Rice Cereal...Take One

This past Monday (Feb 25th), we made a first attempt at giving Spencer some rice cereal. I think you can tell what his reaction was from the pictures. Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Daddy Daughter Dance 2008

Natalie and Erick attended the annual Daddy/Daughter Dance yesterday. This event grows in size every year and Natalie looks forward to it so much! It is a great night for them to spend some quality time together and for Natalie to learn how she is to be treated with respect when she starts dating one day (in the FAR OFF future). This year was extra special because Nat got to go with her good friend Anna and her daddy, Patrick.

Natalie had a hair appointment and got her hair put in an "up do" for the big night! She loved having her hair this way! They finished it off with some spray glitter for a little added shimmer.

BEAUTIFUL!!!! She looks so grown up to me.

Natalie and her Daddy...they got each other flowers for their big date.

Here they are cuttin' a rug! Erick said all the girls went crazy when Hannah Montana or High School Musical came on...I think Erick had a headache from all the screaming! Of course, they had to do the "chicken dance"...Nat loves that one! They ended their evening with a meal at Cheesecake Factory (Natalie's choice).

Hearts and Half-Birthdays

Yesterday was not only Valentine's Day, but it was also Natalie's half-birthday. We celebrate the kiddos' half-birthdays around here....another excuse to bring a butter cream-iced cake into the house (my favorite)!

Here's Natalie enjoying her half-birthday cake after school. She was already sugared-up from her V-Day party at school, but what's a little more sugar?!?

Will got in on the cake action, too. I think both Nat and Will inherited my sweet tooth!

Here am I getting some Valentine's lovin' from Spencer. I think he enjoyed his first V-Day celebration! We had a nice quiet evening at home with heart-shaped pizza for the kiddos. Erick and I are doing our dinner out tonight so we wouldn't have to fight the Valentine's crowd.

And here are my three favorite valentines (after Erick, of course). PRECIOUS! I love them so much!

A Third of His First Year

My precious Spencer is 4 months old today! I cannot believe how fast time is flying! He actually rolled over this past Saturday and he is putting anything and everything into his mouth. He has been a champion night-time sleeper...sleeping through the night since 8 weeks. He giggles and tries so hard to "talk"...he's trying to catch up with his sister and brother! He has the bluest eyes (lighter than Will's) and chub-o thighs, belly and cheeks (I love to kiss 'em all).

What Spencer loves: the sound of Natalie and Will's voices, momma's milk (yum-o), bath time, being held, being tickled and being on the go!

What Spencer does not like: being still (like everytime the car stops), naps during the day, loud and sudden noises, and pacifiers (I think we have a 3rd thumb-sucker).

In the next week or so he will have his 4 month check-up and shots (ouch!). I can't wait to try him on rice cereal...I imagine he'll lap it up.

Here's a couple of pics from today. Excuse his greasy face in the first pic (he has dry cheeks, so I had him greased-up with Aquaphor).

10 things...

I was tagged by my friend JB to share 10 things about my kiddos. So, here goes....

1. Natalie is my social butterfly. The only thing she ever gets in trouble for at school is talking! At her parent/teacher conference in October the teacher was going over her report card with us. The first section was language and vocabulary. Mrs. H said, "I think we all can agree that Natalie has no issues in this area." Ha! Wonder where she gets her love of chatting from?!

2. Will is my child with OCD. If one crumb falls off his plate, he freaks and cannot eat another bite until it is picked up. His two gummy vitamins in the morning have to be the same color. He will spend an hour lining up all the DVD cases end-to-end just so in the playroom. Sometimes it drives me nuts, but I do enjoy the neatness factor!

3. Spencer rolled over for the first time on Saturday (2-9)! I cannot believe it! Neither of the other two kids rolled over before 4 months. I have a feeling he is going to hit every benchmark early (trying to keep up with his brother and sister).

4. Natalie has told Erick and I that we can go on her honeymoon with her...to a beach somewhere. She also told us her husband will need to buy her a house and an Escalade!

