One Year Ago Today.......

Our lives changed forever! A year ago today was the day we found out we were Pregnant!!! I remember this day like it was yesterday and I cannot believe how much has happened in one year. I am as excited today as I was the day I found out and I still get chills thinking about that morning. I have embraced everyday since the moment I found out I was pregnant and have never looked back. I love you Spencer!

Here's a look back on the day and weeks following we found out we were pregnant!

http://babygordon2010.blogspot.com/2009/10/recap-of-last-18-weeks.html

Bye Bye Swaddle

So it's official, Spencer at almost 4 months has graduated, no more swaddling! Spencer absolutely loved to be swaddled and I like to think that is what really helped him sleep through the night so early. So, needless to say I thought the minute that we took the swaddle away we would kiss sleep goodbye. At nearly 4 months, he was growing close to not being able to be swaddled any longer and we thought it was time to give sleeping a try without it even if it meant less sleep for us all.



We started out one week ago today and I am happy top report complete SUCCESS! Now we just use a sleep sack as a "blanket" and sometimes for naps, we use nothing at all!




For a milestone that I feared so much, Spencer did great and we are glad to put the swaddle behind us for now.

BEFORE

AFTER

Look Mom! No SWADDLE!

3 Month Photos

My Fav! Don't worry my thumb is cropped out in the final print :-)

(Daddy's Tie and Hat)




Well, even though Spencer is about to be 4 months old I wanted to sneak in that 3 month photo shoot! I was not convinced I was going to do 3 month pictures hence the delay, but I changed my mind at the last minute!

I LOVE all the photographers we have used in the past but with my last minute decision to get these photos done I found myself choosing a local photo studio with inexpensive prices and a quick turnaround so I could get the prints in time for Father's Day. They were able to get a few cute shots of Spencer. Some were super cheesy and not my thing but I guess that's part of the experience. I definitely think his 6 and 9 month photos will be more successful since he will be sitting up on his own and I am looking forward to working with some the independent photographers that we have used in the past. I will plan in advance for the next ones so I am not in such a rush again. Here are a few of my favs:

Father's Day Fun

(Mommy and Spencer made this at playgroup a few weeks back-It's a stepping stone!)

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful men in my life!

This year was extra special as Bill celebrated his First Father's Day! Bill is such a wonderful, caring husband and daddy and Spencer and I are so lucky to have him! I love watching Bill and Spencer together. It warms my heart and makes life feel so complete.

I did my very best to make this day special for Bill and my Dad as well. I think I pulled it off :-)

A "mini" breakfast in bed complete with Bill's favorite--Starbucks, daddy feeding Spencer his morning bottle, lots of cards and fun presents, brunch with the fam, and then to the Braves game! Woo, I am tired!

Such a fun day! So glad we could all celebrate together as a family and that my brother Max even came home from MD to surprise Dad to make the weekend complete. Dad had no clue we were going to the Braves game until right after we had brunch! I love surprises :-) And, best part-- the Braves won!

Spencer is still trying to wake up but he was dressed for the occasion

Morning bottle with Daddy!

Spencer Loves his Daddy!

Papa and Spencer at Brunch-Papa did not know we were going to the braves game yet

LETS GO BRAVES!!!!

I made it 8 innings! Daddy was so Proud!

Happy Father's Day!

Pool Time Play Dates!

With Atlanta heating up early this summer, we have moved our weekly walking group to a much cooler environment-the POOL! This was are first official week switching things up. Of course we took pictures :-)

Spencer is Chillin :-)

I love this sweet face!

Nicholas, Carter, Spencer and Miles

The whole crew

Dylan, Nicholas, Samantha, Carter, Spencer, and Miles

Samantha and Carter

Spencer and Miles

Miles thought Spencer looked comfy :-)

Another First- The Library!

I have heard it said that it is never to early to start reading to your baby and although we do read at home, we thought we would give the library a try! I can't say this was your traditional library visit but we had a blast and I am sure we will be back!


