Late Merry Christmas!

No photos yet, but I thought I'd share the highlights of our Christmas in Florida with the Thorntons.



Low point

Sadie's decision at 8:30 a.m. to roll in poop



High points

Spending Christmas with Mom, Dad, Bill and Toby!

The little pink stocking Santa left for MiniCooper, with cute pink ballet slippers, a musical giraffe and fabulous tiny socks.

Giving mom a 3D photo of MiniCooper. (Don't worry, Cooper family - yours are on their way!)

Toby's famous stuffing (thanks to Sally for the recipe!)

Visiting with the neighbors I used to babysit and getting to see the oldest daughter's preparations for her wedding.

Seeing a photo of Beth Cooper with the cutest baby bump. As one would expect, Beth looks perfectly gorgeous and skinny with a cute little basketball-like bump. Only about four weeks till Baby Tosh makes his or her appearance!

Merry Christmas!

Rewind! Travis, Tristan and Hannah turn 3!

Mom, Dad, Toby and I visited Bill, Hannah, Travis and Tristan to celebrate the kids' 3rd birthday last month. (Sorry for the massive delay in uploading the pictures.) The kids were cute as ever and had a great time eating cake and blowing on their little horns.

Here's Travis going to town on his cake....

Here's Tristan with his jungle-theme hat, a fork in one hand and a horn in the other. (Please ignore the crazy looking lady in the background.)

And here's Hannah learning how to toot her horn!

(I think the kids were more interested in the horns than the cake)

And as Toby calls this photo - birthday bliss. We all had a good time playing with the new puzzles and reading new books. It was the first time all day that all the kids were sitting and playing quietly!

Mush

Just wanted to post a little message saying how amazing my beautiful wife is (the prospect of being a Dad seems to be making me a little mushy).

Not only is she doing a fabulous job of caring for and growing our little girl, but she still manages to take care of all the day to day business, guide me through the "American Way" of doing things, impress her bosses at work and come up with fantastic holiday get away ideas (with a little help from Susan).

Thank you for being fab, Baby!

Trying on for size

As soon as we found out Mini Coops' gender I started to scan through the various baby clothing catalogues... well that was more for show really, you see, I already knew where I was going to purchase the first few outfits. Metallica.com! (PS if you hadn't already guessed, it is I, Coops, again.)

After keeping track of the little package as it made its way east from sunny CA for nearly a week, the FedEx man finally delivered the box of treats. A little baby dinner set and two little (very cute) onesies. I am thrilled with the purchase - not so sure whether Krista joins in my enthusiasm though!

"Trying on for size"

Sadie's Little Sister

We told Sadie that she is having a little sister - she seems pleased, doesn't she?!

Toby's latest masterpiece

Toby spent most weekends these last few months transforming a tiny, dark, scary, spider-infested closet at the back of our garage into a brilliant, wide-open, light-filled room. (Toby's playroom/Man Cave to be exact.)

I have been so impressed seeing everything he's been doing - including demolition (except for the part where he almost gave himself a concussion), water mitigation, electrical work (except for the part where he blew the fuses in the house), framing, laying the floor, hanging drywall, hanging doors, etc. etc. He did the whole thing, soup to nuts!

We don't have a good "before" photo, so just imagine a tiny, dark, scary, spider-infested closet.

The closet was behind this wall - you can see the old door on the right to access the closet. Toby knocked down this wall, along with the ceiling on the other side.

I missed taking photos of a couple of weekends of demo and wiring, but here is Toby part way through the drywall phase (which, coincidentally, was also the beard phase).

Here it is after the drywall was mostly up, the door to the garage was hung and most of the flooring was down.

The drywall was incredibly heavy, and I was not helpful, so Toby did all the muscle work himself!

Ta-da! The finished product looks fabulous!

Even the gross old window looks great after Toby framed it out and cleaned it up!

Well done, Toby! I am so impressed, and now you have your own no-girls-allowed hideout.

Congratulations Michelle and Richard!

Michelle and Richard are the proud new parents of Richard Rawls Barnett III. I think he's going to be called Richard Rawls, thought it might just be Rawls. Stay tuned. By all appearances, the whole family is doing great!

I knew it!!!

Mini Cooper is a GIRL! She looked healthy and cute as can be during the ultrasound. She is a champion thumb-sucker. We are just thrilled and will upload pictures soon.

