Girls night!

Saturday night the "Bethel Roomies" - minus Janine :( - came over to hang out and spend the night! We had a great time, as always, and we have even more fun to look forward to together... a baby shower for Abby in less than three weeks, and then Janna and Rob's wedding in less than four weeks! Here are some pictures from our fun evening together.

Janna, Ang, and Katrina. Such cute ladies! Notice the plentiful snacks on the table... where there is college friends, there will be snacks a plenty! :)


Dr. Brandes and Mckenna hanging out - they were immediate friends! Ang and Katrina got to meet Mckenna for the first time, and I'm pretty sure they both think she is pretty darn cute. :) It was fun to chat with Ang about baby talk and being a new parent, and to hear her doctors perspective. Yes, I do love my fabulous, smart, successful, inspirational friends - these girls are awesome!


Next it was time for some presents. Abby and Dan (my brother) are due with their first baby in April. Is it a girl or a boy - no one knows! Abby and Dan decided to be surprised, and we're all so excited to find out! Katrina made the baby a really cute quilt... I must say, I am rather jealous of Katrina's wonderful quilting skills. I would love to someday learn how to do that. Mckenna loves her quilt from Katrina - she sleeps with it every night!


And of course we also wanted to shower the bride-to-be. Here is Janna with a cool cherry wood salad bowl and bear claws. I was tempted to keep it for myself, but since it is from her and Rob's registry, I guess I had to hand it over.


Katrina, Ang, Janna, Abby, and Julie. Thanks for a fun girls night, my fabulous gals. And Janine, we missed you, but look forward to seeing you in a few short weeks!

19 weeks!

Mckenna is already 19 weeks old, almost to the 5-month mark! It's hard to believe that almost 5 months have passed since she's been born... the cliche is true, it's hard to remember what it was like before she was with us. She is such a huge and awesome part of our lives - what a blessing!

Last week we went out to run some errands around town, and stopped by to say hi to my friend Jamie and her new little boy, Asa. Jamie and her husband Jonathan are now the parents of three boys, and Asa is just 3 weeks old. Such a little cutie! He isn't too happy in this picture, but Jamie and I had fun with it, joking that Mckenna was going to eat Asa for breakfast. Asa weighed more than Mckenna at birth - it's hard to remember her being so tiny!


As many of you know, Minnesota got a big dump of snow last Thursday, but Wednesday the sun was shining and the four of us (Matt, Julie, Mckenna, and Nemo) decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood. It wasn't really that warm, but the sun was calling, so we ventured out. This is the first time we had Mckenna in her stroller facing out. We've always just had her in the carseat and set the carseat in the stroller, and she'd be facing us as we walked. I think she liked this new perspective!




My Dad has continued to come over on M/T/Th mornings to watch Mckenna while Matt and I are teaching, and it has worked out great. Mornings are a great time for Mckenna - she is so awake and smiley and ready to play after her long 10+ hour sleep. I had to snap a picture of the two smiling faces before I left one morning last week. It's so wonderful to know that she's well loved and taken care of when we're gone!

A prayer request for my parents, Bob and Mary Person - they went out for dinner on Friday night, and while they were gone a part broke in the toilet of their upstairs main bathroom and completely flooded the whole house - ceilings even fell in and everything is ruined and the house totaled. So now they are staying in a hotel for a few nights and figuring out where they are going to live (a rented apartment, house, etc.) for the next 3-4 months while their house is being gutted and re-done. Please pray for them during this very stressful time as they are in shock and are saddened that this has happened and so many of their things and memories, etc., are gone. Thank goodness they are okay, and they know and trust that God is in control and everything will turn out alright. Thank you for your prayers.


