Fall is Over

We had our first snow fall this week, and though the snow melted by the late afternoon, all the crisp, dry leaves have become a damp, matted carpet on the ground. No more autumn portraits this year, which makes me feel that much better for not procrastinating too long with the few I did catch. This one was my favorite.

Fall Pictures and Halloween Costumes

My attempts at capturing memorable autumn portraits:

Daniel and I decided to be good sports and dress up for the ward Halloween party, pulling out the most costume-like clothes we could find in our closet. Spencer was a good sport too and wore his cute froggy costume without any complaints.

He had this dazed look on his face pretty much the whole time he wore his costume, but maybe it was just because he was amazed at all the other funny-looking costumes.

Spencer and I went to the Halloween party on campus as well and he was very interested in watching the jugglers. You can see how he wanted to try it for himself, but then just applauded and went back to dancing to the music.

First Words

When I brought Spencer to his one year check up, the doctor asked if he had said any words yet. Apparently the average for a 12-month old is one to three words, so with two he is doing just fine. It seems that both originated at the table, or at least that's where I caught the best footage of them. You'll have to be patient with the second video ... the word doesn't come till the end (though Spencer has plenty else to say first).


Even though I'd like to say he uses "ma-ma" and "da-da" as well, he really only has the sounds down on those without knowing what they mean yet. It will be a happy day when I hear my little boy call me "Mommy!"

Thank You Grandma and Grandpa Jensen!

Spencer has hit his head a few too many times on the bathtub faucet now that he has a hard time sitting still. But thanks to Daniel's parents, he now has a soft rubber ducky guarding the unforgiving lump of metal. Thanks for the great birthday gift!!

Spencer Through The Year

Last fall I started to get excited once the pumpkins and Halloween decorations showed up in the stores, because if Halloween was coming, then my October baby was on his way very soon. This year I'm having fun playing outside with Spencer, finally pulling out our sweatshirts now that the weather has gotten cooler, and can hardly believe that my October baby is now walking around, and eating with us at the table, and letting us know what he does and doesn't want!

Each month I took a picture of Spencer placed on, or near, the boppy pillow (sometimes it's under the blanket) and dressed in a onesie (most of the time). Some of the later months got a little tricky as he became more mobile, but here is a look at how Spencer has grown through the year:

1 week

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months (yeah, this one doesn't follow any of the rules)

9 months

10 (1/2) months

11 months

12 months

The photo shoots may be getting more challenging, but we are having more and more fun with Spencer as he grows. When I look at him, I know with complete certainty that he is a child of God, and that we all are children of God. The love I have for Spencer gives me a better understanding of the great love our Heavenly Father has for me, and for each of us. How great is the power of love!

Birthday Boy!

We had a great time celebrating Spencer's first birthday yesterday! Uncle Neil and Aunt Jenny came to celebrate with him, and with everyone else's gifts and cards, it felt like a real party. We wish the rest of you could have been here too, but you can join in with a few pictures and videos of the day:

"Birthdays sure are tiring!"

"Thanks for the cool phone, Gramma DeVocht!"

September

Neil joined us for dinner on Labor Day--yummy sloppy joes--and then we enjoyed a walk to the park. It was the first fall-like day of the year and we welcomed the cooler weather, even if it means that the sun sets earlier.

Spencer's two front teeth are the last ones he has gotten, so he's at a total of 6.

His front teeth are helping him enjoy more foods now. He loves fruits--bananas, peaches, grapes, and apples, and is eating more from our plates too.