wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'

So 10 days to go until my due date...Ican't believe that it is so close! I am still feeling really good, except for at night. That is ususally when my contractions are stronger and sleep is a battle. Thankfully Brooke is taking really good naps during the day, so I try to get a couple hours in then. I am trying to enjoy these last couple of days with just the 3 of us and the time that we get to spend with Brooke by herself. We talk with her about the baby a lot, but I don't think she fully gets it yet that her life is about to change. I think she will be a great big sister! She loves to be our "helper"! Whenever I go out with Brooke I have a little anxiety over what it is going to be like taking 2 out! I have heard the horror stories...Just the many new adventures life is going to bring us. :) I can't wait to hold my son in my arms and I am so thankful of how God has blessed us!

38 1/2 weeks

help!

We are having a difficult time deciding on a middle name for our little boy! We have always loved the name Brayden, but we go back and forth on the middle name. Click here to help us decide!

pregnancy update

So I am 36 1/2 weeks...it's going by so fast and I can't believe it will only be 3 1/2 weeks (or sooner!) until I get to meet my little boy! I am definitely more tired and am back to taking naps whenever I can get them. I am waiting for the whole nesting thing to kick in, but I feel that it may not happen with an almost 2 year old running around the house. We have been talking with Brooke about her baby brother and how she is going to be a big sissy soon...not sure she quite gets it yet, but today she put her hand on my tummy and felt him move and she really liked that!

I went to the Dr today and she said I am measuring a week ahead of schedule, but I am not going to hold my breath! I've gained 35 pounds, which is 5 less than I was with Brooke at this time, but again, having a almost 2 year old running around is helping with that too! I still am feeling pretty good and am still really enjoying this pregnancy...which I am not sure I was saying this close to Brooke being born. So many people have said, " now that you're having a boy you can be done because now you have one of each..." Tim and I always said that we would take it one at a time, but I have thought "what if this is our last one" I want to make sure that I have treasured and enjoyed it as much as I can! (btw, I don't think we are done, but you never know!)

I had my sisters take some belly pictures this week and I thought I would share! Hopefully I will get another blog in before the baby comes, but looking at the date of my last posts...it might not happen :)

36 weeks

2 holidays in 1

Well, since I have been so behind on posting anything I decided to just do a big update that includes 2 holidays, and since yesterday was the 4th of July...let's start there.

We started out the day with church in the morning then we headed home for some much needed family time and rest. Tim barbequed trip tip and we all slept. That night we headed to Davis to watch fireworks with some friends. Brooke loved the fireworks and kept saying "more please" and "ooohhh". It was SOOO cute. By the time we were leaving the park she had learned a new word and would not stop saying "fi-woeks please". I just love her!

Next holiday: Father's Day

Tim flew home from San Diego Father's day afternoon, so Brooke and I picked him up and surprised him with a grill for Father's Day. We had such a great day bbqing and spending time together. I am so thankful for him and the amazing father that he is to Brooke. I can't wait to see him with our son in just a few short months. I am so blessed!

our little boy at 27 weeks (and Brooke saying cheese)

Some other fun things happening at the Brown household recently:

Brooke is talking up a storm...she says new words every day and makes me laugh. Some of my favorite things she says are "AWESOME!, oh no, where'd daddy/mommy go?, apple juice," and just this morning when I was singing Jesus loves me to her, she said "Jesus loves me!" So sweet!

This pregnancy: I am LOVING it! I am 30 weeks and feeling great...aside from the occassional glances in the mirror and realizing how big I am getting! I love feeling him move and watching little parts and trying to guess what they are! The Dr said our little boy is already measuring on the bigger side. I am really hoping that means he is going to come early and not that he is going to be a huge baby!

Name: we haven't decided on a name, but right now we really like Brayden James. We have liked the name Brayden for a long time, and James is Tim's middle name, and his dad's first name. We probably won't decide on his name for sure until we see him, like we did with Brooke.

Cravings: Spicy food!! I can't get enough of it! Specifically Thai food, but anything that has a good kick to it will work. I am also loving ice cream...not sure that I can blame that fully on the baby, but why not :) I still think I could eat a cheeseburger everyday and be very happy, but since I gained 45lbs with Brooke, I try to limit myself to just once or twice a week. I am also loving that it is summer because I can't get enough watermelon or strawberries! (Ok...seriously, I am so hungry right now) :)

That's probably more than anyone wanted to know, but there is the update!

Mother's Day

I had such a great mother's day! I feel so incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful mother and am so thankful for my little family! After church we went to my parents house for a bbq. After that we went home and I got to take a nap (which is a such a great present!) then Tim and Brooke took me to get sushi for dinner and frozen yogurt for dessert! It was such a great day! I love my family and Mother's day was just another reminder of how God has richly blessed me with a wonderful family!!!

my little love

so thankful for them!

my other little love at 22 weeks

Baby Brown #2 is a...

We had an ultrasound today to determine the sex of the baby! We decided to let Brooke let everyone know...

Can you guess her secret? She isn't saying...

Here is the money shot!

It's a BOY!!!

This is our SON (folded like a little taco!)

We can't wait to meet this little boy!

Brookie is so excited that she is going to have a little brother!

Ok, let's be honest...she is way more excited about the balloons!

*more thoughts and feelings to come!

The Zoo

Last Monday we took Brooke to the Sacramento Zoo for the first time. We had such a fun time at the zoo with her. Brooke really liked the mokeys, the giraffe and the flamingos. The Sacramento Zoo is small which is perfect for a 17 month old. We were able to get through the whole zoo in an hour and a half. After we walked through the zoo, we had a picnic in the park. It was such a fun, family day.

my little cool girl

Brooke and Daddy

She liked the fish too!