Just call me Rip Van Winkle

Hello to you! How in the heck is every little thing? Not too shabby here, but you know it can always be better...of course, we must try to remember it can always be worse! Mom and I are back safely from our whirlwind trip to visit my Great Papaw Sloan. The news is terribly sad and I am afraid to report his prognosis is weeks at best, likely days. You will be reassured to know he is still in good spirits and taking all of these new developments in admirable stride. For those of you who have not met him, how unfortunate for you, he is a strong, oak of a man. Even at his worst, he still looks inconquerable to mom and me. Mom was thankful to have a few minutes alone with him. She got to give him a foot rub and they talked a little, more than worth the 13 hours of driving in her mind. Papaw is hanging in there and fighting the good fight. He has been in terrible pain for the last few years and says he is worn out from that. When we left from our visit, he seem to be a little more comfortable and that's all we can pray for. He isn't feeling up to eating too much, but he drinks some water and is a champ with the vast array of visitors that have come to pay their respects to him. How they all love him! I bet the VA has never seen such a sight. The halls were lined with Sloans on both sides and what a sight to see! Mom says they were all (and always are) a sight for sore eyes! We always say, there is NOTHING more important than family. I guess that's why we are so lonely here in UB. At times like these we seem worlds away. Poor mom in torn to pieces about wanting to be in two places at once. Dad and I are trying to cheer her up, but you know what a worrier she is! On top of that, after my nearly FOUR hour nap today (do you think I was happy to be back in my crib?), I awoke with a fever. I threw up last night while Dad was feeding me dinner, not the parent in this family you want to puke on. Needless to say, I almost started a barf-o-rama. The good news is I was the lone up-chucker. Mom said she was feeling a little queasy today, but you know how impressionable she is. I am sharing some pics with you of my great Papaw Sloan. The first two are from Christmas of 2005 when Dad was in Iraq. Mom had a wonderful holiday with her family, though you know she was missing Dad like CRAZY. The next two pics are from this summer when I very first met Mamaw and Papaw Sloan. The following two are again from Christmas 05. We have another update as I write this blog and again the news is bleak. Please pray God is swift and kind with him and ends his suffering very soon. I am sorry we don't have better news to report today. In fact, I actually do have a little. Uncle Bart shouldn't have much longer now. By our last count, he will be back in our great country in less than a week. Another blessing to be thankful for...well, I better get going. I have tupperware in m&d's cabinet to organize. Keep the Sloan family in your thoughts and prayers as we don't know what we'll do without our beautiful patriarch. Under the circumstances, it was wonderful as always to see them all. I got to chat with my cousin, Sawyer D, who briefly taught me how to flush the toilet. Sure enough, he was exactly right, it worked like a charm at Papaw Bill's that very evening. We know cousin Stephanie will get a laugh out of that. Congrats goes out to her for her new job, although mom admits, she is quite jealous. Also, a big thanks goes out to Grammy J for attempting to keep me under wraps while mom visited with her grandpa. I definitely gave her, in fact, a whole slew of them, quite a run for their money. Poor mom's biceps were sore from lifting me up so much! Dad told her she needs to hit the gym, no surprise there. We also got to meet quite a honey, our cousin, Katelyn Sayre. You should've seen mom balancing each of the two of us on her hips. She says she'll have to increase her calorie intake and beef up those hips before the next Bryant comes along. Relax Gramma B, no news on that front yet. Lastly, we are happy to report Ms. Michele is coming all with her recovery quite well. I will let you know more about her after we reunite at her house this week. While I am looking forward to being with my friends, mom is dreading going back to work without yours truly. You know how we love our time together and the last few days have spoiled us. We will keep you posted. Until next time, we'll be thinking of you and wishing you nothing but the best. Lots of love to you and your kin, Cooper B.

B My Valentine!

