Seriously Overdue Update

Dear Baby,

Wow, I haven't blogged anything for almost 4 months! Some people have asked what happened, or where I've been. You may or may not care why I didn't blog for 4 months but I'm going to go ahead and tell you since, in all honesty, it's pretty much all your fault. Plus, I really should get it done for journaling purposes. So let's get all caught up on what's been going on, shall we? BEWARE - VERY LONG POST!!

All was well and good in life, and then in the middle of last October we found out we were expecting you... and life got even better! We were so excited, and wanted to tell EVERYONE, but decided we should probably keep you a secret for a little while. The rest of October and all of November were pretty much a blur. I know Halloween and Thanksgiving both happened in there somewhere, but when I think of those couple of months this is all that comes to mind...

Even though there were honestly some nights that I just wanted to curl up and die, I guess I should actually thank you for letting me function during the day and only making me sick at night time. It wasn't the least bit fun, but we survived! (Everyone tells me how worth it you'll be, and that I'll even forget those first few months... I believe the first part of that, but highly doubt the last part) :)

December finally rolled around and we were counting down the minutes till Christmas Break! Your dad finished his fourth semester of med school! He works so hard, and I'm SO proud of him! We were so excited to fly home and see family. First, because we hadn't been home in a year. And second, you were still a secret and we couldn't wait to finally tell everyone! You were a huge hit! You have so much family that can't wait to spoil you when you finally get here. We made Christmas cards for everyone to make the announcement...

We did a lot of fun things while we were home. We ate at all the good places that we miss so much on the island... Texas Road House and In and Out were on the top of the list! We got to be home for Audrey's baptism with all of the Patterson family in St. Johns, and went to Cree's wedding in Mesa with a lot of the Brown family.

Christmas was spent in Pima with my family. It was great to all be together for the first time since Ashley officially became part of the family in April! :) We went to basketball games and choir concerts, and had several family parties with the Browns and the Crocketts. And, for the first time ever in the Brown family I think, we were all up and opening presents by 6:00 am on Christmas morning! (That was all your dad's doing. I can't wait for you to experience Christmas with him, he makes it so much fun!) Santa definitely found us, and we had an awesome Christmas! I was so on the ball that I didn't take a single picture the entire time we were home. I'm hoping my sisters will share some with me when they get time.... hint hint! :)

We headed back to St. Johns for New Years. Opening the presents that were waiting for us up there was like having a whole other Christmas morning! We got so many nice, generous gifts from all of our family this year! We have so much good stuff waiting in storage for us when we live somewhere more permanent... someday!

It was freezing in St. Johns while we were there! Temperatures were often in the single digits, and we even got snow a couple different times during the week! Consequently, I didn't move very far from the couch the whole time we were there. I did try to rotate spots every day, just to change things up. The adults all went to Greer for dinner New Years Eve, then we hit the stake dance for a few minutes, and rang in the new year back at home with all the nieces and nephews at midnight, complete with poppers, sparklers and small firecrackers!

Before we knew it, it was time to climb back on the airplane and head back to Nevis. After cancelled flights, re-routed flights, lost bags, very little sleep, and the longest 48 hours of our lives, we finally made it back! I had a doctor appointment the week we got back. We got some fun pictures of you, and found out you're a little BOY!! Your dad threw his arms up in the air like he just won a world championship when he found out! While we were home for Christmas he told everyone that if you were a girl we were going to have to give you away, so I was pretty glad you were a boy too! :)

The first picture is of your back. I hope you don't inherit my crooked hips and spine. But, if you do don't worry, chiropractors are our friends! In the second picture, if you tilt your head and squint just right, you can see your heart (dot in the middle) and your arms trying to cover your face.

I've been told I need to take pictures of myself to document your growth too. As much as I don't like that idea, we did take one at 20 weeks in honor of being half way done! It's ok to laugh, I felt rediculous even taking it because there isn't much to see, but I promise you're there! And again, we were documenting a milestone! 

And now here we are... almost 23 weeks along and finally feeling human again. In fact, today I even did three loads of laundry, cleaned the house, and made a nice dinner without feeling like I was going to fall over. So thank you for that! Your dad was especially happy about the clean house and the good food I think. He's been such a trooper, living off of peanut butter and jelly, quesadillas, and mac and cheese for the last few months. He's working harder than ever in his last semester here on the island. He'll finish up in April and then we'll head back home to get ready for your big arrival! But, I promise to try and keep you a little more updated between now and then.

Whew! That was a long update! I think we deserve a brownie, and there just happens to be a few left in the pan we made a couple days ago. Might as well finish 'em off....