Our Family, Our Friends, Our Life
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tara's 35th Birthday Party
The weather was extremely hot, Annie was super grouchy, and we had to leave after an hour. But Tara's friend Jimmy (www.jlegnonphotography.com) took this cute photo of Toby and Annie, so the outing must have been a success!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy 4th of July!
To our American family and friends - Happy Independence-from-the-scourge-of-the-British Day!
To our British family and friends - Happy we-didn't-want-you-anyway-Day!
To our Harris friends, happy anniversary! I think it is 11 (or maybe 12) for Elisa and Kyle Harris, and 4 (or maybe 5) for Jessica and Avery Harris Telligman.
To my sweet husband, happy 3rd anniversary of the day you made me the happiest woman on earth by asking me to marry you. I couldn't have imagined that day where we'd be today!
To our British family and friends - Happy we-didn't-want-you-anyway-Day!
To our Harris friends, happy anniversary! I think it is 11 (or maybe 12) for Elisa and Kyle Harris, and 4 (or maybe 5) for Jessica and Avery Harris Telligman.
To my sweet husband, happy 3rd anniversary of the day you made me the happiest woman on earth by asking me to marry you. I couldn't have imagined that day where we'd be today!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Reflections on maternity leave - accomplishments and hilarity
Today is my last day of maternity leave, and it has been a day of mixed emotions. I'm really glad to be going back to work, exercising my brain and engaging in grown-up conversation. I'm also pretty sure that it is easier to be a lawyer than a stay-at-home mom. But it is going to be so hard to be away from her at first. Enough about that, no need to get all weepy when I have four more days until I actually go to the office. (Mom, remind me to put some Kleenex in the car for the drive to work on Tuesday.)
Anyway, I was thinking back on what I thought maternity leave would be like, and the list of things I thought I would do/accomplish while on maternity leave. So here's the list (at least, what I can remember) and the results.
1. Survive. Accomplished? Yes! With flying colors, marriage strong as ever, self-esteem high, and a healthy baby.
2. Lose the baby weight. Accomplished? Somewhat - I have 10 pounds to go, but I think it will be easier to lose them when I am not spending all day next to the refrigerator and a five minute walk to Starbucks, two cupcake shops and three different ice cream establishments.
3. Finish the pregnancy journal. Accomplished? Yes!
4. Organize the basement. Accomplished? Hahahahahah! I was clearly insane and in serious nesting mode when I decide to tackle this project while on leave.
5. Take down the storm windows and clean the windows and storm windows. Accomplished? Only if you consider the three screws I removed on Monday to be any sort of accomplishment.
6. Sleep. Accomplished? Sort of. Annie didn't really want to sleep much for the first six weeks, and she's still getting up at 3:30 or 4 every morning to eat, but I am trying to appreciate getting 5 1/2 to 6 straight hours of sleep every night, and trying not to dwell on the fact that she should be going at least 8-10 straight hours by now.
7. Appreciate how wonderful it is to have a healthy, happy baby. Accomplished? Mostly. The first few weeks are so hard that I spent some of the time wanting my old, pre-pregnant life back, but after I started getting some rest I was able to more fully appreciate how lucky I am. I have a wonderful husband and gorgeous baby - what else could I ask for (other than 6, above)? The good news is that I'll appreciate it all even more when I'm back at work.
Here is what Annie thinks of this list -
Anyway, I was thinking back on what I thought maternity leave would be like, and the list of things I thought I would do/accomplish while on maternity leave. So here's the list (at least, what I can remember) and the results.
1. Survive. Accomplished? Yes! With flying colors, marriage strong as ever, self-esteem high, and a healthy baby.
2. Lose the baby weight. Accomplished? Somewhat - I have 10 pounds to go, but I think it will be easier to lose them when I am not spending all day next to the refrigerator and a five minute walk to Starbucks, two cupcake shops and three different ice cream establishments.
3. Finish the pregnancy journal. Accomplished? Yes!
4. Organize the basement. Accomplished? Hahahahahah! I was clearly insane and in serious nesting mode when I decide to tackle this project while on leave.
5. Take down the storm windows and clean the windows and storm windows. Accomplished? Only if you consider the three screws I removed on Monday to be any sort of accomplishment.
6. Sleep. Accomplished? Sort of. Annie didn't really want to sleep much for the first six weeks, and she's still getting up at 3:30 or 4 every morning to eat, but I am trying to appreciate getting 5 1/2 to 6 straight hours of sleep every night, and trying not to dwell on the fact that she should be going at least 8-10 straight hours by now.
7. Appreciate how wonderful it is to have a healthy, happy baby. Accomplished? Mostly. The first few weeks are so hard that I spent some of the time wanting my old, pre-pregnant life back, but after I started getting some rest I was able to more fully appreciate how lucky I am. I have a wonderful husband and gorgeous baby - what else could I ask for (other than 6, above)? The good news is that I'll appreciate it all even more when I'm back at work.
