Happy birthday Jesus

I love Christmas....mostly for all the family time. We had a wonderful Christmas day in Kalamazoo at my parent's house with the extended Cochran side. 10 kids under 3....whoa! It was so fun to catch up, eat a ton, and just relax. We even got a picture of all 10 kids on the couch together..very impressive. (I'll post a pic later--it's 230am and I am up at work.)
Our two beautiful blessings were ready for Christmas. Lucy was really excited about Santa this year. She left him cookies and milk, and seemed mesmorized that it was gone this morning when she got up. She loved the kitchen that he brought for her. Her favorite is stirring things, putting things in her microwave, and this morning she was serving a lot of coffee. She is also really into calling people "hun, honey, and sweetie"...."it's OK hun"--she tells Kadence. She loves playing with her cousins, and finally getting to see Uncle Ryan. She even got some quality snuggle time with Ryan towards the end of the night.
Kady would have been excited for Christmas, I'm sure--It was her first one, but today was the day she decided to get her first tooth. Thank you for that Santa. I don't think that was what mommy and daddy wanted when they didn't know what to get her for Christmas. It was definately not pleasant...I felt so bad for her. She obviously was in pain...and there wasn't much that seemed to help. It's new for us too because we never were able to tell when Lucy was teething, it didn't seem to phase her. So lots of extra snuggly love to Kady this Christmas.
We didn't send out many cards....long story....but we were thinking of you all and hope that you all are able to enjoy time as families and friends and give thanks for the true blessings that Jesus has given us!

bedtime

It is now 9:30--here is how bedtime has gone so far. Kady--in bed and right to sleep at 8. Lucy--potty, brush teeth....try to run away and hide.....caught....runs away again...threaten to not read stories....crying, begging, pleading ensues. Mom gives in...daddy kisses Lucy good night. Mom reads three stories...smiles, kisses, and handed more books....I try and tuck Lucy in....she jumps on the bed singing about 2 little monkeys. I lay Lucy down and try to pray...and recieve a smack to the face.....very unhappy mommy. I leave the room and turn down the light.



Out of room once (I'm actually downstairs on the computer denying that I can hear her jumping around above me--maybe she'll just get tired and sleep)--she brings me a diaper all the way downstairs. She must have attempted the potty. THis is a new diaper, not the one previously on--so she must have been hanging out in Kady's room "I was really, really quiet momma, I promise" "you checking things on the 'puter?" (she talks without taking a breath to avoid me interrupting and sending her back to bed--pretty cute most nights)



Second time--she is bringing her potty seat down the stairs to show me she went....good girl, on with the diaper....more stories about gas, pooh, dora, tomorrow etc.... "love you too mommy...good night"--oh, hug and kiss "I forgot those" THis time I leave and she follows me out...still telling stories about singing "away in the manger" ohhh "I need some more lotion--(her poor thumb she sucks is cracked)" "ok--I want some, I was crying because I want some"



I'm waiting on the third sighting tonight of our little girl (which may not happen--I did tell her her bedroom door would be shut if I saw her again--and for anyof you who really know Lucy--that could be the beginning of the end of the world)



Note to self: Don't buy M &M's at target at 7 pm--because you have to have them--and have the little girl in the back say "what in your mouth mommy?" Can I have some "yum yums...please" . Knowing full well that what I was eating was definately not green or orange or healthy, and because your husband had to work till 8 you felt like this was a "special treat" for the two of you. Note to self.

7 months young

Kadence Joy: 7 months

What a change it has been going from one to two! Kady's highlights:

• You roll all over to get to something you want on the floor, I even thought I saw you trying to scoot this morning

• You are very vocal. You blow, squeal when you are happy, say momma, and lots of other little sounds

• You love to eat. You will eat everything and anything we serve (very different from Lucy)

• You weighed 16 pounds 10 ounces at your checkup--50-50%tile for weight and height

• You can sit unsupported, but I still put you up with pillows around, you have a tendency to throw yourself backward when you get excited, or even more so when Lucy takes a toy that you want. Such a personality

• you are working on getting in your two bottom teeth, but don't seem too bothered by it

• You no longer take zantac....quite by accident that you stopped taking it, but didn't seem to be in pain so we didn't see any reason to start giving it to you again (that makes me think it was more colic than reflux for your first few months)

• 
  You play peek-a-boo with anything you are able to take up over your face. You love that you are able to communicate in this way!
  You are so happy. It is so easy to get a smile from you or make you laugh.

• You pat me when I pick you up out of your crib, our little hug....I LOVE it!

• You are an excellent sleeper--12 hours a night and two naps during the day! More like your mommy than your daddy

I thank God every day that you have changed our lives in this way. You have made my heart bigger and given me more reasons to love.

potty training

a random post, but I missed quite a few weeks of posts with pictures, so I included some of Lucy's highlights over the last month!

Lucy LOVES the snow....only when she can eat it! There was just enough on the tree to pick at a couple of weeks ago, now she just doesn't know what to do!

