God Bless Gram and Gramps B!

Hi there folks, sorry I am a little behind on my blog. We have been pretty busy here in UB doing a whole lot of NOTHING! And guess what?! It felt AMAZING! Here's the skinny...Gram and Gramps B came down last Sunday and proceeded to cook, clean, cut the grass, scrub the porch, do the laundry, edge the sidewalks, paint the furniture, vacuum, straighten up, etc, etc...all the while fully and completely entertaining me. Mom and dad have no idea how they managed to do it all, but you sure wouldn't believe how thankful those two saps were! And the house and yard look better than ever! Mom was so well rested and energized she cut almost ALL of the lawn today. Can you believe it? She hasn't felt like doing anything in SO long, and she smiled the whole time! Dad and I got our own burst of motivation and headed to town for the grocery shopping and BJs. All this was accomplished by 11:15am! Woah! We were all SO sad to see Gram and Gramps drive off into the sunrise today on their Harley. Poor mom was crying. Dad said this morning I'd sure be lonely without my real-life play toys, but mom is really the one who will be missing the company. We all went out yesterday and had a nice dinner at the Macaroni Grill. It was delicious as usual. Then we went to the mall and I got some new books and mom got some new duds. Poor thing, she needed them, she is starting to look a bit uncomfortable walking around with her pants unbuttoned! Friday evening we went for Hoffman's ice cream and I got my very own cup. Chocolate marshmallow and boy, was it tasty! I don't know if I told you but I LOVE ice cream. Last weekend was quite the event too; we went down to WV to see our family for a whirlwind visit and to join the celebration of Nanny's 80th birthday. I got to meet my uncles Mike and Danny, aunt Dee, cousins David and Brian, and their family. What a nice time we had. We also got to spend some time with Papaw Bill, Lisa, great Grandma Sloan and uncle Scott. It was hectic and we wish we could have spent more time but we're sure glad we could make it. We even ran into aunt Dawn and her family at Bob Evans before we had to leave. The ride home was quite a doozy...20 minutes shy of our house, I had a major puke fest. But don't worry, none of it got on our Honda, I strategically threw up repeatedly all over mom. Bless her heart, she took it well and even laughed about it! More news, you know we have the 4th of July coming up and Mom and Dad can't wait! I am so excited to run around with all of my friends and maybe even this time I will make it until the fireworks! We are heading to a cookout at our friends, the Smells' house on Friday, then of course, over to the Halfins' for Saturday's festivities. I didn't tell you but we had a wonderful visit with aunt Helen. We were so thankful to spend a few days with her, and so sad to see her go. Mom felt so bad because she was sick during the visit, but we still managed to enjoy our company to the fullest. We hope both aunt Helen and Liz had fun too and will come back soon to see us. Great Grandma Hively turned 80 this past Thursday, quite an accomplishment, let's hope we are all as beautiful and vivacious as her at 80. Cousin Carrie turns 32 on the 26th, so if you see her, tell her happy birthday! I posted some pics above of our trip to the aquarium and me clowning around the house. I tell you, you better come and see me soon because before long, I am going to be delivering FULL speeches. I guess I better get working on that. Back to the grind tomorrow, ugh! I feel for mom and dad, but you know I am also excited to see Ms. Michele, Me-mom, Pop, and all of my friends and their family. Please know how much we love and miss you and think of us often, as we do you. Love you big bunches, XOXOXOXO, Cooper B.

Aunt Helen is arriving tomorrow!!

