Letter to Cooper

                                                                                                            March 27, 2014

Dear Cooper,

You are going to make your grand entrance into this world tomorrow morning!  I have to tell you buddy, we are all really anxious to meet the last little precious member of our family.  I’m so glad you snuck in there to complete our family!  I always wanted four kids and you are my lucky number 4!

Your sisters and brother are so excited.  When we told them we were going to have a baby they were thrilled and have asked every week since then, “How many more weeks till Cooper is here?”  Your brother, Oliver was begging for a brother for months before we found out we were pregnant with you.  He would ask me, “Mom, it’s not fair, why did you have 2 girls and only 1 boy?”  Or, “Can we please have another baby so we don’t have so many girls?”  I tried explaining to him that it’s not in our control, we get what we are given and don’t have any say in the matter, but that I would have loved to have 2 girls and 2 boys.  Well, you can imagine his (and our) delight when we found out we were having a boy!  Even Berkeley, who was stuck on having another girl, informed me the night before we went in to find out if you were a boy or a girl, said to me “Mom, I’ll be happy with a boy or a girl”, which was very shocking since she was adamant that she wanted another sister!  Oliver immediately asked if you could sleep in his room since the girls got to share a room.  He asked if he could be the one to buckle you up in the car and then everyone started fighting over who would get to buckle you.  He has gone through all his toys to get rid of the ones he doesn’t play with.  He won’t get rid of any that he thinks you might like.  He’ll tell me, “I’m saving this one for Cooper cause he’ll probably really like it.”  He has also requested numerous times to be the first one to get to hold you.  By the way, tomorrow when they come to see you for the first time, your big brother will be the first to hold you.  He is so anxious!  When we asked them what your name should be he suggested “Crusher” after his favorite Skylander.  I love it and it will most likely be a nickname that sticks for a long time!  Your name has actually been picked out for almost 20 years.  I had the name Cooper Winston picked out since before dad and I were married and that’s who you are!  A perfectly cute name for a perfectly cute boy!

Finley is super excited to be a big sister too.  She calls you “Tooper” since she can’t quite say her C’s yet.  We told her you’d be born after her birthday.  So, leading up to her birthday, she would often ask “Is Tooper toming after my birfday”?  You two will be exactly 4 years, 11 days apart!  She often declares “I’m going to be a big sister just like Bertley.”  She is so excited to read to you and show you all her special animals that she sleeps with.  She’ll be a great big sister.  Her singing and dancing and twirling will delight you for hours!

  

Berkeley is anxious too.  She’ll be a great big sister.  After all, she has 8 years of experience already and she’ll just adore you.   She constantly feels my tummy and waits for you to move.  She gives you kisses and pats your bottom when you stick it out while stretching and moving in there.  And boy, do you move around.  I instinctively knew you were a boy when I felt how active you were in there.  Your brother was the same way.  He never stopped.  He did tai kwan do, cartwheels, somersaults and whatever else he could come up with to keep himself entertained while cooped up in a tight space for 9 long months.  I wonder if you’ll be just like him?  Let me tell you, he’s got major plans for you…he’ll be your own personal super hero.  I can’t even imagine the adventures (and mishaps) you two will get into!

 Your dad is thrilled to be getting another boy.  You lucked out in the dad department, Cooper.  He is the hardest worker I know.  He is an awesome athlete, an excellent cook, an amazing landscaper, a total “guy”, but also incredibly gentle and patient beyond words.  He can also fix anything that breaks.  I hope you and Oliver turn out just like him.  If you do, 2 very fortunate young ladies will score big time in the “husband department” someday.  It is a huge responsibility to raise boys into Godly, responsible, respectable men and I pray everyday that we will do you boys justice.

You will be our final baby.  My Dr. keeps asking me if I am still going to have my tubes tied after you come out.  I keep saying “Yes, tie them up, in double knots please.  After this one I am closing up shop and retiring.”  I have actually had the easiest pregnancies ever.  I have nothing to complain about…I’ve never once thrown up during a pregnancy and it’s kind of bitter sweet for this to be my last one.  You are certainly ready to come out though.  You aren’t moving around quite so much because you have outgrown your apartment.  You rented a studio and you’re ready for a penthouse.  It’s time for you to move onto bigger and better things!  There is no more room in this womb.  So, tomorrow you’re getting evicted Coops!  I can’t wait to see your sweet little face.  I can’t wait for your siblings and family to meet you.  Brace yourself…you’re about to get smothered with love baby boy!  So, for the next 15 hours or so, sit tight, we’ll see you soon!

I love you so much,

Mom