5. Will loves to run (like his daddy)! He runs everywhere...I think he has a future in track (and hopefully a scholarship will follow).

6. Spencer's middle name (Bishop) is my dad's middle name. The name "Bishop" goes way back on my dad's side of the family. My dad mentions the fact that his grandson shares his name to anyone and everyone!

7. Natalie loves horses! Erick took her to a horse riding lesson once and the trainer said Nat was a natural. I'm thinking of putting her in a mini-camp this summer to see if it's something we should pursue. She has stuffed horses, clothes with horses on them, horse pj's, horse jewelry, a horse purse, horse books, etc!

8. Will is my tender-hearted little man. He is always saying "I love you" and he tells me "sweet dreams" every night. He is still a snuggle-bug and loves to sit in my lap (he's almost 4). I enjoy every minute of it...I definitely think we have a special bond.

9. Spencer likes to move! Whether he's in the car, in his stroller or being carried, he has to have constant movement! If we stop...WAAAAAHHHH! I purposely take routes in the car where there are the fewest lights and I have taken to wearing him on me in the Baby Bjorn alot so I can constantly sway and move him while shopping, cleaning, etc.

10. I have three exhibitionists! All three of my kiddos love to be either naked or just in their undies/diaper. I have no idea where this came from (as both their mom and dad are NOT this way). Natalie will come home from school, strip down and run around the rest of the day in her undies. Will will run around all day (in the house) in his undies even when it is freezing outside (doesn't seem to phase him). Spencer can be screaming at the top of his lungs and if I take off his clothes...he is giggling and happy! CRAZY!

Okay, so now it is my turn to tag some peeps! I tag Christy Z, Amye D, Marie H, Regina P, Kelly R and Jessica O. : )

Bad Leslie!

I know, I know! I have been so bad about posting. With the busy holidays and three children, something had to go by the wayside. I will do a quick post tonight and then hopefully follow-up with more Christmas pictures later in the week.

Our precious Spencer turned 3 months old this past weekend (on the 12th). I think we should caption this picture "DUH!"

Another 3 month birthday picture! Isn't he growing and changing so much?! He is becoming our little "chub master!" : )

We went to Build-A-Bear this past weekend. Both Natalie and Will got a gift card from their great-grandad for Christmas, so we went to spend them. Natalie made a horse and named it "Payton."

Will made a bear and named it Buzz Lightyear (of course)!

Below is one picture from Christmas. We went over to my parents' house on Christmas Eve to open gifts and have dinner. The kiddos had a blast opening their gifts from Granny and Grandad and Uncle Brad!

HALLELUJAH!

My precious Spencer has slept through the night three out of the last four nights! I know I'm probably jinxing it by writing this post, but I am just so happy and proud! I always say I finally feel like myself again when the baby starts sleeping through the night. What a great early Christmas present!

So Proud of My Man!

I am so very proud of Erick (as is the rest of the family)! He ran the Whiterock Marathon yesterday and did so well! He had been training for awhile and his goal was to complete the 26.2 miles in 4 hours...well, he completed it in 3 hrs and 40 minutes!!! It was chilly and a bit misty, but that is good running weather. This was his first marathon.

This is right after he finished. The kiddos made signs to greet him at the finish line.

The proud wife (and a baby bundled up in there too)!

Erick showing us his medal. If you'll notice his blue bib, it has his number on there as well as his name. Erick had a lot of people holler words of encouragement and say his name along the course. What a neat idea! Erick said it really helped him to continue on and stay motivated when someone (a stranger) would yell "Go Erick" or "You're almost there, Erick!"

Warming up in the car...brrrr!

And we finished off the day at Pappasita's. Erick was starving after burning 3000 or so calories! Erick's parents joined us. Look at his beaming Mom!! I had to get Spencer in a picture too. : )

Take a Look...

