December

December was a crazy fun month. Lots of parties and shopping. Gage was such a champ with them all. For Greg and I, it was our first one with a kid. So it was different, but made Christmas so much more fun and exciting for us. These are just a bunch of random pictures from the month. The most exciting is probably the jumper. Thanks to Jaime, we have a jumper and Gage loves that thing! He will jump for 30 min to a hour which means a little free time for me to clean or cook or do whatever I want!!!!!! I never knew I would love a jumper so much. Thank you Jaime for saving my sanity at times!

The Carling Christmas party was awesome this year. Santa came!!! Gage got to sit on his lap and was good long enough to get a picture of him and his drooled on shirt(man, that kid has so much saliva). Greg made an amazing gingerbread house this year. He was so proud that we kept it till January before he would throw it out. Then Gage got to go bowling one day while I was working, heard it was way fun!

Christmas eve we stayed down in Vineyard with my parents. It was way fun to get everyone together... it's becoming a Christmas tradition that someone announces they're having a baby and this year it was Jordan and Sarah!!! We're so excited for them. Come August, Gage will have another cousin to play with! Christmas was so fun this year. It was fun to start some traditions, like Christmas pajama's and ordainment, in our own little family. Gage loved the wrapping paper, but was big eye's when he opened the train from Gunner and Addie. My mom made him and Chaz these fishing waders, they are so cute! She is so creative. I wish I had more pictures of the morning, but I eventually put my camera down and haven't got the pic's from my mom yet. Overall it was a great month and great to spend time with the families!

November


Not only is Gage crazy fun, but we hit a BYU women's game and headed up to Utah State to watch SUU men's play. We stayed overnight up there, Gage loved the swimming pool.
....Turkey time? Gage wasn't quite sure what to think of the turkey, until he finally wanted to eat it, then that's all he wanted ;-)

For Thanksgiving we went to Cedar City with the Carling's! We had so much fun. The drive down was a little intense, it took us 5 and a half hours with Gage, the blowout was one of our many stops. No worries though, we made it to the SUU game almost on time. It was fun to have all the cousin's together. They were Gage's favorite and we're always playing with him.

This was a way fun hike/ slot canyon we went up just outside of Cedar. Ben was mr. adventure and loved it. To say the least, out feet were soaked and sooooo cold! Would be so fun to do in warm weather... next time.
The games were a blast to go to. Gage loves them and gets so excited to watch all the movement, colors and then all the fans going crazy. His head is on a swivel the whole time. Ron does a great job with the boys and they have a good team this year. They are really fun to watch. We went and shot around one morning. The girls were announcing while Gage was giving us pointers from the bench.

Smiles, laughs, and lots of laundry!

Part 3 of 3

This is my last week by week update. I've posted weekly pictures up to 4 months, the time that I believe he has changed the most and most quickly. From here on out I'm going to try to put up monthly posts, an idea I stole from Stefanie. That way I can try to stay caught up and not have such long posts!

I love being a mom and Greg is the best dad. Just last night Greg was making Gage... and I laugh so hard, it was so fun. Gage loves having both Greg and I hanging out with him and acting crazy, trying to make him smile or talk. He gets so excited, his little arms and legs just go crazy and he makes some of the funniest sounds and faces; his laugh is so cute that we try everything just to hear it.

Pictures at 3,6, and 15 weeks

These pictures are courtesy of Erica Pheysey, photographer at http://chronochrome.blogspot.com/ ...Thanks!

7 Weeks


Gage has always been very alert and wide-eyed. He just loves to see what's going on and doesn't want to miss a thing... that might be why he has a hard time sleeping ;-) By this time he would make eye contact and start cooing. This is also an attempt to brainwash him to like baseball, it was Gunner's idea.

