Amelia's Birth Story

Amelia Kate Aiken

August 5, 2014

7.5 lbs, 20.5 inches

From the time they told me I was an excellent VBAC candidate after Nora's birth, I knew without a doubt it was what we desired. Throughout my entire pregnancy with Amelia, I was confident that labor would begin on its own, and I became even more optimistic with reports that baby was engaged and in perfect position at 38 weeks, not to mention that I was having consistent contractions for anywhere from 2-6 hours at a time. However, as 40 weeks came and went and we started talking about the "what ifs" at my prenatal appointments, the reality of a repeat c-section started sinking in.

Anxiety and fear crept in as we awaited the unknown, and we realized we were trying to seek comfort in things outside of God and each other. Matt suggested that we each fast from something, so the nearly two weeks of waiting was spent fasting (from video games and social media/blogs) so we could focus on prayer and drawing close to the Lord for our hope and comfort. If Millie's birth were to be via c-section, we didn't want to be completely devastated. We needed our hearts to be grounded in the truth that her birth was for his glory and that he had already planned out her arrival perfectly. This post is meant to document everything surrounding my labor and delivery of Millie though, so I'll focus on that.

This is the last photo of our family of three! It was after church, 42 weeks and 4 days.

My BPP ultrasound was scheduled for Monday morning at 42 +5 days. Contractions woke me up that morning at 2am, coming approximately every 5 minutes. They felt different, but I had been kept awake by consistent contractions for more nights than I could count so I tried to dismiss them. I went back to sleep, intending to go for a walk if they were still coming when I woke up. 5am rolled around, and they were still consistent. I woke Matt up at 5:45 to walk with me, hoping they would pick up before my 8:15 appointment. By the time we got to the ultrasound they had stopped though. Baby looked perfect and scored an 8/8 on the BPP, but my fluid levels were borderline low. Since I was approaching 42 weeks, the midwives weren't comfortable with waiting much longer. My Bishop Score was really low (essentially meaning that my body was very unfavorable for induction). We had prayed the night before that God would make any decisions we had to make abundantly clear so while we were disappointed, we didn't push back. She sent us home, and around noon we scheduled a c-section for 9:30 the next morning. At this point, the reality of a repeat c-section set in, and I was devastated. While Nora's birth was nothing short of a miracle - the surgery literally saved her life - it was traumatic, recovery was very long, and my immune system was shot for a long time. My heart was yearning for the natural birth experience I had been so fearful of the first time around. Not to mention that it's hard to find hospitals that allow VBA2Cs, the risks increase with each surgery, and most doctors limit the number of children you can have via c-section. Most of all, my heart was yearning for the natural birth experience I had been so fearful of the first time around.

The Lord has such a way of tenderly shaping our hearts. Matt and I both knew that she would be born in His perfect timing, but it was hard to truly believe in our hearts. I started researching "gentle" or "family-centered" caesarean birth and continued to pray that we would be filled with joy regardless of the circumstances. Right around the time I accepted that the birth of this little girl would be a blessing no matter how she entered the world (about an hour after scheduling surgery), I started having contractions. I noticed them regularly and briefly timed them coming every 4-5 minutes then ignored them again. A couple hours passed, and I was still noticing them so we went for another walk #2 of the day. During our walk they sped up to every 2 minutes on the dot lasting about 40 seconds each, but I could easily walk and talk through them. I was hoping I was really in labor but doubted that I was. I decided to go up to our bedroom for the rest of the afternoon so I could rest. My parents were in town already, and if this was real labor I wanted to relax as much while I could. I labored on the birth ball in our room until dinner time. By then contractions were still consistent but didn't really seem stronger to me so I was still doubtful. Matt made a pbj sandwich and sliced an apple for me, and after dinner we walked again (up to 4 miles now!). By 8pm I could tell contractions were picking up in intensity and was confident that I was in labor! We were excited but had no idea how my body was progressing (and whether I would be far enough into labor to avoid a c-section in the morning). I took a shower, shaved my legs, and dried my hair. Matt was timing contractions and would tell me when one was coming so I could stop and focus. Around this time I also started having back labor.

