Into the ring for her dressage test!

Waiting. Watching. Critiquing.
Stadium jumping practice.
So focused.
A favorite shot from the day.
I don’t care that this was warm-up for cross country – I LOVE this shot of Maddie.

Love that I was able to catch her through the trees before she went into the water jump.

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Hope you enjoyed a look into my day!

(And just because every post is better with photos, I threw in some extra good ones Please note that these extremely random photos have been collected over the years. They completely serve a purpose in the telling of our story!)

We meet. We went to the same school for 6-8th Grade. He was semi-cool (as cool as you can be for being in 6th, 7th or 8th grade) and I was a complete dork. I played tennis, which is cool when you’re in college. Wore ridiculous outfit’s my mom dressed me in. And just blended in to the wall pretty much. (Are you ready for the pictures that go with this time frame…cause they’re amazing.)

 


Clearly – Chas and I were SUPER attractive at this point in our lives. And if you don’t believe me, just check out our 6th Grade class photo.

So. Middle school. We spoke to each other. Knew of each other. But we were totally not friends. In fact, I was totally and completely in love (for a 6th grader) with a friend of his. He and I were so not on the same page.

The next few years are spent apart. So I’m going to speed through them.

Caitlin: Graduates middle school. Goes to a private high school in a different town. Plays tennis. Only hangs out with 1 friend from middle school. Makes new friends at her high school. Graduates high school. Heads off to Cabrini College up on the Main Line. Studies marketing and graphic design. Graduates college. Starts a marketing career at a boutique marketing firm in South Jersey. Pursue’s photography. Practices photography. Leave’s her marketing job to give devote more time to her photography. Has head shots taken (yes that’s important).

Chas: Graduates middle school. Goes to the local high school with all his friends. Grows out of his adorable awkward stage into a really cool, super loveable guy. He’s totally in love with his car(s). He  spends LOTS of time with his car(s). He graduates high school. Get’s a job at a local dealership where he get’s to spend time with his favorite – CARS. He moves his way up the dealership. He gets offered a great job in Florida that he can’t refuse. He heads to Florida for 6 months. Decides he misses New Jersey and heads back here. He starts working at new dealerships and keeps moving up in the world. He LOVES his job. He lives with his best friends in a great house.

Now. After I had these head shots taken I happened to post one to good old Facebook. There’s something so great about the LIKE button and the COMMENT feature on Facebook. Because not only did Chas LIKE that photo of me and say “You look gorgeous”, he used the Facebook Message button. He sent me a message. A message that started our relationship. So thanks to this photo – our romance started.

We went out on a date. For drinks. Which I almost cancelled because I hate dates. But I went. And we had 2 drinks and were out for over 3 hours. My cell phone died. (My mom actually sent my brother to the bar to make sure I hadn’t gone missing. I mean really – how embarrassing on your first date, right?!?)

The next night, he blew off a softball game (which he’d never missed before) for me to chaperone a high school graduation party for my sister. At that point, I knew he was the one. Who else will sit in a girls backyard, watching a bunch of 17 year olds party like rockstars on their 2nd date. What a keeper. Did I mention that he met the parents that night?!? Totally a keeper.

Our first date with another couple…clearly I’m so head over heels.

Our first (of many) Phillies games. Let me tell you how incredibly hard it is to try to look cute while sweating like a pig. I tried so incredibly hard to not sweat, maintain prettiness and not let on to Chas that I was MELTING into the seat.

Next up – our trip to Hershey Park. We headed out the night before the family. We had a great time wandering around Harrisburg (such an adorable town with some really great bars!) Apparently while we were here, I had a few too many martini’s because Chas claims that he’s never seen me talk to as many people as I did that night. I even gave a table full of girls a lesson on how to use their camera properly. Oh how sad.

Then about a month later we ventured to the Jimmy Buffett concert in Camden. This is totally important because this is the first time I ever told Chas I loved him. (Too bad the music was too loud, he was too drunk and he didn’t remember that I said it.) Either way – it’s a milestone for us.

Our next adventure was into New York City. This was what Chas liked to call his first “Adult Vacation with a Real Girlfriend.” This trip is more memorable than most people could ever imagine. It was our first time away together in a gorgeous hotel. We wandered around the city, took the subway, at in the greatest places and even took a cab 1 block before we got out because I was convinced the driver didn’t know where he was going. (Not one of my finer moments during that trip!)

Let’s fast forward a few months. Chas and I had found out that after our New York trip, we were expecting. A new little baby was well on (his) way to changing our lives. We decided (that since we were already talking about getting engaged) we wanted to get married. A small, intimate civil ceremony in our hometown. We wanted to be married before the baby was born (8 months later) and I (of course this is about me) didn’t want to look pregnant in a wedding dress on my wedding day. That wasn’t how I envisioned it.

