The Spencers

Harrison's ISR Swim Classes

2008-09-27T14:53:00.001-07:00

After watching my niece Kylie swim and back float with much joy while we were on vacation in the Keys, Mike and I decided to enroll Harrison in Infant Swim Resource swim classes... below are just a few clips of his progress - I wish I had more but I was often in the pool with him and could not video it - and I forgot my camera his last day!! You can check out the program in your area on www.infantswim.com

Make sure to PAUSE the music in the right sidebar before hitting play!!

Back at home...

2008-09-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

Here are a few random pics from home....

Harrison loves to go outside and wait for daddy to drive up from work - Mike then takes him in his lap and lets him "drive" the car in the garage - this is truly one of Harrison's highlights of his day!

He copies everything we do these days - one morning we were eating our traditional Saturday morning pancakes that Mike makes and reading the paper, neither of us was paying much attention to Harrison as he was rather quiet - when we looked over here he was - thankfully he stayed like that while I ran to get the camera - too funny!

Playing at Coley's house on Homer the baseball rocker

Portland, Oregon

2008-09-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

Back to Portland for our annual visit - Mike has work out there (there is a golf tournament in Eugene about 2 hours away which he works) every year and it works out great for us because two of my dearest friends live there!! We started the week staying at Beret and Eric Dahm's house where Harrison had a ball playing with Mia (who just turned 3) and Catcher (who just turned 1) We miss them being in Phoenix but are thankful we still get to see them!!

Then half way through the visit Harrison and I moved over to Shannon Wallace's (Harrison's Godmother) where more fun was to be had for Harrison with Braden (3) and Sienna (1)

Kelley and Bret Guetz (along with their baby Henry and dog Atlas) drove through Portland on their way to the golf tournament in Eugene, it was so fun to have the old gang together!

Beret and Mia with Baby Henry

Harrison goofing around with one of Catcher's hats

Beret's parents live in a beautiful historic home with a gorgeous garden... they also have a horse named Sweetie... Harrison has an infatuation with hoses and was thrilled to be able to give Sweetie her water since it involved him using the hose!

Harrison following Beret around in the garden as she picked fruits and veggies for dinner that night

He loved to walk to the different plants and point at the fruit

He was especially fascinated by the pumpkin here

Beret's mom grows the most delicious yellow raspberries -- that I have never seen or tasted before - Mia and Harrison were eating them straight off the bush like candy.

More hose play

Mia and Harrison sitting on the covered wagon at Beret's parent's house

LOVE this shot.... how sweet is that!

Harrison was chasing Mia around the yard he wanted so badly to run as fast as she did!

He kisses just about any resemblance of an animal...

Beret has a treadmill that became the boys favorite game - they assumed it was a slide put in the playroom specifically for them... they spent hours playing on it...

Mia, Catcher and Harrison playing outside

Mia had her 3rd birthday while I was there - she loves the little mermaid and desperately wants to be Ariel - Beret made this costume for her to wear at her party - she put it on nearly everyday and practiced singing "Out of this world" from the movie for us

What is it with kids and water?

Back at the Zoo... this time in Portland... they just had an elephant that gave birth and we got to see the 14 day old baby elephant - we couldn't take pictures of her, but here Harrison is standing next to a life sized poster of the baby!

One of Beret's good friends came by to visit and brought her two kids - here's her youngest Reese!

Once we moved to Shannon's the fun continued - we took Sienna and Harrison to the Children's Museum - here they are in the big dig area...

Later we went to listend to a man play a banjo - they were not very impressed...

in the music room

And yes more water play!

After Mike was done working in Eugene his Dad flew out to meet him and they went fly fishing on the Mackenzie River... I guess Harrison thought he would catch some fish of his own.

Gotta it! Who needs a pole!

Sienna thought she would give it a little taste....

After the museum we went for a walk along the water... Harrison loved the boats!

Shannon found an awesome Southern Cooking restaraunt - who knew the Northwest had such a thing!? It was delicious! And even the kids loved it! If your ever in the area you should check it out - the Screen Door near downtown on east Burnside... YUMMY!

Both on the plane ride there and back we were upgraded to First Class - and we lucked out and got the bulkhead on both flight Harrison plopped down right at our feet and slept for nearly two hours - gotta love traveling like that! (I had several blankets I brought with me underneath him so no he wasn't directly on the nasty floor)

San Diego

2008-09-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

For Labor Day Mike and I went to visit some old friends from Atlanta - and Mike's old Precept days, Chad and Kristi Hall and their 3 darling boys, Carson, Caleb and Chase! Harrison LOVED following around the "big" kids and we all had such a wonderful time catching up -just wished they lived closer so we could play more often!

