You Wish!

Look what I have...

An actual second set of hands.

Thanks for all your help lately Timmy!

P.S. Related to my previous post, the untrue fact about Kami was #12. Also, Kami would like to clarify that she does sing,but prefers not to sings solos.

For My Sisters

Introducing: Matt and Kami

I thought that if I didn't tell my sisters that my brother was dating pretty soon, I would be meat.

So, girls, this is Kami. Last night at dinner, we learned a few things about her. Below I will list facts that are all true except one, see if you can figure out which one it is.

1. Kami has 1 daughter and 3 sons.
2. Kami was once the Primary President when I was the Primary Pianist.
3. Kami is an avid hunter. (Elk anyone?)
4. Kami went to both Coeur d'Alene and Lake City High School.
5. Kami plays the piano, but does not sing.
6. Kami's favorite movie this week is Twilight.
7. Kami is a solid mom (in my opinion).
8. Kami runs her own Medical Equipment Company.
9. Kami is an amazing cook.
10. Kami loves to kick-box.
11. Kami doesn't let anybody boss her around.
12. Kami also comes from a family of 10.
13. Kami sat for 2 1/2 hours last night listening to family stories.
14. Kami is making Matt amazingly happy.

I thought that the sisters might like to know that Matt is dating, somewhat seriously.

I can't wait for everyone to meet Kami, I know you'll love her.

Around here...

Things around here have been shaping up quite nicely.
We've been having so much fun getting to know our Abby better. She prefers not to be swaddled, but surrounded by blankets, or arms. Preferably the latter.

She is very much loved by her brother, who we have to watch very carefully. When he wakes up in the morning, he walks into our room and goes straight for the moses basket.

It doesn't matter where she is, he'll find her. (And go right for the eyes. Why, Cooper?)

Growing up, I was usually sharing a room with one of my sisters. Some of the best nights were when everything was funny. We would laugh and laugh, and eventually hear one of my parents get out of bed to come talk to us. Of course, by the time they got there, we would have everything under control, and we would be pretending to sleep. They would always say, "I know you are awake, but go to sleep, and I don't want to hear you again." We would giggle, and then make fun of them when they left. This was all possible, because we would try to take a nap the next day, for which we were severely reprimanded. We were not allowed to take random naps, because that meant we would keep our parents awake all night.

I now understand.

Also, Cooper is learning to brush his teeth.

I said learning..

Also, my sister-in-law Randi took some pictures for us this week. I've seen a few, and I adore them, but I'm waiting to post them until I've seen all, so I don't inundate everyone. They are amazing, and I know I toot her horn all the time, but seriously people, she's amazing.

Thanks Randi.

Twist my arm! Here are two from our shoot...

Love you Randi!

How Many Parties?

So, yes. We ended up celebrating Cooper's birthday a few times.

His final party was his birthday dinner this evening. We had so much fun, and we were so glad to have some family here with us.

Thank you, thank you to Matt's Amiga Cami, for holding Abby so we could help Cooper with his presents.

We all loved this book Mom got Cooper for his birthday. We've been dancing to it all night.

We love you Buddy.

Happy Birthday!

Abby

Fun facts:

• Abby is a super easy baby. When we were pregnant with Abby, a lot of people told us that she was going to be a nightmare because Cooper was so easy. It freaked me out a little bit, but I am happy to report, they were all wrong! I have been lucky to have two easies in row, otherwise I would be toast.
• Abby is the LOUDEST burper and farter I have ever heard. At her last checkup our pediatrician told us he had never heard anything like it. Don't worry, I'm sure she'll grow out of it before high school. (Or at least we'll teach her how to hide it better!)
• Abby is very much loved by her big brother. I think he's beginning to get the "soft" idea. He's very interested, and that has been very fun for me.
• Abby wants to be sitting up all the time, and she wants to look right at you. I'm sure this isn't all that uncommon, but I love feeling like she wants to be part of things.