My friend Alison who is also a new mommy told me about a story time program for pre-walkers that was being held at the Roswell Library all summer. I decided that I was going to try it out with Spencer at at worse case, if he did not like, we would excuse ourselves and leave. Fortunately, Spencer loved it!



This was not your typically story time. We learned songs, read books, played with shakers and even met new mommies and babies! Best part was....it was FREE! We did learn hat they cap the class at 20 babies so we know to get there extra early next time to save our spot :-)




Kelly and Carter joined us for story time too and we got some really sweet pictures of the boys.

Coming Up for Air-Birthday Week Has Ended

Who says you cannot celebrate your birthday all week? I did! Gosh I cannot believe how busy we have been and that this is the first time I have been able to sit down and get caught up.

Birthday week started like it should on my Birthday 1 week ago today! Spencer and I started the celebratory week off with a visit to LB's pool. We met up with some other mommies and babies to swim and enjoyed some delicious cupcakes! One the the best birthday surprises on this pool outing was that Spencer did great in the pool this time! No tears! He loved it so much and was so calm that the water even put him to sleep. I could not have been happier!

After the pool, it was home for a quick nap and dinner out! Nana and Papa offered to watch Spencer so Bill and I took them up on the offer enjoyed a nice dinner out at Aqua Blue were we stuffed our faces with food and delicious wine :=)

On Wednesday I continued my Birthday celebration with Kelly and Carter and Kerri and Miles! Kelly and I went to get pedicures at what I think may be one of the best keep nail salons in Atlanta. I have been there 3 times now and it's the BEST! Needless to say, I enjoyed getting my feet pampered :-) From there, Kelly and I took the boys to meet Kerri and Miles for lunch! Such a fun day!

On Thursday we hosted playgroup at our house! Our little group is growing and we welcomed even more mommies and babies this week! This week's play group was particularly fun for so many reasons but I cannot reveal why just yet! Stayed tuned :-) Spencer was unfortunately ready for a nap in the middle of playtime so he rested for a bit while the other little ones played. He did wake up in time to play before everyone had to go home. Here are some pics of some of other kids playing while Spencer took a nap :-)

Macey and Miles Have fun on the Play Mat!

A view of the some of the "Crew"

Kelly and Carter stayed to join us at our pool for a late afternoon swim! The boys loved it but I think Kelly and I enjoyed it more! With how hot it has been here in Atlanta so far, I see Spencer and I having many play dates at the pool this summer.

The Boys Catching some Rays

Future Lifeguard :-)

On Friday we actually stayed at home and relaxed until Bill came home for work. Then it was time for Daddy to go swimming with Spencer! I feel very lucky to have so much time with Spencer during the day but it is so important to me that Bill get to experience some of the fun with him too! Needless to say, Bill and Spencer had a great swim and Bill was just as happy I as I was that Spencer loves the pool now! After the pool we had an impromptu dinner with our Friends Katy and Trey! Did I mention how much I love summer?



On Saturday we celebrated our friends Adam and Leslie's daughter's 2nd Birthday! Hannah was the cutest birthday girl and Spencer was so happy to be at her party! So tired he needed a nap! Go figure :-)

Spencer and Dylan ready to party :-) Can you tell Spencer is so happy to be in his car seat :-) NOT!

All Partied Out

On Sunday we had dinner with the Summerfield's and Pollack's and all the kiddos! Great evening with great company!

Spencer and his new friend Adam!

Jake "tucking" Spencer in for the ride home

"Aunt LB" and "Uncle Danny"

And, because my computer SUCKS and does not like "Blogger" very much and because it takes me forever just to do one post and because I cannot get collages or layouts to work I have posted some pics to Smilebox from the past week! Enjoy!

This free picture collage customized with Smilebox

Giggles with Daddy!

Bill will probably kill me for posting this video but it is just too cute not to! You may need to turn the volume up a tad to hear Spencer :-)

Happy 3 Months Spencer!

Yesterday Spencer turned 3 months old! Unbelievable! I didn't think it was possible to love him anymore then I already do but but each day my love grows. I am finding that everyday holds a new emotion for me, and a new trick or a new noise for Spencer. I absolutely love being a mommy! It has been amazing to watch to watch him grow each day and I Bill and I both are so thankful to have him in our life!