We called the hospital around 9pm, and after talking with Lori, the midwife on call who also labored with us for Nora's birth and sat next to us during surgery, decided to "test" whether I was still in early labor by taking a bath and drinking a lot of water. I lasted maybe 15 minutes in the bath before determining we needed to go. Since I wouldn't be able to labor in the shower or tub at the hospital, we were so thankful we had been able to do both at home! We quickly got dressed, packed up the car and were on our way! The car ride was great. I had dreaded having contractions in the car, but it wasn't bad. It was dark, we had music on, and we were making progress is getting there (literally)! 

Since it was after hours, we had to enter through the ER. I keep giving Matt a hard time - only because he is typically so great with directions - he couldn't find the ER entrance AND THEN parked in the parking garage and made me walk to the entrance. Looking back, it was a great decision to get a little more walking in and let gravity do its job, but still...who walks to the ER when they're in labor? I finally got settled in a room, and the nurse started an IV, hooked me up to the monitors, and placed an order for antibiotics (to be treated for Group B Strep). By the time Lori came in to check on me, it was 11pm. I was 5cm, and we were thrilled I had progressed that much before getting to the hospital! She left Matt and I alone to labor.

VBAC mamas have to be continually monitored other than while using the bathroom, so walking the halls, showering/bathing, etc. were out of the picture for us. Regardless, I wanted to be out of bed as much as possible to help things progress more quickly. I labored on the birth ball and standing up, leaning over onto the bed for a couple of hours. This part of labor was really fun. Matt had set up our essential oil diffuser with lavender and would massage my back through each contraction. I felt really relaxed and confident even though I was in the hospital. I relied on Matt through each contraction, but for the 3 minutes or so in between I was able to talk and laugh and converse with the the nurse and our midwife when they came in. As contractions got stronger, Lori would lightly stroke my arms up to my shoulders, while Matt put counter-pressure on my back. She also put ice-cold washcloths on my neck, which felt amazing. I remember getting up to go to the bathroom during this time and telling Matt that I was really enjoying labor!

Back labor got increasingly hard though, and I wasn't enjoying it any longer. By the time Lori checked me a couple hours later around 2am, I hadn't progressed much. I was still a 5, and she said she could stretch me to maybe a 6. I was really discouraged because things felt a lot harder than they had hours ago even though I was in about the same place. Pushing seemed really far away. She suggested breaking my water to speed things along. After initially having a minor meltdown, knowing things would intensify even more, I calmed down and agreed that it was needed. Sure enough, contractions picked right up! Back labor was so strong now that I couldn't really talk even in between contractions. From this point on, I ended up staying in the bed for three main reasons - the pain in my back was too strong, my legs were pretty tired and shaky from standing for so long, and I hated the feeling of fluid leaking when I stood up. Looking back, I should have gotten out of that bed though. I kept telling Matt I couldn't do it any longer. Finally, we asked for nitrous oxide (aka laughing gas), which helped me just barely get through each contraction.

Another couple of hours passed, though I hardly remember them. Around 4:30am I was still about a 6. Lori tried to place an inter-uterine monitor (not the same as internal fetal monitor) to measure the strength of my contractions to determine whether they were going to help me progress all the way to 10 cm or not. If not, they were planning on giving me a low dose of pitocin. VBAC success rates go down with the use of pitocin, and I also didn't think I could handle contractions on pitocin at that point. By God's grace, my cervix was too posterior for the monitor to be placed, so Lori left. We have no idea where she went (we assume she was consulting with the OB on call), but she was gone for about an hour. I hardly remember this, but I needed to pee so Matt helped me out of bed. I had three contractions in the bathroom, and by the time I got back to the bed I remember begging for Lori to return. I wasn't really sure what feeling "pushy" felt like, but I thought I was feeling that way. Maybe. I just knew I wanted her back in the room immediately. By the time she came in at 5:45am I just had a tiny lip of cervix left. She helped me lie on my right side and put a table under my left leg, instructing to push through the next contractions if I felt like it. After just one or two more contractions it was time to really push, and I was so ready to be nearing the end!!