8 Weeks


We had an awesome week! Greg and Ben went on a great hike up to Sunrise Peak and then over to Wolverine. Awesome views and both had a fantastic time. We went down to Green River to kayak the daily section. So fun and it felt so good to be back on the water. Gage loved it... kinda. We drove to Price the night before and stayed in a hotel... that is Gage screaming in Greg's arms. I'm not sure if he just didn't like the hotel or if he was just tired or maybe he just wanted to scream for a while, but it was a little stressful and we felt bad for everyone next to us. The next day we headed to the Green. Greg ran the river first then I went second, but with that second run we didn't get out of camp till about 8 pm. We were planning to drive home, but ended up in Price again for the night. It's funny how things have changed. Before we would have camped both

nights and either would have drove home or drove till we were tired, then found a dirt road and slept the night, got up early and drove home. not anymore ;-) We have to plan things out a lot better and farther in advance. I also was able to join Stacy and the kids at a neighbor's pool. Gage loved it. Ben, Rylee, and Paige were really fun with him at the pool. They're always trying to take care of him and make him laugh!This boy is going to be a little fish, I'm so excited to get him on the lake!

9 Weeks

The annual DBDH race was a little different this year. They did two races: cross country and downhill. The boys did great, Jeff ended up with the boys trophy and John's mom got the women's with her solo entry. We had a breakfast in the parking lot afterward, it was very yummy! When all was said and done Gage and Greg, both sporting their team orange shirts, were so tired they crashed on the couch. Gage really seemed to change this week, starting to build some good fat stores and get some chubby cheeks! And don't forget those beautiful eyes!

10 Weeks



We took off to Island Park again, this time Gage was a little bigger and we had had figured out how to live with each other pretty well ;-) We invited my family to come along. Thanks to Don and Glenna! We got there a couple days earlier than the family so we went into Yellowstone. We did a hike with Gage up to the top of Mt Washburn, Gage's first time above 10,000 feet. Then we finished the loop up through mammoth. Fun ride.



We had tons of fun when my family got there. Luckily we had great weather and were able to take advantage of the lake and rivers and went on a sweet bike ride as well. Jordan was able to fish the famous Herriman State Park part of the Henry's and caught some nice fish. It was a fun trip and so good to get up to Idaho. It's such a beautiful place.

Gage was way cute on the ride home. Not only was he giving us the most beautiful smiles, but I was able to get him to grab the teething chain for the first time ever!

11 Weeks

This was a fun week. Most notably was Gage standing up and loving it. He hasn't wanted to sit back down since. We also had a visit from Jeremy, Stefanie, and the girls which was way fun because they got to see Gage and Chaz for the first time. With Greg's WEST/ TIGLL program we were able to stay one night up at the Alta Ski Lodge. Gage loves to people watch so it was fun for him and fun for me to see people Greg works with.

12 Weeks


Gage has the cutest smile ever and the most beautiful eyes! He loves his toys and loves hitting the objects to hear them make sound. We love this picture of Gage with his shirt off hanging out watching me cook dinner. Greg said he looks like the people in his mission sitting outside they're house with a beer watching people walk by;-)

13 Weeks

Baby power!!! Gage and Chaz were so cute playing together. We were at Fish Lake with the Gillespie's when Trav put them together to play. Have I ever said how much Gage loves to go on walks. It's his favorite part of the day. There is always so much for him to see and take in. He loves the outside... I get a lot of really good pics in his car seat while we're on walks. It's great!


14 Weeks ... 3 Months

Where did the last 3 months go? Time has flown by and my little boy is not so little anymore, but he is still fun to dress up or dress down ;-) I'm pretty sure all babies love being naked and Gage is no exception, it's the time where he's most happy and active.

15 Weeks

Our first snow! Greg was so excited and Gage wasn't to sure what to think, but it kept him looking out the window. We also blessed Gage this week. He looked so cute in the blessing outfit! That is him with his two buddies: Chaz (left) and Cruz (right). They were all born within 12 days of each other. Another fun thing is we had 4 Generateions at the blessing. His Great grandparents and grandparents on both sides. Gage loves it when you read to him, he especially loves this Tubby Time book that a girl from my work gave to him. The baby in the book always has a huge smile, so every time you turn a page or show him the cover he gets a huge smile and kicks his little legs.

