"Cooper's not in there anymore."

Happy New Year! Area Family Welcomes Baby Boy in 2009

Posted: 9:29 PM Jan 1, 2009
Last Updated: 10:15 PM Jan 1, 2009
Reporter: Sam Provenzano

While many people were counting down the seconds to 2009, one family was getting ready to welcome their newest addition to their family.

It's a story that Bernadette Rivette will be telling for years to come...

"About 6:00 last night I felt some pressure, at about 8:00 I thought I was in labor, a few hours later I knew I was in labor. We arrived at the hospital at about 11a.m. and then he arrived at 3:55 this morning.

"His name is Cooper--Cooper Randall. I think it comes from Anderson Cooper, I like the news, said Bernadette Rivette.

Cooper Randall Rivette holds the coveted title of the first baby born in 2009 at Bowling Green's Medical Center.

"I'm very fortunate to have a beautiful healthy baby boy, mom is still healthy which is good, but it's unfortunate he's wasted his 15 minutes of fame so quickly," said Bernadette's husband, Randy.

And like many of us, 2008 had taken its toll on the Rivette family, but what better to ring in the new year than with a healthy baby boy.

"This puts a great light on everything, and looking at him makes everything just a lot easier," said Bernadette.

"I wish that we could pay it forward to everybody else that's had a rough 2008, maybe give them some of our good fortune in 2009, make 2009 a better year for everyone," added Randy.

And as 2009 gets underway, the Rivette family has big dreams and hopes for their second child.

"Just that he grows up to be a good kid, free to do whatever he wants...within limits of course, but just that he can be whoever he wants, as long as he is happy," said Randy.

"We hope he turns out to be a good brother and a good son," added Bernadette.

The Rivette family already has a 3-year-old son and when he came to visit his new brother this morning, he touched his mothers belly and said to her--"Cooper's not in there anymore."