Gabriel had his 4-year check-up today (I had to cancel last month's original appointment). There are always funny stories that come of a child's time at the doctor's office.

This morning when our favorite RNP in the world asked him how he was feeling, he responded by telling her-- in all seriousness, I might add-- that he was feeling good except for where his hand got cut off by Darth Vader. Fortunately, our RNP has 3 little boys herself and took it all in stride, to the point of going along with this ridiculous conversation even when Gabriel began telling her that Jackson is Yoda. "You know, he's Yoda because he's small." (Like there can be a logical explanation for any of this?!)

He really does live entire days pretending that he's Luke Skywalker.

At any rate, our growing boy (overall smack-dab in the 50th percentile) is now 38lbs and 40" tall. While technically a bit too light still to switch from a toddler carseat to a booster seat, the RNP said that his height is a bigger issue than his weight. And at 40" tall he's cleared to make the transition!

P.S. When I told my doctor yesterday how I've had a Doppler in my house but have been too afraid to use it, she laughed at me. And then she told me that since I'm now far enough along to easily get a heartbeat, I should take advantage of such technology-- especially until the time when I'm feeling sure movements fairly frequently throughout each day. So I tried it tonight. And I have to say that it was pretty cool to hear the baby in my very own living room! A strong 154bpm.

Now I'm just scared to use it because it's so expensive to replace if I break it!