One Week Old

Great news! We had a visit with the Homeward Nurse today and after a week or so of struggling with the eating thing . . . Mr. Callen has now gained back FIVE ounces in two days! Praise the Lord!

We are headed to the lake for a few days so Mark can get some work done up there on a family project. So, no posts until Wednesday or so. We'll leave you with these pictures . . .

Callen at one week . . .

Callen with Grandma Stenberg

A picture for GiGi

More coming soon Angie!

More of Callen!

We made it home finally around 12:30p Sunday. It has been an adventure.



Here are more photos of the very handsome man.

Bath time before headed home from the hospital

Daddy getting Callen out of the car . . . HOME SWEET HOME.
We LOVE his red hair!

Callen Mark has arrived

Callen Mark came into this world yesterday (July 3) at 8:57 am. He was 8 lbs. 12 oz, and 21 1/2 inches long. And very good looking much like his father.

What happened

Mandy was admitted to the hospital to "jump start" the process. We were one of 9 couples having a baby. It was a very busy night for the nurses. Mandy was given something for her cervix which was 2 cm. dialated. The side effect of this was severe cramps. At 2am the nurse came in the checked. She was already at 7 cm. And she announced Mandy was in active labor. This wasn't obvious because of the cramping.

I got up and thought..."this is it!"
2nd thought: "what do I do...I don't remember what I am supposed to do!"

3rd thought: "don't freak out, don't freak out".

Everything progressed rather rapidly. We had not expected the medication to knock her into labor. The doctor broke the water at 4, and then did another procedure to "finish out the cervix" at 5am. This is when the pushing began. The doctor said "now the work starts".

"What?" (my thoughts again) "work....what are you talking about? This is what we have been doing. You are supposed to be bringing us the baby now."

Mandy did so good! She really pushed long and hard. It was very very exhausting for her. She did this without any meds. We were trying to go as natural as possible. Mandy even at one point in between contractions was able to give me a nice smile. But later, 7ish, she was so tired, she would fall asleep during the 20-30 seconds of rest. At 8am Dr. Beer (see pic) came in and checked.

"If he wasn't coming out, we were going in to get him"

Although Callen had made progress, it appeared he had stopped moving out. Perhaps his size, or the pelvic shape, or something, but we were at a wall. It looked like it would be a much longer time before he would be delivered. Given Mandy's exhaustion after over 3 hours of active pushing, we opted to have a c-section. This went well. I watched the whole procedure. (which is not for the faint!) It took only about 5-10min. for Callen to be removed from Mandy.

I went with our little man to the nursery and realized something....he was bright blue!

"don't freak out, don't freak out"

All is well that ends well

The doctor and nurse took care of the situation and soon he was responding and a more natural color came over his face and chest. I was able to spend some alone time with him. We were not quite sure what the name was yet, so I took the time to try our favorites out on him. I don't think he understood this because he started to cry. But it was a beautiful cry.

So they got Mandy stiched up and in and then out of recovery. We have got him to Mandy for a late night snack and even breakfast and lunch this morning. We have had some visitors. Mandy's folks, my folks, and others.

Thank you to everyone who prayed. Thank you for thinking of us. We will be in the hospital until Sunday so Mandy can heal up some more. We look forward to sharing Callen with you.

p.s. If he had been born the on the fourth I think a patriotic came would have been in order....I think something like.... George Jefferson.

Change of Terminology Requested

So, due date VS. estimated date of delivery . . . .

Due Date: An item should be returned or turned in at that time. Library books, reports for school . . . . and the like. Also there seems to a "penalty" inherant in a late performance when the word "due date" is used. With a baby . . . . there is no penalty. It just doesn't show up on its due date. As in the case of BABY STENBERG. No action.

Estimated Date of Delivery: I read this suggested term in one of my many baby books. I like it better. It suggests that maybe something will arrive on the date we tell you, maybe it won't. Again, as in the case of Baby Stenberg.

At our appointment today, Dr. Beer made a suggestion that we've decided to take.
We'll check in to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon to start the process of inducing labor. I won't actually be induced until Thursday, so don't expect any updates till either late Thursday or maybe even Friday. Mark JUST MIGHT get his fourth of July baby after all!

We appreciate your prayers as we go through this process. We can't wait to meet the baby and introduce him or her to all of you!

Update

Doctor appointment today . . .
Blood pressure is still down. 1 cm dilated (TMI???)
Back home for more rest . . . BUT I can add the recliner to my sitting locations now! Yippee for change of scenery!

We have another appointment on Friday.

