THE BROWNS: 2013

Last Pregnancy Post...

Well, I'm 39 weeks now. I am officially at the point where EVERYBODY is asking and wondering if I have had Hope yet. I found out at my 35th week I was dilated to a 1 and 50 percent effaced. Since then, 36 weeks.. was the same, 37 weeks was dilated to a 2 and 50 percent effaced and then the other day at my 38th week check up I was dilated to a 3 and 60 percent effaced. The doctor is guessing Hope will be around 7 lbs and thought Hope will arrive possibly by the end of this year. I have had some Braxton Hicks contractions off and on for a couple of weeks I guess but significantly more over the last week or so. Her movements can be painful at times and I continue to have sciatica pain at times that catches me off guard, and I have a pattern lately of waking at 5am everyday lately (on my own). Other than this, overall I am good. Some times, I have a burst of energy and other times I have to rest. I am just officially "there". At this point in my pregnancy with Grace I was in labor. So the longer I go, I am going in to un-chartered territory. We will see, I have a peace that it will all happen in the Lord's timing! Unless of course, I am still sitting here a week from today, an induction will be in the talks.. Ha!!

Here is a 38 weeks pic..

On Friday, my Mother and Adam's Mom also arrived to be here when Hope comes. They rode together so we are all here just waiting... :)

And then there is Bud.... with Daddy :)

Work Baby Shower for Hope

My work gave me a WONDERFUL shower for Hope not too long ago. It was perfect. Here are some pics from the shower and Hope's room/ the nursery after the shower...

Christmas Parties Galore/ Christmas with Friends

This year at Christmas time we were invited to lots of parties. We enjoyed every bit of it. It felt so good this year to be surrounded by so many people that we have grown to know and love and become friends with. Our church has been fabulous to us this whole Christmas season and that is where these wonderful times with friends have stemmed from. First there was a staff Christmas party at the Pastor's house at the beginning of December. We had wonderful food, played a game, and had a wonderful encouraging time of reflection and prayer and just enjoying one another.

We also had a Christmas party for all of the Children's ministry volunteers that was kind of like a banquet. Had a wonderful meal, wonderful music and time. Then we had a Team Kid party for the kids one Wednesday night. We also have been involved in a home group Bible Study and the ladies had a girls night/ White Elephant Cookie Swap Christmas Party one night that was a blast and then a Tacky Sweater Christmas Party at church one night as well. Grace was also in the Christmas Parade this year with her Dance class. It was a VERY cold night but Grace and I got to ride on the float together :)

Here are some pics from all our festivities. On Christmas Eve I was actually "on call" and had to see a patient briefly that night and worked some during the day. We did have a Christmas Eve service that was great and just had the night at home as a family and allowed Grace to open some gifts from others. On Christmas Day, we had time as a family opening up presents and then we were invited over to some friends house for Christmas with other friends.. it was April and Rod Ayers with their daughter Charlize, and Alina and Brian Frame came and Alina's sister and children. The kids had a blast playing together. We stayed for hours. All brought really good food and we played pictionary together and laughed for hours. It was really a wonderful Christmas.

The last pic was an unexpected blessing this Christmas. We got word of someone from our church GIVING AWAY a piano! I was thrilled to get this because I have been wanting one. I want to put Grace in piano lessons next year so this was huge! We already love it!