silent night, holy night

Merry Christmas everyone! Tonight Matt, Mckenna and I played Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in an (indoor) silent nativity during our church's Christmas Eve service. Mckenna of course was such a good girl, she slept the entire service - in the manger, hay (with soft blankets) and all! We hope you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas with your loved ones. We all have so much to be thankful for, including the amazing birth of Jesus.

More pictures of Mckenna... 8.5-9.5 weeks

Mckenna will be 10 weeks old on Christmas Day! The past 10 weeks have gone by so fast. Someone actually asked me this week, "Is Mckenna about 4 weeks old now?"

Here are some pictures from the past week and a half or so. Mckenna had her 8 week check up and she is a healthy girl. At her appointment she weighed 11 lbs, 6 oz. (85th percentile) and was 22.5 inches long (77th percentile), so in her two months since birth she has gained 4 pounds and has grown 2 inches. Her pediatrician, Dr. Tate, said to Matt and I, "Whatever you're doing, don't change a thing - she is perfect!" (Tell us something we don't know - haha!) :)


I think these pictures of her being weighed at the doctor are so cute - naked baby with a diaper and socks on - gotta love that baby belly! :)



After the doctor she was pooped... it's hard work getting poked and prodded!

Shower time for Mckenna... I love this little baby robe - how cute! My mom commented that she looks like a prize fighter in her robe.







We took some pictures by our Christmas tree with Mckenna and Nemo. Nemo seemed to be cooperating a little more than the baby for these pictures, but I think we got a couple keepers. Notice Nemo's paw on Mckenna's shoulder - too cute.

Mckenna with my parents, her Grandma and Grandpa Person.

My mom wanted to get a picture of her with her little pink stocking...

These last two pictures were taken first thing in the morning, when she is at her best. So happy, sweet and smiley - love her!

Baby Showers # 3 & 4

In the past several weeks we've had baby showers number three and four! In late November good friends from church, Kelly and Kari, along with my sister Kristi, had a really fun shower at our house. About 30 friends from church were there, and we had just enough room at our house for everyone. It was so much fun! Kelly is an elementary school teacher, and so creative. She handmade cute ladybug invitations, asked everyone at the shower to fill out a card with advice or a memory of us and put it into a book, and planned the whole morning perfectly. Kari is a phenomenal cook and caterer and made a fantastic feast for the shower - it was so yummy! She even made party gifts for each guest - decorated ladybug shaped cookies with pink frosting, so cute! Kristi did a great job helping out with party details and creating a fun shower game. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we are so blessed to have such wonderful, caring friends!

Kari, Kelly, Julie, Mckenna, and Aunt Kristi.




Note the ladybug cookies in the center of the table. I am so in awe of and impressed by Kari's talents in the kitchen!


That morning Matt had been at an open house at Minnehaha's Bloomington campus, but came home just in time to eat some of the yummy food and help open gifts.


Mckenna was pretty in her pink dress for the shower. Being the center of attention made her tired!


A few days later, Matt's co-workers at Minnehaha's Bloomington campus gave the three of us a shower on the last day of school before Thanksgiving break. It was a great time to do it because it marked the end of my staying home with Mckenna for several weeks and the beginning of Matt staying home with her through our Christmas break. The last day of school before Thanksgiving break is always grandparents day at Minnehaha, and the students go home early with their grandparents. So we had a nice lunch with the teachers and staff and opened some shower gifts from them. Both Matt and I feel so blessed to teach at a school where we have such wonderful, caring and supportive friends in our co-workers, a place where we can lift each other up in faith and where family is celebrated. It was a really fun afternoon.

More pictures of Mckenna: 6.5 - 8 weeks

She got this super cute puppy hat and mittens at a shower that Matt's Minnehaha co-workers gave us. I love that it's warm for our cold winters and so cute! It also looks like she's saluting someone, which is funny.



I love this cute little sweater jumper. Why is it so fun to dress her everyday? :)


"Why do my hands look like feet?" My aunt Barb knit these booties for Mckenna. I noticed that her hands seemed cold, and the booties were the closest thing to grab, so I put them on her hands. Kind of funny...


"How I am going to straighten my neck when I wake up???"


I'm not exactly sure why, but I just love this picture. I think she looks so cute. My good friend Liz from work and her son Sam got Mckenna this onesie while in Paris this past summer.


This picture was taken today on her 8-week old birthday - such a sweetie!

Mckenna is 7 weeks old!

Today Mckenna is 7 weeks old! This picture was taken last Sunday night during the big Bears vs. Vikings game. (The majority in our house are Chicago Bears fans!) Despite Mckenna and Nemo's support, the Bears lost to the Vikes. Happy 7-week birthday Mckenna, we love you! :)



This was taken earlier this week. Love that baby double chin - so cute!


These two pics were taken tonight. Mckenna and Nemo are good friends, can you tell?