Here’s the picture I took of my four precious kiddos for Luke’s Father’s Day card. Thought I’d share now that the holiday has passed!
Happy 1st birthday…
May 29, 2010 Filed Under Family
To my youngest, my sweet Jaden,
Today is your FIRST birthday! It was one year ago today that you graced the world, and especially our family, with your presence. TWELVE days late, I might add. I pray that that doesn’t mean you’ve inherited your extended families’ propensity for lateness. I do think it means that you do things when you feel like it. Typical youngest child attitude there.
If I had to choose one word to describe you, it would be DELIGHTFUL. This past year with you has truly been full of joy and delight. You are just wonderful – such a sweet disposition. You are our only baby who has given so many hugs and snuggles. And you love to smile, wave, clap, and talk.
You are such a smart boy, too. You are already copying words we say. Just tonight at dinnertime, we asked Ava to say “purple,” and YOU piped up, “Purple!” My little genious!
You are toddling around everywhere. Since we had to put you on formula earlier on, you have been our sturdiest baby, with the cutest little (or should I say big?) thighs! This gives you an advantage with walking. You don’t fall over as easily, and when you do, it’s no big deal! I love watching you toddle around the house. And Ava is still saying, “Jaden’s walking!” all the time, even though she’s been saying it for about a month! Silly sister!
Maybe it’s because you’re our youngest, and our last (unless God has a different plan in mind – if we’ve learned anything it’s that He’s ultimately in charge!), but I’m enjoying every moment with you. I thank God that He blessed our family with you. You give us so many moments of joy, so many opportunities to smile, so many giggles.
I pray that your joy will always be found in Jesus, and that you will always work to make others smile.
I love you, Jaden.
Mommy
Jaden’s 1st birthday party!
May 23, 2010 Filed Under Family
Although his actual birthday isn’t until next Saturday (May 29), we celebrated Jaden’s first birthday yesterday with a little party at our house. We were excited to have some family and friends come to help us celebrate. {THANK YOU to everyone who was able to come!}
Grossest picture first. Skip it if injuries make you queasy!
Early on in the day, Jaden was looking out the window next to our front door, and the door happened to be open. Well, one of the kids accidentally slammed it when Jaden’s finger was in the hinged side. Poor, poor baby. Not exactly what I’d want to happen at my own birthday party. As a result, he wasn’t exactly happy and giggly the rest of the day. Bummer.
The kids enjoyed playing with the balloons.
They also enjoyed hanging out with Papa.
Do you like the birthday banner I made? I had seen it on another blog, and then my friend Chaeli also made one for her son’s first birthday. I plan to laminate each individual letter page and save them for future birthdays.
Here’s Jaden’s teeny tiny cake. It was about the size of a really big cupcake.
This is my very favorite picture of Jaden from the day. He was waiting for his birthday cake. Okay, he was actually shouting for his birthday cake. Spunky little boy.
I don’t know if it was because of his hurt finger, or just because he’s funny, but he dove into his cake like this…with his mouth instead of his hands. I held it closer to his face, because he was having a hard time reaching it. But no worries, because eventually he got really into it and ended up like this…
I feel like people wouldn’t find it cute if I did this with my birthday cake. Maybe I should try it this year, just to be sure. 
Happy birthday, Jaden! We love you!
Jaden’s first *real* word
May 19, 2010 Filed Under Family
Although Jaden’s been saying “mama” and “dada” off and on for quite a while (let’s be honest – mostly “dada”), he just said his first *real* word tonight. And he repeated it a LOT upon request, so we know it was the real deal.
So, without further ado, here’s 11-month-old Jaden saying “Bible…”
A year ago today…
May 17, 2010 Filed Under Family
…was Jaden’s due date. The little stinker ended up being TWELVE days late, but this is him on May 17, 2009.
