A week of bliss!!

From Nana (formerly known as Grammy Kris), Grampy and Uncle Jonathan...

Finally getting to meet and spend time with Tanner has been a dream come true!  It has been a week of happily giving him his bottles of milk, changing his diapers and clothes, going for long walks, visits to the Exploratorium science museum, the Aquarium, holding him closely, and giving him lots of kisses and hugs.

It's going to be very difficult saying our goodbyes tomorrow morning when Uncle Jonathan, Grampy and Nana have to travel back to Boston.  We'll hold on to the special memories we shared especially Tanner's adorable expressions, his beautiful little smiles, his baby talk, and his soft and cuddly little body.  We'll look forward to Jason and Stephanie sending us lots of photos and videos to keep us close until the next time we get together.  Uncle Kyle can't wait to meet Tanner!

We're so proud of Jason and Stephanie and the wonderful parents they have become.  It's amazing to see how natural it has become for them.  They're very attentive and ever so loving. 

Now is a good time to pat ourselves on the backs, Grammy and Poppy / Nana and Grampy!  We must have done a few things really right!!

We love you Jason, Stephanie and Tanner!

XOXOX

Coo Coo Kachoo

Tanner's First Words

As promised, here's a video of Tanner. Poppy "loaned" us his Flip video recorder, so we'll be sure to capture more antics, more often.

A Few Words from Grammy Sandy & Poppy

Grammy Sandy....

It's going to be hard to keep this posting to just a few words, first I am  a woman of many words and second this has been an amazing 15 days.  I don't know where to begin.  

I have a new love of my life (sorry Mark) his name is Tanner Kai.  I am smitten, he has captured my heart and takes my breath away.  It's really hard to describe the feelings that I feel when I hold, kiss, or am around him.  Words cannot do this feeling justice.  I realize that  I am absolutely biased, however, he is the most beautiful child I've ever seen (sorry Stephanie and Scott.)  He has amazing blue eyes (with a hint of gray) and his mouth is heart shaped but he has wonderfully sized lips.  His head is perfectly sized and round with lovely shaped ears that are flat to his perfectly sized head.  Can't say much about his nose yet, it is pretty nondescript, next visit (January if Steph will have me.)  He has a great smile and his little giggles are just precious (the giggles are only when he sleeps, Stephanie says he is dreaming of puppies, I think it is a gas reflex.)  I can go on and on but I won't bore you all.  We hope that Stephanie, Jason, and Tanner will be coming East in March (for Grandma Freda's b-day) and hopefully there will be a stop over in CT where we can introduce him to all our peeps.

Another gift this trip offered, was being able to spend so much time with Stephanie.  We realized we have not had this much one-on-one time since she was in middle school.  I know she would agree (because she told me so) that the time we shared was incredibly special.  It's funny how mother/daughter relationships become closer and are redefined as we both get older and grow.  It is a given that Stephanie is a great daughter, but she has also been a great friend these past 15 days.  We did so many fun things together and were so in sync.   

Now a few words about my amazing son-in-law (more like a son.)  Any man that can have his mother-in-law around for 17 days and still smile and not mutter under his breath while I am in his presence, deserves a gold medal of honor.  Jason, thank you, for your patience and hospitality, I can't wait to come back soon, just kidding, I'll give you kids a breather for a while and promise I won't stay as long the next trip out.

My parting remarks, Tanner Kai is one lucky boy to have such wonderful parents as Stephanie and Jason.  They are naturals.

Tanner Kai you will be in my thoughts every day, and the kisses and feeling of your baby soft skin hopefully will sustain me till my next visit.

I love you all,

Grammy Sandy

and now Poppy...

I not  like my wife, am a man of  few words.  What they said about being a grandparent is an understatement.  You can never believe the inner feelings you experience from seeing this little thing who evolved from you.   He is everything I could have ever wanted.    Even in this short time we have accomplished so much together.  A visit to Buena Vista and a trip to Sonoma.  Most importantly, time together to bond and discuss the many things we will be doing together in the next thirty years.  Thank you  Tanner for cooperating when I finally mustered up the conviction to change your diaper this morning.  This too was an  extremely gratifying experience.  Who would have thought that I would say this.  Thanks to Steph, Sandy and Jason for letting me take care of my boy every morning since I arrive.  This too was an amazing, wonderful experience.  I could go on and on  but I am a man of few words.  Thanks to my daughter and son-in-law for giving Sandy and me this most wonderful and cherished grandson who we  will love for ever, more and more every day.

Found: Smile, Thumb & Waist

Some belated Oakland Zoo pics.  Tanner loved the giraffes the most.

