End of Summer Fun!

How time is flying! I can't believe that summer is just about over, but we have had so much fun. It's amazing how much Hunter has grown, and what an integrated part of our family he is. He is so laid back and relaxed, and just goes with the flow. And now that he is finally on a much more regular sleep/nap schedule we all seem to have slipped into a better grove.

Owen has really learned to LOVE swimming, and has gone from totally afraid to jumping in (with swimmies on). It is truly amazing what a few weeks of swim lessons has done for Owen. Hunter also is in swim lessons, and loves splashing and playing. I hope he never develops the fear that Owen has spent this summer overcoming. Owen also had his first day of the school year. Camp was a lot of fun, but he was very excited for school to start and have all his new supplies, back pack, lunch box (both Phinneas & Ferb) and a few new t-shirts. He is so proud of himself, and we are so proud with how much he has accomplished in the last few weeks alone!


Hunter went from just able to sit up, to fully mobile. He's not quite crawling, but that doesn't stop him, he can sit and turn in circles, put weight on his hands and legs like he's about to crawl, army crawl, and even starting to pull himself up to standing... although he's quite the wobbly mess on his own. But it's amazing how quickly he has is losing his babiness. He's also the best "eater" in our entire family. He will eat and try anything. Nothing stops him, doesn't matter that he doesn't have any teeth, he manages to chew and swallow with no problem. There are too many foods to mention that he eats, but he's moved away from a lot of baby food, and trying more table foods. Right off of Mommy's plate. Weird that my baby eats grown up food, but my 3.5 yr old still won't eat much variety at all... As they say each boy is different!

We had a wonderful first family vacation in Ocean City. We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard on 15th street. I was very concerned about all being in the same room, and worried about sleeping, but it ended up being a non-issue. The kids were so tired by the time they went to sleep each night they probably could have slept standing up. It was such a nice trip, and we have so many fun adventures, bike riding on the boardwalk, playing on the beach, mini-golf - many rounds, dining out at restaurants!, swimming in the pool, riding the rides, so much more. Hard to believe we were only there 5 days, we did SOOO much!



We are very blessed as a family, and truly enjoying every minute together.

Ocean City Vacation 2010

August 2010 Photos

6 Month Check Up

Hunter had his 6 month check up today. He's growing like a weed, healthy, happy and just as content as can be. He is such a good baby, we are so blessed to have him part of our family. He is a big boy! In the 90th percentile for both height and weight. He was 27 3/4 inches and 19 pounds 14 ounces. Yes, almost 20 pounds, now I totally understand why he's busting out of his clothes! He got a clean bill of health, doing very well. Doc was impressed that he is sitting so well and said to keep up the good work. He also said he can try all the table food he wants, and that he really has no restrictions. Even peanut butter, eggs, fish, citrus fruits, all the stuff that used to be taboo for a baby have been lifted. Strange but nice, because Hunter is so eager to try anything. Hunter was even a champ for his shots. He barely flinched for the first one, and then screamed bloody murder for about 1 minute for the second shot. Not bad. He was very brave.

After his appointment we had such a nice day with Granny. We picked her up, and went out to Arundel Mills Mall. We did a good bit of shopping, and then had a nice lunch. Both Owen and Hunter were so very good and patient. I've never shopped for so long with Owen as patient as he was. We had such a nice day.

Then when we got home, Hunter, Daddy and I joined Owen in wearing our Ravens jerseys, hoping for a big win during the first preseason game. Owen had been wearing his all day! Such a proud little fan!

Sweet Summertime!

July has been an amazing month. Fireworks, family visits, Hershey Park, Strasburg Railroad, Longwood Gardens, swimming lessons, and so much more, it's been a very fun and busy month. Mommy is finally healed up and doing MUCH better.

Hunter has gained such an awareness of his environment and an amazing love of food. This little guy will eat almost anything! He learned how to sit up, quite well! He also mastered a sippy cup! And finally is sleeping through the night. All right about 5 - 5 1/2 months old! We are very impressed! And finally getting some much needed rest! He LOVES his brother more than anything, and watches every move he makes. It won't be long before he is chasing after him.

Owen also had a very fun month. We had quite a few play dates, birth parites, he had a very fun 10 days when Uncle Steve, Aunt Lisa, Taylor & Sienna came to visit. We had a bunch of trips, he went to Hershey Park and conquored his fear of rides. Even rode the Log Ride! We all went to the Strasburg Railroad and the Train Barn, and Longwood Gardens. We had a fun visit to the farm with Grandpa & Grandma Bev. Grandma, Taylor, Sienna came to have a sleep over while Uncle Steve & Aunt Lisa went to a wedding in New York, and Owen just loved sleeping in sleeping bags in the basement.

Mommy & Hunter have been doing a Mommy & Me swim class and Owen is learning to swim in a big boy class all on his own. We've only had a few lessons, but we have seen a major improvement in Owen's confidence around the water. So very proud!

What fun we are having, despite the VERY hot summer weather!

July 2010

Hunter Laughing

He's been belly laughing off and on for a few weeks now, but today we finally captured it on video. It was so adorable. So funny what will make a baby laugh. He was laughing so hard, I had to put the boppy behind him because he kept falling over.

June 2010

Other than some severe sleep deprivation, since Hunter is still waking up between 2-5 times per night, we have had an amazing June. We really have done a lot of fun things, and have enjoyed watching Hunter grow and become more interactive and smiling and loving his environment. And he REALLY, REALLY loves his introduction to solid foods! Man that kid can EAT! He loves just about everything he tries. So we officially have one who sleeps like a champ and barely eats, and one who barely sleeps but could eat anything. Hmmm, I always did hear that the second baby is the polar opposite of the first. Guess that is actually true!

Owen finished his year of gymnastics classes, and we are so proud of how far he has come with gymnastics. He listens so well, and has really learned a lot of skills! It's amazing to look back at the videos of him in September, and then June. WOW what a difference! He has grown up so much, even since January. He's such a little boy and not a toddler or baby any more. But with that growing up, comes the onery behavior I've never experienced before! He is defiant and independent one minute, caring, loving and adorable the next. It's hard to believe how much he has grown up! And he is really starting to enjoy Hunter. Especially now that Hunter is watching his every move and smiles and interacts with him. It's awesome!

Mommy had surgery in the middle of the moht, and recovered nicely, so good to finally be back to normal!!!!! That same weekend we purchased the waterslide for the back yard. Such fun! We had a blast every weekend! We even had a play date with some of Owen's school friends and they had a blast! Owen also had a birthday party at a Tai Kwon Do studio for his cousin Tyler (turned 5!!!!) He really had fun, and I think he will start classes there this summer/fall. It's great for him, and since he's becoming more "boy" than gymnastics it's a perfect fit!

WOW, what a month... can't believe how quickly time is flying by...

Photos from end of June 2010

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.