Lucy Update

Lucy came home from the hospital on Sunday, December 21st. She was readmitted on Monday, December 22nd in the afternoon for jaundice. She was under the bililights to get her bilirubin levels down to a safe level. Her body responded very well and she was released on Tuesday, December 23rd in the afternoon. We had to return to get more blood taken on Christmas Eve, December 24th to make sure that she did not go back up. Well, she did go back up so the doctor asked that I supplement formula to speed the process and return to get more blood taken on Friday, December 26th. On Friday her bilirubin level continued to go up but only a little. We headed back Monday, December 29th and it rose again. So yesterday, Tuesday December 20th, we went to get blood taken for several tests this time. Then we headed over to the doctors office. Lucy was weighed and is past her birth weight at 7lbs 14oz. The doctor was happy about that. Her bilirubin levels were down and all of the other tests came back normal. Her liver and thyroid are functioning and she has a normal level of red and white blood cells. The doctor said since her liver is functioning and her bilirubin levels have dropped again she is hopeful all is going to be well. We do not have to go back to the doctor until her one month check up. :-) We are grateful to be past all of this and hope that she continues to stay strong and healthy. Now maybe we can stay home and enjoy a few restful days.

Around the House

For Christmas Emma received some baking things from Nana and Grandpa. She has been begging me to make cookies since Christmas day. With all of the craziness we have not had a chance. She had treat for Family Home Evening last night and what do you think she wanted, to make cookies of course. So I finally made time and we had a lot of fun. She is definitely going to be a little chef as she grows. Maybe I should teach her how to make dinner too.

As you can imagine things have been crazy around here with a new baby plus we have been running her back and forth to the lab and doctor to get her blood taken for jaundice, I will fill you in on that in the next day or two hopefully. Anyways, Seth wanted to hold Lucy yesterday afternoon. I put her in his lap and sat next to him on the couch. The next thing I know I am waking up next to two sleeping children. I was able to get myself up and take this great picture. All of the kids want to hold her all the time. I am glad that the newness has not worn off yet and that they truly love their little sister.

Christmas

Brothers don't shake hands, Brothers gotta hug!!

Christmas Eve

SISTERS

We had a good Christmas at the Brown household. I think the best present we received was a baby sister. Jacob really likes his "Air Hog (remote, flying helicopter), Emma loves her Ariel vanity and Seth was happy with everything, especially his walking dinosaur. And the big winner of a gift was the Wii from grandma and papa. The kids love it, so do mommy and daddy. It was nice to have grandma and papa here with us on Christmas morning to open gifts. It was a very relaxing day also. About 3 in the afternoon I realized that we were all still in our PJ's. I think it is a great day when we can stay in PJ's all day.

Lucy Elizabeth

First Bath with Daddy's Help

Mommy & Lucy

Sisters (Emma wants to hold her ALL the time. She cried when they left the hospital yesterday. She cried when Sean came to get me and she stayed home because she wanted to see Lucy. She gets upset if someone else is holding her and she is not getting ANOTHER turn. I love that Emma loves her so much.)

Big Brother Jacob

Lucy Elizabeth Brown

(where her name came from; Lucy is just a name that Sean and I like

Elizabeth is my grandma Butler's middle name and my middle name.)

Born 12/19/2008

@3:12pm

7 lbs 13 oz; 19 inches long

Well, we went into the hospital on Friday morning. I was being induced so we had to be there at 7:30am. They started my IV with fluids about 8am and the the patocin (sp?) at about 9am. The doctor checked me and said she would be back around lunch time. She returned around 12:30pm and broke my water and the rest in history. My labor starting coming much faster so I got an epidural (modern medicine is great). They had to call the doctor in at 3pm because I was ready. Once the doctor arrived and two pushes later, Lucy joined our family here on earth. We are very grateful for her and glad she is part of our family. She is jaundice, just like all of her siblings have been, so we are headed to get blood taken tomorrow and will probably have to do so for about a week. We will keep you posted on her progress with that.

No Baby Yet!!

Well, we still do not have a baby. I am very anxious this time. I do not remember being so ready to have the baby with any of my other children. I am having some strange baby dreams though. A few days ago I had a dream that someone (actually my brother-in-law and sister-in-law) took our baby and it was a boy. We ended up getting the baby back but it was strange none the less. Last night I had a dream that I went to the hospital about 4 times and they kept sending me home. The best part was when I was in the delivery room there were 5 other people in my room, not doctors and nurses but other patients. Can you imagine delivering a baby having other people in there too, no thank you. The last time I went back I begged the doctor to please not send me home this time that I would do everything and anything to have the baby. I still never had the baby in my dream though. I know that she will be here eventually, hopefully sooner than later.

Mommy & Daddy's Birthday

Mommy and her banana split. (I know the hair is lovely but I walked on the treadmill to try to get this baby to come.)

Daddy blowing out the birthday candles.

The past couple days we have been celebrating birthday's in our house. Sean's is on the 11th and mine is on the 15th. For my birthday I had breakfast at IHOP, without my kids, with some friends. It was nice. I was able to take a nap in the middle of the day. For dinner, Sean and Emma made me lasagna. I did not have to cook or clean which is probably the best gift of all. We had banana splits for dessert. We had cake for Sean's birthday a few days before and I would much rather have ice cream than cake anyday. I have learned as I have gotten older that birthdays are not about material things but rather spending who you are spending them with. I was able to spend my birthday with the people I love the most in my life.

Happy Birthday Sean!!

