What we've been up to lately...

We've have a crazy, fun time lately with Roman. My mom came the first of March and stayed for 27 days!! I miss her a lot! We had a great time with her and she was so helpful in the adjustment of having a new baby! Hopefully she can come back soon!! My brother, Andy and his family came down for a weekend too. We attempted a few pictures with my mom and her grandchildren.

On another note, Matt and I have been getting adjusting to Roman's eating, sleeping schedule. We've had a a few scares with his weight gain. Nobody could have possibly warned me how hard nursing is! It has been such a challenge. I think we've got it now, though. Roman lost even more weight at his 2 week check up, so I have devoted everything I had to get him back up to weight. I feel like all he does is eat!! We went today to the doctor and he is finally above his birth weight!! Yeah!! No more pumping after a few feedings!! We're still giving him one bottle of formula for his last night time feeding. It's helping because he's sleeping for 4-1/2 hours after that feeding. I actually get a little bit of sleep!! Now that we're in more of a routine, I promise to update the blog more often!!

We had Roman's photo shoot a little over a week ago. Jennifer took the pictures and did an amazing job!!! Check out her website: Haute Shot Photography.

Roman's First...

Roman's first week consisted of a lot of activities...

First time in his swing!!

First time in the bouncy seat!

First time at the pediatrician

First walk in the park!

First St. Patrick's Day! With Meema!

Roman had a great first week. Another thing he did during week one was turn on his side during tummy time! I kid you not!! This little boy is strong!! Matt set out blankets on the floor and had him lay on them during tummy time. Roman scooted 4 feet across the floor at exactly 1 week!! Matt thinks it's his big quads. He's already training him for the football team!! Ha! My mom made him stop because she said it wasn't good for his neck. It was so funny! We are so in love with this little boy!!!

Going Home!

We got to leave the hospital on Saturday afternoon, March 14th around 1:30. It took forever to get all the paper work and everything done! Finally we made it home!!

The family of four!

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!!

Week 39!

Well, it's been an eventful week. I had my doctor's appointment last Thursday and she noticed that I have progressed even more. I was dilated to a 2 and 100% effaced. He is fully engaged also. The doctor hinted that she was on call all weekend and I probably won't make it much longer. So Matt's parents flew in town and we all just waited! We have done everything possible under the sun to pass time. Thursday night, I mentioned going and getting a pedicure. Matt insisted that he try to paint my nails instead to "save money"! Ha!! So my mom and I were dying laughing. Check out the pictures!! We got this brilliant idea from our friends Jimmy and Carol. Poor Matt he tried really hard. He even spoke to me in the appropriate language and asked me if I would like a complimentary glass of wine. He forgot I was pregnant! Ha Ha!! He couldn't see very good with the shadows, so he went and found a great flashlight!!!




Friday, I went on 5 walks. I probably walked approximately 4-5 miles. No baby. Friday night Matt's parents, Matt, and I took my mom to Fishmongers. It's his parent's favorite little hang out. We always sit at the bar because we have the same waiter, Greg that knows us very well. It was fun having my mom with us. We all had a great time! Saturday we all went out to breakfast and then walked briskly around Costco. Still no baby. I heard that pedicures could help induce labor with the massage. I took the moms and we went for pedicures, erasing all of poor Matt's hard work. Still no baby. Later that day we all went and saw Slumdog millionaire. Great movie!!! After dinner we enjoyed a very filling Italian dinner and a late evening walk. Yet, still no baby! It's Monday and I'm headed back to work for the week. We'll see how it all plays out. Matt did make a very good point. Roman is coming!! We just don't know when!! Can't wait to post his pictures very soon!!!

2 weeks left and counting!!

Oh boy, we're approaching the end!! Last weekend was a blast! Friday night we all went to dinner to celebrate my friend Kristin's 30th birthday. We had a great time! Kristin ended up going home with a brand new car too!!

Kristin, Jennifer, Heather, Lindsey, & Ashley

Matt and me at dinner

Saturday, my friend Kendi came in town for a jewelry party with the jewelry that she is selling. It was so great to see everyone!! Yes, I wore the same outfit. It's all about easiness right now and that's what was sitting on the floor in my closet from the night before! Ha Ha!!

Kendi, me, and Helen together again!

Tiffany, Kendi, and me
Below is a picture of me at 38 weeks. Once again, this is just another fabulous outfit!! I had to get Matt to take the picture last night before he left on his trip and this was the pajamas that I was wearing! I don't really think that I'm going to grow that much more in the next 2 weeks, but who knows! We're just praying that little Roman can hold on until Thursday when Matt gets back from work. My mom came in town yesterday and is staying until Roman is born. It's so great to have her here! I'm so ready for Roman to be here. I just can't wait to see his little face and hold his hand. I get teary-eyed every time I think about it!! Matt is the most amazing husband ever and I've never been so in love with anyone like I am with him. I can't believe that we will get to see our little guy that we created so soon from now!! It's such a miracle!! If Roman is anything like Matt, then I'm one lucky girl to be surrounded by my wonderful boys!!!

38 weeks

Whoa! The belly picture! "I like big bellies and I can not lie. You other brother's can't deny!!"

I like to sing this to Matt often!!