Greg took Ben on an awesome hike up Red Pine Canyon. They got pretty far then it turned to snow, but of course they trudged on with freezing feet. Though boys, Gage better get ready!

Stacy did a little photo shoot with Gage at Wheeler Farm and got some awesome photos. Thanks so much! Doesn't he look so handsome in his little suit?!

16 Weeks

For my birthday Greg took half the day off and we went on a family outing up the canyon. The snow had melted and the leaves were amazing! Gage was loving his little carrier and being out of the house.

17 Weeks

Gage is getting more and more interested in books, magazines, newspapers, etc. I'm not sure what he likes more...to look at the pictures and colors or to try to pry them out of our hands and into his mouth. I thought it was so cute how intense he was looking at this hiking book with Greg, they're going to be great buddies. The bottom pictures are ones I took on a hike with Erica and Rainier up AF canyon. It was a beautiful fall day, most of the leaves had fallen which gives the land somewhat of a exposed, naked look. I love it! you can see so much more and you notice things that are either covered by leaves or brush in the summer or snow in the winter. Gage looked so funny in his little suit that Stacy gave to us, thanks again. He couldn't really move his arms or legs, but he stayed warm and loved getting out. This kid loves to go on walks, hikes, basically anything that gets him outside and moving. It was a great hike, up toward Silver Lake. Erica and Rainier are fun to go with and Rainier was quite the trooper this time and hiked the whole time!

18 Weeks... 4 Months!

4 months old and so big! 17 lbs and 26 inches long.

My little boy is growing so fast! It amazes me how much a baby changes, in every way, so quickly. He has developed so much physically, mentally, and intellectually that it's hard to keep up with what we're supposed to be doing to help him grow and develop more so in those areas.

Eat, Sleep, Poop, Spit-up... Eat, Sleep, Poop...


Gage's first few weeks: Part 2 of 3


Week 2


That first week was a blur, between never sleeping, having visitors, and everything else. I'm not sure how it went other than I was sore, tired, and frustrated, but somehow it was totally ok because Gage was here and healthy and so fun to hold, kiss, and (more or less) look at.

Week 2 we took off and went up to Island park with Greg's family. We had tons of fun. It was nice to get away and it was nice because Gage and I had a lot of time to figure things out and get some good bonding. I hung out most of the week in the cabin, but got out a few times to go on boat rides, canoe down big springs, and go on a couple drives. Greg was able to water ski, go on a bike ride and do some fishing. It was a good trip. Here are some highlights.

1. Gage did great on the car ride!!!
2. Gage lost his umbilical cord... so we gave him his first bath in the sink in a big bowl and he loved it! The first 5 seconds he wasn't to sure and was a little squirmy, but then totally relaxed and kept looking out the window;-)
3. Saw a moose on the canoe ride!
4. The fishing was good
5. Gage got some pimples, poor guy!
6. Mesa Falls was magnificent as always
7. The boating was top notch, such a beautiful place to cruise around the lake.
8. Gage's first trip and he was a champ!


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Week 3



We did a little photo shoot with Greg's sister's sweet camera. I just love his hair!


So I think we have taken about a million pictures.

These are some of the notable ones. Gage pooped all over his blanket and the floor while Greg was changing his diaper--we laughed for about 10 minutes after that. Gage doing some gang signs--we're a little nervous about this and we'll be watching for more gang signs when he gets older :). Gage and his cousin Chaz--they're about two weeks apart and are going to be awesome friends! Gage with his great-grandma Persis--Gage's middle name Spencer comes is after her maiden name. She is very special to us, we loved to visit her and Barbara and hear all of their stories. Gage got to meet her for the first time just hours before she passed away. It was a very special moment for us and we are so happy she got to see her great grandson.

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Week 4


Gage looks so funny in some of these I thought I'd share them. Some he looks drunk, another one he looks like ET the alien and then the baby acne!



