Well we have less than 7 weeks until it's go time for sweet baby #2.  For those of you who've been asking, I'm going to say YES we have decided on a name - Baron Day Brownlee!  That's it!  Like it or...don't say anything:)  It's taken quite awhile to get Austin to feel fixed on any name and I still even feel a bit unsure about his feelings on this one.  There hasn't been even one name that he just loves.  I think Baron grew on him because I've been calling the baby that for months.  And Day, for anyone who doesn't know, is my maiden name.  Anywho, I've decided to revamp our (what I always call website, but truly is a) blog and use it for what it's designed to be used for.  You may notice I've already changed the layout and we'll continue to be under construction until I get things the way I want them.  I can't say I'll be making posts daily, but I do intend to post blogs more often and include things other than pictures of Westen and us.  Thanks to Mrs. Megan Paddock, who got me hooked on a couple blogs that have to do with home decor, do it yourself projects, and the likes, I thought if we're going to have a blog, why not make it useful for others like those are (www.Iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com and www.knock-offwood.com).  So I intend to start adding more posts whether it be about projects that I do here at the house, new delicious recipes, or anything else that I know I'd like to know about if I were reading this blog.  Any and all feedback will be much appreciated (unless, of course, you want to tell me you don't like the name Baron:) and feel free to pass the website along to anyone you think would be interested in whatever I post.  The only thing new you may want to check out today are a few new posts on this page (Daily Grind) including Westen's first day of preschool and the Meet the Brownlee's page (although most of you already know us and our story).  The others are the same.  I hope this finds you all well;) 

After missing his first week of preschool due to what we think was either strep throat or silent pneumonia, Westen was finally well enough to start preschool TODAY!  Lunchbox in hand and hand in pocket - I don't think he could get much cooler.  This was on our way out this morning.  He seemed a bit unsure when I left him, but Mrs. Taylor said he didn't shed one tear.  He had a great first day and she said he just kind of went with the flow and did whatever the other kids were doing.  He started asking about "mom" right before lunch, but seemed fine.  He was sent home with a happy face.  Yay!  Such a big boy!

What a sweet time I spent with my mom for a few days this week.  Ryan's been here for a month (which I'll comment on later) and Mom flew down for a few days and left with him to go back home today.  I can't explain the comfort I felt all week of having my mom here while being in my 8th month of pregnancy and dealing with a sick toddler (Westen had strep throat with super high fevers all week:().  She was soooo incredibly helpful and encouraging.  And as sweet as it was, it also makes me miss her even more when she's gone.  Enough crying though. We had a great week.  She took Westen on a couple short walks when he started feeling better which he loved!

And oohhhhh Uncle Ryan!  Ryan has been here for nearly a month and we may all have withdrawls from him.  Here, Westen's sitting with him and Ryan agreed to watch an Elmo sing-along dvd with Westen.  The last 2 weeks of Ryan's visit, Westen pretty much bossed Ryan around.  Westen would wake up most mornings, finish his milk, and be ready to play with Uncle Ryan.  He'd often times, go grab Ryan's hand and say either "up, up" or "trucks, trucks" and Ryan would go sit with Westen in his playroom and play trucks with him.  He rarely told Westen no.  It was so sweet and Ryan was such a help while he was here.  We already miss and can't wait for him to come back when Baby Baron's born.  I know he'll be even more of a help to me during that time.  Yikes!  Thanks for being such a great uncle, Ryan!

These are just a couple more pics from the last couple days.

We took Ryan bowling tonight - one of his favorite past-times.  The lady we got our shoes from asked if he'd need the rails up to help him keep the ball in the lane. Ha!  She obviously didn't know who she was dealing with.  Mr. Ryan bowled a strike his first time up!  That's right!  Him and Austin played 3 games and Ryan won the second one with a score of 101!  Go Ryan!  Below, Austin helped Westen bowl a couple times.  Sweet.

Westen starts preschool on Monday and tonight was the Promise Land's Open House!  Westen got to meet his teacher, Miss Taylor, and some of his classmates (Cameron's in his class, yay!).  Miss Taylor explained to us the ins and outs of the 2 year old class.  There is, in fact, a curriculum.  We expect Westen to be reciting the Pledge to us at some point.  Laugh now, but they really do start each day with a prayer and the Pledge.  It was too cute.  Westen was given a little bag to carry his things to school in everyday.  Almost as big as him, but he wanted to carry it on our way out.  This weekend we'll be in search of his new school lunchbox.  Wish him luch for Monday!  Now, what will I be doing with my lonesome self in the mornings these next few weeks???  We shall see...

So today was a fun day with Aunt Marissa, Uncle Alan, and Cousins Lauren and Grant.  They met us out for a day of fun on the boat!  This is they're tube they've been letting us borrow.  We headed out to the Halifax River and went tubing.  Then we had lunch at Carribean Jacks where Nana and Uncle Ryan met us (thanks Nana for hanging with Uncle Ryan all morning:).  Then everyone came back to our house for some more fun in the pool.  Thanks for spending the day with us Johansens!  We loved having you!

Westen had his first tubing experience today.  After Lauren and Grant took turns riding on the tube, Austin got on with Westen (thanks Uncle Alan for driving) and took a ride.  We certainly weren't going that fast, but we expected some kind of reaction from the little man.  Instead he remained Mr. Cool the entire ride never once showing any emotion on his face - not even when Austin pretended to throw him overboard.  His face showed more of a "Whatever Dad - I know you won't do it!"

During our last leg of the boat ride, Westen wanted to put Grant's goggles on.  Once on, he refused to take them off.  I could tell he was going to fall asleep when we got in the car, so I attempted to take them off then, but he got ticked off.  Choosing to only fight some battles I face with him everyday, I decided he could wear them home regardless of the sweat and red marks now circling his eyes.  As you can see he did fall asleep with them on and I had to gently slide them off afterwards.  Then he slept for 2 hours!

I couldn't resist putting this picture first.  It isn't often that my mom, sister, and I get to spend much time together.  We enjoyed each others company for an entire week and I would venture to say that all the kids and Ryan had a good time too (although I believe Ryan didn't feel his vacation started until today when everyone else left and he begins his 2 week stay by himself).  We had a fun filled week.  Check out all the pictures of the kids tubing, playing at the beach, the beautiful scenery at the Sugar Mill Park (and yes we ate the delicious pancakes), and more fun on the boat, in the pool, decorating cookies, and more by clicking here.  We also got to celebrate Ellie's and Josie's birthdays while they were here.  Happy Birthday Girls!  And thank goodness we found those Silly Ringz!