The Last Pictures of Rhylan's First Year

This is the last day of my baby's first year- very appropriate that I was able to snap some pictures, while eating dinner tonight, that absolutely show his little personality that has developed over the last 364 days!

Those of you that know him can probably even hear his squealing and giggling with every shot I caught, I know I can. I am laughing to myself just seeing these again now, he has grown into being such a little goof ball, I can't help but smiling/laughing at him - neither could anyone sitting in the dining area around us tonight, he was quite the little attention grabbing, star performer :).

"They Say It's Your Birthday....."

We celebrated Rhylan's first birthday (a week early), last Sunday. We had a "little" get together/open house for some friends and family. Despite the threat of storms, the weather hung out for us, and it was a beautiful day to celebrate.

One of our neighbor's bakes and decorates cakes as a hobby, and had offered to do

Rhylan's cake(s) as a gift to him. Not only were they adorable, she makes some of the yummiest cakes I have ever had (and I am not a sweets person!). The french vanilla one is to die for!

Here is an updated shot of Rhylan and his friends, the playgroup "baby boom" of last summer (seen in previous posts), in birth order. (Rhylan, Evan, Olivia, Calvyn, Garren, Sebastien). Unbelievable that they are all going to be a year in the upcoming months! I don't know where time goes!

Daddy, what are you doing to me?!?!

No, really, what is this thing?!?!?

They said that I was going to get to eat something yummy.... this must be it!!!

I dunno, this thing looks kinda interesting too- maybe I should try a little bit and see what this is all about.....

Yeah, that's pretty tasty, let me try another bite.....

mmmmmmm.......

Yeah, that's some good stuff

MORE PLEASE?!?!

On second thought, maybe just a nap would be good. (And that's when he said "Mama, nigh nigh" and slept through the rest of his party!)

Although, the party did continue, despite the guest of honor crashing- the bigger kids running around didn't even seem to notice he was missing!

It was a great time- beautiful weather, great friends, and a precious baby boy turing a year old. What better reason to celebrate? Thank you to all of you that helped make the day special- in person and in spirit!!

Sleep Over Fun

Brayden has been asking to have his friend, "A" spend the night for quite sometime. "A" is moving to China this summer for her Daddy to take a position at a university there. The two of them don't get to see each other all that often, but have always had an endearing relationship. He is older than she is, but ever since she was little he would ask about her, and she has always has given him "cuddles".

I figured since we actually had a two week stint of being home, and they are leaving soon, now would be a good time to give her mom some down time to prepare for the move, rest, or whatever she needed/wanted to do. "A" came over after swimming lessons, and the kids had a wonderful night. They made kid size home made pizzas, played in the backyard while the pizzas baked, watched a movie, and kept each other up (rather late) giggling, telling funny stories, and listening to music. The next morning we all got up and headed to the pool.

All in all, it was a great night- we hope to have her back soon! She is such a delightful little girl, Brayden is really going to miss her, we all will, and her Mommy and brother too!

To Rhylan, at One (almost)

You steal my heart- more and more each day. I can't believe that you have been in our world for a year already (in 2 short weeks). It has gone so quickly, yet I can't remember life with out you.

With those eyesThis giggle

You hug me, like only you can. You wrap those little, chubby arms around my neck and squeeze - usually with mouth wide open for a slobbery kiss. And I love it!

You talk, and sing, and gurgle, and laugh, and dance, and simply light up the room (and my world). You blow some of the best raspberries I have ever seen:

You have the most precious birth mark on your forehead. Right there, between your eyebrows. Do you see it? They say it will fade by the time you are two- I say it will live forever in my heart; in memories of you, along with every other part of your precious, little, baby body. (Did I ever tell you that Mommy had that very same birthmark? Maybe we were both kissed by the same angel- that same one that got you here, safely into my arms, despite everything we went through. I would like to think so!)


You have two swirls of hair on the back of your head- each growing in the opposite direction. They say that is a sign of a blessed baby. I only hope that is true for you, in this journey you have only begun in life.

You are such an easy going baby, it is amazing. You sleep well, you eat well, and very rarely have I ever heard you fuss. You are always happy, and curious, and just enjoying exploring the world around you- so contently. You wake up each morning with a smile on your face, ready to start a new day.

You love to grab anything- especially food, which is good, because whatever you grab tends to find it's way right to your mouth!
Oh, and your toes- those little, perfect toes. How could I forget to mention those? I love to play with them, and kiss them, and tickle them.

I can't even explain at how you light up at the sight of your brother. Your whole face beams, as you crawl toward him, saying "Bra, bra, bra", only to greet him with a huge hug and wonderful baby kiss. I so look forward to seeing the two of you continue to grow, and hope that you can always be the best of friends.

You are my precious baby boy. My Bubby, My Bean, My Little Man, My Little Cuddle Bug. And I love you.

Happy First Birthday My Precious Baby Boy. May your life always be a celebration!
All my love,

Mommy

All photos are courtesy of Donita Jacobson Photography.

To see entire session, click HERE

Clean Up

What happens when you give a baby fried rice to eat (and let him feed himself) AND Daddy says he will take care of clean up?

Answer can be seen here:

Happy Father's Day

From Our Family to Yours

Touch a Truck

Brayden walked out of the house this morning to find a cement truck in our yard. What 4 (almost 5) year old little boy wouldn't LOVE to have such a find to start their day?

Jason had hired a cement truck to deliver the concrete for our new patio to get poured today, and the driver was really good about letting Brayden really explore the truck- inside and out.

I will post pictures of our latest home improvement project, in it's entirety once it has had time to set, and the framing is removed. It is really nice, much larger than the old deck. I am really looking forward to many nights out there with family/friends this summer, and many more to come!

The boys did get to leave their mark while Daddy was still troweling the fresh cement; I think it adds a nice touch :)!The backyard was off limits for play much of this week, in preparation for the patio. We quickly found that kids don't really need to play outside on the swing set, when I apparently make a perfectly sufficient Jungle Gym.......