Joee Wong | International Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer

Today is a special day.

One year ago today, Jalen entered our lives.  I simply cannot believe we have reached his one year birthday.  Unbelievable.

As with all the kids birthdays, we go through all our gazillion family photos and put together some sort of slideshow to watch together.  When we sift through all the images, you can’t help but get a little emotional.  So many milestones were hit, so many diapers changed, lots of crying, cuddling and kisses.  Just amazing memories that seem like a blur, all captured through my camera.  I will cherish these photos forever.

As he grew, he seemed to look like Ethan…then Brandon…then Ethan…then Brandon.  Then about 6 months ago, he looked like…JALEN !  It’s amazing how much the kids looked like each other at the beginning.  But they all morphed into their own.  To this day, I still can’t believe we have 3 beautiful, healthy children.  All BOYS too ! (Yeah, it’s a busy household !)

This past weekend, we held his birthday party for his family and friends.  Again, our modest home was nearly packed to capacity.  Not the most number of kids ever in our home, but enough to drive one crazy LOL.

Jeanette slaved all week setting up the decor for the party.  Let me rephrase that, she had actually started planning the theme of the party many months ago.  That is Jeanette…super mom and party planner (for all ages!).  She spent many a night breastfeeding and surfing the internet sourcing out products to make this party exactly the way she imagined.  I had no idea what I was going to see.  I just saw items in my credit card from stores all over the USA and Canada.  And I think my party planning friends would be proud of what she came up with.

Here are some recent pics of Jalen and the actual party.

He definitely loves his new bike !  He’ll figure it out sooner or later that it’s not a walker.

Cool little hats for the kiddies.  They came in fishes, turtles, sharks and dolphins.  So adorable !

Check out this cake by our dear friends Stella and Madel of Delicately Yours !  How amazing is this ?!?!!  I think we just gave them a theme and this is what they came up with.  It matched all the decor perfectly !  Thank you so much girls ! You two are just so talented !  (You’ll get to know Madel very soon as I’m photographing her wedding next year !)

Ok, so that watermelon shark above….yeah, Jeanette made that ! WOW ! Amazing, babes !

The usual struggle to try to get a decent photo of the boys…

Apparently, in the chinese traditions, it’s customary to give the birthday boy the big fat chicken drumstick. (nom, nom, nom)

Jalen, I know you’re a little too young to know what it means when Mommy, Daddy, Ethan, and Brandon say “I Love You!”.  But I know you know what love feels like because we shower you with hugs and kisses all day long, like we do with your brothers.  You have been an absolute blessing.  Our family would not have been complete without you.  We hope you enjoyed your first cake and had a fun time getting bounced around from person to person.  Your family and friends love and adore you very much.

Happy Birthday Sweetie !

-Mommy, Daddy, Ethan and Brandon

* Thank you to everyone for their generous gifts and well wishes.  And an extra thank you goes out to all those who helped us during the day with photos/cinema and eating the food.

**** Feel free to leave Jalen your wishes below ****