Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad!

Hello to you! It's me, Cooper B, writing my last post for 2007, but don't be sad, I promise to be back in action and better than ever in 2008 (it that's even possible). I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did. We started off the day right with a Christmas call from uncle Bart and the day just kept getting better from there. I received some wonderful presents from a very nice man named Santa C. What a generous guy he is! He brought me a new car, a lawn mower, and a wagon filled with giant legos! How about that?! Then, he even sent me an extra special present all the way from northern PA...Gram and Gramps B! We are having some fun I'll tell you. Those two brought even more presents, from the Costello gang too! I want aunt Amber to know I am having a ball in my sled with mom and dad as my reindeer, who needs snow when you have able bodies and linoleum?! I don't know what I'll do with myself when I get to try it outside! I also got my very own snowman making kit. First I thought the coal was for eating, but mom reassured me this was not the case. I also got a real John Deere tool belt, a doggie of my very own from the NC Bryants, an awesome camoflauge hat from the Costello gang as well as a big boy tshirt from Gander Mtn. As you can tell, everyone who knows me thinks I am getting to be such a big boy. There was so much Christmas cheer and kindness from others, mom and dad saved two of my gifts for my big birthday next month. Don't worry, I didn't mind, once I opened my favorite gift, a whole box of kleenex for my little hands only from mom and dad, the whole living room disappeared! You know, I ripped every single tissue out of that box! I have been dying to do that for the past three months, but for some reason m&d always stop me. I'll tell you, Christmas must be some SPECIAL occasion! I am sad to say it is pretty quiet around here this evening. Gram and gramps left this morning and we miss them already. Let me just tell you what good sports they are, dad even got those two out into the gym. Isn't that something? We will be cheering them on from afar and hoping we help improve their quality of Harley riding if nothing more. We are going to have more victims, um I mean participants, in our workout soon. Mr. James, Ryan, and Nathaniel are planning a trip over. Mom and dad are so excited to have some new people to work out with; they say it really motivates them to get out there in the cold and keep working hard. So, if you are feeling the burden of holiday cheer, you know where to find us. Dad is getting his practice training in and can hopefully fulfill his dream to open his own facility someday very soon. Until then, mom sure doesn't mind being his frankenstein! If you see those two, be sure to wish them a happy anniversary today. Gram and gramps were nice enough to let them celebrate yesterday with a dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Leesburg. They had a great time, but they said they missed me, of course. They say nothing is the same without their favorite little guy! I guess I better run, be sure to get your resolutions down, and above all, be safe for the New Year's Eve. We'll be thinking of all of you friends and loved ones out there and wishing you the happiest and healthiest new year. Take care of yourselves and come and see us any time, the work out is optional. Don't forget this upcoming January is a RED letter month. We celebrate the birth of a great man, well, a great boy who will someday be a great man (just like my da da). Love and hugs and smooches galore, miss you bunches, Cooper B.

