Happy Halloween!

The fun and excitement continue to build as we get closer to this Halloween Day that everyone keeps talking about. So far this month, we've picked apples (and eaten apple pie), picked out a gigantic pumpkin that weighs more than me (it's 30-lbs.!), put up a scarecrow, gone on a hayride and now, Mommy is dressing me to look like an animal. There's a lot involved with Halloween!

Here I am kicked back in my lion costume. Who said this king of the forest thing requires courage? It seems pretty simple to me.

Soon, a big, scary chicken lady (seriously, she was dressed like a chicken...it was pretty creepy) gathered all of us kids for a costume contest. And, guess what?! I won cutest animal! But, that's not surprising...Mommy and Daddy have been calling me that for months now.
















I was so happy when the contest ended so I could strip off my costume and run...uh, ride free! The coolest part of the whole day was when we zoomed down a big metal ramp on our butts. First, I went with Mommy. Look! No hands!!



















And, despite the fact that I kept my eyes shut tight the entire way down the ramp with Mommy, I had so much fun that I went again with Daddy. Check out the picture of the two of us. Can you tell which one of us is having more fun?

















After all that hay-riding, costume-wearing, picture-taking, sliding fun, I needed a rest.

And, on that note...

G'night, friends!

The Grapes of Boordy

Another weekend, more fun. This time, we headed to a wine festival at Boordy Vineyards for a little laughing, libation and live tunes.

We had a whole crew with us--Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Laura, Tessie and Mommy and Daddy's friends Joe & Patty--so it was timeto par-tay!

As you probably know, Daddy is a beer drinker by trade, so he needed my help selecting a vino. I told him that he couldn't go wrong with a 2008 blend--it's been a very good year.




Here's me and Grandpa relaxing in the shade.
Our hats and smiles match. Then, things got rockin' when Mommy and me danced a jig while the live Irish band played.


After we got home, the dancing continued. We like to be silly like that. I decided to flash my new tough boy face, which I adopted as soon as I got my two bottom teeth. Grrrr...










Slainte! (Cheers in Gaelic)

Young Laddy Cooper

Gene Wilder Has Nothing on Me

After all of this activity, a little boy needs his rest. Check out my wild and crazy morning hair! Here I am going native!

Captain Cooper Culled a Crop of Crisp Braeburns

Mommy, Daddy and I have had a month full of fun adventures. It started when we went to Larriland Farms. I have an Uncle Larry and a cousin Larry, so I knew right away we were in for some fun! When we got there, Daddy went crazy and started driving on the grass. He went all over the place--even where there weren't roads. We were bouncing all around in the car and I was hooting in the backseat. Yee-haw! Then we got to the apple orchard and we piled out of the car and went for a walk. Mommy and Daddy were picking these red balls from the vines and then they crunched into one. They thought it was so yummy, they gave me a taste. Oh, man. It was very juicy. I loved it (and wouldn't put it down).

Then we picked out a giant pumpkin for our front porch. Daddy had to carry it all the way to our car--he's so strong. Doesn't our house look cool now? Mommy says we're going to cut the pumpkin soon and make a Jap-0-Lampturn. I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds like we're going to have more fun. It sounds like something for the big people, so I'll probably just watch.

After we got home, Mommy and Daddy cut up all the apples and made an apple pie. It looked like a lot of work and Mommy kept talking about next time inviting someone named Mrs. Smith to our house when she makes a pie. I haven't met her yet. Our house smelled so yummy and I even got a little taste of the pie!

As you can see, it was a day full of big-boy events. No baby stuff for me anymore. After eating apples and picking out pumpkins, Daddy said I was ready for some real man stuff. So, he taught me three-point turns! Next stop...Daytona 500.
Just kidding, silly. I was just pretending, but it looks pretty convincing, huh?

Hugs & Kisses,

Coop

Hey Everyone! Breakfast is on Me!

Yes, well, quite literally, in fact. Mommy was brave and let me feed myself. I think I did a pretty darn good job, thank you very much. I didn't get any on the walls or ceiling! But, uh, I can't say much for the rest of the room. What isn't shown here is the big bath I got as soon as I put down the bowl and spoon. Mommy almost put me in a plastic bag to carry me up the stairs, but she was giggling too hard. We had a fun time. It must not have been that funny though--Mommy hasn't let me have control of the spoon since then. Rats! Maybe some time soon. Here's my application picture to the Clean-Your-Plate-Club of America.