Then before we knew it – I was the size of a house. I was GIGANTIC when I was pregnant. Just to show exactly how pregnant I was, here’s a photo. I will ONLY show a professional shot from Tina Jay Photography though, because no way will i show you some ugly home movie type of photos.

Our little boy was born. And our lives changed.

Then jump even further forward – to November 2011. Chas and I got married. In front of all our family and friends. It was an amazing day.

There’s so much that I’ve left out. But that gives you enough information to get a feel for our love story. It’s one that I wouldn’t change for the world. I love my husband and my son more than anything in the world.

Smile. Love happens.

Coop found this doll house (we can just call it a shed for all intensive purposes) with a fake kitchen in it. But because he’s obsessed with doors and windows, all he wanted to do was open and close them! I caught him peeking out
Tried (and failed) at putting him on the wooden tractor. He just doesn’t like to be POSED and left alone haha.
Time to see the barnyard animals! Sheep. Goats. Alpacas. Cows. Pot Bellied Pigs. Ducks. Bunnies. Swans. Rescued Deer and a Peacock.
Coop feeding a goat. It took him a few tries to get this right. He kept trying to stick the food up the goat’s nose. He’s so used to the dogs at home just taking it right out of his hands, I guess he didn’t get it! But he kept at it until the goats got the food.
This goat (the same one above on the right) was literally up and almost OVER the fence as soon as he saw the brown bag of food. Hysterical. The way he was acting you would think he never was fed. Coop made sure he got some though!
Bright eyes and BUNNIES!
DADDY!! Always smiling and so easy to get a picture of these two!
I had to make this one FOUR different pictures – because you needed to see how hard it is to get a picture of the two of us looking at the camera. But I love every single one of these!
Finally – a halfway decent one! I love it!!
The only animal noise Coop makes is the snorting sound of a pig. So when he heard them snorting, he went crazy! He had a blast!

He found a puddle. A puddle that always seems to appear in our driveway (most likely because it needs to be repaved). And almost every day, he jumps in it! However this was the first day that he found the puddle! (I was so glad I had my camera too!) Guess we need some rain boots now don’t we…. Just look how happy he is!! Love this little boy!

Jaguars like sticks too!

Nanny Emily with Owen and then again with Cooper!!
I don’t know why but I think it’s hysterical that these two pictures ended up together. My little turkey (walking on his own).
The petting part of the zoo – if only you knew how scared Emily was.And who can go to the zoo and skip riding the camels – certainly not anyone who went with us!
I think the giraffes were the overall favorites for the animals on our list to see that day….
Our pathetic attempt at a group picture – the sun was just too intense where we were standing.
Super adorable!!
Don’t forget Coop!
Medical science can’t find anything to explain why she is the way she is. But we love her anyways!!

 Jimmy (my brother’s best friend), Maddie, Patty (aka Momma Dukes), Emily, Mike, Emily (Mike’s girlfriend), ME*, Chas, Cooper and Dad!

Even though he’s making both Chas and I crazy, it’s an amazing time in our life. It’s truly a roller coaster. But I love every minute.

Let’s start with the details! I did everything by hand. I thought it would be more fun that way! (And it was, however, it took so much longer than I ever could have expected!) I made a pennant banner with Cooper’s name and the matching red wagon that was on his invitations. We made lemonade signs, cupcake toppers, flags for the straws and decorated with photos of Coop. My favorite had to be the banner I made of photos from when he was a newborn, from each month, right through to his actual 1st birthday cake smash. It was so adorable. I used red and white checked table cloths to accent the red and yellow party colors. I picked up popcorn containers at the dollar store and glass Coke bottles at the grocery store, just as decor to add to his table. I think everything turned out so pretty.

My awesome friend Gina made the cake! Doesn’t it look fabulous!! Her Dad made the cake, complete with a popsicle stick and button wagon, painted to match the cake – so incredible cute!

We just LOVE that picture of Cooper (taken by my amazing friend Tina), so we knew we had to put it out for everyone to see. And talk about cuteness, my sister Emily ordered him a Superhero costume from SuperCapes. It’s adorable. It has a tshirt, cape, mask and arm bands to make him an awesome superhero! I LOVE IT!! What a great gift!
Cooper with Grandma Scott – so precious!
Cooper and Emily (fondly called Aunt Diva!)

Our little family!

