4 months!

Hunter turned 4 months this week! He's doing really well, enjoying his solid foods, and other than sleeping, which is causing Mommy quite a bit of grief, he is doing awesome. He's a great baby, very happy and getting so interactive, it's nice to see him growing and developing and enjoying exploring his world. Today was his 4 month check up, he's weighing in at 16 lbs 14 oz (85%) and 25 1/2 inches (70%).

Owen also had his last gymnastics class today and he has done so well, and grown so much this year. His gymnastic skills have increased dramatically, and I am so proud of him every time I watch him.

May 2010 Photos

May 2010

Wow, have we been busy this month! The month started out with Owen and I going to see Curious George Live at the Lyric. Owen loved the show, we had an absolute blast! We also got together several times with the Alvarez Family, including Daniela's baptism and several play dates. We also had a wonderful Mother's Day celebration up in Hershey, PA. Owen has been incredibly fun and enjoying all the outside time he can gather. He can really hit a tee ball very well, and has a pretty good throwing arm.

Daddy traveled almost the entire month, so it was really tough on Mommy and the boys! Hunter got his first cold, and then also had his first trip to the ER because of Bronchitis. It was really scary. He's growing so fast, and already having some cereal from a spoon.

Our only difficulty is sleeping. Hunter was sleeping like 10 hours, but now only sleeps about 5 before waking up to eat. He's up most nights 2 times per night, and it's really starting to take its toll on Mommy. But we're working on sleep training him, and trying to be responsive when necessary but get him to sleep a little more soundly at night. We are still swaddling him and that seems to help control his startle reflex, but he also seems to be at the stage now, where he wants his hands accessible to help him soothe himself back to sleep. It's a catch 22, because he does sleep more soundly when he is swaddled. Hopefully this month we'll start seeing longer stretches of sleep again.

We also had Hunter's baptism Sunday, and had such a wonderful afternoon Hunter was just adorable all dressed up, and we were blessed with great family, friends, and excellent (although HOT) weather. It has been an incredible month, once that I will not forget!

More April Photos

April has been a great month for our family. We've had a lot of great family moments, and fun things to do! We're busy as always, but lots of good stuff. Hunter is growing like a weed. He's gotten so big, it's hard to believe he's still such a little baby. He's now sleeping much better at night. He sleeps about 7.5 hours and then will wake up and sleep another few hours after feeding. And although it hasn't been often we've had a few nights where he has actually slept a full 9.5-10 hours! Those are just blissful (although I still wake up several times those nights wondering how long till Hunter is ready to eat...) He's slept every night in his own room since he was 9 weeks old, and we are very proud of him. I was so concerned that Hunter would wake up Owen but so far that has not been the case.

We have a pretty good routine, and life is good at the Schantz house. The best thing is his smile. Hunter has one of the most captivating adorable smiles I have ever seen. I love it! Especially when he sees me for the first time in the morning, he gives me that gigantic toothless smile, that just makes everything better. Mommy had a little bit of a rough month, having to had surgery last week, but even that seems to be on the mend...

Overall, we are all doing well. Owen is the best big brother, and it's always so cute to see him on his own go up to Hunter and start interacting with him, or play with his toys to get Hunter's attention. Hunter in turn watches Owen like a hawk, he can't keep his eyes off him, just watches him and everything he does. It's great to know they are going to be such good friends in the coming years!

April Videos

Hunter Babbling

Owen's Easter Egg Hunt

Owen can spell his name.

Spring Time Fun

2 Months!

Hunter was 2 months old yesterday! He had his check up today and is weighing in at a healthy 12 lbs 4 ounces, and 23 1/2 inches long. He also had his first night of fantastic sleep - just over 7 hours straight! YAHOO! Hope he keeps that up!

He is doing very well, and the reflux is under control, Doctor thinks he is just perfect.

Such great news!

Easter Weekend 2010

March 2010

Wow, March sure flew by! Hunter is growing so fast and changing so much already! He is now almost 8 weeks old and about 11 pounds. It's hard to believe how quickly the time passes, but at the same time, it's been a long, sleep deprived month. Hunter has a relux and colic, so we've been dealing with that, and we've nicknamed him "Hunter the Grunter" because he is one noisy little boy! He is cute as a button but sure does make some funny sounds! The reflux now seems to be under control, because we have been thickening his formula with cereal, and as for the colic, we're working through that, seems it's much worse if he's overtired, so if I can keep him from getting overly exhausted then he's much happier, and so is Mommy. He also started smiling this month, so that really can brighten up your day to see him beam with a big toothless smile, even if it is 4am...

Owen has had an incredible month, he's grown up so much, and is such an amazing big brother and my little helper. I am so proud of the boy he has become.

Now the weather is finally improving, and our swingset is coming tomorrow. It'll be nice to have a place to play right in the back yard. I sure hope Owen loves the new playground.

Photos February 2010

Hunter has fit right into our family, and we are doing so well. We've had a wonderful first few weeks, and enjoying every single moment. It's already hard to believe he will already be 3 weeks old tomorrow.

Baby Hunter's Birth & Homecoming

Welcome Baby Hunter!

Hunter William Schantz joined our family on February 7, 2010. Just after the snow finally stopped falling, after a blizzard all day Friday & Saturday, Hunter decided it was time to make his grand entrance... Labor contractions began about midnight, and by 1am were quite uncomfortable. I decided to get into my bathtub in hopes this was just another episode of false labor. Our streets had not been plowed, and more than 2 1/2 feet of snow coated the entire area.
When the contractions didn't stop, I started to get nervous, and started praying for a snow plow. Sure enough a snow plow came down our street. Troy went outside to talk to the plow driver, explained that I was in labor and could he help us plow out the bottom half of our drive way so we could get to the street.

