July 2011 - baby jane photo shoot

My good friend. Lara Ellingson, was conveniently in town when baby Jane was born. She was so nice to come to my house and take these precious pictures. Thanks, Lara!

July 2011 - Happy Birthday, Jane!

Baby Jane - born July 19, 2011

Birth story - I was induced this time.  2 days overdue and was trying everything in my might (except caster oil) to get this baby out.  The hospital was overbooked, so I went into the hospital a day later than my induction date. In fact, when the hospital called to inform us they had room for us, I had just finished a walk and was at Leland Gieger's office (the miracle worker) so he could work his magic on my pressure points. I was fine with the 'later than scheduled'  induction, in hopes that all my long walks in those few extra hours would get the labor going - but to no avail. The long walks only brought on blasted blisters on my heels - proving the fact that those tennis shoes hadn't been worn in um...9 months. First thing my sweet, former Ethiopian midwife, nurse did when I got to the hospital was put bandaids on those battle wounds. Dr. Tutt was so attentive. He was at the hospital before we even arrived - waiting for us. He started me on a low dose of pitocin which didn't do too much for me. Dad and Walker came to the hospital to give me a blessing, and for the majority of the day,  Alan and I played words with friends painlessly. When Dr. Tutt got off work at 5:00, he came down to check on me and broke my water. That got things going. I got the epidural soon after (which the cute little nurse made Alan leave the room for. She said she was too small to lift him off the ground) It was the best epidural yet because of the fab anesthesiologist. Then I fell asleep. I woke up because of an immense amount of pressure and called for the nurse. She said we were ready to have the baby, so Alan called mom and Alexis to rush to the hospital and by the time they got there - in about 15 minutes - the baby was already born. It really was a dream delivery. Dr. Tutt said if every delivery were that easy, he wouldn't have a job. Jane was perfect and healthy. We're so glad she's here!

Dr. Tutt - just love him!

3 generations - Grandmama, Mom, and Jane

Soelberg clan 

Baby Jane with mom and both of her Grandpas - lucky girl!

Sandstrom clan

Baby Jane with Mom, Grandmama and Big Papa Sandstrom

Grandpa Glade with Baby Jane (even though he has 30-something grandchildren, he still oohs and aahs at the newborns like it's his first time holding one. He's so sweet.)

Janalee and baby Jane

All the girls!

All the girls with Daddio

 We LOVE you, baby JANE!

July 2011 Carlsbad beach trip

This year was such a fun beach year for our family. The girls were at the perfect ages. The sand, water, and sandcrabs entertained them all day long. Mae discovered boogie boarding and was the boogie boarding queen. Gracie mostly loved to dig for sand crabs, and Claire loved it all - especially the ice-cream :) The weather was perfect, we had good company, and good food the whole time. What more could you ask for?!

Cracker Barrel for lunch. Our tradition of the halfway mark to San Diego. Whoo Hoo!

Gorgeous Grace

Beautiful Mae Mae

Pretty Boo 

Carlsbad crew II (the next generation :) 

This was pretty hilarious. We first buried Claire and the kids tried to feed her licorice. It was so funny to watch her little bobble head try to reach for the red vine. She cracks me up!

My hot beach bum hubbie. He was a champ this trip. As you have probably noticed, I'm not in any of these pictures. That's on purpose! I was 9 months pregnant and feeling it - so I'm behind the camera. Alan took care of the girls the whole time so I could sit my large bum in one of those beach chairs all day. Thanks, lover!

Just kidding...Alexis just sent me this photo she snapped of me. Good thing she insisted on taking it. I think it's my only preggy picture this time around. Check out those sausage toes. Can you say "water retention?"

Me 9 months pregnant with baby Jane

Mom and Dad kickin' it

 Four Seasons Brunch

Alan took these pictures. This is his highlight of the trip every year. It is quite amazing!

Daddy and his girls (wish I moved the camera up just a tad - they were moving too fast - blast!)

Big Papa and Soelsisters

Walker and Claire

Mae, Grace and baby Yaya (Lyla)

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for another great year at the beach! We look forward to it all year long! This year we missed Ryan and Karen (Karen actually had appendicitis surgery while we were vacationing :(  and Ryan had to work) But it was fun to be with the rest of the fam. We were soaking up as much of Walker as we could. We're going to miss that kid!