COOOOOOOP!!!!!!!

Losing our first born...

Apologies for not updating sooner but we had to say goodbye to our lil girl Cooper this last weekend. It was far to soon and we are completely devastated by her absence. She was our best girl and friend...and we loved her so very much. She leaves us with the greatest memories which we will share with Campbell - cause even though he didn't get to know her even close to long enough...she will always be a "sister" and first best friend to our little guy.

Some of the MANY things we loved about our lil girl: cuddle time, her sneaking licks w/Campbell at the slightest glimpse away (which Camp just LOVED - he also really enjoyed just watching Coop and giggling - so great!), Coop sitting under daddys recliner and throwing a fit if daddy wanted to move, her love for every animal and person she met, her smartness (even though too often, it was to much for us), her sitting in the kitchen staring up at the shelf of treats on those occassions when we forgot to reward her (and when she just wants more treats and is attempting to convince the other parent that she hadn't gotten the goodies, when she really had - sneaky girl), drawing numbers at the ASPCA in San Antonio and winning Coop (a/k/a Perfect Present - oh how right they were!) for our family, her taking over my side of the bed when I slept on the couch beside Campbell the first month (and laying like a person would with her body on the bed and her head on my pillow), her crying when Campbell would cry and letting me know I wasn't getting to him quick enough, her running through the lobby of our building - as I stood on one side of the lobby and daddy stood on the other - and sliding half of the way and often through our legs - so eager to get to each of us, her waiting on the blanket at the door until we returned and greeting us jumping up and covering us in kisses, her loving when we would do laundry because we would lay the warm clothes out on the couch and she would bury herself in them so deep she often couldn't be seen.....

We have so many incredible memories with our sweet girl - and we will cherish them and miss having her everyday of our life. I know she is up in heaven surrounded by other loved ones we have lost before...and that now, the most special of little girls, has a puppy all her own.

We love you Coop...thank you for making us a family. We will never forget you and will love and miss you always. Rest in peace little girl and know I'm taking care of your boys.

So much to say Mr. Burgtorf...

Learning and experiencing so much...

A good friend at work suggested (as my sister already had) I write more on these blogs...cause while a picture is worth a thousand words...it's no good to anyone when you can't remember what the words should be. So this last month (Campbell's third) has been incredibly fun and exciting. We continue to celebrate so many "firsts". He is turning on his side now - and if he is awake, he is kicking - or dancing to the music (which he loves to do when in mommys arms...we get cheek to cheek and hold the tango pose and dance around the room while mommy howls...he loves it - and giggles like crazy (another recent first)). If he is awake, we are doing something. And thanks in large part to my same smart friend from above, Campbells choices these days are endless. Whether its the play gym he lays under, gazing at himself in the mirrored underbelly of the turtle, pulling his favorite buddy, Shamu to play his underwater tunes, listening patiently - but with so much to say - when mommy and daddy read to him from his growing library or trying desperately to figure out what all this tummy time is really about - he is smiling and taking in all the excitement each day holds....and teaching us to do the same.

Seriously....

Sharing some pics...

Campbell's first Easter was wonderful! Daddy had the day off and we headed into the city for a trip to Central Park. It was packed, but we were so lost in our boy we didn't notice the chaos that surrounded us. We passed the zoo and saw the seals, saw the crazy clown painting faces and blowing up balloons - and sat down by the merry go round for a bit of lunch. He was the perfect little boy and seemed to enjoy every second...just like his daddy and I.