Here are a couple shots of the boys playing around... Chase, the youngest, was sleeping during these so I'm bummed I don't have any of him!

We visited the famed San Diego Zoo while we were we there - Harrison loved it much more than I expected!

I swore I would never be that crazy mom that put her kids on a leash - yet here we are with a monkey leash - things change when you're at a zoo with a million kids and your child wants to run loose... so out comes the leash!

But hey - at least he loves this monkey - wondering... should we be worried that he gazes so intently into a stuffed monkey's eye???

He really loved feeding and petting the goats...

At the beach in Carlsbad

Back in the desert...

2008-07-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

Since Phoenix isn't anywhere near a beach there are fountains all around town to play in... now that I'm walking mama decided to take me to check it out - it was a blast!

Here I am with my friend London Kai - she is a bit older so she showed me how it is all done!

Loving my Thomas cup

Here's mama with baby Henry Guetz - she said he is just precious!

Here I am taking some of my first steps! I'm so Big!

I want to be just like daddy when I grow up!

See ya next time - I'm outta here!

And more steps!

2008-07-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Back in DeLand

2008-07-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

After we left the Keys we stayed at Nonnie and Gramp's for a couple weeks before heading back to Phoenix

The cuz and I causing trouble!

Auntie Shai was in DeLand at the same time we were and had Braden and Sienna with her, so we went to her mom's house to visit - her sister Angie was visiting from Aruba with her little girl Elana - getting a group pic was a challenge for the moms!

Angie with Elana

Aunt Shai, Braden, Sienna and Mommy and me!

Walking around Nonnie and Gramp's pool with Gramp - mama say's she misses the oak trees and moss in DeLand.

Down to the Florida Keys!

2008-07-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

Nonnie and Gramp rented a house for all of us on Marathon Key, Uncle Sid (mommy's brother), Aunt Amy and cousin Kylie came too!

On our way to the Keys with stayed with Mommy's friend Wehler - she is pregnant with a little girl - I can't wait to meet her!

Here is my first trip to the beach - so beautiful!

You with the camera - back off!

Pondering life....

Back at the rental house looking cute

Chillin with my daddy

Mama and Daddy went on a date - and I wasn't invited - the nerve of them!

The rental we stayed in had a boat slip right out back which made it easy to jump in the boat and go! Here mama and I are with aunt Amy and cousin Kylie getting ready to get on the boat for the first time

I'm not loving this get up

Whew finally back at the house - I had much more fun in the pool than on the boat!

I LOVED conch chowder!

The fam at Mallory square in Key West

The one that didn't get away! Daddy went fishing with the boys and caught this 40 lbs dolphin! Yeah Daddy - you Rock! We ate Mahi for the next 2 weeks!

A few random pics

2008-07-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

Mother's day at the club

Daddy n da bug

My fake smile

Spinach and chicken... Yum!

I'm a rock star! No autographs please!

Enough with the pictures already!

The Big First Birthday Party!

2008-07-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

Since mommy and daddy call me the bug they got a cake with bugs all over it!

Nonnie decorated my highchair!

Auntie Shai and my Nonnie!

My friend Connor

Andrew and Laura came to celebrate with me

Hanging with my Gramp before the festivities

Mama made LOTS of food!

Mama and Lindsay (Connor's mommy)

The fam

No party is a party without blankie!

I didn't feel very well that day can't you tell!

I'm not going to smile no matter what you do... so stop trying!

And what is this?? You expect me to eat that??!!

No smiles - but I will show you my tongue!

Okay it wasn't that bad...

Only daddy could get a smile out of me!

I did manage to rack in the presents despite my grumpiness!

Sienna is showing me how to work my new toy

The morning after....

Happy First Birthday Harrison!!

2008-07-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

On Harrison's actual first birthday (we had the party the next day) we went up to Anthem and took him on the train and then we played in the park - it was a fun day!

Shannon and Sienna flew down from Portland to celebrate with the bug!

Lindsay and Connor met us at the park

Sliding with Dad is SO fun!

So is swinging with dad!

Harrison Going Down the Slide

Mike's Annual Birthday Low Country Shrimp Boil

2008-07-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

As we do every year we hosted a Shrimp Boil for Mike's Birthday - it seems to grow bigger and bigger every year and we love it!

Kelley was about to pop with little Henry here!

Riley Guetz making sure Mike blows out the candles in the proper fashion

Laura and Andrew

Coley and Justin

First Haircut

2008-07-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

We took the bug to Lollilocks Kids Salon for his first haircut - he was such a big boy!!

