First Week At Home

Just when you thought that you have read all of the books, made all of the important decisions, decided how you are going to feed/nap/stay organized - you realize that being a parent is an art, not a math equation.

We have laughed, cried (well, I have!), snuggled, rocked, bounced, smiled, and thrown our hands up in frustration all to get through the first couple weeks. A big thank you to our moms and dads for coming to the rescue several times. I am in awe of the magical powers that grandparents have when it comes to soothing Tanner. I watch and learn from them daily!

"Handsome like Daddy" with big blue eyes

Warming up after a bath in the kitchen sink

Clean fuzzy hair

Daddy and Tanner hanging on the back deck

Tanner's first swing ride

A very happy Mom and Dad

Zonked out :)

May 24th 2011 - Happy Birthday Tanner Cruz Seger

INTRODUCING TANNER CRUZ SEGER!

After much anticipation, Tanner has finally arrived. His entry in to the world was anything but easy, but he has proven himself to be quite the little fighter. Bryce and I went to St. Vincent's Hospital on Sunday night, the 22nd of May, to begin inducing labor. We decided on the induction because my blood pressure was beginning to climb to dangerously high levels and I wasn't progressing into labor despite being overdue. After many labor inducing tricks in the hospital, 36 hours of tough and intense labor, an epidural (that didn't work), and some scary drops in Tanner's heart rate, my doctors recommended a cesarian delivery for the safety of mom and baby. I had also developed an infection somewhere along the way causing a high fever. Bryce and I agreed that a c-section was the right thing to do. Little did we know, that being in the operating room at the time of his birth would prove to be the best thing for our little boy. Tanner was born on Tuesday, May 24th at 10:05am with an APGAR score of 1 out of a possible 10. This means that he was not breathing, had no pulse, was blue, and was in need of immediate medical attention. It turns out that Tanner's umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck preventing him from decending in to the birth canal, and probably putting stress on him with each strong contraction.There is nothing more scary for a helpless new mom than waiting several minutes to hear that first cry. Help was immediately called in to the operating room where Tanner was given compressions and oxygen, among other life saving procedures. I could feel the intensity in the room as they worked on him, and after several minutes his first cry finally rang out. Phew! Bryce was able to give me a quick introduction to our boy before rushing him off to NICU. Tanner was carefully watched and monitored while they stitched me up, and was able to join us in recovery about an hour later. What a little fighter!

Tanner came home on Friday, the 27th, and is quite the character! Very content most of the time, but a wild man at nights. His fluffy full head of hair, sweet facial expressions, and attentive eyes make staying up all night with him not so tiring :) We are lucky to have lots of wonderful help from both sets of grandparents, who have come to our nap-needing rescue many days already! Tanner has a big fan club, mommy and daddy being the captains of that group for sure!

Driving up to the hospital on Sunday night

Still feeling good enough for a pre-game meal

Bryce getting comfy while waiting for the action to start

In the operating room, moments after he was born

Vitals finally looking up :)

Better get that diaper on - QUICK!

Getting cleaned up...

Daddy finally gets to hold his son

And so does Mommy :)

Happy dad :)

BIG yawn!

Seger family smooch

Grandma (Cara's mom) and Tanner

Grandma again...

Grandma (Bryce's mom) loving on him too

Grandpa's turn! (Cara's dad)

And other Grandpa's turn! (B's dad)

Kisses from daddy

Bath before heading home!

Fuzzy hair after a bath

Showing off those blue eyes :)

1st car ride was a success!

Cousin Logan being gentle with Tanner

The famous TOUCHDOWN sleeping position

Snoozing with Dad

Due Date Come and Gone...

Mama's belly is proving to be quite the party palace for Tanner. My due date has come and gone and besides my sudden spike in blood pressure (again), everything seems to be remaining safe for him to stay in there a bit longer. We thought that his big size would make for a different story, but amniotic fluid is good, his heart rate and movement patterns are healthy, and blood work all came back normal today. Back home we go!

We have scheduled an induction for this Sunday, May 22nd at 8pm. I will go in that night for my first dose of medication, then sleep on it, and start Pitocin Monday morning. Bryce and I are both so excited to have him in our arms no matter how he finally makes his world debut!

Sagging belly 2 days past my due date :)

Banshee showing us all his sagging belly...2 much food.

Blood draw, blood pressure...

Baby heart rate monitoring, ultrasound...

With my partner in crime...

Cradle made by Tanner's great Grandpa - also where my brothers, cousins, nephew, and I all slept in our wee-days!

Mother's Day 2011

May 8th, 2011 - Mother's Day

Busy day! 1st stop: my parents house for breakfast. 2nd stop: Uncle Will & Aunt Shell's for family fun. 3rd stop: Bryce's parents house for more food and Jeff's birthday.

Surprised in the A.M. with an Almost-Mom's Day gift from Bryce

We'll see if this holds true...

Yummy smelling candles...my fav! And another cute outfit for T.

Thank you Bryce. I love you.

We went to my parent's house for breakfast. Wondering why Bryce & my Dad are sitting so close together on such a big couch. Hmm...

1 Week To Go! 39 Weeks...

I am SO SO ready for Tanner to make his world debut! Bryce and I are both anxious and looking for any sign of the onset of labor. I am officially on maternity leave, so the extra time at home only makes the anticipation that much more!

Dear Tanner, 
        If you are waiting for Mommy and Daddy to get everything ready to go, you don't have to wait any longer. Our bags are packed for the hospital stay, we have washed Dad's old baby blanket and it's waiting for you in your cradle, car seat is tight and secure in Daddy's truck, and your 2 biggest fans can hardly wait love and hold you. We are ready when you are. Love you!
Love, Mom & Dad

A quick video of Tanner wiggling around in Mama's belly

39 Weeks LARGE!

Labor bag and baby bag - ready to go!

The dueling piggy banks. Mom's is the silver pig and Dad's is the fire truck. Who can earn more money for Tanner by Christmas???

Big cousin Logan playing with one of Tanner's tractors :)

Holy COW! And 2 more weeks to go...

"Holy COW" are the only words that come to mind today.

8 1/2 Months Pregnant (37.5 weeks)

Tanner: What a character! Our little boy is getting big, bIG, BIG! Our latest ultrasound shows that he is still in the 87th percentile in size and weight. He was estimated at 7lbs, 7oz last week, and may gain almost a pound per week from here on out. The ultrasound tech was also very impressed with his LONG eyelashes. From what she said, eyelashes are rarely even seen on ultrasound. Tanner was flaunting his luscious lashes for the camera, however :)
Bryce: Though no belly to contend with himself, Bryce has been losing a little sleep with thoughts of parenthood running through his mind. We have spent several nights awake together talking and getting excited about our little man. Going to birthing classes gave him the opportunity to talk to other first time dads about their thoughts and worries, which he was happy to have experienced. Bryce will be able to take about 4 weeks off of work for paternity leave :)
Cara: Check up appointment and imaging this morning shows that he is in a transverse (side-to-side) position in my belly.  Instead of worrying about the endless possibilities this means for birth, I have decided to embrace the journey and trust that the best decisions will be made when the time comes. I can hardly wait to hold Tanner is a couple short weeks...or sooner? :)

Showing off the big belly at 37.5 weeks along

Tanning the belly, relaxing, and reading in the sun on Beaverton's first sunny day in months!

Tanner's profile all scrunched up - 36 week ultrasound