First Report Card Already on Fridge

Lillian Brooke got an A+ on her first report card today - and it's already hanging proudly on the fridge :)

Goal = get back to birth weight within 2 weeks of birth... Lillian is a hungry little monkey and gained an ounce in weight and a half inch in length in less than 4 days!
Just back from the doc and ready to snooze - Lily loves sucking on things but isn't ready for a pacifier just yet so she'll stick w/ fingers for now :)
Thanks for my cute cherry outfit Gigi, it's one of the favorites!!
At the doc on the table ready for check-up
Lifetime weigh in #2 - Dad changing a diaper... that fresh air seems to get things moving down there every time
Lillian was not a fan of this car ride
DB&Z swung by with Red Mill for dinner last night - yum! - pups love Lillian but wish she could get on ground and play with them - for now it's toe licks and lots of sniffs. Big sister Lucy is a little protective of Lily so far. :)

Introducing... Lillian Brooke!

Ali and I are so happy to report that we are now the proud parents of Lillian Brooke Schlameus, born at 9:51 pm on Sunday, April 25. Both Ali and Lillian are healthy and doing wonderful. Lillian weighed in at 7 lbs, 6 oz and was 20.5 inches in length (perfect golf build, I might add). Did I mention that women's golf is the most underutilized college golf scholarship?!?

Jokes aside, we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Lillian to this world. It was a life-changing experience that we always remember like it was yesterday. Ali and I (Ali really) feel very fortunate to have gone through a relatively quick labor without any complications. On Sunday, after having contractions for the past couple days, Ali decided she was up for a long walk with her Dad, Brenna, and the pups to explore the Ballard Sunday Market. The contractions were occurring every 8-12 minutes so there wasn't much concern that Baby S would arrive that day. Well, we were wrong! A couple hours later, Ali broke the news that the contractions were now occurring every 3-5 minutes. Following my semi-frantic call to the doctor, we hopped in the car feeling extremely anxious/excited for what could come.

Upon arriving at Swedish on First Hill at 6:15 pm, the doctor decided, after receiving a second opinion, to admit us. A good decision considering that in the span of our two hours after arriving at the hospital, Ali had progressed from 4 cm to 9 cm! About 3 1/2 hours after check-in, we were blessed with our little Lillian. I know we are biased, but she is perfect. Words cannot describe the joy we felt and continue to feel about our daughter. We were truly amazed of how much we could instantly love something/someone that we had never seen or met before. We are extremely excited to get to know and care for her.

Ali was amazing throughout the entire labor - she was so tough, focused, and determined to meet her little girl. Her courageousness and love for Lillian surpassed any expectation I could have had. She is going to be the best Mom. I am so proud of my wife and daughter.

Thanks for all the calls, texts, emails, and visits. We look forward to sharing Lillian Brooke with all of you over the next few days, months, and years.

Lily & Auntie B (Becky, Ali's sister)

Lillian after first bath:
Lillian & Aunt/Godmother Brooke
Grandma for the first time

Just minutes after birth
Day 2

I get to go home!!
Sister Lucy meets Lillian for the first time
Minutes after getting home, time to test out nursery and have a little snack
Sleepy in Dad's arms
Day 3 w/ Uncle & Godfather Jake

Grandpa Jim

Nursery & the Big Bump!

By popular demand... at last here are pics of the big bump & the nursery!

With just two days 'til due date Brett & I are getting very excited to meet our little girl (so strange to have no idea when she is going to make her debut... tonight?! next week?? we'll see!) This last week it has all become more "real". I am now off work, which has been absolutely wonderful... left behind the long work days to get a bunch of prep done around the home front (including a little R&R and fun lunch dates with some of the closest ladies in my life which has been a real treat!)

Hope this note finds you well - and apologies it has been so long since our last post!

Just three months ago...

And now!

Saturday at the house before heading out for Kristin & Marcus' Engagement Party/Send off for their Hawaii wedding
Here's a pic Brett sneaked while I was getting ready - look at that big bump!

The Nursery... when we bought the house...

And before we started prepping for baby...NOW!

Such a spoiled little girl - this is only 1/3 of her closet... so many adorable little outfits all gifted by family & friends

Fun treasures on the shelves from Brett's childhood...

Baby S.'s view into our backyard

The Conch Republic

Saturday we arrived in Key West the southernmost tip of the U.S. While I had been here before on a quick cruise stop with my family several years ago, this was Brett's first visit.

For those of you that have been you know what a cool vibe this city has.Their motto of "One Human Family" rings true as you see no separation of low and high brow - across this gorgeous 4x2 mile island mixed between watercolor pastille homes, turquoise water and palm trees you will see expensive art galleries, Caribbean villas, literary festivals...

mixed in with t-shirt shops with sayings on their merch I'm embarrassed to repeat, clothing optional bars, and drag shows galore. This provided for a confusing experience when we adventured to a highly recommended Mexican spot from our travel guide book. The entrance was down an alley with out indoor seating (the 40 degree weather didn't make that appealing) but the owner assured us they are working with another establishment to use their indoor facilities so grab a seat there. Needless to say we enjoyed amazing Mexican inside a Country Bar that half way through dinner started showing a topless bull riding competition. I kid you not. Watching the folks our parents and grandparents age make this realizing as we did was entertaining to say the least.

More pics of Key West...

Sunset Time on one of the piers of our resort:

Looking back at the resort:
The town's infamous hypocondriac got in the last word on his headstone found in the famous Key West Cemetary:

Ernest Hemingway's home... saw a wedding taking place there when we were exploring

Babymoon!

Babymoon (n.) – A vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that accompany a newborn baby.

When planning our “babymoon” we thought about several factors:

1. A fun spot for a young couple like us that may not be on the list of family vacations in years to come.

2. Somewhere we haven’t been together.

3. Good food (meal time is always a highlight in a pregnant woman’s day)

4. Somewhere we could speak the language and has “safe” healthcare, just in case

5. Nice hot weather.

Our first couple days in gorgeous South Beach Miami proved to hit all our “musts”, except maybe the language barrier, but hey, as we all know, Brett is 1/16^th Mexican and was Spanish Speaking Student of the Year his senior year of high school so the Spanglish found in South Florida has proved no problems.

We enjoyed a plush direct flight down to Miami and a nice relaxing day scoping out the Art Deco architecture, relaxing on the beach, great food and taking in the trendy, flamboyant vibe of South Beach.

We woke up on Day 3 to rainy day and 50 degree weather. This is 25 degrees below average for January in South Florida and the locals are in shock. Brett and I threw on our REI raincoats and took to the streets like the proud Seattlites we are where a little chill and wet weather never hold anyone inside in the winter.

After an amazing breakfast off of A1A on Ocean Avenue we hopped in the convertible (dang) and headed out for the stretch of drive on the Overseas Highway down the keys.

Despite the rain and chill in the air the drive was still breathtaking, and the frosty beverages (virgin for me of course) that welcomed us at the Casa Marina Resort were still just as refreshing!

This evening we enjoyed some local Cuban cuisine at a famous neighborhood spot then capped off the evening hovering in the hotel bar that overlooks the Mayors Ball going on at our resort.

This time together has been such a luxury after the busy last couple months at work and around the house. It is such a treat to get this alone time together to relax just the 2 ½ of us before the family starts growing (and not just my belly).

6 more days – and sunshine in the forecast – more blog posts to come!!