Today we celebrated Gabriel’s ninth birthday. I couldn’t help but sit down and look through old pictures of him, and of course I have to drag you down memory lane with me. I know some of you have been here with me since even before he joined our family, so you don’t mind right? Gabe has grown so much and in so many ways in the almost two and half years since he joined our family. It’s amazing to see the contrast between the early pictures and the pictures of him now. In two and a half years he has grown six shoe sizes (or is it seven?) more inches than I can even keep up with anymore (seriously–around ten if not more), and he has doubled in weight. These are all good things, but hard for his mama if I am honest. The little bitty boy who wasn’t even as tall as me when I was kneeling, the little boy who couldn’t reach the kitchen tap, he’s my tallest child now! He’s not a little boy anymore, and I missed so much of his life that it has been hard for me to accept how quickly he has matured. But if there is anything I have learned, it’s that no matter what, I have to keep meeting him right where he’s at, even if I am in denial over the fact that he has matured into a young man seemingly overnight!
This was taken about a month after homecoming–February 2009
Same day–That’s Keats next to Gabe
another taken during the first couple of months
and this one probably during his first week home. He has always adored Beatrix. (although he says that this new baby will most likely be nothing but trouble.)
The early months–his first bike
first summer
still summer 2009
fast forward to spring 2011!!!
(Gabe had just taken an accidental swim in the creek and was super cold in this and the following photos)
Keats has changed too–it helps me to put things in perspective–Gabe has grown so much, but so do all children. I think that it is just harder (at least a little) when you have missed out on a child’s early years. I just want Gabe to freeze–to wait–we haven’t had enough time–and he just keeps growing up!
Happy, happy birthday dear Gabriel!
I am so thankful that we have the privilege of celebrating you (and I would sincerely appreciate it if you would hold off on growing another inch for at least a few months.)
Ginny, I just found this post and I feel so happy for Gab to be with you and for you to be with him. He looks so, well calm, in these pictures, I am sure he has found his home. And allthough a lot of time has past since you wrote that post I think you will still think that he grows far to fast, as do all mums 😉 but it made me remember this little story by Robert Munch which he reads himself and for free here: http://robertmunsch.com/book/love-you-forever
Happy, blessed weekend from Cologne, Gesche