November 27, 2022
My Third Born
I have four kids.
They range from 1 to 11. And while they are all carbon copies of each other visually, they are each very unique.
When I describe them I often say my Cooper, he sees people. He has the gift of sight that most will never have.
I describe my Sawyer as being an old soul. He is thoughtful and kind.
My baby, she is stronger willed than any human I have met in my life. And she’s unbelievably smart. She runs this house at 17 months.
And then there is my third born. My Harbor. In the dedication of my book I say he is the one who healed our family. He is the bridge between two brothers.
He is my too much kid. Too much energy. Too much smarts. Too much love, joy, all of it.
Every day he asks me if he’s bigger. He wants to be 9 more than anything like his brother.
He hugs his baby sister constantly. And says she is his best friend.
A while back he asked me if I knew that his brother Cooper didn’t talk. After a good laugh and cry internally, I explained autism to him. I watched him process, studying Cooper. His response…‘that’s okay. I’ll just talk for him mama.’
The last week has been challenging to say the least. He’s been sick. He isn’t sleeping. He needs all the love, 24 hours a day. The whining. It’s been hard.
And yesterday, I got frustrated. I’m worn down by sick kids.
After some time last, he said to me…’mama, I can’t handle you being mad at me. I just love you so much.’
He says things like that. All of the time. These insightful, beautiful things. At four years old. I don’t know how it’s possible.
He asks me to buy Pokémon cards for his older brother and asks to snuggle and for loves. He asks about our sweet dog Chloe and if she misses us from heaven.
Everything is the best to him. Everything brings him joy. And he shares it with me.
I don’t think I could ever be mad at that kid.
This morning I asked him if he ate all the Hershey kisses off the cookies because they were all missing. And if he put the toilet brush in the toilet because I sat on it in the middle of the night.
‘Well, my brother ate those kisses mama. There was no way it was me. I promise. (His brother was gone last night at a sleepover 
) And I thought the toilet needed her teeth brushed.’
) And I thought the toilet needed her teeth brushed.’There is no one like him.
He is just too much.
Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook.
