Cheeky monkey. Bum-looker!

Spencer falling into the blanket basket trying to reach a toy:)

He likes bath time, but he loves standing in the bath tub more.

I'm cute and I know it:)

It's clapping time, all the time!

Spencer absolutely loves bath time. It's not so fun for mommy and daddy though, trying to wash him is quite slippery and he doesn't enjoy the soap, he just wants to eat the water and stand up on the side of the tub. Above is a picture of him falling into our basket in our living room trying to reach a toy, once he got it he was stuck, so of course we had to take a picture with his bum in the air:) He is quite a mischievous little boy. He is pulling himself up on everything, standing and now letting go occasionally and standing alone. He is into EVERYTHING. I can't keep up. I have just had to come to realization that my rugs will always be turned up, the DVDs will always be pulled off the shelf and that the remote control will always be in Spencer's hiding place.:) Just more reasons to love him!

Ute's in Texas

Go Utes! Me and Joseph watched the Utah v. BYU game at Deliman's Grill with some people from our ward, I believe we were the only Ute fans there, oh well. I think we did a good job rooting anyhow. It was tied 17-17 when we walked in. We were pulled right in, of course. I knew Utah's offense struggles at times, so I was a little nervous when that happened. Utah's defense really stepped up tonight, with all those turnovers , whew. I almost felt bad for BYU, but then I remembered last year, and those feelings left quickly and I knew it was high time for Utah's victory. They deserve BCS with their 12-0 record! We ate some famous Stubb's sandwich and fries and enjoyed the silence from all the BYU fans, as they lowered their heads over and over.:) Even Spencer got into it, although, he got very tired very quickly and I didn't think he was going to make it to the end. His daddy held him on his shoulders on occasion to keep him happy, but poor Spencer couldn't hardly hold his head up. He would rest it on his daddy's head, while on his shoulders it was very pitiful, yet very cute. I hope he sleeps really good tonight our lil' Ute fan! I took some pics of the boys, and Spencer in his p.j.-Ute look.

Tired, exhausted, worn out, beat, pooped, done in, absolutely ready to crash!

I love my boys, I do. But, I'm exhausted! It's only Tuesday! I want to already label this as the worst week, and I haven't even seen what Wednesday has to offer... frankly, I don't want to see Wednesday. I always hear that phrase, "when at the bottom, there is only one direction from there, and that is up!" I sure hope so. I don't know what it is this week, its like bad luck, or my brain is so fried that I can't think straight. I'm forgetting things left and right. Things I usually am very on top of. I'm not blaming the boys for all my absentmindedness and fatigue, but they sure do expect me to have 3 brains working simultaneously. So, I guess I am.:) Joseph has been studying for months for his graduate school test. I am home all day with Spencer, but when Joseph comes home I have to have dinner ready, so he can utilize as much time as possible for taking his practice tests. So, for the rest of the night I am feeding Spencer, bathing him, cleaning house, all while trying to be quiet. I've been tending Spencer on my own for a little while, and Spencer is not making any part of this temporary situation easier! He is just all over the place. I didn't know child proofing meant quarantining your child and making sure there is no escape. The only plus is that he will take his naps on time and go to bed on time and with no problem. The catch is it has to be his own bed, no where else. So, if I am even a little late on getting back home from an errand, he goes ballistic. Then, I just say goodbye to that nap, cause he's too tired to go down, and I'd rather him play then scream! This has been the case these past few days. Now, I want to scream:)
Well, there's only one thing I can do, and that is HOPE, hope that tomorrow I will be able to grab a hold of my nerves, and hope that I can think a little clearer and hope I can finish all errands before nap time. Hope. Maybe a little prayer to go with it too. Sorry, if you are still reading me venting out. A mother needs it time and again. I'm looking forward to December, when Joseph takes his test, FINALLY, and I can go back to having another parent. It'll be worth it in the end, I just hope I can endure 'til then:)

