I HATE when babies turn one. All of a sudden they stop being babies overnight. But you can't stop time so Leo is now our one year old boy! This boy of ours is a gem and a half. He is a different breed than his big sister. They both have their own strengths and I enjoy learning their strengths on what sometimes feels like a daily basis. Some ways to describe Leo would be:
Active! Leo is one active boy. He likes to be included in all things. We have a couple rooms in the house that we don't like him to go in and when he sees us close the doors, he throws is head back in an all out rage. Poor guy! Lucky for us, he doesn't stay mad for too long, he quickly moves onto something else.
Quiet. Yes this is a strength. It might be because his sister does most of the talking in our house.
Happy.
Smart. For example, one day I opened the front door and ran to get something from our car and he followed me, climbed down our front porch stairs and was at my feet before I even got what I needed from the car. I had no idea he knew how to go down stairs.
Observant. I only have to show him once how to do something, and sometimes I don't have to show him at all and he learns.
Problem solver. I love how he doesn't demand my help for every little thing. He tries to solve problems himself first and usually succeeds.
Playful. He loves teasing!
He loves:
balls, Jade, meat, water, straws, baths, climbing(he can already get onto the couch, tables, beds and chairs), he also loves going up and down stairs, slides, getting dirty and most importantly his own reflection.
Updates:
Has 4 teeth (although I think he only had two on his birthday)
Sleeps well
Says mama, dada, duck and hi
Waves
Claps
High fives
Shakes his head
Eats anything
Walks (this started a month after his birthday)
We are so blessed to have Leo in our family. Nothing but unconditional love for this sweet boy.
Oh the joy that Jade brings into our lives!! For those of you who don't get the pleasure of knowing Jade, let me paint you the picture that is Jade Marie Stevens.
Imagine a short little bouncy haired girl with a tiny yet LOUD voice. She doesn't do ANYTHING unless it's recognized, because what's worth the effort if you don't get praise right? I can't imagine Jade ever going through a hard time in life and not being able to overcome it. She finds it easier to be happy than to be unhappy. Her laugh is my life's theme song. She giggles at anything! She makes babysitters, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends feel like the funniest people in the world. But she truly thinks they all are! She is always looking to make a room laugh. She loves her brother Leo, but not in the motherly, nurturing way. She loves him in the be my best friend, always inclusive, party with me way. When Leo was born I thought my attention sponge of a daughter would have a hard time sharing the spotlight..but she didn't! When she sees me gooing at Leo, she either joins in or compliments his cuteness. I see many qualities that will stay with her forever because she just came with them. She will ALWAYS be:
Beautiful
Giggly
Funny
Helpful
Observant
Talkative
Smart
Musical (this girl can sing and entertain at the same time, I see theater in her future)
Some of my favorite things I have recorded Jade saying this year:
Don't rush me, I'm laughing
(while pointing at herself in a picture) Dad, that girl is hungry.
I love you TOO much mom.
All of my friends are beautiful.
I'm happy because I'm Jade.
I talked to Jesus and told him that I puked in a bowl.
(Grandpa asked Jade when she is coming back to Brazil) I can't, we don't have any money.
(After a very traumatic experience getting her blood drawn) Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. Doctors are mean. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
We threw a barn yard bash party for Jade. We brought the jump house and decorated it to look like a barn (we forgot to take a picture of this..oops!), had farm animal cupcakes, broke open a pinata, and cuddled with our then baby chicks. I spent way to many hours making stick horses for the kids to take as their take home gift(major back pain, major regrets). Thank you for all who helped me decorate, take down, came and spoiled celebrated Jade!
