Dakota's Photo Session

This morning, I took Dakota to one of my favorite running trails. I took a few images of her, she was such a sport and excited to be outside.

              

We Saw Santa! & Friends Driving Through Town

We waited in a 40 minute line, just so we could hand Santa letters and take a photo with him. It was worth it! I had planned on Dakota wearing a dress, but right now, she's in love with these piggie PJs. When she saw them in the closet --- I promise you, she threw a fit, until I zipped them on her.

By the way, Santa was the best! Even with the long lines, he insisted on reading the girls letters. He even read Dakota's!





Yesterday our sweet friends from Houston, stopped by for a few hours. It seems like forever, since the last time we visited with them.

Professional Headshot

I got a new headshot. At work, I take headshots for the faculty and staff, at least once a year. The last one I had done was quite old, but this one is current.
Would you hire this videographer??? I would!

Last year, I took headshots and took a self-timer pic. I ended up not using this one for professional use. The truth is, I really needed a test subject, to set exposure and lights. This photo was taken about 2 months after I had Dakota. Those pants are maternity. I don't miss them.

Casual Portraits of My Friends

Krista, Makenna, Kye and Casey

 

Bean bags + Kids = This...



Do you barter? 
Krista asked me to take a few pictures of her and the family. Even though I emphasized, I'm more of an event photographer, she was like I don't care, you're awesome and I was like have you seen my pictures??? (of food and my feet)??

I agreed to take her family portraits (casual) and instead of her paying for the portraits, she agreed to watch the girls for me. Date Night! Sweet! I think we both got a good deal.

Merry Christmas (Card)

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Photographer & Model -- Well, "Model" is a Long Shot

When no one is around to help me set my exposure and lights, I have to run back and forth...and play photographer //// (slash) //// model subject.

I'm quite impressed that I'm in focus.

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Times Ten Cellar 
Saturday, Isis with EnduraLAB organized a ladies night out. About 10 of us had dinner in the West 7th area and then walked to a wine bar called Times Ten Cellar. I loved hanging out with the ladies, but if you are looking for date night ideas, you've gotta try this place. The atmosphere is super romantic.

What is your favorite wine? I had a glass of malbec, but my favorite is Moscato.
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MacBook Pro Update:

My electronic baby is finally ready to come home! I'm so glad I took my co-workers advice and backed everything up before I sent it to IT for the encryption. It was in the hands of the IT department, when the hard drive fried. They don't repair computers, so I had to take my laptop to Apple. The hard drive replacement was almost $300, but since it's still under warranty, the fee was waived.

We Made it Home

We are finally home!!!! We were discharged at 10:30 am this morning.

We were hoping to leave the hospital yesterday, but we had to stick around to see if Dakota's jaundice level was going to spike. This morning, the results showed she was not in a danger zone, but as you can see in these pictures, she does have a yellowish tint. Tomorrow, we have to follow-up with her pediatrician.

Can we talk about what no one is mentioning????....I gave birth to an 8 lb 7 oz baby!!!!! That's huge for my frame. This explains so much, the soreness and all. Dakota is so sturdy compared to when Cheyenne was born. Cheyenne was a frail 6 pounder. Speaking of Cheyenne. Dakota looks just like her, don't you think? Here is Dakota....

And this is Cheyenne, 2008

Another newborn picture of Cheyenne

Features can change a lot over the course of a year, so we'll see if we have another Cheyenne running around here. Trey's genes may win this battle, again.

She is all her own, special kind of beauty. I love her and I'm so glad we are at home, getting to know each other.

We are both doing great. I'm recovering much faster than I expected. Yesterday, I walked a little with Dakota on the nursery floor and I don't think I'll have to fill my pain medication. However, I am starting to get a nasty headache, I think it's a side effect from the epidural. I'm taking Tylenol for that. The only thing that's really bothering me, is my uterus cramping, while I feed Dakota. The pain should soften in the next week, I hope.

Hospital Stay
(back track)
Last night, at 10:30 pm I called for the nursery nurse and she took Dakota out of my room and kept her, while I rested. Every 2 and half to 3 hours a nurse would bring her back to me, so I could feed her. I woke up at 5:30 am and felt rested. When Cheyenne was born, I didn't do this, I kept her in the room with me all night long. I also didn't get much rest.

I'm so glad I got over feeling guilty about sending Dakota to the nursery. She was fine. I was fine and now I'm at home and I can function and I'm not doing this....every 5 seconds.

Natasha's Senior Portraits

This past weekend, I had an opportunity to take my little sisters candid senior portraits. Thanks Abilene wind for being a pain! It was so windy and HOT! We made due and here are a few of my favorites. I'd like to take more inside, if I get a chance. Maybe I can do a set-up soon, but next time include more pictures with Bella, my niece.

Maybe, I got carried away with the color correcting. :)
It's different....but Tasha looks gorgeous.








 
Look how red Bella's face is...I'm telling you -- it was HOT. HOT. HOT. I'm not ready for summer.

Personality & Time to Taper

Ok, now for the silly photos....Cheyenne's personality really shines through.









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Half Marathon Taper 
This past weekend, it rained, so I skipped my scheduled Saturday long run and when I had an opportunity to run long on Sunday, I wasn't feeling it, so I just ran 4 miles. Yesterday, I went to the gym and ran 6 miles on the treadmill. I passed the time by switching between Good Morning Texas, E! Fashion Police, and Grilling with Bobby Flay. News, Fashion and Food.

I think this is the time I should be tapering, but I don't know how that will look -- since I'm not really following a specific training schedule, so I'll just keep doing what I'm doing OR I'll run less. We'll see, either way, I'm really looking forward to running 13.1 miles on Sunday.

Here is my DailyMile training from last week.