We're having such a great time! Earlier this week, I wasn't so sure that I was really going to enjoy this stage, but happily, my hormones have leveled out, and I am now loving it.

(Thanks for the therapy Kiley!)

Hypocritical?

Every Friday morning I head over to Copper Basin for our weekly sales meeting. Ever since Cooper was born, I've left him with Steven for these few hours. It's always made me happy that they get a little time together each week, especially because I'm not hovering, so I know they have a crazy good time. I never exactly know what I'm going to come home to. Sometimes Cooper has jammies on still, or maybe a crazy outfit, or like today, he had green beans for breakfast. (Thanks Daddy)

So, today when I returned home from sales meeting, I found this.

My poor little plant that had been stripped of all it's leaves.

I was a little upset until I remembered this.

My effort earlier in the week to "just let Cooper play" and not constantly clean up what he's doing.

What can I say? When you have a crazy kid, you have a crazy kid.

Life's Oldest Lesson

Snooze, you lose Mercer!

Cooper's (almost) 1!

I know I've said so before, but I really struck gold when I married into the Daines family.

I got the cutest message from sister-in-law Kylie this week, asking if it would be okay to change their daughter's party this weekend to include Cooper's birthday which is this next week. We really hadn't planned on doing much for his birthday, so I thought it would be really fun. Little did I know that our amazing family would put our son's name on their daughter's birthday cake (first, no less), that they would have a special balloon on his high chair, a special cupcake for him to dig into, and so many other things. We can't thank you enough guys. Did I mention that she is like 9 months pregnant? We get it Kiley, you're amazing!

Crazy Kora. Happy Birthday!

After his dad fed him tons of pizza, Cooper was ready for battle with his huge cupcake.

He ate almost none of it, but don't worry...

His dad took care of it.

Cooper loves his cousin Canon. Between the two of them they are going to cause way too much trouble.

Thank you to the Uncle Kevin for keeping Abby busy so I could take pictures of Cooper.

We're so lucky to have our family near us. Love you guys.

Penelope

Love it, watch it.

Crazyville

We're adjusting, and happily, we're adjusting well.
Things have been a bit crazy, but we are loving every bit.

We wanted to say a big thanks to Kevin and Heather for bringing by a surprise gift for Cooper, he absolutely loves his hammer, it's going everywhere with him.

I am so glad to finally have a girl around with all these boys. She is certainly taken care of.

We're reacquainting ourselves with nighttime feedings. If you look really closely you can see what I saw when I woke up this morning, the telltale sign of Mylicon drops at midnight. A pink streak across her right cheek.

Also, we made a fort for Cooper yesterday! It was all fun and games until Cooper bonked his head on one of the table legs. But, Steven managed to lure him in later with Hippo.

We are having so much fun. Thank you to everyone who has helped us or sent happy thoughts our way.

We appreciate everything.

Lately

We've been having such a great time with Baby Abby. She is incredibly peaceful, and very much like Cooper was as a newborn. We're working on nighttime, but other then that, everyone is transitioning so well. Cooper loves to get close to her, but we have to watch his little meat hooks, they can get a little grabby. We feel so lucky to have both these special spirits in our home.

Abby with Grandma and Auntie Lisa.

Grandma Davis came and hung out with us today, and she has been a huge help. Thank you Grandma Daines for Abby's cozy blanket. She loves it and has slept so well in it today.

Steven said yesterday that we used to just be two chickens and nugget, but now we're a family meal.

We love it.

Abigail M Daines

She's here! Abigail M Daines came on her own this Wednesday. Her delivery was very easy, and she weighed in at 8 pounds 8 ounces, and she was 22 inches long. She is a very easy, very happy girl, and we love her very much!

Huge Thank You's to Matt for watching Cooper so Steve could stay at the hospital with us, thanks Mom for being there and being so supportive, and thanks to all the Daines who drove so far to see Abby, sorry I didn't get a single picture of any of you!