Anderson Cooper Is a Dad: 'As a Gay Kid I Never Thought It Possible'

Out journalist Anderson Cooper brought some good news to the Thursday edition of
Anderson Cooper 360deg: he's a new father.

Cooper said he became a dad on Monday to a newborn named Wyatt Morgan Cooper. The baby boy is named after Cooper's father -- who died when Cooper was 10 years old -- with his middle name honoring the family name of his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt. "Morgan" is also a name Cooper's parents considered for him 52 years ago.

"[Wyatt] was 7.2 lbs. at birth, and he is sweet and soft and healthy, and I am beyond happy," Cooper said. "As a gay kid I never thought it would be possible to have a child, and I am so grateful for all those who paved the way and all the doctors and nurses and everyone involved in my son's birth."

Cooper also thanked the surrogate mother who carried and gave birth to Wyatt as well as the woman's family.

"My family is blessed to have this family in our lives," Cooper said. "I do wish my mom and my dad and my brother Carter were alive to meet Wyatt. But I like to believe they can see him. I imagine them all together, arms around each other, smiling and laughing and watching, looking down on us, happy to know their love is alive in me and Wyatt and our family continues; new life and new love."