On our way

Cooper did exceptionally well on our ride to Hilton Head.

 We split it up into two days so we could visit McCormick, SC...home of Ms. Jane Fairburn.



"I'm so happy you finally turned me around. Now I can see all the cars, trucks, trees and (in McCormick) deer!"



Daddy drove most of the way. Oops!  Caught red-handed with your phone.

You see, Jane and Andrew go way back.

To like 2004.

Andrew used to play this game called golf for a living (that means for money!)  Wherever that week's tournament was, he would try to get housing (some nice person would let a golfer come stay with them for the week.)  Along the way, Andrew (and me) met some wonderful people. Some we still keep in contact with. 
Enter Jane.
 She's just lovely. Her smile is lovely. Her house is lovely. And, most importantly, her heart is lovely.
We hadn't seen her since our wedding, so we wanted to swing (haha- get it??) by for a quick visit. She had never met Cooper and totally laid out the red carpet for us. She even borrowed a crib for Cooper!!  (See lovely heart comment above).

Here she is:

She has...get this...16 (I think that's right) grandchildren! 

Looking forward to many more years of friendship to come!!

Best Daddy

Cooper has the best Daddy.
 Hands down.
Andrew loves to build stuff. Especially things for Cooper. (He can't wait til Coop's old enough to help).

He worked on this sandbox project for days weeks (he told me it would take 2 days.  well...that was 2 weeks ago and we finally got the last of the extra sand out of our driveway).

He mapped out a plan.

Dug up some grass.

Slaved in the hot sun.

With a little help

To make it perfect.

Father-son LOVE.

And I couldn't resist putting these cute dirty legs on here:

Well, I believe Cooper definitely has the biggest (11'x11') and probably one of the best sandboxes around.

Here it is:  work in progress:

  He thought Cooper needed a little step so he could get in and out.

 And a bench all the way around...so he could take a break

Oh, and did I mention, it is the the most expensive sandbox ever build for a 15 month old?? Well, let's see...when you add up the cost to fix 2 irrigation lines that were hit and a windshield that was busted in the process of getting wood from Lowe's...it got pretty expensive. And the sand was free!

But Cooper LOVES it.

And that makes it worth it, right?

 
 

He also loved the sand pile in our driveway which is now gone...amen...I'm OCD and that thing was driving me crazy!

 But he enjoyed it while it was there:

Every morning is started in the sandbox.

And almost every evening ends in the sandbox.

He wrote Cooper a message after he got it finished one night, so when he woke up and went out the next morning he could read it. (I think Andrew was hoping Coop was learning to read in his sleep).

I thought it was sweet!

(says:  Daddy loves you Cooper).

13. 14. 15.

Whew! Where have the last 3 months gone?? I remember thinking...I need to do a 13 month post. Then a 14 month. Now a 15th month!!!  So, I'm multi-tasking. Yep. It's what I Mom's do best!

Coop has changed so much in the past 3 months.  Here's a glimpse:

• His personality is really starting to shine. He's my little explorer. Curious, friendly, and go-go-go from the time he gets up in the morning!!
• Loves to dig, climb, jump, tackle, and ..yep...bite.
• Says new words all the time. Bye-bye, Jack, night-night, ball, Jackson (our neighbor) and many many more!
• Loves to play and jump on our bed.
• Shakes his head no when you ask him anything.  (example:  Cooper, do you want to go to Toys R Us and pick out any toy? ...Cooper is shaking is head no!!)
• Claps at himself all the time.
• Also claps when he hears music or when we sing to him.
• Probably weighs about 21 lbs. Very small....big head...big feet, too!
• Takes 1 mid-morning nap....but goes to bed around 6pm and sleeps til 7am!
• Has a nice little tan line on his back/behind from the beach!
• Throws fits when he doesn't get his way!!  Yep...I think we're gettin' a preview of the two's!

Kiss from Nana on his cheek!  13 months old!



