Jacob P. Bruffey
Our newborn boy, 11.5.2010
Our big boy, 11.3.2012
His birthday is this coming Monday, 11.5.2012. I cannot believe my firstborn is about to be 2!! It has truly flown and I am so in love with this precious child! He is FUN! He finally started saying his name (he would sign it, which we loved, but just started referring to himself as "Jacob" in addition to saying "I".)! He counts to 10, knows his colors, says 3 and 4 word sentences, expresses his desires saying "I want ___" and "please" and "thank you", uses sign language and English alternatively, loves dogs and balls and balloons and trucks and cars and his Mama, Daddy, Granddaddy, Grandmother and Baby Ruth. He does NOT like when baby cries and will declare, "Baby, No Cry!" or softly stroke her head saying, "Baby Gurl!" (Because Mama says, "it's ok baby girl"). I love his heart and pray he is just like his daddy - when I see his sweetness, I just beam because that is so from his Daddy! He loves drawing and coloring, especially with chalk outside, and everything BIG (big trucks, big ball, big balloon, etc.). He likes trains, but is not a fan of them being loud. He has a sweet heart for animals, loves to run fast and jump off things when allowed. He will say, "ready! Set! GO!" He is a fan of football and soccer (Mama is hoping for a soccer player!) and will watch football on TV with Daddy from time to time. He is our 2 year old and we are having so much fun with this great gift from God in our lives!
Knowing that our sweet Ruth would be born about a month before Jacob's 2nd birthday, I decided to plan a SMALL, at home party for him this year. Since his birthday was a Monday, we planned it for hte Saturday before - although we learned that this weekend is the annual NASCAR race just a few miles north of us, so we plan to have his future birthdays the following weekend if we have them at home for the sake of those coming from out of town!
So, we had a huge blowout for his 1st birthday at my parents' home, which was just what this Mama wanted to mark his first year of life and my first year of motherhood. But, knowing I'd be 4 weeks postpartum this year, I wanted something simple and small. I read online about toddler birthdays and talked to my Mother and BFF, and we agreed that family plus one or two friends that Jacob plays with was plenty! Other than family, I decided to just invite a family from our small group and the family from church that kept Jacob while we were in labor/delivery with Ruth. Each family has a child that is just Jacob's age and they all play together really well! I knew this would be a good size party for me to see Jacob have fun, celebrate this milestone in his life, and yet not overwhelming for me with a newborn. It turned out perfect! Of course, there are pictures!! Here is Jacob's 2nd birthday photojournalist style! Thank you to our church friends and family members who helped mark this special time with our beloved boy!
The start of his day
Jacob's morning with pancakes for breakfast!
What are those Mama?
Balloons from Aunt Beryl!!!!
A fun table to play!
A snack of animal crackers while Mama and Daddy set up for the party
My big boy
Coloring on his table
Love this boy!
The house ready!
The table of goodies
Presents for Jacob
The cake - from Tante Maren
How awesome is this cake!?!
Jacob's personal cupcake, also from Tante Maren
Goodie bags for our guests
Happy Birthday for Jacob!
Grandmother covered his kid table with butcher paper and wrote him a special birthday message!
The Ball Pit for our "ball" themed party!
Our "pit"
(a great new pool for us to use as a family of 4 next summer)
Jacob inspecting the "pit" and letting Mr. Monkey try it out
The first guest arrive and he and Jacob dove in!
Playing with Sam!
Sam loved the ball pit!
Daddy got in to help Jacob warm up
I loved how the Dads got involved!
The three kiddos had a great time!
Jacob even shared his blue football with Mr. Brian!
Emory has the sweetest little brother and even 9 month old Everett got to play in the balls some.
The kids loved diving in and out!
Run fast!
Daddy and Jacob having fun in the ball pit! I do love these boys!
Granddaddy and Grandmother
My parents came up from Houston for the party and Jacob was SO excited! He adores his "Granddaddy!" and "Grand-meow!" (we are getting closer to "Grandmother"!)
Tickle time with Granddaddy
Granddaddy makes Jacob so happy!
Grandmother even got in the ball pit to play!
Presents for a 2 Year Old
Jacob's early morning started with a gift from his Daddy - a new Sit 'N Spin!
At the party, ready to open presents
Me and my boy!