Place your bets - boy or girl?

The waiting game is almost over - on Tuesday Toby and I finally get to find out whether we're having a girl or a boy! I know I've already whined to most of you, but having to wait until 22 weeks to find out has seemed like an eternity!

So here's your chance to place your bets and guess the sex! Winners get to take the baby to Disney World.

If you think you can tell from the way I'm "carrying" - here are pictures from last night. (Excuse the tired expression - I was super tired after a day of working in the yard.) You will see, especially in the second photo, that my belly has grown tremendously in the last week or two.

Other tests:

1. If a mother's intuition means anything, I think it is a girl. But I'm always wrong, so my intuition may not necessarily be trusted.

2. We hung Toby's wedding ring from a string over my belly this morning, and it went back and forth in a straight line.

3. The "Chinese baby prediction calendar" says that it is a boy.

4. The baby's heart rate has been estimated at about 150 beats per minute each time we've been to see the doctor- one old wives tale says that faster heartbeats (like 150) mean it is a girl.

5. The numerology section of our British book says that it is a boy.

Use the buttons on the left to vote! We'll post the results on Wednesday!

Milk and Chocolate

Right - so this is Coops crashing in on Krista's blog - seems like all the hard work Krista has been putting in with her firm and, of course, growing Mini-Coops, has taken it's toll, so I'm stepping in to give you guys a taster of things to come following our trip to Houston.

Our trip was for two very important reasons - 1) to um and arr over the Thornton Triplets as they celebrated Halloween and 2) to celebrate their third Birthday. Birthday pics will follow (and most likely a more thorough and well written entry) when Krista is back behind the wheel, but for now here is a taster of those Terrific Triplets enjoying milk and chocolate!

If only lions had opposable thumbs...

Chocolate works well as a bribe for a smile...

Not quite got the hang of the sports bottle yet...

Introducing Baby Tosh!

Beth and James are expecting a little one in January, and we are proud to introduce you to Mini Cooper's cousin!


We are really excited that our babies will be so close in age - it will be so cute to see them grow up together! Beth and James are planning to wait for the baby's arrival to find out whether the baby is a boy or a girl. Right now Beth thinks it is a boy, and James thinks it is a girl. I haven't heard any other predictions from the family, and Toby won't guess without a picture of Beth and her bump, but I'm guessing that it is a boy. I love how he's waving to the camera in this photo!

Latest Photos

The difference in my belly over the last few weeks has been incredible - I swear I'm ballooning, and only 19 weeks today!

Here I am at 16 weeks...


Toby trying to listen for kicks, a heartbeat or first words, perhaps.

And here I am at 18 weeks - hello maternity pants! (By the way, I've decided to go back to being a brunette, and the path I'm standing on is a true work of art as far as I'm concerned. It took us two entire days to remove boulders, flatten giant hills and create this beauty. Check back later for before and after pictures.)

Toby has actually lost weight since I've been pregnant (thanks for that, sweetie). I guess he decided to grow a beard, since I'm growing a belly. Here he is in the middle of his garage project...check back for more photos soon!

18 weeks (almost)!

We had another OB appointment today - Mini Cooper seems to be doing well and has a good strong heartbeat. Unfortunately we have to wait until November 10th for our ultrasound, which sounds like it might as well be 2012! Between now and then, Toby and I are going to look into all the old wives tales and post the results so that everybody can guess for themselves what brand of baby we're having.

First clue - I feel pretty strongly that it is a girl. You should know, however, that I have a 0% success rate in guessing the gender of my friends' babies...so said friends think it is a boy.

More to follow!

Sadie's Magic Trick, Part II

Sadie performed her magic trick yet again today...we had storms during the day and Toby arrived home to find Sadie shut in the bathroom. We were careful to leave the door wide open so that it would be hard for her to accidentally shut herself in. So we think it is official - Sadie intentionally shuts herself in the bathroom during storms. Not a bad place to be during a tornado, I suppose!

Sadie's Magic Trick

Toby arrived home from work yesterday to a very quiet house. He looked high and low for Sadie, who was nowhere to be found. After much searching and calling her, he finally found her shut into the downstairs bathroom!

Now Sadie has a habit of hiding in the bathtub during storms, and there was a pretty bad storm yesterday, but we have no idea how she ended up behind a closed door. The storm came through around noon, so she spent all afternoon in the TINY bathroom, just hanging out. Needless to say, she was very happy to see Toby.