After the cut we treated him to In-N-Out burger - YUM!

Facing the Giants

2008-07-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

Mike and I both LOVE this movie - this scene in particular really moves us... we can apply it to so many areas in our life!!
Enjoy!
(pause the music in the right sidebar before you play)

San Francisco

2008-04-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

Mike had some work to do in San Francisco and our wonderful friends Heather and Aaron Fair live there - so we made a trip out of it!

Heather and Aaron had their first baby little Jackson in September and we were SO excited to finally meet him!

Harrison with Jackson

Jackson was so intrigued by Harrison!

Mike loving on Jackson

The weather was beautiful while we were there - They live in a great area with hiking right outside their back door - on Sunday afternoon we packed up the kids for a walk up a trail that led to a park in the hilllside and had a picnic.

Harrison loved their dog Max!

How precious is Jackson!!!??

Easter in DeLand

2008-04-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Grampa Taylor with the bug

Aunt Amy and Cousin Kylie

How big are Kylie and Harrison?? SO BIG!

Mommy's friend Ali invited us over for a playdate - here I am with Jack Costa

Mommy's friend Teri came over to play with her new baby Kayla

I was instantly enamored!

Teri, Kayla, Mommy and I went to the park to meet Kirsten and her new little baby Elyse... mommy let me swing for the first time!

So fun!

I think I found an egg!

Yeah!

Hmm.. a green egg anyone have any ham?

Cousin Kylie and I just chillin after the egg hunt at Nonnie and Gramps'

Mama and Daddy and me!

Some of Mommy's friends

Mommy's best friend from childhood, Auntie Jen

Mama thinks this is the cutest Easter bunny she has ever seen! (looks a little like daddy...??)

I love the Easter bunny!

Giving the Easter bunny kisses

Cousin Kylie teaching me some tips on egg hunting

My blue steel

Easter day at Aunt Didi's

Why does Mommy do this to me??

Whew! All worn out from all the Easter fun!

Harrison 8 months old

2008-04-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Time does fly!! It has been a while since our last post - so there will be everything from January all put up in one shot!

Below are a few pics from February.

My boys with the monkey!

Our first picnic with the bug

Harrison with his friend Connor - the picnic was a going away party for them - they recently moved back to Colorado and we were sad to see them go!

Harrison playing in his crib

Playing with his dancing bear

Aunt Sarah and Cousin Bo came to visit while the Spencers were here. Bo loves to hug on Harrsion!

Harrison LOVES his books!

Mommy's Cousin Katy came to visit from North Carolina - Mommy had the flu the whole time she was here - but we loved seeing her and had fun catching up!

Got Milk??

Harrison Laughing!

2008-04-03T22:57:00.000-07:00

Visiting Aunt Shai in Portland, OR

2008-02-04T17:33:00.001-08:00

Mike had to go to Panama, South America for the opening Nationwide tournament so Harrison and I packed up and went to visit Aunt Shai (Harrison's godmother) in Portland. It was Braden's 2nd birthday - and I had forgotten my camera when we went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate - but he had a blast! It was a short trip... here are a few pics.

Harrison and Sienna playing so nicely!

Trying to escape!

Dahm Week 08

2008-02-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

Our dear friends Beret, Eric, Mia and Catcher Dahm recently moved back to their home in Portland, OR... they came back to PHX for a visit during which our "old" group was so happy to be all together again that we had something planned every day they were here - Mike and I dubbed it Dahm Week 08 (maybe next time it will be Spencer Splash 09...??)

Here Harrison's ol' friend Catcher came over to play- they haven't seen each other in many months!

And now Baylor Arnold is joining in! (and soon we will have Baby Boy Guetz in the mix!!)

We have enjoyed teas together ever since we first met - Kelley Guetz is our tea queen since she has lived in England and brought this wonderful tradition to our group along with her awesome homemade scone recipe - have you ever had homemade scones hot out of the oven with freshly whipped cream...?? SO GOOD! Kel has been put on a modified bed rest as she isn't due until May and has been having lots of contractions... so I offered to do our tea at my house... not as fabulous as Kelley's but none-the-less fun to get together!

The girls (and Baylor - Coley is nursing him under the cover!)

Mia had her own special tea table - just her size.

Christmas 2007

2008-02-04T16:29:00.001-08:00

Christmas this year was amazing - to be able to celebrate this blessed time of year with our precious son was truly a gift!