Must be that I've just created the perfect place for this baby and he/she is in NO hurry to vacate! That's OK. We'll wait.

Bed Rest

Well, after a night at "Camp Mary Greeley" as my doctor called it . . . . we are back home. My doc was NOT happy with my high blood pressure on tuesday and put me in overnight to observe me and the baby. Blood pressure went down with rest and she sent me home - on bed rest until Baby Stenberg decides to make his or her appearance.

So, it is the couch or bed (with a few minutes in between for showers and an email check NOW and then . . . . ) for Mandy B Stenberg.

Pray that Baby will decide to come on his or her own and we can proceed with our "plans" for a natural childbirth.
Pray that I will follow doc's orders.

Our connection group and other church family has already been a huge blessing to us. They have meals planned and folks are calling all the time to check on us. We are blessed and loved.

Best way to contact us: email or cell phone.
THANKS for praying!

2 weeks to go

Hey friends and family. You've been asking "How are you feeling?" . . . . so I thought I'd better update!

This past Thursday at my now weekly doc appointment I had pretty high blood pressure. So the doctor told me to take it easy for the next few days, stay off my feet as much as possible. Easy to do unless you have a wedding scheduled to photograph and work on Sunday and Day Camp with 72 campers starting on Monday . . .

But . . .
I found some great friends/fellow photographers to sub for me at the wedding
Left work early on Sunday
and I have been sitting most of Day Camp today just giving everyone else direction!

So we have an ultrasound scheduled tomorrow and we'll know more about if the high blood pressure was a one day fluke or an issue we need to address sooner than later. You can just pray that all will be well and that I will continue to follow doc's orders!

I'll let you know when we know anything else!

Almost 35 weeks

A picture from wedding rehearsal. Almost 35 weeks along.

Angie and Philip Likens Wedding

Well, the wedding weekend was amazing. God was honored above all with Angie and Philip's ceremony. It was wonderful to see family and friends. Here's a slide show with some pictures!


And for those who want a closer look, here's the link to the Picasa album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/thestenbergs/AngieAndPhilipLikens

Newest photo

Here you go ladies (and any gents that might care!) Here's the latest photo. I thought I'd better get dad-to-be in a shot or two. This is just as much about him as it is about me!

I'll post more after the big family shin dig this weekend. That's right . . . Angie B becomes Angie L this Memorial Day weekend. Pray for safe travels for us!

GOD IS GOOD!

Thanks so much for praying! God is good! We had our doctors appointment and ultrasound today and we got great news!

NO SIGN OF FIFTH'S DISEASE!

And we are done with ultrasounds for good! They won't do any more testing at this point and the doctor says at this point there is no risk that I will develop the virus!

YIPPEE!

Thank you so much for praying!

30 weeks

We are on the countdown for sure now! 10 weeks to go until the due date . . . of course, there's only ONE who knows when baby Stenberg will make his or her grand entrance into this world. And we continue to trust Him for the baby's growth and well being.

We have one more ultrasound scheduled for this Friday. I'm hoping that after this one, they will tell us that all is well and that the chances of me developing Fifth's are gone! So pray with us to that end.

I've been feeling pretty good - other than normal aches and pains and tiredness . . . .

It is very hard to imagine how our lives will change in the coming weeks. Both Mark and I are ready to embrace parenthood . . . funny though how we don't really even know what that feels like. We just know that we are ready to meet this little person who has been kicking and flipping and rolling around inside me!

This is our week of concerts! I gave Mark tickets to Bon Jovi for Christmas. So we kicked off the week Sunday night with that show. It was pretty good! Mark, ever becoming more and more dad like, was worried that the noise would be bad for the baby! So sweet! On Thursday we'll go to Casting Crowns and then on Friday . . . MICHAEL BUBLE! (Can you tell which one I'm most excited about?????)

Angie B and Phillip's wedding is set for May 25. It will be tons of fun!

So, here's what many of you have been waiting for . . . the latest picture. I don't feel very photogenic these days . . . but here you go.

Update

We had a doctors appointment yesterday. So far, so good. Keep praying! There seems to be no indication that I have contracted fifth's disease or that the baby is affected at all. The doctor says she'll go ahead and do two more US over the next four weeks just to be sure. But if everything continues to look good through those, we are in the clear. KEEP PRAYING!

Prayer

So I've been exposed to Fifth's Disease (parvo-virus). Apparently, there has been an outbreak here in Iowa this winter. Fifth's Disease is a childhood disease - the fifth in a family of viruses that cause children to break out in fever and a rash. It is a mild disease really, nothing to be concerned about for kids. But for those are expecting . . . it can present a few problems. Over half of the adults in the US have been exposed before and don't even know it. Once we found out I had been exposed, I wasn't really concerned. I figured in all my time with and around kids, surely I had been exposed and was already immune. But no. Can't be that simple.

