Happy Birthday to Me!

Hello there everyone in blog-land! I hope all is peachy with you. I have had quite a big week here in UB. As you probably know, yesterday, I officially turned ONE! How about that? Hard to believe I am already 365 days old, isn't it? Sometimes mom is so surprised she gets weepy about it, you know mom! I have very big news. We had our first party here in UB, and guess who was the guest of honor? None other than yours truly, Cooper B. It was my very own birthday party. Mom and Dad made me a beautiful bear cake, mom made cupcakes and decorated them on her very own (both a first for her). Dad, gram, gramps B., aunt Amber...heck we all pitched in for the decorating, appetizers, and bruschetta. Let me just tell you, it was a whopping success! Mom and Dad were so relieved. We were so thankful to have gram and gramps and then the Costello gang here prior to the festivities, and of course afterward, they were such a big help. Gramps even cleaned up a rotten pumpkin for mom. Talk about teamwork! I know he didn't sign up for nasty pumpkin duty! The guest list was quite extensive with a wonderful array of friends and family. We had the Dunnets from VA, the Bryants and Costellos from PA, Niala from VA, the Highs from New Windsor, the Farinas all the way from next door, and of course, mom, dad, and ME the man of the hour! Whew, what a turnout! Counting m, d, & me, we had 19! Talk about a party. We all had a great time, despite the fact that no one knew one another when the shindig kicked off. Isn't that wonderful news?! I thoroughly enjoyed talking to, eating, and sucking on the foot of my cake. We have some great pics to share with you if mom hasn't lost them all in computer land. (Keep your fingers crossed on that one). I am happy/sad to report, mom and I are home together today and dad and I spent the day together yesterday. Alas, must have been too much partying; I have been down for the count since Monday night. It all started with this runny nose and cough, and much to all of our surprise, you guessed it, MORE TEETH! This morning I was so out of sorts, mom and I both sat down in the floor for a good cry. She then proceeded to call for the day off work. Poor soul, she couldn't bear to go on getting ready or the thought of leaving me in this shape. You'll be happy to know (as mom was) I am now napping soundly and snuggly. Mom was trying her best to help, but I couldn't stop yelling at her. My little eyes are stinging from all the yelling and crying. Mom said this morning was the longest three hours of her life, next to my labor! Someone give this woman a medal! OH, almost forgot, wait until you see my fancy new covered wagon. Our whole family can fit inside! I also got some new puzzles for my bday, a jack in the box, a boat for my tub, a beautiful book, some cold hard cash, a turtle night light that projects stars on my ceiling, a farm with real live animals, a new camo outfit, some cars, crayons, and best of all, a NEW box of tissues of my very own. Mom and Dad saved this one for last. I think they learned their lesson at Christmas. We had a ball last night even though I am under the weather. My advice to you, next time you are feeling blue or under the weather, buy yourself a box of kleenex and GO TO TOWN. OK, on with the news...mom is interviewing at the Clarksburg VA medical center tomorrow. I will keep you posted on that one. Also tomorrow is Grampa B's 60th birthday (hope you don't mind me telling everyone gramps, you look so great, and limber like gumby since starting dad's workout), Saturday is Cyndy Smell's bday, and this past Sunday, the 2oth, was cousin Skylar and Justin's. Wish them all a happy bday. Next week belongs to Grammy J on the 28th, great Aunt Pat on the 29th...woohoo, isn't January the greatest?! Well folks, I better run. Hope you enjoy the pics. Please drop us a line, or better yet, come and see us when you get the chance. We love you and we'll be thinking of you. Take care of yourselves and love one another, Cooper B.
PS: I am having trouble loading pics, I will go ahead with the post and add pics as soon as I can!

Happy January to You!