Mike's parents brought their RV out from Atlanta in December and are staying through Feb.!! It has been wonderful to have family "living" out here with us - and great for Harrison to have grandparents around!

And my parents came out the morning after Christmas - it was so nice to celebrate with both sides of the family!

Here we are in line for Harrison to meet Santa for the first time - he actually did really well!! When we get our scanner working I'll scan in the pic...

We got tickets to the Desert Botanical Gardens' annual Las Noches de Las Luminaries, where the Botanical Garden lines the paths of the desert garden with THOUSANDS of luminaries. We have tried to go every year, and every year they are sold out before we can get tickets - so it was a treat to be able to go... finally!

It was COLD that night -so we all had to get bundled up and drink Hot Chocolate!

Tried to capture the magic of it all - but it just doesn't come out in photo!

It was a late night for the lil bug - but he was a trooper!

Our first Christmas as a family!!

Getting ready to go to church on Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning with Mommy

Sitting pretty with Gamma Spencer

Playing with a new toy Cousin Katy sent

Reading on my big boy chair!

New Videos Jan 2008

2008-02-04T16:06:00.001-08:00

Party @ Nonnie's

2007-11-30T17:19:00.000-08:00

It seems when I'm home there is always a party - and this time was no exception... mom had several of my old friends and their children over to see Harrison- it was so fun to see everyone!!

A few of the kids playing

Harrison with Christina's Godbrother Steve Bradley

Harrison LOVED playing with Steve and desperately wanted his glasses

Long time friend, Kirsten and her newest addition Elyse

Mary Waugh and her newest addition Jack

The rest of the Waugh family, Derek, Luke and Sophia

The Costas

Trip Davidson, loving on Harrison

Aunt Amy and Uncle Sid gave Harrison his Christmas presents early. Here he is with his first present!

And ripping into it!

Aunt Amy with the bug

Aunt Amy with Kylie and the Bug!

DeLand Christmas Parade

2007-11-30T17:08:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in a previous post - DeLand is full of weekend happenings. Another annual favorite is the big Christmas Parade... when I was growing up this was held during the day - and was always looked forward to - since leaving DeLand they have kicked it up a notch and now hold the parade at night complete with floats decked out with lights.

We were invited to a parade "tailgate" where we enjoyed great views (roadside seats can be hard to come by sometimes!) and yummy food!

Harrison on his way to his first DeLand Christmas Parade

A Proud Gramp

(with one of the few pics we could get Harrison to take his eyes off of the floats behind them and look at the camera)

Daddy and the bug - check out that crazy hair!

Mama and the bug with Santa's float going by

Miscellaneous Pics from DeLand

2007-11-28T16:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some miscellaneous pics from when we were in DeLand...

Tom's Pizza has been in DeLand as long as we can remember - my Dad used to frequent there as a child and Sid and I both have been addicted from first bite.... now Harrison has officially been introduced to this DeLand institution! I think Tom's is what will end up convincing Mike to move me back to DeLand one day - we must have eaten there 20 times while we were home!

Harrison and Cousin Kylie playing

Christina, her brother and their cousin Melissa (that they haven't seen in nearly 13 years!!) with her son Landon

Mike's high school friends Rich and Beverly Banez and their two sons, Nico and RJ live in Orlando we got a chance to visit with them before we left town.

Kylie had just taken her first steps earlier in the day here she is taking another stab at it.... To play the video click on the triangle...

Another video....Cousin Kylie and Harrison playing

Taylor Clan Christmas Tree Hunt

2007-11-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

The whole Taylor clan went to search for the perfect tree... here are some great photo highlights

Here we are with Christina's parents, brother, sis-in-law and niece at the tree hunt

Thanksgiving in DeLand

2007-11-23T15:37:00.000-08:00

We were so lucky to be in DeLand for a very long time over the Thanksgiving holiday - Mike had work to do in Orlando (Q School) so it worked out well that our family is there!

We had Thanksgiving at Christina's parents and it was wonderful as always!

Auntie Alex with Harrison

Mamie has been part of the Taylor family for a very long time - she was around when Christina's dad was a child and moved on to help Christina's parents when Sid and Christina were children (she would probably say they STILL our her "children" as she refuses to acknowledge that they have have grown up!)

While my (Christina's) mom is one of the best cooks I've ever come across... Mamie does make the BEST fried chicken and mashed potatoes and her meatloaf aka Mamieloaf recipe is a best kept family secret - if you come to visit I might just make some for you!!

Mamie with yet another generation!

Christina's mom's beautiful Thanksgiving table

Now which spoon am I supposed to start with...??