Hello to you! It's me, Cooper B. wishing you a belated happy Valentine's day. We hope you had a great one full of hugs and kisses. We sure did. I am posting some pics with my funny Valentines mom and dad, and one of my belated Valentines present, a visit from Gram and Gramps B. Gramma B made me the last hat of the season, and boy, is it a nice one. Fits me perfectly and I wear it well, of course. We are having a nice visit so far and looks like we may be out for Saturday lunch and some fun in Frederick. The best part is that Gram and Gramps will be joining us. This morning I ate a GIGANTIC breakfast and now I am helping dad vacuum the downstairs. In case you didn't know, I am such a helper bee. I also gave Gram and Gramps my Valentine to them, well, sort of. They had a bit of a hard time getting me to let go of the candy. Don't they know candy isn't for adults anyway? Oh by the way, I hope you aren't faint at heart. The above Valentine pose is for the mature audience only. M&D think I may have a future in modeling although they were a little nervous as to how naturally this art form came to me. Mom says they will have to lock me in the house when I am a teenager. She also prays I don't have both dad looks and her personality. She says they will never rest, whatever that's supposed to mean...You know mom. Not much news this week; mom is working like a mad woman at her job, seeing so many patients a day her head is spinning. Dad has been making the long commute to southern Virginia, but he made it through the past two weeks without any frostbite. We're sure thankful for that. Ms. Michele is getting surgery next week, so be sure to remember her in your thoughts and prayers. We'll sure miss her, but I can't say I am not looking forward to Monday with Gram and Gramps, Tues and Wed with dad, and Thursday and Friday with ma-ma! Whoowee! Sounds like a great week ahead, don't you think?! I passed out Valentines at Ms. Michele's and mom stayed up Wednesday night making some beautiful Valentine cookies. They were heart shaped with pretty decorations and do you know I didn't even get to eat one? Some nerve. I have a new favorite cookie called Pecan Sandies. Come see me some time and I will share some milk and Sandies with you. Mom says I must get that taste from dad because to her a cookie just isn't a cookie without an inch of frosting or a pound of chocolate on it! Haha. I can't say that I blame her. Big birthday coming up on Monday...Pappy J. So if you see him, please wish him a VERY happy one. I wish I could tell him happy bday in person. You know I am talking up a storm. Too bad m&d aren't smart enough to figure out what I am saying yet. Bless their hearts, they try. I speak slowly and clearly, I am not sure what else to do. I guess I will continue to practice patience with those two. But you know, there is only so much a little guy can tolerate. Well, I better get going, maybe I can convince Gram to take me for a few more laps in my convertible before my nap. Regarding the above picture portfolio, I'll be signing autographs soon TBA. Until then, be thankful that you knew me when. Lots of love, be safe out there, and remember we are thinking of you and missing you like crazy. Come see us if you can. Hugs and Valentine kisses, Cooper B.

PS: We heard from Uncle Bart and are hoping like crazy we'll see him on our trip down to Topsail Beach over Easter/dad's bday. We'll keep you posted, but he only has about two weeks left! Yippee!!

Wait a minute, where did January go?

Hello blog family and how do you do? It's me Cooper B. with apologies for the delay in the news. I hope this finds everyone doing well. We are all peachy keen here in UB. I am posting some more pics from my bday party as well as my recent goings on. Lots of news to report, so let's get right down to it. Today I received two fabulous gifts and it isn't even my birthday, how about that? What a pleasant surprise! I got a package from aunt Helen with an awesome puzzle, a card, and beautiful pics of her and Liz from their trip to New Zealand. Then, I got a special bible from aunt Libby and uncle Keith. How about that?! It is so nice and it has my name engraved on the front. There are pages to record all of my memorable moments and mom already said she can't wait to read it to me. Isn't that the best?! I hope your day was as good as mine, most of my days in fact. Today was nice because mom and I had breakfast together, scrambled eggs and maple sausage, YUM! I probably haven't told you, but I LOVE sausage. I am really into reading these days. I have this book that Gram and Gramps B got for me last June and it is my latest craze. I carry it around with me everywhere and m&d read it to me about 100 times a day. I love to point to the fish and make the hand motions with them. It is simply the best. We take turns and I read it to them sometimes too. It's only fair. More news, mom had her first on-call weekend this past weekend. What she said about it isn't approved material for this blog. See her for details. Moving on, lots of up and coming events, the one mom can't shut up about is our beach trip over Easter/Dad's birthday. She is absolutely beside herself. She told dad yesterday the best part is a whole 7 days with yours truly. Isn't that so sweet?! We can't wait! Big time birthdays this week, our friend, Aiden Dunnet, turned two yesterday. We are so sorry we couldn't make it to his party. The ONE time someone actually invites us somewhere and mom has to work. YUCK! Aunt Abagail turns 9 this coming Saturday and she shares her special day with grandma and grandpa Sloan's anniversary. Whew! We have a visit from the Smell's coming up and we are sure looking forward to that too! Maybe I will be speaking in full sentences by the time they get here in March. You know I have discovered the coolest thing ever...my TONGUE! It has endless possibilities for fun. I entertain m&d almost every meal with my parlor tricks. Keep it on the down low, but I think I may have some serious tongue talent! Once I get control of the crazy critter, I bet this whole talking thing will be a snap. Right now though, it has a mind of it's own and I can't say that's a bad thing at all. It provides a whole lot of laughs up here in UB. Mom and dad have both been busy with work. Dad is down in VA this week and roaming the woods. Mom is seeing so many patients it's crazy! She says the flu is in full swing. Let's pray it doesn't hit our house! We got our flu shot; heck, mom even gave it to dad and me herself. Bless her heart, she tries to take care of us...Well, I better get to bed. I am having technical difficulty with the pics again so bear with us; they'll follow soon. You take care out there and remember, uncle Bart will be home with us very soon. Keep him and all of us in your prayers and we'll do the same. Lots of love, hugs, and kisses to you, Cooper B.