"Born Yesterday"

Jane Marleen Swendsen


Hey Family,

Jen is deftly balancing the demands on her time with her two little girls, Grandma Thurber is here saving the day, and I'm sick and weak trying to put this post together - pretty sad contribution by me.

Little Jane Marleen Swendsen was born yesterday at 3:03pm tipping the scales at 8lb 7.4oz, was 20 inches long, and healthy. My first thought was that she looked just like Kate when she was born, but her own look is coming out, (I think a little like Marleen) and I'm sure will reveal itself in the coming weeks - I'll let you be the judges.

We went to the hospital on the morning of May 8th for a scheduled induction. I think Jen likes going into labor naturally because there was much less waiting around last time. However, this time she was able to get an epidural much earlier in the game which she said she was glad for. She bravely let me deliver the baby. It was a really neat experience and an honor for me. Her doctor was sitting in a lazy boy, no just kidding, he was right there but he let me do it all. I had delivered about 5-6 babies during medschool rotations in the hospital and seen many more, so I wasn't a complete rookie but enough of one to feel a little nervous. Thankfully, everything went very well. Thank you for your prayers in our behalf; we feel so blessed that everyone that matters is happy and healthy.

Here are a truckload of pictures we took trying to keep up with our prolific photography of our first child. I've added a couple of newborn Kate pictures into the mix, to see if you can identify who is who (it won't be that tricky but it's fun to compare).


Waiting for the party to get started. "Nothing is happening?!" (10 points for whomever can name that movie reference)


"Scalpel!" (another 5 points for that movie reference, I swear I have original thoughts of my own).


Blue thirty-two, blue thirty-two.


Calling for the heat.


Apparently her favorite apostle is also Elder Holland.


The sweet mommy-daughter bond is forming already.


"I can't believe you let this putz catch me."








Kate responded quite sweetly to the little intruder. She wanted to rock her and "soft her" which means touching softly.




Not exactly "softing her." This seemed like a warning shot across the bow to let Jane know who was boss. At least it wasn't in the eye.


Marleen enjoying time with her second grandchild. We are so pleased to name Jane after her as we would be thrilled if she turned out like her grandma.