Ellicott City's Finest

The local firemen recently came to my school. They were very nice, and we became friends very quickly. One of the firemen took me outside, and there, sitting in the parking lot, was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. The firetruck. Ohhhh! Wow. I really liked the firetruck. Mommy said it was a lot like me. Big. Red. And, most of all LOUD! The fire dudes were all dressed up in big yellow costumes and neat hard hats--they even gave one to me. Check me out sportin' my fire dude hat!

Totally Toothular

After weeks and weeks and WEEKS of sleepless nights, fussiness and gnawing on everything I could get my hands on, I'm proud to announce the arrival of two little white gems in my mouth. These things have been totally worth the wait because now Mommy lets me eat Cheerios. YEEEEEEEEE-HAW!! Last night, Daddy let me try out my new teeth on something new--PIZZA. (Oh...uh...my mommy wanted me to tell you that it was actually just a piece of pizza crust. Not the full piece of pizza. I can't imagine that the rest of it would be better than what I ate last night.) Anyway, it was super yummy. No wonder Daddy likes it so much. I don't know how much longer I'm going to want to deal with that formula stuff. Here I am eating my pizza with my Daddy. We're such buds!

Hangin' with the Big Boys

Now that I have my big guy car seat, I'm always ready to hit the open road. So, Mommy, Daddy, Connor and I recently packed up the car and spent the weekend with "Aunt" Jen, "Uncle" Mike, Brady and Aidan at their house in Pennsylvania. I knew that I was going to have to say goodbye to my baby ways if I wanted the big boys--Connor, Brady and Aidan--to think I was cool. So, that weekend, I decided to start sitting up all by myself. No more silly boppys or any other stinky baby stuff. It's just me--all me. Next hurdle...crawling. Then, it's off to the races. Once I get going, there's gonna be no stopping me. Mommy and Daddy don't know what they're in for. Here's a picture of us dudes. Aren't we cool?

Let’s Go Warriors!

It was another weekend of firsts for me. Here I am with my family watching my big cousin, Brendon, play in a football game on Friday, September 19. It sure was really noisy in the stands. Everyone was clapping and cheering for the Warriors. I kept thinking, who the heck are these Warrior fellas? I thought we were here to see Brendon?! Then, I realized that Brendon is a Warrior too. Then it made sense to me--Brendon sure did look and act like a Warrior.

He painted black war symbols under his eyes and was wearing all of this bulky plastic armor on his shoulders and legs and even wore a big Warrior-like helmet on his head. It was a good thing he had all that stuff on because he kept smashing into guys! He ran around a lot and fell down on the ground sometimes too—actually, all of the guys did that. I’m not sure why they want to do that, though; I keep trying to get up off of the ground, why would they want to get back down on it? Those boys are silly. It still looked like A LOT of fun. I can’t wait to do that some day too.

Brendon and his Warrior dudes did a really good job—they won the game 54 to 0!! I was yelling and cheering with everybody else (after I ate my bottle, of course). Being a good fan is a lot of work. I’ve decided that I want to be a Warrior when I grow up too! Well...maybe I'll be a pilot…or a doctor. Well, I guess I still have some time before I figure that out. But for right now, I'm going to bed. 'Night, friends.

Here's me in my new big-guy car seat on my way to the game. Do you see my silly daddy in the background? He was excited to go to the game too!

And, here I am with my Aunt Debbi (Brendon's mommy). I wasn't so sure about some of the football fanatics--they sure do get fired up.

And, in this Cornah…

Well, ladies, the results are in. As of September 18, 2008, I am measuring a lengthy 26 ¾” long and tipping the scales at 20 pounds, 8 ounces. Yea, get your chubby love here!

The doc told Mommy and Daddy that I can start eating puffs and Cheerios now and then graduate to big-boy foods in about a month or so. I was all smiles and laughs with that news and feeling like the new heavyweight champ, when some lady came in and gave me four shots (see my Band-Aid?). OUCH! I toughed out the first one and didn’t make a sound, but the second one really hurt. Then, I just got angry because she didn’t seem to want to stop. Sheesh, lady! Luckily, my Mommy rescued me and gave me a bunch of kisses. Phew!

What an afternoon. I went home after my doctor's appointment to rest. This growing up stuff is tough.

