Noah Luke Shepherd has finally arrived. After 9 long months, our little boy entered the world on September 12 @ 4:04pm, weighing 8 lbs. 6 oz. and stretching to 20.25 inches long. He is such a handsome little man. He looks just like his daddy - a head full of blond hair, blue eyes (for now anyway), and the cutest dimples! His eyebrows and eye lashes are almost invisible because they are so blond. He is going to be such a heartbreaker.
HIS ARRIVAL:
Luke and I went in to the hospital Thursday night. They were to 
induce labor early Friday morning. They started me on cervidil that night, but had to stop after just 20 minutes because I was contracting one right after another with no breaks and Noah's heartrate began dropping. Once we got stabilized from that the doctor decided to just wait it out until morning and give the pitocin a try. That night, my water broke and labor began on its own. They went ahead with the pitocin to speed the process. Things were looking good that I would be able to avoid a c-section - i was making great progress and Noah seemed to be on his way. As they checked me regularly, they noticed that Noah had decided to move backwards -on his way back in rather than out. With that discovery, my doctor went ahead 
and put me in line for a c-section. Once the O.R. was ready, they wheeled me in and, well, you know the rest.
induce labor early Friday morning. They started me on cervidil that night, but had to stop after just 20 minutes because I was contracting one right after another with no breaks and Noah's heartrate began dropping. Once we got stabilized from that the doctor decided to just wait it out until morning and give the pitocin a try. That night, my water broke and labor began on its own. They went ahead with the pitocin to speed the process. Things were looking good that I would be able to avoid a c-section - i was making great progress and Noah seemed to be on his way. As they checked me regularly, they noticed that Noah had decided to move backwards -on his way back in rather than out. With that discovery, my doctor went ahead 
and put me in line for a c-section. Once the O.R. was ready, they wheeled me in and, well, you know the rest. The Lord has blessed me with a quick, easy recovery. The doctor was so impressed with my progress, we were able to come home a day early. Luke's mom and sisters were here unti this morning, helping out. It was so good to have them here. Beth and Sarah had "touched up" the nursery while I was out. I am not much of a decorator at all. They did such an excellent job. It has to be the sweetest nursery I've ever seen. Thanks so much sisters! My mother arrived today to help us out for the remainder of the week. I'm looking forward to spending the extra time with her. And I know she's excited about spending the extra time with Noah. Noah has the proudest grandparents!
