Roman Matthew Franks is here!!

Roman Matthew Franks

March 12, 2009

Born 1:18 pm

7 lbs 7 oz.

19 inches long

It all began Wednesday night, March 11th. I went to the doctor that morning and she was shocked to see me again! She thought for sure that Roman would have already been born. She said that I was the same status, dilated to a 2 and 100% effaced. I went on to work that afternoon. I didn't really feel that good the whole day. After a big meat loaf dinner, I went to bed. About 12:30, Matt came up and went to bed also. Literally as soon as he laid down, I had a contraction. After timing them for about an hour, we decided that this was it!! We both took showers and ate a little cereal and headed to the hospital around 2:30 am. Both of our mothers were staying with us. They came up to the hospital later that morning. After I got checked out in triage, they sent us to a labor and delivery room. It was so nerve racking!! I wanted to hold out and get my epidural as late as possible. I know it's weird, but I wanted to really feel the contractions until I couldn't stand them.

One small memory that I never want to forget was when Matt laid on the bed with me and we held hands listening to this Kenny Chesney song, You Save Me. Matt loves this song. I was crying because it was just so surreal and romantic, in between horrible contractions! Finally, around 6:30 am, I got the epidural. Man, life was good! I kept getting on facebook and emailing on my phone. Matt and I tried to take a little nap, knowing that this labor was going to be a long one. Both moms came to the room and hung out with us for a little bit. The doctor also came in and broke my water and gave me potossin to help speed things up. Around 10:30, the doctor came in and said it was time to start pushing!!! The mom's left with excitement and I began!! Little did I know, it was going to take so long!! I pushed for 2 hours and 50 minutes. Matt had the radio station going pretty loud on 102.9. As soon as the 80's noon mix came along, I made him change it to 106.1 for a little more upbeat mix, hoping this would help pump me up! Well, it didn't. The nurse and me were joking that a little rap/hip hop would make Roman dance his way out. Nope!! Finally, I told Matt to change it to country. I never listen to country, but it's a joke in the Franks family that when your working, you listen to country music. And I was WORKING! The doctor came in and threatened me with the fact that if Roman didn't come in the next 30 minutes to an hour, then we needed to start thinking c-section. I start crying really hard and really praying!! I just didn't want this at all after all of my hard work. I literally pushed with every stomach muscle that I hadn't used in 9 months that I threw up! Finally, it worked and the doctor and a bunch of nurses came in saying Roman was ready! The minute that his little head came out, that Kenny Chesney song came blasting out on the radio! It was such a moving moment for Matt and me! I was crying so hard!!

Roman came out not breathing and was not moving. Of course, I'm crying, yelling is my baby okay?! Matt just stared at him blankly as the nurses stuck tubes down his throat and helped unplug his nose and mouth. Finally, he cried!! What seemed like an eternity, they finally gave him to me. Wow, Matt and I have a son!! We are so in love!!!

Waiting in the LDR room

One last walk before the epidural

Our mom's in the room waiting



One last belly shot!

Happy mom and dad to be

He's here!

Crying while holding Roman for the first time!

First kiss!


Our family!

Roman!

Going to my room

My wonderful nurse through the whole process
Grandma's first look with Matt!

Matt and his parents

Grandma Franks gets to hold Roman for the first time

Meema's first time to hold Roman!

Our complete family!!