8 Months....and still alive!

Yay, we made it this far. There are days I wonder how this kid has survived this long:) I am feeling very accomplished when Joseph comes home and I am able to show him Spencer is still around for one more day. It's becoming quite the challenge to keep this kid out of trouble, he is crawling and making chaos too fast for me to catch up with him. I am starting to understand more and more why people buy playpens and exersaucers, none of which we have. I keep talking about it, but I'm too exhausted chasing him around to even remember to go to the store. I wouldn't change anything about him though. He is such a ball of sunshine. He really knows how to make mommy and daddy smile. His personality is really starting show through, he is very particular about things. He knows what he wants, and how he wants it. Anything but, and its not acceptable:) He is very much like his mom in the way he day dreams and gazes. He will sit in front of our window and just look outside and watch birds fly and the trees branches sway for like 20 minutes. It's definitely a nice break for me! He melts me when he gives me his snuggles. He will take his forehead and just rub it on my cheek or anywhere on my face that feels soft to him. I'm his comfort blankie, but daddy is his human toy! He loves to to just climb all over him. He loves to steal his glasses and yank his ears. I think daddy makes him giggle the hardest, and its great when he does! We're so blessed to have this little man in our lives. We're just falling more in love with him everyday.

More excuses to dress him up..

The Cousins

The Dutson family

Spencer really loves his Uncle Mike

Aisha loves chocolate!

Daddy and Tigger

Cute Tigger face:)

We went trick-or-treating with our nieces, Emma and Aisha, on Halloween. We basically wanted one more excuse to dress him up in his cute tigger costume.:) We also went to the Harvest Carnival for our ward, in which he got face-painted his complete "Tigger" look! I know we are pretty bias, but I have to say he is the cutest Tigger I have ever seen. We are definitely having fun with him!

Tigger at the Arboretum

Spencer is Tigger for his first Halloween. My sweet sister Shawna lent the costume to me, and who can pass up a free costume?! We went to the Arboretum with his playmates from playgroup. We wanted to get some cute pics at the Arboretum with the pumpkins and flowers with their cute costumes on. Spencer actually did very well for his first time wearing it, he didn't fuss over the hoodie at all; Although, he didn't seem all that excited either. He just kinda sat there the whole time, and just let his droopy cheeks droop. Its okay, I love those cheeks. He's cute in any emotion, even the lack of:)

Family, Friends and Fun in Utah

Joseph and I were able to go to Utah this past weekend, it definitely wasn't long enough, we wish we could have stayed a little longer, it's always hard to leave family and friends that you don't get to see very often.
We first stayed with Joseph's father and step-mother in Alpine. It was much cooler than we were used to down here in Texas. Joseph's Dad loves to take pictures, especially of his children (I've just recently learned:) The Autumn trees were perfect for picture taking, and he definitely got really cute ones of little Spencer ( of course, he is cute no matter what camera you use:)
While we were with Joseph's Dad and Step-mom they took us to the U of U bookstore so that we could get some Utah t-shirts. Joseph really needed a new one, and Spencer and I are adopted fans. Now with our t-shirts Spencer and I are now official Ute fans! We are a University of Utah Family:) Go Utes!
We were only able to spend one day with Joseph's dad and step-mom and we headed out to Logan the next day to share the day with one of my best friends Lissa, who was finally getting married to Bryce Mumford, and I was one of her bridesmaids. It was a beautiful sealing. She looked absolutely gorgeous and just glowing with happiness. It was also good to see some old friends from Missouri that I hadn't seen for a long while. We were really honored that Bryce and Lissa had invited us to their wedding and to spend their special day with them, and it was very memorable.
The next day we spent with Joseph's mom and siblings.... one word, FUN! Joseph's mom was kind enough to take all the children to Lagoon! It was my first experience to go to Lagoon, while Joseph was able to reminisce the old days of going there. We rode tons of rides, of which my favorite was just doing Bumper Cars with the sibs. Joseph has a very fun family, I think their children keep them young at heart:) Speaking of the nieces and nephews, we just got a new one that came just last week, Leah. She is Joseph's older Brother Lee and Marsha's 5th. She was so beautiful and petite. I'm sad we don't live closer:( We also had a barbecue at Lee and Marsha's at which we got Lee to take the pic of us in our Utah shirts. We then went back to Lagoon to play some more with the nieces and nephews and came back late that night to Joe's moms to play some Rock Band with our newest Brother-in-law Kent. We hadn't really got to hang out with him and Jenny since they were married. We were really glad to be with them, they are a lot of fun.
The next day we visited with Grandma Parrish and Joseph's old friend Jeremy. We had a big breakfast and a little too much fun dissecting a bee at the kitchen table:) After our wonderful breakfast and chatting we then had to go back home. :( We miss them already.

Going, Going...Gone!

