Seven Years Ago Today

Seven years ago on this very day, I woke up and was barely able to roll my very pregnant self out of bed.  It would be a hot, humid June day that I could not miss at work.  June was a popular month for newly hired nurses and I had three starting their Geisinger career that day.    I got dressed and before leaving the bedroom decided that perhaps it would be prudent to take my carefully packed suitcase.   Something felt different and even though I wasn't due for another almost four weeks, I was fairly certain that our baby boy would be born that day.
My Monday morning meeting brought contractions every fifteen minutes. A call to labor and delivery advised me to come downstairs when the contractions were 5-10 minutes apart.   By lunch time the nursing instructor on the unit noticed me rubbing my belly every 10 minutes.  Shortly after lunch, when I could no longer carry on a conversation with my new nurses, I sent them home and went to my office to rest.   Earl was still a CRNA student and could not leave immediately so I made some phone calls while I waited for his shift to end.    We headed to OB later where they tried every trick in the book to stop my labor.  Our little buddy was coming no matter what and he entered the world a little after 11pm, healthy and strong despite his early arrival time.

The seven years since then have been so full of life and love.  Cooper is a boy full of spunk and energy and joy.  He lives every single minute of life and has yet to shy away from anything except getting his fingers sticky!  This past year he has really developed a love of all things sports.   He always wants to improve and practices every chance he gets.   He continues to be our instigator - sometimes to the point of wearing me out. He likes to tease his sisters and can always be counted on for a side comment.  But he has a heart of gold for his family and friends alike.
Seven years has gone by so quickly and I know that the next seven years will fly by, too.  I am so blessed to be your mom, Cooper.  I love you more than you will ever, ever know.  Happy birthday