It's a GIRL!

Wow- nothing like finding out that we're having a baby girl to jump start the day! I have had a constant supply of energy since we left our appointment this morning. Bryce and I are SO excited! Our hearts are full :)

Our ultrasound technician gave us a great idea as we were were talking about all of the special little boy outfits that we won't be able to re-use - cut out pieces of the clothing fabric and make a small quilt. I LOVE that idea! I can paint and draw, but quilting is definitely not my specialty. I'll hire out!

Bryce and I waiting to go in to the ultrasound room at Beaverton Kaiser

Profile - I think she has her mama's chin!

That is one flexible baby!

There are little feet in both of these shots.

The inappropriate picture proof. It's a GIRL!

Our sweet little Buster made the announcement for us.

17 Weeks & Growing!

 Team Seger is still going strong! Napping takes priority over blogging these days which explains the 2 month gap in baby updates. I've realized that "pregnancy round 2" is equally as exciting, but twice as much work! While I'm using a good portion of my total energy to create a new human, I have to budget my remaining energy (which isn't much) to chase, kiss, and play with Buster, be a loving wife, focus at work everyday, keep the house clean (at least livable), and whatever else life throws at me. No complaints! Besides, a Maui vacation is just around the corner.

At 17 weeks preggo, here are the family updates - 

Bryce: This guy is a seasoned veteran at dealing with pregnant and emotional Cara! He does it with grace and style also! Bryce loves his job at Yahoo! and puts 110% in to each day at work. When he gets home, he is attentive and sweet. And I wonder where Buster has learned to love...
Buster: At not even a 1 1/2 years old, this kid is simply amazing. His vocabulary amazes us everyday with well over 100 words in his repertoire, including our favorites "basketball," "love you," "touchdown," thank you," "NO!," "butterfly," and "maybe." Buster is a little lover with a genuinely sensitive heart. He prefers calm and funny, over reckless and naughty.
Baby Seger #2: Weighing in at about 5 ounces and about 5 inches from head to bottom! Baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, his/her little heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and is getting ready for a big growth spurt! All of this progress makes for one TIRED mama.
Cara: Tired. Tired. Tired. I haven't seen the 9pm hour in at least a few weeks. I'm finding it more challenging to focus at work and pay attention to details. I'm holding it all together though...keep truckin!

We find out the baby's sex on NOVEMBER 15th! STAY TUNED!

Eating for 75???

Yeah, I've heard the phrase "eating for 2" when it comes to an increased appetite during early pregnancy, but the condition that I have goes far beyond that. I might be eating for 75! Recent evidence that supports my theory:

1. Arby's Addiction: 3 days, 3 visits. A plain roast beef sandwich has never tasted so good, and I plan to continue the madness.
2. Kitchen Clean Out: This is exactly what I did this morning at breakfast time. It's 10:40am and so far I've eaten; 1 yogurt, 2 bananas, 50+ grapes, 1 PB&J sandwich, 1 Nutrigrain Bar, 1 giant tomoato with salt on it (wtf?), and I'm already starting to think about lunch.
3. Food Envy: The sound or sight of someone else eating elicits an overwhelming urge to frantically find food of my own. Unless, of course, they are eating something nasty in which case I have to leave the premises immediately and try to distract the gag reflex.

Oh man....all this typing has worked up an appetite! See ya!

Wow! It's been a while, but it's great to be back. I guess this means that Team Seger is brewing up another baby!

I couldn't help but look back on old posts from our debut season, and so many things have changed! The most obvious, of course, being that we have a 15 month old running around our house. Can't get enough of our sweet "Buster."

Another, more depressing change is the "belly bump" at 7.5 weeks pregnant last time around versus what 7.5 weeks looks like this round. Where did that MOM BODY come from?! Oh well- it's worth every cellulite dimple and I'm going for it again.

Thank you for joining me again for Team Seger's sophomore season. This is where you'll discover the emotional roller coaster, meat hating, belly growing, family loving, details of our time with baby in tow...

 Our most precious Buster - 15 months old

 

Ah! Scary! 7.5 weeks

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!