Happy Birthday, Gabriela!

Dear Gabriela,

Happy Birthday sweet girl. I can't believe that you are 6 years old already. I still remember when your mama told us the exciting news that you were on your way...we couldn't wait to meet you! Oh and the first time I held you, I was so overwhelmed with how much I already loved you! I was so excited when Mommy & Papi moved back to Houston when you were just 6 weeks old....that meant that we were going to be able to spend so much time together. (I wish I had some pictures to add of you as a baby, but we weren't "digital" then...so I don't have any on the computer)

I was there when you first rolled over, crawled, walked and spoke your first words. You were the most beautiful little flower girl I'd ever seen. I was there when you fell off the bench in the kitchen and lost consciousness for a minute while Mommy was trying to keep Maya & Isabela from coming (literally!). I loved our drives around the circle (you were a good driver at the age of 3!) I have seen you learn to swim, ride your bike, attended your school programs, watched you perform your gymnastics routines, taken you to paint pottery and to the movie theater, and had you accompany me on too many shopping trips to count.

There was a song that I made up and sung to you when you were just a baby....more words were added as time went on. And as you grew older, you sang it with me.

"There once was a girl named Gabriela.

She was sooooo pretty.

And she was sooooo smart.

And she was sooooo funny (enter laughter)

And she was a great big sister.

One sister's name is Maya.

And the other sister's name is Isabela.

And she was a great big help to Mommy and Papi.

She gives great besos (kisses)

And great abrazos (hugs)

(here's the best part....)

And her favorite aunt is "CC!" (hey - you can't start too early) :)

You are so pretty! You are so smart! And you are way too funny! You always make me laugh and you have the sweetest heart.

When I asked you the other night, if you knew how much CC loved you....you said....to the moon and back! And then you said, but CC I love you more...I love you to the moon to the stars, to the sun, to Papi's restaurant to your house and back. That is a lot of love!

I love you Gabriela! I hope that you have a fun birthday, celebrating with everyone. I hope that you always feel special and that you feel loved. I look forward to all the fun memories we'll make together this year.

Love you,