Our man, Spencer

Guy happy! Always a smile, especially for Dad.

Ready for launch. We busted out the high chair because he likes to be up.

Stats at 6 months:

15 1/2 lbs

26 inches

This week had RSV, two budding teeth, four shots and an ear infection. Poor baby.

Yeah for Old Friends!

Last night I was at a baby shower and saw a few friends that I haven't seen for a while. Time seems like it passes so fast and our "we have to get togther soons" seem to fade into each other month after month and sometimes year after year. Nevertheless, I still love having the connections even though physical get-togethers seem to be more rare. I feel the same about family.

Thank heavens for email, snail mail, phone, fax or whatever method we use to reconnect. I have loved looking at friend's blogs too. It is funny how it seems that I can pick up right where I left off with friends I haven't seen for awhile. Kind of like a bad soap opera. I wish that I could see more old friends more often but the happy thoughts and memories make me still feel loved despite time and distance.

We have a trip to Disney World planned with my Uncle Rod and Aunt Sue in October and we're so looking forward to spending time with family we don't live close to. The kids will have so much fun being showered with attention and reconnecting.

So as the old saying goes, "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."

Mother of the Year

We will be coming up on Mother's Day in the next few months and I'm quite sure I won't be in the finals. I feel like I am Barely -Keep-My-Head-Above-Water mom. Before Spencer was born, I had visions of repainting a room in the basement with cute kid colors and revamping the room to serve as an arts & crafts and educational sanctuary, complete with mini table and chairs (like in Nursery). Each week I would let Matthew invite a few friends over and I would proudly lead the group in crafts, reading, and other worthwhile ventures. Needless, to say, I'm lucky if I let Matthew watercolor once a month. None of those visions have materialized and I can honestly admit that they probably never will.

Do I feel badly? Sort of--sort of not. Although I wish I had more time and ENERGY (mostly energy) for structured learning, I am coming to terms with the reality that most days it's just not going to happen. I still have a six month old to care for, a house to clean, laundry to do, dinner to make, Church callings to fulfill, along with a host of other obligations. Some days I am just proud that I haven't hurt anyone or yelled too loudly. I try to keep a balance of spending time with the kids and doing "chores" although sometimes it's difficult. I feel like Spencer is always getting parked so that I can peel potatoes or fold laundry. It's ok though he will be just fine. Through observation from youth, hopefully he will be able to fold his own underear and make potato soup when he's on his mission.

Yummy Pizza@The Rusted Sun

Today is a co-workers birthday and we went to lunch at a pizzeria called The Rusted Sun. It's at 2010 S. State in Salt Lake. It is really yummy. Highly recommend it to the local readers. It's a very small place so go during an off time, if possible. We had six smooshed into the only booth that could accomodate six, but well worth it.

Sickness update: Matthew is on the mend, Spencer is still coughing and wheezing. I feel so sorry for him. Last night--not our best but I'm plowing through today. Hoping for a better night tonight.

Tater Tot Junkie

I admit it--I'm a fan of the tater tot. They are most likely not the healthiest food choice but they sure are good. We had some for dinner on Saturday night along with BBQ sandwiches. The only problem is that we were almost out of Some Dude's Fry Sauce and Corbin and I had to share what we could successfully shake out of the bottle. We thought we had another bottle and after we both combed the pantry, came to the conclusion that we were wrong. It was a real bummer. Tots with ketchup are good but tots with Some Dudes are GREAT. I must restock on the Some Dudes and should probably include it in our food storage.

There are some foods, like tater tots, that I have to have occassionally. Some other favorites are graham crackers with frosting or Nutella (yum), melted cheese on Triscuits, artichoke dip, and chocolate cake. No, I'm not the poster child for Eating Light.

Nearly Deaf in my Left Ear

I have a new appreciation for those who live with hearing loss. Hopefully mine isn't permanent but darn I hate it. I think I have a pressure problem from a cold and it's really annoying. My ear feels like it does when it has water in it the only difference is I can't get it to pop for anything. It's been days. I can't tell how loud I'm talking or if I am hearing all or the proper parts of conversation. Ugh, I hope it clears up soon.

The good part is my cough of four weeks is gone. Come on spring--I'm ready!

Cousins!

The cousins- Trey, Jordan, Katie, Nick, Courtney and Andrew- arrived yesterday for a week of skiing. Matthew is quite excited to have playmates. Matthew and Spencer have both had bad coughs and Matthew has the barfs every few days so we are hoping that we don't pass along the bug. Poor Spencer has a nasty cough for such a little dude. Anyway, we are hopeful for some quality playtime this week. Trey and Barry are skiing today and Shannon is taking the other kids sledding but alas, we cannot participate. From my previous post in December, I described what a great time we had sledding and yes, I'm sad that we aren't going.

The good things about today, President's Day, are 1. traffic is really light and 2. the office restocked the hot chocolate packets. They've been out for weeks and it was really making me cross. I hid a few away in case of another crisis.

Happy Belated Groundhog Day!

I can't believe that Groundhog Day completely slipped my mind this year. I am only 10 days late. I am not a good native Pennsylvanian without mention of the famous holiday and ritual. I have no idea if the groundhog saw his shadow or not but regardless, I think I'm in for at least six more weeks of winter here in Utah!

Our lives are pretty similar to the movie Groundhog Day. We get up about the same time each day (and in the middle of the night), do our work or home routine and then flop into bed at night. It's a good life despite the routine. We do get to shake it up a little this weekend when Matthew goes to California with G&G Engle. Corbin and I are looking forward to watching a movie in our bed that is not Thomas, Nemo, or Cars. We sure will miss the little guy though.

The next little known holiday is Fausnut Day. I think it's Feb. 17 or 27 (somewhere around there). It's a PA Dutch day and they celebrate with a little ring of dough--very similar to a doughnut. So, Happy Fausnut Day in advance!

Cupcake Craze

I read an article a few weeks ago about cupcakes--of all things. Apparently the cupcake is making a culinary come back. I was invited to the 70th birthday of a lady who I consider to be fairly classy and what did they have on the dessert table but cupcakes. They were fancy of course and quite inviting. There was a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing--yum, a chocolate variety, and a few others with sprinkles. Bakeries are offering a decadant selection of cupcakes now.

I loved making cupcakes as a kid and we often made them to take to school on our birthday. My only hesitation with cupcakes is that I get crumbs everywhere and I really need a fork to properly eat one. I think I'll make some Valentine cupcakes with pink icing and something fancy on top. True confessions--my heart still lies with the donut.

Friday Date Night

Here we are at Friday again and unfortunately we are still in more snow, cold, and sick mode. We are trying to just enjoy each artic blast and are thankful for the snow blower, which I learned how to operate this week. It's kind of fun and I can get lots of practice.

Tonight is date night--with Matthew. We go to Wal-mart most Friday nights and grocery shop. I remember as a kid, I loved to go with my mom. We shopped at a store called Musser's and they had little kid carts. My mom would usually let me pick out some small jar of something to put in my cart. I remember liking the small mayonnaise jars, which are probably half the quantity and twice the price, but she was a good sport about it. Musser's had a delicious bakery and we loved to get fresh donuts. In the summer, we shopped in the morning and picked out our lunch for the day. Fun times. Matthew gets a chocolate donut and rides in the "extended cab" cart. We usually get Rick, the part time checker, and have come to appreciate his bagging skills and friendly face. So, even though it's not dinner and a night on the town, it's still a fun time and Dad and Spencer do some bonding. Spencer is a total daddy's boy. Corbin can get reactions out of him that I can't. Spencer just lights up when he sees Corbin. It works out well since Matthew is very much in a mommy phase.