.:Jabren's First Birthday:

Jabren's first birthday was just a normal day. We had the usual school driving, Josh working, and me teaching piano. But once Josh was home, we ate dinner as a family and then dug in to some cupcakes. Of course we sang to him first! He wasn't quite sure what to think about the singing, but he knew exactly what to do with the cupcake!

I think he enjoyed it!

After a birthday tub (which Jabes thoroughly enjoyed since tubs are one of his most favorite things!) it was time for presents. He needed some help getting the wrapping paper going, but he liked tearing it. He kept standing up and would swing the present around with the piece of wrapping paper. It was hilarious.

It was a great day, and we all enjoyed celebrating Jabey-man! 

.:Jabren - 12 Months - 1 Year:.

I tried. I really tried to keep this baby from growing up, but it just didn't work! I think everytime I tried to hold on a little tighter, he grew a little faster. How is my last baby one!?!? 

This was how our blanket picture went. Blanket in a wad and standing baby. Shows just how Jabes is right now!

Jabes continues to be extremely busy. He will not hold still for anything or anyone! He has discovered cupboards, and is constantly under my feet in the kitchen. It makes me a bit crazy sometimes, but I love how curious he is. Jabes also really enjoys pulling all of the nail polish out of my bathroom cupboard. But it keeps him busy while I get ready, so it's fine by me! He really loves to push his walker all around the house. He is getting quick with that thing! I'm impressed with how well he manipulates it around corners and turns. 

Jabes still has four teeth on top, and three on bottom. He loves to bite his food. I don't really remember the girls liking to bite food as much as he does. I usually feel pretty safe giving him things because I know he is going to bite it instead of shoving the entire thing in his mouth. 

Jabren is getting so close to walking! He is always standing. He can get to standing in the middle of the floor unassisted, and rarely just drops to the ground. He will just lower himself down slowly; his balance is pretty great! He often sits and squats down to play with toys instead of sitting down. The other nite he took bout 15 steps (for Josh of course, I was at the grocery store!) I wouldn't be surprised if he is walking within the next couple of weeks. Once he does it a few more times and gets more confident, he'll start realizing that it can actually be faster than crawling!

Jabes still loves to dance! He also waves a lot more now too. He is starting to 'talk' more. I'm sure he knows exactly what he is saying! He has started occasionally saying 'ball' and 'yeah'. Sometimes 'dada'. He has the cutest little voice! I can't believe he will soon be saying more words and communicating more that way. 

Jabren eats and eats and eats. And eats some more! I bet he would snack all day long if I let him! He loves feeding himself. He is a bottomless pit!

Jabes' newest obsessions are vacuums and throwing things. He gets so excited everytime I pull out the small vacuum to get the floors after meals. He will crawl over and wait for me to let him have a turn with it. He likes to put his hands on it and feel the vibrations, but then also will use both of his hands to move it back and forth. Gotta start them young! While that may prove useful later on, his throwing of food and cups drives me insane. He loves to drop stuff off of wherever he is sitting: high chair, stroller, cart - doesn't matter, if he has something to drop, he will do it. He finds it extremely amusing. 

This little boy is just yummy and sweet and we can't get enough of him!

At twelve months, Jabren likes:

- baths/water

- feeling things (especially fabrics and water)

- food/eating

- sippy cups

- dancing

- balls

- cars

- bananas

- standing/squatting

- crawling

- silly sounds

- using a straw

- treats

- waving

- clapping

- his binky

- his muslin blankets (loves to cuddle and bury his face)

- playing with his sisters

- peek-a-boo

- splashing

- talking

At twelve months, Jabren does not like:

- his sisters in his face too much

- being left alone

- being confined for too long

Love this Jabey boy so much!

.:Reece - Seven Years Old:.

How in the world do we have a seven year old??? 

Reece is such a wonderful young lady! I don't even know where to begin! She is such an oldest child. She is such a great helper, I would seriously be lost without her. Reece is always doing extra jobs for me. She is so quick to lend a hand to her sisters and brother. 

Reece has lost a couple more teeth since last summer. She has quite the mouthful growing in! Her pediatrician actually said that we would probably be getting a recommendation to the orthodontist pretty soon! 

Reece is a total daredevil. She absolutely loved going to Lagoon over the summer. She will go on any ride that she is tall enough to go on. It is so fun! 

Reece is taking dance and tumbling this year, and she loves it! Her teacher last year really wanted her to try out for teams this year, but we weren't quite ready for the time or financial commitment of that! But I'm sure next year, if she wants to, we will be doing it. She has really been enjoying tumbling. It's been fun to see her learn and progress!

Reece is super responsible. She checks off her list of jobs each morning - in order, she gets her homework done quickly after school every day, she loves finding a place for each of her things. She is highly motivated to do well in anything that she does - school, home, dance - she wants to do well, and enjoys doing all of it. I am really proud of her work ethic! 

Reece is very social. She is great friends with some of our neighbors, and has made some really neat friends over the past two years in school. We were at Breakfast with Books the other morning, and it made my mommy heart so happy to hear so many people calling out to her. She is a great friend, and tries to be thoughtful and considerate of others. 

I am proud of this beautiful girl, and feel so blessed to call her mine!

At seven years old, Reece likes:

- dance

- tumbling

- friends

- math

- any and all sweets

- rice with teriyaki sauce

- tablet

- Netflix

- school

- reading

- books

- helping

- staying up late

- Legos

- being in charge

- playing with her sisters

- playing with Jabes

- playing with friends

- doing whatever the adults are doing

- being wherever the adults are

- collecting things

- displaying things

- roller coasters

At seven years old, Reece does not like:

- not being in charge

- getting in trouble

- feeling embarassed

- being frustrated

- being hot

- having dry skin

The day before Reece's birthday, I took her a Happy Meal to school. She thought it was pretty great! It was so fun to sit in the lunch room with her, and chat with she and her friends.

On Reece's birthday, we left for California super early in the morning! But we decided to open her presents before we left! She got some Shopkins, Beados, and her favorite - a Caboodle with makeup in it - from us. She also got some Target gift cards, a movie, some Legos, and some Disney figures from her grandparents and aunt. Even though we were in the car all day, I think she ended up having a pretty great birthday!