This picture goes with a funny story... Mckenna needs a passport because we're going to Mexico in June. So on Saturday we went to get her picture taken and fill out the paperwork to get her a passport. Well, the picture was taken in front of this white screen in the main area of the post office, and there was a line out the door to mail things, so everyone was watching while the woman who helped us was trying to get a usable picture. Matt had to kneel down on the floor and hold Mckenna way up above his head in order to get the picture... she can't yet sit up on her own, so we needed to do it this way. And his hands couldn't be in the picture, just Mckenna, so it was a process figuring out just how to hold her. Picture everyone looking at this baby-passport-picture spectacle saying out loud, "oh, she's so cute!" and has a huge, gummy smile on her face, whipping her head back and forth to look at everyone in line... all she needed was her hand waving and she could've been on the red carpet. So it was humorous trying to get a picture with her head still and looking straight on at the camera! I took this picture of Matt and Mckenna after the big spectacle was all over... as you can see, she's still hamming it up for all of her admirers in the post office. Too funny!


Every night we read to Mckenna before bed, usually sitting on the couch or in the glider. Well this night we were both just too tired to sit up, so we had to lie on the bed and read together. :)


Cute video alert! Mckenna has been rolling over quite a lot the past few weeks, and we've gotten it on video a few times. Three things to watch in this video - you may need to watch it more than once to catch them all!
1. Mckenna grunts right before she rolls over - pretty cute.
2. Watch her face when she looks up after she rolls - she loves the camera (and the camera loves her!)
3. Watch Nemo, not only when she comes up to the camera, but where she comes from. (Do you think she wants in on the attention too?) :)

Mckenna's Dedication

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
-Mark 10: 14, 16

Mckenna was dedicated at Bloomington Covenant Church last Sunday, February 22nd. It was a fun and very special day. We had many family members and friends with us, including Matt's parents from the Chicago area.

Matt and I helped with the praise music for the morning, so we had to be at church early to practice. Mckenna's two sets of grandparents hung out with her in the nursery while we were going over music, and when we were done she had fallen asleep and we put her in a crib to nap. I walked over to the crib to check on her, and this is what I saw. She's even being cute when she's "napping" - cute and smiley!


Up from her short rest and ready to go into the service. A side note about Mckenna's dress - I bought it before she was born for her to wear at Christmas. But when we were asked to play Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, the dress went by the wayside. But it's so cute, and I really was hoping she could wear it at some point... so this was the perfect event for it!


Linnea, Cam, Gwen, and Sonja sent Mckenna this bracelet in the mail. Linnea makes beautiful jewelry, and this looked just adorable on Mckenna and went perfectly with her dedication outfit. They couldn't be with us over the weekend because Cam had a class to attend for work in Chicago, but they were there in spirit.


Our Pastor, Tim Johnson, talked to the kids about what dedication means during the children's sermon. We thought it was neat that he explained it to them and then went right into the dedication, with the children watching on.


Both Pastors at BCC, Pastor Tim, and Pastor Greg Ellis, took part in Mckenna's dedication. They are both so wonderful!





After the service, family came over to our house for lunch. We of course had to get some family pictures!



I love how Mckenna is reaching out for Nemo in this picture... she can't get enough of her puppy!


After a long and full day, Mckenna was pretty pooped.


But of course, she woke up again soon and wanted to play some more! Here she is with Grandpa Craig.




Thanks to all of our special family and friends who joined us to celebrate the dedication and blessing of our sweet baby girl to God!

Gotta love her...

This past Saturday I went to a bridal shower for my good friend, Janna. This is an event that I've been looking forward to for weeks, not to mention what is sure to be the wedding of all weddings coming in just over a month. I'm so excited! The shower was held at Katie's childhood home. Katie is Janna's best friend and maid of honor, and they met and became friends 25 years ago, in kindergarten. The shower was hosted by Katie and Janna's other three bridesmaids - Rachel, Becca, and Mary Kate. Here are some pictures from our fun afternoon and evening.


The HAPPY bride-to-be! :)


Here are two of the four bridesmaids that hosted the shower - Rachel Verdoorn and Becca Mason. Rachel and Becca also happen to be sisters - very fun! Also on the couch is Janna's fabulous mom, Bev.