Father/Daughter/Son night @ Quarterback Club in DeLand

2007-11-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

As many of you know DeLand is a rather small town - so to keep things interesting there are ALWAYS events going on - from Chili Cook-offs and art festivals to fancy Mardi Gras balls!

Here is a long time favorite of Christina's dad's.. the annual Father Daughter Son night for the DeLand Quarterback club members... we all attended in our FSU regalia despite our pitiful season!!

Gramp Taylor (Christina's Dad) showing off his grandson

Christina's brother, Sidney, his wife Amy and their little girl Kylie

Mike and the bug wearing a hat he just won from the raffle

Harrison's Baptism

2007-11-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

After much prayer and thought - Mike and I felt led to have Harrison baptized in the church where we were married in DeLand, FL ... since we now attend a non-denominational church where they don't do infant baptisms it was a decision we really had to pray over! We both felt that this is what we should do... the event was moving spiritually and a great deal of fun since we had many dear friends and family come celebrate the event with us!

"Uncle" Paul, one of Mike's childhood friends and one of Harrison's Godfathers came down from Chattanooga... Here they are the day before the Baptism.

Aunt Sarah and Cousin Bo loving on our lil bug

Bo was so cute with Harrison - he constantly wanted to hold and hug him!

Father Don (who married us) leading Harrison's Baptism

The Godparents:

T.R. Lewis (another highschool friend of Mike's) came from Atlanta

Paul Hoewischer

Shannon Wallace (one of Christina's best friends from childhood) came from Oregon.

The Spencer clan

Christina with Shannon and her little girl Sienna

Nonnie Taylor with Harrison

Aunt Amy (Christina's sister-in-law) with Cousin Kylie looking at the bug

Christina's parents had a wonderful brunch at their home after the baptism... below Nonnie Taylor made sure that Harrison did indeed have a silver spoon in his mouth and he even got to eat from his great great grandfather's silver porridger.... get used to it kid - your Nonnie has a penchant for these things!

Harrison having a blast at his party!

His beautiful (and delicious) cake

Auntie Jen holding the bug

(another best friend of Christina's from childhood)

"Uncle" T.R. with his Godson

Gamma Spencer relaxing with her grandsons after the big event

Time for night night after a big day...

Pop Spencer loving on the bug before bed

Halloween

2007-10-31T14:39:00.000-07:00

We dressed Harrison up as a lion for his first Halloween and took him trick or treating around the neighborhood - needless to say he was quite the hit!!

Here are some shots of him playing earlier that morning

He just cut his first tooth - and now constantly has his tongue sticking out to check out this foreign object in his mouth!

Travels to GA and TN

2007-10-31T10:07:00.000-07:00

We have been without a home computer for a while now - ours got a virus! We just made the switch to the Mac world and I am still learning how to be efficient on our new mac - hence the reason we haven't updated in a while! But here we are... Lil man will have been to 7 different states by the time he is 6 months old! Quite the little traveler he is - and a great one at that!

Mike had to go to Chattanooga for a golf Tournament so we flew into Atlanta - and visited with his family and old friends from ATL.

This was the first time Mike's sister's little boy Bo got to see Harrison and he was SO excited!

Cousin Bo was so cute with Harrison - he kept asking, "Can I pet him"?

Sarah Ryan & Bo

Aunt Sarah with lil buggers

Proud Pop Spencer

Gamma Spencer loving on our little boy

Visiting with T.R. and Erin Lewis at their new home in Atlanta... T.R. is one of Harrison's Godfathers

Mike holding their newest addition - Corban and T.R. is holding Catcher

Erin and I tried to get a pic with our two little ones but Harrison was out cold...

After we left T.R. and Erin we stayed with one of my sorority sisters Carlton (CC!!) ... another sorority sister of mine, Amy (Tater!!) came over with her new little boy, Tate here the three of us our with our boyz!

After Leaving CC's we headed up to Chattanooga for the tournament and got to visit with our friends Paul and Stephanie Hoewisher! Paul is Harrison's other Godfather... he and Mike have known each other since Junior High.

Harrison and Paul

Steph with her two boys, Boss and Banks

The rest are just some pictures of our growing boy!!

YUMMY Sweet Potatoes!

In training to be a Pro Snowboarder!

2007-10-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

Just a few more random pics

Harrison LOVES his jumper - one day he was in it jumping and I didn't hear the music any longer so I went in to check on him and he had jumped himself to sleep!!

Too funny...

Sunset in our backyard - pretty cool eh?

Go Noles! Maybe if we cheer hard enough they will make a come back!