Poopy Croupy

Hello out there to all of you. How in the world are you doing? I am doing ok, I can't say great, buy you know I am a trooper so I am hanging in there. As you know, we recently returned from our trip to WV, just yesterday evening as a matter of fact and boy, did we have a nice time seeing our family. Just in the nick of time too, because you know I was walking all over the place! They sure were impressed with me, I'll tell you. Although, if you want the truth, I think that would have been the case whether I was walking or not. They spoiled me, all of them. I got some great books for Christmas, a real live zebra, some stacking rings AND blocks, a bear for my very own from the build a bear factory, some cool clothes, stuffed animals...just to name a few. I am going to try to make it back there again very soon, and not just for the presents, I love my family. I only wish I could have seen more of them. We didn't get to visit great grandma and grandpa Sloan or many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. We were really sad about that, but you know God takes care of us, and it is a good thing I didn't spread any more holiday cheer than I did because you know what? Mom, Dad, and me took an exciting trip to Fairmont ER on Sunday night! Can you believe that?! Well, I am all for exploring and seeing new places, but that was a little ridiculous. Poor m&d, you know they are sleep deprived since I had them up until 4:30am partying on Friday night. They thought they would be slick and leave Sunday night instead of Monday morning so it would be easier on yours truly. We took off, originally heading for Morgantown, but the roads were bad and mom almost had a meltdown, so dad pulled off in Fairmont. Luckily, the same exit as the hospital...we got to bed around 12:30, and then I woke them up coughing, poor mom knew right away what the problem was. She was just hopeful I would make it through until morning. I did fall back asleep but woke up again around 3:30 sounding like I swallowed a t-bone. We were all scared so we loaded up the pilot and headed to Fairmont General. Sure enough, I have the croup, but I am already feeling a little better. They gave me a nebulizer treatment and some steroids, and by the time we were ready to go, I had myself a lukewarm bottle (not the best accomodations and hospitality there) and was sleeping peacefully. We made it back to the room around 7am and me and mom slept until 9. Dad, not so much. Needless to say we all slept like rocks last night, thank goodness. Whew! What an experience for a little guy. Mom and dad were so proud of me, and I am just thankful for the snow on Sunday that kept us from spreading more germs and made us get off at the exit we did. I think m&d are a little scared to take me anywhere for a while. I told them to think of it as an adventure. Bless their hearts, you know those two love the heck out of me! Hey, did you get my Christmas card yet? I hope you love it! We sure do love all of you too. Oh, great news! Our friend Allison is pregnant...again! So join us in wishing her the best pregnancy yet! Other news, gram and gramps B will be here next Tuesday to take care of me for the week. We are sure excited to have them and I can't wait to show them how well I am getting around and what a big boy I am becoming. I know my family in WV was sure impressed, as I was with them! We already miss them. Maybe some day soon we will be closer; mom and dad hope so every day. Well, I better save my energy for playing with my new toys and get some rest. I hope your holiday preparations are going well. Just remember not to get stressed because the gifts aren't what it's all about! Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of it all and forget the reason for the season! So please, take care of yourselves and one another and come on up to UB and see us any time you get the chance. XOXOXOXO, Be sure to clean out your chimney for old Santa Claus! We're hoping he brings us some $$ to cover my ER excursion, hee hee! Love you bunches, Cooper B.

'Walkin' around the Christmas Tree...

HELLO!! Did you know Santa is coming soon? I am so excited, I can hardly stand it. We are in full throttle preparation mode here in UB. Mom is a whir of Christmas fury. You should have seen her this weekend. Dad stayed with me and let her get some Christmas shopping done on Saturday morning and you would have thought the poor woman won the lottery. She really needs to get out more. We had a pretty great weekend. We got a new movie, Ratatouille, and we are in the process of watching that now. For those of you who don't have a 10 month old in the house, movies are a process and require not one evening or two hour block, but at times, a whole week to watch! Sort of brings back the excitement of the mini series, at least I think so! Now for some super exciting news. I am pretty much walking. I took 5-6 steps on Friday and I have been working up my nerve to just take off. Takes quite a bit of courage for a little guy, but all of you who know me well know I am up for the challenge. Fortunately, both M&D got to see it all in person; mom almost cried bless her heart. To tell the truth, I am really wanting to wow my WV family. I figured this would throw my unending charm right over the edge, hee hee. Hey guess what? I played in the snow for the very first time on Thursday. I am sorry to say though, I didn't like it too much. Maybe that isn't fair, what I didn't like was all the bundling mom put me through prior to my snow outing. By the time she had me dressed and ready, boy was I mad! I did cheer up when we got outside, that is until I stuck my hand in the snow (after I wiggled it out of those crazy mittens), after this, the romance was over. I started yelling and mom took me back inside, apologizing all the way of course. I forgave her; bless her heart, she can't help herself at times. Other news...I tried to go see Santa today. Operative word here is tried. The line was so long to see St. Nick, mom and dad didn't dare wait it out. I thought it might be fun, but they definitely weren't up for it. I guess I will have to get gussied up some other time or wait until he comes to my house. You know he will; I have been SUCH a GOOD boy this year. Feel free to post comments elaborating on my goodness. Mom tells me Santa may be reading my blog and I figure I will recruit all the help I can get. More news on mom's new job...she is really liking it. Of course, she wishes she didn't even have to work so the two of us could hang out all day together (her most favorite pastime), but since she has to go, she isn't hating it the whole time she is there, which is a plus. As you know, we are heading to WV this weekend. We are all very excited to see our family. It has been over 6 months since I have seen some of my relatives and I can't wait. I bet they won't believe all I am up to these days. Mom and dad just laugh and shake their heads when I get going. I wish I could get one second of alone time with our beautiful Christmas tree and those packages underneath. Those two don't know when to let a little guy alone with his thoughts. I have some serious improvements to m&d's decorating and gift wrapping in mind. I will keep you posted on any progress I make in that department. I hope you enjoy the pics this time. Mom got me all dolled up today for Santa so we took some pictures before we left. They tried to make me wear a Santa hat, but I have to draw the line somewhere, don't you think? Well, dad is already in bed, so I better get going. Please be safe out there and don't forget the reason for the season! We will be thinking of you and keeping you close at heart. Today is aunt Deb's bday, so be sure to wish her a happy one. Cousin Rob's birthday is this coming week too, so if you see him, tell him Happy Birthday. Take care of yourselves. Love, hugs, and smooches, Cooper B.