Then we called Aunt Jessica & Uncle Tom, woke them up, and told them we were on our way with Owen. My contractions were about 3 1/2 min apart when we left for the hospital. The drive there was unreal. Cars had slid off the road, plows and bulldozers were everywhere, but the roads remained quite coated in snow and barely passable. However, we made it to Aunt Jessica's street, which hadn't been plowed. Uncle Tom met us at the entrance to their neighborhood and helped Owen to their house. Then we continued on to St. Joe's, just a few minutes away from their house.

So relieved that we finally made it to the hospital around 5am, we got checked in, and I was already 4+ cm dialated and baby Hunter was definitely on his way. Once we got settled, and got the fantastic epidural, we were finally able to relax and let the rest of our family know we were at the hospital and that Baby Hunter would be here soon. It wasn't long after that, they broke my water, and by 9am we knew it was almost time. The nurse told me they'd be back at 9:30. I started pushing about 9:40 and Hunter made it into the world at 9:45am.

He weighed in at 7lbs .02 oz, he was 20 inches long at birth. His hair is a lighter color brown, but he looks a lot like Owen did as a baby.

Big Brother Owen was very excited to find out his "little peanut" brother had arrived. Daddy called him to tell him the big news, and Owen was very excited. Our family is now complete and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful baby join our family.

Given that Hunter was born in the middle of a blizzard, everything was a little rushed, and unexpected... But what was even more unexpected was that a second blizzard was to arrive on Tuesday. Therefore, Mommy & Hunter were discharged from the hospital Monday evening and went home with Daddy and Big Brother Owen a little ahead of schedule.

The second storm was much nicer. We were all home together as a new family, and relaxed around the fire place, watched movies, enjoyed the baby, and poor Daddy had to dig and dig and dig out the driveway. Within 5 days we received more than 50 inches of snow!!!

Winter Wonderland, Gymnastics & Waiting for Baby

January has been incredibly busy getting ready for the new baby to arrive. After Christmas and Owen's birthday party, it was definitely time to start getting ready, and getting the necessary items that we need for the baby, and doing a little decorating and organizing in the baby's room. Owen and Mommy have also been having lots of one on one time, doing fun activities, playing and arts and crafts. It's hard to believe now that any day we could have a new addition to our family, and the dynamic of our family will be changed forever! We are all very excited for the baby to arrive, and the waiting has begun. Even as I type this, I've been having very strong contractions, but nothing that is getting regular enough to consider it labor yet.

Owen also has been coming to many of my OB appointments, and this past week, was probably the funniest thing ever to happen. When I picked him up at school, I told him we needed to go to my doctor appointment. He said, good, because I have some questions for the doctor. I though uh oh! Sure enough, when the doctor walked through the door, before she could even greet me, Owen said - "I have a question for you". The doctor said - "Yes, Owen" Owen responded - "When are you going to take that baby out???" The doctor chuckled, and responded "very soon, probably a few more weeks, when the baby is ready" The doctor then included him in the appointment much more than she ever has before, telling him he could be her assistant, and talking to him, it was so cute... then when she was about to leave she asked him if there were any other questions she could answer for him... he responded "YES" and she said asked what other question did he have... Owen responded - "Can I please pee pee on your potty and then have one of your lolly pops?" I think the doc nearly fell over. I cracked up! It was so funny!

We went swing set shopping out in Columbia, and Owen had a ball at the show room. They allow you to swing and play and have a ball. We spent a small fortune, but our new swing set will be arriving this spring. Owen can hardly wait to have a playground in his back yard.

We also had a nice visit with Great Mom-Mom and Maggie this week. Mom-Mom had some great presents for Owen's birthday and Christmas.

He also really loved Maggie's Guinea Pigs, and even helped feed them.

Owen also now goes to "BIG BOY" Gymnastics Class. No more Mommy & Me classes, Owen goes in with the other 3 & 4 year old kids, and he is so cute to watch in the class. He listens very well, and has really had fun in the new class. I kinda miss going in with him, but know it's for the best, because in a few weeks, Owen can still go to Gymnastics and I can still stand in the lobby and watch and hold the baby. He's so cute, he'll be watching the teacher or doing the exercises, then remember I'm watching, and he'll turn around, smile and wave to me. It's too cute!

Our little artist. He just LOVES his art projects.

And of course, it wouldn't be January, if the weathermen didn't botch a weather report. They were calling for a dusting, but we got 6 inches of snow! Owen loved it, even though it was FREEZING out, he and Daddy had a blast shoveling and having snowball fights all morning.

And now the waiting begins... We just are sitting back and waiting for the day that Baby Brother will enter our family.

It's Tumble Bus Time!

Owen's long awaited 3rd birthday party with his friends was such a success. He very patiently waited almost a month after his birthday to have his friends join him on the Tumble Bus. Some of the kids were rather intimidated by being sent onto a school bus without Mommy/Daddy, but most enjoyed themselves after they understood better that it was going to be a lot of fun. Owen hopped right on, so excited and ready to participate. It was a great afternoon, and Owen and his friends had a great time!

Tumble Bus Time Videos!

The kids really enjoyed the parachute on the bus.

Owen LOVED the zipline, he did it like 5 times!

Singing Happy Birthday to Owen on the Tumble Bus!