Crazy times!!

Well after all of our travels, I spoke too soon! Roman got very, very sick! It all started two weekends ago on Saturday, November 14th. He woke up from his nap with 104.7 fever. We were terrified to see him so hot and lethargic! We immediately threw him in the car and headed to an after hours pediatric center only to find out that it was just a virus. Typical! Anyways, the fever would not go away. Matt had to leave for work the following Monday, so I worked from home on Monday and Tuesday. He still had a fever! I had to go into the office on Wednesday, so we called Pambo (Matt's mom) to the rescue! She graciously flew in from Tulsa to help me. I'm so glad that I called the doctor on Wednesday morning because they wanted to us bring him in. Come to find out, Roman got a double ear infection from the previous cold he had. Pam stayed to help out and we took her back to the airport Thursday morning. I made the mistake of asking the doctor (not my typical doctor, another one in the office that we haven't seen before) if the reason why he got an ear infection is because I'm not able to nurse him full time anymore and he's getting mostly formula. He responded with a definite yes-breast milk is best. If only this doctor knew me!!! I cried the whole way home, thinking that it was my fault. Pam helped out by informing me that the Franks boys all had ear infections due to small ear canals and this could definitely be a re-occurring thing. I realized that it's not my fault and I just need to get over it!! Anyways, the antibiotics have been working and he's doing much better!

"Open wide daddy! Are you sick too?"

Friday, November 20th, Matt and I woke up and set out on a mission to sell my car. It was such a bitter sweet day for me. My mom came in town that day with her car. We bought it from her, so we needed to sell mine. I'm going to admit it - my parents bought my old car for me when I was in college. I am very grateful to them. Anyways, this makes it even more sentimental for me. My dad was so sick with cancer when we purchased the car and I will never forget him standing up from his lazy boy saying, "I'm going with my baby girl to get her car!" He was so sick and in so much pain, but it was so important for him to be there with me. This is why it was so sad to sell my old car. As Matt and I drove off, Matt started talking to me and asking me if I was going to cry. I simply said, "please, just give me a moment". A ton of memories passed through my mind and I sucked it up and held back the tears. New and better things are to come.

One last goodbye to my old car!

We ended up having a great time with my mom all weekend and I love my new car!! Friday afternoon, we got a call from Mark, Matt's brother, that he is coming in town with the triplets. Yay!! We definitely had a full house! They came Saturday morning and left Sunday afternoon. We took them all to the park and had a blast!! Roman is doing much better now and really enjoyed playing with his cousins.

Mee ma and Roman

Roman is all bundled up to go to the park

Our little family at the park!

"I love being on Daddy's shoulders!"

Roman, Matt, and uncle Mark

Cousins!!

Gracie, Will, and Reagan

William kept giving baby Roman hugs! The cousins!

My mom and I are leaving today for Springfield to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with my family. Matt works on Thanksgiving day and will fly there to meet us later that day. Let's hope the 6-1/2 hour drive with Roman goes good tonight. I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for! I am so thankful to God for all of his endless blessings!

Swinging at the park!!

Roman went for his first swing in the park with mommy and daddy! We had a blast! I hate that he's growing so fast, but love that he's getting so big and can do such new fun, exciting things!! If you can't tell by his face in these pictures, he loved the swing! There's nothing better than a little sunlight and fresh air in your face!

Playing in the kitchen

I remember looking at pictures of when I was a baby playing on the kitchen floor with my mom's tupperware. Times have changed. Now I know why my mom let me do this. I am able to clean up dishes or cook a small meal now with Roman playing on the floor. He loves to bang the tupperware together. I now mop and vacuum the kitchen floor twice a week because I know that Roman is on his hands and knees playing. So fun!!

Roman is 8 months old today!!

Roman is growing like a weed!! Here are his new accomplishments:

He now weighs around 21 lbs! The scale said 22 lbs, but he had his clothes on. We have officially put in the big boy car seat. It's so much more comfortable for him. He still is rear facing, though.

He is wearing 6-12 month and some 12 month clothes. He is still in size three diapers during the day, but they are starting to get more snug. We had to switch him to size 4 at night because he was leaking out! Such a big boy!

Roman now crawls everywhere and pulls up on everything! Being mobile is so much fun! I feel like playtime is more involved and fun. Yes, you have to watch him 24/7, though. He even pulled up yesterday to look at his reflection in the stainless steel refrigerator.

