Josh and Lala Garcia: Our Angel Gabriel

I wanted to write a post about our little man yesterday but I was too swamped to even touch the computer. (Except for the "dinosaur" cake picture I needed.) So even though I'm a day late, I wanted to write a post about our sweet little angel Gabriel.

Gabriel has definitely been a blessing in our lives. Not just for Joshua and myself, but for our families and those who associate with him. Joshua and I had a bit of a rough time during the beginning of our marriage, but Gabriel was someone we both needed, loved and cared for and he really held us together. He is our rock. I was 4 months pregnant with Gabriel when we got married. A few weeks before we went to get my ultrasound, I was absolutely POSITIVE he was a girl. I wanted to name him J'La, J for Joshua and La for Lala. When we found out he was a boy, I was absolutely furious and Joshua was absolutely ecstatic. He couldn't be more happier. When Gabriel was born, something changed in Joshua. He was so protective, he wouldn't let me out of the house for a month. He was so loving and caring towards Gabriel. We have a million pictures of Gabriel in his first year because Joshua could not stop clicking at his camera. He was just so happy to have his BOY! I had a rough time after Gabriel was born. I had postpartum and a lot of his first year I don't remember much, other than crying, facebooking and telling myself I needed to get up. But as the years have gone by, I still can't believe that the Lord blessed me with such a sweet angel of a son.

I know for a fact he was put into our lives for a reason. We needed him. We still need him and we probably always will need him in our lives. He was so cute when he was born, I couldn't stand it. He was so pretty!! People constantly thought he was a girl when he was clearly dressed as a boy. He was your typical baby/toddler throughout the years, but he was special in his own way. He walked at 10 months, then decided to run a few days later. He ate EVERYTHING. Until Joshua started giving him "healthy" stuff, now he's really picky. But he can EAT. He had the absolute best pout. His big bottom lip, huge eyes and cute dimples made him (still make him) irresistible and no one (except mom) could say no. Now he's just too smart for me. I'm not sure if he learned it from his dad, or if it's in his genes (from dad) but he can weasel his way out of anything. If you don't say something right or specific he can get himself out of anything. Regardless, I am just so grateful he is in our lives. And I'm even more grateful to know that even after this life, he will continue to be a part of our "lives".

So a few things about this amazing little man:

BLUE is his favorite color. If it's blue, he loves it.

He remembers EVERYTHING. Don't tell him anything unless you absolutely mean it, it's absolute truth or you can prove it.

He is Captain America. I am not sure where this came from but that is his favorite superhero.

He loves PANCAKES. Out of everything I could make, he will say pancakes. If he sees the box/bag of pancake mix he will ask for it every meal. He wanted to go to "the pancake house" for his birthday (iHop).

His best friends consists of his cousins and a few friends from Indonesia, Mongolia, Mexico and American Fork.

If he asks you a question and you don't know the answer, he will come up with the answer and it will be truth from that time forth.

He thinks he is a model. He will pose for you if you have a camera or he will tell you where and how he thinks he should stand so you can take a picture of him.

He has a creative mind. He is really into (and really good) at playing with Lego's. He can draw pretty well for his age and he makes sure to explain it to detail just in case you don't know what it is. He makes up his own ideas of how things work and how things could work.

He and Joshua could be brothers. And since he doesn't have any (yet), they are practically brothers. Their relationship is one that I love and KNOW began before this life and will forever continue beyond.

the day he was born

Gabriel is very sweet and sensitive. He is protective of his sisters and knows he is the BIG brother. He has a heart of gold. He is always concerned about each of us. When I was checked into the hospital to have Na'a, he laid by my side and was so worried because "mommy was hurting". When Gissi was born, he didn't exactly know what to do with her but if someone came to close he made sure to let them know she was HIS sister. If I am crying (I'm a crybaby, I can't help it pregnant or not) he is so concerned and always lets me know "mommy, I love you ." He has been such a blessing to us and to others around us. I have come to terms with the possibility of Gabriel being our only boy. If that's the case, I'm so glad it's him! Since I found out I was going to have him, I have loved him more than I thought I could love another person. He has taught me love, patience, kindness, faith and charity. The past 5 years have flown by and I am so excited for the years to come! Happy birthday my sweet angel boy!!