Lennon's Nursery!

Lennon's room is finally done! My mom worked hard to get everything sewn and dad and Adam hung all the shelves and curtains. We had the grand unveiling on Sunday. It looks so great and I absolutely love everything my mom did. It's so fun to walk up the stairs and see his room all done. Hopefully Lennon will love it as much as we do!

Happy Easter!

Lennon has reached his due date!

I can't imagine not having him these past 2 1/2 weeks. He's still doing great--almost at the 8 pound mark! Everyday he is awake more and more. His wide variety of expressions keep us constantly entertained and we're continually amazed at how strong he is.

Our little Easter Bunny!

Waiting to go to church. He did so good through the service, with all the people and noise.

Grandparents!

Grandma Schafer
(we miss you, Grandpa!)

Aunt Beka

Grandma Martz

Grandpa Martz


Grandpa and Lennon taking a nap!

First Bath

Last night Lennon had his first bath (well, first sponge bath). He did much better than expected, he only cried a few times when mommy wasn't washing and drying fast enough. And we didn't even get peed on! I hope he will like his baths as he gets older.

Lennon's Shower

Lennon's shower outfit

(plus, mommy's getting excited for the Rockies season to start this week!)

We had our shower on Saturday, and Lennon was the guest of honor! It was great having our friends meet him. He did so good with all the people and noises--he pretty much slept the entire time. The only time I had him was to feed him and then he was passed on from person to person right away. It was great not to have to worry about him--he's just so easy going!

'Auntie' Emily

We were supposed to have a big snow storm that would have put a damper in the festivities, but thankfully it didn't pan out (even though we really need the moisture). Beka and Emily hosted the shower at Jared and Beka's house, which was tons of fun with all the space (along with pool and Wii available to play!) Adam and I had a blast--we were having so much that we didn't leave until 10:30 that night! It's nice to get out like that, and the fact that Lennon is so easy makes it even nicer!

'Uncle' Ross

He catches his thumb every once and awhile

I think he's looking more and more like Adam

He still doesn't like to be naked

Lennon is 1 week old! We had our check-up yesterday and all is well. Lennon has exceeded his birth weight in just one week--he's now 7 pounds 2 oz. He's definitely a good eater! His cord has fallen off, making diaper changes, which Lennon is not so crazy about, a lot easier and faster. Adam and I feel so grateful that things are going smoothly and easy for us (sometimes it seems things are a little too easy...but we'll take it!) I am pretty much fully healed and my energy level and emotional state are much higher than I was anticipating!

Adam is handling being back at work as best as he can--he's definitely flying out of school as soon as he can everyday and he has holding priority each night. We've developed a nice routine in the late evening where I feed him, hand him off to Adam and then I go to sleep so Adam gets his special daddy time!

Here's another video--sideways, but still cute!

We went for our 2-day follow-up visit at the birthing center yesterday and Lennon is doing great! He's only lost 4 oz which means he's definitely getting enough to eat. There was another family finishing up their appt as we were coming in and their son cries all the time. We are grateful Lennon is so low key--the only time he cries is when his diaper is being changed and he's cold. He mostly just squeaks and moans. He did great on his first outing and it was nice for Adam and I to get out of the house as well. Our next appt is on Tuesday, so we'll see how much he's grown--they're thinking he might be back to his birth weight already!

Lennon's favorite place--on mommy!

It's a good thing Lennon came a couple days ago, because this is what we're dealing with outside. We're supposed to get up to 20" by tomorrow morning. I think we're at 10" right now. We were supposed to go to the birthing center for our 2-day follow-up this morning and we obviously cancelled it. There's no way we would take our little guy out in this if we didn't have to. The snow is supposed to stop early in the morning, so we're hoping to be able to take him in tomorrow. He's doing great--eating, sleeping and pooping really well (probably the only time in our lives that we will be excited over poopy diapers, but right now it shows us that he's getting enough to eat from me). We've also been blessed by friends and family bringing us meals, which has been great not to worry about that. But for today, I think we have some leftovers and some pantry staples that won't take a lot of time to prepare, because we definitely don't want our friends traveling in weather like this.

Aunt Beka and Uncle JaredLennon loves his daddy

Lennon Riley Schafer

Lennon arrived in this world three weeks earlier than expected. I had just turned 37 weeks on Sunday, which is considered full term, and my water broke at 3:00 Monday morning. Obviously we were caught off guard, especially because the majority of women don't have their water break at the onset of labor. Because of this, we were on a timeline of needing to be in active labor in 24 hours otherwise I would have to be transferred to the hospital (for those of you who may not know, we went to a birthing center).

Talking to my midwife, she wanted me to be progressing a little faster by 3 in the afternoon. So we went to the pharmacy and bought some caster oil. About 15 minutes later, my contractions got stronger. However, I was advised to take another dose of caster oil at 7 last night. About 30 minutes later I was in heavy labor and we headed to the birthing center. Getting there at about 8pm, I was 4 cm dilated. After 4 hours of hard labor, she checked again and, much to our surprise, I was fully dilated. I decided to get in the birthing tub and pushed for about 10 minutes and out popped Lennon at 12:51 am, Tuesday, March 24, 2009, weighing 6 pounds 14 oz, 18.5 inches long.

