I'm a MOM...

and I've been busy loving on my new baby for the past two months. I've been avoiding my blog because I feel there is so much I need to catch up on. Since the last time I posted we welcomed our beautiful baby boy, Coen Anthony Franco. I was due on July 9th and thanks to the Rogers/Crandell genes was overdue by almost a week when we went in for an induction. Thursday morning the 14th of July, we went into the hospital. It was so surreal sitting there in the lobby seeing couples walk out with their new babies. In one way or another we would soon be that couple and our lives would be changed forever. The fear and anticipation was setting in fast. What is going to happen in the next 24 hours? I only thought that I knew.                                                                                
 They started the pitosin shortly after we checked into the hospital room. Our Dr. came in and broke my water around 12 pm, and told us he had a movie to get to that night, Harry Potter, lol. I sure didn't mind though, I was ready. We thought for sure we'd have a baby that day. 8 hours later, around 7 that evening I was given an epidural, thanks heavens! I progressed very slowly through the night, it wasn't until 5:00am on July 15th, the nurse decided it was time to start pushing.  I pushed for an hour and a half before our little fur ball arrived. Everything I've ever heard about labor and delivery had been confirmed. It was truly the hardest, craziest, most exhausting, amazing, beautiful thing I have ever experienced. I will never forget the moment they laid that sweet, (heavy) baby boy on my chest. He cried for about 30 seconds then in my arms he relaxed. That sweet moment will never forget.

Coen Anthony Franco born 6:25 am 7-15-11 9lbs 9oz

  My recovery was hard, I think another reason I avoided writing. But I'm now feeling great. In the hospital I couldn't imaging going through the process again. I am completely amazed by all the women that have given birth. My own mother, four children, overdue with all but one, induced and with no medication. She's amazing, I now understand when they compare hard things to childbirth. You men got nothing on us! ;) So yes, I couldn't imagine something, someone else coming out of me again! So quickly we forget... lol. The older Coen gets, the more he smiles and the more he sleeps, the more I think about having more, someday.

Coen is two months old tomorrow. I can't believe how fast it's gone. He's just amazing. Again, everything I've heard about motherhood is completely and absolutely true. You give up your body, your sleep, your size 7 1/2 shoes.. lol. But you are given so much more. I seriously melt inside when his face lights up with a grin. The past few days I've been greeted with a smile when I find him fussing in his bed. He is happy to see me! He knows I'm his mom. He knows I'm food... lol. If any of you have seen pictures or met this little chunk you'll know he knows how to eat. Not getting enough nutrition has never been a concern of ours. I always though I wanted a small baby. They're so sweet and tiny, and easier to pack around. But now, I wouldn't trade this little chunk for any thing! He's been so healthy and happy. We are truly blessed to be the parents of this "little" guy.