Cooper and Grandma Staiano.
Cooper and Aunt Gina who made his awesome cake! (He’s eating the #1 in the 2nd picture – so grabby!)
Cooper and Daddy. As of recently, Cooper learned how to drink out of a straw. So this is pretty much the only thing that kept him content during us taking some pictures of him. Sipping from a straw breaks!
High-Fiving.
He’s learned how to KISS. However, the kiss really resembles an open mouth licking kind of thing. It’s precious if you ask me.
Here’s that banner I talked about earlier. It’s a banner with a photo from every month. I LOVE IT!
Blowing out the candles!!
And trying to grab the flame….
Cooper’s friend Chase!! LOVE him – really how cute is this cupcake!“Laugh like Mom Mom!”
Kisses for Mom!
My other favorite little boy! Maurizio and his daddy Maurice. So stinkin’ cute!
Tell me these next few pictures aren’t precious! This little peanut is Sophie. Tell me her eyes aren’t to die for.
Meet Sophie’s twin brother Luke. (He used to be my boyfriend – he hates me now LOL.)
Tickle time.
I love these two.
Chase playing with the football in our yard!

We had a GREAT party!! Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with Cooper and us!!

Saturday: We headed to the beach. We drove to the 29th street beach because it’s easier for my 84 and 85 year old grandparents to walk down to the water. (The walk down the beach on 8th Street in Barnegat Light is easily a 1/2 a mile.) This trip marked Cooper’s 2nd time on the Barnegat Light beach. (His first time way 4th of July weekend 2011. He was just a month old and didn’t love it.) This time Cooper did a little bit better!! He still doesn’t like the feeling of the sand.

My adorable grandparents.
Cooper and his Grandma.
Love this one with my Grandparents.
A windswept Mom of mine and her Mom.
So very focused on a little boy with a boogie board.
My cousin Danny and his girlfriend Patty. So cute.
Birthday Boys.
Sunday. We decided that since Cooper had a rough night the night before we were heading home to Medford. (Let’s just say that I drove the LBI Blvd from 3:15am until 7:55am because the only place he would sleep and not cry was in my car.) I don’t actually have any pictures from Sunday – I think I was catatonic most of the day. Chas was the adult in charge being that I was non-responsive. Thank goodness he had off Sunday through to Wednesday morning.

Monday. Happy Memorial Day!! We spent most of the day in the pool! Our fabulous family friends came over for a little BBQ and some good times in the pool! I think everyone swam at some point that day – the water was gorgeous and it was so, so hot! Even the dogs swam in the pool!

My gorgeous sister sunbathing in her float!

Cooper and Chas in the “warm” tub (since we don’t heat it very hot at all for him!)Cooper and Aunt Maddie (Moo)
Emily and Nora – who might as well be an adopted sister.
One of Nora’s many front flips.
Teaser jumping off the diving board – notice how scared for Teaser Nora is down in the right bottom corner!
Tuesday. A day of relaxing and some errands. What else would we do on a day off except go buy Cooper more stuff. We picked up some clothes at Carters for Hawaii (since that trip is rapidly approaching). And some toys for his birthday. But the evening was spent playing in the backyard. Just relaxing and chasing Cooper all over the yard. These are the kind of nights I live for. Just good old fashioned FUN.

Miley playing in the grass.
Some days I wish Coop would advertise for the Cozy Coupe.
Seriously, I know he’s mine, but he’s adorable!
The lost shoe.
Memorial Day Weekend wouldn’t be complete without a little shoot!!
Such a great smile.
Hi MOM!

Love you Dad!!

Oh, and did I mention that it’s our dog Teaser’s birthday too?!? They were born on the same day, May 24, 2011. So Coop and Teaser played together a little bit – but Teaser’s big. He tends to knock Cooper over sometimes! Haha.

For a little boy who just turned one, he is such a happy kid. He’s got more toys then he knows what to do with. But more importantly, he’s loved by so many people. Happy 1st birthday Cooper!

Wake up smiles!!

Visiting Daddy at work!

The birthday boy (so serious) and Coop with Aunt Maddie (trying to ride Teaser!)
LOVE this one. So cute.
He loves to pet his 3 puppies.
Cake Smash time.
Uncle Mike put icing on his face. He hated that even more.
So not happy.
Trying to eat some cake with Grandpa Scott – still hating it.
Riding his new quad!!

Coop’s 1st birthday party is coming to the blog soon too! Don’t miss his little red wagon themed party!

Our first family photo. Right after you were born.

Your first day. And your first picture in my camera.
Snuggling with your Daddy. He loves you VERY much.
Your first shoot with Mom. You were so cooperative!
Remember those photos I was talking about, the one I took each month!?! Well here they are! A photo from each month on his “birthday day” of that month!

1 Month – Grandma’s Front Yard
2 Months – Hilton Head Island
3 Months – Grandma’s House
4 Months
5 Months
6 Months
7 Months
8 Months
9 Months
10 Months
11 Months
1 Year old. Photo by the fabulous Tina!! (Cooper’s favorite photographer!)

Happy Birthday Cooper, Mommy and Daddy LOVE you to pieces!!

Here’s the BEFORE photos.

See what I mean about it growing ‘around’ his ears. It was out of control!!