Who knew that 18 years after we met and became friends that we'd be sitting together at a shower celebrating one of our weddings? After many adventures, hair styles and colors, boyfriends, trips, summers at camp, life transitions, and more, we're still good friends. Isn't there something about an old friend that you've been through so many things with that is really so comforting? I think so.


Bring on the gifts! The theme for the shower was "Honeymoon at Home", and Janna got some really fun things! Isn't the wrapping on this gift cool? It is a breakfast in bed tray with bowls and mugs from Janna and Rob's registry, and a cute vase and flower. So creative!


Isn't this a CUTE apron? Karin, Janna's sister-in-law, is awesome at making cute clothes from what I hear, and made this for her shower.


This was my gift to Janna - a cute Betsey Johnson satin number, a couple of small candles, and a bottle of wine. That goes along with the shower theme, right? :)


Triple Threat... that's our nickname for the three of us - Abby, Janna, and Julie. We all played volleyball together in high school, and would often joke about how we were a triple threat to meet on the VB court... the nickname just kind of stuck! But seriously, the three of us have remained good friends over the years, and I was even lucky enough to get Abby as my sister-in-law. We always have fun when we're together!


After the shower we all went to downtown Minneapolis to have dinner at one of Janna's favorite hangouts, Maxwells. We had a great time chatting, and the food was great. I'm sitting next to Bev and Abby, and Janna is next to Karin (who made that cute apron) and her friend Megan, whom I also sang in the choir with at Bethel. The shower and after party were so fun, and I can't wait for the awesome wedding coming up in just a few short weeks!

New 'do and fun weekend plans...

Something different - bangs! :)

Mckenna will be dedicated at church this Sunday, and on Saturday I'm going to a fun bridal shower for Janna. We're looking forward to a great weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are a few pictures from Mckenna's first Valentine's Day. She is 17 weeks old! Mckenna will be dedicated next week at Bloomington Covenant, on February 22nd. It will be a special day with family, so I'm sure there will be some fun pictures to post from that day. Stay tuned...

Good morning!



A cute Valentine's heart sweater.



Matt and I went out on a nice Valentine's date and my parents watched Mckenna for us (thank you!) We had to get a family Valentine's picture before we left for dinner. Nemo wasn't close by when we wanted to take the picture, otherwise she would've been in it too. :)


Here is a short video of her playing in her activity jumper. It is sideways - I apologize, but I couldn't figure out how to rotate it. (If you know how, let me know!) But I love her few smiles in the video - so cute! (Make sure to have the sound on your computer turned on!)

4 months old already!

Mckenna is already four months old - how did that happen so fast? She is talking more and more everyday, rolling over, grabbing things and putting them in her mouth, and so much more. She's also becoming quite the drooler!

My dad has been watching Mckenna on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and I think I speak for both of them when I say they are having a ball. Mckenna wants to give her grandpa a small "thank you" gift every once in awhile to let him know how much she enjoys playing with him every week, so last week she got him (and my mom) a gift card to Cheesecake Factory (a place they like to eat) and she gave it to him herself - too cute! :)



Matt and I took Mckenna to her 4-month check-up. Once again, Dr. Tate said that Mckenna is such a healthy girl - so strong, just perfect. He echoed his comment at her two-month appointment - don't change a thing, she's doing fantastic!

Here she is on the scale - 14.2 pounds (78th percentile) - she is getting close to doubling her birth weight (7'7 at birth). She is 24.5 inches long (76th percentile) - grown 4 inches from birth. Don't you just love that cute tummy and belly button?


When she was on the exam table, Matt and I were being quiet because Dr. Tate was listening to her heart and lungs, but I had our camera, of course. So I got this picture of her. Without saying her name or calling to her at all, she realized I was there taking a picture, turned, and....


...did this! Such a sweet smile.