What's Spencer up to this Month?


- We are guessing he is somewhere between 15-16 lbs
- He has officially transitioned to 5 bottles a day
- He eats about 6.5 ounces per bottle (hungry boy)
- He is sleeping about 11 hours overnight
- He loves to suck on his hands/fists
- Morning is his favorite time..he will "talk" your ear off
- He loves to play with his tongue and suck on his lower lip
- We have packed up most all 0-3 clothes and are into our 3-6 month outfits!
- His favorite songs are: "wheels on the bus", "head, shoulders, knees, and toes", and twinkle twinkle little star"
- His favorite toys are his Hanna Andersson Crocodile, his play mat, and his Mozart magic cube
- He still loves to nap in his crib and car seat only
- He uses his Bumbo seat each morning to work on getting his neck muscles strong
- He tried the pool for the first time...too cold :-(
- He absolutely loves watching TV ( uh oh)
- He has started to grab onto clothing, hair, toys and blankets

This free collage generated with Smilebox

Memorial Day Wrap Up

What a great holiday weekend filled with our favorites! Family, Friends and Fun! We spent Memorial Day 2010 right here at home but had a blast! Our Family from Maryland came down to visit for the long weekend and we tried to maximize every minute to get the most of the few days we had with them!

On Saturday we started the day off by driving up to Blue Ridge to meet Dad and Cheryl for the Arts Festival. I think this is the 3rd year we have gone and just love it! We even recruited our friends Trey and Katy to join. Unfortunately, we had to cut our visit to the Arts Festival short this year because we wanted to get home to meet the family before they got into town from their long road trip from MD. But, I must say, well worth the day trip to see all the artists and vendors!

We got back to our house in just enough time to freshen up and and wait for the Maryland Crew. We were so excited for little Spencer to meet his Uncle Ron and Cousins Natalie and Ethan for the first time . My sister Hope and Mom (Baba) were of course visiting too but they got to meet Spencer when he was a newborn. Nonetheless everybody was excited once they arrived! We spent the evening in enjoying family and resting up for the next day.

There was no sleeping in on Sunday as we were up and out the door by 9 o'clock to get to the Georgia Aquarium. We wanted to get an early start to beat the crowds with it being a Holiday Weekend. By the looks of lines when we left, going early was the way to go! Even though Spencer was a bit young to enjoy the fishes, the older kids loved it!

Spencer with his cousins Natalie and Ethan!

Nat and Ethan petting the sting rays!

That evening Bill and I and Hope and Ron all went out sans kids! Hard to believe but this was our first time leaving little Spencer! It was not as hard as I thought it would be but he was in good hands. Baba, and Nana and Papa watched all the kiddos so we could get out. I wish I could say I got through the night without looking at pics on my phone of the little guy but I didn't. I missed him even for that short period of time :-)

Sisters Enjoying some Drinks

On Monday we took a chance on the weather and went to our community pool! We lucked out! We were the only ones there ( I am sure due to the overcast weather) and the sun even peeked out a few times! The only downfall is the water was so COLD! I hope as the summer goes on the water will warm up so we can enjoy the pool a little more. The best part of our pool trip is Spencer got to go in the water for the FIRST time. He absolutely loves his bath so we were sure the pool would be a hit but the cold water of the pool did not make him so happy. Bummer :-(

He was a good sport though and lasted just long enough for us to grab a few pics.

And last but not least, we had a BBQ at our house later that night and stuffed ourselves full of yummy food! To my surprise, we celebrated all the June Birthdays in the immediate family too. Max, Ethan and I all got ice cream birthday cakes and were serenaded with Happy Birthday! It's not very often that we are all together to celebrate our birthdays so it was very special and a great surprise! We finished our celebration with some sparkler fun :-)

Tuesday morning came way to fast and we had to say goodbye to the fam :-( Such a great visit but we miss them already! That just means it's time to plan the next trip :-)