14 months old - Fourth of July - Headed to the pool



14 months...with his buddy Jackson



Almost 15 months...almost


Check this out for more on our fun Fourth!!  So glad Andrea's blogging keeps me motivated!!

Next up:  beach trip!

Updates...

I know, I know. I'm been a terrible blogger lately. But I promise...updates to come! I'll just have to leave you with this for now:

Cooper's face the first time he felt the ocean:

My big 3-0

I wasn't dreading turning 30 as much as people probably assume. I'm not a big birthday person anyways, so I wanted it to be real low-key. Anyone who knows me, knows I do not like attention!

Andrew was nice enough to get up with Cooper and let me lay in bed and relax after 7am!  He was downstairs banging all around (I was wondering what in the heck was going on down there). Well, then he brought me a stack of chocolate-chip pancakes and blueberries! Yum!

My sweet neighbors, Jackson (who is Jack's BFF) and Carter rang the doorbell holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers, sweet card and gift. What a surprise!! 

How cute is this?

Then, my co-worker friend, Skip and his wife, Sandy stopped by to bring me some balloons (which have lasted all week and Cooper has loved them!) I was at my favorite shop partaking in some alone time and retail therapy, so I missed them! 

Andrew had asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday - I told him I would love a night out (just the two of us). I had an idea all week he was up to something, but did a very good job hiding it. With the help of my bestie, he planned for everyone to be here before me. I was totally trying to spot cars in the parking lot that I recognized on our way in, but didn't find any. I thought when the waitress picked up 2 menus I was in the clear. Then I was greeted to a GIANT "surprise" when we walked out on the balcony!  I'm ended up being really happy to have all my friends there...I just hate the unexpected.

Here's my friend Michelle and my bro, Bart:

The newly engaged Sean and Carol:

Me and the hubs

Monica and Terry, Erin and Tim and ...check out that view!

The bestie who helped scheme  plan.

My day, from start of finish, was perfect!!

(Did I mention I got to get a haircut, too?)

Our park mornings...our pool evenings

Almost every morning around 8am we find ourselves here: 

We stroll down to the park (we're lucky to have one in our neighborhood) in our red wagon...dog in tow.  Cooper can't wait to get out to explore.

One of my favorite parts about this new morning ritual...besides spending time with my boys...is this huge, old oak.  It's simply beautiful.

Jack comes too, of course.

 

Cooper loves to stomp around...

dig in the dirt...

climb in everything...

and most of all, Cooper loves, loves, loves this swing.

Sometimes, we spend our evenings here:

Just hanging out with our neighbors, friends, and each other at the pool.

Cooper and his best buddy Mason.

Cooper's not a big fan of staying in one place at a time, but this baby pool contains him pretty well.

Last night, on our way back, we turned on the sprinklers so Coop could play for a few more minutes before bedtime.

He's not quite sure what to think about them. He's asking Andrew for "help".

So that's how our days work around here. So thankful to be off in the summer.

Summer is getting in the way

of my blogging!!

I promised myself since I am now fully done with work 'til August 8th, I was gonna blog more. Well...there is something little, cute, spunky, wild, and sweet gettin' in my darn way!!  Seriously, people. I've got some pictures I just can't find time to take my camera out of my purse and put them on here!! 

So, Nana emailed me some pictures she took of Coop from this week when she came over. He is -gasp- 13 months old now!!  (Missed that post, too. Looking like I'll be combining some in the near future).

Here they are...in all their glory. Already on my computer...so I didn't have to do much work.

BTW - I turned the big 3-0 Saturday. Looking forward to spending this decade as a momma. (post on that to come too!!! haha)

Sharing at it's finest

Trying to get my little booger to eat



How can you not love this face?

 See that cut on his chin?? Fell on a tonka truck in our neighbors sandbox. All boy I tell ya. All boy. Cried for...oh...10 seconds...went right on playing.