April 29th

We anticipated this day since our last visit to the doctor. One, because it was Marc's 35th Birthday and we were having all of our friends over to celebrate, Two it was the start of a very fun filled weekend at Stagecoach (a country music festival, that just down the street and all weekend long). Three, we had our very first ultrasound and we'd hope to find out the sex of our little baby! We made a promise to keep our ultrasound a secret from our friends. We really wanted to surprise them at the party.

I got off at 12noon and our appointment was at 1:00pm...I had to go in the room by myself at first, which seemed like a life time of her moving the doppler back and forth on my belly...but I talked her ear off, so it made up for the anticipation she was putting me through. As she was moving the doppler back and forth, she finally let me take a look at what was going on. My sweet little baby was just moving all over the place!! It was an incredible sight...it's mouth was totally opening and closing, like it was talking or it may have been hungry?!? I couldn't wait for Marc to join and see how amazing it was. Finally, she called in Marc and our mothers to join in on the action. Right before she left, she said she was having difficulty seeing what it was...and by the time she got back the baby was butt up and we got a perfect view - of what I wasn't sure, so I yelled out, "Are those balls or a vagina!!??" hahahaha and then she announced that is was GIRL!!!! Tears came a rollin', Marc got a huge smile on his face, and our mom's rejoiced! It was a fun moment for sure...we got a ton of pictures, here are a few...for some reason when I upload they turn sideways...gah!

I think the second best part of this day was letting our friends know...we actually surprised them (and I am really bad a keeping a surprise secret)...so we told everyone that we were going to play a little Family Feud on the PS3, and we were going to draw numbers to find out who was on each team....the rule to picking a number was they couldn't peek at the number until everyone got a number. Little did they know all their little pieces of paper said, "IT'S A GIRL!!"...they were completely surprised and excited! Our friend Jennifer opened it and said, "It's a girl??' as in, what the hell kinda number is that??!! Then I said with a big smile, "Yes, it's a girl' pointing to my stomach and then all I remember is jumping up and down while hugging Jessica...it was so much fun and I was so excited our little secret was out, I really don't know how much longer I could have kept it in!! So, there you have it folks, we're having a little baby girl. I CAN'T wait to start decorating her nursery and buying cute little girl things...she will for sure, be the most stylish little girl, thanks to her Daddy!! ;) 

Today, I'm 19 weeks, but in my ultrasound I measured 17 weeks, 1 day...and our due date as of today is October 6th. I have a feeling our baby will always measure a little smaller...let's face it, we aren't the tallest people! ;) I'll post a "lovely lady bump" picture soon! 

Breaking News!

We have some pretty big news to release….DRUM ROLL PLEASE!! (Insert your drum roll sound, cymbals and all)….Marc and I are MOVING!!!! After two years of living with Ingrid and Jeff, we have finally paid off our debts and are ready to embark in a new adventure. Now of course, a couple things have changed since we decided to take a risk, sell our mobile home and move in with the ‘rents. Initially our intentions were the following:

• Pay off debt
• Plan Wedding – debt free
• Save for a home

However, life is always changing and at that time Marc didn’t have a set plan on what he wanted to do with his schooling. We now know, and unfortunately/fortunately when he graduates with his BS in Public Administration, his next venture will most likely take us out of the desert and into another location. Thus, getting into a mortgage and owning a home isn’t the first on our list…so we decided that renting a place is the best option for us, until we know for sure what the future has in store for us. Plus, we are going to continue to be debt free and save for the day when we do want to get into a house.
We went in looking for 3bed/3bath houses to accommodate guests and our “big eyes”…instead we feel in love with a cute little 2bed/2.5bath townhome in Downtown Palm Springs. The price is right, along with the layout, location, space….I could go on and on! I think it will be one easy move. One, because I can’t help physically move the boxes (thanks baby bump) and two, everything is already boxed up and ready for the move! So, watch out Palm Springs The Brown’s are coming in June!
Now, since we are moving, we managed some energy to start some furniture facelifts! This past weekend, we took Marc’s two-toned dresser into a sophisticated dressah….yes with an “ah”, that’s how sophisticated it is. ;) This is technically the first piece for the baby’s room…even if Marc will be using it. What do you think!!??

