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. 

Rudy Epic

Here's a little video that Tom made (he was thrilled about using iMovie for the first time) about our beloved Mr. Rudy. We love that dog like he's a child, seriously.

It's fun to look back on all of the good times we've had with that little (if you can call 100 lbs little?) guy. Also note that Tom wanted to put this song from the Inception soundtrack because it makes it seem more dramatic and epic.

Rudy Epic from Whitney Sorensen on Vimeo.

Caribbean Cruise Highlights

another highlight of 2011 . . . the clarke family cruise. video by me :)

Caribbean Cruise 2011 Highlights from Whitney Sorensen on Vimeo.

2011 Highlights

What a crazy-cool year 2011 was. I don't really blog that often (but getting better, no?), so I hope you will oblige me with a short year in review/2011 highlights type post.

This last fall Tom told me that he thinks 2011 has been the year of the bike. I'd have to agree . . .

  biking in jackson hole

jh

 biking up american fork canyon

 biking at lambert's in alpine (on my 24th birthday)

biking up millcreek (mom & bobby on pipeline right before a descent in the heart of darkness)

A few other things that come to mind  . . . 

 this pup growing up a lot

 climbing with Kell this summer

 seeing the tetons & yellowstone (my first time!)

 morning swims at alta canyon: perfect

 coaching swim team w/some of my best friends

 school counselor brought up a taste of the first real snow of the season

 continuing some great family traditions: pumpkin carving at dad's

and skiing together. 

Giving Thanks

Today we both feel especially grateful for our families. It's wonderful to have all these incredible people so close to us in our lives. We love them so much!
It was my mom's birthday today and we had a craaaaazy party...... Jenna and Bobby forced her to wear a tiara in honor of the occasion, and we had my Grama Schiess over for dinner and the classic Lindsey family chocolate birthday dessert! My mom is such an amazing person-- so strong and such a great example to me. I love her so much! Happy Birthday Mom!
This is a picture of her on her bike this summer.... cause she would kill me if I put the one of her in the tiara in a public place.....

Giving Thanks

I don't know if my revival of desire to blog will be long lasting, but recently I have had the feeling that Tom and I have a lot to be thankful for, and also a lot that we can share with others. Meaning: we need to not let our lives be so consumed with work and share the love a little more.

To start, we wanted to share--in the spirit of thanksgiving-- a few things each day that we are grateful for...

W: spending time on the weekends with my husband when I'm awake and not super tired from teaching and meetings.

T: watching Saturday college football games with my wife.

Jackson Hole

We biked, rodeoed, saw Yellowstone (my first time!), alpine slide, ate lots of food, tipped a raft on the very full, very cold Snake. Then to top it off,  saw a bald eagle on the 4th of July. Credit to Tom for taking stellar phone pics (where in the world is my camera?!). Love ya babe.