Happy Halloween to You! Bok bok.

Well hello blog fans. Happy Sunday to you all! We learned a tough lesson today. When someone invites you to church, you just better go. We were invited to Ms. Michele's church, but mom and dad had a bunch of housework and dad had some rewiring to do in the living room. Of course, maybe you know, maybe you don't, but those two don't go many places unless it is scheduled around my nap. Bless their hearts, they try their best to make sure I get to sleep in my own crib. It makes for some hectic trips here and there, but I have to agree, it sure is nice to sleep in my own bed and not that carseat. And those of you who know me well know that's about the only two places I EVER sleep and sometimes not even then. OK, now you are caught up with a little background about yours truly, my not so healthy sleep habits, and my neurotic parents...back to the matter. We were busy this morning, dad with the wiring, mom with picture hanging and me, being the BIG helper I always am. I went down for my nap, a little begrudgingly I'll admit, and mom set to work on the front room which has driven her crazy for the past year. To put it mildly, it is a MESS. So mom was going to it. Now I don't know if you knew this either, but my dad is the most thoughtful guy in the universe. He got mom a beautiful sketch of her and me for mother's day. The glass was broken when it arrived and she FINALLY got it replaced last night. I wish I could tell you how excited she was to get the chance to hang it up. Alas, just as she was expressing said excitement, she dropped it in the hallway and broke not the glass, but the frame. I thought she was going to cry she was so upset. She sadly put the pieces in our spare room, the aforementioned messy one. This morning, mom had a brainstorm and found a new frame for our picture. It hangs proudly in our living room, new frame, different glass and all. I know I am circling the airport with this story, I just had to let you know all that was involved with this crazy picture. So mom was cleaning the spare room, throwing boxes around (she crossfits you know), but there was so much junk (no surprise there), she lost her footing and wouldn't you know, she ran her hand right through that brand new piece of glass and that's when things really got exciting. Needless to say, instead of a nice church service, we spent our Sunday brunch in the ER. Mom was very blessed, it could have been a heck of alot worse. In fact, between episodes of lightheadedness, this is exactly what she was proclaiming to dad. Now you folks know my mom is a PA, and not a bad one I'm sure, but let me tell you, Dad is the one you want in times of stress or injury. He is coolness incarnate. Mom tells me every day how amazing he is, but you just wouldn't know until you see him in a crisis. Small crisis indeed, but a big crisis for mom. So that was our exciting Sunday, whew. If you are still awake out there, I have more news. We are getting some visitors this weekend and I can't tell you how excited we all are. Guess who's coming to see me? The Smell family! Whoowee! You know that's three babies, right?! It's about time to level the playing field around here. We can't wait to see them; you know they will be one year old very soon. Speaking of birthdays, mom wants to thank you all for your well wishes, gifts, and cards on hers. She had a fantastic birthday and says Dad and I make all of her wishes come true. I got her a locket with a picture of yours truly in it (in my opinion there's no better gift) and dad bought her a gift certificate to a spa! How about that?! We all shared ice cream cake and dad even lit candles and wrote happy bday mom on it. He only lit a few candles, not the full 32, I think we have had enough brushes with fire here in UB. Anywho, mom says it was her greatest birthday ever. More news, check out your AP news, there's a sasquatch on the loose up in Potter County. I sure hope Gram and gramps or the Costellos can get me a picture of that little big foot. Also, on another note, please keep our friend Jen Duval in your prayers. We have been thinking of her so much during this past week. I had better get to bed, but I wanted you to know I was thinking of you too. Please have a safe and very happy Halloween. Keep your fingers crossed for mom to get off a little early so she won't miss trick or treat. Can you imagine any reason in the world to miss a little guy's first Halloween?! Take care of yourselves and come and see me. So much love, Cooper B.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Hey everybody! How in the world are you? I am doing great, busy as a bee getting SO big. You won't believe it, but guess what I did today and yesterday. Stood all by myself! Isn't that something? I did it for mom today while we were in the bathroom and when she was telling dad, he remembered to tell her I did it when he and I were hanging out yesterday too! So they both got to see me balance myself for about 15 seconds! It won't be long now and I'll have those two plum worn out! They think I am into everything now, I'll show them! I got another halloween card today. Gram and gramps B, I loved it. I've only had it for a few hours and it is already careworn. How about that? Mom got her first bday card today too. Very exciting. She hasn't said much about her birthday this year. She keeps saying something about how spending her 30th with dad in Iraq taught her a LOT of perspective about birthdays. Not that it slows her down celebrating for others...she said after dad deployed she'd NEVER complain about getting older again! I have GREAT news! Guess who came to dinner to see me? Ms. Norma and Ms. Michele. It was so exciting. I was such a good boy. I got to show them all of my toys and my house. We had the best time. I know mom loves having guests over for dinner, she was bustling around all day. She was so excited I thought I might have to put her in time out! She doesn't get to entertain very often, so she is pretty out of control when she gets the chance. So a great big thanks goes out to Ms. Norma and Ms. Michele for dining with the Bryants! I hope you all enjoy the pics. I wanted to show you my new car. Please don't jump to conclusions. I am NOT too young to have my own car and I am certainly not spoiled. Dad simply thought it would be a nice gesture since mom was in bed all day with the pukies. Next is a picture of us at the zoo. Then we have yours truly showing mom how to organize my diapers. Bless her heart, she is such a mess. If you think I am doing a good job here, wait until you see what an ace I am with the tupperware. I actually may have found my calling. I am also posting a pic of my favorite new-old toy. Yes folks, much to mom's dismay and against the advice of the AAP (which she keeps harping about to dad), that's me in my winne-the-pooh walker. You should see me whipping around the house in this craft. Watch your ankles! Oh, speaking of ankles, poor mom fell down the steps at work last night. She twisted her ankle, but don't worry, it's just a little swollen, dad says not even enough to gain her sympathy, haha. He really didn't say that, you know my dad is brave, he's not CRAZY! Anywho, back to the photo gallery...this is me at dinner last night. As you can see, I was seriously enjoying the fare. I am doing some new things at mealtime, mostly rubbing the food all over my face. I feel you can't truly enjoy a cuisine unless you slather it right on. I hightly recommend this, although I can in no way promise you that you will look as cute with food all over your face as I do. Still not saying ma-ma, though I have da-da down to a tee (in front of everyone of course, except, you guessed it, da-da). I suppose that is about all the news for now. Please come and see me if you get a chance. You know we are always thinking of all of our wonderful friends and family out there. We sincerely appreciate you checking in on me. Bless your hearts. Stay safe and take care of each other. So much love, Cooper B. (The B stands for "bok, bok")

