Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Another amazing thing from my neighborhood!

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/architecture-survey-slideshow-201008?currentPage=18

From Vanity Fair:

"Architecture’s Modern Marvels
When V.F. asked 52 experts to choose the five most important works of architecture created since 1980, they named a staggering 132 different structures. Here are the top 21, in order of popularity. "

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The building is on the left.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Ava and Poppa

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Ava and Gramma Hope

I will post one soon of Jenny and baby Ava, I just want to find one where she isn't in her hospital bed :)

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Ava and Daddy Joey!

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Welcome to the world Ava Rose Cooper!

Eliza would like to formally introduce her new cousin:

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Ava Rose Cooper
Born at July 17th, 2010 at 9:09 PM at Kaiser in Walnut Creek, CA!
7lbs. 3oz. (just like Eliza!) and 19 3/4"

Eliza is thrilled to have a female cousin to grow up with! Pictures on the way!

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Sunday, July 11, 2010

Eliza's first big BBQ!

Our friend Christie took a sabbatical in Hawaii for a few months and returned to a huge bbq. It was tons of fun. Eliza got to meet a lot of people for the first time.

Taya holding Eliza

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Missy talking to Eliza:

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Kill kill kill (our old volley ball team)
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Wherever we go, volleyball follows:

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The baby sayin' "YEAHHHHH, PARTY"

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Last but not least, the best picture ever with Christie and Dustin:

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Eliza's first rock concert!

This weekend we were invited out to see our friend Anthony (of www.gamedogguardian.com) and his band play. They're the Green Goddamnits and they play a lot of old rock and roll. We brought Eliza, and she was a little over stimulated. We brought her home after 3 songs, but she still seemed to respond well to the live music.

The family:
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Eliza's view

Her reaction:

Saturday, July 10, 2010

The Gulf Spill breaks my heart...

The gulf disaster happened the day after baby E was born. I know how long its been going, because she will be 12 weeks tomorrow.

Thanks PBS for not letting us forget what BP is responsible for!

Walk to the Nelson Atkins

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Our favorite part of living in Kansas City is our proximity to things like the Nelson Atkins. We're planning on taking Eliza here to see all of the amazing art and exhibits once she is old enough to not sleep through the experience.

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We had fun with the dogs yesterday taking a stroll through some of the fun art pieces!

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Slappy got in trouble for eating the grass under the shuttle cock. It set off some sort of alarm. Oops!

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The best part is that she started licking the statue when I was trying to take this picture. Gross!

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We took a family picture in the reflection!

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The baby loves the art!

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I love my baby!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Waiting... waiting... waiting!!!!

I am going to be an auntie and Eliza will be a big cousin! I am so excited to find out what the gender and name of my new niece/nephew will be!

Joey and Jenny

I miss you guys!!!!!!!!

She was due Monday... its just a waiting game now!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Eliza is so animated!

Mark was taking pictures, I was trying to make her smile!

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I had to post all of them in order. I couldn't leave any of them out!

Friday, July 2, 2010

30 Frickin' Years Old!

Even when I was young, 30 seemed like the golden age. You’re practically done at that point, you just sit back and relax. I have always been focused, but my goal was a doctorate by age 30. I had pictured myself sitting in a small house with a rescued pit bull. Never did I expect to be where I am today.

I blame my husband. He tricked me into falling in love with him and starting a family! I couldn’t be happier.

What have I accomplished?

I finished law school.

Why not throw in a master’s degree too.

I had Eliza naturally... IMG_0008

I married the absolute best, brightest, amazing, sweet, charming and handsome man in the entire world. The very soon to be doctor Mark!
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We rescued and rehabilitated a pit bull named Slappy. I found a black lab mix in the street, adopted her and named her Pokey.
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We successfully fostered over 40 homeless dogs in our home until they were adopted!
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We bought this kick ass house and partially renovated it. The rest is waiting for a dual income!
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I moved half way across the country to experience something new and different.

I have been to Europe and Asia.
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My husband and I have traveled through so many states and have seen so many amazing things in this great country!
Sun Studios: It was so hot...
Painted Desert:
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Omaha:
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Florida:
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I have been a cheerleader for my husband’s trek through chiropractic school. I cant wait until he finishes!


I am dying to find out what is next. 30 is going to open a million doors. I worked hard to get here, now is my chance to enjoy it…

Rachel Jr.?


I was holding E yesterday, and she was being a little fussy. I tried to make her smile by talking all stupid to her, to no avail. Apparently it worked wonders on Slappy, who proceeded to bark at me. The second Slappy started barking E got this big grin on her face.

E and I are the only two people on this earth who enjoy the sound of Slappy barking... LOVE!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

A parenting conundrum...


I was upstairs doing something while E was downstairs in her bouncer. The tv was on because I was watching it earlier. I hadn't noticed that Springer had come on and when I walked in the room, E was watching it.

I know babies aren't supposed to watch tv at all during the first year of their life. We really want to encourage that, but we like to watch tv ourselves.

Should I turn her away from the tv when we watch? Should I just leave it off while she is awake?

I can't believe my baby was watching Jerry Springer... Mom FAIL!