Spencer is exactly 7 months today and is growing way too fast for our liking. I can't believe how much he has grown and has changed our lives for the better. He never has had a boring day, he could not wait to get around the house. For Spencer, being not able to reach his toys was never an option. Once he got the hang of crawling, he was off!:) It's now a forever game of hide and seek, unfortunately he is always winning at this game.:) Joseph finally took some video of Spencer crawling, sorry the quality isn't all that good. Also, excuse his diaper only apparel:)

"...Eyes, Ears, Mouth and Nose"

Joseph and I noticed last night that Spencer had some green gunk inside of his eyes, just thought it was an eye infection and planned on waiting until morning before calling the doctor about it, since it costs us $10 for every after hour phone call we make. After we put him down for the night, Spencer woke up in hysterics every 15-20 minutes, this occurred all night, He eventually ended up in our bed, which we have never done before, but it was much easier than getting out of bed every 20 minutes, til' about 5 am this morning! Joseph and I were exhausted to say the least. Joseph made an appointment with the doctor early morning, but I didn't think we needed to go, because of course now his eye didn't have discharge and he wasn't crying as often. I didn't want to see the doctor, just for her to tell me he's okay... I've already done this several times. Well, when Spencer and I arrived at the doctors office, he started crying again, there was build-up in his eye, and I was sure glad I went. The doctor said it looked like he had a cold in his nose, which he passed to his eye, which drained into his ears and caused two ear infections and he also has two eye infections. Yep, our very first ear infection! Let me tell ya, its super fun;) So, we're stuck at home for the next few days, which he will probably just use that time to hone his crawling skills:) That's another post though, once I get pictures or/and video I'll put them up. That's way more exciting to see than a crusty-faced kid:)

Making a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill

I had my nieces Emma and Aisha over for lunch the other day. I pulled out a pop-up tent that I keep just for them, because I know Aisha loves to play house with it. They wanted Spencer to come inside and play with them,which was tight, since it was very small, but it was very cute anyhow. It was then that I got a crazy idea! The kid that I am inside decided the tent wasn't good enough, we'd have to make a fort! They tried to help with the blankets while I basically set it up with the chairs and our couches. It was actually very fun, and reminded me a lot of when I used to build them in my living room with my siblings. Building forts as a kid is the "awesomest." Plus, its super fun to tear down when you are finished. I didn't get a picture of us doing that, I wish I would have, but I was too busy helping the girls knock it down! I can't wait til' Spencer grows up and wants to make forts in our living room of his own!:)

The three of them inside the small pop-up tent

The huge fort taking up my whole living room!

The girls thought forts were only for boys, so they called it their castle, which makes sense, after all they are Princesses:)

Tears, Tricks and Trouble

Spencer is hitting his 6 and a 1/2 month mark. This is a time of transition in every way of the word. He is learning to hold his own cup, to crawl and( hopefully soon) to go back to sleep on his own! I have been counseled by my doctor , my sister, and the books, that it is now time to let Spencer just duke it out with his tears and fall asleep on his own. Joseph and I have had no problems with putting Spencer TO sleep, However, he wakes up after falling asleep for only 30 min. and gives a big cry until mom and dad come to rescue him and sing him back to sleep. For naps, it was never a big deal, but at 3 am waking to his wailing was getting a bit old. So, today I decided not to rescue him during his nap, but to have him cry it out. I don't know what it is in my mind that makes me believe that the first of ANYTHING with a baby is supposed to go smoothly, I guess I just have high hopes:) So, I let him cry for about 30 minutes, I then heard his cry change tones, so I went to see what the problem was , I look over his crib and he had gotten his chunky turkey leg stuck in between the bars. I calmed him down and put him back in his crib, but he was already traumatized by the fact he thought he would never see his delicious leg again, then he just wouldn't settle down, so, after another half hour I did what I do best and gave in.:) I sang him to sleep and laid with him on the couch, until he fell asleep. As always, there will be more and more attempts, and hopefully soon a final success:) If any one has any suggestions on how to make a smooth transition on getting Spencer to fall back asleep on his own,(or how to stop him from getting his rolls stuck between the bars:) let me know!

The Trouble Maker
Here is Spencer waking up from his comfortable nap on the couch (hopefully for the last time.) Since he rolls over now, I have to put pillows down just in case.
First he grabs the unsuspecting toes...
and then he eats 'em all up, yum:)
This is mommy just having fun with the camera, he is so cute when he is thinking and daydreaming.