Hello blog friends!
I know, I know, there has been quite a disparity between the frequency of blog postings pre-baby and post-baby. But I am hoping you are all forgiving and understanding! I had no idea how busy just one little baby could keep a person!
I had such great intentions…to post a Christmas blog and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and then to post a blog with a bunch of pictures of our family Christmas vacation…but alas, clearly, none of that happened. Between having a house full of family to enjoy and all of the cleaning, cooking, shopping, and taking care of little Alana, we hardly even took photos over the holidays, much less find time to blog them!
Alana even got her first sickness over the holidays…the day after Christmas she vomited several times and completely freaked me out. Mom and I took her to the Pediatrician and she had a stomach bug…I didn’t enjoy watching our little 5 week old become watery-eyed and lethargic. Very sad.
Now that Alana is six weeks old, she was due for her next session by the amazing Amber Holritz!!! She has changed so much…the most notable changes are her alertness, new cute noises, and she has added a loud shriek to her crying vocabulary!
Oh yes, and the fact that on her six week birthday (New Years Eve), she decided it was time to sleep through the night for mommy! Must’ve been her New Year’s Resolution. 
And so, without further ado, here is Alana Mackenzie at six weeks old! Amazing work as always, Amber, and we love you so much!
Her favorite facial expression: It’s hilarious to me, because sometimes she sticks out her tongue because she is choking or spitting up (she has acid reflux), but sometimes she seems to stick it out just because she knows how cute it is…
Her increased alertness:
I love her bright, clear eyes and her pleasant expressions. Her angry face is pretty darn cute, too.
Hanging with daddy:
Growing Alana! This is the love seat that we will use each session to show scale! Last time, she was all scrunched up and much smaller!
Chillin’ on her Boppy Pillow!
Angry Alana! Clearly, Rich and I are amused by this!
Bath time! Let’s just say that Alana does not yet enjoy her bath time each day…and I am looking forward to the day that she does! It will be less angst on everyone’s part!
Clean, dry, and swaddled. Happy baby…
Sleeping burrito baby…
Kissable baby features!
Amber and Alana. Two sweet and pretty girls. I love them.
We will try to get some family pictures up from our Christmas holiday together…but things are pretty crazy around here…Rich has been just as busy as I have, still working full time with Smith Engineering and busy with weddings for Rich Smith Photography.
We love you all and hope that you had a fabulous Christmas and a beautiful New Year!
Thank you for the picture update guys! I know we were JUST there, but I cannot seem to get enough of her cuteness. You guys made one beautiful baby! I love you both. Happy first-sleep-through-the-night day! Hugs from South Dakota.
She looks like she misses her grandma……can you bring her down? Thanks!
It was wonderful getting to see your family today!!! Your daughter is precious! I am so delighted to learn that she is allowing mommy & daddy to get some sleep!!! These pics are great as always!!! Praying for you all!
hey! We went shopping for you (again
today!! We’ll probably send it all on Monday! Well, It’s not really for you. I think you might be a little too big. Perhaps you could just share with your daughter? :)I was in B&B today and saw a little christmas set with the little tub and thought of you!! 
She’s so cute, and always fooling around cracking jokes…I get her, really.
Hey guys! I just love reading your blogs and catching up with you and the beautiful Alana. I swang by the Bridal Fair the other day and some of the others from our PUG was there, they said you guys had come by and brought the baby….I wish so much I could have ran into you….I didn’t get there until the last hour. Maybe I’ll see you at the meeting. Take care and Hope you guys had a blessed holiday season!
Cristie
What a cutie! so much more alert, and already so comfortable with the camera, coincidence? I submit that it is not!
Very cute dot changing pad cover too! 
Precious babe! So glad you got more time with the fam…i hope alana was sufficiently doted over. what beautiful pics! doesn’t it feel good to sleep again!
Very cute!! Great to see both of you are adjusting well to parenthood…see who said this was hard
Anyway all the best guys and we’ll chat soon.
Have a great day.
Gabe, Jen and Aisha