Harrison's Videos

2007-10-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

To view all videos double click the button with the three little boxes on the bottom left of the video screen, additional videos will appear as small boxes on the bottom of the video screen, you can then click each box to view that video.

Harrison's first vacay - off to Oregon!

2007-09-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

Mike and I headed to Portland, Oregon to visit Christina's best friend Shannon and her two children, Braden and new baby Sienna and our dear friends from Arizona that recently moved back to Portland, Beret and Eric Dahm and their two children, Mia and new baby Catcher! Shannon left shortly after we got to town on a previously scheduled trip so we spent as much time with her as we could before she left - and enjoyed staying with, and spending time with Beret and Eric while falling in love with their new little man!

This picture was take shortly after we arrived - Shai met us at the Dahm's so I could meet Sienna! From left to right - Sienna, Mike with Harrison and Baby Catcher.

Aunt Shai with lil man!

Here I am with Sienna - she is such a happy little girl!!

And so lovable!!!

Shai and I took the bambinos to the mall - here's our car seat advertisement

How cute is Sienna in this hat??!!

Braden and Harrison checking each other out.

After Shannon left we spent the rest of the time with the Dahms. Beret's sister Kirsten invited us over for a cookout at her new house for Grandparent's day... they live on Lake Oswego, Oregon - the whole time I was there it felt like we were in a Coastal Living photo shoot - she set tables outside overlooking the lake with long white tablecloths and candles - and can you see the view in the background - the picture really doesn't do it justice - but is was gorgeous!

Harrison loving on Auntie Beret!

Playing with the lil' man

Later that day as the sun was setting we went out on the boat oohing and ahhing at the multi-million dollar lakeside homes... below - Eric's sister, Sarah and Beret.

Beret and I put Catcher and Harrison together on the floor and they were so cute together - fast friends in the making!

Mia was so sweet with both the boys...

Harrison loves to get the death grip on hair - Mia's hair was no exception

We spent an afternoon in the Pearl District - eating at one of my favorite lunch spots, Elephants (Shai introduced me to this awesome restaurant a couple years ago) and then we walked around and window shopped - Harrison was whipped and zonked out in his carrier. Just like his daddy the kid can sleep anywhere!

Chomping on those fingers!

Beret, Eric, Harrison and baby Catcher!

Beret got this little Bee outfit for Mia to play in - she was wearing it when we arrived from the airport and insisted on wearing over to the dinner at the Beret's sister's house. Mike and I bought her this little bubble blowing lawn mower for her 2nd birthday (which we later found out was a huge hit because bubbles and lawn mowers are two of her current favorite items... who knew??) I just died laughing when I walked outside to walk HayLeigh and saw her in the bumble bee outfit moving the lawn with her purse! A true modern chic!

Mia loving on HayLeigh.

Here's a pic Beret sent of Mia with her lawn mower - isn't she adorable!

Our little guy and can sit up with support and I propped him up on this chair and couldn't resist the precious poses he was making! How handsome is he!!!

Road Trippin - 3 adults, 1 baby, 1 dog and a 'Burb

2007-09-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

So we thought hey if we are going to take this kid off let's really do it up - so from Portland we flew to Colorado to meet Christina's parents in Boulder where FSU was playing University of Colorado and then Mike flew out to his next golf event while Christina, Harrison, Nonnie, Gramp and HayLeigh all piled in a Suburban for a road trip through CO and Utah back to AZ! And amazingly we all survived and are still speaking!

Christina's good friends from childhood Becky and Jay Wozny live in Boulder, CO here we are visiting with Beck and her daughter Willow in their home.

Later we met them for breakfast and walked around downtown Boulder - here we are with a family friend who was also in CO for the FSU game, Uncle Squirrel. All of us except for Mike and Christina's mom ended up taking our shoes off and walking across that creek to avoid walking all the way to the bridge - while it seemed to be a great idea at the time - the water was freezing and the rocks on the toes were anything but smooth! But we can now say we walked through Boulder Creek

Lil' man in the appropriate colors - GO NOLES!

Chillin in the hotel room

So we have to include some trip pics - After the game we drove from Boulder to Arches National Park in Utah - if you have never been GO - it is awesome!

This is about as close as Harrison got the the famous big arch in the park - you can see it really small in the back... look really close....

A little closer....

Ahhh - now you see it!

On one of our many stops... I'm still nursing - and that added a whole new element to our road trip - since our little bug eats about every two hours! We stopped often (to my mom's small bladder's hooray) and in some rather interesting places - when the bug's gotta eat he wants to eat now - there is little patience when it comes to his dining - hmm I guess that could be a little like his mama!