They rolled a big mirror out, and I was able to watch myself slowly bring Amelia into the world. After watching, I can't imagine pushing without actually seeing the work I was doing. I highly recommend requesting a mirror. The first few pushes were amazing. I made really good progress and was thinking she was going to be here in no time. Once we began to see her head, everyone realized she was OP (sunny side up), which explains the back labor...but she had been face down less than 24 hours earlier at my ultrasound! After probably 20 minutes of pushing, it was apparent that she wasn't coming out as quickly as I had thought, and it was getting harder and harder. I was completely exhausted and falling asleep in between pushes. Pushing felt good, but as soon as the contraction was over, I had so much pain in my back that I can't begin to describe. I don't remember what it felt like but remember yelling "NOOO" each time the contraction ended. After about 3 hours of pushing, Amelia began to show signs of not tolerating pushing much longer, and Lori told me that we needed to get her out really soon. She had me push on my side and then on hands and knees, and then asked me to roll over to talk about our options. Matt and I were both thinking they were going to push her back in and take me to surgery, but she just suggested helping her over the muscle with a little episiotomy. YES!! GET HER HERE NOW! was all I could think. Four little cuts and a few pushes harder-than-I-ever-thought-possible later, and she was on my tummy literally gazing into my eyes. God had ordained for Amelia Kate to be born at 9:22am on Tuesday morning by VBAC. My repeat c-section had been scheduled for 9:30am that same morning. I think I will always get chills when I think about it.

Having a natural birth was the single most amazing experience I've had in my life. It is also the sole time that I have felt 100% physically, mentally, and emotionally incapable of doing something with my own strength. I had to rely completely on the Lord through each contraction from about 2am - 9:22am when she was born. Of course, Matt and Lori were there to practically support and encourage me, but through the majority of those intense contractions the only thing getting me through were simple prayers. Jesus, help me. Lord, bring her now. God, give me strength. 

I read a blog this week titled "Birth Without Epidurals Isn't Superhuman." It isn't. Women do it every day. While natural childbirth used to be the norm, it is increasingly rare today. It's hard for me to believe that many women plan their birth to be heavily medicated before experiencing a single contraction. If you fear childbirth in any way (I was afraid of many aspects during my first pregnancy), know and believe that your body was created to give birth! My VBAC was a healing experience. I've never felt more confident in my body than immediately after birth. It also made me very keenly aware of my weakness and brought me back to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 that hits me so hard in the face time and time again. You'd think I would get it by now :).

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

I really don't have anything else to say other than thank you to every single one of you who knew our situation and prayed. God so sweetly granted us the desires of our hearts, and drew us closer to himself and each other.

Minutes after Millie was born!!

With a newborn photo of Nora for comparison

Love at first sight.

Just before moving to postpartum

Finally, pregnancy, childbirth, VBAC, etc. is all very dear to my heart. 
If you have any questions, I would love to chat. Email me.
lauren.ashley.aiken@gmail.com

+, Lauren Aiken

Baby Nora: Week 1

Thank you for all your sweet comments on Nora's birth story! It truly was an amazing experience and one we will remember forever. I'm here today to update you on life with Nora. Just as I documented my pregnancy, I plan to do a weekly update every Tuesday (though the first one is already late) to track how Nora is growing and changing! 

Disclaimer: I will describe our parenting style and how it evolves as we learn what works for us and what doesn't. Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and questions. By no means am I claiming to be doing things the best way, just our way. 

Weight: Nora weighed 7 pounds, 5.5 ounces at her 1 week check-up! Her birth weight was 7 lb, 1.5 oz and she was 6 lb, 15 oz when she was discharged. This is incredible because doctors typically don't expect babies to be back to their birth weight for two weeks!

Health: We saw Dr. Lohse on Monday morning and got an excellent report! Other than a bit of dry skin, Nora is perfectly healthy! Dry skin is also very common for post-term babies, so it is no surprise that she was born with cracked hands and feet and her skin is peeling now - she baked in there for a long time!

Sleep: I am so surprised how much Nora sleeps! She even slept through her entire doctor's visit after we undressed her. We have had to wake her up at night to eat, otherwise she would sleep right through feedings. She is currently sleeping in the bassinet portion of a pack n' play in our bedroom, which has been very convenient while I'm healing from surgery. We swaddle her for bedtime, but usually not during day time sleep.

Social: Nora met quite a few people in her first week of life! She met both sets of grandparents, and all aunts (4) and uncles (4) with the exception of 1! Our small group came to the hospital to see her, as well as our friends Ryan and Paloma and two of Matt's friends from college. After her doctor's appointment on Monday, we went out for lunch with a few of Matt's coworkers, so she met the Healthspring team too.

