Happy Birthday Gabriel

Happy Birthday sweet boy! I can hardly believe you are 4 years old. But, when I look at everything you have accomplished in this year, I can hardly believe you are only 4. One of your biggest accomplishments is you are potty trained. It was a matter of putting my stubbornness up against yours but potty training finally happened. You don't know what a relief that is. I know that will power will serve you well later in life but it certainly has made parenting you a challenge.

I love that I never know what's coming next with you. You frequently make me laugh (remember the dancing on the toilet episode)...even when your humor proves you are as sick and twisted as your brothers and dad. I love watching you play and watch you act out the stories you create. You have an amazing imagination.

Like most mom's, I am firmly convinced you are brilliant. You know all your letters and can recognize most of them in both upper and lowercase. You can count in English and Spanish. Hell, you even know how to navigate your favorite website, PacmanGame. While you aren't reading yet, there are a number of words and letter combinations that you recognize. Your obsession with volcanoes has led you to learn a lot about them. You can tell me all about Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Ranier. You can tell me about dormant, extinct and active volcanoes. You can even tell me about islands like Surtsey being formed by volcanoes. You have educated all of us about your obsession ;)

You are also stubborn and willful and see nothing wrong with screaming no at me if you don't like what I tell you. Those difficult moments (or is it days) are more than offset by the hugs and the snuggles and the I love yous. All in all, you are a pretty incredible little boy and I am so lucky to have you as my son. I would go through it all again, all the loss and all the heartache, as long as I knew you were waiting at the end.