Quinn

Quinn Kathleen was born one week ago. September 2 at 7:00 pm. She weighed 7 pounds 2 oz, was 20 inches long and looks a lot like big brother Branson as a newborn.

Labor and delivery with Branson was an all day and part of the night event. With her I had contractions from 5-10 a.m. 6 minutes apart. Then they stopped. At 4 pm we left home for our 5:00 doctors appt (thankfully, Branson was with Dave and Kathy). When we got there they did a stress test because I was a week over due. The doctor and the nurse left the room and I stated having contractions again. They were getting more and more frequent and I told Josh that they needed to hurry up and come back so I could go to the hospital. Finally they came back, the doctor checked me and informed me we were going to the hospital to have a baby, I was at a 7. We left the clinic at 6:15, thankfully the hospital isn't far since she came 45 minutes later.

3 days old

One week old

Brother was our first visitor in the hospital, I LOVE this little guy.

Big brother thinks she is pretty cool since she brought him a combine

Justin, Pam and Dakota came to visit

Sweet Dakota is going to be such a good big sister SOON!

Naoka and the girls came to visit when we got home the next day

When May was born we brought them dinner one night and Naoko offered to return the favor. Josh jumped and the chance and asked her for some japanese food. We ended up going to their place for the feast and it was amazing! 

At dinner Hana was a big help holding Quinn.

Branson loves his new stroller and is constantly giving us updates on "Baby Winn" when they are riding in it

Uncle Joel stopped by to meet his niece and Branson talked him in to playing with him

He coaxed Auntie Holly into the sand box as well.

I love this picture because he is always telling us "Good Job" and clapping his  hands just like here

Since Quinn's gender wasn't confirmed before her birth we have some work to do getting her room ready. This bedroom set was in the house when we bought it and we are getting it ready to paint for Quinn's room

Uncle Jason and Auntie Sue lived in Chicago when B was born, we were very excited that they would only be a few minutes from the hospital when this one was born, but Quinn had other things in mind. They were on their way out of town for the long weekend when they got the news that she was born. They had to pull over before running out of cell phone service to wait for more details. They did stop by on their way home though.

Daddy has been home this week and been keeping big brother entertained. They stopped by the fire dept on the way home from the park yesterday. 

Things are going well here as we start our new adventure as a family of 4. Quinn is fitting right in and B is adjusting far better than I could of imagined. He is interested just enough in her that I don't have to watch him too closely, but he loves to tell her to "wake up baby" and gets very concerned when she cries. 

Today Papa and Daddy took Branson in the big truck to Seattle to pick up a welder, I am sure he is loving every minute of it. It is quiet as Quinn is a much more sleepy baby than B ever was, maybe I should take advantage of this time and get something done. Stay tuned for more pictures.

TWO

Branson turned two last week. With another baby expected anytime we didn't really plan anything, but we still managed to celebrate a little.

It was fair weekend here so when Josh got off work we ventured down there.

B and Daddy sharing B's birthday dinner

After a few hours there we went to Papa and Grandma's and had cake with them, Uncles and Auntie. Branson wanted help blowing out his candles, then after Josh blew them out he told him "Good job daddy!"

Once again B was spoiled with toys and attention

Friday night we went back to the fair. B loved the wheat box and loved having papa there to play in it with him.

Josh and I hadn't planned on going to the concert with a 2 year old and possibly a newborn or being in the hospital having one we didn't buy tickets. Then the night of Papa and Grandma switched us places. They took B home with them and we got their tickets. We are spoiled too.

Saturday after nap time we went back down to the fair. We caught the end of the rodeo then B and Dakota got some play time in. They loved the petting zoo,but just sat outside and fed straw to the animals.

After three days of the fair we decided that we needed a low key day to re-coop and calm B down. He had so much fun and is still talking about the lights and the rides. I had to take him on a walk by the fairgrounds today to show him that it was gone until next year.

Now we are just waiting for the little one to arrive. I am now two days over due and baby is just proving to us who is in control already.

Summer Fun

The town pool has closed for the year and we are missing it already. Saturday was the last day it was open and we decided we had to go one last time this summer. B loves the water and we love playing with him in it.

Grandma Leslie traditionally gives us coupons for an ice cream cone for our birthdays, this year B got one too. We stopped by Mitchell's for an after swim snack on the way home.

What we've been up to

Since it has almost been a month and B is out driving combine with his daddy I figure I better take this opportunity to update our blog.

