Nathan and Macy

I usually buy Joshua and Nathan matching pajamas for Christmas every year. Well tonight, Nathan wanted to match PJ's with Macy. These pajamas are actually ones that Joshua and Nathan got for Christmas 3 years ago. They now fit Nathan and Macy.

Nathan and Macy (5 months old)

Halloween 2009

Joshua was an Army Soldier, Nathan was Thomas the Train, Macy was a Little Lamb and Gary was some sort of mad-scientist doctor.

Kindergarten in the Public School

Joshua is only a couple of weeks into kindergarten and we have encountered our first episode of having to correct mis-information relating to what he is being taught. Gary and I have had the public school/Christian school discussion many times. Anyway...
For science class, they are learning about plants and that some animals eat plants. Humans also eat certain plants. And that humans are animals. What?? Please don't put me in the same category as my dogs.
So anyway, here is the conversation Gary and I had with Joshua regarding his education tonight:
Gary and I (us): Joshua, if there is anything you learn at school that doesn't make sense to you, please come home and ask us about it.
Joshua: Like what?
Us: Did you learn about plants and animals at school?
Joshua: Yes, animals eat plants and so do we. Humans are animals.
Us: No Joshua, humans are not animals
Joshua: Yes we are
Us: No, we are not
Joshua: (very emphatically) YES WE ARE DADDY, JESUS IS THE SHEPHERD AND WE ARE HIS SHEEP. Sheep are animals.
Us: (speechless). OK, Joshua, you are absolutely correct

Father/Son Golf Tournament

Saturday (August 22) was a memorable day for Gary. It was his first Father/Son Golf Tournament in which he was playing as the "father" and not as the son. It was only 9 holes, which Gary said was perfect as that was about all Joshua lasted.

Gary made sure they had matching outfits for the day

Joshua and his good friend, who also played in the tournament

Joshua pointing to the (non-winning) posting of their score of 39 for 9 holes

Nathan First day of Preschool

Where has the time gone? Nathan turned 3 in June, but his birthday came and went without much attention as (sadly) most of our attention was on his new baby sister. He started preschool last Thursday (August 20). Here are some pictures from his first day.

Nathan on the playground at school

Nathan giving Macy a good-bye kiss (so sweet!)
Nathan and his teacher

Nathan inside the classroom

Summer Swim Lessons

Joshua and Nathan finished up swimming lessons for the summer. Here are some pictures from the last day of class.

Joshua and Nathan

Nathan practicing his kicking
Nathan learning to come up for air

Joshua practicing his kicking

Joshua First Day of Kindergarten

My first-born started Kindergarten today. He is very excited to be in real school now (not pre-school).
Joshua walking to his classroom

Joshua and his teacher, Mrs. Ewing

Nathan giving big brother Joshua a hug goodbye

The Brawley Boys' Camping Trip

The Brawley Boys went camping the weekend of July 24-26.

Making smores with Grandpa

My boys

Hiking

Fishing

Joshua

Catching Up on Pictures

Macy's first play date with an older boy (Henry is one month older than Macy)

Macy at 6 weeks old

Macy at 2 weeks old

Macy is Home

I was born on Tuesday but didn't get to go home until Friday

Let's Go

Joshua just wanted to sit and watch her sleep

Now the juggling begins...taking care of Macy and reading a book to Nathan

Joshua gets to give Macy a bottle

The Big Brothers meet their new sister

Nathan wearing his "Big Brother" shirt

Macy Joanne Brawley: The Birth Story

Macy is 7 weeks old now, but better late than never. Here is her birth story.
When I went in for my 36 week check-up, they noted that baby was in breech position (bottom first). If she didn't turn on her own, I would need to deliver via C-section (not my first choice for delivery). We all prayed for her to turn, but it wasn't meant to be. I went in for my 38 week check and she was still breech. My C-section was scheduled for June 9 at 11:00am. I had come to accept the C-section and started to embrace the positives. My neighbor is an OB nurse at Banner Thunderbird (my hospital), so she assigned herself my surgery that day. I used to work for an anesthesia group before I became a stay-at-home mom, so I arranged for one of my favorite docs to perform my anesthesia, and of course my OB/GYN was going to perform the surgery. On Monday night before the big day, Gary and I were talking about how the surgery takes away the spontaneity of the whole birth. By that I mean, with Joshua and Nathan, I had stories of contractions and having my water break and wondering if it was "time." This delivery was carefully planned out. I was to check in at 9:00am with nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to surgery. The C-section was scheduled for 11am. I was going to get up early and shower and do my hair and make-up, so I could look decent in the hospital pictures. I went to bed around 10pm feeling good about the next day, after all, I had everything planned out just how I wanted it.
Just after midnight, my water broke...so much for my perfect plan.
Gary called his mom right away to come over, as the boys were asleep.
I called the OB dept at the hospital to let them know I was on my way in and that I will need a C-section (my doctor had said that if I go into labor on my own, to call the hospital before I come in, so they can prepare for my arrival, as I have history of fast labor). So I put a final few items in my bag and off we went to the hospital.
Although, I didn't know any of the doctors or nurses who took care of me during my delivery, they were all fabulous and I am thankful that everything went without complication. Macy Joanne Brawley was born at 2:25am on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. She weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz.
Her middle name (Joanne), is named after my mom, who passed away in October. I had just found out I was pregnant when she passed away. I was glad I was able I was tell her before she died, even though she was unconscious and never woke up.

Macy Joanne Brawley

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everyone. I can't help but think of my mom today. The song she had requested to be sung at her service was one of her favorites we heard every Easter growing up at church. It is called "He's Alive," and indeed He is. Here are a few pictures from today.

Handle With Care!!

Joshua thought of a clever way to tag along with daddy on his business trips. Somehow, I think Gary would miss his golf clubs, though.