Ashlyn's 1st bath

Ashlyn's 1st days

Welcome to the world Ms. Ashlyn Tempest Brown! Born 11/28/08 7 lbs, 7 oz, 21 inches after 44 hours of labor! It's all worth it though, we're very happy!  The first couple of posts are Ashlyn's 1st days. The next post is her birthday and finally the last belly shot.  

More: Ashlyn's 1st days

Ashlyn's birthday

1. Proud Daddy Shawn

2. Relieved Kaysie 

3. The doctor tried posing with Ashlyn, but Shawn just focused on his baby girl 

4.Cone Head

5. Ashlyn being handed to me for skin on skin and her first time to nurse.

Last belly shot

Here's the last belly shot. 40 weeks!

These are 38 weeks. I'm officially 40 weeks tomorrow, 11/25/08, my due date. Can you say ugh!? Each time I feel I can't get bigger . . . I do. Then I miss the days I thought I was big! Baby girl is rolling around in there constantly. It's fun to watch my stomach, though creepy for some I guess.

I miss having a center. I miss my core. But, I have an awesome hubby whose always there with a helping hand and a supportive word. He's pretty excited about meeting his baby girl. Now we just play the waiting game.

I have a few more pictures on my dad's camera of me now at about 39/40 weeks. When I figure out how to download them, I'll add them.

Oh yeah, clarification on the previous post. I DID NOT go camping. Shawn and I stayed at a B & B, then he went camping. I ate dinner with him at the camp site, but did not stay with him. Heck no! I like to try to be a trooper, but that is more insanity than anything. ;)

Baby Moon

Shawn and I went on a "Baby Moon" this past weekend. It's the latest thing for expecting parents. You get away together one last time before the baby comes. We went to Fredericksburg and stayed at a B & B. Then Shawn went on a solo venture. I followed him out to Krause Springs and had dinner by the camp fire with him. Then he stayed out there for two nights by himself! He came back regenerated and ready to be a father. :) It was also simply a nice get away for him from the stresses of his job. He's refreshed and ready to join the world again.

All righty folks, here I am at 35 weeks. As I type this I'm actually at 36 weeks. Technically, 4 weeks to go. Getting to forget how life is without a belly and something constantly rolling around in there. Sleeping is becoming harder and I'm getting a shooting pain at my pubic bone sometimes. It's all normal though. All part of the fun.  We are getting really excited and eager to meet our little girl. We toured the hospital tonight. Out of about 9 couples, only 2 of us are planning to have a natural childbirth. Well, here's hopin' I don't get too much bigger.

34 weeks

No belly picture here, just a sonogram at 34 weeks. My belly was actually measuring 2 cm smaller than normal, so just to be safe our dr. had us get an ultrasound. The baby is fine, she's weighing in right where she should be, so it's all good. In this image she is lying sideways. You can see where they labeled her eyes and chin. It looks like she has chubby cheeks and her eyes are closed, sleeping peacefully.The sonographer (is that a word?) told Shawn she looked like him. He was like "oh yeah, it's just like looking in a mirror. " Ha ha.

33 weeks

Shawn and I went to Fort Worth for a wedding and stayed with Shei (his sister) and her family. The boys, our nephews, were sweet enough to take a photo with their aunt and little cousin.  Crazy how much bigger I look in one picture, compared to the other. Whew! Shawn's looking pretty smooth though. ;)

31 weeks

Pics of the growing belly at 31 weeks. I can't believe I'm still going to get even bigger! As I type this I'm at 32 weeks. 8 more weeks to go. Some days it feels like the time has flown. Others, it feels like this has gone on for ever. I've been teaching university dance and lecture courses, a children's residency once a week, doing my prenatal yoga, morning walks and every so often going to the gym. All seems to be going well. Survived ACL this past weekend. See following posts.

Also had to add a pic of chillin' miss Luna.  Still . . . no idea what she's in for.

ACL & Preggers

Everyone was so wonderful. Always had my chair if I needed it. Everyone carried bags and the chair, made sure I was good with food and water. We went swimming at Barton Springs a few times to keep cool.  Had a great time!!!

Izi and Ashlyn

More fun pics of precious Izi kissing and hugging Baby Ashlyn. She loves to talk about baby Ashlyn in the belly.

26 wks

Finally, some updated posts. The first 2 pics in this one are belly pics at 26 wks. First time I saw the pics, I couldn't believe the belly myself. No wonder I feel the way I do: stretched, like I've got a basketball attached to me.

Notice Shawn's beautiful mask hovering behind me. It almost looks like a drawing on the wall, but it is a mask made of bailing wire.

Next two pics are from our quick trip to buy fresh roasted green chilies in NM. One with the beaming grandmommy, aka 'Noe Noe', named by her first grandbaby. The second with the beaming grandparents 'Noe Noe' and 'Pa Pa' (also named by Izi), proud daddy, and me who they made turn sideways. This was at Lujan Farms in the Rio Grande valley near Las Cruces, NM.

I think it's time we can share the name with you. I really don't know why I didn't last time. Guess I just wanted to make sure. But, we have definitely decided. Our baby girl's name will be Ashlyn Tempest Brown.

These are 24 wks. Our first "child" bathing herself. She still has no idea what she's in for. Next we have a close up of the belly at 24 wks. Then a couple of picks with the daddy and one more with kitty. I actually made that dress I'm wearing. Very comfy for the summer. Guess the 'nesting' instinct is developing. I think the dress actually makes me look a bit bigger.

Izi, the most precious niece anyone could ever ask for, is trying to hug her cousin. Not sure if she understands the concept, but she likes to play along. She loves anything to do with babies (and butterflies and polka dots for that matter, so she says).

Here are the promised sonograms at 20 wks. They're pretty self explanatory. The top one is her face, then the proof she's a girl, hands, then toes.