Tanner's First Photo Shoot

I have a very good friend who is a very gifted photographer, and was so sweet to come and take pictures of Tanner at 5 1/2 days. I always take pictures of my newborns, and I think my babies are beautiful, but I can never capture how I see them in the pictures I take. But she did it amazingly. Her pictures turned out exactly how I see him. Perfect. Thank-you Jaley!

even big sister had to get in on the action.

Even those little toes, aahhh, perfect.

A little Piece of Heaven . . .

has filled our home. Tanner Benson Smith was born at 7:57pm on Thursday, April 21, 2011 in the Good Samaritan hospital, in La Fayette, CO. He arrived weighing 6lbs 13oz. and stretching to the length of 19 1/2 inches.
We were supposed to go to St. Joseph's hospital in Denver @ 5:30am to be induced (never done that before), because my babies come so fast and the hospital is 45 minutes away - without traffic. But when we called at 4:45am, the hospital was full. After calling every two hours, the hospital finally called back and said that we could either reschedule or go to the hospital in La Fayette. So we climbed in the car and hurried to the hospital to sit and wait for 6 hrs. until the doctors were finished doing multiple C-sections, before they would even start us.

The "before" picture (you've got to do something when you're sitting in a hospital room for 6 hours).

At about 4:00pm, they broke my water (I was at a 4), and nothing happened, so after awhile they put me on pitossin. After slowly upping the pitossin, about 7:20, I called the nurse to check my progress and call in the anesthesiologist to get an epidural (yes, they are one of the best inventions of modern time=). After paper work, and getting the epidural in between contractions, I rolled onto my back and felt like I had to push - Benson was on the phone trying to get the kids situated for the night (because we thought Tanner would have arrived hours before), At 7:52, he hung up the phone as I told him to get over here! and Tanner was born at 7:57pm, weighing in at 6lbs 13oz, and stretching to the height of 19 1/2".

Tanner is absolutely perfect! I had forgotten how special that time is when it's just Benson, me and the new baby - straight from heaven - in the hospital room. One of my favorite past times that I will have to admit I will be sad to never experience again.

Apparently, La Fayette, CO isn't quite like heaven=).

But it looks like it'll do after all.

The next day, all of the big brothers and sisters got to come meet Tanner in the hospital - another one of my all time favorite moments! And we all drove home together. One, even bigger, happy family!

Tanner is a sweet heart, very patient, and very well loved by everyone at home. The day after he came home, Talie said, "You should have had three babies so that we could all have someone to hold."
Tanner, we are thankful that you are a part of our family! We love you!

belly kisses for the baby

Kennedi always says, "Here's a kiss for you," and kiss me and then she follows with, "And here's a kiss for the baby." And kisses my belly. I am going to miss those belly kisses when the baby comes!

Tanner or Tate?

Well, after months of deliberation, and many family votes, it looks like the name Tanner wins! The final debate was between Tate & Tanner. Benson and Kennedi voted for Tate, and Talie, Ashlynn, Peyton & I chose Tanner. Poor Dallin didn't like either, but preferred Tanner out of the two names. And, unfortunately he couldn't come up with a suggestion that we liked better, so Tanner it is! We can't wait to see you, Tanner Benson Smith!