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

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.

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Week 6

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

 

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!

He's Finally Here!!!!

Gage Spencer... 7 lbs 8 oz., 19.5 in

Big with baby

Greg got home yesterday from a boys trip to Washington/ Oregon to ski and climb a couple volcanos. It was a 6 day trip. The first thing he says to me is, " Wow I forgot how pregnant you are." I love my husband ;-)

With that I am 32 weeks pregnant... 8 more weeks to go and, yes, big with baby! Can't wait to meet this little guy!!!

January- March

Lots of skiing this season. We felt like we had to do a lot before the baby and I were too big to do anything... and Greg is obsessed, so it's not to hard for him to want to go either. In fact he is up skiing as I am writing this. He's gone with Tyler a lot the past month and they've had good and bad snow, but always seem to come home with awesome pictures. Tyler has a sweet camera that takes like 6 frames a second. It's way fun to play with!

Here's some of his photos of Greg.....

Here Greg and I are skinning up Silver Fork.

It was a beautiful day! Sunny and warm, unless you were in the shade then it would drop like 15 degrees. We found amazing snow and amazing views all morning. Loved it!

This is one of my favorite photos of the day. The Wasatch are amazing and the panorama worked this time! Yeah!!!

On our first run we found this hill that hadn't been tracked yet. Therefore, Greg was like a kid at the candy shop, so excited, ready to burst at the seams. When I told him that he should go first... well, I think that gave me the wife of the year award. Here are his tracks and I am that little black dot near the top of the hill.

Stansbury Mtns

Yes, it's time for the yearly Stansbury mountain post. Last year when we took snow shoes up the canyon we thought how fun it would be to go up and camp and Greg could ski. Well, now that I am also in to skiing, it made for a unanimous vote to go spend a couple days up there.

This is me skinning up the 5 mile road to the campground where we set up the tent.

Beautiful weather. We, well I was working on my tan while Greg set up the tent.

With our base camp set up we put on the skis to explore the area and find some hills to ski down.

Deseret Peak in the background. An amazing mtn with that sweet couliour streaming down the side of it. If we were intense/hardcore skiers that's where we would've gone, but being 3 months pregnant and not wanting to inflict any bodily injuries we decided against it and found some really fun gentle slopes to cruise on.

Greg cruising down... We were the only people up there and the only ones for a while because Greg had to break a fresh trail the whole way. So first tracks up and down the mtn.

Gotta love Black Diamond gear! Works great, we love our skis

Getting back to camp we put things away and started dinner. We could see stars!!! The first time in a long time because it had been so smoggy in the valley. By then I was starving and nauseated but of course nothing sounded good and by the time we had made the pasta I couldn't eat. I tried to force down some of it, but payed for it all night long. Bad stomach cramps and nauseated all night. The morning we got up and Greg offered to head down. I was hoping if I could get some oatmeal down that it might help and we could get one last ski run in before we headed down for some afternoon obligations we needed to get to. I also knew that we wouldn't do this type of thing again for a very long time so I declined and headed up the canyon again. It was a little rough, but we were reward with a beautiful morning and another great couple runs.

Greeted by a beautiful sun rise and Deseret Peak glowing in the background.

Our skin track and two ski tracks from the previous day.

Greg on his way down!

Our lone tracks. The greatest part of the whole thing is that it hadn't snowed for 4 days prior. It had been cold enough and with no other people we had 4 inches of powder, untouched. That doesn't happen very often, especially here in Utah.

Looking back at the smog... I so did not want to go back down into that. Nasty!

Greg being the awesome guy he is offered to take both packs down. One on his back and the other on the sled. I had both day packs... we made for a sight to see to the few people heading up the road. Luckily the road wasn't too steep, but it was steep enough that we could ski down at a nice speed. I stayed behind to make sure the pack wouldn't flip and of course it would fly off a bump in the road and almost take Greg out and flip over, pretty entertaining ;-) We safely skied back to the car and drove out of the canyon and into this....

I hate smog! Such a difference 250 vertical feet make. Gross.

Cedar City/ St. George

Ready for some warmer weather and some collage basketball we took off to visit Greg's parents down in Cedar for a while. While we were there we were able to watch 3 basketball games, bike 3 different days on 3 different trails, go on a couple hikes, and go to the park with Nate and Kile's kids. Getting away was great. Didn't have to worry about work or school and slept in every day! Ron and Karin are great hosts as well and we are always grateful for invites to hang out.

We were able to ride 3 trails down in the St. George area. The first one was the "must ride classic... Gooseberry Mesa" and Greg and I will confirm that it is definitely a must ride classic! Such a fun ride with beautiful scenery. Unfortunately we didn't get any photos but the terrain was not like anything we had ridden before. Slickrock, dirt, sand, up and over mounds of sandstone, etc. Really fun. Can't wait to get back out there.

The next ride was one that we've done before, The Bear Claw. That was is always fun.

The 3rd we rode was the Barrel Roll. It was a good one, not a favorite, but the scenery was amazing and it was a good workout. This one I think I felt the baby move for the first time! It was right after we went up a pretty good hill and I had to stop to catch my breath. We were looking off the cliffs when, wow a punch to the side! I don't think he liked me bent over the handle bars and breathing hard ;-)

Here are some photos of the Bear Claw

We also took off on some hikes with Greg's mom. One of these was up a sweet slot canyon that not many people know about. The lighting was pretty on the rocks and the air was pretty darn cold, especially when the breeze would pick up.

The next day Nate and Kile showed up with their kids. Luckily we had some good weather and went to a really fun park and played hide and go seek, some softball, and had lunch. Here's Greg playing catch with them in front of the house.

Cardiff

What an amazing DAY!!!! I love days like these. Blue skies, warm in the sun and magnificnet views! Can't beat that, unless of course your there with your significent other and I was!

3-4-5 hours or a whole day of one on one time with your spouse, where you're doing something you both love, getting outside, enjoying the sun, and don't have anything pressing to get home to. I have to admit that is one thing that will be difficult for us when this little man pops out ;-) I hope we will still get some one on one time without the screaming child in the back ground. haha. K, I know that he won't be screaming... the whole time, but I have been around a lot of kids, moms, dads, and I have seen enough and been there enough to have a realistic view in my head of how things change. I'm excited and a little nervous to see how things play out, but as you all look at the blog you will see what happens and if Greg and I can still pursue some of our "irresponsible activities" and rush home to relieve the babysitter of our little one. Most of the time we plan on putting him in a kid-pack and hauling him up the mountain, down the canyon, on the raft, or where ever with us! Hopefully he enjoys it as much as we do.

On the far ridge there was a huge avalanche, if you click the photo you might be able to see it better. It was pretty impressive to see one like that, it made us feel very small and was a good reminder of where we were and how everything could change within a couple of seconds.

Mallary skiing down 15 inches of powder.

Me heading down to the next hill

This was a shot that I called Greg from work at 6:45 am and told him to go out and get a photo of this sunrise. It was incredible... like a fire had been lit behind the clouds. Another perk of my job, I see a lot of sunrises!