Hello out there in blogland! How are you holding up in this sweltering heat? We actually thought we were going to melt until Papaw Bill helped dada fix the AC over the phone. Mom was starting to worry and honestly, so was I! I am posting more pics for your enjoyment, the one with dad depicts us reading my most favorite book, Secret Seahorse. I can't wait to show aunt Helen where that crafty seahorse is hiding on each page. I know she will be so proud. I sure hope you all enjoyed my sprinkler video; that waterpillar is a little bit frightening. I much prefer the hose as you will see above. I am also posting a picture of my poor finger. I have alas, lost my nail since the accident but it actually looks alot better. One injury on the mend and wouldn't you know I acquired a new one yesterday morning. Mom and I were out enjoying the morning and I am really mastering the steps. I also enjoy sitting on ANYTHING heine level. I perched myself on the back steps and before mom could blink, I pitched forward, hit my head and scraped my face then landed face down, heiner up in the grass! Have you ever?! How upsetting. Dad says I look like a tough guy. Both mom and I cried about the whole ordeal. Luckily, it is already looking much better today. Great news, mom put in her 60 day notice at work today. She is excited/apprehensive about the whole deal, so keep her in your prayers. We had a big outing in the heat wave this weekend, we went to lovely downtown Baltimore to the aquarium! Woohoo, what fun. You know how yours truly loves some FISH!! I saw lots plus sharks, dolphins, stingrays, seahorses, anenomes to mention only a few. We had quite an enjoyable time. I also spent some serious time basking in the shade and playing in the water. Mom and Dad even let me drink from the hose! How about that? The water is SOO cold, I highly recommend it. I love everything about that hose, especially when they squirt me with it. I swear, I ran around in the buff or diaper only ALL weekend. No one told me how great summer is!! Well, I guess mom did, you know she loves some sunshine! We are looking forward to the next few months to our upcoming visitors. We have Helen tomorrow, Gram and Gramps B very soon, and today we found out our friends, the Swigers, may be coming sometime in June or July. We are SO excited!! Of course, we have some visits of our own to pay, starting with this very weekend for great grandma Hively's 80th birthday, what a day to celebrate. We are heading back to WV for the 4th of July as you well know, and planning a trip up to PA with dad's first long weekend after mom is done with work. Dad says I can visit Smoky the horse and maybe go fishing! Doesn't that sound like the most fun? I have all sorts of new words, and don't you know, we have been practicing Gramma like crazy. I say mamaw instead, but I figured, hey, close enough and it gets the point across. I have also been saying mea-maw for Ms. Michelle's mom and my very own grandma away from home. Honestly, mom and dad become more and more impressed with my accomplishments with each passing day. I really am one smart cookie! Mom is hoping to have me singing happy birthday by the weekend! Uncle Bart and his family have been visiting gram and gramps and the Costello gang this past weekend. We are sure sorry we couldn't' get up there to join in the festivities. Gramma B sent mom a sample menu and mom can't wait until they get here to hopefully enjoy some of that fine fare! More news...I am having some sleep issues recently, I think it may be the party in my crib at 3am that is the culprit. What can I say, I am an ANIMAL. Yesterday when I was waking from my nap, mom heard a ripping sound over the monitor and was quite puzzled until I clearly told her "wee". Obviously she wasn't aware of my diaper removing talent! Last night she tried to pull a fast one and change my poopy while I was sleeping. Much to her chagrin, one of my poopies escaped and she stuck her finger right in it. Sure wish I was awake to enjoy that one! Serves her right. Well, I guess I better run, I will try to post again asap. Until then, think of me, miss me, and by golly, COME AND SEE ME if you get the notion. I may not be this handsome and charming forever! Now you know mom vehemently disagrees :) Please be safe and take care of your loved ones. Don't forget to tell them how much they mean to you. We'll be thinking of how much you mean to us; you know we sure do love you. Miss you lots too...Hugs and kisses, Cooper B.

Welcome June!

A great big howdy do to all of you! How in the world are you? We are doing absolutely copacetic here in UB. Sorry I have been a little out of touch, you know how time gets away from us. So what is new with you? Lots of news here to report since our last post, so let's get started, what do you say? As you all probably know by now, we are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of our bun in mom's oven. I am doing my part, just so you know, I kiss mom's belly several times each day. Is that the cutest thing you've ever heard or what? It happens to coincide with the fact that I am seriously into tummies right now. Don't get me wrong, I love dad's tummy too, but mom's is really the one for smooching. Besides, I think the baby can feel my kisses, don't you? We had the ultrasound and all was well except for the fact mom wasn't quite as far along as her doctor thought she was. She swears she is going to stop listening to him! You know how impatient she is...Anywho, she has been feeling pretty rough, but bless her heart, she has sure been trying to hang in there and do her mom-ly duties. More great news, dad's new job is going well and he actually is working with some of his old comrades from his former unit. We think it is such a blessing and although he is making one heck of a commute, at least it is toward something he can believe in again. Soon he will be moving into a brand new facility with a state of the art gymnasium. And this is not just any gymnasium, the people at his new building are hard core crossfitters too! How about that stroke of luck?! Mom and I are both so happy for dad, and the best news of all is that he won't be travelling like he thought he would. Not that we couldn't do it without him, we'd simply much rather have him around. OK...I know I am on a roll with the good stuff, so guess what else?? Aunt Helen is coming to visit, VERY soon. Tuesday the 10th, in fact, is when she will be rolling into UB to see yours truly. We are so PUMPED!! Also, Gram and Gramps B will also been arriving sometime in June to have some fun in the sun and run through my new caterpillar sprinkler with me. Of course, you know I will have to show them how its done. Dad got it for me today and you should see me, I don't know whether to laugh or cry at it, I am beside myself! We had a big day of shopping yesterday at the Leesburg outlets...mom got some new maternity clothes, but for some reason, she didn't have quite the same look on her face as when she leaves Banana Republic with a bag full of goodies...strange. Dad got some new duds AND some new shoes. We figured, what the hey, he has been such a good boy! I am saving some of the bestest news for last...Mom got an email on a job lead today for 20-25 hours/week. She is hoping to get the interview ASAP. Would that be the absolute greatest or what?! Mom said it's like her prayers have been answered and you know she's been in turmoil with the whole house not selling, etc. If you ask me, this is just what she needs...more ME time! Don't you think? OK...finally some not so good news, but I want to report it nonetheless...Uncle Bart is heading back overseas in July and again around Nov/Dec. Please join us in wishing him a safe and successful journey. We are hoping like crazy to get to see him before he leaves, we sure miss having him around. On that note, I guess I better get to counting sheep. If you see my uncle Nathan, be sure to wish him a happy belated 8th birthday. Also, remember to congratulate your graduates and students for another year well done. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We sure miss you and hope to see you soon. Take care of yourselves and give those loved ones close to you a hug and a kiss and think of us. We'd do the same if we were with you. Lots of love to all of you, be safe, Cooper B.