OH PS: A happy birthday goes out to Uncle Jr. and cousin Kirk. We hope they both had fabulous birthdays and that all of their bday wishes come true!

I'm Going to the Zoo!

Hello out there! How in the heck have you been? We are doing great here in UB. I have some great news to share, the best kind, baby news. I have two new friends. First, our friends Gary and Rachel Andrews welcome Colin Lee. He is already almost 6 weeks old and boy, is he a handsome fellow. Next, we have a new neighbor! Her name is Lily Carmella and she was born TODAY! I can't wait to meet her, I think she and I will be great friends. We are going to try to go and see her tomorrow; I'll try to get a picture of the two of us for your viewing pleasure. More news, birthdays are rampant this month...cousin Kent's was last Thursday, hope he got our card and had a great bday! Cousin Kirk celebrates his 19th on Monday, uncle Jr.'s is on Tuesday, my friend Becca's is on the 20th, uncle Keith is the 22nd, and Mom will be 32 on the 23rd. Please don't tell her I said so, but I think she's getting pretty old. I saw a monster gray hair among the brown ones the other day...I didn't dare say anything, but I think she must have noticed; it was gone when she came to pick me up. Now don't go jumping to conclusions either, the grays were there before I came along! We are getting geared up for Halloween around here. This weekend we are going to pick out our candy. Dad says he wants our house to be known for the best candy on the block. He has it all planned out and is really going to schmooze it up by giving out REGULAR sized candy bars. I think he is just trying to lock in a payload for our trick or treating next year. Oh my goodness! Did I tell you MY news...I am waving now! Hello, bye, whatever, it's the coolest! I waved at some strangers at Five Guys last weekend, and of course, you know they fell in love with me. I am also saying, much to mom's chagrin, Da-da. I said it to her on Wednesday morning but she didn't really seem to accept it so well. She kept saying, "No Cooper, ma-ma, ma-ma-ma," but I showed her. I simply kept insisting da-da. Now I don't have to tell you that Dad seems to be VERY excited about the whole event. He has been walking around all week with his chest stuck out proudly...we won't tell him what I really meant to say...ma-ma! Weather update...looks like I may finally get my first taste of fall. Up until today, it has been in the 90s. We have been patiently waiting for the weather to break and guess where we're going today? To the zoo! How about that? Doesn't that sound like so much fun? I can't wait to meet the animals. I know we are going to have the best time. Mom and dad are hoping I get nice and tired so maybe I will get some SLEEP. It hasn't been going to well lately with bedtime. Mom says I sound like her patients, I have no trouble falling asleep, it's the staying asleep that proves difficult. Wish me luck on that one. Needless to say, we all got an early start today at 5:45. We did all get to snuggle in bed together until we were ruthlessly uprooted by a false beep on the smoke detector. I don't know what might have happened in the past, but mom was literally down the steps with me before dad got out of the bed. She's a little jumpy I guess, but don't worry, everything is a-ok. Oops, I better run. Zoo time is quickly approaching and we don't want to be late to meet the elephants. Hope you have a great day and a wonderful weekend. Be careful out there. Lots of love and prayers to you and yours, Cooper B.