Afternoon Nap

Grammy Sandy & Poppy

Yesterday was a big day.  Before I go on, I have to preface that I swore up and down that I wasn't going to be one of "those moms."  The one that goes on and on about stuff people never want to hear about - like the shape of Tanner's poop last night, that funny noise he made while I was feeding him, etc.  But indulge me.  This is good. Pretty good.  Yesterday Tanner graced us his first bona-fide non-gas related smile.  Precious.  And fleeting.  So fleeting that we couldn't get a picture. He also managed to find his thumb, and sucked it till we submerged him in his bath and he had to quickly get it out of his mouth so he could wail (his bath time ritual).  Poppy Mark did get a picture, but we'll have to wait till he gets back to Connecticut to post it.  As precious as the thumb sucking was, I'm already neurotic...getting worried that he'll suck his thumb till he's 7 and be forced to have braces twice (for a total of 5 years) and no dates till he's in college.  If you don't believe me, ask to see my elementary school pictures.  I was the picture of loveliness with bright red Sally Jesse Raphael glasses and teeth the stuck out of my mouth - WHILE IT WAS CLOSED.  My mom had to barter ear piercing to get me to stop and I was forced to sleep with dirty socks on my hands for weeks.  Okay, enough about me.  Well, maybe one more thing.  Yesterday, I found my waist.  I"m proud to announce that I'm 0.5 lbs. lighter, yes lighter than when I got pregnant.  Now mind you, it's way more muffin top-esque and there's zero quarter bouncing or six packing going on, but I'll take it.  I guess it's the only perk to pumping and being Bessie the Cow five times a day.

String Bean

Sorry I've been so lax at updating the blog.  I'm kinda busy.  Ya know, the baby and all.  We've all been lucky for the past week - Grammy Sandy has come to SF to baby both babies (Tanner and me).  We now have a live in (at least for 17 days) poop changer and burper.  I've actually gotten to go to the gym 3x this week and blow dry my hair.  Amazing feat for a new mom.  We also went to the Pediatrician for the monthly check up.  Tanner is ready for NY fashion week; he's tall and thin. He's now 9lbs. 5oz (up from 6lbs. 5oz a month ago) and in the 25th percentile, 22.5" (up from 20.5") and in the 75th percentile.  He's loving long walks along the beach and starting to coo and maybe break a non-gas related smile.  Can't wait to get pics of that one.  In the meantime, here are his latest pics sans hair, which he's lost in the front, but not the back.  He's sporting the new mullet or Poppy look.   Speaking of, Poppy will be joining us on Tuesday and we'll be able to post lots of videos.  Yay!  Check out the latest pics of the string bean above, including him in his newest favorite pastime - wrangling ponies.

I do want to share one story, one to surely embarrass him, or perhaps me, on his first date.  Yesterday, when I was changing him, I noticed a bit of a "chubby."  I had to show it off.  So I called in my mom, and before she could even get in the room, I was covered in projectile pee. I guess it wasn't a "chubby" after all.

My buddy

Frogs Make Me Tinkle

Like every new parent, Jason and I were so excited to give Tanner his first bath in the froggie tub.  We had visions of cooing and splashing, much like us when we hit the beach.  Oh hell no.  It was more like Chinese water torture.  Coos and splashes turned into blood curling crying and pissing. Yup, Tanner tinkled not once, but twice on Jason during the process.  And it wasn't while he was in the bath.  Both times was when he was holding him.  Here's the aftermath and some more pics, including a tushy one (as requested by Poppy)

I also want to clarify a few things from my last post after getting emails congratulating us as if we really had a set schedule. The last post was an example.  A snipit of one evening.  What I left out is that no day is exactly the same (except for the number of bottle feedings and diaper changes).  I also left out Tanner's newest way to spend 8-10pm - screaming, crying, beating his fists and turning beat red from the inconsolable and non-stop tantrums.  I'm not calling it the "C" word yet (moms will know the dreaded "C" word), but it may be close.  He's not a happy camper and there's nothing we can do to make it better (other than drink hard liquor).

Personally, I think that Happiest Baby crap by Dr. Karp is a load of sh*t.  We read the book and watched the video of Dr. Karp magically consoling babies with one of his 5 "S's (swaddling, shushing, side/stomach, swinging, sucking).  What I realized after having my own newborn, trying the techniques and re-watching the video is that the cut-aways of him soothing are only 5 seconds.  Yeah, I can console Tanner for 5 seconds; it's the stuff that starts at the 6th second that's impossible.  And believe me, we've tried it all.  Jason was close to putting him in the car and driving around the block for 2 hours the other night.  I've even resorted to singing.  Hmmmmm...maybe that's why he cries in the first place.