Here is what Annie thinks of this list -
Off to take one last walk to the frozen yogurt shop!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Splish Splash
We took Annie to the pool at her Grandma and Grandpa's new neighborhood last weekend for her first dip. It has been so hot and bright that we only stayed a short time, but we had fun splashing her around and she looked so cute in her suit. The pool is amazing and has a very cool two-story slide, though we stayed in the separate baby area. Maybe she can try the slide next summer. :)
Here are Toby and mini-Toby enjoying a dip. Annie was not so sure about the water, since it was much colder than her baths. She did like looking at the sunlight reflecting off the water, though.
Annie and Grandma taking a break in the shade. Annie's hat actually looks cute in this picture, unlike the others. Grandma has been having a lot of fun with Annie this last week, except maybe for the times when Annie is busy screaming (and even then she didn't really mind).
The baby area of the pool has a little spray area, too. The big pool has a very large spray area that we might try out next time.
Looking forward to seeing our little baby turn into a fish over the next few years! She'll be swimming by next summer if Toby has anything to do with it. Beth has been taking Millie to swim lessons already, and we're hoping to get a photo of cute Millie in a bathing suit to post here soon!
Here are Toby and mini-Toby enjoying a dip. Annie was not so sure about the water, since it was much colder than her baths. She did like looking at the sunlight reflecting off the water, though.
Annie and Grandma taking a break in the shade. Annie's hat actually looks cute in this picture, unlike the others. Grandma has been having a lot of fun with Annie this last week, except maybe for the times when Annie is busy screaming (and even then she didn't really mind).
The baby area of the pool has a little spray area, too. The big pool has a very large spray area that we might try out next time.
Looking forward to seeing our little baby turn into a fish over the next few years! She'll be swimming by next summer if Toby has anything to do with it. Beth has been taking Millie to swim lessons already, and we're hoping to get a photo of cute Millie in a bathing suit to post here soon!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Fathers Day!
We had a very fun day celebrating Toby's first Fathers Day! The day started with some group singing early in the morning.....
Followed by dressing Annie in Toby's favorite outfit...
Annie and I made pancakes for breakfast, and we went to Toby's favorite Indian restaurant for lunch. Much lounging followed in the afternoon. Happy Fathers Day, Toby!
Annie and I made pancakes for breakfast, and we went to Toby's favorite Indian restaurant for lunch. Much lounging followed in the afternoon. Happy Fathers Day, Toby!
PS - If anybody knows how to make a baby smile for the camera, please let me know. :)
Friday, June 18, 2010
Nana and Grumps visit from England
Nana and Grumps (formerly known as Mum and Dad Cooper) visited us for two wonderful weeks recently. We had a fantastic time showing off the baby, traveling to the Smokies for Memorial Day weekend, visiting Carnton, shopping and just hanging out together. The weather was a bit miserably hot, but then again we've never had very good weather when the Coopers have come to visit.
Annie was absolutely fascinated by Grumps and his beard! He would "fly" her overhead, too, which she loved. Sally spent much of the trip behind the camcorder lens, so they should have some great videos.
We took a quick trip back to Carnton, which has some new plants in the garden and a wonderful new visitor's center. The center has huge, air-conditioned bathrooms (which is only important if you want to get married there and don't want to have to rent your own). It also has a permanently installed tent out back, so we're not sure if they still allow receptions in the location where we had ours. Toby, Annie and I took some photos under the orange ossage tree but I don't seem to have them on the computer to share. Here are Nana and Grumps out front of Carnton, surrounded by trees that we don't remember from 2 years ago.
We spent a wonderful Memorial Day weekend in Wears Valley, TN in the Foothills of the Smokey Mountains. It was the same cabin where we spent Christmas with the Thorntons in 2008. The view is gorgeous!
The hot tub was used a bit more this trip...the Cooper men love their hot tubs!
Toby was super excited to see a Copperhead on one of our hikes. I was not so excited, especially since he had Annie strapped to his chest and he kept trying to get closer and closer to the snake.
A fabulous time was had by all! We can't wait to see ALL the Coopers for Christmas this year. It is going to be especially joyous as Beth and James will be getting married while we are there. We absolutely can't wait!
Annie was absolutely fascinated by Grumps and his beard! He would "fly" her overhead, too, which she loved. Sally spent much of the trip behind the camcorder lens, so they should have some great videos.
We took a quick trip back to Carnton, which has some new plants in the garden and a wonderful new visitor's center. The center has huge, air-conditioned bathrooms (which is only important if you want to get married there and don't want to have to rent your own). It also has a permanently installed tent out back, so we're not sure if they still allow receptions in the location where we had ours. Toby, Annie and I took some photos under the orange ossage tree but I don't seem to have them on the computer to share. Here are Nana and Grumps out front of Carnton, surrounded by trees that we don't remember from 2 years ago.
We spent a wonderful Memorial Day weekend in Wears Valley, TN in the Foothills of the Smokey Mountains. It was the same cabin where we spent Christmas with the Thorntons in 2008. The view is gorgeous!
The hot tub was used a bit more this trip...the Cooper men love their hot tubs!
Toby was super excited to see a Copperhead on one of our hikes. I was not so excited, especially since he had Annie strapped to his chest and he kept trying to get closer and closer to the snake.
A fabulous time was had by all! We can't wait to see ALL the Coopers for Christmas this year. It is going to be especially joyous as Beth and James will be getting married while we are there. We absolutely can't wait!
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