Happy Birthday to my BIG Boy!

On Friday last week Gabriel turned 3!  3!!!  It's funny...I can look back at pictures and think...that's when he started looking less like a baby.  But, now I look at pictures and think, oh my goodness he is beginning to look like a kid.  I mean, I know he's a kid, but he looks like a kid!!!  Like he goes to school (yup, he does) and uses the potty (yup, he does), and can carry a conversation (yup, he does..sort of).  He can undress, and almost completely dress himself, name colors, count....  Somewhere along the line I blinked and my baby boy became a BIG boy.  And he is VERY eager to tell you what a big boy he is these days.

I have a lot more pictures to share (my mom was in town to celebrate with us).  But, I just want to leave you with a few gems of my big boy.  :*)  I can't help but tear up a bit.  3 years ago I was holding a wee little babe in my arms and now I can barely pick this squirmy, pre-school aged, kiddo up:

 This kiddo is such an amazing little package.  The things listed in the picture above are just what he likes.  What does his mommy love about him?  His spectacular little voice that I'm so glad I get to hear now, his cuddles, his quiet way of taking everything in, his smarty pants little brain, his love of nature big and small...oh, I could go on and on.  But, more than anything I love that he is him.

Seriously...who couldn't love this?!:

Am I a lucky duck or what?!!!  I'm still thinking about taping bricks to their head to see if it will slow the aging process down (on good days at least).  ;)

It doesn't look like either one of my kids plans to stay a baby for long.  Little Miss 1 1/2 Years Old is doing her very best to keep up with her big brother.  Hold on little girl...you have plenty of time to grow up.

I hear there are great things to come though.  And if the future holds as many fabulous moments as the last 3 have...bring it on!  :)