You Know Your Child Knows Way Too Much When.....

You catch her trying to use your breast pump!

Check her out!!! No, those are not moles or beauty marks......those are spots of chocolate. Macy helped Mommy bake cookies today. She chose to eat them!!!

Here's hoping for another great year in 2010!!!!

Adventures of a 4 Year Old Photographer!

For Christmas, Macy received a digital camera from her Mamaw and Papaw. We gave her a crash course on how to run it and turned her loose. She has been running around for the last few days shooting photos. Tonight, Jeremy and I plugged in her camera to see what kind of shots she caught. We loved them so much we thought we would share. Enjoy!!!

Oh The Emotions!!!

As I sat watching my two beautiful daughters and my husband on this Christmas morning, I found myself have deja vu' of the same emotions we shared at the hospital (the first time united as a family of 4).

McKenna was sleeping, Jeremy was smiling, Macy was speechless, and I, of course, was crying. I am feeling so blessed today!!!

Our Christmas Traditions

I thought I would take some time today to share some of your Christmas traditions. We have been practicing these traditions since Macy's first Christmas, and we are so excited to start sharing them with McKenna this year.

The Elf On The Shelf: Our dear friend Eddy the Elf arrives each year on the day after Thanksgiving. He appears in a place where he can watch over us. Each night, he returns to The North Pole to report our behavior to Santa Claus. When he returns the next day, he chooses a new spot. But remember, don't ever tought Eddy or he may lose his magic :)

Santa's Early Visit: Each Christmas Eve, when we return from Grandma and Granpa VanVleet's house, Santa has made an early visit to our house. Each year, he drops off Christmas pajamas that we wear that night to sleep, and an ornament to be hung on the tree. It is so fun to go climb into out pjs and place those specials ornaments on the tree!

Story Time: After we get out pjs on, we all sit down to read The Night Before Christmas. Hopefully when Macy and McKenna have families of their own, they will be able to recite this story without the book :)

Santa's Cookies: A few days before Christmas, we spend our baking and decorating cookies for jolly old Saint Nick. That night, we place those special cookies on a very special plate made just for him. Of course, Macy wants to sample them..........as well as Tucker.

Wrapping Paper: On Christmas morning, when we all climb out of bed and make our way downstairs to the tree. There are lots of presents left from Santa! We always know who owns each present even though none of them have names on them. Each year, Macy's are wrapped in red paper, Jeremy's are wrapped in blue, and mine are wrapped in silver. Santa sent us a message this year to let us know that McKenna's will be wrapped in green.

Enjoy all of your special traditions! Remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas this year, count your blessings, and tell all those special people in your life how much they truly mean to you!

Hugs from the Heart,

The VanVleet Family

Holiday Candy Recipe

Here is a quick, easy holiday recipe that I thought you might enjoy!

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg. cream cheese
1 pkg. oreos
Baker's semi-sweet chocolate

Save back 7 oreos to be crushed later for topping.

Crush remaining package of Oreos. Mix with softened cream cheese. Melt Baker's chocolate in a pan. Roll Oreo mixture into small balls and dip into Baker's chocolate (covering the whole ball). Sprinkle with Oreo topping. Cool on wax paper.

Enjoy!!!!

Online Nursery

You can visit our birth online birth announcement at:
www.cradlememories.com

Once you get the the website, click "Online Nursery".

A hospital list will appear. Click on "St. Francis South Hospital"

You will need to fill in McKenna's birthdate, Nov. 30, 2009.

Then click on her name. Her picture turned out really cute!!

We are all doing great getting adjusted to life at home as a family of 4! Of course I have it easy right now with Mom here doing the cooking, cleaning, and laundry! Thanks Mom, you truly are the best!!!!

McKenna had her first doctor's appointment yesterday. When she left the hospital, she was down to 6 lbs. 14 oz., but in the last week, she gained 11.5 oz therefore is back up to 7lbs. 9.5 oz!!! Yeah for McKenna! Jeremy and I sure aren't used to weight gain like that. Macy was that weight when she was 6 months old! Yikes!

You Know There's a Baby in the House When.......

You praise God for getting 3 straight hours of sleep.

You are talking on the telephone when you realize there is poop on your hand.

Your dog has found a new position on your bed which includes burying his head under the covers.

Your husband comes running into the kitchen screaming, "ewwwww", and sporting poop on his leg.

Your freezer and fridge are filled with bottles of breast milk. Yum!

You haven't left your house in 5 days and have no idea what is happening in the "real" world.

You start dressing up your newborn for special photo shoots.

Your 3 year old, who is very tiny for her age, looks like a giant.

Enjoy this picture of Macy meeting her baby sister McKenna for the first time! McKenna was sleeping, Daddy was smiling, Macy was speechless, and I, of course, was crying!

Welcome Baby!

McKenna Molene VanVleet arrived on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 8oz, and was 19 inches long. As you can see, she is adorable!!!!! Mommy and Baby are doing great and planning on going home this afternoon.