1st Photo Shoot

Thanksgiving

Today was a perfect day! Mom and Dad are here from California and Ryan from Chicago. Nola Bea was great all day at Gammy and Grandbob's House. We have much to be thankful for this year!

Friday Outing

Today we went to the Glen Eyrie Castle / Conference Center to visit my old co-workers.
The Ski Bunny is all ready for the slopes this winter!



Gammy came over this week and painted a mural on the wall of the nursery to complete the vintage doll dress theme. The dress in the middle and the booties were my mom's when she was a baby.

A week in the life of Nola Bea

One week ago today, friends and family were patiently awaiting Nola's arrival. Bless their hearts for waiting so long in the hospital. We all did not expect the long delivery since I labored at home for 5 of the 14 hours and didn't go to the hospital until I was already dilated to a 6!

What a proud dad... racing back to the room to cut the cord. Aunt Suzy and GrandBob melt!

Saturday night we were home at last from the hospital. Suzy and Tallulah are still a bit tired.

Proud Gammy - it's grandbaby #6 for her, but she acts like it's the first! Matt made dessert for us all. He had no idea that Strawberry Shortcake is my very favorite - I'm sure Nola's too.

Baby love takes her first trip to visit the pediatrician and she's growing an ounce a day!

Awake time in the crib.

Stay tuned for more Nola photos.
We're going to do her "professional" newborn photo shoot soon.

Day One

more pics!



20 mins old! Carol (Midwife) in background, who's amazing!



40 mins



6 hours - posing for hospital photo opp

made it!

Nola Beatrice Bender
6lbs, 5oz, 20"
Nov 9th, 2006, 01:43am



Nola Bea is here! After over 14hrs of labor, Nola came running out! Jenny was terrific, and all 3 of us are doing great...

More updates soon, Zack

Still Cookin'

Nola Bea is still cookin' inside! Went to the doc's office yesterday and my midwife said I'm 80% effaced and still dilated to a 2 or 3 and the baby could come any hour! She even said "I may see you tonight" which sorta got our hopes up since Monday night has come and gone.

I'm certainly getting strong contractions that are also becoming increasingly painful and closer together. We want to labor at home as long as possible and then have a natural non-medicated birth with our midwife in the hospital.

I'm trying to relax, rest up for the marathon I'm about to run, and enjoy the last few moments or days before our lives change forever!

Here is the nursery, a few finishing touches still need to be done. We went with the Vintage Doll Dress theme.