Gobble

Cooper's second Turkey Day came and went with a few highs and few lows (depending upon whether or not you were the one who got peed on. More on that later). Michelle and I run the Turkey Trot race in Charlotte every year and this year the Coopster joined us.

Here we are about 30 minutes before the race. Michelle isn't in the picture because she went to CVS to empty the bladder before the start. One shouldn't run on a full bladder, as I learned about halfway into the race (more on that later). Cooper's smirking here because he's bundled up and about to be pushed 8 kilometers, and he knows I'm freezing and running.


This is obviously pre-race. You can tell the difference because we're still smiling. The people behind us complained about 20 yards into the race because you're technically not supposed to push baby strollers. They blew by us and we passed them at the second mile marker.


If you squint and look very closely, you'll see the parking garage in the background that served as my public toilet. You'll also notice that Cooper is napping, just to rub it in.


I ran ahead the last quarter mile to catch a shot of Michelle and Cooper crossing the finish line. Unfortunately I can't figure out how to zoom in iPhoto, or you could see the look of determination on Michelle's face.


We headed up to Burke and Melinda's for Turkey Day (Or as I like to call it, Male Chauvinism Thursday). Cooper decided not to take a nap all day. I caught this shot on the back porch.


Pre-feast. Michelle taught Cooper the sign for "more," which is banging your fists together. He hadn't even eaten yet, so my assumption is that he has no idea what he's doing.


Grandma, Cooper and his first taste of Thanksgiving goodness.


Is there something on my face? I think there's something on my face.



Brrrrrrrp


We stripped Cooper down after dinner and made sure that we didn't pick him up because he's notorius for peeing or pooping on things immediately after dinner. Grandma found out the hard way when Cooper emptied his bladder on her shirt. You'll notice the immense look of satisfaction on his face. Thanks for dinner Grandma!

Raking It In

A couple more pictures from my phone of Cooper "allegedly" helping me rake the yard. FYI: What it actually entailed was Michelle, Cooper and Grandma sitting on the porch watching me rake and bag.


Sometimes I like to ad-lib Cooper's thoughts. Here he's saying: "Really dummy? How would you like it if a bald giant dropped you in a pile of dirty leaves? Come here and clean my diaper."

More good news on the future costs associated with raising a child. I played golf yesterday and on my way to the course I drove by Cooper's 16th birthday present. My favorite part of about this picture is the step ladder in the background, which I assume they have to use to get into the car. Who said station wagons weren't dope?

The smell of fall...

FINALLY...we have a new camera!!!!!!

Melinda & Jon decided to have a "leaf off" to see who had a better leaf blower. Melinda won...by a landslide. She sort of turns into a different person with her leaf blower, it's rather entertaining (and borderline frightening...LOL!!).

She really got into it....

Cooper's expression consisted of fear and bewilderment


Coop decided to pitch in...


Of course we needed a bath last night....it was fun day...sunny & 70!!!!

Make Like A Tree

Some people bring children into this world because they believe its necessary to continue the evolutionary process. Some have no friends and are allergic to dogs, ergo, they make babies. These people's homes usually smell like casserole. I decided to bring children into this world because it was easier than finding a lawn crew in the fall of 2007. Seriously, landscapers in Charlotte put you on a six-month waiting list in 2007. Now there's millionaire bankers trying to get jobs as landscapers.

I tell you this because it's leaf season again. Things you never think about when you buy a house: Those majestic old trees will someday shed their bounty all over your lawn, and then stand over and look at you as you pick it up. I equate it to a dog pooping in the road and staring at you while you scoop it into a bag. Except opposite. Kind of.

Anyway, the leaf raking has begun and Cooper, who I thought would be able to grasp a rake at this point since he recently started walking, has not been much of a help. He mostly just tried to eat the leaves, which is kind of like a human mulcher. Think about it .... yeah, it's gross. But I guess he's helping in the best way he knows how.



--Jon