They're getting so big--The Cooper Edition

Dear Cooper,
I canNOT believe you are two. What a wonderful little boy you are becoming! So willing to go with the flow, you say "okay" to many of our suggestions or Jackson's wild imaginings, and it melts my heart. You have a sweet, snuggly spirit; you do not hug without a kiss and vice versa, and often you initiate these exchanges, saying "'ug" or "kih" while walking toward us purposefully from across the room.

You love your big brother and mimic much of what he does. Though he can come on a little strong sometimes, which scares you, you are quick to forgive and forget in order to resume the playtime. You love all things wet--dog bowls, water guns, bathtime, especially. Now that it is getting warmer, I fear I will have to constantly be putting clean clothes on you as your adventurous spirit takes you all over our little corner of the world.

You always call for me in the mornings when you wake up; if I don't come quickly enough you start naming off other loved ones who might come to your assistance--"Eenda (Linda)? Gampa?"--too funny. Sometimes you are in a great mood, but often you need a little space to get the grumps out. I totally understand this, as I am exactly the same way. You usually hand me the entire contents of your crib before you are ready to be picked up; you are quite the collector of stuffed animals and warm blankies. When you needed a little extra comfort because we had somehow ventured from the house without your "blankiedoggies" a few months ago, I lent you your sister's "kih-ee cat", and you've yet to relinquish it back to her. You still like to have your "bap-by" (paci), but I've known you to sleep without it on occasion.

You run rather than walk to get from here to there, and you have this great way of pumping your arms in a circle out in front of you while doing so. It is incredibly endearing. You are a ball of energy from morning to nighttime. You are still taking an afternoon nap these days, albeit unwillingly at times. You had been requiring two naps, but that morning one fell by the wayside after your sister joined our family.

I love how observant you are. You see and understand so much of the world around you. Even in the hospital, upon first meeting Ellie, you raised your hand and said "Hi, Budder" to her, proving that you understood your relationship to her was like the one you have with Jackson. You ask insightful questions and make amazing connections between cause and effect. You are very sensitive to the moods of the people around you, and you offer comfort like an old soul. You are such good medicine for me.

I love, love, love you, my sweet Boo Bear. I am so proud to be your mommy. Thank you for living life to the fullest and teaching me how to do the same.

♦