Happy 1st Birthday, Gabe!

***Note: I started this post on Gabe's actual birthday, January 18th, but could not seem to finish it. I have come back to it a dozen times...so here it is, finally!

Happy birthday to my baby boy! I can't believe that Gabe is a year old today. Gabriel's birth was such a different experience than Joshua's, since we had a scheduled time to go into the hospital and get prepped for a c-section. I must admit that it was very convenient and nice to go in at 6am and have a baby in my arms at 8:33am!

He has brought so much joy to our lives this last year and it has been amazing to watch him grow from a newborn to a baby that crawls, babbles, and has a contagious smile and laugh! He is really the happiest baby...it does not take much prodding to get him to smile at you. If you haven't been around Gabe in a while, this is what he is up to:

-Speed demon while crawling

-Pulls up on anything that is around him and takes steps while holding on

-Loves to wave at anyone who waves at him first

-Claps along with others

-Babbles alot...says the sounds of the letters "G", "B", and "dada" and "mama". He says "B" for ball, balloons, and especially bottle!

-He loves his big brother and wants to be involved in everything Joshua is doing.

We had his birthday party in Houston the weekend of his birthday. It was fun to celebrate with all of our family. Here are a few pictures from the Baby Einstein celebration. (Note: We decided on the theme because Gabe has grown to love his Baby Einstein videos, Baby Noah in particular. This is the movie he watches EVERY time he gets a breathing treatment because it holds his attention.)

My mom and sister did a fabulous job on the cake. It was very special and super cute!

The table of cakes...

Gabe was not too sure about digging into the cake at first...

...but that changed pretty quickly. Joshua helped him with his cake by picking all the stars off the top!

Gabe received tons of cute gifts! Joshua was also interested in helping him open the presents.

Our families were so sweet to give Joshua "big brother" gifts.

Party guests were Uncle Phil & Great Aunt B:

Papa & Grannie:

Cousin Elizabeth & her fiance, Joe:

Great Uncle Numa:

Grandpa & Auntie Alicia:

Daddy & Mommy with our birthday boy!

Somehow we did not get pictures of Pop (Peter's dad) or Grandma (my mom)...but they were there celebrating with us! Thanks to our families for making it a special 1st birthday for Gabe!