One week Birthday!

Wow, I can't believe its been a week already. It has been an eventful week to say the least. We went for her first check up with the Pediatrician on Tuesday and knew something was wrong because of how yellow she was. Sure enough, her beli-count was up to 17 and she had lost a pound of weight, which was 14% of her birth weight - not good. So, needless to say, we went directly from the doctor's office to Arnold Palmer Hospital and little Karmann was admitted right away for photo treatment and formula hydration for the next 24 hours. I am happy to say that after a long day and night, she recovered quickly and was released on Christmas Eve having gained half a pound and her beli-count went down to 14 over night. She had to wear this little mask for her eyes which, despite the whole ordeal, we got a laugh out of because she looked like "Nacho Libre" (see photo) - you have to have a sense of humor to get through something like this!! 

Karmann handled all the lights and blood drawls better than we did and she was a champ through it all. Having her released and home before Christmas meant more than anything to us and we are happy to say that she went back to the pediatricia

n today and has her weight up to 7 lbs 7 oz, and her beli count is down to 9. So much improvement! She has been eating like a little piglet and has been sleeping like a lamb, so we can't complain! Now the trick is going to be getting her to nurse like a rock star and still gain weight! We are working on that challenge and she's improving each feeding.

Christmas Day 

We had a wonderful little Christmas with GG and Gramps and even got to Skype with Kris' family back in Illinois. Kris went back to work today - thank goodness it was only for one day before the weekend. But GG and Gramps are still here helping me with everything. I am seeing how quickly time flies by with a baby as you really have to be on a schedule and make sure she's eating, your eating, and taking care of everything else. I can only pray we are on a routine before they go back to California! 

Well, Karmann is rooting around so here's just a few more photos of her 1-week birthday: enjoy!

One week old 12/26/08

Daddy after a long day back to work

Welcom Home Karmann Elise!

First Family Photo 12/19/08

Just getting home from the hospital

First full day at home!

Well, we made it! Karmann is enjoying being home and is keeping me very busy trying to breast feed her and keeping her from fussing. I am learning very quickly that I need to watch what I eat for her and my sanity. No more pizza and Mexican for a while! We are so amazed at how beautiful she is, not that we are biased or anything! When she is awake she has big blue eyes that melt you heart! We are also surprised by her dark hair - which we are hoping will be curly like mine! She is changing everyday already, so I am sure the surprises will keep coming. 

Feeding is a challenge, which no one said it was going to be easy, but we are going to take it one day at a time. Also, pooping and peeing goes along with that challenge, but so far, things have been going well. We see the pediatrician tomorrow and I already have a list of questions to ask, so I'm hoping the visit will go well. 

We are so thankful for all the support from our family and friends that have visited and sent us congratulation wishes! Its been really fun sharing the news of our baby girl and hope to keep the blog going as much as possible to keep in touch with everyone! 

We have more photos posted on Kodak Gallery at the following link:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=18b1mpvl.amhhf9ap&x=0&y=-eksoov&localeid=en_US

It's a Girl!! We welcome Karmann Elise to our family! She was born yesterday at 4:29 pm. More to come later...still at the hospital.

Week 40

Grandma and Papa Stenger

"GG"

Holly 40 weeks

As I mentioned before, the grandparents have arrived, but the baby is still cooking! I visited Dr. Wilson this morning, and I'm progressed to 3 CM. Though, he did confirm that I actually am having contractions, though they don't hurt yet - which is good I guess! He also confirmed that I must have a "heart shaped" uterus, which is why I always have two bumps on my belly - a.k.a my camel (Okay, maybe that was too much information)! But, since I am passed my due date, I am officially scheduled for an induction at midnight Thursday, so if not sooner, the baby should be born by Friday!! Yippee! So that is the latest news and update. Wish me luck! 

Grandparents arriving...yet no baby!

It may be a blessing that Kris and I had one more weekend of peace and quiet time alone together, however, my mom is arriving tonight and Kris' parents are arriving tomorrow, and unfortunately, the baby is staying put. My dad and I went to the mall, Ikea and Target today to get some walking in and to get me out of the house. But, still, no change.
It has been interesting observing people stare at my obviously big belly when I am in public. I am ready to have the baby just so strangers stop asking me when my due date is and if it is a boy or a girl! Today going into Target, I heard a little kid yell "Mommy look at that lady's belly!" and then the mother quickly told her son to shush! I just laughed, but you do feel kind of like a freak at this point. I can't imagine having twins or multiples, however, most women with multiples aren't walking around at 40 weeks prego either! Anyway, a couple more trips to the airport to pick up the grandparents and I'm sure people will give me strange looks there, too!
Well, at least I won't be going to work tomorrow, and I'll be able to hang out with my mom for a day. I am looking forward to having family here for the event - when ever it may be!! Keep your fingers crossed its sooner than later and that the next blog will be the news! Stay tuned!

