the best laid plans ...

dad and i have not been able
to watch much college football

training new parents takes more time
than i had anticipated

on the plus side ...
we have had ample opportunities
for male bonding

there is nothing like a little father-son gas release
and it is nice to know that i am
working with an expert in the field

take a number people ...

i got to meet some new people on saturday
all of them were very nice and for the most part they smelled pretty good
i did not understand everything they said but i could tell they were happy



grandmother cooper ...

she said that i was almost as good looking as her first born

important note: she is NOT wearing her glasses






grandfather cooper ...

i could have slept in his big hands all afternoon

but i started getting nervous about the way he was looking at all my hair

something tells me that i better enjoy it while it lasts

uncle mike ...

while i respect your position on the effects of metallicity on supernovae formation ... i don't need to know such things

when i grow up i am going to be a superhero like my dad

amelia [la novia del mike]...

it was nice meeting you

perhaps i will have to re-evaluate my position on a career in science

good
night
all

it ain't easy being this cute ...

here i am world

seconds old and already i am dealing with inherited, internal conflicts ...

a love of visual arts
and a penchant for cleanliness






who you calling blotchy ?

i am crazy cute
all the nurses say so





i know ... i know
i am not a big fan of jewelry on men either

but if you think this looks funny
you should see dad rockin' his knock-off ray bans

a great day to be born ...

ok that settles it
i am definitely coming out today

who wouldn't want the opportunity to share their birthday with
ryan seacrest [35] and ricky martin [38] ?!

don't even get me started on the mathematical/geometric elegance of
TWELVE TWENTY-FOUR ... 1 2 2 4

now we're talking ...

it is nice in here ... warm, dark and safe

but i am hearing some good things about the outside world too
and it sounds like mom and dad are having some fun
playing cards and listening to music
i might just have to bust out of here and join in the fun !

the fact that we were just moved to a room with windows only sweetens the deal

note to self: speak with financial advisor
about investing in this bed & breakfast called "hospital"
assuming that what i have heard about the food and service has not been exaggerated
this place should be a goldmine !

one week to go [give or take] ...

i am not complaining. i realize that i have a good thing going here.

but if i may speak honestly ... my accommodations aren't getting any roomier.

and don't get me started on the caliber of college football games available online.
perhaps i will be out for the army/navy game next saturday.

i know that dad is hoping for a 12/9 delivery [2 days early].
i think that mom is ready now !

turkey day review ...

you may recall the dissatisfaction I previously expressed with respect to missing out on halloween. well folks …now I have a new holiday to look forward to next year.

thanksgiving seems like a pretty sweet deal … even from in here.

it does not get much better than resting [well-fed] in a warm and dark environment, listening to football all day.

even better, there were many happy to voices to enjoy. some were familiar and others new. it was really nice to hear the graham-parents and aunt beth.

the only real complaint I have to report is the sensation that my home was getting smaller. also … I am a little concerned about this buster guy. he seems to get a lot of attention. i hope he is ready for some competition.

i am a lucky little man ...

thank you to everybody for all of the wonderful, generous gifts

i am very lucky to have a such a great extended family

i look forward to meeting you all very soon

i'll stay inside thanks ...

miley cyrus is in town ... ehhh.
johnny lang is also here ... at the state theatre.

when is yonder coming back ?

now i am really getting excited ...

today is dad's birthday and if his experience is representative of what i have to look forward to ... count me in.

a day off of work
a road trip with his best gal
and a nice haul of presents

but dad also made the day a productive one as well ... taking an entrance exam for graduate school

i will follow his lead and claim the dependent tax deduction as my contribution for the good of the order

it ain’t easy being me ...

stuck inside on a night when people are giving free candy to costumed strangers. dad has assured me that we will participate next year. his idea is that the three of us will dress up as popeye, olive oyl & sweet pea. he is convinced that this is an extremely clever concept … here’s hoping that i get to be popeye. if anyone asked me I would suggest that the three of us gear up as follows:

• me … peanut
• dad … butter
• mom … jelly

what visa campaign ...

childbirth/child-care classes ... $125
infant CPR / lactation education ... $65
standing in the rain for the YMCA to run out of H1N1 vaccine ... free

a healthy baby boy ... priceless

star date 33 weeks - 4 days ...

that's right ... i know all about start trek. due largely to my web access i am fairly well versed in contemporary popular culture. before you judge me harshly please remember that my options are fairly limited in here. i can't remember the last time the bookmobile or the tumblebus came through. i am pretty much just swimming around in my own waste here people. sure ... i was able to order a funky lamp from ikea but i have no idea where to plug it in. along these lines ... assembling a desk with a hex wrench in the dark is not as easy as it sounds. i knew i should have gone with the laptop.

there it is again ...

i like it when we drive mom's car on the weekend. it usually means that the stereo is left playing something good and i get a taste of some sweet sounds before she switches the dial to public radio. dad's sonic selection of late has been the yonder mountain string band. this is just fine with me ... they were my first concert after all. technically i did attend the dickey betts' show in the park ... but i don't think it counts as my ears had not developed at that time.

how embarrassing ...

last night we attended our THIRD baby-class of the week [childbirth, child care & infant CPR]. the parents-to-be introduced themselves and guess what i heard? there was another "blake" in the class! i can't imagine having such a common name. i sure hope mom and dad are considering that and will grant me with a unique identification. this morning i heard some people talking about guys named soupy and paisley ... those are nice names.

let's get started ...

finally !!! you can’t even imagine how long it takes to get an in-utero wireless connection in Central Pennsylvania.

it is great to have the ability to communicate with you all. i look forward to meeting you real soon ... but in the interim this will have to do. my technical support staff assures me that we will have the capability to skype from the hospital. convincing the risk management folks could be a challenge.

i feel a nap coming on but before i go i would like to share the following thoughts.

a few things I am excited about …

• seeing my mom [from the outside] from what I hear … she is beautiful
• halloween … not sure that I fully understand the ritual but i've heard talk of knifing gourds and free sugar … more on that later
• the Hawkeye bowl game ... did you think i was going to back the lions just because i will be born in happy valley ?
  

& some concerns …

• i understand that my kind is prone to mistakes and messes. this morning dad seemed a bit perturbed by the fact that he had to clean up cat barf and feed the chickens before going to work. he has no idea the chores and messes he is in for.
• continuing with the chicken theme … we heard our first official “cock-a-doodle-doo” this morning. this sound signaled mom’s turn to be upset. she has no idea the sounds she is in for.