What does it mean for baby Stenberg?
Well, fifth's disease can cause anemia (lower red blood cell production) in unborn children if the mom contracts the virus. So far, I have not contracted the virus. My immune system is fighting it off. So . . . that's prayer request number one - that God will direct my body to continue to fight the virus and that I will NOT contract it.

How will we know?
I am to the point in my pregnancy (27weeks) where normally I would begin to see the doctor every two weeks anyway. So along with those regular appointments, we'll be getting an ultrasound every two weeks where they will look at the blood flow in the umbilical cord (modern medicine is amazing) and just follow along to see if there is any indication that that baby is being affected. IF over the course of the next six weeks or so everything continues to look normal, then we'll assume I've fought off the virus and there will be no further testing or concern. But IF something comes up, I'll be sent to Des Moines to baby specialist for further testing.

Of course, I'm hoping for the best and believing that God can protect both me and the baby.

So, put us on your prayer list and I'll keep you posted!

Angie B has big news!

Check out her blog!
http://angjoyb.blogspot.com/

24 Weeks

Here you go photo fanatics!


Let it be known . . . . I am only doing this for those friends and loved ones far away.

Yep, we are 24 weeks along (25 on Tuesday) and plans are well underway for the baby's room. We've finished the new guest room and bathroom downstairs and have moved all the furniture down there too. The baby's room is empty now, waiting on our furniture - sweet hand-me-downs from Mark's brother and sister in law.

My mom and Jerry are coming next week. We have another ultrasound and I invited mom to join me for this one. She's pretty excited.

No, we still don't know what we are having, and we are still not planning to find out!

Yes, we have names picked out. No, we aren't sharing them.

I need to go register for baby stuff. That's next on my list. Maybe I'll do that while mom is here too!

That's about it for now!

My sister tagged me

Thanks Angie.

Ten years ago...I was working at FBC Ruston, probably getting ready for the summer - VBS, camp, and day camp.

My to do list today...
1. Blog
2. Clean house.
3. Get a mommy to be massage (Thanks Mark for the Valentine's gift!)

What would I do if I suddenly became a billionaire...
Give lots away to Cornerstone and other churches.
Get a bigger house for all the kids we'll have.
Adopt.
Not sure what else.

Three bad habits...
1. being overly emotional
2. Dr. Pepper
3. eating food that is not good for me.

Five jobs I've had...
1.Babysitter
2.Photographer
3.Children's Minister
4.Summer intern at Tallulah Welfare Office
5.Daycare worker

Five things people don't know about me...
1. I was a duck dog trainer
2. I rode horses in a rodeo
3. I don't like cherry flavored anything
4. I snore a little bit
5. I was valedictorian of my high school class

I'm tagging . . . Elizabeth and Kristie J

More snow

Really.

It was almost 60 degrees on Sunday. Almost all the snow melted. For the first time in months - literally since December - I saw my front yard.

Then, the awful twist. Sunday night the temps dropped and I woke to MORE SNOW on the ground Monday morning. And the weather guy . . . well, he's telling me we'll have more tonight and Wednesday.

Really.

Winter has to be almost over.
It just has to be.

Baby is doing great. Week 24 photo comes next week! Just you wait!

19 weeks

I consulted with a few hollywood starlets . . . they said to keep the public interested in your "fame" (a.k.a. - keep reading your blog) you have to give them what they want.

So, I'm taking their advice and finally posting a much asked for and long awaited "pregnancy pic."
I am now to the point where people at church who may not have already heard the news about baby Stenberg will give me a second glance or two with that look . . . "Are you expecting????"

And the switch of colors on the site to pink AND blue?Well, much to the distress of some (angie b) we will NOT be finding out whether we are having a boy or a girl. It is a little fun, and a LOT out of character for both Mark and I who are planners by nature.

All is going well so far. I am feeling tired often - there is a reason most ladies choose to do this having a baby gig in their twenties! But God isn't surprised that I'll be 36 when this baby comes. So I shouldn't really complain. It was His plan after all!

Names? We are working on a list. It is a work in progress really. While there are some names that come up more often than others as favorites, we aren't settled at all. That will come too in time.

Mark has been working hard on renovating the basement with the new guest room and bathroom. As soon as it is finished we'll get to work on the baby's room. That will be fun and make it all the more real.

Thanks for reading!