Diet: Mommy's milk! We've experimented with feeding times over the past week. We have settled into a semi-routine of feeding every 3 hours with one 4 hour stretch at night. We try to aim for 20 minute feedings, but sometimes she only lasts for 10 or 15 before I can no longer wake her up. I was worried about this at first, but after finding out that she is gaining weight (and therefore eating well), I'm a bit more relaxed about it. If she gives me hunger cues outside of these times, I feed her then as well.

Clothes: Nora is wearing newborn clothes (and diapers), but they won't fit for long. I wasn't sure if they would fit at all since she was 2 weeks late, but most of them fit either perfectly or with a little room to grow. I'm thinking by 3 or 4 weeks she'll be out of them.

Baby Gear: We've tried out the bouncer, swing, and play mat. Of course she just lays on the play mat right now, but it's an alternative to the bouncer and swing that usually put her to sleep. We're using the Boppy for most feedings now that my incision is less sore.

Crying: I think Nora is the quietest baby I've been around. Seriously! There have only been 2 or 3 occasions in the past week where it took more than just holding her for a minute or two to calm her down. I hope she stays like this forever! She's such an easy going baby.

Postpartum: Recovery from the csection was harder than I thought it would be. The first days in the hospital I had to have help for everything - getting out of bed, getting dressed, going to the bathroom, showering, etc. It was such a lesson in humility and accepting service from Matt and the nurses. I am not one to take medicine unless I really need to, and I think I've had more pain medication in the past week than I have in my entire life! Each day pain has subsided though. Now, a week later, I just have a little tenderness near the incision. I'm still having back pain from the spinal block, especially after I'm fairly active. I'm praying there is no permanent damage there. My staples were removed before I left the hospital on Friday, and tomorrow I see the midwives to have my incision checked and the tape removed.

I think I've lost most of my fluid weight, around 17 pounds. I was surprised how fast the initial weight came off, and I'm in no hurry to lose the rest for fear of messing with my milk supply.

A lot of people have asked about my emotions. I am overjoyed that Nora is here and love caring for her. Even during a 3am feeding, the time is so special to me, and I would never wish it away. Days 5 and 6 were the most emotional for me so far. I've cried about ridiculous things - like feeling empty without my belly and that I couldn't protect her as well. Nora is so gorgeous, and sometimes I cry over how beautiful she is and how great Jesus is. I don't think I mentioned the meaning of her name earlier. Nora means light or honor, and Jane means gift from God. She a precious gift indeed!! The first few days home, I experienced some anxiety related to feeding - was I feeding her often enough for long enough ? why wasn't she waking up to eat? And mostly, I've been emotional over just how fast time is going by already.

Milestones: Nora had her first bath at home at 4 days old. She also went to the pediatrician for the first time. At just 1 week, she doesn't even look like a newborn anymore! I can't believe how much she has changed. Her coloring is less pink, she is getting bigger, and she is more alert (in those few minutes she is awake!). She has also started straightening her legs and lifting them. Matt likes to call it "planking." For some reason I think it's hilarious.

Nora is changing so quickly, and I can't believe the first week is over. 

Now it's on to Week 2!

Happy Halloween!

+, Lauren Aiken

Nora's Birth Story

Hi everyone! I am sharing Nora's birth story with you today. I think reading birth stories can calm a lot of fears and also help prepare you for what to expect, or rather not expect. I know it is very long and detailed, but I think you will enjoy her story if you read it. Her birth wasn't easy and certainly wasn't as we planned, but it is a testament to God's love for his children, of His sovereignty, and His perfect timing.

After enduring two long weeks of waiting past my October 8th due date, Matt and I decided to make one final visit to the midwives to see if they could do anything to get labor going (my induction was scheduled for 9pm that night). We headed to their office around 11am on Monday the 22nd. Midwife Lauren did a membrane stretch and sweep, and Baby's heart rate slowed down quite a bit. She wasn't overly worried but did tell us to head to the hospital. At this point, our bags had been packed and in the trunk for well over a week so we grabbed some lunch and headed on over to Vanderbilt Hospital. 

Right before heading to the Midwifery Clinic

We got settled into our room around 1pm. I was feeling pretty nervous about the induction. We had trained and prepared for a natural birth, so an induction was the last thing I wanted. We had been praying hard for Baby to come soon and for her to be healthy (they started monitoring for fetal stress post-40 weeks). Jesus really started to impress upon us the idea of desiring His perfect plan, and this is the point where that really began.