So how did she end up behind a closed door? We have no idea, but we would love to hear your thoughts! Please take the poll (at left) if you have a moment!

Toby's 33rd Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the cream in my coffee and the icing on my cake. The next year is sure to be the best ever!

October 1st! (Warning - mush alert!)

Toby and I met three years ago today, so we're celebrating tonight as we have every October 1st - eating dinner at Dan McGuinness, where we had our first date! Every year it seems as though October 1 comes as a bit of a shock to us when we realize how far we've come with our relationship.

The breakdown -

October 1, 2006 - "Hi, I'm Krista. Nice to meet you!"

October 1, 2007 - After dinner at Dan McGuinness, we opened champagne and tasted lots of different cake options for our wedding. (Background conversation- "OMG, we are engaged and we've only known each other for one year! Isn't it awesome?!")

October 1, 2008 - After dinner at Dan McGuinness, we opened champagne and ate a cake similar to our wedding cake. (Background conversation - "OMG, we are MARRIED and we've only known each other two years! Isn't it awesome?!")

October 1, 2009 - After dinner at Dan McGuinness, we will be breaking out the sparkling cider and eating a cake similar to our wedding cake. (Expected background conversation - "OMG, we are having a BABY and we've only known each other three years! Isn't it awesome?!")

Isn't it wonderful when you meet the person you were meant to be with, and you know right away, and you never doubt? Happy October 1st!

Mini Cooper!

I hope that Toby and I have been able to share our great news with all of our friends and family, and that nobody is learning about Mini Cooper by reading this. If not, I'm really sorry and blame it on "pregnancy brain."

We had our 12 week ultrasound about two weeks ago, and here are a few pictures. The baby was kicking, waving and generally having a party in my belly. It was absolutely amazing to watch!



I think the baby looks like (s)he is considering sucking a thumb in this picture, but Toby (of course) thinks the baby is practicing drinking a pint.

And here's the belly at 14 weeks! My pants won't button these days, but I'm still not quite pregnant-looking enough for people to ask me if I'm pregnant. Since they're afraid I might have just gained a few points, they're all asking mutual friends instead.

Introducing Natalie Lauren Dinkins!

Congratulations to Meredith and David on the birth of their gorgeous baby girl, Natalie Lauren Dinkins. Natalie was born on September 14th at 12:40 a.m. She weighs 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Mom and baby are doing great!

Sadie's Favorite Treat EVER

Sweet Aunt Tracey sent us home from DC with special treats for Sadie. You've never seen a dog more in awe of her treat than was Sadie.

Birthday weekend with Tracey

Toby and I visited Tracey to celebrate my 31st (yikes!) birthday last weekend. We flew into Baltimore, so we had to go to our (that is - mine and Tracey's) favorite dessert restaurant, Vaccaros. Tracey introduced me to Vaccaros years ago, and I don't think I've ever been to Baltimore without going there ever since. I travel to Baltimore for work fairly regularly, so I figure I can probably blame Tracey for about a pound and half of extra weight I'm carrying around.

On Saturday, Tracey and I dropped Toby off at the national mall to spend the afternoon wandering around museums and monuments, and then we headed to North Beach on Chesapeake Bay, where we spent an afternoon on teh beach and wandering through a festival. All three of us had a great day, topped of by an evening at a fabulous sushi restaurant.
The highlight of the weekend, though, must have been finally meeting Tracey's super cool dog, Dulce. Dulce is all puppy, and an absolute riot. We actually managed to get her standing still long to get a few cute photos, which is very rare!

Tobias Photography was on holiday, but we did take a few snapshots. Here are my favorites from the weekend:

Here we are a the White House. Unfortunately, the Obamas were on vacation, so we didn't have any sightings. However, Toby enjoyed trying to find all the secret service agents in the trees.


Toby took many great self-portraits at the monuments.


Here's Dante, the cat that Tracey and I rescued from the streets our senior year at Vandy. We weren't supposed to have pets in the dorms, but Dante did a fair job of keeping quiet. He was only discovered twice, once by a maintenance man and once by a woman from housekeeping - but fortunately they both pretended not to notice. :)

Kirby generally hides on the stairs on the far side of a baby gate so that Dulce can't chase him. Having said that, we did find the two of them comfortably sharing the kitchen on our last day in DC, so I think Kirby is just trying to get sympathy.

