Random Reality: February 2012

Since Nora was a party crasher to her own baby shower we had to reschedule. Meghan had a big day planned for me and I felt horrible that we had to cancel but I guess I had a good excuse. :)

A few days after we got home we decided to have an impromptu mini shower at my house. So a few of the girls that were going to come to the shower came by the house. We enjoyed some cake and everyone got to meet Nora. I know it wasn't the shower Meghan had envisioned but she still made the evening very special for us.

The theme for the shower was B is for Baby.....so the party favors were burnts bees chap stick. Sooo cute!!

Now let me tell you about this cake. One word AMAZING!! It was a beehive and the details were so beautiful. I am a baker so I can appreciate all the hard work that went into this cake. Not to mention it was delicious!

Just look at this Bee. Super cute!

Me and Meghan. Such an amazing friend and I am so thankful she is in my life and I know Nora loves her honorary Aunt.

So delicious....every layer was a new surprise

After we visited and had some cake everyone got to hold Nora and Mike and I opened presents. Here are a few pictures from the evening. Thanks to Meghan for making the day so special for me.

Thank you Aunt Meghan for making my shower so special. I apologize for crashing your special day for my mom but I will make it up to you with love and smiles. Love, Nora

PS. This is Nora's boopy and Louie believes that it is his special pillow.

Nora Ashley Nardini

Born: Saturday, November 19th 2011

Weight: 6lbs 2ozs

Height: 18.5 Inches

I am back and I have a beautiful baby girl! I am sure most of you know already that Mike and I welcomed Nora Ashley into our lives on Saturday, November 19th, 2011. Our lives have forever changed for the better. Nora is already 3 months old and its time for me to go back to work. I have enjoyed the time I got to spend with her and it is going to be a very sad transition to leave her everyday. I have a lot to catch you up on so I will start from where I left off.......

It was Friday, November 18th and my parents, sister, and Ashley had all arrived at our house in preparations for a baby shower on Saturday. My friend Meg was hosting a shower for me the next day. Nora was not due for another 2.5 weeks. It was also a time to celebrate my birthday and Adrianas bday since we were not going to be together on our actual birthdays. So we had a nice dinner planned on Friday before the shower. We all went to Clydes for some good food and great company. While at dinner I started to feel some pain in my back. However it went away and I just thought it was pregnancy pain. About an hour later I got another pain in my back....but again I ignored it. (although mom did look at me with some concern....I guess she may have known what was coming). So after we got home from dinner Meg and her hubby Scott brought some things over for the shower the next day. I felt another pain when they came over but again thought nothing of it. We all said our good nights and headed to bed.

Around midnight I was woken up by bad back pain. This time after it went away I got another pain about 15 minutes later. This lasted till about 2am and then came the contractions...although I didn't know what it was at this point. I was certain our baby would be late so I didn't think it was labor. I will avoid sharing TMI but let me just say back labor SUCKS!! I was in very bad pain all morning and Mike was tracking my contractions. Around 6am I couldn't take it anymore so we headed to the hospital. I still didn't believe I was going to have a baby but when we were there the nurses told me today was the day. So instantly I called Meg and told her there wouldn't be a baby shower. After I got settled in the hospital I got some much needed drugs and was able to relax a bit for the rest of the afternoon. Mike, Mom and I all watched football in our room and around 4pm it was time to push. (ironically it was half time of the PSU game). Adriana, Dad and Ash headed to the hospital to be there when the baby was born. So I pushed and at 5:05pm Nora was born. It was a long day but such an amazing day at the same time. And even more special that mom, dad and my sister were able to be there with us. I won't bore you with anymore details.....here are some pictures from the day.

Mike and I in our room.

Our Love Bug

The Ochipinti Clan

I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights and headed home Monday morning. I was ready to be home and out of our hospital. We got the ok to leave from the doctors and we got Nora dressed (which you can see she was not happy about) and headed home. Mom, Dad, and Louie were all anxious for us to come home.

Nora not happy about getting dressed