Caleb rolling over

Here is a video of our strong baby rolling over. :) Grandma Ann was video taping. Please do not pay attention to the cheering mom in the background. :)

Caleb's Birth Story

***Beware*** This may have too much information for some readers!

It started on Monday night (the 12th). I was having these "tightening" pains and told Ted this baby is coming soon. I asked him if we should put something down in the bed incase my water breaks over night. He said, "No, it should be fine. Besides I don't think your water will break. Only 10-15% of women's water will break." Little did he know. :)

That night I had more trouble than usual sleeping and went downstairs to try to sleep on the couch. At 8:45 Tuesday morning (38 weeks exactly) I woke up from a few hours of sleep and went to the restroom. I stood up to wipe and my water broke on my hand! I had a pretty good feeling it was my water breaking, but called Ted to be sure. I called Ted and left a message (because he didn't have his phone on!) saying, "I have a question for you. Please call me." I then went upstairs to finish packing a few things and get ready to head to the hospital to check things out. As I went up the stairs, my water was leaking! It wouldn't stop!! By this time, Ted called me back and I told him what happened. He asked, "Are you sure its your water breaking or did you wet yourself." At this point I knew, so I told him it was my water. My thoughtful husband asked if I could drive myself (about 30 minutes) to the hospital! I said yes. He was working 5 minutes from the hospital. I rinsed off in the shower. I called my mom so she could change her flight. It was scheduled to arrive one day later! Ted called back in about 5 minutes to say he was driving home to take me to the hospital. Apparently I found out later that one of the nurses he works with told him to high tail it home to his wife and drive her to the hospital. I still have to thank that woman.

Ted got home and put the car seat in the jeep. (My car was in the shop because I was hit in a parking lot when I was 36 weeks pregnant! Another story) I put a towel down (still leaking) and we were off to the hospital. We stopped at Einsteins so I could get a breakfast bagel. I found out they don't feed you while you are in labor and decided I needed some energy to do this! I had 2 "tightening" pains on the way there. We got to the hospital at 10:25am on Tuesday and as soon as I got to labor and delivery with a towel around my legs and another one in between my legs, they gave me a room, hooked me up to monitors, put me in a gown (clothes soaked by this point), and started an IV. I was in labor! They told me those "tightening" pains were contractions.

By 3:45 I was dialated to 2 centimeters, 60% effaced, and at a -1 station. They put in an internal cathader. At 4:45 they started pitocin to help my contractions along. At 5:30 mom arrived after a very long journey from Tulsa. At 7:30 they checked me and I was at 3.5 centimeters, 60% effaced, and a -2 station. At 8:00 they gave me an epidural. I was much more comfortable. At 9:30 I was taken off pitocin since my body was kicking in and having contractions. I was at 5 centimeters and they put me on Oxygen and kept flipping me over left side to right side to keep baby's heart rate up. Nurses would run into the room and flip me with a very serious worried look on their faces every 10-20 minutes. At 10:30 I was at 6-7 centimeters. By 11:25 I was at 10 centimeters and they told me to labor down until 12:00 so I would have to push less and get baby down a little more. I was complete (10 centimeters), complete (100% effaced) and +2. The midwife came in and said I could start pushing. They kept turning me as I was pushing because they keep losing baby's heart rate.

Suddenly, they quickly flipped me on all fours (like a dog) and said push! Don't stop, PUSH! Baby's head came out and they kept yelling at me to push. Finally his shoulders and the rest of his body. The cord was wrapped around his neck. Then silence. Dead silence. No one said a word. I knew something was wrong. I was still on all fours and could see the reflection in the window, Caleb was all blue. I asked why he wasn't crying and no one spoke. Ted said, "He's fine. Don't look." I knew something was wrong. I kept asking what was wrong, why he wasn't crying. Mom said, "They need to clear out his lungs first." This was the scariest time of my life. My baby was not breathing. They picked me up and flipped me back onto my back and delivered the placenta in 3 minutes. By this time, Caleb started crying and turning pink. I was a little relieved, but knew we were not in clear because I saw Ted's face. They handed me Caleb and said I had 2 minutes. They then began stitching me up (I tore when they had to desperately get his shoulders out) and whisked Caleb out of the room to check on him some more. Most of the time at this hospital, they leave the baby with mom in the room.

I told Ted to go check on Caleb while they were stitching me up. Ted gave Caleb a bath and then came back with him about 2 hours later. His apgar scores were about 4 in the first minute of life and 7 in 5 minutes (not good, but he is doing well now). By 5:30am or so they took us to the Mother/Baby unit and left Caleb with us. I had a lactation consultant come in and try to help me get the hang of breast feeding within the first 10 hours. That didn't go so well. Caleb was tearing me up and I didn't know how to fix it. Ted and mom went to take the rental car back, get food, and go home to check on Coley. It was a little scary to be left "alone" with Caleb. I could barely get out of the bed to pick him up when he cried. We were both discharged by noon on Thursday making that about 50 hours total in the hospital.

Whew! What a story. Caleb is okay now, but he gave us quite the scare when he came into this world. We thank God that our little boy is growing and happy now. :)

After being admitted to the hospital.

When they had me on my side and breathing oxygen.

Right after he was born and they got him hooked up. You can see he still is a little blue.

My 2 minutes with Caleb.

First photo of the Stefani Family. Please disregard my triple chin. They wouldn't let me sit up and this was taken at a weird angle.

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???