Teri's Wedding

This weekend we took a road trip to Sheldon, Iowa, for Teri Hulshof's wedding. I did the pictures for the family and ceremony. Jen, Eve, Teri and I are all friends from Ames. When I take pictures, I'm rarely in them . . . so here's one Jen had taken with her camera and a photo of the bride and groom for anyone who knows sweet Teri!

Busy busy busy

It has been busy busy busy around our house. I'm back at work part time but for these first few weeks of D6 (our mid week ministry and my main ministry focus) it feels like I'm working overtime!

Here's a little photo video I put together from our Labor Day weekend with the Stenbergs at Clear Lake. Turn up your sound . . . this one has some music!

Callen is 8 weeks old!

Eight weeks ago today the most precious little boy came into our lives. He is a treasure and such a gift from God. Enjoy the pics from his 8 week birthday.

Also, don't miss the first ever CALLEN video on the previous post!

Caught Smiling!

I caught Callen smiling! Thanks Aunt Debbie for this cool FLIP camera! This is our first of MANY videos to upload for family too far away. We love you all.

Guess What I Did?

Callen slept through the night last night! Yes, I did get up at 2:30a and was confused as to why he hadn't woken me up to eat. Yes, I went in to see if he was still breathing. But only once! I did wake up a few other times . . . just waiting to hear him. I can't believe my baby slept through the night. Now, I know that it doesn't mean every night he'll do that. But I know he can now. WOW. What a milestone!

He'll be 8 weeks old this Thursday. I'll post more pictures then!

First attempt at a SLIDE show . . .

New Photos

I've been a lazy blogger. My sister said, "You gonna put some more pictures up for us or what?" So I took some new ones this morning Angie! Here are a few of my favs . . . then a link to a picasa album with a TON more photos from this morning. I couldn't get the slideshow to work . . . maybe I'll try again soon. But for now . . . here you go.



http://picasaweb.google.com/thestenbergs/CallenAugust12

Who Loves Baby?

Callen was given a book called "Who Loves Baby?" that you put pictures in to show the baby. So I thought I'd put a few here for you all to see as well! Here they are as a Picasa slideshow. You can click on the "word bubble" for captions!

One of my most favorite shots is the one of the FOUR red-heads: Callen, Daddy, Papaw Tom, and Grandpa Stenberg. NO QUESTION where the red hair came from! -

Happy Birthday GiGi!

Today is Callen's Aunt Angie's (GiGi) birthday!

Happy Birthday Angie!

This is Callen's friend Naomi. She came for a visit the other day! Callen slept while she was here!

Almost two weeks

We had a good time at Clear Lake over the weekend. Mark's mom (Grandma Stenberg) was a huge blessing to me as I was able to have some moments to relax while she had some goooood grandma time! We are glad to be home now.

Here are some more pictures for the Callen fans!

First Photo: Check me out Aunt Sonee . . . I'm a lake boy!






Go Bulldawgs!
















Daddy and Callen

Family Photo and Mommy and Callen

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