My wonderful friends at Williamson Medical Center

Sign on our room door

Room 231
One of the "window" signs
The other read..."Happy Birthday Isabelle"

Courtney brought her boys up to play with my girls.

They get along so great!

The nurses will even get in bed with you when you are in labor!

My good friend Courtney!

Beth and Trish with Isabelle

The girls brought my lunch on Friday.

I have the greatest friends on earth! The nurses at Williamson took such wonderful care of Isabelle and myself. They decorated my room before we got there. They brought me lunch one day. They fought over who would take care of us. Not sure if that is true or not but it was nice for them to say they did! They brought in presents and cookies, food, and cupcakes! I could not have been more blessed! I love each one of them and will be eternally grateful for all that they did for us! At Williamson Medical Center you truly can "Expect Excellence"!

First few days at home as a family of 5!

Isabelle always had her feet crossed on
of the ultrasounds! She has the longest toes! Proud sisters with Isabelle...Her face is yellow
from the bruising that is healing well!
No jaundice anywhere else!


Madlyn and her baby sister


Leaving the hospital

For all of my Willamson friends (especially Trish)

Isabelle in her "Expect Excellence" onezie

Well our first few days at home have not been what I expected...Jeremy had to return to work on Monday, Madlyn went back to school, Emily did not want to go back to school without mommie taking her there, and breastfeeding has been a struggle. Everything is working itself out though. Jeremy and Madlyn have adjusted well. Isabelle and I rode with Emily and Grandma Martha to take Emily to preschool. Then Isabelle and Grandma waited in the car while Emily and I went to her christmas party. And breastfeeding gets easier everyday. I'm almost scared to say that out loud. Both of my others were so easy to breastfeed and Isabelle was so easy in the hospital that even this "baby nurse" had a few meltdown moments. But, with the encouragement of a few friends (you know who you are), both Isabelle and I are "getting it". I am tired, but my family and friends have been me helping out! I could not have have done it without you! I will keep everyone updated and try and post pictures here as often as possible. And to the Funks...I'm sorry we had to miss Funk christmas this year. But Karen and John showed us pictures and it looked as though a fun time was had by all. We will be there next year and I'm sure our song will be impressive! Congratulations to Jake and Lauren...can't wait to meet the next Funk! Keep us posted! Love to everyone.

Sarah

Emily's Big Night

Emily and her trophy!
So Proud!!!

Due to all the excitement of Isabelle, I failed to post any pictures of Emily's Big Night at Gymnastics! I'm starting off this mother of 3 thing with a bang, I'd say! Last Monday night was Emily's night to get her first year award trophy. She was so proud of herself and kept telling Madlyn that now she had a trophy too! The week before she had received her very first trophy ever and that was her soccer trophy...For those of you who know, Emily did not exactly enjoy soccer and so even though it was her first trophy, she was not all that excited! This one, however, was a BIG DEAL! She was so proud!

She's here!!!!!

Madlyn and Isabelle

Emily and Isabelle


The Proud Parents and their "Smurf"



Jeremy's four Girls

The Sisters

Well...she's here! Isabelle Gracelyn Brown was born yesterday, December 11, at 3:43 PM. She weighted 7lbs 10oz and was 20 inches long. It was a long day for everyone, but we are so proud to have our new addition to the family. The girls are very excited. As with any member of this family, Izzy was born with a blue face and was quickly nicknamed Baby Smurf. This was caused by bruising due to the fast approach to the world. Today her face is pink and beautiful. So much for the new nickname!!!!!!! Emily keeps saying that she is so beautiful and get a little upset when she can't hold the her the whole time. Maddie is taking things in stride and is being a great big sis. The proud parents are a little tired, dad needs a beer, but we are doing great. The hospital is treating mom like a queen and her little angel a princess. We will be going home Saturday and hope to post more pictures in the future. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers.

Isabelle's Big Day

It is official....we will be welcoming Isabelle Gracelyn Brown on Thursday December 11th! Unless, of course, she has other plans. I will be induced that morning. I will keep everyone posted.

Love,
Sarah

Finally...the Bunk Beds!

Well, we finally did it. We bought the girls bunk beds for their room. We moved both the girls into Madlyn's room to give Baby Isabelle a nursery. The girls are VERY excited about it! We will see how long that lasts. I'll let you know. Madlyn has chosen the top bunk, which seems to not bother Emily in the least. They slept in it for the first time last night. And everyone slept through the night, including us. Emily usually comes and wakes us up at least one time every night...so we are thrilled! We still have some things to do before Isabelle makes her arrival, but overall things are coming together quite nicely. Wanted to share a few pictures of the girls' new bed!

Thanksgiving 2008

Jeremy making the turkey!
Jeremy and Sarah posing after stuffing themselves at Grandma Martha's

Madlyn and Emily prior to eating

Emily (Galloping Horse) at her Thanksgiving Party

Emily's class singing "One Little Indian"

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We went to my mom's house and aunt Becca was there from Baltimore. The girls love seeing aunt "Becky" as they call her. Of which, she does not approve, which makes it that much more FUN! We had turkey (thanks dad!), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash soup (Aunt Becky's favorite), green bean casserole, broccoli, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy (Emily's favorite), pumpkin pie, chocolate chip cookies, and 2 kinds of jello! All for 6 people! Ridiculous! But GOOD! Then, of course, we watched the Titans kick the Lions's "rear ends". GO TITANS! Emily had a Thanksgiving day party at her school on the 21st. The kids sang songs and dressed up as Indians! Emily picked out her own Indian name...Galloping Horse. Very appropriate for her since she LOVES horses! Then they had a Harvest meal, which I and another parent was in charge of. It is extremely difficult to come up with a meal that 4 years will eat! So we had chicken nuggets, which we called "turkey nuggets", carrot sticks, apples, grapes, popcorn, pumpkin pie (for the parents...but Emily ate), and cookies! Oh well, we tried! This blog seemed to be mainly about food! I guess that is partly what Thanksgiving is about. Of course the bigger picture is about about being truly thankful. I am so grateful for everything and everybody in my life! My family and friends are the best. And with Isabelle coming soon, I could not be more appreciative for what I have! I have a wonderful husband, beautiful daughters, and fantastic family and the best friends anyone could ask for! Not to mention a roof over my head, a job I love, and all of the material things I could need! I am truly fortunate! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to a fabulous Christmas season!

Much love,

Sarah