I was 8 1/2 months pregnant and pretty much uncomfortable and miserable in any position. Three weeks prior I had fallen on the ice (direct hit on the hinny with Joshua on my lap) and could hardly walk I was so stiff. It was a joyous holiday for everyone as I remember (sarcastically said!). Joshua had barely turned two years old.
We lived in Orem in an apartment. I remember not feeling well and my back was in terrible radiating pain. I decided to take a hot shower which only intensified the pain. At this point I wasn't sure what was going on, but was feeling so horrible that we decided to drive to the hospital. I wasn't due for another 2 weeks, so I was a bit nervous that my falling on the ice was causing other issues with the pregnancy. We left Joshua with our good neighbors and headed to the hospital.
At the time the only vehicle that we had was our yellow "bouncy" Toyota pickup.
I remember bracing myself with my hand between the seat and the door through every bump or corner and getting a little cross with Matt because it hurt so badly! (Like it was his fault!?? Pregnancy hormones!) I couldn't even sit down!Now please realize I didn't know what labor really felt like. With my first baby I was induced and had my epidural before I felt any intense labor pains.
We arrived at the hospital about 8:00pm and sure enough to my surprise I was dilated to a 5 and was staying to have this baby on NEW YEARS EVE! The nurses were all excited as it was a contest between hospitals who was going to have the New Years baby for the State of Utah. Until my pregnant self arrived they didn't have any hope. =)
This birth seemed more like a party to me. Everyone was rushing in and out of my room checking on my progress and trying to prolong the inevitable. By 11:30pm, I was fully dilated and panting like a dog to NOT push every time I had a contraction. It was the total opposite of what your body wants to do at that particular state! Seriously, I think it hurts worse NOT to push, than to push. I held off the best I could but by ten minutes to midnight....I was pushing!! I remember looking around and seeing my family and the nurses in New Years Eve Party hats!!
Tanner was born at 12:00am...and 06 seconds.
There was another hospital competing for the New Years Baby and phone calls were being made back and forth on the progress during the evening. The other hospital claimed to have had their baby at 12:00am...and 04 seconds! I still sometimes wonder about that to this day!!! ?? :)
Even though Tanner wasn't the New Years Baby for the State of Utah for 1994, he was the first baby in Utah County. The next morning the newspaper came and interviewed us and took a few pictures. We also received wonderful gifts from the community and as a young struggling family we were very appreciative!!!
It was an exciting time.
He was also a little shy.....but oh, so so sweet!! What I wouldn't give to just hold him again at this age!
Tanner (2) with his older brother Joshua (4).
This picture made it on KSL Channel 5 for the Outdoors show!
As Tanner is getting older he still has that shy side, but we are realizing he has a silly commical side...that not many get to see.
This has got to be a classic!!
Tanner (14) with younger brother Landon (13)
Tanner's Eagle Scout Picture!! Yeah for Eagle Scouts!!
Happy 15th Birthday Tanner. We love you and have decided to keep you too!!!
He loved all the things that little boys love; sports, video games, dirt, snakes, bugs and food.
You want to keep them all for yourselves, but realize that's not part of the plan.