Yesterday, I watched Roman pull up to his "stand up toy" and then, while holding on, step over to the adjacent ottoman. Such a huge milestone! It's so interesting to watch him push and test himself. He is such a boy with no fear!

He is learning so much every minute and is becoming so interested in his environment. I love watching him learn. I'll catch him looking up at our light fixtures and wonder what they are. Or when the microwave beep goes off, he'll just stare trying to figure it out.

He can finally read books and be somewhat interested in them. His favorite right now is the animal farm books with the furry animals. He loves animals!!

Speaking of animals, his favorite song is "Old Mac Roman Had a Farm". We go through every animal and now even through our family members making noises. One evening I was driving with Roman in the car and he wouldn't stop crying. I had to sing that song over and over for him to stop. It worked!!

He found his video monitor in the crib! So funny! The other day I was working from home during his nap time and heard noises in the monitor, I looked at the video and to my dismay, there was he cute big head staring clearly into the screen trying to figure out what it was! So amusing!!

I tried to take a picture of his face staring at me this morning, but it didn't come out too great...

Morning times are so much fun now! I usually let him play in his crib for a little bit while I am either getting ready for work or exercising. I love going in and seeing him trying so hard to peak over the top of the crib to see me. I then tell him good morning and just watch his big smile appear! Moments like that just make me thank God for being a mom!

Where's baby Roman?
I see you...

Good morning, Roman!!

Roman is now getting 4 feedings a day. He still nurses in the mornings and then has three 8oz bottles throughout the rest of the day. We also started giving him three meals a day now rather than two. We're in the process of introducing him to more "people food". He definitely only loves the smooth texture of baby foods.

Roman is going to bed around 7:45 and sleeping until 7:00am. He also takes two naps during the day. He is such a great sleeper!!

He can "hi five"!! We taught him the other day and he picked up on it so quickly!! Now, what I mean is, he lifts is hand in the air when I say, "hi five". Here's a video...

Roman is such an easy going, flexible baby. Poor guy! We hauled him to California and back in 48 hours, then he had the Fall time change, and then he stayed with Grandma and was sick and away from us for 4 days. As soon as we got back from Jamaica, he started his new Montessori school the following Monday. They have a whole different schedule there. Needless to say, he handled it all just fine. I'm learning that as a mom, I have to be a little more relaxed and then he will too. I just love every minute with my sweet Roman. Matt and I are so blessed to be his parents!!

Jamaica'n me crazy!!

We have been traveling maniacs!! We got back from California on Saturday, October 31st and turned around and left for Jamaica early Monday morning. We had to get up at 3am to catch the early morning flight. We were so fortunate to make both flights coming and going because we flew standby. They even upgraded us to first class on the flight to Montego Bay! Meema came in town to watch Roman so Matt and I could get a few days together. It was fabulous!! I highly recommend getting away with your spouse for a few days if you have children. It's so good to spend time together just the two of you with no worries. And it's great to not have to get up to the monitor!! We stayed at a simple all-inclusive resort for 4 days and 3 nights.

Our view from our room

I'm pumped to get on the beach!!

He's such a tourist!!

On our balcony

Dinner the first night

Matt is doing yoga "upward dog" poses in the ocean

The water was beautiful!

This lady sold me a couple necklaces for my nieces. She tried to sell other stuff, but we won't go there... Ha!

I had to get my morning workout in! Nothing like a little beach aerobics!



This local guy cracked us up!! He was singing Bob Marley!

We followed this couple to get a picture of their hairstyles. Nothing like pigtails and a fabulous mullet! The "beachy" outfits topped it off too!! I felt bad, but it was too funny not to document!

This is where you could find me all day!

Or here at the pool...
The pool bartender took this pic.

Last night at dinner. The food wasn't that great, but who cares!! It's hard for me to compare when I live with a chef!!

Poor Matt got so sunburned again! He always does!

Don't make me leave!!!!!!

Overall, it was a fabulous, quick getaway!! I'm so glad that we got to spend some quality time together. I accidentally made the mistake of calling my mom to check on her and Roman. She informed me that he was sick with a cold and fever. I was a little worried, but realized that there is no one in the world that I could have trusted more to take care of him besides Matt or me, so he was in great hands! Thanks mom!!