Today was a success!!! First day of potty training--kindof on a whim. I was just taking my cues from Lucy.......and she stayed dry all day! --we even had a dry trip out to target to pick out new dora undies! (I really was feeling brave, and I was ready for the I told you so-if there happenend to be an accident- about taking a kid in undies who had yet to be "trained"). She even made a call to "Unca Wyan" to share the big news!

Lucy schools Jim and I at memory. (isn't it cute that they are both laying on a pillow!!)

So that was my day! It's the little joys and pleasures in life. Now it is onto Christmas stuff, wrapping, shopping, baking....I love it all. Why does the Christmas season have to be so short? I think it should last as long as the snow does.

Lucy's last night of gymnastics! She was getting really good at everything! She did a summersault in front of everyone before getting her medal!

Family

hmmmm...I wonder what would happen if I could grab that hair under his nose?

Reagen and Lucy playing the piano

We have headed into the "busy" holiday season....but the reason that I love it so much is that we get to spend so much time with all of our families. Thanksgiving was wonderful. We got two days of Koops family fun, bowling and everything (and for all of you who know my bowling history it was a record breaking year--136!--an award for the most improved) (by the way it's not hard to improve on numbers in the teens!) We also got to spend a fun night with santa and the extended Koops family last night! We seem to always have a bunch of snow for the night, but we all made it there and back safe and sound!

He looks so familiar!

Lucy got a little closer to santa this year!--but not quite on his lap!

my, my, miss independent

So I know I have way more of this to come..........but, it was quite cute. I'm doing Lucy's hair yesterday morning, as I brush it she likes to pick out barrettes, pony tail holders..etc. I usually give her the choice of "piggies, ponies, or clips". She choose a pony-tail and I put the front part up. She looked in the mirror at the finished product (we usually at this point talk about how boo-tiful she is), and said "mama, noooooooooooooooo, it needs to go to the side, like Dora".

So we rocked out a half side pony tail yesterday on the top of her head, just like Dora the snow princess. ..............and she was so beautiful!

I have tons more pics to put up.......just haven't made it a priority. The girls are growing like weeds. Lucy can reach up and see onto all of our counters....she jumps like a gymnast everywhere. Kady wants to sit by herself and move...she is almost there. She has a way of wiggling herself to a toy, a half roll, then head down and butt up, kind of like an inch worm. She is definitely determined.

I myself have been busy with many projects around the house. I'm finally getting pics into albums, they go all the way back to May......just have to label them now. I've made an awesome felt board for the playroom. And Jim and I have just switched cable companies--go u-verse--so we have been addicted to TV this week (him more than I). ---but all the while quite enjoyable.

Autumn days

Lucy 29 months Kady 5 1/2 months
Kady's first ponytail!

It has been so fun to explore outside as the leaves change color and fall from the trees. Lucy loves to hear the leaves crunch under her feet. I love the smell in the air.

Trick or Treat

OUr chicky and sleeping beauty!

Lucy would only wear her shirt out for the final event!

Lucy's party at milestones!

We are enjoying every minute of this gorgeous fall weather! Hallloween was packed with a party at daycare, a dinner at the neighbors, and then trick or treating. Lucy impresessed us all with her braveness in walking right up to the door and yelling at the top of her lungs "twick or tweet!" Kady looked so cute as a chicken, but really wasn't all that happy with wearing her costume!

It's a first

There are some things you just can't capture in a still picture. Kadence is now 5 1/2 months and getting so big. I know people say she is too little........but a mom knows what she knows....and I am counting this as Kady's first word! She uses it when she wants to be picked up or fed. So cute!

"A whole new world"

Lucy loves Jasmin............and we listen to the "jasmin songs" aka the aladdin soundtrack wherever we go. Lucy will always say it is her turn on way, and your turn on way back. The art of compromise, already mastered by a 2 year old. Here is her rendition. She melts my heart whenever she sings, and this is her new masterpiece!

Jeff and Jamie

We are always excited to have Jeff and Jamie in town to visit! They LOVE the girls, and the girls LOVE them. Since they are regular overnight guests Lucy yells down the stairs for them quite often (even when they are not here). We wish so much they lived closer, but cherish all the time we do get to spend with them! We were able to do an adult only night on Saturday, and then just enjoy the gorgeous fall weather here on Sunday, with a little football mixed in! You can't get any closer to being family then the Byma's!

Watch out boys

We were able to meet Fritz Kramer this weekend! He is a perfect, handsome bundle that Sarah and Jon welcomed on September 15. It was so fun to see their new house and just hang out. Kadence loved playing on the floor with him. It was hilarious to watch her squeal and reach out to grab him! He took it all in stride....already a ladies man!

bapple-sauce

"hello....Lucy, Lucas"



Here is the widescreen on why the two could not be bothered. Sweet

This weekend we made applesauce at my parents house...an annual tradition. We also celebrated Casey's 30th birthday!



Justice on the run!