Christina's mom and dad and HayLeigh at Bryce Canyon - another must see!

And unfortunately - we don't have any great pics of Zion National Park, Utah - but that just might have been the darling of the trip - it was truly breathtaking!!

Harrison 4 Months

2007-09-28T22:44:00.000-07:00

Our smiling boy!

Now that the cast is off and the braces are on (until January) he thinks they are a new toy that is always available!

Chomping on those fingers!

Practicing his Yoga pose the Cobra

More 3 1/2 months...

2007-09-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

First time in the pool!

He loves the giraffe that Christina'a Godmother, Charlene sent him!

And in the mouth it goes - like everything does these days!

Aunt DeDe comes to visit (Christina's mom's best friend who has been like a second mom to Christina)

Sitting up in his Bumbo seat

His "Blue Steel" face!

Harrison 3 1/2 months

2007-08-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the latest pics...

Still loving his mobile!

How cute is he here! He loves taking a bath and snuggling up in his frog towel afterwards.

Here is a pic of the little braces he now wears... we are getting more and more used to them everyday!

Harrison 3 months old!

2007-08-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

We can hardly believe it has been 3 months - time has flown by!! We don't have many pictures right now because we broke our camera! We have had that camera for 5 years and when we have a real desire to finally use it we drop it! Oh well -such is life! A new one is ordered and on the way, but in the meantime we are using our video camera to snap some shots - they're a bit fuzzy but better than nothing!

Here we are for our final cast soaking - we are now free of the cast! Below is one last pic of it on... I don't have any shots of the braces he is now wearing but will get some up soon( you can see the in the video section). The transition has not been easy from cast to braces- but we are all working through it together. He just figured out how to roll over with the braces on and is now much happier that he can once again roll!

Mama and Daddy are always kissing on the poor little guy!!

Aunt Sarah Visits (Mike's sister)!

2007-08-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

Harrison loved Sarah from the minute she walked in the door!

Lil' man sleeping with Daddy!

Uncle Sid, Aunt Amy and Cousin Kylie come to visit!!

2007-07-24T20:30:00.001-07:00

Sid, Amy and Kylie made the trip out to the desert to see their Nephew/Cousin (This was Kylie's first plane trip and she handled it like a pro)! We had the best time with them out here and were glad the cousins got to meet!

Uncle Sid, Aunt Amy and Harrison

The day after they arrived we had to get out of the 115 degree Phoenix summer, so we drove up to Prescott, AZ. We took our time driving there, stopping several times because of the munchkins, but none-the-less had a wonderful time.

We stopped at a local market and picked up picnic fare, then drove about 5 miles north of the city to the Granite Dells, a dramatic landscape of huge granite boulders jutting out from the desert, where we enjoyed the view and our picnic.

In the middle of this unique area is Watson Lake. After our picnic we hiked down to the lake with babies in tow.

After our hike we packed up and drove back to the town square where we meandered by antique stores and window shopped - we ended the day at a crepe restaraunt that had delicious Nutella-Banana and Apple Rum crepes!!

It was rather warm towards the end of the day so we kept water bottles in the stroller to keep our lil bug cool.

The kids did pretty well on the car ride home - but as we neared the exit they had had enough and started a game of dualing babies where one would start screaming crying and then the other would try to out do it... four adults, two babies and a dog all in one car on a 2 hour drive... needless to say we were ready to get out of the car when we got home!

Back at home - Cousin Kylie loves on Harrison (I actually think she was trying to stick his head in her mouth like she does with her toys, but we thought it looked like she was giving kisses)!

Kylie loves to ham it up for the camera!

Harrison's favorite pasttime right now is staring at his mobile - Kylie couldn't take it anymore and had to see what all the fuss was about!

Not quite understanding what the big deal is with a couple stuffed animals going round and round in circles Kylie moved on to more sophisticated things like the excersaucer!

Another trip out - this time to the mall and one of Mike's favorite pizza joints, Sauce. Here's Uncle Sid with both bambinos at Sauce.

After a long day of shopping with Mommy and Aunt Christina Kylie was pooped so she stretched out in her stroller like her daddy does in front of the TV!

Aunt Amy with our lil Snugabug!

Harrison 6-7 weeks

2007-07-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest pics of our little man!

We spent the 4th with Coley & Justin cooking out at Coley's parents, and then rode up Black Mountain to watch the fireworks. Harrison wore his patriotic onesie for them

Harrison's Cast...

