3 Weeks Old

Caleb turned 3 weeks old on Wednesday and is doing so well. He had his 2 week check up yesterday (they couldn't get us in any earlier). His stats are listed below. He only cried when the doctor put the instrument in his ear and also when he tried to open Caleb's eyes. He was very happy to "sleep" through the appointment. :) I was very proud of him.

Breast feeding was off to a rough start. He eats ferociously. I asked for a lactation consultant to come by within the first 10 hours while we were in the hospital. I had taken the class offered, read the books out there, and thought, "this should be easy, painful, but easy." Boy was I wrong!!He would latch on and I would cry in pain. He ripped me to shreds! I made an appointment to see the lactation consultant at the clinic when he was 6 days old. I went in with my mom and the wonderful lady gave me some medication for my nipples, great advice on positioning, and weighed Caleb to find out how much he was transferring. Caleb was eating well despite my pain. Thank goodness! She even recommended I try pumping instead, while I healed. She couldn't believe how torn up I was and still feeding. My response, "He needs to eat." Well, long story longer...3 weeks in and I am almost completely healed (yipee) and Caleb has gained a pound since birth. :) He is getting plenty to eat. Breast feeding is so much better! Needless to say, I was a wreck the first 2 weeks, hoping and praying he was okay and going to make it. I think that comes from when he was first born. ( Oh, that reminds me I need to post the birth story soon.)

All is well now. I have had tremendous help from my mom and Ted's mom. I could not have done this without them!! I don't know how moms do it by themselves or with other little ones!! I have to remember, God gives us what we can handle. The mom's cleaned house, made meals, did shopping, and helped me take care of baby!! I have gotten a shower every day!! I am so spoiled!!

Caleb can now hold his head up for a little while and roll to his side. He smiles, which I LOVE!!! It is probably gas, but man his little grin melts my heart!! He also can sleep up to 4 hours at night with another 3 hour stretch!! He cries when something is wrong, mostly just when he is hungry. During his 2nd week, he cried for no reason (maybe colic?) for about 2 hours every night. He goes on outings everyday (restaurants, shops, appointments). He is such a good baby. I am so blessed.

3 weeks stats:

21.5 inches

9 lbs 7.8 oz

36cm head circumference

Look how big I am at 3 weeks!

I am so strong!

This is the blankie Grammy made me

I am working on holding my head up with Grammy.

Grammy's turn to give me a bath. I love the warm water.

Welcome Caleb Ryan Stefani

We are so happy to welcome our little boy to our family. He was born July 14, 2010 at 1:39am. He was 8 lbs 7.2 oz and 21 inches long. I will have to type up the "birth story" a little later. Right now I just want to get his picture on the blog. We have had him home for 2 1/2 weeks now and he is doing very well. He likes to move and make noises. He can lift his head and turn his head during tummy time, only for a little while. His grandmas came out to welcome him to the world. He loves when his Daddy talks to him and sings to him. He is a sweet little boy. The video is a little long, but shows how he is working on his tummy time. :)

Caleb right after he was born

Proud Mommy taking Caleb home from the hospital

Our little bundle of joy

Daddy and baby

37 Weeks

Life is getting increasingly more and more uncomfortable as the pregnancy gets closer and closer to term. Here are some pics of the belly at 37 Weeks.

Headstart

I went in for my 36 week appointment today and everything went well. Baby's heartbeat was 160 beats per minute (in teacher terms that means he is very enthusiastic or active). They also took two ultrasound pictures to see if he was in a "head down" position, and he was. Looks like he is ready to go. Hope I am!!! :)

This is the better one of the two, you can see his head and hand.

The nurse printed this one first and it showed his head (what they wanted), but I asked her to print another one because she saw his hand too. He he he :)

36 Weeks

Here are some pics of me at 36 weeks. Still working on my Masters. Only 2 weeks of class left. :) Most everything is ready for Baby Caleb. Feeling a little uncomfortable especially in the evenings and tossing and turning at night.

Sorry, this one is out of focus

Hospital bag is mostly packed and ready to go behind me

36 Weeks today!

MAJOR News!!!

You read it right...my amazing husband got promoted to Major Stefani on Monday and I was privileged enough to witness and participate in this momentous event. Ted has served many, many, many years in the Army. I am very proud of him!! Here are some pictures from the ceremony.

I was able to "pin on" his Major patch.

Ted being sworn in.

