"Portrait of the Spencer as a Young Man"

Spencer is almost 1. Part of me CANNOT believe he is that old, and part of me feels like he has always been in our lives. I still get overwhelmed with gratitude for God's gift in him. On the less mushy side, he is HILARIOUS and never boring. And I really appreciate that. I bore easily, so thank goodness he's a mover and a shaker. I may sound like I'm complaining about his activity level and quirkiness sometimes, but just know that I'd be bored out of my mind if he was what is traditionally referred to as an "easy" baby.

For example, when we scheduled a photo shoot for this fall, I thought, "Why not get a 'family picture'?" After all, what kind of mother would I be to not have pictures of myself with my husband and my child all fully clothed and smiling. It's almost like you attempt to do it, just to prove to yourself that while it doesn't happen very often, it's not because you CAN'T do it--you just don't bother yourself with silly things like putting on eye liner or pulling together multiple pieces of clothing that fit you properly to make an "outfit."

The last time I attempted this, Spencer was 6 weeks old, and it was a challenge then. But that photo shoot had nothing on this one.

That about sums it up.

Now, you have to know that we have some beautiful pictures from this shoot. Really. He loves our photographer (and friend) Hannah. He flashes his flirty little grin at her big beautiful brown eyes. He ain't no fool. He just wasn't up for being in a sitting position because that necessitates that his body remain stationary for more that 1/10 of a second. That's just not his thing. "What IS his thing?" you ask. Well, he prefers to stand in any shopping cart with or without a buckle, to carry 3 heavy things while walking, and to refuse milk for an hour and then eat an entire grilled cheese sandwich.

Almost a year ago, I was in the hospital having Spencer. My OB commented that Spencer was going to have his own perspective on life. He said this because Spencer WOULD NOT turn over the way babies typically do in order to put an end to the "delivery" process. They are supposed to rotate to a face down position. Spencer refused for a good 2 hours, at which point we reached a compromise of a "sideways" delivery. I didn't think much of it at the time. There was much more to think about, like trying to have a baby in between yanking my oxygen mask off to throw up...but I digress.

"He told you I have a mind of my own, Mom! How long until you cease to be surprised?"

I read that Spencer should be pointing to things now, and I was trying to remember if he's ever technically pointed at anything. Then it dawned on me, he takes my hand and walks me to whatever he wants. Why would he point? When I keep my hands out of his reach because I don't want to face the temper tantrum that will ensue when I don't stand up and walk when he pulls my hand, he grabs my big toe and starts pulling it as he walks. And it's not just me. He will take anyone's hand who will give it to him. He will then walk them to what he is currently interested in and try to convince them to do his bidding.

Did I mention he's a little bit of a thrill seeker? He loves the grass in the backyard, because he figured out 1--that it slopes in certain places and you can get running PRETTY fast and 2--that when you get running pretty fast and then squeal with excitement you inevitably fall, but that's ok, because it doesn't hurt to fall in the grass.

I am usually the one taking pictures of Spencer, so there are not a lot of the both of us. And typically that's a good thing because, as I mentioned above, I don't consistently present as "photo ready," at least by 21st Century American standards. So, I really like this picture that Hannah took, because more than most it typifies what life with Spencer is like right now. Boisterous, strength-requiring, joyful, but purposeful in our intention to love him and teach him the best we can so that he can be and do what we cannot imagine.

Top 5 Favorite Places We've Found Pacifiers

#5--In the floor of Papa Kurt's suburban next to an old, wet diaper

#4--Inside Spencer's pumpkin onesie after he'd refused to take a nap

#3--In the foot of Spencer's jammies when he was only 2 months old

#2--On top of Aunt Hillary's bed where Spencer managed to throw it from his pack 'n play while I was trying to get him to take a nap

#1--Inside my Sperry when I was trying to put it on to go to work

Where's the best (or worst) place you've ever found a paci?

The Grocery Store

Alternate title: "Necessary Evil." I think it's because you HAVE to go, but I hate grocery shopping. And I think Spencer knows. He decided that since he loves me so much, he will make it impossible for us to go grocery shopping together, thereby exempting me from my chore. Unfortunately, he doesn't understand that although his father happily gets up with him in the middle of the night, cooks many-a-night, does as many (or more?) household chores as I do, maintains both cars, pays the bills, works full-time and teaches a college class on the side, he does not have much extra time. He does go by the grocery store sometimes, actually. At this point, sane people are asking, "What the heck do YOU do all day?" To which I reply, "I keep Spencer from killing himself."

Yes, that pretty much requires all the energy I have most days (it seems). But I do toy with the idea of mastering a few more tasks WHILE taking care of Spencer. For example, last week we went to the grocery store. We got through the produce with lots of waving to strangers, smiling, and gerber yogurt snacks. Then, we made it to the bread section where he insisted on chewing on the bag of bread that he managed to get out of the basket WHILE he was strapped in the front part of the basket. For about 1 second I thought about letting him chew on it, then reminded myself that we've come too far to lose a child to a plastic-suffocation event. So, I took it away. Cue the screaming. Yes, I gave him something else to chew on. I think it was a box of cereal bars. My kid is not stupid (aka: easily distracted). More screaming. We made it to aisle 3, or "lots of canned tomato products that should all be called the same thing aisle."

I had about 4 recipes I was shopping for, each requiring what seemed like 6 different tomato products apiece.