90 Diapers & 85 Bottles. Just another week at the Warnes

Well, it's been 1 week, 90 diapers and about 85 bottles since Jason went back to work and I officially became a stay at home mom.  And I survived.  And so did Tanner.  We're both learning how to get along and doing pretty well.  I only threatened him a handful of times with, "I'm gonna stuff you right back where you came from."  I didn't follow through only because he's gained 1-2 pounds and it was hard enough at 6 lbs. 11 oz., I can finally see my toes,  and I'm so over my maternity jeans.  

Now that we're BFF's, I've started learning little things about my son - like when a little whimper is about to turn into an ear piercing shriek, the best time to see him giggle, when he's about to ruin his diaper, a fart grunt vs. a hungry grunt,  and when he needs some Mommy kisses stat. Here's a little glimpse into our somewhat typical day starting from the wee hours:

8:30 am - Jason leaves for work and leaves me a pot of coffee

9am - feeding and getting dressed

9-12pm - on and off napping with the occasional crying and toy playing, trying to clean up around the house and check email

12pm - feeding 

1pm - my feeding

1:30pm - shower with Tanner in the bathroom

2:30 - feeding

3pm - out the door for the day (walk to Golden Gate Bridge, North Beach or meet up with a friend)

5:30pm - feeding and Jason comes home from work (just in time for a diaper change)

5:30-7:30pm - playing, napping, occassional crying, trying to make dinner

7:30pm - my and Jason's dinner

8:o0pm - feeding

8:30pm - time for Tanner to go to bed

9:30pm - time for Jason and I to go to bed

10pm - feeding

12am - feeding again (Jason's shift)

3am - feeding again (my shift)

6am - feeding again (Jason's shift)

And do it all over again the next day.

We've also been introducing Tanner to "a day in the (weekend) life of the Warnes."  We've been indulging in beers at the local cafe (see below), eating lots of meat (Jason) at friend's BBQ's in San Rafael, running errands around Russian Hill and Babies-R-Us, walking around Golden Gate Park, and doing Netflix marathons on Friday nights (till our bedtime at 9:30pm).

Check out the 80's tail

Tannerisms

So we're 18 days into it and already have close to 20 nicknames for Tanner based on his "Tannerisms."  Here are some of the little daily things that we've come to know and love (well, not all):

• Grunnnnnnnting from gas - day and night, awake and sleeping and in the Safeway line
  
• Pursing his lips and pushing away the bottle when he's had enough
  
• Hand boxing after a bottle
  
• Pushing away Mommy's annoying long hair
  
• Smiling and giggling during first 5 minutes of sleeping
  
• Loving having his tushy rubbed
  
• Out like a light when the blowdryer turns on during changes
  
• Getting so "into" his bottle that he covers both his eyes with his hands during feedings
  
• Squeaking through the night
  
• In one end, and out the other almost instantaneously (while feeding)
  
• Peeing on Mommy 6x and Pooping on Mommy (through the diaper, through the clothes and onto my lap) 2x.  Note that he hasn't done this once on Jason
  
• Going cross eyed
  
• Pushing himself to the other end of the bassinet and out of his swaddle blanket
  
• Pirate eyes - one eye open, one closed
  
• Stinkiest poo ever
  
• Loves extreme off roading in the stroller
• Likes song, "Big Balls" by ACDC

2 Weeks old...

...and still has that "new baby smell", although his deuces smell like old yogurt.

On another note, he's become more of a night person, which means a little less sleep for Steph and me. 

Around 9pm (after him sleeping all day) we decide to put him down for the night, which means he wakes up as soon as you touch him...and by "wake up" I mean his eye lids actually snap open and don't re-close until around 2am. 

I take the first "shift" to let Steph sleep a bit (plus I'm going for Husband of the Year...so please vote for me). This is the worst shift because he just farts and wimpers the entire time...and let me remind you, his farts actually smell like old yogurt, which is weird, 'cause it's not what I've been feeding him. On the positive side, I've been watching a lot of late night cartoons and skate/surf videos (secretly, I've just been watching re-runs of the Golden Girls). Once the clock hits 2am, lil' Tanner Kai sleeps for about 3 to 3.5 hours before his next feeding and finally "waking up" the final time around 8am...which just means he sleeps for the next 10 hours.

Anyway, this is my last day of watching my son sleep all day and I go back to work. It's been an amazing 2 weeks with Steph and Tanner and I'm gonna miss hanging out with the 2 of them all day. But now that I'm the sugar daddy, I gotz to bring home some bacon for my peeps.