The birthday boy!
The great gift from Markus! (He couldn't make it because he had a soccer game, but he painted this picture of himself playing soccer for Jacob! We love it!)
Jacob opening the painting from Markus!
The card from Granddaddy and Grandmother that sings!
After opening some markers, the kiddos tried them out on Jacob's table
Drawing with the cool markers!
A gift from our friend, Mrs. Alaina! She couldn't make it to the party, but she visited with Mama on Friday and brought this great gift for Jacob that we enjoyed after the party! He loves it!
Cake and Ice Cream
The amazing cake from Tante Maren
Mama showing Jacob how to blow out his candles
Ready for cake! The kids know what's coming!
Jacob dug right in to his cupcake!
He had a fork - but it was more for holding than using to eat!
Samuel digging in to his cake!
Jacob quickly learned "birthday, cake!" as a connection
Jacob and his buddy enjoying the yummy cake
Oh wow! I love this face! My little green cake monster!
Ice cream and play itme!
I love seeing the little friends at our little table!
Jacob and his 2 buddies!
Little Everett crawled right over to Mr. Brian for a taste!
Cake goodness with friends!
My birthday boy enjoying his party!
Aunt Rup!
Tante Maren used her cool phone an an app called Face Time so Aunt Rup could sing "Happy Birthday" to Jacob with the rest of the group and see his cake, say hello, and chat with family.
Daddy talking to his daughter. It was great to have Virginia be a part of the day!
Tante Maren!
Tante Maren and Jacob! We love her! She helped with his 2nd celebration SO much! She is a dear sister, friend, and aunt!
Outside!
After eating cake and ice cream, it was time to play outside!
Jacob's new basketball goal that will grow with him!
Our backyard all mowed, groomed and ready for a party!
Jacob playing on his kangaroo climber
Josh adding play sand to our sand table for the kiddos to dig in!
Samuel coming down the slide!
Jacob ready to slide!
Lots of toys here to play with!
Girl Talk
While the Dads and Grandparents had the toddlers outside, we Mamas got some girl talk time inside! It was a great time of sharing and encouragement!
Some more ball pit fun!
Ruth Evelyn!
So where was baby sister Ruth during this great party?
Some of the time, she was snuggled up being worn by Mama
But much of the party was spent in the arms of our family baby whisperer, Tante Maren!
some alert, awake learning time for sweet Ruth
A treasured precious moment. Daddy laid down to talk to Ruth and she looked at him and smiled! Tante Maren captured it on film!
I love you Granddaddy! You make me smile!
The "after" party!
After the party ended and we had some nap times, Grandmother, Grandaddy, and our family of 4 headed to dinner at Cheddar's! God provided the BEST server - she is allergic to dairy so knew just what to recommend for me and baby Ruth!
Napping in the ring sling with her soothie - we just introduced this today (thank you Tante Maren)!
Jacob leaned over for a hug from Granddaddy who scooped him up and Grandmother got in for a big bear hug!
Jacob ADORES his Granddaddy! We'll say, "tell Granddaddy 'I love you'" and Jacob will lean over for a hug!
Daddy cutting Jacob's chicken - such a sweet moment.
Jacob started this "dance" on his own! We think he got it from "Backyardagins" - he insisted Grandmother and Granddaddy copy him - it was HYSTERICAL and SO cute!
Gettin' down with his cool Grandmother!
Granddaddy carried him to the car on his shoulders. A perfect end to our day! The gorgeous sunset, a much loved, so smart 2 year old, and time with family! Jacob is signing "car" because we are headed to our car!
Just before bath and bed time, Jacob wanted to play with his fish color puzzle from Aunt Rup. He got so many great presents and time with friends and family. It was the perfect birthday celebration for him and his Mama and Daddy (and baby sister Ruth)!
We love you Jacob and LOVE being the stewards of your little life. God has made you energetic, a lover of adventure, a man in training. May you come to know Him, love Him, and follow His truth!
I tell Jacob after bed time prayers that God's Word says, "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord..." from Jeremiah 29. I pray God draws Jacob's heart to be a man of God and lover of God's truth!
Happy 2nd birthday, Jacob Parish Bruffey!
~ Mama Bruffey ~
Daughter of God, Wife of One, Mother of Two
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