After 18 days of being out of town in Turkey, Shawn arrived home on Sept 3rd. We originally scheduled Allyson's birthday for Sat, Aug 28th, but that got pushed when Shawn was asked to stay another week. We had her party on Labor day afternoon, on Aunt Alisha's birthday. We are so blessed to have so many friends and family support Ally as she turned 1! We had a zoo-themed party and passed out zoo animals as we read Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? The adults also played a team drawing game and they enjoyed it. I set up a candy bar where the kids, alongside of their parents filled up a bag full of goodies. I think the colorful gum balls and tall lollipops had the kids excited. Ally did great with her cake and even shared with others! :) Michelle did a fabulous job on both cakes...all of the zoo animals were awesome! Ally (and Jase) love all of her new toys. The picture shown is one the of toys that Jase loves and they often share because Ally wants to play with EVERYTHING that Jase touches! Lol!
I took Jase to the doctor on 9/15 for a well check-up and I was surprised by some of his measurements. He is now 35 lbs (80th percentile) and 39 1/4 inches tall (90th percentile). He doesn't seem like a huge kid to me, so it shocked me about the percentiles. I have to admit that he is now wearing 4T pants because his 3T's are too short. He is almost 3 1/2...crazy!!
We bought Ally a big girl car seat about 2 months ago, but have been waiting for her to turn a year and weigh 20 lbs or more. Well, I put her on the scale after church this afternoon and she was 20.05 lbs!! I was so excited!! Shawn installed her new seat and she is such a big girl sitting in it. I know she will enjoy sitting like Brother and looking around.
Ally is not walking yet, but has started to stand up on her own without holding on. No rush on her walking, I know it will happen soon enough, just like everything else!!
Jase has really been enjoying school. He brought his first library book home last Thursday. I think I am more excited to search his backpack when he gets home, than he is. Lol! I love it when his teacher sends home completed work or the school sends home letters. He usually finishes all of his lunch everyday too. I am glad to see he is eating well at school.
Last Sunday during Children's church he was asked to bless the snack and Michelle said she was expecting "God is great, God is good", but she said that he said his own prayer and did a great job! Since then he has blessed us with his new prayer many times: "Dear God, thank you for this day. May God Bless Mommy, Daddy, Ally and me! Thank you for this food. In Jesus' name, amen." The first time I heard it, I cried. It touched my heart so much. We pray at night together, but a lot of the time he repeats what we say or we will pray while he listens. It is awesome to hear him talk to God in his own words. He is building a relationship with Jesus at 3 years old and there is nothing more that we could want for our son.