10-25-99
My due date was 10-11-99.
At my 36 week checkup, I was sent home with the news that I was 4 centimers dilated and 100% effaced. In the words of the doctor, "You could have this baby ANY TIME!" I went home and cleaned.
Same scenario at week 37,38, 39, 40, 41, and finally at 42 she had mercy on me and I was scheduled for induction on 10-25-99. I went to the hospital at 8:30 and was hooked up to pitocin with NO drugs, thank you very much. 6 hours later, while the Louis Armstrong song What a wonderful world played, out came a blond haired, blue eyed 7 pound 6.5 ounce little boy. We named him Gabriel.
In spite of the fact that we had to wait TWO weeks for him, a fact that I plan to remind him of frequently when he'd older, he's been worth it. He was a smiley, happy baby who gave us few problems.
He's been the source of most of my medical education. He's had seizures, massive allergic reactions,severe asthma, experienced a vagal and fallen unconscious. He's ridden in an ambulance more than all the rest of the family combined. He's sent me to the doctor again and again to find out the cause of his migraines.
He learned to read almost by himself, and jumped quickly through the basic readers and now reads 4th grade chapter books. He LOVES to play soccer and is THRILLED to be in Boy Scouts. He's sold almost $200 worth of popcorn by himself.
He's got a great sense of humor and loves to joke around. He's learned how to be our family clown from his older brother.
Happy 7th Birthday, Gabriel. 
Happy 7th Birthday Gabriel!
Posted by: Katie | October 25, 2006 at 09:13 AM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Jodi@OC | October 25, 2006 at 10:04 AM
Happy Birthday sweet boy!!
Posted by: Heather | October 25, 2006 at 10:08 AM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: C.S. | October 25, 2006 at 11:09 AM
Birthdays are always a great day - hope yours is too. And by the way - many, many more :)
Posted by: Amah | October 25, 2006 at 11:38 AM
Happy birthday to your little man!
My due date was 10-11-99 too! My 1st was born on 10-19-99 after induction!
I enjoy my kids' birthdays - I always seem to get teary-eyed when remembering the big day, and the years that have passed!
Posted by: Rebekah | October 25, 2006 at 11:44 AM
Happy Birthday, big boy!
Posted by: MamaLee | October 25, 2006 at 12:43 PM
Happy, happy Birthday and Many Years!
(my oldest was 20 days late)
Posted by: Mimi | October 25, 2006 at 01:29 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Tuesday | October 25, 2006 at 02:29 PM
Wow, I'll be 36 weeks next week. I just told a friend that I need to start packing my hospital bag. I'm SERIOUSLY hoping this little guy will come early-- but we'll have to see, I guess!
Happy birthday, Gabriel!
Posted by: Guinevere Meadow | October 25, 2006 at 02:54 PM
That baby picture is way cute. Happy Birthday Gabriel!
Posted by: AmyH | October 25, 2006 at 03:07 PM
Don't forget to change your "About Me" and change Gabriel's age to 7! Happy Birthday to your big little guy.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 25, 2006 at 03:09 PM
Happy Birthday Gabriel! My oldest will be 7 on Saturday. Yet another reason October is my favorite month.
Posted by: FishyGirl | October 25, 2006 at 03:50 PM
Don't you love how sometimes those doctors pretend they know when you'll have the baby? "Oh, this weekend, for sure!" Three weeks later you're still lugging around 30 extra pounds. "Any day now, I'm positive!"
He sure is a cutie.
Posted by: Emily | October 25, 2006 at 04:19 PM
Happy, happy birthday (to you both!)
Posted by: Jenny | October 25, 2006 at 05:06 PM
Happy Birthday, Gabriel.
Posted by: margalit | October 25, 2006 at 06:08 PM
happy birthday, Gabriel!
what a wonderful tribute. he's adorable!
Posted by: rachel | October 25, 2006 at 07:37 PM
Happy Birthday---a day late.
Must've been something with 1999 babies. My daughter was almost 2 wks late. I went into labor the night before I was suppose to be induced. Scared her right out of me, I guess. LOL
Posted by: Kimmie | October 26, 2006 at 09:01 AM
Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Christina | October 26, 2006 at 09:49 AM