We had a great week and Gage and I finally started getting out of the house! We went for his first hike up to Bells Canyon Res. and we also went up to City Creek in Salt Lake and walked up that path with the stroller. It was so nice to get out and do something and Gage just loved every bit of it... well, while he was awake, he slept most the time otherwise. We also love walking around our neighborhood. There is an elementary school close by that we usually end up at. This time Greg was trying to get him to hold on to the rock climbing holds they have in the playground.


We also had Persis's funeral this week. It was nice to get the Carling side together and hear their stories of growing up and different things I never heard about Persis and Greg's grandpa, Gerald. Greg went down to Filmore with the group for the interment. Barbara showed everyone around and gave the historical tour at the cemetery. The black and white picture is of Persis's father... you can see where Greg came from; a smitten image of his great grand father.
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Week 5

My mom with her two grandsons. Gage and his friend Tucker. We went to Wheeler Farm with Juli and Jamie. The kids loved it and we got some good, fun conversation.

Gage was growing like a green bean plant! Just shooting straight up... but he had a huge belly. We went up Millcreek canyon one afternoon. Gage just loves taking baths. It's about the most content he is while he's awake.
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Week 6


Salt Lake Bees baseball game. Gage's many faces during the game... he was getting way into it!


It's fun to go to these games. It makes me mad we don't go more.


The older he gets the more personality he's getting, which means hours of entertainment! Even when he sleeps he pulls some the best faces.


Had a fun week. I was starting to get easier to get out of the house with him, but we were still a half hour late everywhere we went ;-) Went on a few hikes with the wild flowers in full bloom. Gage met Lily and Rainier on these. We even went up the canyon with the Tyler and Lyndsay and their kids to have tin foil dinners! So fun.

After 6 weeks we were surviving. I never knew that being a mother was one of the hardest, but definitely the most rewarding thing I've ever done. My world has been turned a completely different direction and is so different then before but I would never change it, I would never go back. Greg has similar feelings as well. We are learning and trying to figure things out. Gage is awesome and such a fun kid. He just gets so excited about little things and is so curious and is always wide eyed looking around.

It's a New Life...

Gage's first few weeks: Part 1 of 3

It seems as though I blinked and all of a sudden I'm back to work and Gage is 3 months old. Time has flown by and because of that I haven't kept up on the blog. So like I always do, I will be trying to catch up a little at a time.

Gage Spencer
our little miracle...


Right out of the womb he was already giving us all sorts of faces.

My handsome baby boy was born! It was an absolutely beautiful moment and memory Greg and I will never forget. Gage was and still is the most beautiful and perfect little boy, but of course I'm totally biased ;-) Everything with the delivery went great. No complications, no worries, just the miracle of giving birth. From the first scream out of the womb, to his nasty little tar- like diapers, to his beautiful dark hair this little boy has been our pride and joy. We still haven't been able to take our eyes off him; every little movement, sound, facial expression brings such great joy and excitement.


Bringing him home was when it finally felt real. I was nervous and prayed that everything would go fine and that Greg and I would be good parents and not hurt this little guy... So far it's been good, he hasn't been dropped yet and is growing like a mad-man!

Gage seemed to take to the house and has always loved going outside. He settles right down and gets big eyes while he tries to take everything in. Trees and the house roof, nice straight line contrasted with the sky, are his two favorite things.

We had to get a tanning bed for him, OK really it was for his jaundice levels. We hated to put him in it... we just wanted to hold him all the time! He did good though and only had to be in there for a couple days.

The other fun thing is dressing him up! All these cute outfits, they all were so big at the beginning, but his diapers were so cute and small.

It was definitely a learning experience for all of us, trying to figure each other out and how to comfort him and understand his needs. I don't think we slept much at all that first week, but it was so fun and so well worth every bit of it. We learned how to be fast changing diapers otherwise we'd have to clean up two messes and found that our little guy loved to eat, a trait he still has. Our beautiful little boy was finally here, yay!