She got some shots, but only cried for about 30 seconds and was back to her smiley self. I think the Dora the Explorer bandaid helped... :)


After Mckenna's appointment, we walked down the hall to the OB office that I went to throughout my pregnancy. The offices are in connected buildings, and I called the OB office earlier that day to see if Dr. Anne Meschke was working. My doctor is Dr. Curran, but he went off duty a few hours before I delivered, and Dr. Meschke was on for the delivery. She was absolutely fantastic. Next to Matt, she was my major cheerleader, kept me calm amidst a tough and sometimes scary delivery, and coached me through every step of the way. She will always have a special place in our heart for helping us to bring our sweet little girl into the world safely. Dr. Meschke didn't really get a chance to meet Mckenna because the baby was whisked away to the special care nursery and the doctor spent about an hour with me after the birth, so it was special to be able to say hello to her and have her see Mckenna and how well she's doing.

Dr. Meschke came out to the waiting room and was so excited to meet Mckenna. She immediately asked to hold her, and hugged her for several minutes. It was such a fun meeting. I'm not sure if Mckenna really knew what was going on, but it was still meaningful to Matt and I.


Later on Mckenna and Matt had fun reading books. She LOVES to read books and is perfectly happy sitting reading book after book. CUTIE!


Here is Mckenna snuggling with my mom. She is lucky to have two sets of grandparents that love her so much!


This picture was taken today. She rolled over several times today from her tummy to her back.

Squealing, Super Bowl, & New Toys!

Mckenna will be 4 months old (16 weeks) tomorrow - Thursday, February 5th! Here are some fun pictures from the last week or so, 15 weeks old. Enjoy!

This is a clip of Mckenna when we were changing her one night, right before bedtime. She is really chatty right now - squealing, gurgling, cooing, and laughing. She was tired when we took this, and she is usually a bit more vocal than this. But it gives you an idea of her noises.


Mckenna likes this little green bouncy chair. She sits in it and plays with toys she can hold, watches Nemo and her antics, plays with us, etc.




These next several pictures were taken last Wednesday, which was JJ, Kelly, and Caleb's last night at BCC. These pictures were taken during youth group time. We had cake, sang songs, and shared memories from the past 5 years that they've been at BCC. After many years volunteering with the youth group, Matt and I have taken a break this year to focus on Mckenna. But we came back for this special night of goodbyes. As you'll see below, Mckenna even got a goodbye hug from JJ and Kelly's son, Caleb - so cute. Thanks for everything - we'll miss you guys!














One of my students in business class at MA won an award for an essay he wrote for class on investing. Here is a picture of us at an awards luncheon last week at the Carlson School of Management, on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota.


We've tried out a few new toys with Mckenna in the past week. First, we tried the Johnny Jump Up. I'm not sure if she's quite ready for this yet, but it was fun to see her in it anyway. I don't think she really knew what to make of it! I'm sure this is something she will enjoy over the next few months.


Super Bowl Sunday - we didn't do anything too exciting. Matt went ice fishing over the weekend, so he had just gotten home and was tired from the trip. So my parents and sister were over for the big game. This bouncy activity jumper toy (not sure what exactly to call it) has been in the box since we got it for a shower before Mckenna was born, but we decided to get it out and put it together. It says 4+ months on the box - I never could picture little her playing in it, but now she's old enough! Kristi set it up for us (thanks, Kris!) and Mckenna loves it. There are quite a few pictures of her playing in it below, but I can't help it - it has been the new excitement for the week! :)


We had some of the always healthy Super Bowl food favorites - spinach and artichoke dip, mozzarella sticks, celery sticks, and BBQ meatballs - yum! Nemo of course was trying to get some of the good stuff... I don't think so Nemo.


Aren't those cheeks just the cutest?






Mckenna is always keeping an eye on Nemo, even if Nemo isn't doing anything! I guess Mckenna just wants to make sure she is still there, ready to hang out at a moments notice. I think it's cute how Mckenna is looking at Nemo... forever friends! :)