ABC photo book

I bought a Groupon a long time ago for a 8x8 Shutterfly photo book and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.  However, in true Ashley style I just ordered it today...the day my Groupon expired :).  I am queen of last minute!

A HUGE thank you to our families for taking random pics all for Cooper and Laney!  The idea behind this is that Laney will begin to put names and faces together since we don't see everyone every week or even month.  And, I know Coop will just love it-we have already read it online several times just this morning. Can't wait for that orange package to arrive on our doorstep next week!!

Enjoy.

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Mother's Day 2012

This Mother's Day was perfect!  The weather was beautiful so this morning we walked to and from our favorite breakfast place with a stop at the park to play.  Doodles and I went to church in the evening while  Coop and Dad went grocery shopping, lucky for me!  I feel so blessed to be the mother of these two beautiful children.

 While grocery shopping, Adam let Cooper pick any flowers for me.  This one is what he chose.  When I walked in from church, he greeted me at the door with it and said, " Happy Mother's Day, I love you."  By the way, he is dressing himself these days ;)

Love, love my card, Cooper greeted me with it this morning in bed :)

Smile Fridays - week 2

See the inspiration behind and what this post is all about here.  Here's what made me smile in this week, week 2...

Coop has started saying 'thank you' unprompted and quite frequently. As a manner nazi, I could not love this more.

This plant blooms for a short period of time and it is beautiful...of course, I have no clue what it is!

I posted last week about being able to use Stella and Dot to help raise money for Cystic Fibrosis research...proud to say my donation ended up being over $250.00!  Please watch this video here about my friend's sweet daughter (who is Coop's age) who has CF.  Her trunk show is still open, so if you need any Stella and Dot jewels, get in touch with me and I will make sure it goes to her!

I hit up the Pioneer Woman for some new recipes this week and we loved them all!  They are not exactly health conscious but they sure are delish!  We had shrimp tacos, chicken with mustard cream sauce, and bbq chicken pizza.  Seriously, you need to put one of these on your menu next week!  I need some new summer recipes, send your fave to me! 

Finally, I just love this article!  My wish list for my children is just about the same, a must read.  

Potty Training Update

Well, it has been 2 months since the potty party, you can recall all that fun here.  I am happy to report success!!!!  Coopie has done so amazing, we couldn't be more proud!  He is going #1 and #2 everyday on his own, always telling us or just going on his own.  I couldn't tell you the last accident he had, probably in the first week of potty training.  He can pull his pants up and down on his own, believe it or not, this was not easy-prob because I didn't have patience for it and would just do it for him.  He is still sitting on the potty...when do boys stand and go successfully?  Do they ever? ;)  Believe me, he has tried and it has not been pretty.  He loves to go outside and does any chance he gets, which is totally fine with me as long as we are at home!  He wears a pull up at night but big boy underwear for nap.  It seems like forever ago that I was changing his diaper.  

Some fun pics I just had to include somewhere, so here they are...

 

My Tuesday and Thursday Buddy

While Cooper has been in preschool the last 9 months, I have loved my Tuesday and Thursdays with my Laney Faith.  She has been the perfect partner to play and run errands with.  She has went from sleeping many hours, nursing every 3 hours, easy to carry in the infant carrier to my alert baby girl that eats lunch with me (hers pureed :)) and is a heavy load to lug in that infant carrier.  I have loved having one-on-one time with her and look forward to it even more next school year as we will get to do more 'Laney' things and less 'Mom' things since she will be a year old!

After school today I asked Coop to get a picture of Doodles and I...

 

Efficient Bathtime!

Now that Laney is confidently sitting up and not toppling over every 20 seconds, the kids can bathe together!

 I think they look just alike here!  This picture is one of out of 25 and the only one where Coop and Laners are looking!

Love babies in hooded towels!  She had a death grip on her bath letters :).

Sweet Siblings

Reverse psychology was the reason I got this picture..."Cooper don't come over here and sit next to Doodles.  Oh, and don't put your arm around her and whatever you do, don't smile!"

worked like a charm!