Fourth of July

This year we were not able to attend the Garrett Family Reunion. Instead we went to the Fernley Fourth of July Parade.

We had to get there early. So there was lots of time to get excited (and antsy) for all of the parade fun. We made friends with the kids next to us and shared the responsibilities of getting the candy that was thrown in our area.

All in all it was a good day. Brownie didn't like the sirens from the emergency vehicles any more than any of our kids have. I suppose we should have known better.

After the parade we went home and went swimming. We ate a huge dinner and then we watched the fireworks from the roof of the house. It wasn't as exciting as watching the fireworks at Uncle Jim's house, but it wasn't as dangerous, either (Some of our cousins's get a little bit crazy).

Fashion Show

Well, although Mommy really has no fashion sense, apparently all of our loved ones have taken it upon themselves to dress Bronwynn and give her a fighting chance at being a fashionista. Otherwise she would wear cut-off jeans, flip flops and a t-shirt 365 days a year.

Even Daddy has been known to spend some time helping Brownie learn to mix and match her wardrobe items.

It's getting very hot here, but one still needs a hat to help keep all that brain power from spilling over.

It's all so much easier to learn when you're sitting down.

And learning to accessorize is really an essential part of the fashionista learning process.

Sometimes we wear our hearts on our sleeves (or front if the sleeves are still too small).

And it's always a good idea to have someone special to share your ideas with.

Especially if you can trust that person to tell you if something does indeed make your butt look big.

We have officially grown out of our preemie attire. It's still bit in the width area, but in the length Brownie's legs are getting ready to poke out of the bottom.

And her two favorite dolls are her mermaid and Blah (a present from Brody).

The First Bath in the Tub

Bronwynn may be too small to go swimming yet, but we waste no time in getting her ready to learn to swim. And with family from The Dalles, the first suit has to be a cherry suit (Thanks Aunt Deb!!)

However, we have been practicing in the tub as usual. Bronwynn recently went in the big garden tub for the first time. After teaching swimming for so many years I still am surprised at how strong little ones are in the water.

Bronwynn is a natural, just like her brothers. She was a little unsure of things until her hair was clean. That seemed to get her ready for everything.

Once she was ready she tried to float and blow some bubbles. Rather impressive for a first real bath.

She was a little bit dejected when Daddy said she had to get out.

A Big Welcome From the Family~

We were very lucky at the beginning of June to be able to get together all of the Garretts. Tim's sisters, nephew, niece and Dad all came for the same four days. We went to Chuck E. Cheese's (I think the adults had more fun than the kids).

Although the cousins did manage to have a little bit of fun. Hailey really liked going to work with Bob the Builder.

And Grandpa Tim really liked having all of his grandkids in one place at the same time. And in September we'll have another little girl to add to the mix. Auntie Em is due in September. While it took us nine years to collect all three of our boys, we will manage to put out three girls in 13 months (give or take).

For the most part the weather didn't cooperate with us. However, on the last day of the visit the weather was just barely warm enough for the boys to brave the wind and hit the pool. They didn't last very long, but they clearly had a great time!

And we used all of the backyard toys and stayed close to home when we could.

Tim, Emily and Andrea played some basketball and that seemed to have gotten Brody really excited about the game. He was caught sneaking out into the backyard to shoot hoops at 10:00 at night. Tim's next project will be putting a light on our little court.

Thanks a million!

We have received so many thoughtful gifts since Brownie has arrived! I'm still in the midst of thank you cards (as well as sending out birth annoucements) but we wanted to say thank you.

Most of the things that we have received will last us for a long time because it seems Brownie will still be in her preemie outfits for awhile.

We have tried to stay away from pink, however, despite our best efforts that may be impossible. We've been trying to indoctrinate B3 with a love of purple, but it's hard to find in the infant section.

We practiced holding the "new kid" (or NK as we lovingly referred to her) before she arrived. Interestingly enough the doll that we used for practice actually weighs more than B3 does even now at a month old....who knew?

The boys and their sister

The boys were so happy to give Brownie the tour of the house. They rushed home ahead of us with Mamina so they could have everything ready.

Brody holding her for the first time.

Brady tries to hold Brownie every chance he gets!

They are particularly fascinated by the diaper changing experience. They keep saying they'll help, but they don't. Mainly they just like to watch.

The boys and their Big Brother T-shirts. Brownie's onesie isn't quite visible, but it says, "Watch out-I have 2 big brothers!". I'm not sure what people will have to watch out for, tho'. I think she's going to be keeping them in line pretty quickly.

Getting out!

So, without hitting all the gory details about Brownie trying to crawl her way out of her isolette and or being miserable for the NICU nurses until Mommy arrived for her care times, finally we were going home.

We weren't supposed to have to stay the night at the hospital, but due to some complications we had to do a "rooming in" where we stay the night and show that we can handle the needs of our child. Brownie decided that she like being out in the open so much that she stayed up from 12-6 which probably saved us because the pull out bed in the "suite" was so miserably uncomfortable that we were glad to be out of bed.

Here we are heading for home!