My doctor surprised us at our Wednesday appointment saying that my blood pressure was still too high and thought it was best to induce labor a week and a half early . Daniel was also induced and so I expected something similar to that experience. With Daniel they started inducing me at around 4 in the afternoon and he was born at 7:30 the next morning - no problems. This time was different. They sent us to the hospital Wednesday afternoon and tried everything to get labor going with nothing working. They tried Cervidil once (a 12 hour process), pitocin a few times, Cytotec twice (each four hour processes)... you get the picture....nothing was working! For a while they were saying they might end up sending us home (after more than 24 hours of trying everything). I was very frustrated and tired! Finally they tried a balloon procedure that helped open my cervix enough to get my body going - which actually worked! Once my body got started it went super fast. I'm so glad she's finally here. We think she was just holding out because she wanted to be born on Shannon's birthday. We couldn't have planned that! Shannon thinks she was a great birthday present! She was definitely worth all the work to get her here.
At the hospital, anxious to begin ...
18 hours later, still no baby ... forced to find random ways to entertain ourselves
24 hours later ... still no baby
36 hours later something finally worked and Nora arrives (6 lbs. 5 oz., 18.5 inches long) after only two pushes ... thank goodness!
Dr. Goldpin, Nora, and Dad
Only a few minutes old with Mom
What a sweet little face!
The birthday boy and girl (Nora was born on Shannon's birthday!)
Who is this guy holding me?
Big brother Daniel and Mommy
Daniel is so good with her, he says "That's my baby sister. She's so cute and tiny!"
Daniel was so excited to give Nora her very own pink "doedee" (blanket) and "blah blah blah blah" (pacifier)
He likes to look at all her fingers and toes "They are SO tiny", he says.
He learned a new word. He says, "Baby Sister is fragile. Be careful!"
I think she looks like a little peanut.
I believe Daniel is just about to poke Nora in this picture. We're working on the whole gentle thing.
Sleepy boy
Sleepy girl
Daniel offering moral support during Nora's diaper change.
Out for a little fresh air.
On Labor day (Nora's original due date by the way) we got some fresh air and had a picnic at Waveny Park. It was a beautiful day.
Daniel with the penguin that Aunt Jo sent. He loves it.
One week old
Her thoughtful look
It's a rough life...
Tummy time
First sponge bath
Look at that crazy hair
She loved the warm towel at the end of her sponge bath.
This reminds me a lot of Daniel when he was a baby.
A smile
Daniel likes to sing her songs and tell her stories. 
Our little monkey
In the reptile house
Shannon said Daniel was so excited to get a big pretzel.
Apparently he got a lot of laughs for this from people passing by.
On the carousel
We hope this is his only time in the back of a police car...
With her eyes open
Going home from the hospital. They let us go home from the hospital a day early which was great because after spending so much time in the hospital trying to get induced - we were ready to be home.
In her bassinet
At the hospital, anxious to begin ...
18 hours later, still no baby ... forced to find random ways to entertain ourselves
24 hours later ... still no baby
Dr. Goldpin, Nora, and Dad
Only a few minutes old with Mom
What a sweet little face!
The birthday boy and girl (Nora was born on Shannon's birthday!)
Who is this guy holding me?
Big brother Daniel and Mommy
Daniel is so good with her, he says "That's my baby sister. She's so cute and tiny!"
Daniel was so excited to give Nora her very own pink "doedee" (blanket) and "blah blah blah blah" (pacifier)
He likes to look at all her fingers and toes "They are SO tiny", he says.
He learned a new word. He says, "Baby Sister is fragile. Be careful!"
