Many Thanks

Thank you all so much for all the love, support, and prayers you have shown Bill, Stephen, and I. When I started this blog back in October, I would have never imagined that so many people would read it and connect with/to our story. We have received an incredible amount of emails, comments, and Facebook messages. I just want to apologize now if I don't get back to you directly. I set out each day with the intention of returning every email because each and every one means so much to me. But some how I never actually reach that goal. So I am apologizing up front if you don't hear from me right away. But truly from the depth of my soul, I appreciate each and every note and have kept them all in a special place so that I can remember 10 years from now how many hearts my baby boy touched.

And we ask again that the prayers keep coming. Even though we may have leapt over one giant hurdle yesterday, we have another hurdle the size of Mt. Everest to climb on Monday. We found out today that Stephen's kidneys are the size of adult kidneys; one is about 10 cm and the other over 9 cm. The nephrologist and the surgeon have decided that it is in Stephen's best interest to remove both kidneys and at the same time put in his dialysis "port" and a feeding tube in his tummy. As with any surgery there are risks, but with an 8 pound baby with weak lungs and who can pick up infections easily, there are a lot of risks. To say the least, we are scared to death. I have this beautiful baby boy who has defied all odds and now must do it all over again. It seems like an impossible challenge, but I know that I have to be strong and keep positive for Stephen and Bill. Not an easy feat.

So today was a challenging day to say the least. Between the emotional roller coaster of Stephen's condition and trying to cope with the side effects of surgery, today was a long day. But I am so grateful for the few hours we spent in the NICU today holding his hands and feet. And around 1:30 AM we're heading back to the NICU to help give him a bath. Every time I see him I fall deeper in love with my little man! I will hopefully get some pictures posted tomorrow so you all can see my darling baby boy.

Sorry if this post turned out to be a bit depressing. That really wasn't my intention. But I guess it just all came pouring out.

Again thank you so much for your love and support! I'll take your positivity with me each time I go visit my baby boy.

Love
Lindsey

The happiest man in the world

For those of you who have been reading our blog for a while or for those of you who are reading this for the first time, let me introduce myself. I am Lindsey's husband Bill. This is my first ever blog post, and to be quite honest until about 3 months ago I had never even read a blog. To be real honest, except for this blog I still haven't ever read a blog.

As all of you know by now, last night at 6:58 pm, little Mr Stephen Charles Schwartz came into this world and into our lives. To say that the experience of witnessing the birth of your child is amazing, is like saying that putting a man on the moon was "neat"! It just doesn't quite capture the experience. It was more than amazing it was more than anything i have ever experienced in my life. In a matter of minutes, seconds even, you go from being responsible for you and your wife, but ultimately just yourself, to having someone completely dependent on you for everything. Someone who truly loves you and you love them above anything else in the world. It is a surreal feeling and one I will never forget and cherish for the rest of my life.

Lindsey, per the usual, was amazing. She is so much tougher and braver than I could ever dream of being. From the beginning of this journey with our son, she has been the rock. She is my best friend, my soul mate, and I could never imagine living my life with out her!

Right now she is resting, and depending how she feels later today we can go down the NIC U, together to see the little man.

Due to having the c-section her mobility is limited, and the doctors don't want her to push herself to much. So far she has been a good patient, but I have a feeling she will get restless soon, and I can't blamed her
,for that.

My son!! How do I put him into words? From the second I heard him cry out in the delivery room, to an hour and half ago when I held his hand, I am in love. He is all that is pure and wonderful in this world. He is everything that I could ever want in this world and far more than I deserve! He is so brave and so tough, and Lindsey and I can find strength in his strength.

To everyone who has prayed for us. To everyone who has kept us in there thought. To everyone who has called, and text, and emailed us. Thank you. We are blessed to have all of you in our lives and from all three of the us, we thank you.

One last note. To our families, we want you to know how much we love you. Lindsey and I are blessed with a loving, caring family, that has been on this journey with us from the beginning. They have never wavered in there love and support. We could not have made it this far with out you!

Thank you again for everything and we will continue to keep everyone updated on Stephen's progress.

Bill

Happy Birthday, Stephen!!!

I just lost my most recent post about Stephen's birthday :( so I will keep this short since it's 4 am. But really wanted everyone to know that Stephen was born on January 4, 2011 at 6:58 pm, weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces! He came into this world crying the most beautiful cries you could ever imagine and is the most beautiful baby in the world! Although we are a bit biased!

As of 4:45 am, Stephen is stable, but still fighting to survive. We are not out of the woods yet, but he has done better than anyone could have ever imagined. God has heard all of your prayers and I believe has sent a guardian angel down to watch over my family.

I will try to write more later today once I have gotten a bit more sleep. But please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. There is no doubt in my mind that God has been listening!

Much love,
Linds

Still Going Strong

Got my epidural a few hours ago and just waiting for things to start moving. Looks like that might not be until early evening. Until then we're just hanging out watching my contractions come and go.

It's Go Time...

We think. Just checked in to the hospital, laying in triage confirming that I'm having contractions. They are coming about every 5 minutes now and the doc confirmed I am 1 cm dilated. It' not very much, but in my circumstance they won't be sending us home. The doc said we are going to have a baby today. I am scared, excited, anxious, happy and can't stop crying all rolled in to one. But this is exactly what Billy and I have been hoping for! please say a pray for us and we'll keep you posted as the goes on.

P.s. These damn contractions are really really painful! it feels like my insides are exploding!

2011

Dear 2011,

I know I am a fairly blessed person and prior years have brought a lot of happiness and joy to my life (graduations, nieces, weddings, new jobs and promotions), but I'd really appreciate it if you could be the best year of my life.  I think you know what I'm talking about, so I won't rehash it, but I'd forever be indebted to you if you grant us our miracle this year.  And I'll even promise to never make another New Year's resolution that I don't keep.

Thank you kindly,
Lindsey Schwartz

Maternity photos

As promised here are some of my favorite photos from our maternity photo session. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!































I hope everyone has a fun, safe New Year's Eve tonight. Billy and I decided last minute that we would go out to dinner tonight since next year we plan on having a little guy in tow! Nothing would make us happier than if this New Year's turns out to be our last New Years without the responsibility of babies or kids aka DINKs.

See ya' in 2011!

Love
Lindsey