She's here!

One of the most incredible experiences of our lives . . .

In the hospital, right before I was induced. So excited to become parents!

Ava Florence Sorensen. Born Friday, September 28, 2012 at 5:54 am. 6 lbs, 8 oz  and 20 inches of perfection. 

Ava was a week overdue, but that was probably a good thing! After waiting anxiously for a week, thinking oh! it could be today! and having another day pass . . . we went in so I could be induced. After a dose of medicine to help me dilate, I went into contractions, pushed about 5 times, and out she came! Well, that whole process took a few hours--a relatively short 6 and a half hours in which time seemed to go so quickly for both Tom and I. 

Right after she was born . . . and a few seconds before I started bawling. What an overwhelming, transcendent feeling to have your baby finally in your arms and to see her sweet face, and to think-- wow, this is my daughter and I love her so much. She is so beautiful. 

One of the first daddy daughter moments. what a proud papa!

Baby girl all snuggled up. 

My morning sunshine. 

Heading out of the hospital for home!

Perfect. 

The most beautiful baby girl in the world. 

Preggo Pics!

I wasn't exactly consistent with taking pregnancy pictures, but I did manage to get a few! Mostly thanks to Kelley, who requested constant belly updates so she could keep track while down in Moab for the season being a river guide. Thanks Kell! here they are, in all their glory:

About 12 weeks (on anniversary getaway to Zermatt)

20 weeks-- happy halfway!

 

About 28 weeks (at the park)

34ish weeks (the lovely bathroom mirror shot)

38 weeks (at the park again!)

a 40 week belly-- still has a baby in it!

41 weeks (at the pool with sis)

.....and 41 weeks right before I was induced! 

I am so grateful to have had a relatively smooth and easy pregnancy! Going a week overdue was somewhat stressful.... wondering if I was going to be pregnant forever, being bored at home with a clear schedule and no baby, and walking with the dog 4 to 7 miles a day trying to get things started .... but in the end it was all worth it :)

Baby GIRL Sorensen!

Can you believe it?!?! 

During MULTIPLE doctor visits, we were told that baby Sorensen was a boy. 

Well, at my 20 week ultrasound we found out that it's going to be a sweet little girl. We're shocked, thrilled, excited, and surprised, as I'm sure you can imagine. It was a bit of a perspective change, going from thinking boy to thinking girl. I'm shocked too, but Tom is still trying to wrap his head around it. How do you raise a girl? That means I'm going to have to learn how to do braids and those ponytail things, right? Are just a few of the many questions he has. 

We love her so much, and I know that she's going to have him wrapped around her finger. She's definitely going to be daddy's little girl! 

We were also so happy to find out that she is healthy and perfect. Everything is in the right place, she's growing and doing so well. we couldn't be happier. 

Here's some pics of our already beautiful little girl: 

First one is a profile, with her hand near her mouth. Second one is her giving us a thumbs up. As in, "Thumbs up dad! I know you thought I was a boy but girls are even better!"

love you so much, sweetheart.