What a big boy. Sitting in the chair at Metamorphasis while Rene cuts his hair!
She LOVES us. (Mostly him, I’m a pain in her butt.)
I wish I knew I looked this ‘concerned’. I really wasn’t that worried. I trust her with my LIFE.
Awww….the tears.
Trimming the hair around his ears.
Look at those sad eyes. But the hair is SO MUCH BETTER!
Awww….little boy hair!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE – this picture. She has to be the greatest hair dresser on the face of the earth.LOVE.

This past week, I did photos for a small school. The owners are past clients of mine (who I love to death!), so while studio photography isn’t normally my specialty, I jumped at the chance to see old friends again and play with some of the cutest kids ever. While I can’t post the photos online (because of legal reasons of course), I can tell you that they turned out so PERFECTLY. Every little one from the age of 3 months to kindergarten came in dressed to the nines. The last three days were filled with fast paced craziness, but I loved every minute of it.

But today when I finally sat down to blog, I decided that I needed to blog about some family playtime. Good old fashioned FUN and adventures. Cooper’s getting so big and so independent. While he still can’t walk on his own, he’s dragging me EVERYWHERE. It’s so cute how he pulls me across the backyard, up the little hill to the wood chipped play area and stops right in front of his swing. It melts your heart. So over the last week or so, we did a lot of playing outside.

This is Cooper’s best friend. (Since his Mom and I are best friends, it’s only natural that they be best friends too, they just don’t know it yet!) And it’s his first time on a swing set. Don’t you think he’s doing FABULOUSLY!!
Doing it by himself…ADORABLE.
He’s too cool for this swing, to cool….
A few days later we headed to the park (because Aunt Emily wanted to see what exactly Cooper does at the park).
I just LOVE this one – it’s super cute!!

Love their faces….
I think Aunt Emily was more concerned at the bottom of the slide than Cooper was…..

Look at this kid – he’s adorable!

Our other cousins popped in to visit as well!! Molly and Cooper and then of course my gorgeous sister Emily and Cooper!!

One of my favorite pictures from the weekend. It’s totally how I see these two growing up. Hanging out on a pick up truck, just like their dad’s do at the shore house while BBQ’ing. It’s how we’ve been raised and I hope they stay just as close as their parents are!!

Aunt Sarah and Emmett!
When you’re an adult in a house full of baby/kid toys, what do you do?!? Well play with them of course. A simple “magnadoodle” turned into an adults game of pictionary!! One of the drawings was of the BACHELOR. We love our kids toys!
Kisses for the doggy – Smithwicks (named after an Irish Beer of course!)
Playing with Cooper’s walker!
It’s out of focus, but one of my favorites of all time!!
Then we headed to the park. Excuse the drool.

I just LOVE him.
See, adults can go down the slide too! (We just don’t do it WELL!)
Swinging in a big boy swing!
This one is getting blown up for our house. I think this is so completely Cooper.
Look at that teethy grin. And those rain boots! Ahhh. Love it.

More cousins dropped by to say hi. Lizzie and Mary Kate!!
I ADORE Mary Kate. She’s just stunning. So very smart and the best part about her?!? She LOVES photography. I can’t wait to teach her more!! She’s so interested in all aspects of photography, it’s great!! And DUH – she’s gorgeous!!

Aunt Emily trying to kiss Cooper. I think it was a fail. He just wanted to stand there and look cute.
Cooper and Me!
Jen – looking awesome for us just RUNNING to the park.
The next photos were taken by my sister. Camera set for PROGRAM mode, she took off running. I only posted what I would classify as the “keepers”. She did a decent job – but photography is not in her future lol. Stick to finance Em!
Mom’s can have fun too!

LOVE this one she took!!

Later, back at the house, I grabbed a few pictures of Cooper. Saturday marked his 10 Month birthday! Gosh has he grown. Almost time for that 1 year birthday party!! He LOVED that porch swing. I wish we had one!!
Look at the CHUB hanging over his pants. Ahhh….
And my 2nd favorites from the trip….this smile is contagious!

Leave us some love in the comment box below if you loved our photos!! You know you want to!!

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But yesterday, Cooper had his very first playmate. He recently started swimming lessons (see blog post next week haha) and made a new friend while learning to swim. So yesterday, Cooper and I headed out to the park to meet Chase and his fabulous Mom, Katie for some fun. It was hot. It was sunny. Sunscreen was required. And water was necessary. The boys, well mostly Chase, ran all over the playground. I pretty much carried Cooper everywhere that Chase went. We had so much fun and can’t wait to have our next playdate! Enjoy the photos I snapped today!

Cooper clearly wanted Chase’s hat. Chase wasn’t so sure about that.

Katie and Chase are just too cute! Love these!
Cheeeesssseee face in the tunnel!


So serious! LOVE this little guy!!