A pic right before they induced me

Around 3pm the induction began. We decided to start with a Foley Catheter to begin cervical ripening. This is a drug-free way to start labor, but they explained that most of the time multiple interventions are needed to keep labor progressing. The Foley bulb had to be inserted twice (the first one broke). No more than a couple minutes after the second one was in, I felt a lot of warm fluid and knew my water had broke. I panicked a little, knowing that my entire labor lay ahead and this would now pose a risk of infection. After Matt and the midwives reassured me that it was ok and that my water had been likely ready to break on its own, I began to realize that this was a blessing because I would probably dilate faster. 

At this point, my contractions were pretty mild. Matt and I took some photos to document laboring at the hospital and even turned on the SF Giants playoff game. The bulb quickly began to make laboring difficult though. I don't know if we would choose this method again. We tried walking around and laboring in a rocking chair and on a birth ball. The bulb caused so much pressure and discomfort that I ended up laboring in bed and changing sides every few contractions. The discomfort wasn't only during contractions. The worst of it was between contractions which made laboring with it in seemed very long and very uncomfortable. The discomfort also caused me back pain as I wasn't able to relax a lot of muscles between the contractions. The nurse periodically came in and added resistance to the bulb. The more resistance, the more discomfort. It was supposed to fall out around 4 - 5 cm.

Around 8pm, the midwives suggested that I eat something, and then they would give me a 25 mcg dose of Cytotec around 9. Cytotec ripens (thins) the cervix but doesn't cause contractions, so they anticipated following this with pitocin. The Cytotec made labor a bit harder, especially with the Foley bulb still in. After 4 hours, they decided to remove the Foley bulb because it had done whatever it was going to do. I was pretty discouraged because labor had become even harder. Since the bulb usually comes out around 4cm, I thought I was maybe a 2 or 3 and had a very long night ahead. When the midwives checked me, I had dilated from 1 to 5cm and was 60% effaced - great news to Matt and I! 

I started receiving pitocin, which causes contractions even if your body isn't ready, at 2:10am. It can make contractions longer and stronger than you are ready to handle since your body hasn't had the time to gradually build up oxytocin. Regardless, we needed to get things moving so we agreed. She looked healthy on the monitor, but we were still seeing occasional dips in her heart rate during contractions. Around 3:30am, there was a long deceleration that didn't regulate quickly. At this point, only our nurse was in the room, but people started to arrive. First, (almost) Midwife Lily came into the room and started to work through some laboring positions with us. I was also having back labor at this point. I was getting scared and asked Lily to stay with me. Normally, the decelerations were remediated by changing positions between contractions, but this was no longer the case. I was hooked up to the monitor constantly now. Lily and Matt alternated positions - one encouraging me and and the other rubbing my lower back as hard as possible. My focus was on getting through each contraction, but I could also hear Baby's heartbeat and see the monitor drop down to ~70 bmp instead of the normal ~135 bpm with each one. More and more people filtered into the room, and I realized that something was really wrong. They put an oxygen mask around my nose and mouth and told me to take very deep breaths when I could. The next steps happened probably in a matter of minutes, but each each contraction seemed to last so long. I was terrified at this point, and all I could do was breathe in that oxygen as slowly and deeply as I could to get more oxygen to the baby and pray to Jesus to still my fear and protect Baby. 

Next, they tried to halt my contractions. They took me off Pitocin and gave me some kind of injection to completely stop contractions (which worked immediately). They placed a fetal monitor on Baby as a last resort, showing that she was pretty stressed and her heart rate wasn't improving. I was 7cm, and we didn't know how much longer it would take to bring her here if I labored on my own. Around 4am, the midwives told us that if Baby's heart rate didn't settle, they would need to go in a get her. An OB came in the room and explained the risks of Cesareans. Contractions had stopped, but my back was still killing me so I was on hands and knees and still breathing as deeply as I could, nodding big to signify that I understood. At this point, a natural birth was far from my mind, and all I wanted was to bring Baby here safely and soon (the last thing I remember Matt praying for out loud during contractions). I signed the papers, changed into a gown as fast as I could, and they rushed me off to the OR. My two midwives came with me and encouraged me. Matt had to stay in the room while they tried to get a spinal block to work. If it had not worked, I would be put under completely, and Matt would not have been allowed in the room. 