Angus lives down the road and came down for dinner. Really, he and Branson ran around like the rowdy almost two year olds that they are while their parents tried to eat. It was great!

Uncle Jason and Auntie Sue also came up that night and Uncle Jason discovered a way to get B to enjoy his gator. Unfortunately, he is no longer satisfied with just climbing on it and wants me to run behind it with him driving all day.

Josh's cousin and his family who live in MN came out the beginning of the month. We had never met Tarah and B and her had a good time playing together.

Really, the thing that has kept us most occupied this month in potty training. Here is Branson the first day we started. After he woke up and we ate breakfast I showed him his new underwear. Thankfully, we found some "Cars" and "Trains" underwear that he loves so that makes him love to put them on.

The Sink

Branson has decided that he hates getting his hair cut. After trying and him crying and covering his head with his hands we waited a week and decided to bribe him with a couple of his favorite things: Our sink and a movie.

He still wasn't completely compliant with the haircut, but it will do. Afterward he just wanted to hang out in the sink and watch the rest of the movie.

I think he would spend all day playing in the sink if I let him. I do have to admit that it is a nice that it keeps him occupied while I make dinner or unload the dishes.

Summer so far

We are long over due for a post and this is not nearly what it should be, but here is a little taste of what we have been up to.

Branson loves having Dakota over to play. Unfortunately the weather has not been very cooperative for outdoor water activities, and we are hoping August brings us more sunshine.

July 3rd Josh took B to the Demolition Derby here in town. He loved it, but at intermission he decided playing in the rocks was more fun so they came and got me so we could watch the fireworks together.

Last year during the fireworks we took a picture of B sleeping while Grandpa was holding him, this year B was a little more into it.

B is obsessed with big trucks and anything with lights and sirens. Papa has been promising him a trip to the fire station.

Waterville Days was last weekend. Josh's band (hopefully I will post about them soon) played on Friday night. Then Saturday Josh participated in the 3 on 3 tournament.

Branson is getting really good at saying "CHEESE!" for the camera.

Here is his "Cheese!"face again, just because it is so funny.

Father's Day

This year Josh and Branson started a new Father's Day tradition. Saturday night we had Dad and Mom Barnes along with Aunt Jan over for dinner. When they went home the boys set up the tent in our backyard and had a campout.

Branson loved it and had a hard time settling down to go to sleep. They made it outside until about 3 a.m. and only ended up coming in because B is not a fan of covers when he sleeps and it was a bit cool for no covers. The first thing that Branson wanted to do when he woke up on Sunday morning was go play in the tent.

Branson has been battling a cold and he kindly shared it with me, so Sunday we had a very low key day. It was wonderful. We picked up some food at a local taco wagon and went to the park for a picnic.

Silverwood

Last week B and I spent the week with Holly in Coeur D'Alene. We had a great time and the only thing that would have made it better was if the weather had cooperated a bit more.

Day one we went to Silverwood. Branson had a great time. The first thing that we did was go on the carousel. B said Wee Wee the whole time, he loved it. When the ride stopped and I took him off he started to cry.

He was soon distracted by the train, but not so sure about the Western Show that happened half way through.

It was great to have Auntie Holly to take him on rides since the only one that expectant mothers could get on was the carousel.

One more ride on the carousel before heading out.

Those are the only pictures that we took during our stay. The rest of the week was cold and rainy, but we still spent a lot of time outside. CDA has some great parks and we can't wait until summer decides to show up so we can go back to really enjoy them.

Our week away was amazing, but even more amazing was coming home to a surprise from Josh. All of our kitchen cabinets were installed! Check out our house blog for pictures.

Oh Boy!

Both Branson and my favorite part of the day is when Josh gets home from work. Usually by then B is bored with his mama and loves the adventures that daddy brings.

The other day the boys headed out to mow the lawn, sometime during their chores Branson must have decided he wanted to be done because when I looked out the window my little guy was riding on his daddy's shoulders! I grabbed the camera and ran out to get a picture, but they were just finishing up and this was the only picture I snapped.

Updates are coming

A couple weeks ago Grandma Kathy and I took Branson to Smallwood's Harvest. He loved it! There is a petting zoo. He laughed and laughed at Grandma feeding the animals. Then we took him to play in the yard. He loves to get dirty so digging in the sand at the bike track was his favorite part.