Happy 4th Birthday, Cooper!

Cooper Elyse, we are just so in love with the precious little girl you are! You are "fo-uh" now, as you tell everyone, and I find myself hoping you never learn to pronounce your "r's." At 4, you are just one of the most adorable people we've ever known. You make us smile so much, and we love learning and watching your own distinct personality come out. You are our snuggler, our cuddler, and our affectionate daughter. You say your favorite thing to do is "cuddle Mommy and Daddy" and we just can't get enough. We can tell, even when you can't, that you just need some snuggle time or physical closeness - it's the way you're wired and when you don't have enough, you get grumpy. :) Daddy calls you his "sous chef" because you have GOT to be in the kitchen, on the counter with him cooking any time he is. We tell you all the time how special it is that you are the only one in our family who gets to be both a big sister AND a little sister and the relationships you have with both Kendall and Calli are so special. Even though Daddy and I feel like we go out of our way to give you special attention, extra love and lots of cuddle time, the "middle child" still comes out of you sometimes that says, "No one wants to sit by me" or "No one wants to play with me." Sometimes we call you "Eyeore," because you can get so upset so easily. You can be very serious, and very shy, but you are such a loving sister, daughter, and friend. This year you loved going to school for the first time, and also getting to go to the Clubhouse at church for the first time. You are always learning, watching, and taking in everything Kendall does, and we can tell you have a "math mind" that picks up anything with numbers, shapes, and building easily. Legos are some of your favorite toys, you want to be a librarian when you grow up, spaghetti and tacos are some of your favorite foods, and you love the song "This Little Light of Mine." Also, you are over the moon about babies. Oliver, Savannah, Kate, and any baby you see just make you stop in your tracks and you have to get down in their face and just love on them as much as you can. You tell people "I just love babies and I'm really good with them." Your heart is so tender and Daddy and I want so much to love you, teach you, and train you in such a way that you never loose that tenderness and gentleness. Happy 4th birthday, sweet girl. We're crazy about you!

We had your 4 year old check up just 3 days after your birthday. You are still around the 50th percentile in height and weight, at 40 inches and 37 pounds.