Dear Cooper...

I was told that I need to write a letter to each of my children as each birthday comes around and keep this as a tradition so that they can look back one day and see what was going on at each birthday. Well this is the start of Cooper's birthday month and I have dedicated the entire blog design to him this month, so what a better time to write him a letter then now.

Dear Cooper,

You are a bright shining star in our lives. Every day that passes we are amazed at how much more we fall in love with you. As you continue to get older it becomes ever impossible to imagine how our lives were without you in them.

You are so funny and give us belly aches daily from laughing at you. The way you walk into the pantry and put your little finger to your lips and say "Lets see" cracks us up. Or the way you get down on the ground and say "Ready, Set, GO...I run fast". Or how you walk though the house yelling "Mama where are you?" or "Where you Daddy?".

We love your spirit. You are such a loving and caring boy. You say please, thank-you, and love you so well. I love watching you dance and sing. You find the beat every time. We crack up at you singing along to songs in the car! When you break into the choirs of Kenny Chesney we can't help but smile!

You are a great big brother and are always looking out for your sister. Each morning you wake and she is the first person you ask for. You love to run in after she gets up from a nap and make her laugh. You don't like to go anywhere without her and will not walk out of the house unless we have her with us.

You are learning so much and we are so proud of you. You love going to story time at the library and you have become such a great listener. You do all the motions to the songs and you love hearing the stories.

We love the way you pat our backs when you give us hugs or when you run up to just get a kiss! It is priceless when you call us "your daddy" and "your mama".

You have your moments too almost being 2. There are times when we have to fight to get you changed, dressed, or to eat. It is a reminder of how little you still are and how much more you have to learn and grow. We are proud though that we can take you anywhere and you will behave yourself.

Finally, you are all boy! You love to climb, get messy, and get into trouble. I hear daily "Mama I stuck". You seem to get yourself into all kinds of trouble!

I take many pictures and try to get as much as I can on video to remember you at this age. Your smile, your laugh, and your sayings are all so priceless!