2011 is a year of big changes for the Brown family. It started with a transition from their life in New York City to settling in to their beautiful, cozy home in the San Francisco Bay Area. And very soon, the family of three will welcome a little brother or sister for nearly-2-year-old Annabel.

I spent a gorgeous fall Sunday morning at the Brown’s home in Menlo Park as they got the house ready and shared in joyful anticipation for the baby-to-come. While Dad assembled the crib, Annabel helped Mom organize the baby’s new toys, which sparked some sweet nostalgia as she met some of her early toys for the first time in a long while. Tom and Maria are warm, calm, loving parents to little Annabel and I know the new arrival will be completely cherished. Congratulations to the Brown family; I can’t wait to meet him or her!