Welcome to the World Roman Finley

Roman Finley Arant
8lbs 13 ounces
Born 5:22am 22 September, 2013

Our little man has finally arrived and boy was he worth the wait. Although we were really hoping he would come in his own time, I did have to go in to get induced on Saturday. Saturday afternoon we went into the hospital at about 2pm. We went up to the labor ward and waited for a couple hours before we were told or given anything. At about 4pm I was given my first dose of medicine to start the induction process although it didn't do much. At 8pm Ben had to leave and I still had no signs of labor. The midwife came in at 10pm to give me my second dose than told me to get some sleep because contractions would start soon. It was a weird and scary thought knowing the pain was coming but exciting knowing our boy was coming soon. At midnight my contractions started and things progressed quite quickly from that time on. Ben was allowed to come back at 2am and stay the rest of the night. Roman made his arrival at 5:22am on Sunday the 22nd. We say he has two birthdays the 22nd in Scotland and the 21st in America! I'm sure he will love having two birthdays growing up.

Right after Roman was born I only got to hold him for about 30 seconds. The midwives soon realized that I was loosing too much blood. About 10 doctors came rushing in gave Ben the baby and whisked me away to the theater (operating room). I had to have an emergency surgery because my uterus wouldn't contract and I lost about 3 liters of blood which is about half my supply. There was no time even to fear or be aware of what was going on for that matter because everything happened so quickly. Daddy got lots of one-on-one time while I was away in surgery. It took all of Sunday and most of Monday for me to recover from the blood loss, I had to have a transfusion and was under heavy anesthetics. Sunday was difficult because I wasn't even able to hold Roman for the first day and was on complete bed rest. However we had great care during our stay in the hospital. I was in the high dependency ward and had a midwife looking after me the entire time with doctors popping in constantly. The midwives took great care feeding, changing, and comforting Roman during this time, since Ben could only be there during visiting hours. Although the doctors kept telling me we had a very traumatic experience, all I could think of was how thankful I was to have a healthy baby, a super supportive husband, and great doctors and midwives who acted quickly to take care of me.

Saturday night I was reflecting on Isaiah 55 and God's ways being higher than our ways. I had so many ideas and plans for how I wanted the delivery to happen, but God knows best and he is sovereign. Even though we had a "traumatic" experience I wouldn't change one second of it, because it is what God planned and we have such a beautiful boy as a result of God's perfect plan. Roman is definitely our precious gift from God and I pray we will remember that throughout all the sleepless nights!

Cuddling with Daddy

Finally home!

Chilling out to Shane and Shane with my basketball. Just like mommy & daddy

Ready to head home!

The Art of Induction

Wow, it's been a crazy last week or so. It feels like the last week went really fast, but also really slow.  We are now officially 9 days over due for Baby Arant, and the anticipation is getting harder and harder. We are trying to stay busy and positive even though there hasn't been much signs of the wee one coming any time soon. However, as you may know, our induction date is set for Saturday afternoon, so either way he's not far off! I think one of the difficult things is that Dani throughout this whole pregnancy refused to take any type of medication as that is not her style, and to finish it off by induction seems rather depressing. Although, no matter what, the result of the natural birth or the induction birth will be our sweet baby boy and for that we are truly blessed and grateful.

We have been so blessed by all the support here in Scotland.  It seems like we have more baby stuff than we know what to do with or even have room for in our flat! That's probably a good problem to have though!  Everyone has been so thoughtful and shown their concern through prayer, car rides, and just connecting with us regularly to see how the process is going! We are grateful for our Harvest Glasgow family!  We are also grateful for our family back home. For the support all the way across the ocean. We praise God for so many wonderful, generous, and caring people that He has placed in our lives!

We ask that you would not stop praying for us and connecting with encouragements. You have helped us continue the fight of life and with this new addition coming we will need all the prayers and encouragement we can get!

YOU ARE LOVED!

*If you haven't had a chance to see some of the ways Dani and I have been working on trying to induce labor then you are in for a treat! Here are a couple videos for your enjoyment!