2007-06-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

Many of you have asked why he has a cast... my apologies - we should have put the info on here already!

Harrison was born with a clubbed foot. We now hear that it is quite common! Basically his left foot turns in somewhat like being pigeoned toed, but more exaggerated. We are working with an excellent Pediatric Orthopedic and are very pleased with his non-invasive approach.

He got his first cast on June 4 and every Monday we have to soak it off (which takes about an hour of soaking in vinegar water) and go in to get a new one put on... they use the cast to slowly turn his foot out... after we are done with the casting (which should last about 6 weeks) he will get some special shoes to help stabilize the foot. He will need to wear the shoes for about 6 months all day long, and then only at night for about 3 years - and then all will be history.

It was really hard on us at first - but now we are old pros at dealing with the cast - and we have several friends who went through this as babies and have gone on to play college basketball, dance etc... we are so happy that it is something that is easily fixed and feel blessed that we have a healthy little boy!

Our Monday Soaking of the Cast ritual

I'm such a big boy for Mama!

Harrison 5-6 weeks

2007-06-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

A few new pics!

I love watching my new mobile!

Pondering life....

HayLeigh grabbing some alone snuggle time with Daddy - this is hard to come by these days!

After a bath - so happy!

Zonked out

Father's Day with the world's best DAD!

Close shot

Touchdown (hopefully FSU will have plenty of these this year...)

Harrison 4-5 weeks

2007-06-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

Auntie kel lovin on me

playin in my ocean activity center

The "Ted Face"

posing for the camera

Being a big boy with my cast

Harrison 2-3 weeks old

2007-06-05T10:18:00.001-07:00

Our precious angel

Grandpapa Taylor loves taking Harrison outside where they listen to the birds in the morning

Gamma Spencer holding her 2nd grandson

Pop Spencer snuggling with the his namesake

My lil sis in ADPI, Kristen, came to see us - we were so excited to have her visit

Kristen's little girl Kennedy poses with our boy

HayLeigh never lets Daddy hold Harrison without her being right there too

Sleeping with Daddy

Daddy likes to style the lil man's hair after his bath

Auntie Kel and Uncle Bret Guetz are already in love with the snugglebug!

Poor Daddy has no room in the bed!

More Harrison Pics

2007-05-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pics of Harrison's birth and shortly after we came home we just got these downloaded off of my parent's camera... he has already changed so much in just 12 days!

Chillin in his papasan

Harrison in his going home outfit (of course his Nonnie bought this for him only the best for her Grandson)!

Grandpa and Nonnie Taylor holding their grandson

Brand new to the world

Held by Daddy

Aunt Alex holding Harrison the day he was born

Snuggle bug

Sweet precious boy

Proud Papa

So loved by mama and daddy!

"Nonnie" Taylor holding her first grandson

Edwin "Harrison" Spencer IV

2007-05-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

Finally our new addition to our family is here!

Harrison was born on May 9 at 8:02 am 6lbs 10oz 20 inches long.

On May 8th we went to Labor and Delivery per our doctors orders due to some fluid Christina was leaking. The test came back that there was a tear in the Amniotic Sac and she needed to be induced immediately... quite a shock to us all - we thought we would be home in time for dinner!

After 9 hours of Pitocin induced labor and 45 mins of pushing Harrison finally joined us!

During the delivery meconium was found and once he was delivered he was having trouble breathing... he was immediately rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where he remained for the first three hours of his life - as yo can imagine it was quite difficult on all of us - as we waited in limbo to find out if our little boy was alright.

Mike went with Harrison and Christina's mom stayed with her.

Once they ran all his test, x-rays and hooked him up for a while to oxygen he figured out how to breath on his own. The test all came back looking positive so he was able to leave NICU and join his parents!

Mom, Dad and baby are home and doing well (albeit sleep deprived)!

Below our some initial pics we took -we will post more soon!

Love,
Mike and Christina

Mike cutting the cord

Finally in his mother's arms

The new Spencer Family

Sleeping like a baby

Still Sleeping

Baby Boy

Our good friends Justin and Coley Arnold, and Kelley and Bret Guetz came to visit us in the hospital - here is Auntie Coles holding our lil man

Finally HOME!!

Christina @ 33 weeks

2007-05-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics are dear friend Beret Dahm took of Christina at 33 weeks pregnant... Chrsitina didn't want to do it at first but we are so glad she talked us into it!

First Blog from the Spencer Family

2007-02-14T21:47:00.000-08:00

Hello to everyone. We wanted to start our own blog to keep everyone in the loop and also to keep you up to date with our family. Their will be more to come soon.