Newborn Pictures

Love them feet

Makena is growing like a weed, we've had a few issues with reflux so we have not been able to make too many posts recently.

Sandi Heinrich delivered another CD chock full of great pictures of Makena, Madelyn and a few of Mom and Dad thrown in for good measure. We love her work. All photo's from this post are from her last photo shoot.

"Hop on Pop"

Still Sleeping

Hanging out with Pepe

This last month has gone by fast, waking up 2-3 times a night tends to make all the days blur together. Makena is literally growing up before our eyes and it's been fun to of had this past month off to watch her grow. I would take several more months off if I could and envy the Swedes who get 80% pay for a year, they seem to have their priorities right.

Meme's shoulder

Karin's Peps group has a 2nd wave of sisters, 4 new babies so far with one more on the way.

Fooling around one morning, elephant impression.

I was so shocked to see Madelyn sharing her food with Brooks that I just had to take a few pictures. If any other kid tried this, their hand would have been stomped on by now and somebody would be crying. I also had time this week to go to Madelyn's "Kids in Motion" class with the City of Kirkland. It's basically organized chaos for 2-3 year olds for 45 minutes, they get to tumble on mats, go down slides, and jump around. Basically all the things you try not to get them to do inside your house.

The Girls

Just a simple shameless self-promotion on how ding-dang cute my girls are! I am feeling too lucky to have two cute girls. Oh..and that hubby of mine is pretty good too!

Love the evidence of strawberries for lunch...all over her face

Yep, I love cupcakes!

Oh Mom, not more pics

One cute fleeing smile....wait is she sticking her tongue out at me?

And the pic that melts mom's heart....

Goodbye Emily and Angelica

We said goodbye to Emily and Angelica yesterday, Madelyn has fallen for cousin "EM" in a big way and will be sad to not see her at Meme's house the next time we go up there.

The picture about the picture are always as fun for me as the final product, people are missing in some shots, a few nose picks and looking the wrong way, it's exhausting trying to get Madelyn to sit for a picture, but what can you expect from a 2 year old anyway. Click on the picture for a larger size.

Blowing some cool bubbles.

Zoo

Mom hung out at home and I took the cousins to the Zoo for the morning. They got to feed the Giraffes, and the birds at Wallaby Station, take a ride on the carousel and see the new penguin exhibit. Makena is still doing well, eating, sleeping and acting like a cute newborn baby.

Our dear Emily

Cousins

It's hard to believe that two weeks have gone by already, Makena is more and more alert each day. She is a sweet child and just loves to be cuddled and fall asleep in somebodies arms. Karin has caught a few smiles and a laugh while she's been asleep.

Angelica and Emily, Madelyn and Makena's cousins are in town for a visit with the family. It's been a few years since I've seen then and they look all grown up to me now.

Riding the neighbor's zip-line

Mmmmm Popsicle

Just Hanging Around

Makena's favorite spot continues to be Mom's shoulder after a feeding.  She's doing well and gained 1lb last week, that would be like her Dad gaining 25lbs.  So far she is a completely different child than Madelyn was at this age.  Madelyn continues to be Mom's helper, bringing burp-rags or a diaper to us.  At times, when she really needs our attention, she'll point to Makena's bassinet and insist the we put her down do and give daughter #1 our full attention.

Tired

Makena crashed out on Mom's shoulder, other than everybody being tired from the heat and waking up a few times at night the Potter family is doing fine.  Luckily the rains have arrived.

This was the same pose with Madelyn at the same age.  What's been most amazing to us is how different the kids personality's have been at this early age.  Madelyn required us to hold her constantly and took lots and lots and then some more coaxing to fall asleep.  With Makena she'll fall asleep on her own and of course loves to be held and never seems to raise a fuss or get cranky.

We bought Madelyn a slide/climbing wall for our side yard, we needed something for her to help burn off that endless amount of toddler energy that did not involve re-arranging our pantry.

Makena

So where did we get the name "Makena" and why did we pick it?  Makena is Hawaiian for "abundance", it's also the name of a beautiful beach on Maui.  Karin and her parents spent several vacations in Hawaii during her childhood and also time at Makena beach, so this name is our tribute to Ken and Helen Cleveland.  

At the Farm

I love B&W pictures and this one of Mom and Makena was cute.  Baby is doing well, gaining weight and sleeping all day long.  Mom and Dad are tired somehow we forgot what sleep deprivation was really like.

Happy Kido

We went to Farrel McWhirter park this morning to check out the baby pigs and goats.   Makena did not seem to mind the hat or the car ride.   The outing went better than expected.

Happy Dad and his girls.

The Girls

Maddy looking for the cows.

This sow had 13 piggies, yes 13 and 14 teats.

Homeward Bound

We checked out of the hospital yesterday and headed home for home.  Mom and baby are connecting on the feeding front today so all is well.  Madelyn is taking a small interest in baby, she'll bring her a baby toy or a pacifier.  So far it's been easier the second time around, it's nice to know what to expect and how to handle it.  Madelyn looks like a giant when compared to her sister and so grown up.

7lbs 10oz the next day

Makena Hope Potter is Here!!!

Life is Good. Makena Hope Potter made her appearance at 2:30 this afternoon. I drove home from work in record time to find that Kathryn Leaty had beat me to the house. A quick call to Meme&Pepe took care of Maddy and off we went. We delivered the baby 30 minutes after check in to the hospital, that was cutting things kinda close. The birth went as planned, all-natural and Mom got to have baby on her chest after the delivery. It was another one of those amazing things to watch and the emotions were high.

Makena was 8lbs 2oz and 21 inches long. She has long, long fingers and toes, brown hair and a cute little nose

Puffing those lungs out with some crying after the birth. Meme and Pepe brought Madelyn for a short visit before dinner, little does Madelyn know what she's in for.

Still waiting for baby sister...

Baby sister is still on the way, she'll come when she wants to apparently, contrary to when we would all like her to.  Toddler Class ended today and teacher Amy gave Madelyn a Certificate.  Nobody was surprised to see Maddy crying.  The class has been great fun for her, she'll miss the snacks, songs and hanging out with her friends for sure.  Dad got to go to class today and witness all of the mayhem.

Hanging out with Ella.