Dulce is 100% puppy, and 100% lap dog. She is such a hoot - just look at that face!

Like all pets and children, she really loved Toby.

Trip to Houston

We went to Houston last weekend to visit Bill and kiddos - and in case you don't recall, I have the cutest niece and nephews ever...see below for the evidence.

We went to the park and the zoo, and we took lots of naps. It was really an ideal trip!


Hannah loooves the swings!





I adore this sweet picture -



The boys much preferred the slides -

Travis with his very serious face-

Tristan sits back and watches his shows with his arms behind his head.

As you can see, Travis loves to wear hats at all times - and sometimes he wears two!

The kids are still allowing us to pull them around in the wagon, but I don't know exactly how long this is going to last...

Taking a snack break, we actually managed to get them to all look in the same general direction - a small but important victory!

And last but not least, as the sign says, "The World's Cutest Animal!"

Healthcare Reform

I don't know about you, but I've had it with hearing all the insane rumors about the healthcare reform bills under consideration in Congress. I don't claim to know whether all the proposals under consideration are the ideal way to handle the healthcare crisis, but I do know that people have lost all touch with reality on this issue. Most of you know my political leanings, and in keeping with them, I'm posting this email that David Axelrod sent to everybody on the White House mailing list:


Dear Friend,

This is probably one of the longest emails I’ve ever sent, but it could be the most important. Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform. Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back — even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions.

As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, “where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed.”

So let’s start a chain email of our own. At the end of my email, you’ll find a lot of information about health insurance reform, distilled into 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now.

Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what’s below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email.

Thanks,

David

David Axelrod
Senior Adviser to the President

P.S. We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on. Check it out.

8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage
1. Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.

2. Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

3. Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

4. Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.

5. Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.

6. Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.

7. Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

8. Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.
Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

8 common myths about health insurance reform

1. Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.

2. We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.

3. Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.

4. Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.

5. Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.

6. Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.

7. You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.

8. No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.
Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now

1. Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html

2. Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html

3. Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html

4. Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes

5. Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline

6. The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction

7. Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html

8. The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health

Congratulations to Beth and James!

Congratulations are in order for Beth Cooper and James Tosh, who are newly engaged to be married! Toby and I (and the whole Cooper family) are just thrilled for both Beth and James. We haven't heard many details yet, as the couple is still on holiday in France, but we understand that James proposed to Beth at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - very romantic, indeed!

England, Part V

I'm truly embarrassed that we have been back from England for two months and I haven't finished giving everybody all the details - we were only there fore two weeks!
So, here we are at Part V - our visit with Toby's parents.

We spend a morning at Corfe Castle, about an hour drive from Amberley. Per the National Trust, the Castle was begun by William the Conqueror soon after his arrival in Britain in 1066. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-corfecastle/w-corfecastle-brief_history.htm


Here I am, failing at trying to pull off the look of a damsel in distress.



The window on the right (below) is part of Cooper family lore, ever since the day in the mid 1980s when their faithful dog, Sheba, took off running and jumped straight out out of it! Amazingly, Sheba suffered no injuries from her rather dramatic flight and fall, though the scene that followed (involving Toby screaming and sprinting around in circles, and Garrod climbing over a very tall and painful-looking fence) may have frightened the other visitors.

While Toby and I explored the ruins, Sally, Garrod and Paddy enjoyed a rest in the sun.

After our visit to Corfe Castle, we hiked down to the coast, which involved lots of scrambling over rocks and slippery moss. We also explored an old mine on the cliffs, which was very cool. After our hike, I learned that "Cream Tea" has nothing to do with tea itself, but means that you get to also eat scones with GOBS of fabulous cream and jam. I LOVE cream tea!

We had gorgeous weather while we were in Ringwood - quite a dramatic change from the summer before at our wedding reception! :)

The next day, Toby, Garrod and I went out on Garrod's boat. The winds weren't quite strong enough for a proper sail, but we had a great time motoring around the bay. I learned another very important fact while we were on the boat. If you see a boat that says "Ice Cream" on the side, you can flag down the boat, and it will bring you ice cream! Is that the best thing ever, or what? An ice cream truck on the water!

This is one of my favorite photos of Toby and Garrod. They make quite the pair!