Anne and the animals

Jamie introduced Anne to some of her stuffed animals during our unpacking party.

Christmas preparations

Dad picked up a battery on the way home last night so the train is up and running now. Then he put in the Polar Express movie and made Jamie hot chocolate. Teresa and Charles helped bring in boxes of Christmas stuff so we could get our holiday books and decorations out. Slow but sure - Christmas is coming! Newsletter and cards are almost done.

Friday Visit

Everyone wanted to do something different: Grandma baked cookies getting ready for Sunday - Advent starts! Teresa and Timmy played Hi Ho Cherry O! And the cousins locked themselves outside in the dogs cages so they could watch them but not get jumped on. I walked around with Anne.

Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's

Anne was awake this week. She made the round of arms again. Uncle Doug even held her while watching football. Grandma made a wonderful meal and enjoyed holding Anne as well.

Rock Solid Musical Performance

Jamie did a great job in the Rock Solid Musical Performance at church last night. She had lots of family support - thanks Grandma Jacky, Aunt Christine, Aunt Teresa, Cousin Lucas and Timmy as well as her Dad and Mom and baby sister Anne (who slept through it). It was good to be back at church and we had a warm welcome by so many friends who wanted to see and hold Anne.

Family Dinner

For the first time, we actually had time to do something after dinner. The uncles spent time with the kids making things with something called Capsella. Timmy enjoyed holding the baby with Uncle James.

Quilts

Grandma Dee (my mom) made these quilts when Jamie was a baby. I love teddy bears.
She made the Tweety Bird quilt for Aunt April; Lori brought it for Anne. We miss them both.

Visit

Aunt Teresa, Lucas and Timmy came over for a visit last night. We ordered pizza from Papa John's. Anne still sleeps a lot.

Rice Pudding

1 1/2 cup cooked rice
1 cup milk
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp. butter
raisins - optional

Mix, bake in greased baking dish for 30 minutes (up to 45 min.) at 350 degrees.
Serve with milk and cinnamon sugar.

Uncle Charles made a lot of rice so I found my Grandma Dee's rice pudding recipe. YUM!

The good fairies are gone!

We miss Aunt Marti and Aunt Lori!

Big cousins

Sha and Michelle created a blog last night - all about their dogs.
www.shalovesdogs.blogspot.com

Little Cousins

Timmy and Teresa peek at Baby Anne while she's sleeping!


Lucas, Timmy, Jamie and Anne - Take 1, Take 2, Take 3 - it's hard to get all the kids eyes open and the baby awake at the same time. We'll try again later.

Aunt Christine and Uncle Travis with Anne

Family dinner

Grandma Jacky prepared a wonderful Thanksgiving feast for us last night. Anne slept through it but we took pictures anyway. It's hard for everyone to find time to get together but we aim for at least one hour a week at Grandma's house. We are thankful for her time and effort!

Aunt Love

Jamie has really enjoyed spending time with her Aunts - playing board games, working on a puzzle the cousins sent, playing with the dogs, shopping at the dollar store, opening gifts, dressing up, eating, etc. Hope to have lunch with her at school today as a surprise. Our love languages involve lots of time and gifts! We needed this family time.

Uncle Charles

Uncle Charles came to pick us up at the hospital and waited for hours while they did our discharge papers. He is so big compared to little Anne!

Quilt

Cousin Michelle made Anne a quilt. Found Jamie's pooh bear outfit for a fun picture.

Dress up

The cousins sent a box of goodies including dress up clothes. Jamie loves her purple renaissance dress and Anne laid peacefully in her banana suit. Anne looked lovely in her flower dress and the hat looks like Aunt Lori's. She didn't like the flash though. She was a little surprised.

Angels

Jamie found a set of angels at a yard sale nearby and wrapped each of them separately for me as a surprise! She loves me!

Celebration

Jamie wanted to celebrate our coming home! She decorated the house with blue balloons and streamers. She went to a yard sale nearby with Grandma Saturday and found a set of angel figures and wrapped them all up for me as a surprise. She was so excited. We decided to give the Aunts their Christmas presents early from our Disney trip so they could open gifts too. They liked their bags and goodies. What fun!

Aunt Christine and Uncle Travis

Aunt Christine and Uncle Travis both came to visit us in the hospital but Anne was in NICU for a few days due to low blood sugar. Anne is doing fine now. Can't wait to add their pictures with Anne!

Aunt Marti and Aunt Lori with Anne

Aunt Marti and Aunt Lori flew in today to see baby Anne! We are so glad they are here.

Aunt Teresa with Anne

Aunt Teresa came to see Anne early Wed morning and brought us lovely pink carnations and a balloon as well as a Thomas Kinkade book. Jamie spent Friday night with Aunt Teresa and the boy cousins - Lucas and Timmy. They went to a planetarium and saw the stars through a telescope. Jamie said they didn't get much sleep but they made a memory.

Butterfly swing and sister love

Big Sister loves feeding Anne. We listened to Christmas music and enjoyed our morning together.

Christmas Cookies

Jamie and Grandma couldn't wait until we got home on Saturday. It was so great to watch Jamie run along the driveway trying to see her sister in the back seat of the car. Grandma kept Jamie busy making Christmas cookies all afternoon. It smelled so good and relaxing. It is so good to be home after so many days in the hospital.