The Frost is on the Pumpkin!

Hello out there and Happy October to you! September slid right past me, time flies when you are having fun! I figured I will start this month out right with the news about yours truly, of course. I am posting some pics of September's happenings...one of myself and aunt Helen and one of me in the hat she brought me, then the one of mom, dad, and me before they left me (the fun guy) at home while they went to Liz's wedding. Can you believe that? Mom says she is sorry and while they had fun, she knows it would have been one heck of a better time with her little sunshine there. Dad said I would have stolen the show. But don't feel too sorry for me because Gram and gramps B and Aunt Amber came all the way down from PA to hang out with me. They brought me beautiful presents and it's not even my birthday. I got a real rocking horse, one for true cowboys, a fall sweater with a rainbow of pretty colors, and a singing goat. I love that goat, every time it yodels (now c'mon, don't act like you've never heard of a yodeling goat), I get a great big smile on my face. I will post a pic soon of me riding the horse with my cowboy sweater holding my yodeling goat. How about that? In my deep gratitude for my wonderful gifts, I tried to break them all in well and gave them quite a bedtime show. Then for an encore, I decided to give mom a run for her money for leaving a little guy home. We ended up chewing the fat from 3am to 6:30! What I really needed was some milk and lots of it...I went the whole day without it, then I got myself so worked up and sleepy, I wouldn't drink it before bed. Now this may have never happened to you, but it is quite a pickle. I have a feeling next time mom will think twice before pulling a trick like that again. The wedding was beautiful according to m&d, they got to meet alot of Liz and Helen's family and of course, there was my favorite, CAKE! Can you believe those two didn't bring me any? We will post more pics of the wedding with the next blog for you. More news...we have some bdays this week. Our friend Chris Eten's is today and cousin Kent will be celebrating his on Thursday. Do you know he sent us a pumpkin? It is beautiful, and the best part is, he grew it himself. Isn't that something else? I got my very first Halloween card today; it was from Lisa and Papaw Bill, Hannah, Jessica, Nathan, and Abagail. I LOVED it! I carried it around and played with it, I even put it in my mouth. For those of you who don't know, this is the utmost honor for an item. Needless to say, I do have many esteemed items. Speaking of mouths, I have had quite a bit to say lately, many screeches and squeals and my new fav, tsss, tsss. Mom says if I say Sam first, she will have a fit! I can't help it, he's my best friend. And I just know someday our relationship will be a two way street. For now though, I am hanging in there and trying to be understanding. Tonight I tried to break bread with Sam and eat a couple of pieces of his food. He didn't seem to like that much at all, in fact, neither did mom. His food seems much more interesting than mine; I don't know why I can't try some. It has alot more texture and fun colors than my drab colored mush. I do have to hand it to mom and dad though, they are putting my little food grinder to great use. I am eating all sorts of fresh fruits like pears, apples, plums, blueberries, and bananas. Gram and gramps B shared some mashed potatoes with me and boy, I sure loved it! I also enjoyed some ice cream with m&d last night. Tonight we had fish and a little bit of broccoli. I have yet to encounter anything that doesn't appeal to me. It's a good thing too, because a growing boy like me needs all the fuel he can get! Well, I better get going and get a good night's sleep. Poor dad is up way before the sun, always, and this week, I think he is studying to be a rooster. He is working down in southern VA and gets to play in the woods all day. He loves it, but that drive and up at 3:30am, not so much. Mom and I know we are truly blessed to have such a hard working dada to take care of us. Please do me a favor and take care of yourselves too. I will be looking forward to hearing from you and I will post again soon. I have lots of pics to share and Oct. is a big month. You know about Halloween right?! I can't wait. I wonder if m&d will actually let me eat the candy or if they will keep the fruits of my trick or treating labor all to themselves. Keep your fingers crossed on that one. Come and see me soon. Lots of love to all of you ghouls and boys out there, Cooper Boo.