Day 5...

I guess I haven't been blogging very much the past few days! We've kept busy but we've been relaxing a little too. We've been taking the kids to the park, the library, out to run errands, the Doctor's office & Trav's softball game last night. We've been sleeping as much as we can, watching movies, reading, arts & crafts and building lots of forts. Yesterday Roman had his Dr, appointment and he's now 8 lbs 9 oz. He looks great and healthy and he had his "boy procedure" done at the same time. He has been a little trooper and is doing really well. The kids have been adjusting perfectly too. There has been some pouting when one hasn't been able to hold Roman, and some arguing over who held him longer, but it's mostly been out of love, so it hasn't been bad. We are trying to spend time with all the kids and so far- so good. I'm feeling pretty good, I'm getting some sleep which has been wonderful and very needed. I'm a little more crampy today than normal and my milk is kind of out of control- but we are getting there I think! I still look 9 months pregnant and am still walking a little slow- but hey, I just pushed a baby out, so I'm trying to be realilistic with what I expect from myself. Everyone has been so kind to help with meals (which has been 100% unnessary, but very sweet) and DeArley even brought over an ice cream cake last night which was about the best gift ever! We are doing pretty good over here, just trying to enjoy this little man as much as we can. Thanks everyone for making us feel loved and cared for!

Day 2...

Yesterday went really over here. I stayed home with the baby while Trav took the kids to church- and I slept! It was wonderful. I just needed a hour or two, and thank you Lord for bring it my way! We just relaxed and fought over the baby for hours. We had dinner come in again from my other visiting teacher (and it was Heaven!) and then G-ma & G-pa came over for a few hours last night. I laid on the couch and talked with Edith while waiting for another dose of Advil to kick in. She held the baby the entire time while the kids kept trying to steal him away from her. After they left, Andrea & Lisa stopped by to bring flowers and brownies. We visited for a little bit and then it was time to get the kids ready for bed. After they were down, we gave Roman his first mini bath and he was not a happy camper. He ate really well, we watched part of a movie and then Trav took him for awhile so I could sleep. He slept great last night and I feel a little better getting a few hours! Roman is doing great, he's pooping, eating and sleeping- so he's right on track! I take him in today or tomorrow for his 1st appointment so hopefully things look good from the Dr's end. The kids are still fighing over him, Trav has been an amazing help and I'm feeling a little better. Everything is still sore and aching, but Advil helps alot. My milk is definatly here which is nice and we have setttled right into life. As much as I would love to stay in bed and rest for days- that's just not how the story goes... any Mom knows there is little rest, but that's ok. I'm used to little sleep and messes that never end- so it's not that bad! We are doing well and so glad that Roman is finally here. I love to just snuggle him. I love being a Mom. I saw a quote that said: The best job is the hardest job- how fitting for us Mama's. More pictures to come...

The story...

Friday morning I woke up at 4:00 AM to get ready to leave for the hospital, apparently, so did Willow and Grace because they were both wide awake and a few minutes later watching cartoons in my bed. By 4:45, Trav was up getting ready to take the kids to G-ma & G-pa's house for the day. Off they went, and I stayed home to finish getting ready. When he came back, we got everything in the van and were at the hospital about 5:45. We checked in, wiped hand rails down, toilet seats and remotes, hopped in my gown and laid down. I warned my nurse of my HORRIBLE IV expereinces and kindly asked if I could have someone experienced to do it. She said, no problem, that she would be the one doing it. 2 nurse later and 4 tries it was in. I wanted to die. Seriously, who's IV anxiety matches that of child birth? Mine! Shortly after I had my epaduril because the "angel" had a really busy day and I wanted to make sure I actually got one. That went well, my Dr broke my water and I was progressing. My nurse gave me 1 dose of pit and then stopped because I was doing well on my own after that. By noon I was ready to push- or so we thought... I thought he would be out in a few pushes, but he decided to get his head stuck to the side and be stubborn. After a hour of pushing, and several different methods we were making progress, but I was so exahausted. What was I doing wrong? Why couldn't I do it I kept thinking??? After his head straightened out, things were better and he was out, about a hour and 1/2 later- but holy moly- it was intense, incredibly painful and I just wanted to die. It was incredible at the same time. Just holding him for a minute and watching Trav's face was so unreal. He was born at 1:44 PM. Andrea cut the cord and they took him to get cleaned up. I was finally done. Another miracle. We were a little shocked to find out he was so big too- He was our biggest at 8 lbs and 12 oz! He was perfect though (besides his crazy cone head! But it's gone now!) He started nursing as soon as he was back in my arms, and we rested for awhile. Andrea went home to get ready for Isaac's party and we finally ate lunch. A few hours later G-ma & G-pa brought the kids and they were instantly in love (they are still fighting over him and driving me crazy!)They stayed for awhile and then Trav took the kids home around 6:00 PM. It was wonderful to have the room to myself all night and just bond with him. No noise, no TV, not even Office was in the back ground! Annikan, Roise, Angie and Kara made it that night to visit and it was fun to talk and eat my milkshake- thanks Annikan! (And Christy tried to be there for the delivery but sadly went to 2 wrong hospitals- missing it entirely! I'm sorry Christy- but thank you for trying!) By midnight I was so worn out I couldn't think straight so I had the nurse take him for awhile. I doozed for about 2 hours and she brought him back around 2:00 AM to nurse again. I closed my eyes for another 45 minutes between 4:00 and 5:00 AM and then we watched the sun come up. It was peaceful and nice to just hold him and thank my Heavenly Father for everything. Trav brought the kids around 10:30 and took them out for ice cream (thanks Mom!) Finally after 5:00 PM, we were getting ready to come home. There were TONS of of ladies having babies so everything took awhile. But by 6:00 PM last night we were home. My visiting teacher brought us yummy dinner, I took a very needed shower and then we got the big kids down. LAst night went Ok. I had to have Trav take him for awhile so I could try to sleep for a bit, I was so tired I couldn't function any more. I took him awhile later and we made it through the night. I slept on the floor in the living room after trying a 100 different ways to get him to sleep and get myself comfortable. Finally sleep came after 5:00 AM this morning, but not for long. I woke up to Daisy scarring me to death. She was just standing there above me looking down. Crazy girl! This morning has gone well- but I am off to wake up my darling husband so we can trade shifts. I need to sleep. So, that's it for now... I'll keep everyone posted. He is a little doll with super cute cheeks that you want to squeeze or kiss or nuzzle. We are still wondering if he is ours though because normally we have little mexican looking babies with dark skin and TONS of black hair. He has light brown with a tinge of red in it. It's really weird and I keep looking at him thinking something just isn't right. (I promise it is though. Trav is the only man for me!) I am off for now. My bottle of Advil is calling my name!

We are home...

I am so tired right now I could collapse, so I'll save all the details for tomorrow, but here's our little football player! He was 8 lbs 12 oz when he was born (he's 8 lbs & 10 oz right now), he's doing wonderful, he's healthy, eating like a horse and being loved to death by his brother & sisters. More tomorrow...