Today we celebrated Sean's birthday. Jacob and I made him breakfast. We had eggs, hash browns and bacon. For lunch Emma, Seth and I took him to IHOP. Then we had the missionaries over for dinner. We are having steak and potatoes and cake tomorrow night. Wow, apparently Sean's birthday revolves around food. But doesn't the saying go, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach", I think we have that down. I am grateful for Sean everyday and the wonderful husband and dad that he is. We are very blessed to have him in our lives and part of our family.

Emma and Seth are both feeling better today but are not 100% yet.

I have a doctor's appointment in the morning and hope that things are moving along. I will keep everyone posted.

Sick of sick kids!!

Well, Jacob had bronchitis over Thanksgiving. Luckily he did not miss any school since he was already out for the holiday. He was on two breathing treatments and an antibiotic. He is better now but I have two other sick kids. Seth has been coughing for a few days (I am hoping it is not bronchitis) and had a runny nose. I have been up with him a lot at night the past two nights because of the cough. And today Emma has been running a fever and complaining that her head and legs hurt. I am sure that she is achy. Is this the storm before the calm?!?

I will do my best to post something at least every couple days so that you all know if I am still hanging in there or if we have a new addition. I am feeling pretty good other than being tired, part of which is being up most of the night with sick children. My feet are starting to swell a little also. I have been having a few contractions every night but not the real thing yet. You have to love being pregnant and what is does to your body. I just have to remember the prize at the end.

Christmas is Coming!!

Our Christmas Tree this year!!

Sean likes the picture with the overhead lights off because you can see the lights on the tree better.

Friday after Jacob got home from school he and Sean went to pick out our tree. I think it is a nice one. While they were gone Emma, Seth and I got out all of the decorations for the tree and the house. After we were finally able to get the tree to stand up straight we started the decorating. It is always fun to watch how excited the kids get when we pull out the ornaments. They generally do a good job of spreading the ornaments around evenly. It was Seth's turn this year to put the star on top. By the time we were finished with the tree it was late. We decorated the rest of the house on Saturday afternoon.

We had a busy weekend. Saturday morning the kids had a breakfast at church. Santa was there too. Jacob and Emma both sat on Santa'a lap. Emma asked for some Polly Pockets and Jacob asked for a billion dollars. Santa told him he could give it to him in Monopoly money or write a check. Seth did not want anything to do with Santa. All he kept saying was, "I do not want a candy cane." He would not even stand in the line with Sean, Jacob and Emma. Saturday evening we had an adult only dinner at the church. It was fun and the dinner was nice, especially because I did not have to make it.

Sunday we had church as usual. In the evening they had a program called "Christmas in the Shenandoah". Our primary kids were asked to sing. We were not going to go because the church it was held at was about 30 minutes from us and it started at 6:30. But Jacob really wanted to go so that he could sing. I am glad that we went. It was very nice and the kids sounded great.

We are back to Monday and our regular routine for now. I had anther doctor's appointment Friday and everything is going well. I am going every week now. I am having more and more contractions so I am hoping that we do not have to wait much longer.

Giveaway

I have a very talented friend, Amy, who is doing a giveaway on her blog. To view her blog go to www.mommyandbeyond.blogspot.com

She is giving away some jewelry, burp clothes, a small bag and pillows. So if you are interested in winning go to her blog and post a comment.

Wedding Pictures

The happy couple coming out of the temple.

Father/Daughter Dance

Heidi & Christian

I am glad that we were able to be with family and friends to celebrate Heidi and Christian and the start of their life together. We are very excited for them.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. What was going to be a small gathering at our house turned out to be 21 people. It was a lot of fun and nice to not have to travel anywhere. Being in the car too long right now is not fun. We supplied the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and rolls, everyone else brought a side dish to share. I guess I should back up to Wednesday. Jacob had been coughing and it was getting worse Tuesday and Wednesday so Wednesday morning I took him to the doctor. He has bronchitis. What a great way to spend Thanksgiving. His medicine actually started working quickly and he was able to sleep through the night on Wednesday night. He is still on medication but doing much better.

Sean's brother, Adam, and his family came in town from Michigan. It was great to see them. They stayed here Wednesday night then went to Fredericksburg to stay with Sean's parents. Nana and grandpa took our kids with them, so we were without kids from Thanksgiving night until Saturday afternoon. We finished our Christmas shopping on Friday morning. My goal was to finish early in case Lucy decides to make her appearance early. Friday evening we went to see Twilight, we thought it was pretty good. And went out to dinner to see everyone before the big wedding on Saturday.

Saturday morning we went to the temple to be with my little sister Heidi as she was married to Christian (Congratulations!!). We then headed to Woodbridge to get our kids back and go to the reception. I will post pictures later today or tomorrow. It was fun to watch the little girls that were at the wedding follow Heidi around in her "beautiful dress". They could not get enough of her with her dress and flowers. As my sister said' "this is where little girls big wedding dreams begin". My niece Corrine made the comment that, "Heidi was the most important person there because she was the bride".

It was a very busy weekend but also a lot of fun. It is nice to be back into our regular groove too.

Weather

Today we had about 30 minutes of hail. They were not big but the kids were very excited to see it. It was coming down pretty hard, we could hear it in the house. When it was finished we went outside to look and it looked like there was a little bit of snow on our house. And there were a couple of piles of it on the deck. Emma and Seth both got spoons and were eating it off the deck. There was even a little bit left when Jacob got home from school so he was able to enjoy it also. Of course they all think it is going to snow now. It was fun to see them so excited about the hail.