Thanks Grandpa! Lucas was so excited to eat his cupcake...but wouldn't hold it by himself. I didn't get any of the cute shots that showed the kids cleaning up in the big bowl that grandma brought out! Lucas sat down right in the middle of it, diaper and all!

I wanna be just like Lucy

We, I should actually say Kady, is still refusing to eat at daycare. She ate a whole bottle and rice cereal for my mother-in-law on Friday though!!!! It was so very exciting for me! So I again have high hopes for her tomorrow. I bought another one of her "favorite" bottles, and then today I decided to get her an early sippy cup! Not only did Kady drink out of this, but she held it on her own to do it! I guess she just wants to be a big girl at 4 months! Seriously, if that was what I knew she wanted.....she would have one in every color they come in. The real test is tomorrow away from her mommy...

..

As you can see from the cute rolls on Kady's arm she is in no way starving herself either! She had a very healthy checkup last Monday weighing in the 75th percentile, and 75th percentile for height as well! What a beautiful blessing she is. We have fallen in love with her strong-willed side, as well as loving, sweet, snuggly side.

Family

We are so fortunate to have family close, and lots of playmates for Lucy and Kadence. Kady looks like quite the beefcake compared to Simon!


Lucy and Lucas looking at the ducks at the park.


Lucy, Reagen, and Kadence all posing for a picture Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa Koops'.

Shake my booties

This one caught me off guard.....I wondered who had taught Lucy to "shake her booties", and then I watched what she was doing!

3 1/2 months

Our little Kadence! I can't believe that she is already 3 1/2 months old! She is such a light in our lives. She is just starting to mimic sounds that we make. Her favorite is to stick out her tongue and thblbt at us! It is a blessing to see her interact more with all of us. She loves her big sister and gets extra excited when Lucy includes her in whatever she is doing. She has beautiful blue eyes that sparkle when she gets excited, and beautiful light hair that sticks up just so in the back.

She is also showing us little bits of personality. Her happy go lucky side, and then also her stubborn side. It has now been over 2 weeks since Kady has eaten when I have left her. She refuses to take a bottle from anyone....she just loves her momma!

We continue to cherish every moment we get to spend with her and her big sister!

Lucy-goose

washing off in the slip and slide

after a hard day of play ("I tired, I had wong day")

Showing us her alligator teeth

All packed up for our nightly walks

Concentrating hard

Hence the name Lucy Goose

Enjoying dessert with Jovie, chocolate of course

An unknown rash, and still a beautiful smile

"SOOOO big"

Kady is 3 months old....she has packed so much in in such a short amount of time(even in just the last 2 weekends!) . She was so excited about her first Tiger's game! ....even better, they won!

Cheering on her team!

She loves her bouncer and exersaucer!

Playing with her monkey on her first trip to the zoo!

Simon James Dattels

Simon James 7 pounds 5 ounces

Proud mommy and daddy

Grandma and the boys and girls!

Big brother was finding all the fish in the magazine..."mine" he tells Lucy (with such gusto!)

I can't believe it's almost taken me 2 weeks to introduce our newest nephew! My sister had Simon after secretly being induced Tuesday August 5--sneaky Carrie! Lucas is now a big brother.......he doesn't seem phased! What a beautiful boy to love, support, and watch grow!

Kady's baptism

Come on, really mom? you want me to wear this on a 90 degree day?

The Koops family


We were so happy to be able to celebrate with our friends and family this past Sunday. Kady was baptized at our church by Pastor James. It's amazing to think about what this means to Kady and to us as parents. I am so thankful for God and his promises to us. Jim and I strive everyday to bring Lucy and Kadence up in a household where God's will is first.

I put the last picture up as an example of what Kadence thought of baptism. Kady wasn't so thrilled with Pastor James holding her, or water on her head! We were expecting this (as was anyone who knows Kadence)....It was quite precious that she stopped crying the minute that she was handed back to me. Totally a momma's girl. Everyone commented on it when they came through the line to greet us. The funniest was that someone said that it is much more entertaining when they cry.......so true.

Summer weekend

I went back to work on Friday. It went well for me, Jim, and the girls. Jim got them off to daycare without a hitch (until we found out around 9 he had forgotten the bag of bottles), they both had good days, and even posed for some pictures when Jim got them home. I also did well. I jumped right back in, and it's sad to think it feels like I never left.

Lucy modeling her new glasses from Kathy! She looks like a little rock star!

Saturday morning we went blueberry picking. We all ate until our little hearts content, and took home a great big bucket full as well! I had never done this before, and we had so much fun! Lucy took her own bucket and loved running up and down the aisles of blueberries.

Daddy and Lucy walking back with their berries.

Blueberry picking is so exhausting!

Then we got to play with the Stobs and Sybengas at a cottage on Lake Bella Vista!

Lucy hated the boatride. She got brave enough for a couple seconds to come in the water, but preferred just to watch from the back of the boat!

Kadence hated the lifejacket! She looked hilarious!

Sophie and Lucy play so nice together for being 2!

Anna just preferred to sit with her momma too!