Happy Birthday to me!!!

So, if you know me at all, you know that I love birthdays, especially my own!!!! I think it all started when I was a little girl and had a huge sleep over! My mom told me that I could invite 16 girls, but I took that to mean that I could have 16 girls at my house. So, if one friend said she couldn't come, I would invite another, until all 16 slots were filled! This was the year that I turned 10 and was in 5th grade. So, if you can imagine 17 young girls running around one house, I can see why my mom never did that again! But, it was super fun and it was one of my most memorable birthdays! This one was a bit quieter, but still good. I got to share my 26th birthday (I am getting so old) on September 4th with my husband, baby boy, and my parents. In the morning, I opened some of my presents. I actually spread out the present-opening fun all day! It's just more fun that way :) Reed even helped me open some presents! I also got a call from Tyson's parents, sister, and her son. They even sang happy birthday to me on the phone. Then, we went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch with my parents...yummy! Then, Tyson and I headed off to the Zoo and saw some amazing stuff! Reed was so tired by then that he even fell asleep in his stroller, which does not happen very often. Then, we made pizza for dinner, I got to blow out my birthday candles and we ate cake and ice cream! I did want to go swimming, but the pool closes on Memorial Day and my birthday was the day after this year....ah nuts! But, it was such a fun birthday! Oh, one of my favorite parts was when we were in Cheesecake Factory and my parents and Tyson told them it was my birthday. They asked how to spell my name and my parents even spelled it out for them, but this is what my plate said...Happy Birthday Janel....close, but no cigar. I had to take a picture....so, enjoy that one for me! All in all, a good one. Who knows what the next year will bring us! Amazing how time goes by so quickly!


Just made me laugh :)


Blowing out the candles! 26....I can't believe it!

A sleepy, sleepy Reed...so precious!

Us at the Zoo!

Cheesecake Factory...sooooo good

Reed is just so funny....

Thanks for the help, Reed...I don't think I could have opened it without you!

Me and my various presents :) Thank you Tyson....you did so good!

The Tongue and Bath time

For those of you who did not get to see Reed within a few hours of being born (and even if you did), here is a video! He cried for maybe the first 5 seconds and then got really quiet and started playing with his tongue! It was the funniest and sweetest thing. He has been such a good baby and I count my lucky stars (there are a lot to count) because he really has been a joy to have. He's one of those babies that makes you want to have more kids or start having kids :) I just love this video because it just shows Reed's nature - calm and funny at the same time! The next video I took a couple days ago during Reed's favorite time of day - Bath time! He loves the water so much and gets so excited! Lately, he has been moving a ton in the bath. So, I took a longer video to show what exactly he does in the bath. If I would let him, I think he would stay in there all day! It makes me laugh every time I watch it (which is a lot)....so, I hope you enjoy it!

7 months

I cannot believe that my baby is 7 months old today! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital, scared out of our minds, wondering how we would ever take care of a little baby. And yet, 7 months have gone by, I am not an expert (probably never will be), but I know a little bit of what I am doing. These past 7 months have been fabulous, scary, and every emotion you can think of in between. It truly has been great to be a mom! It is something that I would not trade for anything else in the world. So, he are some photos, just to show you how much a baby changes from day 1 to day 214! Amazing how the time flies! Reed, I love you!


The "Now" Pictures:
Sleeping is still one of Reed's favorite things! Thankfully, most of his sleep is at night now :)

How can you not love this picture?!

Baby model Reed - he was looking up at me and I couldn't resist

I finally got a picture of Reed in his push-up position! He has been doing this for about 2 weeks now! Crawling is just around the corner.....uh oh....

This was taken a couple of days ago - the first time Reed ever put his knee down after doing his push-up position! I was so excited :)

I found Reed under our coffee table just jabbering away - he is so funny!

This is his classic look - it should be called "The Reed"

Baby model Reed - I love how close-up pictures make his eyes pop :)

The "Then" pictures:

After his hospital bath, Reed holds daddy's hand for comfort

One of Reed's favorite things - sleeping

I still don't know how he got his leg out of his pajamas - it still makes me laugh

After his first bath at home - the outfit is 0-3 months and he was swimming in it!

Mission Reunion and Richmond

Presidente and Sister G with Tyson, Reed, and Me

One of my favorite District Leaders - Elder Park :) (He always had these fabulous woman quotes)

My MTC district leader - Elder Wiberg! And yes, I had to show off the Guarana!

I just loved this picture of Reed - he is just beautiful (I can say that because I am his mom)

Over the summer while in Provo, my second mission president, Silvio Geschwandtner(try saying that 5 times fast) and his wife came to Utah to see their daughter and new grandchild. It was all very sudden, so I got an email one day saying that we were going to have a mission reunion. It did seem a little odd since they are from Brasil. But, I was excited to see them, since it had been over 3 years (wow, that's weird) since I had been released as a missionary! It was great to see them and see some old friends...crazy how time flies! There was good news about the mission...a couple of stakes were created!!!! Yeah! One of my favorite areas, Caico, became a stake pretty much right after I came home. It was great to see because the people there had worked so hard to qualify for Stake status. They are still dear to my heart! I miss Brasil ...I'll get back there one day!

At the end of August, Tyson and I decided to go to Richmond and visit my brother Brandon, his wife, Kim, and their 7 kids! Their youngest is 6 weeks younger than Reed. Since Tyson hadn't started work yet, we thought it would be the best time to go down. Of course, the traffic was a bit ridiculous, as it is across the East, but we made it there. Reed had his first encounters with Sheba, their dog, and loved it! Phew! He did get overwhelmed when so many kids came after him to hug him, but he eventually warmed up to everyone. While we were there, we attended a ward Olympic party and the video is of my brother's kids doing one of the relays! In order of appearance on the video is Tyler, Lanae, Coleman, Sasha, and one other kid from the ward! Enjoy :)

Sasha, Lanae, Tyson and Reed at the ward Olympics! Reed even got a medal! He's ultra talented!

Oh, what a difference 6 weeks can make! Sawyer and Reed are the closest in age.

Alia wasn't too sure about the picture.

Coleman showing off his olympic medal!!!!

Josh also showing off his olympic medal!

Reed and Sheba were having a staring contest - Reed won!

I know this one if a little blurry, but I just loved Reed's smile - he loved Sheba!

Reed looks adorable (me not so much, but ah well)

Some of the Rowberry children - Josh (red shirt), Alia (on the arm chair), Sawyer (next to Reed), and Sasha (you can only see her hair). Reed was a little bit hesitant, but did great!