Meet Maxwell Anthony Browne—

Newtown Has Its First Baby Of The Year

By Shannon Hicks

Maxwell Browne arrived a few days earlier than planned, and helped his mother a little by doing so. He also, by being the first newborn brought to the attention of The Newtown Bee, earned the title of Newtown’s First Baby 2006. Maxwell is the son of Karen and John Browne, and the younger brother of Owen.

“We had planned that he would be delivered by C-section, and had scheduled that for January 9,” Mrs Browne said this week. “But on January 6 I wasn’t feeling very well. I remember thinking ‘I really don’t want [John] to go to work today. I felt tired, a little sick, and a little nervous. I just had a feeling something was coming.

“I knew I had to do something to keep him home,” she continued. Shortly after 7 am, she got her wish: something happened. Her water broke.

The Brownes hurried to Danbury Hospital, only to find they were not the only ones having a baby that morning.

“It was crazy at the hospital that day, very busy,” Mrs Browne said. “When we got there they didn’t even have a place for us.”

“We found out later that there was something like 20 births that day,” her husband said.

When the Brownes arrived, they were initially seated in the waiting room. Eventually Mrs Browne was encouraged to walk around for a little while.

“They had me start walking around for about 30 minutes, just walking and pacing,” she said. While it looked like the baby might arrive via a vaginal birth, it was decided that a C-section would still be performed. Mrs Browne had had a Cesarean when Owen was born, and it turned out that Maxwell was breeched.

“We just didn’t want to take any chances,” she said.

Mrs Browne was in “real intense” labor for about two hours, she said, “Which is what I didn’t want.”

Maxwell Anthony Browne was born at 11:08 am on Friday, January 6. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 19½ inches long. He went home on January 10.

Maxwell’s maternal grandparents are Robert and Maryann Taraskiewicz of Ridgefield, and paternal grandparents are Donald A. and Lillian Browne of Trumbull.

Maxwell’s middle name is in honor of his paternal grandfather. When Owen was born, his parents gave him the middle name of Alexander to honor his maternal grandfather.

The Brownes have lived in Newtown since 1998. They are members of St Rose of Lima Church.

Mrs Browne is a full-time mom right now, but hopes to return to teaching full-time once Maxwell begins school. (Older brother Owen will probably begin preschool in the fall.) She holds a teaching certificate and had recently been doing a lot of substitute work in the Bethel school system.

Mr Browne is a lieutenant with Danbury Police Department.

For having their new son named Newtown’s First Baby of 2006, the Brownes have won a great cache of prizes from local businesses. Their prize package includes a bottle of champagne from Stop & Save Liquors, dinner for two at Blue Colony Diner, a $50 gift certificate from Newtown Hardware, a one-year subscription to The Newtown Bee, a large cheese pizza from Newtown Pizza Palace, ten movie passes to Edmond Town Hall Theatre, “something snuggly” from The Little Green Barn, a $25 gift certificate from Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, a $25 gift certificate from Drug Center Pharmacy, a European facial for mom from Avance Esthetiques, a $20 gift certificate from Coach’s Deli, a free pedicure for mom from Newtown Nail Spa, a gift certificate from The Magic Garden, lunch for two at The Villa Restaurant & Pizza, lunch for the parents at Newtown Deli & Catering, and dinner for two at 100 Church Hill Restaurant.

That’s not all.

They have also won $25 savings account for the baby at Newtown Savings Bank, a floral arrangement from Newtown Florist, a free oil change and lube at Newtown Car Care, a Swedish massage and European facial at Ricci’s Spa, an oil change at Newtown Exxon, breakfast for the parents at My Place Restaurant, a $50 gift certificate from George’s Pizza & Restaurant, and free lunch for the parents at Mona Lisa Restaurant.

“Obviously having a baby is a very special thing,” Mr Browne said this week. “But this makes it a little more fun.”