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January 28, 2015

Winnie & Darren

We have officially come out of Brown Hibernation.... though, I am always reluctant to take the kiddos out, it is nice to have that choice of visiting a friend or going shopping or whatever it may be.

Walkin' with this fabulous stroller = love. 
My days with Winnie are always full, whether we are playing with puzzles, legos, or coloring we pass the day quickly by being occupied with those 3 things alone. Winnie is getting so good at putting her ABC and shape puzzles together, it makes me so proud. We also love to dance, play pretend with her baby dolls and stuffed animals, go outside if it's warm enough, or rewatch the hundredth episode of Barney [or Clifford or Veggie Tales]. Winnie's vocabulary is also increasing which is so much fun. She's going to be our little talker for sure. One of my favorite things she says is "I dooo" which is "I love you"!! Melts. My. Heart. 



This past week Winnie found her shadow and it has made me laugh and smile so much as she waves at herself in the sun. How adorable is that?!! She has gotten a bit better at eating more foods which is super exciting. Though I don't expect that to always last because what she loves today she may hate tomorrow. Oh the life of a toddler with changing taste buds. 



Daddy is the most fun!!

Darren is growing so big, I am sure he is well over 10 lbs by now. He is in newborn and some 0-3 month clothes. He just recently found his fist and started sucking on it. Love. And he has given us some smiles and a few laughs this past week. He is also starting to master holding his head up, getting so strong!!

love this picture!!!

He is currently in a stage where he doesn't like being put down. I'm alright with that, though sometimes he has to cry-it-out because I've got things I need to do or Winnie to play with. He is still a great nurser, but refuses bottles. Eventually he'll take bottles.. maybe when he's 6 months old?... 

happy boy. i love his smile :-D
bliss
Speaking of age, Darren will be 3 months mid February. I've talked with a few people about him being a preemie and what that looks like with development and all of those wonderful things. Though Darren isn't a "preemie" anymore by how old he is or even how he looks, he is still a preemie in development. 

I calculated Darren's adjusted age this morning and here's a tidbit of information I got. Reminder: Darren was born 8 weeks early. This week Darren is 10 weeks old, subtract 8 weeks, his adjusted age is 2 weeks old. It's amazing! And what's cool is, I was looking back on what I wrote down with Winnie's milestones and I had written down that at 2 weeks old she found her fist and started sucking it. So he is technically "right on schedule" [whoever determines that...] but he's doing it at 10 weeks old. 

Praise Him!
that sweet wittle face <3 <3 

Winnie and Darren are so sweet together, though a lot of the interaction is from Winnie, she is tender and gentle and always wants to be near him. I can't wait until he is old enough to sit up and interact with her, they are going to have so much fun together! 


love them!!!
We'll be off to visit my people in February and we.can't.wait.!!!! 

This will be our chant the whole way up.... Let it snow let it snow let it snow. :)

Have a happy weekend! 


January 8, 2015

Happy Due Date Darren

November 27 was Darren's 3rd anticipated due date, after admitted to the hospital. This past Monday marked Darren's 2nd anticipated due date, January 5th, my scheduled c-section. Today marks Darren's original due date, January 8th. Let's just say, we.are.not.in.control. and I am so glad!!

Today Darren is 7 weeks and 2 days old! 


I can't even begin to express how thankful I am for our little boy, he brings us so much joy. And already I love love love having a son. And Winnie has been such a sweet, tender big sister. I truly look forward to when they can interact together. But for now, these days are extremely sweet because I get to cuddle him all the time. *my fave*

Since it's Ds due date I thought I'd share photos from his birth to now. It's amazing how little he was and how much he's grown.

Taylor's view as they prepped me...
this time he got to come in and be with me. :) 
our boy!
Taylor cutting the cord
meeting my son for the first time!!! <3 

recovery at it's finest people. 
Darren's "room" in the NICU
holding his Daddy's finger <3 
love!

those feet :)
first family photo with Darren [minus Winnie] 

4 lbs, 17 inches
he was not a fan of the tube in his mouth.  

first time skin-to-skin 

Taylor and his little boy <3

Brown glow baby #2





one of my favorite pictures!
his tiny hand holding my finger. 

no more tubes or IVs !!!


love

being a mom is the best :) 




We're going home!
on our way home!
Winnie & Darren meeting for the first time

She's the best big sister! <3 <3 


laying in his crib
Darren's first bath at home

he's our little basket baby :)
so much joy!! 

We love you Darren Taylor Brown!!