Happy Halloween!

Family outing to the pumpkin patch!

Nonna & Aunt Christina went with us

Sophie in her Halloween sleeper

Happy Birthday Great Nonna!

My grandma turned 93 years old today. Happy Birthday Great Nonna! You mean so much to me and our whole family. We love you.

Above is a picture of us from my baby shower this past July.

Cousins Ava & Sophie

Lindsay & Ava; Heather & Sophie

Sophie & Ava

Brown Family Photo

5 years ago today...

Blair & Heather @ Christian's Halloween Party, October 2003

As most of you know Blair and I met at a Halloween party in Washington, DC back in 2002. The party was actually at our mutual friend Christian's place 5 years ago today (for those who are curious Blair was dressed as a pimp and I was a devil). I don't have a picture from the night we met, but the one above is from exactly one year later when we got engaged (Blair was a rapper and I was a female vampire). I guess October is a favorite month for the Brown family because we met in October 2002, got engaged in October 2003, got married in October 2004, and had our beautiful daughter Sophie in October 2007.

Happy Birthday Grady!

Our nephew Grady is five years old today. Happy birthday Grady, we love you!

Sophie is one week old

Sophie is one week old today. I'm finally feeling a bit better and thought I'd post some pictures taken over the past week....

Smiling little peanut

HWB outside the hospital before being induced.

Mom and Sophie - one day old

Dad & Sophie - one day old

Nonna & Granddad with their new granddaughter

BB & PopPop with their new granddaughter

Mom & Sophie ready to leave the hospital!

Back at home - Mom, Dad, & Sophie with the stork

The stork welcomed us home!

Mom & Sophie resting

Dad & Sophie watch their first Redskins game together!

Spence likes baby Sophie

Sophie resting in her sleep sack

Sophie pictures from the hopsital

The Happy Family: Blair, Heather & Sophie (1.5 hours old)

It's a girl!
Sophie Jacqueline Brown
Monday, October 15, 2007
10:27 AM
20.25 inches
7 lbs, 4 oz.

Sophie's first photo shoot...taken at the hospital. She's barely 24 hrs old in this picture:


http://www.infantxpress.com/depot/20124/announcement/6d74b3cd8ae8953851e15eb16f90b458

Cousins Grady and Ava visit Sophie!

Sophie Jacqueline Brown born 10/15/2007 at 7 pounds, 4 ounces; 20 1/4 inches in length

Baby and mother are doing well. More updates to follow.

Finally 40 Weeks!

Today marks 40 weeks of my pregnancy! Although I've enjoyed carrying baby b around for 9+ months I'm glad that she is arriving soon. It has become very difficult for me to get comfortable with a 7 lb (give or take) baby in my belly. The sleeping and resting is especially difficult. I have been taking walks each day and trying to relax. It's tough not to be anxious! Tomorrow we're off to the hospital and we couldn't be more excited!

Here's what she is up to at week forty:

• Much of the vernix has vanished but you will notice traces on her body.
• 15% of your child's body is fat. Since she hasn't learned to shiver yet, these fat stores will help regulate her temperature.
• Approximately 60 - 75 percent is water!
• Your baby's chest sticks out, almost as if she's ready to strut proudly over his accomplishment!
• Her lungs will continue developing until birth. They are manufacturing large quantities of surfactant which works to keep the air sacs open.
• She continues to grow; her hair and nails longer as well. You may need to trim those fingernails soon after birth or protect her face from scratches with mittens.
• Small breast buds are present on both sexes.
• The baby now weighs 7.6 pounds (3462gm) and is 20.2 inches (51.2cm) long.
• Congratulations! Any day now you will be cradling your son or daughter! Cherish the moments and learn all you can about this new personality in your life. They go by all too fast!

Baby B has dropped!

Blair and I just returned from our doctor appointment. Baby B has dropped down into the birth canal plus I'm 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated! Which basically means that she is coming SOON. I will be 40 weeks along on Saturday. If she hasn't come by Sunday evening then Dr. West will induce me over night. So it looks like Baby B will be arriving Monday! With my progress she may still come on her own any day now so we'll keep everyone posted.

Ava W. and Abel N., future wife and husband?

You decide...

39 Weeks

I'm 39 weeks along today! Catie came to visit Friday and Saturday which was a lot of fun and a great distraction since Baby B is still hanging in there. My doctor thinks I will go the full 40 weeks so I guess we just stay patient for now. I am growing less comfortable by the day but it isn't too bad.
It's the sleeping and the heartburn that are still the worst. I have about a dozen braxton hicks contractions each day. They're definitely increasing in frequency and some are a little painful. We're almost there!

Week Thirty-Nine
-The lanugo has mostly disappeared, but you'll probably find a bit on her shoulders, arms and legs and in those protected little bodily creases. It will vanish completely on its own in time.
-Her lungs are maturing and surfactant production is increasing and fully prepared to take on the outside world!
-Your baby doesn't have much room to move and certainly mom agrees! Did you imagine 8 months ago that this wee one would be able to hook a toe in your ribs while elbowing your bladder? She certainly has grown!
-Her body continues laying on the fat stores that will help regulate her body temperature after birth. In addition to normal fat, she is accumulating a special "brown" fat in the nape of her neck, between her shoulders and around organs. Brown fat cells are important for thermogenesis (generating heat) during her first weeks.
-Your infant's weight is around 7.25 pounds and length is 19.9 inches.

Blair & Spence relaxing in the bonus room

St. Francis Medical Center

10 more days until my due date!

We've had a few questions from family and friends as to how you'll know when baby b has arrived. St. Francis Medical Center is where baby b will be born: http://www.bonsecours.com/hospitals/stfrancis/index.asp

Blair will try and update this blog within a couple of days of her birth. The hospital also has a website that shows the babies in the nursery, but note it can take up to 48 hours for the pictures to be uploaded. If you want to check here is the link for the St. Francis Medical Center babies: http://www.infantxpress.com/depot/20124

Happy 3rd Anniversary to us!

Today Blair and I celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. It couldn't be any better with our little one arriving so soon. I'm 38 weeks and 3 days so we're down to the 13 day countdown until my due date!!