This is the point at which my child realizes that the shopping cart straps are lousy. He stands up. I'm standing right there, so he just climbs onto me. Not much else I can do. I think to myself, "Ok, we can do this. I can carry him for the rest of the time. People all over the world (and throughout history) do / did many more physically demanding tasks than this. The aisle are getting very crowded as everyone stares at all the various tomato based nonsense. I start to notice that people are no longer grinning at my adorable, blonde, sweetie pie. They are staring at us, annoyed that we have managed to be in their way at every section of this aisle. Spencer's next realization is that those sign-things that stick out from the shelf are very pull-able. Wow, that's fun. Yeah, I put a stop to that just in time for some "protesting" from my Littles. More stares from strangers. [Insert offensive comment: I will say, the people at the Heights Kroger are much less warm and friendly than the people at "my" Kroger on Markham, 'nuff said]

When Spencer realizes that I won't be letting him take things off the shelves, he decides it's time to get down. And, I don't know if this will make sense until you've held Spencer, but if he decides he's going to get down--I won't say that you can't keep him from it, because that's not true. What I will say is that keeping him from getting down is the only thing you can do. You cannot both keep him from getting down and continue to do anything else. Or think of anything else. At least I can't. Anyone who thinks they can is MORE than welcome to take my baby and my shopping list and give it a try. I'll give you $10.

At this point, I give up. I know that "real" moms pull themselves up by their boot straps and go on. But I call my husband. It doesn't help that I know that he's 1 block away, and that today he has a fairly flexible schedule. Not to say he isn't working hard--he is. But his job most of the day is to get his job done. And that can be done at all different times of the day--lucky for me.

So, he comes to get Spencer and I finish shopping. It probably took me another 45 minutes. And this is why, I tell myself, I did not marry a doctor. I need a husband. I have lots of needs. I'm needy. And I'm cool with that. My dad's a doctor. I love him, and he was always there for me. But I was his daughter, not his wife. My dad was not there to come hold me while my mom finished grocery shopping. I'm not saying he should have been, I'm just saying God knew what he was doing when he gave me Jonathan.

Aaaaall that to say I tried a different grocery store approach today. Instead of taking Spencer when he was chipper, I took him to the playground first and tried to wear him out. I thought the "well-napped" approach was wise, but it was not for us. So, today I dragged my exhausted 10 month old to the grocery store. The same one, since I wanted my experiment to have as few variables as possible. I put him in a back-pack carrier this time, since I knew better than to ever try to get him to sit in a cart without standing up. (Yeah, we had a few Target outings in between these two outings to firm up my opinion on this). Also, I took him when I knew Jonathan had a staff meeting, so there was no way I was calling my husband to bail me out. It was do or die (or leave a full cart).

We made it through. I bought MUCH less. I bounced him the whole time. And he did fuss quite a bit. But I felt like such a success until--alas! He fell asleep in the car on the way home. First of all, he NEVER does that. Secondly, when he does, no matter how short the period is that he is asleep, that sleep he does get is a substitute for whatever nap he was about to take. So, he took no afternoon nap.

O, don't get me wrong. I always try anyway. We "tried" for about 45 minutes. No dice.

Made it to the store. Made it out with food. Stuck with a 10 month old who'd had about 1 hour of sleep all day. Obviously he's asleep now. AND I just this second hung up the phone with my husband for whom I tell myself it is worth going through all this madness because he will so appreciate having dinner available to him when he gets home late from work these next couple of days. He told me he was on his way home, and I reported to him the food that was here. That report was followed by the comment that he'd had pizza at work, so he wouldn't need any dinner tonight.

I should hang a sign on our door: Comedy of the Absurd playing daily.

Spencer's First Football Game

We went to Louisiana this weekend to visit some of my family. One of my cousins is a high school senior, and he has accepted a football scholarship to Tulane. We are all so proud of his hard work, and we went to see him play Friday night.

Against all common sense, I took Spencer who had missed his afternoon nap. My kid goes to bed at 7 WITH an afternoon nap. The alternative was to leave him with a babysitter he didn't know in a house he'd been in for about an hour. This seemed cruel to both the sitter and Spencer. I knew we could leave the game if needed--so on we went.

I danced him around to the pre-game music, and he loved that.

Then everyone yelled and screamed as the players ran out onto the field (me included). He did NOT love that.

After a few more outbursts from the crowd (all of which he handled poorly), he nuzzled his little head down and fell asleep.

This, after I just went on and on to my aunt about how my child NEVER falls asleep in public. Ha! Apparently I just never let him get good and miserably tired. (Actually, I typically safeguard against this on purpose) I have a feeling some of the aversion to the noisy crowd was due to his insane level of exhaustion. However, he's never been a big fan of loud people. (Yes, ironically, he has me for a mother). He slept until the end of the half when there was another very loud moment. Then, it was time to go back to the hotel.

Of course, he wouldn't fall asleep for hours since the nap at the ball game had taken the edge off his sleepiness. It made for an interesting night.

Human Nature Exhibit A: The Food is Always Greener

Spencer had polished off a dinner of chicken, sweet potato, green beans, corn bread, and milk. He was working on a cookie, and Jonathan was eating his dinner. I hungrily hopped up to fix my own plate. I sat back down with a salad of spinach and mixed greens with Italian dressing. Spencer quickly realized he had not been offered any salad. He could NOT have been hungry. Nonetheless, he proceeded to scream at me until I handed him what he knew was the one thing on the table he had not tasted. So, I reluctantly handed my 9.5 month old a spinach leaf. O, what joy ensued...

I can't believe you were holding out on me mom. Betrayal.

This is great.

I'm going to chew on this leaf indefinitely just to prove my point.

I'm going to show him these pictures when he is 3 and refuses to eat spinach. And again, when he's 12 and refuses to eat spinach. He had never sat in his seat this long, and he has yet to do it again. I guess it's time to pull out the mixed greens.