Happy #5!

Ben decorating his birthday cake - with sprinkles, black icing and red hots.

More Star Wars!!

Ben had a nice little party at home this year with cake, ice cream and presents. He has been very excited for his birthday and to be "five like A.J." This year Ben got lots of Star Wars items, a Lego alarm clock, paint-by-numbers, Sponge Bob PJs and Super Mario Sports Wii game. He seems so big and grown up - a lot of it has to do with seeing baby Nora and how small she is, but turning five is definitely a milestone. We love you big guy!!

A real bath-

At Nora's first doctor's appointment she decided to lose her belly button cord so we got to give her a real bath. Very exciting and exhausting for Nora. At the doctor we also learned that she gained weight... 8 lbs. 4 oz. he even put her on the scale again to be sure because she had gained so much. Yahoo, we have a good little nurser and a pretty laid-back little girl.

Daddy's Birthday-

We convinced our dear (and nervous) friend Lisa to hold baby Nora at Joe's birthday celebration. It's the beginning of a long friendship for those two.

Happy birthday, daddy! So much PINK to get used to!!

Daddy's Birthday-

Bubba planned a special surprise party for Joe - it was a lot of fun and I was so thankful to her since I'm not functioning well enough to come up with a plan. The four of us (Joe, Ben, Nora and I) arrived for a "quiet dinner" and people just kept showing up... Joe was definitely surprised, good one, Bubba! Darth Vader was even there and Bebe couldn't keep her hands off of him - don't ask!

Happy 35th birthday, Joe - I love you.

First Bath-

Baby Nora's first sponge bath. After I gave Nora a bath Ben insisted I give him one as well... we went with it ONE time... whatever...

It's a....

GIRL!!!!!! We were sooooo shocked to hear the nurse announce that we had a baby girl. There hasn't been a girl in Joe's immediate family in more than 30 years, so we weren't really thinking it was even an option. Nora Adelyn was born on Feb. 8, 2011 at 2:37 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20-1/4 inches long. Even though she kept us up all night, the delivery was a breeze. We're so excited to have you here, Baby Nora - you're already loved by so many people!

Baby Sister!!

 Ben meets baby Nora

Ben's job was to call his babysitter, Sarah to let her know the baby arrived. He was very excited to tell her that he had a baby sister!!

 Special cuddle time with mommy - we missed each other while I was in the hospital.

 Home at last.

Check out Nora's blog at www.nora-girl.blogspot.com.