Matt said it seemed like forever before they called him back to join me. During that time he paced in the room, packed, cleaned, and read Galatians. The following thoughts are from an email he wrote to his family.

All night, the Spirit reminded me that Jesus reigns, high and lifted up, king of the universe, and my friend. He was not surprised that Lauren was in the OR or baby needed to come out. He knew. 
In fact, this was him answering our prayers. We had asked that He would calm Lauren's fears of a natural birth, He did. We asked that He would bring her when she needed to come, He did (laboring a long time at home - which we had planned to do - would have caused her a lot of stress). We asked that we would want His will. He did, we do.

Matt came into the OR about 20 minutes later. They had gotten the spinal block to work! Matt later told me that there was a team of at least 15 people in the room. When he came in, they had prepped me and were opening me up. It seemed like an eternity, lying there, still trying to breath in oxygen steadily. I don't remember thinking much at that point. I just tried to focus on looking into Matt's eyes and reminding myself that God was with us holding our hands too. One of the midwives leaned over and said Baby was here, born on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 4:29am. We didn't hear any cries, but I could hear a man counting to 5. She had arrived with heavy mucous clogging her lungs so they were doing chest compressions. Finally we heard a faint little cry! The neo-natal doctor came over and asked if we had a name for our daughter. 

We had picked two names well before her birth. We both thought we had decided on one, but we wanted to hold her and see her before we were sure. I looked into Matt's eyes, and he looked back at the doctor. 

Nora Jane Aiken.

The doctor explained that Nora was struggling. They were going to take her to the NICU. He said Matt could go with Nora or stay with me, but if he went he could not come back into the OR. I told him he should go with Nora, and he did. Midwives Lily and Lori stayed with me, and Lily held my hand and talked to me for the next 45 minutes while they finished things up. I am so thankful that we went with this group of midwives. They are all amazing women, and I hope I can deliver all of our babies with them. I got a glimpse of Nora as she was being wheeled out of the OR to head to the NICU. I could really only see her little face and her head of brown hair, more beautiful than I had imagined. 

In the NICU, Matt said there were 4 nurses around Nora, all frantically working to get IV's in, take vitals, and care for her. 

We later learned that the umbilical cord had been across her face in two different places. Every time I had a contraction, the cord was being compressed. Because of this, her oxygen levels were low when she was born, and her tone was not good. Her Apgar score was a 1. The tube in her head in the pictures below is a glucose IV. She was also treated with antibiotics while they waited for some test results to get back. Her breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate were closely monitored. The doctors said that after the initial 30 minutes, it was clear she was going to be ok. Within 2 hours after birth, they said you wouldn't even know she needed to be admitted to the NICU. Praise Jesus for this miracle!! (Nora stayed in the NICU for about 36 hours. After she was released on Wednesday afternoon, she was able to room in with us until I was discharged Friday morning.)

Matt came back to me in the labor (now recovery) room. We prayed, praised Jesus, called our parents to tell them her name, and headed down to postpartum. I was completely numb from the C5 vertebra down. It was around 7am now, and Matt was exhausted so he slept for an hour. I don't remember much from this period of time, just that my body felt so foreign since I couldn't feel a thing. 

About 6 hours later, around 10:30am, Matt wheeled me down to the NICU where I got to hold our Sweet Girl for the very first time. It was the most precious moment of my life, and I cried to Matt last night as her first week of life was coming to a close. I want to go back and relive each moment with her again, but instead, I'll praise Jesus for bringing this special little miracle into the world and look forward with joy to each week ahead.  

Her birth is far from what I expected it would be. Every intervention (literally) that we did not want, we received. Recovery from Cesarean was rough. Matt was the best birth coach, nurse, and encourager, and I'm so glad he was with me for every single step. Even though our time in the hospital was really hard, we joked to each other near the end saying that it somehow it felt like a long date. Now, I'm sitting in bed recounting every detail with a gorgeous little girl lying next to me. I would do it all one thousand times over again for sweet Nora Jane.

Matt is working on a slideshow of photos, but for now I'll leave you with our first moments with Nora. 

+, Lauren Aiken