Goodness! It's great to turn 3!!!

Tate's birthday celebration continued throughout the week.  I record him opening his gifts as most of them were sent from people who love him dearly, but can't be with him.  So, I want them to be able to experience his joy and excitement, so I record him and send them the videos of him opening their gifts.


Aunt Lindsey brought her gift over on Tuesday, and we did that because he was so overwhelmed on his actual birthday that I thought it best to have him open some gifts as the week went on.  And I knew her gift was some sort of Thomas, so he would be deliriously happy!

(I love listening to him cackle and laugh as he's reading his book.  I have no idea where this laugh has come from!  He was just so very happy. )
He went to sleep that night clutching his new sticker book, and he asked for his new Grandmommy train blanket, the very one he tossed aside on his birthday :)

Wednesday his gift arrived from his daddy, Oma, Opa and Aunt Katha and Uncle Sebastian...He was thrilled!!!

He loves this new LEGO train!  But oh my goodness...the Oma and Opa cookies were the biggest hit.  Oma searched for these egg-free cookies for him in anticipation of his visit to Germany this past May.  And while he was there, he just ate them up with absolute gusto!  They are egg-free and sugar-free (and flavor free in my and Christian's opinion :) ), and I mentioned to Christian that I would love to have some shipped here.  They were kind enough to send him three packages for his birthday.  As is apparent they were the highlight of the birthday week!


Thursday his gift arrived from his twin 3 year old cousins, Kayla and Korey, from the Bronx.  They turned 3 the week before Tate.  We called them on Face Time, so they got to see him opening their gift!

So in light of all the generosity of those who love Tate and myself, we will be donating some of his old toys to his daycare and other children who I know don't have as much as we do, and not just materially, but spiritually and emotionally.  Though Tate may be wrapped in the materialism of his birthday gifts at this age, I hope as he ages and grows up that he understands that we need to pay it forward.  I intend to have him carry some of the toys into his daycare as well as give them to the children who need them.


We are very, very blessed.  The number of friends and family who called and wished Tate a Happy Birthday was overwhelming.


Three amazing years.  I look at this little boy with his crooked smile, gorgeous eyes, quick laughter, sweet hugs and lovable kisses and am incredulous that he's mine, that he's part of me.  I carried this little boy in my tummy and now he's here, a manifestation of all my dreams.