He was completely healthy and strong throughout the labor and after, as was I (though I didn't feel very strong). Because Lennon and I were doing well after, we went home 4 hours later. Today has been spent trying to get him to nurse (which is a slower process than I would like, but as long as he gets the hang of it and is getting what he needs, that's all that matters), making phone calls, sleeping and resting.

Lennon is such a good baby; he doesn't cry much--he mostly just whimpers, which is unbelievably cute. And, of course, he' absolutely perfect in our eyes! Enjoy the pictures (obviously there are more to come!) Thanks for all your support and excitement as we begin this next adventure!!

36 Weeks!

We have hit the 36 week mark--4 weeks and counting. But what really puts things in perspective is that I will be full-term next week....next week!! I am starting to have more and more contractions, and a lot of people think the baby's dropping--sometimes the baby is really low, but there are still lots of times when he is stretching up and under my ribs. I can't decide which I would prefer--the stabbing feelings of my ribs being pushed on, or the dropping feeling with my bladder being tortured! The poor little guy is running out of room...and I'm running out of room!

We're trying to get as ready as we're going to be. There are still some essentials that we need to get but we're getting there. The baby's room is slowly coming together. My mom is working on the sheets, bumper pad, quilt and curtains, so I'm excited to see everything put together. We have been given tons of clothing from friends which should last us the first few months. It's crazy to think of someone fitting in something that small (unless we have a huge baby, which is always a possibility!) We are still in that surreal state of being so close to having a baby, yet unable to truly grasp all that that entails. More and more I'm grieving the loss of life as we know it--though what is to come will be far greater!!

Our childbirth classes are great and we're learning a lot. Though I can't imagine what labor and delivery will be like, I'm not that scared of what is to come. I think one of the reasons I'm not as anxious is because I know Adam will be fabulous, loving on me every step of the way--he's going to be such a good dad!!

I'll try to keep this updated in the next couple weeks. Keep checking this, because I'll be posting those first baby pics in just a few weeks!!

Wisconsin

I just got back from spending a week in Wisconsin, which was great. However, we weren't lacking in adventures...

Because Adam had a meeting at work, we started our 15 hour drive cross country at 1pm on Friday the 6th. My cousin's wedding was on Saturday so we had to drive straight through. I didn't know how I would do being in the car for that long, but thankfully the drive was uneventful and the time went quickly. We got to the house at 5:00 am, went to bed and got a couple hours sleep.

Saturday afternoon, we packed up the car with our wedding attire and overnight bags for the hotel and began the 1-hour drive to the wedding. We got to the hotel about 45 minutes before the ceremony and started to change when we realized that our garment bag with my dress and Adam's suit was left by the front door at the house! In a panic, we decided to drive 10 minutes to the Brookfield mall (Adam was perfectly willing to go in his t-shirt and jeans, but somehow we didn't think that would go over well with the family!) Adam's job was easy: find dress pants and a dress shirt. My task, on the other hand, not so easy. Apparently Brookfield square is anti pregnant women. No maternity stores and the department stores didn't have any maternity clothing. Finally, after running (well, running for me is a brisk walk) around from store to store for 10 minutes (about 20 minutes from the start of the ceremony, still a 10 minute drive from the hotel...not looking good). I decided to head into Lane Bryant, a store for plus size women. After trying on a few dresses, I found one that was great. Without looking at the price tag (ouch), I checked out and we were on our way. I was hoping the ceremony would start late (like most weddings), but of course it was on time. We got there with about 5 minutes left in the ceremony--but at least we got to catch some of it! The reception was a blast--I'm loving the family weddings where we can just hang out with everyone...more of my cousins need to get married!

Adam had to go back to Denver Sunday night...he was in town for 36 hours. It was hard being away from him for that week...I realized how much he's been taking care of me with the pregnancy (I think he's a keeper!)

That week was filled with baby shower preparations and visiting family and friends. Saturday, the 14th was the shower, which was tons of fun. I was great sharing the day with Leah and baby Hood. To see so many family and friends take the time to come and celebrate our new addition was unbelievably honoring for Adam and I...so thank you. (I'll post some pictures when I get them.)

Since Adam was already back in Denver, John drove back with me. We left on Sunday afternoon, planning on driving the 8 hours to Omaha. We drove the rest of the way on Monday. I could feel the altitude change because about 5 hours after being home, my hands and feet swelled up and stayed swollen through the night (oh the joys of pregnancy!)

I was struck by how hard it was saying good-bye to my mom, Leah and Drew. Things are going to be totally different the next time I see them (which isn't that far away).

Things are never going to be the same in about 7 weeks...7 weeks!!!