Noah's Birth - In pictures

Earlier this week I opened iPhoto and all of my pictures from the last 8 months were gone. I cried. Every picture of Noah's life was erased but I was mostly devastated with the thought of loosing his birth pictures.

The next day I went to see a Genius about an Apple. His name is Luke and he is an angel. Luke was able to recover all of my pictures up until March, which was the last time I backed up my time machine. Everything after March has disappeared - Noah's first trip to San Diego. Easter. Mother's Day. Father's Day. Noelle's 3rd birthday. Fourth of July. :sigh:

But, happily, Noah's birth pictures are back and I'd like to share them with you in honor of his upcoming 6 month birthday (on Monday). You can read his birth story HERE. This is a short cut version.

 My water broke at 5am, February 15th. The day after his Valentine's Day due date.

Mr. G and I moseyed over to the hospital around 10:30 am.

Noah sounded great on the monitors (even though the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice).

Noelle wasn't too sure about the hospital room.

Especially the beeping monitors.

I can't believe how small she looks here. 

 Noelle was able to hang out with us for most of the day. I tried my best to hide the pain of the contractions, but as it looks, I didn't do that great.

I finally got an epidural at 3:00 pm and Noah was born at 5:13 pm.

Our first picture together.

So in love.

Noah weighing in at 7lbs, 8 oz. 

Noelle meeting her little brother. 

She was curious about his "bracelet."

Proud daddy.

Noah brought Noelle a baby brother doll, a princess dress and wand. 

My boys.

My mom and dad - Mona and John (Noah John's namesake)

Two of the happiest people on earth.

Three Generations of Gardner boys.

Noah

First bath sometime that night/early morning. From what Mr. G told me he didn't enjoy it too much.
The only bath Noah hasn't liked.

The next morning.

I have so many mixed emotions when looking back at these precious moments. At first I think there is no way it could have only been 6 months ago. Both of the kids look so small. Could they have really grown that much in such a short amount of time?
Then I stare at and soak in the pictures of Noah's fresh face and I cry because I can't remember how small he felt in my arms or what he smelled like or sounded like. And suddenly it seems like so long ago.