Jessalyn’s 1 years old now and the ‘party’ went well. Jen’s Mom came over and had cake with us and watched Jess’ attempt to open some presents. She also made a little mess with the cake, Jen was expecting more of a mess but that didn’t happen.
Click here to see the pictures
To my dearest little Jessalyn,
It was a year ago today you came into the world and changed our lives forever.
The past year has been amazing. Who knew you could bring so much joy to our lives? Our family wasn’t complete until you came along.
You’ve come a long way since the day you were born. You were so small and fragile the day you came home from the hospital.
I have to admit, your dad and I were feeling a little overwhelmed by the whole thing. It was rough going at first. It was really hot and you weren’t sure what to do with yourself so you cried. And when you cried, I cried. We spent many sleepless nights together. Your dad and I trading off so the other could get some rest.
Daddy would hold you and bounce you because that made you happy. He’d sing silly songs and you’d listen.
It took some time, but we started to settle into a routine. Granted it wasn’t the best routine in the world, but that’s only because you wanted to be held all the time. Housework and chores all had to be put aside so we could tend to you. We managed to get things done though. We just had to hold you while doing them.
Before we knew it, you started filling out and looking less like a newborn, and more like a baby.
You still didn’t do much, but you were more content just being next to us, instead of being held.
By the time you were going on 4 months old, you were a head holding up pro and so we decided it was time to bring out the jumper.
You looked so cute and had fun for a few minutes before deciding you’d had enough.
Before we knew it, it was Christmas, your first, and you were smiling, babbling, and amazed by all the pretty things you saw.
Soon the new year was upon us.
Each day you were changing, growing, becoming more you. Your interests became less focused on mommy and daddy, and more on your surroundings. You spent time playing with toys now. 
and checking out what was happening around you.
The doctor told us it was time to venture into the world of “solid foods” so we got some spoons, bowls, and baby cereal. Rice cereal to be exact. What dd you think? 
Yeah, you didn’t think it was so great. But we pushed on and pretty soon, you were getting the hang of it. So much so that you decided you were done nursing and wanted food exclusively.
Life was in full swing. You couldn’t get enough of it. You played hard. So hard that you sometimes crashed out while doing so. 
By now you were 6 months old, 
and loving life. You smiled all the time and even laughed now and then. It took a lot to get you to laugh, you squealed a lot more than you actually laughed. However they were always squeals of delight.
You still loved paying with toys 
and hanging out with your daddy while he was playing video games. 
Before we knew it, your sister’s softball season began and it was off to games several times a week. 
But one Saturday there wasn’t a game and so we decided to take you to the Happiest Place on Earth, DISNEYLAND!
You were 8 months old when you met Mickey and Minnie Mouse for the first time ever. Your eyes were wide the whole time we were there. Well until you crashed out for a nap that is.
Easter came and we went over to your grandparen’t house for an Easter egg hunt and BBQ. You even found an egg!
In June, school let out and we packed up the car and headed up to the High Sierras with the family.
This was your first camping trip. You spent a lot of time on daddy’s back 
checking everything out. We saw a lot of things while there. You even stuck your toes in a lake. 
I won’t mention how we gave you a bath in a dishpan. 
OOPS! Too late.
We even took you to San Francisco! 
The 4th of July came and we headed off to watch fireworks. 
July was hot and so we had to find a way to cool you down. What did we do? We went in the pool of course!
Shocking, I know. But you loved being in the water.
Anyhow, the end of July brings us to August and with it, your birthday You’re a big 1 year old now. 
You’ve gone from not being able to do much aside from just being, to smiling, lauging, babbling, clapping, giving kisses, rolling, sitting, standing, surfing the furniture, and beyond.
Who knew that your presence would have such a profound impact on our lives. You’ve brough us so much joy over the past year. My heart swells with love every time I go into the room to get you out of the crib in the morning. How can it not when you have a grin that goes from ear to ear and you’re bouncing your little heart out because you’re so happy to see me.
Jessalyn, we love you so very much and look forward to seeing what this year holds for us. Thank you for being a shining light.
Happy Birthday little girl!
Love always,
“Maaa ma!”
Ok family, here are the pictures we took over at Picture People:
http://www.jasonandjen.com/photos/album/jessalyn-1-year-photo-shoot/
http://www.jasonandjen.com/photos/album/la-habra-corn-festival/
Christian was in the La Habra Corn Festival a few week back. Sorry i just got around to posting the pictures. Click the picture to see more!
I’m blogging directly from La Habra cornfest parade, Chris’ football team is in the parade. We’re doing the annual thing of sitting at the end of the route waiting for him to finish.
AS ghetto as the area is (the locals have nicknamed it ‘GuadaLaHabra‘) I actually found some WiFi that was open and available. Anyhow the streets are still dead and I’m waiting for our friends to arrive and sit with us. Expect some more pictures to be available in our Photos area.
