Visitors!

Micah has been spoiled with people coming to visit him!  I don't have pictures of everybody that came, but here are some of them.

Micah (or Mike the Tyke, as Matt likes to call him)

Micah Russell Tanner was born on January 6th at 2:05 am.  He weighed in at 7 lbs 1 oz, and 19 1/2 inches long.
It was probably my most painful labor because the contractions pressed down on my nerves that I already have trouble with.  They were pretty bad, but thankfully the epidural helped...at least on the right side.  It all concentrated on that side for some reason, so I felt everything on the left side and nothing at all on the right side.  The epidural concentrated so much on that side, that right after birth, I could move my left leg, but I couldn't even feel my right leg for about 18 hours.  It took forever to wear off!
Micah had a little scare at the end.  His heart rate was dropping lower and lower with each contraction, until it got to a dangerously low point and the doctor called in the NICU team and told me to push NOW-contraction or not.  She pulled him out with the vacuum, and he immediately started screaming.  Luckily he was just fine and didn't need any extra care.  I was able to hold him immediately-which was a first for me.  With Cam I didn't really know what to expect.  They immediately took him, cleaned him and wrapped him up before I held him.  Riley was taken straight through to the NICU team and I didn't even see him until a couple hours later.  So, this was a really special experience for me.  I held him for a long time.
My parents were able to be in the room with us (near the curtain by my head).  I think for them, me and Matt it was a really special and spiritual experience.  This time was so much less stressful, and I felt like I was more in control of the situation and what I wanted to happen, so I was able to enjoy it so much more.  I can't quite describe the feelings and emotions, but it was really incredible to bring this tiny spirit into the world, and to feel like a little piece of heaven had just joined us.
This pregnancy was really difficult, and people wonder why I keep having children when the pregnancy is so miserable.  The minute Micah was born, all the pain, stress, depression and worry just washed away, and I knew in that instant that I would go through it all again to have these sweet and crazy children in our family.  We are so blessed.
The boys have absolutely loved Micah so far.  They have been so sweet to him, and they think everything about him is sooo cute!
Anyway...if anybody is still reading (which I don't expect you to be) enough with the talk-here are the pictures!

Sledding with Dad

Matt had several days off between Christmas and New Years, and we enjoyed every minute with him!  Among the fun things we did, sledding was at the top of the list for the boys.  We got to try out a new sled Matt bought last summer at a yard sale, and has been waiting for months to try.  I didn't try it (obviously) but they said it was a pretty good ride!

Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed a relaxed Christmas at home, and the Tanners came down a little later and we celebrated with them as well. It was a fun day, and so nice to have a full day together as a family!

Real Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, my parents and Brett came down to our house.  We had a delicious dinner, provided by my Mom, then a little spiritual message and the boys got to open their gifts from Grandma and Grandpa, since we wouldn't be seeing them on Christmas.

 Christmas Eve morning-Riley was cold, so Matt put him inside his sweatshirt.  Ha, ha.

 Checking out a new book from Grandma and Grandpa

 Although Grandpa looks mad, he is just reading a book with Cam

 A little dog wrestling match

Put together a car track with uncle Brett

Christmas Eve (except...not on Christmas Eve)

My family has always had a tradition of eating a meal made up entirely of appetizers on Christmas Eve.  This year was an off year for our family to be together, so we had our Christmas Eve dinner on the Sunday before Christmas.  It was delicious, as always, and so fun to get together.  We have our dinner, then we usually sing some Christmas songs, and have a spiritual thought from my Dad.  It is definitely my favorite Christmas tradition!

We attempted to get some family pictures before we left for dinner.  Hit and miss... 

Christmas Sunday attire!

 Being silly with Stockton

 Riley and Brynn, who is 2 days older.  This is so cute I could die!

 Everybody gathered together to sing

Grandpa sneaking Riley some chocolate

December Fun!

Pregnancy is rough for me, so in December, I spent a lot of time at my parents' house to get help with the kids.  The kids got lots of extra attention and had lots of fun.  Here is a little peek at all the fun!

 Playing in the snow with Grandpa and Brett (although Brett mysteriously disappeared right as I took this picture...)

 Grandpa and Brett got some good exercise pulling the boys around the yard.

My Mom convinced me to buy matching sweaters for the boys.  Cute eh?

This one is random, but here we are all dressed up for Matt's work party!