I have lots to share about the past few days, but am dedicating this particular blog to Gabs.

Gabrielle's story begins at 12 weeks pregnant.  I had NO IDEA I was pregnant with her.  I know people say nursing is NOT birth control, but what are the chances of NOT trying and getting pregnant on that "one day" of the month?

I cried a lot at first.  Isaac was only 9 months, and I was recovering from some pretty severe postpartum depression.  But as always, God's timing is never our's.  So, I did my best to be happy.

We chose to not find out the gender.  I hated it at first, but found it to be one of the best decisions I ever made!

Gabrielle Aleya was born just over 2 weeks early.  (Which who knows! She could have been full term!)  When they told me it was a girl, (not that I cared the gender), I burst into tears. "God is my might" was born.

You see, with Laney and Isaac, once they were born, being a Mom was so foreign to me.  I hear a lot of Mom's talk about this gushing love in their heart for their children and I did not feel that way.  At least not with Laney and Isaac.  I felt this responsibility.  A list of things that I had to accomplish in their lives.  I can remember not even really liking Laney until she was 1! ( I know that sounds terrible, but Laney was EXTREMELY colicky, chronic ear infections, and a terrible sleeper!)

But something changed with Gabby.  I am not sure what.  Maybe the element of surprise.  Maybe I felt more prepared.  I am not really sure.  But that gushing love was felt when she was born.

Now, I love all my children equally, but most certainly appreciate different things about each one of them.  Laney, my independent thinker with a big heart.  Ike, my obedient comedian.

But Gabs.  She is my lover.  She will sit on my lap for an hour snuggled up.  Gabrielle LOVES life!  Watching her run anywhere with her dark brown hair bobbing up and down helps me to appreciate her little-ness.  I never appreciated that with the other 2.  

I will never forget when she was 2 months old.  I was nursing her, crying over Isaac, and I felt the Lord tell me that she was "My gift".  You see, when I found out Laney was a girl, I prayed for a little girl that looked like Gabby.  I know that seems tacky and irrelevant now, but I most certainly got the opposite when Laney was born!  (In such a good way, but this blog IS dedicated to Gabby!)

Anyways, she really has turned into my gift.  Not that she is the most obedient, or my favorite.  She just helps me to see the world how children are supposed to teach an adult.  Not that Ike and Laney could not have done that.  But I was so caught up in being the "perfect Mom" that I never enjoyed who they were as infants and toddlers.

So today, as I chuckle that she got bit at Sunday school.  I'm grateful for Gabby.  This great surprise!  What you say?!  Laugh because someone bit her?!  Well, she WAS pushing the little girl around because she wanted a particular toy.  And when Gabrielle wants something, watch out!  She was taught by Ike and Laney!

Gabrielle, who truly has no fear, and thinks she is 5, like Laney.  That when Isaac is jumping off the top of the slide into the pool, why can't she do it too?!  She interests me as she is not really like Jacob or me.  She is who she is.

Gabrielle.

So, a look into my heart today!  Love you Gabs!

Until next week!

Adios!