Amy True Photography

As a lover of photography, I am very particular about photos. {I may or may not have been born with a touch of OCD in my blood.} I've had a few other photographers take some pictures of Mackenna and our family, and none have compared to the photos that Amy True has taken of the girls. Ben and I took Mackenna to Amy True Photography back in September 2012 for Mackenna's "1 Year" Photos, and you may remember the red Radio Flyer wagon Christmas Card photo that she took. Adorable.

Knowing that little baby Dakota was on the way, I immediately (when I was 3 months pregnant) booked  a newborn photo shoot with her. She books up fast, and I had to reserve a spot. I never had these infant photos done with Mackenna, and I so wish I had! Dakota was only 10 days old when we took her to Amy's studio in Westbrook's Dana Warp Mill. The pictures are more than I could have ever asked for. She captured such a special times in our lives, and the family photo with Mackenna in it is just priceless. Her personality shines through the camera with her vibrant, innocent smile.

Most of you have already seen one on her birth announcement, but here are some (yes, not even all) favorites of mine for your viewing pleasure. We will be back to Amy True again for annual photos of the girls. You can see more of Amy's work on her website: http://www.amytruephotography.com/

If any of you would like a copy of any of these prints, just let me know and I can send you over the high resolution digital image. 

Daddy & Dakota

Every morning I typically wake up between 4 and 5 AM after Dakota's last night time feed, and head downstairs to make coffee and get things ready for the day. I leave Dakota in bed with Ben to snuggle. It's the only time of the day that he gets to spend with her without Mackenna awake, and just one on one. She is certainly a little cuddle bug.

Mackenna Goes to the Dentist

I took Mackenna to a pediatric dentist in Portland this past week for her first visit and cleaning. She did fabulous, and loved it there. Her teeth look great, and she has all 20 in that she should have. The dentist said her tooth spacing looks wonderful, and the only area to keep an eye on is her under bite.

Mackenna's Favorites

Books
Any Karen Katz books. "Babys First Christmas," etc.
Richard Scarry books
Baby's First 100 Words
Any books about dump trucks


Television
Sofia the First
Monsters Inc & Monsters University, aka: "Scary Movie"
Chuggington
Thomas the Train
Bubble Guppies

Foods
Applesauce
Cottage cheese
Bagels
Cereal
Oatmeal
Grilled chicken with "dip."
Meatballs
Cheese Sticks
Chocolate munchkins (Only Dad gets her these...)
Coffee in the morning with Mom and Dad (milk with a splash of coffee)

Sayings
"I do it!"
"I pick!"
"Kenna no want it."
"What baby doing?"
"Its too slippy outside."
"Too heavy."

Things to do
Try on boots
Try on hats
Try on mittens
Dance around the house
Play Doctor
Drive Dad's truck down the driveway and down the camp road
Take bubble baths
Puzzles

Mackenna Goes Skiing

This past weekend we took Mackenna over to Shawnee Peak while Grandma Judy watched Dakota for a few hours. Ben and I both love to ski, and were anxious to take Mackenna. She had a great time on the "rabbit run" slope.

Heading back to the truck. Her father's daughter.

One Month.

I'm 1 Month Old! 

• I love to be held, and cuddling instantly soothes me.
• I love when my mom wears me in a wrap.
• I enjoy taking baths with my big sister.
• I can lift my head up unsupported when laying on my stomach.
• I'm quite strong, and can push off of things with my feet.
• I am a snack eater. I eat frequently, but not for long at each feeding.
• I grasp my mom and dads fingers tightly when they hold me.
• I sleep my longest stretch from roughly 9 pm- 2 am. I wake up at night at 2 am and 5 am to eat.
• At my 1 month appointment with Doctor Peterson, I weighed in at 8 lb 15.5 oz and measured 21 inches, putting me at about 1 lb gained since birth. All signs showed I am a healthy little gal, and progressing wonderfully in terms of development.
• I have beautiful blue eyes and my parents predict my hair will stay blonde.
• Most people unanimously agree that I look like my mom. Every day, mom and dad start to see more and more of Mackenna in me.
  

Our First Race

As a long time lover of running, I have never been competitive. I enjoy running, and its been on my mind recently to make more time for it this year. I have set a goal for myself to run 10 road races this year, and to run all of them with Mackenna. Hopefully some day she will join me in my love for running, and join me on foot.

We started our ten- race- goal yesterday, on a balmy 20 degree day in Portland. It was frigid. Ben and Dakota waited in the car for most of the race, but met us by the finish line just in time to snap a few photos. I would be lying if I said Mackenna had a great time. She really didn't. In fact, she cried most of the time we were running, sobbing, "I want my Daddy." Over and over again. Hopefully it was just the cold weather that didn't sit well with her. We shall find out at the next race!