Move Over, Lance. The Coopster’s Gaining Speed

Mom and Dad decided it would be a good idea to get some exercise a couple of Saturdays ago. They kept telling me about how much fun bike riding is and how I would love it. Oh, yea--it definitely sounded good to me. I love the idea of being mobile. Right now I can only roll over and scoot (backwards). If I'm able to go forward—fast—I’m all for it!

We drove to this place that had a lot of letters in its name. What was it again? Oh, yea….B W I. Daddy really likes that place because he can look at his third favorite thing next to me and Mommy—AIRPLANES.

Mommy and Daddy pulled out a bunch of gear and then put me in my bike buggy. Oh, man, was it cool. Then, they put this bulky plastic thing on my head. I didn’t like it at all—and I made sure they knew it. So, instead, they strapped my carrier and me into the buggy and off we went. We rode for a whole 15 miles. It was really neat—we rode past a horse farm and got to see lots of planes landing on a nearby road, oh wait—runway (that’s a new word for me…runway). Daddy says it’s not a good thing if a plane lands on a road. I’ll try to remember that, but I may forget because there’s a lot of new stuff I’m learning these days. It’s tough keeping track of it all! Back to biking…it was super fun and relaxing. I even fell asleep for a little while. Too bad Daddy and Mommy couldn’t get a nap too because they looked pretty tired when we were finished. Check me out in my buggy. Cool, huh?

Pointy Hats and Pouty Lips

It was Granddad’s birthday on September 7 and my family got together to celebrate. We were having a lot of fun, but then it got scary. When it was time for birthday cake, Mommy gave all of us pointy hats to wear and then she lit Granddad’s cake on fire! Then those silly adults just stood around, sang a song and watched the blaze instead of putting it out!! Poor Granddad had to put out the fire all by himself by blowing on it. No one else helped him. Sheesh! Good thing he was able to get it all out before there was trouble. I was a little worried and thought about crying, but I toughed it out. You grown ups have some strange rituals. Oh, well, everyone else seemed to like it. Then Granddad gave me some icing and I quickly forgot about being scared. It was super yummy!!! I wonder if all flaming cakes taste that good. Happy Birthday, Granddad!

Still Resting Up from Labor Day Weekend

Hi, friends. Sorry it's been a few days since I last wrote. I had a very busy weekend, and I'm still trying to rest up! On Saturday, I blew bubbles with my new friend, Natalia. Well, Natalia did most of the bubble-blowing--she's bigger than me and knows how to do fancy stuff like that. I mainly stared at them in wonder,but I paid attention so I would know what to do next time. There were so many colors inside the bubbles and I couldn't help but squeal and kick when they'd go POP!

On Monday, me, Mommy and Daddy went shopping for Halloween decorations. Our house looks really neat-o now. Don't tell my Mommy and Daddy, but I was glad that I got to sit in my chair on the front porch and watch the birdies while they did all the work. It did look fun, though, when they got to play in the dirt. I can't wait to do that. Wheee! Look at our house!!! It's the coolest one in our neighborhood. All the kids will want candy from us! Halloween is going to be so much fun.

After Daddy took this picture, we all went for a long family walk at the park. It was so much fun. I love being outside! And, it's much more funner when both Mommy and Daddy are there. We had a very busy weekend, and I was pretty tuckered out! Looks like Daddy was too.

But, don't worry...Mommy just posed me like this for the picture. I don't really sleep with blankies and pillows--at least not until I get bigger. That's all for now. Mommy tells me we have more fun planned for this weekend. Oh, boy!

Snuggly hugs and slobbery kisses,
Coop

Givin' it a Whirl

So, I thought I'd give this blogging thing a try. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to write--I've got a lot going on...you know, with growing, eating, and sleeping--not to mention learning how to sit up and to keep my food down. But, I hope to post often so I can share with you my new adventures and observations. This is a pretty fascinating world and my mom says I'm a pretty fascinating dude!

Here's a picture of me sitting in my room, which is all decked out in airplanes. I've started to notice them a lot more, especially while Mommy's changing my diaper--there's not much else to look at but the ceiling. Uh, back to the airplanes (sorry, I'm only five months old...my attention span is pretty small)--they're really cool and Daddy seems to know a lot about them. He tells me that he's going to teach me how to fly one one day! That would be SO neat! Me and Dad are the bestest buds.

Gotta go to bed now. Y A W N!