December 2004
December 2005
December 2006
December 2007
December 2008
December 2009
When Cooper was born I wrote him a letter, promising another one each year. I have the letters I have written in his baby book and look forward to the day he can share them with his own children. On December 13th, Cooper turned 5! I cannot believe he is 5 but also cannot remember life without my sweet boy!!!!! What an amazing 5 years it has been.
Dear Cooper,
Today you turn 5 years old! Happy Birthday sweet boy. I can remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. In fact, I think I can still remember almost every day I have had with you because you make each one so special. We knew the minute we held you for the first time that you were going to be an amazing child. Anyone who looks into your eyes feels a sense of joy and comfort. You are giving, loving, caring and sweet. All of those characteristics that many children leave behind in their baby years, you still possess. I am the luckiest woman in the world to be your mother. Please know that I try to not take one day for granted because I know I am blessed to spend each one with you.
This has been an exciting year for you. Although exciting, it has also come with some heartache...even though Daddy and I tried to keep it from you as best we could. We started the year traveling back and forth to Orlando every few days. This was very exciting but also a challenge. Daddy got a job in Orlando and we set up a nice apartment there so I could bring you and Samantha whenever we missed Daddy. It ended up being about every 2nd or 3rd day that we would make the 1 1/2 drive to Altamonte Springs. You and Samantha loved the apartment because you shared a room and we spent lots of time at Disney World. As a treat we bought Annual Passes....and used them about 10 times this year! Even though we could go to Disney whenever we wanted, you shared a room with your sister and we loved our time away.....you missed your routine, your bedroom, Murphie and your friends. In May Daddy and I decided it would be best to take a job where we could all live together during the week. Even though this meant leaving Jacksonville, we knew in time this was the best choice. SO...we decided to move to Atlanta. Moving to Atlanta had many perks like living by Dede and Papa, but there were also some downsides. You were so amazing through the whole move; helping me pack the house, paint and clean the garage.
We moved to Atlanta and lived with Dede and Papa for 3 months before finding our own home. You started school and were the only boy in your class. This has been tough but you LOVE your teacher and we would not trade Ms. Cherie for anything. You took Tae Kwon Do and recently started gynmastics...which you love. Every few days you tell me how excited you are to do five year old things like ride the bus and start Kindergarten! I am not sure I am as ready as you are!!!!
This year has been emtional for all of us: moving, giving Murphie away and Mommy going back to work. However, through it all you have found the good in everything and a way to lighten the load. I know at the end of a long day at work, you will be there to hug me. When we see puppies and miss Murphie, you tell us that she is happy and we will find another dog one day. When we miss our friends in Jacksonville you quickly remind us we can write and call them. You always find the good in every situation.....and for that, I am grateful.
My scariest moment this year was when someone hit us while driving on I-4 in Orlando. You and Samantha were sleeping in the backseat and someone hit me from the side on the highway. The van lost control and I got us to the side. I remember shaking so badly until I looked back and saw you and Samantha ok. The first words out of your mouth when you saw me crying were "Mama, it is going to be ok." You were right!
My proudest moment this year was when you started Tae Kwon Do and two days later participated in the competition. They called you onto the mat (in front of about 100 people) and asked you to break a board. You had not ever tried this, much less even seen it happen. You worked and worked and worked until that board broke into 3 pieces! I was so proud of you for trying and not being scared.
My saddest moment of the year was holding you and Samantha while Daddy took Murphie away to live with her family at the farm. We knew if we moved we would not be able to take Murphie (moving to a rental, etc.). However, we never knew how hard that would be. We still miss her every day and know that one day soon we will be able to have another dog. I think this has been your biggest heartache this year because you talk about her daily.
And my happiest day of the year is watching you turn 5. Cooper you are everything I have ever wanted in a son. You are fun, gentle, loving, smart and kind. You still crawl into our bed every night about 4am and I cherish those moments knowing it will not be much longer til you are too old for that. Watching you grow the past 5 years has been such a joy. On the day you were born I thought there was no possible way I could ever love you more than I did then......I was wrong! Each and every day that passes I love you more and more. Thank you for being my sweet boy. Happy Birthday baby-bear....Mommy loves you.
