaning I've felt compelled to do most days. I do have to keep reminding myself that I'm still 3 weeks out from my due date. I don't know how women go to term and then some, and not go absolutely batty. To my baby I say, "Bring it! baby girl Brown. I'm ready!"

Nesting?

This morning I woke up and thought...

I should really clean behind the washer and dryer and underneath them. Yes, that's what I'll do! It all needs to be scrubbed down.

Am I nesting?

Thoughts on Jesus

Whoah! Having church start at 8:30am is rough, but not as rough as having church start at 8:30am on daylight savings Sunday. I've never missed that hour more in my life! We made it though. Before I tuck myself in for a much needed afternoon nap, I wanted to share something Will said while feasting on Ramen Noodles after church. (Don't judge me--he begged for them)

Will: You know what, mom?
Me: What?
Will: I think it's good that Jesus gave me two eyes instead of one.
Me: (smirking) oh yeah, that is good
Will: but...it would have been better if Jesus gave me five eyes
Me: (smile broadening) how come?
Will: (while pointing to proposed eyes possible locations) that way I could see practically the whole earth at once, and see every single state. Farther, closer, it would all just be better.

How can you argue with that logic?

Chula Vista!!

Several weeks ago, Josh and I, had the awesome opportunity to go on a vacation all by ourselves! Thank you Zach and Darcy for allowing that to happen. It was our first time ever doing something like that, and it was wonderful. We went to a resort at the Wisconsin Dell's, and on our last night there, received a call from their travel club. They proposed that we sit through their sale's pitch and we get a free night where we could bring our boys back...so, we did. It was so fun. As much fun as the waterpark was, I think the boys were equally excited about staying in a hotel room. Kids love that, right?

Will, excitedly waiting to go to the waterpark.
Isaac, in the waterpark. The lighting was terrible for pictures, and I don't know how to take a good one anyway, so there are very few that you can even tell what is happening in them.

I know. I know. I just wrote that I'm not a pregnancy picture kind of gal, but when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and saw how ridiculous I looked, we couldn't resist.

Me, and my sweet Joshie. Does he look tired or what? He was, and he is. My Josh works harder than anyone I know, and he still makes time for me and the boys. Thank you, thank you!

Hmm...probably should have rotated this one.

He was just so excited!

The boys had a great time. Josh and I loved watching them have so much fun. I will admit that the trip was more fun when I was less pregnant, but still, it makes you feel so great to take your kids to do fun things. So, Josh and I propose that all of our family and friends start making plans, because we want you with us next time we go to the Dells.

Hooray for families! Look at how fluffy Josh's hair is! He has only had short hair since being with me, but apparently, he has decided to try something new.