The Name Game

Kris and I took a short walk tonight to get milk, and he mentioned that really, this whole time I've been pregnant, nothing has really changed - except my belly - as far as our lifestyle. When we thought about that for a minute, I realized that most likely in less than a week, we are going to be so out of our element, that we won't know what hit us! We  have been so into work-mode, design-mode, teaching-mode, and other-things-going-on-in-our-life-mode, that we really have not focused on a baby-mode. That's pretty scary seeing that the baby could come any day now. So after that ohshit moment, we decided maybe we should give a little more thought to what to name the baby once he or she gets here. We truly want this to be our decision with as little influence as possible from others (one reason why we didn't find out the sex). But, come to find out, it is a difficult task, and having people suggest ideas, is actually pretty helpful! So any of you (esp. from the baby shower game) who have suggested names, I thank you for your help! We are getting closer to at least having a couple boys names to choose from that we both like, and though girl names are seeming to be more difficult, we have a couple that we like as well. So, now we just have to wait and see which one seems fitting once we see our little peanut!!

Patience is a Virtue

39 week update: no change!! Well, except I gained two pounds, but otherwise, nothing. So baby Stenger is not eager to emerge early. Unexpectedly, I left the doctor's office quite disappointed that there had not been any progress. I know Kris really wants the baby to come before Monday, and I am ready for some sign that the time is close, but it looks like I will be working the rest of the week and possibly have one more weekend to clean! I still haven't really had any contractions that I am aware of, which I guess is the sign I am looking for - at least to get things a little started. But I will be patient and know that when the time is right, Baby Stenger will make his or her debut to the world and it will be wonderful!

Here are the latest photos from yesterday - 39 weeks!

38 week update

As I left work this Friday, I came upon the updated poster in the hallway at City Hall. I forgot to mention a while back that I was honored as one of the City's Outstanding Employee of the Quarter, which apparently gets you priority parking (though I haven't received a pass yet), and your photo on the wall at City Hall. I'm three people to the left of the lady in green. Anyway, had to take a picture and share!

On another note, below are photos of our most recent big purchase!!

Photo from the rear looking toward the front...

Photo from the front looking to the rear...

Yes, there are two HUGE live oak trees on the property that we are trying to design around, which is making things a little tricky. But, we are looking forward to building our future home here. I can say that we are getting closer to a design we both agree on, now for seeing if the budget will afford it! Wish us luck!

Even though I am almost to week 39, here's a quick update of week 38...no change! I visited my doc on Tuesday and though my belly is much harder this week and I have a lot more pressure down low, I actually did not gain any weight and haven't dialated more than 1.5 - 2 cm. My blood pressure is normal, too. So HOPEFULLY this tuesday I will see some progress. Kris and I took a good walk this morning up to our friend's house to watch the OUC half marathon, and the walk made me feel pretty good! I do think today I felt a little bit of what might be the start of contractions. Doc said it will begin to feel like cramps, and that's about what I felt, so maybe something is going on. One thing for sure is my belly is getting bigger. Here's the latest belly picture from last Tuesday (38 wks) and then I hope to fill you in on week 39 on Tuesday!

Space Coast Marathon

Kris and Abre coming to the half-way point in the race...

And they are off for the next 13 miles...

Kris approaching the finish line...

Abre approaching the finish line shortly after...

Holly, Kris, Abre, and Kimmi after the race.

Congrats to Kris and Abre for finishing the Space Coast Marathon yesterday! It was a great day for the race and both finished under their goal times - Kris 3:50 and Abre 4:02!!! Great job guys! The marathon was a great finish to a well needed break and Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. We got up at 3:30 am to head over to the coast, and my dad made the trip with us as well - not just to cheer Kris on, but also the be there just in case I went into labor! Luckily, that did not happen! Thanks for coming Dad! I enjoyed the company. The guys finished the race just before the rain started, so needless to say, once we got back in Orlando, both Kris and I went back to bed and took it easy for the rest of the day. 

Back to the daily grind today. A full week of work seems like forever, but we have a busy schedule as usual so I am sure it will go by fast. I am trying to get things organized and prepared at work for when I leave. Hopefully with the holidays in there, things won't be too crazy. I have my weekly doctor appointment tomorrow, so we will see if there's been any progress. I do feel like things have progressed since last week, so I am anxious to see what the doctor says. I'll keep you updated as usual. A 38 week photo is in progress once Kris gets home from teaching. I'll add that to the update. Until then...