The Brown Chronicle

Thursday, September 20, 2012

a little update we sent out

Hi fam,
Just wanted to send out a little update at Jill's request. First of all, happy Constitution Day! I heard on the radio that today was Constitution Day, and decided that it was a holiday that needs more attention. Ali and I decided to do a special FHE lesson on the Constitution. If we're lucky, Mike will follow it by a contemporary dance solo to "This Land is Your Land."
We are all adjusting well to having Eden around. This is really my first experience with a newborn (because Benson was in the hospital for 5 weeks) and its going relatively well. Benson loves holding her and kissing her. Unfortunately, he also loves hitting and pinching her. I spend the majority of my time protecting her from him. Her only safe place is on top of the counter in her bouncer.
Last week Eden and I were sleeping on the bed after James and Benson had waken up. James came into the room after a few minutes and asked me if I had moved Eden (Benson was playing with her across the room). Of course I hadn't, which meant that Benson did it. Somehow, he had gotten her off of the middle of the bed (our bed is on stilts, so he usually falls just getting only himself off), and moved her to the other side of the room...all in silence! Its a miracle that he was able to do that without her crying!
Benson is not only getting sneakier, but smarter as well. Today while he was suppose to be taking a nap, he figured out how to unlock his door. I decided to tie his door shut, and the two kids' screams didn't even faze me. I guess that means I'm getting used to having two kids.
Last week Les Miserables came to Phoenix. Ali and I decided to go with a few of our friends. James and Mike said they were too busy with school. It was tricky to arrange everything with babysitters, but it was SO worth it! Mike was even able to join us at the last minute. Unfortunately he had to sit alone.
James is very busy with school. He is also tutoring biochemistry and TAing anatomy. The 2nd year of med. school is supposedly way more busy then the first year, so I'm gearing up to be a single mother for the next little while. Fortunately it hasn't been too bad so far.
Hope you're all doing great.
love,
Stacey

Ali, Stacey, Mandy & Collin

Here are a few of Benson from a weekend camping trip we took this summer with some friends. I was about 30 (?) weeks pregnant and didn't sleep well at all. But we had a good time anyway. Kiya, (the friend who took Eden's newborn pics) took these.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

More of Eden

My friend took these adorable pictures Eden at 12 days old. Thanks again Kiya; we love these!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Baby Eden

                                                                Eden Leigh Brown
                                                                  August 3, 2012
                                                                      6 lb 6 oz
                                                                       19 1/2"

Things couldn't have gone better with Eden! Despite all the odds, the delivery was smooth and fast, and was not a repeat c section. We were able to come home two days after the delivery, with the baby. It was such a blessing it is to leave the hospital and not have to go back...(knock on wood!) Thanks again to everyone for keeping us in your prayers!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Springtime

Easter Egg Hunts

Midwestern's Easter celebrations

Benson's Easter basket

Supposedly Arizona is one of the best gardening states. Unfortunately we managed to kill almost everything in our first attempt at container gardening.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Baby # 2

~Good news and bad news.

The good news-- Baby girl due August 24th! We can't wait!

The bad news-- Some components of my blood and the baby's blood are not compatible. This incompatibility sets off my immune system to produce antibodies that harm the baby's red blood cells, which can cause all sorts of problems- all of which fall under the heading of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn.

Good News: Currently, my immune system response is mild enough that it is not causing harm to the baby.

Bad News: Right after we heard the news of possible complications down the road, I was pretty devastated. I swear I had flashbacks of the consequences of and emotions of having a sick baby. I've had enough of a taste of what the invasive treatments on a helpless infant, and never want to have to repeat that process.
Good News: After reading more about the situation, I began to feel more and more positive about my condition. I quickly was able to delay excessive worry or emotional upset until there was a reason to...and at this point there isn't one.
   In the car one day, I had the BOM playing in the background. Mosiah 24 caught my attention, where the Lord eased the burdens of the people of Alma; so much so, that they couldn't feel them on the their backs. It says that the burdens laid upon [them] were made light; the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease.
I completely related with the people in this story. It became apparent to me that that was exactly what the Lord was/is doing for me. In chapter 24:15 the Lord says that He does this so that "ye may stand as witnesses of me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I,the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."
   I am so glad that the Lord is kind enough to visit me in my afflictions, and ease my burdens. Thanks for all your prayers and fasting. Its very obvious to me that they were and still are heard by the Lord, because we are all doing so well. And, as of now, the baby is perfectly healthy. If you don't hear from us, that means that everything is fine with the baby.

*Here are some links to some helpful information if you are curious about the condition, and have a few spare hours for some light reading :) My specific condition is caused by the KIDD antibody system, and the JKa antigen, not the Rh factor.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2266/

http://www.perinatology.com/Archive/Isoimmunization.htm

http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/NewbornHemolyticDz.html

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/wellness/pregnancy/first-antibody

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Highlights of Quarter 2 (Spring '12)

Hiking Camelback Mountain-
Martin Luther King Day activity. James didn't want to go, but offered to stay home and watch Benson; the Brewster's were okay with me tagging along as the third wheel.

This hike was so much more difficult than it looked. It really kicked my trash.

Fountain Hills- this is the 4th largest fountain in the world, and less than an hour away.

Glendale Chocolate Days-
Unfortunately it was WAY too busy to get many samples

Valentines Day-

James surprised me the day before Valentines Day by taking me out to Macaroni Grill, then we went our for our new favorite dessert- Frozen Yogurt. It was so great to go out to eat again, without Benson! We had a great time.

James also bought me these- stargazer lilies, my favorite!

My present to James

Lemon Orchard-
We didn't have a break for President's Day, but Benson and I had fun while James studied away (it was his finals week). There is a lemon orchard on Midwestern's Campus that I've failed to take advantage of until now. I had no idea how much I love homemade lemonaid until this week!

Benson & Chloe- best buds

Trip to LA
Disney Land- We spent two days at Disney Land. The second day was Feb. 29th- 'Leap Day,' and the park stayed open 24 hours- 6AM-6AM. Vicki got there early in the morning (about 5:45) to get a few of the free things they were handing out. We didn't get there until late that afternoon and stayed till about 10:30 PM, and by then it was so busy, that the park had reached its capacity, and was no longer letting people in. As we tried to leave the park, we were stuck for about 10 minutes because there were so many people trying to get out, as well as in the park. It was complete chaos, and very claustrophobic.