Happy Anniversary Gram and Gramps B!

Heidi Ho! Or shall I say, ho ho ho! How in the heck are you? So sorry I have been remiss in blogging, poor mom really needs to get it together! We have been doing great here in UB, great news to report, I have been sleeping like a log! Mom says thank the Lord! She had her first week at the new job this past week and she needed all the extra zzzs she could catch. She abandoned poor dad out in the garage, bless his heart...must have all been a little too much for her to handle. I am happy to say she made it, and none the worse for wear. She had a great week and everyone was super nice. Let's hope they stay that way; I would hate for dad and I to have to go up in there and adjust some attitudes! Ha ha! You know we could do it too. I have been working on my ring dips! We have heard from Uncle Bart from time to time and he is doing well. We worry, but we're sure thankful he has the time to send up nasty jokes and risque pictures (of course Mom doesn't share those with me)! We can't wait to get him home real soon. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you what a wonderful time I had in PA visiting our family for Thanksgiving. WOW! I was such a great boy, and soo happy. We had the best time. I had my very first Red and Trudy burger, I petted Smoky and wasn't a bit afraid (no surprise there), Ruby the dog is my new and very best friend (sorry Sam), AND, as if all of that wasn't enough, the Costello gang and Gram and Gramps got me presents too! Can you believe that? I got a pop up tent, how cool is that? I also got a pig that oinks and drives a car, a rooster flashlight, a real cowpoke hat, and some weebles! Woohoo. I want to visit there again SOON!! And trust me, it's not only because I got presents. I had so much fun playing with my cousins, and there is always more room in this tummy for Gramma B's cooking! I wish you could have seen how much fun I was having. Of course, you could see how much fun I was having if mom hadn't forgotten the camera. Alas, we have no pics of my very first Thanksgiving. I told mom not to worry about it, but of course, she is all upset. Maybe aunt Amber will email some of her pics and I will share them with all of you. More news, yesterday was Grandma Sloan's 77th birthday and TODAY is Gram and Gramps B's 40th wedding anniversary. Also, today we celebrate the birth of our friend Niala Ghalib! We sure wish we could be with them to celebrate, and especially to eat cake, ha ha. Monday the 19th was cousin Gage's bday. Amber and Jim had an anniversary, Wed. Nov. 21st, was 20 years for them. Also, last Friday was aunt Kim's bday and Sunday was Adam Townsend AND Seth Huffman's bday. This past Wed. was Uncle Bob and Aunt Carole's anniversary. So if you see any of them, wish them happy belated tidings. Let's see...update on the Christmas shopping, no news there, nothing accomplished as yet. Other great news, we are heading to WV the weekend of the 15th to see our family there. We are all really excited for the trip. We are also hoping to stop by Clarksburg and see our friends, the Smells and maybe the Halfins! We never have enough time to spend, but we're sure thankful for the time we'll have! I hope you enjoy the pics above. As you can clearly see, I am a prodigy. Along with my newfound stardom, I am clapping, pushing my cart all over the house, doing some interior decorating for m&d, and yes folks, dancing like John Travolta. Next stop, DWTS (that's Dancing with the Stars for all of you nerds like us out there who don't have cable, haha). I have also included the pic of Sam and me planning our great escape! Not really, the two of us would be crazy to leave this lap of luxury. We love to look out the window together; just wanted to show you what a big boy I am! I wanted to tell you also, Ms. Michele bought me the nicest book for Christmas. I know mom loves it too, but for some reason, she cries every time she reads it to me. Well, I guess I better get going. Nothing but BUSY-ness in UB. We are heading out today for my very first Christmas tree and of course, our usual Saturday rigamarole. Mom and dad are taking me out to lunch and I can't wait. Hope you all have a wonderful first day of December out there. Be careful and take care of yourselves. Come and see us for Christmas if you get the chance. We'll be thinking of all of you as always. SO much love to all of you, Cooper B.