Dr. Major Ted Stefani (and his proud wife!)

32 Weeks and Furniture

Here are some photos of me and Caleb at 32 weeks. I am feeling tired more often and uncomfortable, especially at night. It is impossible to sleep through the night, I guess my body is preparing for restless nights of feeding baby. :)

32 weeks in our bedroom in front of our new windows! They are great! They don't let the wind or cold (or hot) air in and they have great views of Blodgett Peak!

I broke down and got shorts. Not the most flattering, but comfort over fashion these days! Especially since we broke a record high on Monday of 97! You can see Caleb's basinett/playyard in the background, right next to my side of the bed. Right now Ted has 2 monkey's and a teddy bear "testing out" the new bed.

Walking into Caleb's room. His diaper bag is hanging on the door. We got a cute Monkey light switch plate, and his furniture arrived!! Ted put the crib together and it looks great! Again there are some animals testing it out. If Caleb's stuffed animals are missing, I think I know who to ask...my husband!!! :)

This is the view from the doorway. Window with valence (curtains are being hemmed), rocking/reclining chair, lampshade (still need to get a lamp stand), changing table (have to get a changing pad) notice all the stuffed animals, and dresser.

Here is a view from the window/crib.

What an adorable rug Ted's mom got him. One of the neatest things about it is that different textures were used for different parts of the animals; some are bumpy, some are a shorter pile of rug, some fluffier...love it! It matches the rocking chair really well!

View from the rocking chair/window. :) I love his room! Can't wait to see how he likes it.

Family and Friends Shower in Tulsa

My wonderful Aunts, Abby and Kim, hosted a beautiful shower for me and Caleb in May. Most of my family was able to come and some friends I have not seen for years came too!!! It was so amazing to see everyone and I felt so blessed to have them come to celebrate this special time in our life. We were truly spoiled with all of the delicious food, adorable decorations, fun filled games, lively company, and MANY gifts! Here are some photos.

The yummy food. My sister Amy, a baker at heart, made the pear cake and flourless chocolate cake. YUMMMM!!

Kay and her oldest daughter, Lily. Kay and I were best friends in college. I haven't seen her in

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

A cute outfit, overalls (I am a sucker for overalls!), that Emily picked out, from Kim, Rob, Meredith and Emily!

Christina and her youngest daughter Abigal. She was all full of smiles! I went to high school with Christina.

Kay and her family. Randy, Eryn, and Lily. They drove up from Dallas, Texas to share this special time with me and Caleb!! Such beautiful girls!!

Me with some of my good friends from high school: Christina, Morgan, and Jamie.

They all drove in from surrounding towns!! Thank you!! So good to see you all again!

Me and my Gma. And, no, we did not plan to wear matching shirts!

Ted's Mom Ann, me and my Mom.

Me and the wonderful shower hosts, Abby and Kim!! Thank you ladies!!

The TONS of clothes for Caleb!!! How cute are those outfits!!

ALL the other gifts!!! We are so thankful to everyone for their generous gifts and taking the time to come to the shower for Caleb!! Can you believe I got all of this minus 2 things into the suitcases to travel back to Colorado???

My Grandpa

My Mom's Dad passed away on Monday, May 10th. He was a wonderful man that taught me a lot. It was sudden, but he has been hanging on for a few years now. He lived for 85 years. My cousins and I spoke of what a great man he was and what he meant to us at his funeral. He will be missed. After the funeral and burial, Km hosted the family for a wonderful meal at her home. It was nice to see the family.

Workin' Out - 28 Weeks

Well due to popular demand, here is a picture of me and baby Caleb at 28 weeks. As you can probably tell, I am headed to the gym with my wonderful husband. During most of the 2nd trimester I have been able to head to the gym 2-3 times a week. Unfortunately, I am not coordinated enough for the treadmill, but I am able to do the elliptical and swim once a week. So here's to the beginning of the 3rd trimester, hoping it will be just as energizing to be able to work out. I don't know if you can see the bruising on my arms, but these were taken the same day as my 3 hour glucose test and they had to stick a needle into my arm 5 times!! What a day!!

Also, Ted got a lawn mower this weekend. The funny thing was as soon as he brought it home and got it ready to go, thunder and SNOW came!!! In MAY!!! So, he had to put off using his new machine until yesterday. Here is a picture of Ted mowing the grass with his powerful mower. What a wonderful husband!!!