My Lovely Lady Bump.

We found out 1.29.11 that I was pregnant. Which happens to be my grandfather's birthday. Which is so awesome to me, especially because it makes me think he is still with us in everything we do. The day we found out he passed, my cousin Kari found out she was pregnant - a true definition of the circle of life. And then we found out we were expecting on his birthday. Gives me chills and big smile on my face (and a tear in my eye). I know he would be so happy for Marc and I.

That day was a very emotional day - good emotions, scared emotions, OMG emotions! Both of our families were very supportive and excited. I ended taking a test with my girlfriend Jennifer, while Marc and Tyler were at a golf tournament for the day. Let's just say that was a very long day because, I refused to text or call Marc to let him know. Instead Jenn and I made him a little onesie that said "Baby Brown"...If you want to know the rest, ask me in person and I'll tell you the whole story. ;) That one I will never forget.

At that point I was about 5 weeks along...and our baby would be due early October. I've been making a few notes in my phone about things that have happened since then...here they are:

• I've always wanted to be like that mom in the movie "JACK" where she plays with him with all the makeshift Armour....that movie was on the day after we found out and I hadn't seen it in a while. 
• Marc's dad joked that we were having twins (since there is a set of twins in his family) - and on my way to work on Monday there was a van that pulled in front of me and the sticker on the back said, "Got Twins?"  hahah - umm I hope not!!
• On my first visit to the doctor - our wedding song was playing as I waited. 
• 3.17.11 - we heard our baby's heartbeat for the first time!! It was nothing like we thought it would be...we heard it for about 2 seconds and then she tried once more and we heard it for another 1 second. Either way it was awesome knowing our little bun was in there. It was extra special as well because both our mom's joined us! 

So, here I am starting my 15 week - which means I've made it through the first trimester and I am a 1/3 of the way done!! I haven't experienced much morning sickness...but my energy level comes and goes. I am turning into a morning person, instead of a night owl. Did I really just say that??!!! Oh and I pee like it's going out of style. ;P Our little baby is as big as an apple, and has made mommy jump up two pant sizes in a little over 3 months...I will be living in dresses these next 6 months, more specifically maxi dresses. I am so thankful for friends who were just pregnant and their hand me down maternity clothes!! 

Here is what I looked like at 7 weeks...and then at 14 weeks. That lovely lady bump is a comin'...

Blessed with Besties

Mostly everyone is blessed with a best friend. Sometimes, your best friend changes with the different chapters of life...however in my life, there are 4 consistent, beautiful women who I've been extremely blessed to call my best friends - Desie, Kel, Jess and Sissylala. We may not be able to talk every day or hang out every week...but no matter what, they mean the world to me! The other day we finally had the opportunity to have a lunch date together (minus the Sissylala...she's being a career woman in SD!), and it inspired me to do this post...to let them know how important they are to me and how I would do anything for them (Brooke and Cousin Wousin Bear, you are in there too!). They are all different and I think that's what I love most about them. Each one teaches me how to be a better person and I hope I do the same for them. :) Marc has told me as I grow older I might loose some of my close friends...which in the past years, I have, but I look it as weeding out the bad ones to keep the roses! I pray that my "roses" and I always have our friendship, I mean we've made it through high school drama, college fun, marriage and babies, 10+ years of a whole lotta stuff... I am pretty sure we can stick together through everything else life hands us in years to come!

One more thing I learned while reflecting on the blessing of having the bestest besties EVER, is that my husband is right up there with them. He is an incredible man, and I really can't imagine my life without him by my side. He seriously completes me and I am so thankful God has blessed me ten-fold with such an amazing life partner and best friend.

I AM ONE BLESSED LITTLE LADY!! :)