What I learned from Laura

Last Wednesday my friend Laura arrived for a wee visit. Laura was serving in Uganda for the past year and stopped in Glasgow on her way back home to the States. Laura and I have been friends since middle school. We met at camp, went to the same college, and she was in our wedding. I felt slightly bad as I was not able to show her much of Scotland, being 40 weeks pregnant is not the best time to travel the country. However we did go for a walk downtown, walk around Pollock Park to see the Highland Cattle, and she was able to come to church with us on Sunday.

It was such a blessing having Laura here. Not only did she clean, do dishes, and cook us meals, it was so nice to be able to chat not over skype and encourage one another. Lately I have been pretty lonely and missing friends back home so it was perfect timing for Laura to be here and spend time with me as I rested and prepared for baby. (Not that Ben isn't great at those things, but it sure is nice to have a friend around). She was really hoping to meet baby Arant while she was here, but this little man is not moving. He is now officially late and this momma is getting pretty impatient. I have an induction date set for the 21st, but am hoping and praying that he decides to come before then.

Laura and I in the city centre.

During this time I have been reflecting on how God's provision is always so timely. All through our marriage God has provided right when we needed it. I remember when we first got married we didn't have much money at all, I was in school, and Ben was working at the Radisson. We had an envelope in our cupboard that we put his tip money in and used it for groceries. Every time we ran out of food, Ben would come home with a big tip. One time an old lady gave him a 100 dollar bill, just as we were needing groceries. God provided more than enough money for us to come to Glasgow and he continues to provide for us while we are here. A couple months ago we were contemplating buying a blender to make smoothies with, but didn't really want to spend the money. The next day a friend of ours called and said she had a blender she was about to get rid of and wanted to know if we wanted it. Such a cool reminder that God cares and provides for us even with the little things. Laura's visit was such a good reminder of this provision as I was struggling and needing a friend and God provided one at the perfect time. I know this baby will arrive at the perfect time because God has his life planned out and His plan is perfect.

First Scottish Wedding

With all the anticipation of Baby Arant's due date only 5 days away, we had the chance to get away for the afternoon and experience our first Scottish wedding! The wedding was about a 30 minute drive from Glasgow at a beautiful location called Mar Hall. On a side note, the national Scottish football (soccer) team was staying in the same place as the wedding. Some people were star struck, but we had no idea who anyone was.  I just tried to think of it as if I was in the same place that the entire Green Bay Packer team was staying, and then it made more sense!

The wedding itself was very beautiful. The ceremony was different than a stereotypical American wedding in just a few ways.  The vows and kiss were right in the beginning, the bride and groom sat down for the message, there was only a best man and no groomsmen and 3 bridesmaids, there was no maid of honor speech, part of the ceremony was the signing of the register, oh and a plethora of kilts!

Sorry we are a day late on the blog, here are some pictures to make up for it!

View from Mar Hall

Enjoying the beautiful wedding day!

Reminded that I married UP!

Mar was one of the seven kingdoms in ancient Scotland and 'The Earl of Mar' is the oldest title in Britain. This rich heritage is further enhanced by the belief that both Mary Queen of Scots and Robert the Bruce visited the Mar Estate.

Mar Hall was designed in the 19^th century by Sir Robert Smirke who had previously worked on the British Museum in London.  Smirke was commissioned by Major General Robert Walter Stuart, the 11th Lord Blantyre, whose family had purchased the grounds and estate some one hundred years previously.

It was Smirke's wish that the building resemble the manorial, domestic gothic styles seen during the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First. A quarry on the estate provided the stone whilst the oak used throughout was specifically imported from Canada. Construction was not completed until 1845, fifteen years after Lord Blantyre's death with the final bill coming to over £50,000.

The house fell into disrepair over the remainder of the 20^th century and it was only in 2004, following a £15million restoration, that it returned to its former glory.

 

Thanks for your continued prayers and support

YOU ARE LOVED!