First Photo Shoot- Missing Photos

Because I love Christmas I start picking out our Christmas card probably in October. ( i just can't help myself) I was so certain that Nora was going to be late and so I wanted to have our xmas card out before she arrived and then I would make an announcement just for our new baby. So I had our cards ordered and delivered and wouldn't you know that same week I had our baby. So now I was in a pickle.....do I sent out the xmas card without Nora in any pictures or create a new one? So I decided to keep our xmas card I had already created and add an announcement with the xmas card. So this meant I had to take some pictures of Nora, and fast in order to get it ordered,delivered and out on time. Yes I am aware that I am completely insane and this should have been the least of my worries with a new baby. But I was determined to do it.

So here are some pictures that didn't make the cut for her announcement. She was a good sport that day and I was able to get some good pictures of her. Enjoy!

I was obsessed with her adorable tiny feet!! Her little piggies were so cute!

First Weeks

Nora's first few weeks at home were filled with love, smiles, stinky diapers, sleepless nights,tears, and lots and lots of kisses. Thankfully my mom was able to come down and spend some time with us and she was a HUGE help and I couldn't have done it without her. Adriana was able to visit for a week as well. It was great to have family around and someone to keep us company while Mike was at work. Everyday was a learning experience and we all fell more in more in love with her each day. Here are a few pictures of the first few weeks.

Her first manicure......
Her first bath.......


Auntie Adriana also came to visit and she was a big help. It was nice to have someone to talk to during the day and she was great and picked up some of the night time feedings. It was great to spend time with her and she enjoyed bonding with Nora.

Can you notice a theme in the next 2 pictures???? I can give you a hint and his name is Louie.

Quick Update

4 Months Old

Can you believe it has been 4 months already!! I can't. I wanted to share some updated pictures with you and then I will continue with my archives posts. Nora was 4 months old this past Monday and she is doing great. She weighs 12lbs and is 25 inches long. She had a growth spurt and is now in the 75% for height! She is a mover and a shaker....when she starts crawling we know she will be a wild one. She has been adjusting well to day care and I am getting back into the swing of things at work. We are still hoping for a full nights rest but hopefully that is soon to come.

Here are a few pictures of our love bug.

Pittsburgh Visit

Mikes family came to visit us a few days after we got home from the hospital. Nora got to meet her cousins, aunt/uncle, grandparents and great grandparents. It was nice to have everyone here and great that they were all able to meet Nora. We spent some quality time together and everyone took turns holding Nora. Since she was only a few days old she was doing a lot of sleeping but everyone enjoyed holding her. We took Nora to see her first Christmas tree at the National harbor. Here are a few pictures from the visit.

Better Late than Never....

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.

Welcome Nora Ashley

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

Getting ready to leave

Curbside service

Nora's new family waiting for her at home

Baby Shower

Last weekend my mom, sister, and Aliza threw me a baby shower at home. It was such a great day I can't begin to thank them enough. My moms tennis friends also had a hand in the shower planning. It was a beautiful fall day and so nice to be at home with special friends and family. We even had some family friends from Connecticut make the journey for the shower.

Getting bigger at 35 weeks

Me and my bestest friend Aliza

After everyone arrived and visited we all had lunch and then opened presents. Everyone was so generous and I received many thoughtful gifts.

You can see everyone wanted to help with the presents...and when I say everyone I mean the dogs Louie and Emma.

After lunch we had all worked up an appitie for some cake...and let me tell you this cake was DELICIOUS!!! The left overs did not make it past Sunday morning in our house. Mom had ordered the cake from a local bakery and it was just too cute!! Look at the pacifiers made out of white chocolate!! And the pink and blue ribbons were a perfect touch. Awesome job mom!!

Aliza made cute party favors for everyone to take home. She also brought adorable elephant cookies and I totally forgot to take a picture before we ate them all. She knows about my little obsession with elephants.

I can't express how special I felt that day and thank everyone that helped make the day so amazing. I have wonderful family and friends and I will cherish this memory for a long time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Love you all