Three Cheers for GOB!

Gideon Oliver turned THREE on February 1st! He requested balloons and a "Yoshi party" and we, of course, delivered. 

Because he's just amazing, Jonathan made this Yoshi layer cake. It even had a green layer. Be impressed!

Gideon is very excited to be three. He's embracing the three-year-old lifestyle - lots of "why" and "no" and pestering his sister. Lots of requesting Ninja Turtle underwear, accidents, rambunctiousness, and laughter.

Showing Daddy how old he is.

Putting candles in his cake.

Dancing while we sang Happy Birthday

I know this is the thing I'll say every single birthday, but for real. How is he three already? I swear it was just yesterday that I stood on the curb in front of the hospital in the blinding sunlight and put my tiny little GOB into his giant car seat and brought him home.

Gideon is still quick to laugh. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he'll express the full spectrum of emotions. He gives the world's best monkey hugs. He knows exactly how to press all of our buttons. He follows directions at school. He loves Curious George and Woody Woodpecker, dinosaurs and balls, reading books, and swinging forever and ever and ever.

Evelyn recently got a scooter from a friend whose daughter had outgrown it, and Gideon really wanted a scooter of his own for his birthday. He loves it and he's totally fearless.

The only thing I'd change, if I could change anything about GOB's life, is the endless medical testing he's had throughout the past three years. He's still very, very small - hanging out below the third percentile in height and weight just like he has since a week or so after birth, and he still has the heart murmur they heard in the NICU. It hasn't stopped him so far, and he has a pretty good attitude toward doctors despite the long office visits and bloodwork and various samples and whatnot. So, I guess really I'd change it more for my sake than for his. He's handled himself quite well through it all. In late March we'll head back to Duke Children's Hospital, this time to get to know the endocrinologists and see what tricks they have up their sleeves. I'm sure Gideon will be thrilled to see the big fish tank and ride the elevator and play with all the toys again. 

So Gideon, happy third birthday. You're teaching me every day to wise up, pay a little more attention. You're showing me how to listen. Thanks, little man.