Hello it's me, Cooper B., here to report the new year news! How in the world are you doing out there? I am great, fine as frog hair, finally feeling better after the crappy croup and these big teeth that keep invading my mouth! I now have 11 teeth, not a bad average for a little guy. I guess you know by now though, I am not going to be a little guy much longer. I turn one this month! Mom got some supplies for my bday party already, and boy, am I excited! I think she is going to attempt to bake me a cake. Be sure to wish her luck on that one. Boy, do I have news for you! Guess who the most recent visitors (read victims) to our garage gym (read torture chamber) have been?! Ms. Michele, James, Ryan, and Nathaniel. And guess what else? We have more victims, er I mean guests, on board for Saturday morning. Isn't that the greatest?! Mom and especially Dad are both so excited, the two of them have been extra motivated since they have more gluttons for punishment. You know they say misery loves company, hahaha. I was even out there night before last cheering on Mr. James and Ryan. I clapped for them as they staggered in for the last round! They were working hard and looking like pros already! Dad has been practicing his coaching skills and programming. He has some series excitement in the near future. He is going to be taking the test for his CSCS very soon AND he is going to a Crossfit certification in April. How about that?! Bless his heart, he has been waiting so patiently for a seminar close to home so he doesn't have to be away from mom and me. What a special guy he is! Mom and I are very proud of him and we know he is going to be the best affiliate EVER! Guess what else! We may be going on 2 vacations this spring. Word around the block is Gram B. has some tricks up her sleeve for Easter weekend and I think M&D are seriously thinking about crashing her party in a BIG way. Mom has been flitting around the house since she found out, you know how she loves the beach. The best part, besides the sand, sun, and ocean, according to her, will be seeing Uncle Bart, hooray! Other news, not quite as exciting, but M, D, and me will be heading to Snowshoe around the first week of March for a conference for mom's job. I am thrilled at the possibility of trying out my new sled in some serious snow! We have some more amazing news in the beginning of February, but we will wait to let that cat out of the bag, and NO, I am not going to be a big brother just yet : ). I'll definitely keep you posted on that one! Big time birthdays this month...Great Uncle Chuck's is today, Uncle Bart's is the 13th, Gramps B. is the 24th (my original ETA), Cyn Smell the 26th, Grammy J. the 28th, Great Aunt Pat the 29th, and YOURS TRULY...COOPER B., Big Boy on January the 22nd. As if you didn't already know! Whoowee! Big plans for the grown ups, I hear talk of Snickerdoodles cake. Stingy m&d are ordering a cake of their very own. I will try not to be hurt, but I can't understand why everyone wouldn't want me to feed them cake?! I want to tell you all about my new favorites as follows, the TRASH can; going #2 in the tub and playing with it (ask mom about that one, let's just say she normally has the tummy of a billy goat); swimming in the dog's water bowl; diving on Sam's dirty dog bed, preferably naked; going #1 and splashing in it; and, most recently according to dad, walking backward. Mom has yet to witness this amazing feat as this morning I was so busy doing all of the aforementioned activities. She is keeping her hopes up I will demonstrate this new daredevil act this afternoon. We will see! I also have been really enjoying feeding my dinner/lunch/breakfast to M&D. Sometimes dad gets a little green, I'm not so sure why, but I think he was a little disgusted with banana dipped in salad dressing. What a baby! I LOVE it, doesn't everyone?! I think he has a pretty weak stomach, but not mom, this morning she ate several pieces of my mushy toast and jam mixed with cottage cheese and runny nose like a champ. Needless to say, I was delighted. So what about you? Back to the cake issue, maybe you can give me some insight as to why anyone wouldn't want to share cake with Cooper B., or better still, let me feed it to them. I am practically squeaky I am so clean. OK, enough about that, you think about it, let me know, and I will put in a word to mom and dad to put me in charge of the appetizers for my big day. Finger foods only, baby! Woohoo. Hope you enjoy my above pics, I sure love going for rides in my wagon. It makes mom nervous since there is a specific warning on the bottom about NOT putting infants inside. I tell her she has to try living on the edge every once in a while. Poor mom has to learn to relax! Well, I better run, mom and I have big plans for today. We are doing lunch. Not sure where yet, but knowing her, I can guarantee it will involve a stop at Starbucks! I like the venti caramel mocchiato, hahaha. Helps me sleep. Take care out there. Lots of love to you and yours. Come and see me anytime you get the chance. I miss you and think of you often, Cooper little B., soon to be BIG B.