These are Tanner toes...not fingers.

So now that Tanner is up and over his "birth weight" (6lbs 13 oz) Steph and I have been taking him out on the town. Still maintaining his stoner lifestyle, he sleeps through these little day trips...which makes for easy posing.

First trip to the Golden Gate Bridge/Chrissy Field

Life with Tanner Kai

Well today was his second doctor's appointment in 4 days. He was a tad under weight (went from 6 lbs 11 oz to 6 lbs 3 oz) which is great if he was a wrestler...but like a wrestler, he needed to make weight (being at least 6 lbs 11 oz). In order to do this, Steph and I needed to feed him every 3 hours...even in the middle of the night. So 4 days went by and we went to the doctor and to our surprise (and the doctor) he was 6 lbs 13 oz. 

Mission accomplished!

Other than that excitement, life with Tanner is much like your stoner college roommate. Wake up, get something to drink, go to the bathroom, and then back to sleep. Yup, parenthood is life in the fast lane.

But in all seriousness, Steph and I couldn't be happier...we could be more rested, but still we're so stoked to have the newest part of our life here.

Now for what you all really want, pics of the lil' stoner.

Happy 1 Week Birthday

Labor Thoughts

I'm way too exhausted to write anything pithy or elegant about giving birth to Tanner Kai, but there are a few things I keep fondly recalling and reminding myself to write down before I forget:

I'm damn lucky. I did the math the other day. I was in labor for about 8 hours. Of those 8 hours, 2 were at home and 6 were in the hospital. Of the 6 in the hospital, 4 of them were with an epidural, which I HIGHLY recommend. Pure bliss within only a few minutes and the actual epidural itself is nothing compared to contractions without it.

The last 1.25 hours of labor was spent pushing, and as weird as this may sound, it was pretty amazing in every way. Now remember, I'm thoroughly enjoying an epidural during this time. But the whole process was very peaceful and a wonderful bonding experience with Jason. For the entire time, it was only me, Jason and Barbie, my Nurse. The Doctor was there only for the last 2 minutes to deliver Tanner. I had Jason on one side, and Barbie on the other helping me push by supporting my back and giving supportive words. Even when Barbie had to leave for a few minutes, Jason and I continued to push on our own. As for the "crowning" experience, I'll let you ask Jason about that one.

One of my other favorite moments that I try not to recall too often b/c it makes me laugh so hard that I worry about my stitches. Tanner surprises us on Monday night with his first poop. In the midst of visitors and chaos in the room, Jason hits the Nurse Emergency call button and yells, "My kid is dropping a deuce in here. Send help." I can't stop laughing as I write this.

Also, a big wonderful thank you to my brother Scott who hopped on a plane within two hours of my water breaking call. It was so good to have family with us and Scott was the ideal guest. He immediately fell in love with Tanner, drew the curtain when I breastfed without being asked and challenged the Pediatrician on what brand the Hep-B vaccination was. (Scott works in pharmaceutical market research). I'm such a lucky sister to have him, but I think Tanner will the luckiest of all - spoiled rotten by Uncle Scott. Scott's already planning shopping expeditions to Europe with Tanner.

Surprisingly, Critter hasn't stuck. In fact, Jason and I have a new nickname for him - Squeaky. The boy loves to squeak. Even Dr. Pepitone called him by it at today's first pediatrician visit. (On that update note, Tanner's perfect, but still hasn't regained the weight that he lost since birth, so my job is be Bessie the Cow over the next week.) She also thinks he may end up with blue eyes, but we shall see the official verdict in approx 6 weeks. Right now, they're blue grey and gorgeous. Always what I wanted, but ended up with poop brown).

Also a big, appreciative shout out to everyone who's called, emailed, Facebooked and sent flowers this week. I'm so sorry that I've been MIA, but unless you've had a baby before, you have no idea how time consuming and exhaustive it is. We're living on 2 hours of sleep/day and revolving our life around breast feedings, diaper changes, battling hormones and general "what the heck do I dos?" I promise to come out of hiding very soon - most likely when I decide to wear a bra and get out of PJs.

Kai

Kai - Hawaiian, sea, sea water or area near the ocean; also the name of a Hawaiian fish

From the beginning, Jason's and my life have always revolved around the water, and it only seemed fitting that it came full circle as we welcomed another life into our own family.

Our relationship began on the island of Oahu
We were married on the sand of the Long Island Sound
Our first house was only 6 six houses away from the Atlantic Ocean
Our current home is 2 blocks from the Pacific (okay, it's the Bay, but close enough)
And now our son, Tanner Kai is our entire ocean, world and existence