Below are the links for some recent pictures. The first one is for Spencer's hospital photos and the second one is for some pictures we had made of the kids a few weeks ago.

Spencer's Hospital Pics
*click on "Visit Web Nursery"
*enter birthdate: October 12, 2007
*enter first 3 letters: mid
*enter city & state: Plano, TX
*password is Mida

Kid's Pics
*click on "Enter Site"
*click on "Client Proofing"
*enter password: mida
*pictures will come up and slideshow will start

Santa Claus is Coming to Town....

Here is this year's Santa picture. Natalie and Will did so good and Spencer slept through the whole thing...thank goodness! Natalie told Santa she wanted a pink laptop and Will told Santa he wanted a George (as in Curious George). Aren't their matching penguin pj's cute?!

Church and Check-Ups

This past Sunday was my first trip back to church and Spencer's first-ever trip to church. We got him all dressed up in his hospital coming-home outfit. The kiddos were happy to help! We actually left on time...what a miracle with three kids!

Spencer didn't spend too much time actually "in" church. First, he had to go out to be fed. Then, once brought back in, he proceeded to make a huge poop in his pants. And then, when Erick brought him back in, he got a HUGE case of the hiccups...so loud we had to take him out. :)

Am I handsome or what?!

This past Monday, I took Spencer in for his one month check-up with his pediatrician. She was so impressed with his growth...he weighed 9 lbs and 13 oz and was 22 inches long. He has gained almost 2 lbs since birth! The doctor also couldn't believe how strong his neck already is and that he already is doing some "tummy time" each day and holding his head up. I think Spencer wants to develop quickly so he can hang with his bro and his sis!

Spencer was SOOO good for the doctor, too! He didn't fuss once. I'm sure that will change at his 2 month check-up when he gets three immunizations!

Halloween Pictures...At Last!

I'm a little late with our Halloween pictures, but I think I have a good excuse! Ha!

We had a good time on the BIG DAY...the kiddos carved a pumpkin with Daddy, we had a neighborhood costume parade, and of course they went trick or treating. Enjoy the pics...

Not quite sure why Will is shirtless...guess he carves better that way! They had fun digging out all the "goo" inside.

They decided on a scary face for this year's jack-o-lantern. BOO!

And this is what Spencer thought of the whole day...yawn! If you can't eat the candy, what's the use in getting all dressed up?!

My beautiful Belle and brave Buzz!

Gettin' ready to hit the streets and get some CANDY!!

A Visit From the Tooth Fairy

Natalie FINALLY lost her first tooth last Saturday, October 27th. I say "finally" because she had been working on it for over a month. It was so loose but she wouldn't let anyone pull it (a little bit of a chicken). She came downstairs last Saturday and told Erick he could pull it (it had really started to bother her). Erick looks in her mouth and it's gone! It had already fallen out on it's own and was stuck to one of her fingers (thank goodness she didn't lose it). She was so excited! We had to call all the family and let them know.

The Tooth Fairy payed a visit to her that night. Nat left a note for the Tooth Fairy explaining how she wanted to keep her tooth but she still wanted her $$ too! Within a day or two, you could already see her other tooth poking through her gums...it must've pushed the other one out!

So proud!

Look in my hand...

Finally...An Update!

I am finally getting around to updating the blog. I have been a little busy. ; ) A bunch of people have been yacking at me for not updating, so here it goes...

Enjoy the pictures below from Spencer's first week or so at home. He has done really well for us so far. He seems pretty laid back and mellow. He only gets mad when he's hungry or has a gas bubble. He is feeding so well and sleeping good, too. We are truly blessed.

This is Spencer packed up in his carrier ready to head home from the hospital. He slept the whole way. He seemed so tiny in the carrier!

Our burrito! He likes to be swaddled alot of the time. Once we got home from the hospital, he slept some more.

Natalie and Will helped Daddy give Spencer his first bath. He really enjoyed it and it seemed to mellow him out.

Is this the face of an angel or what?!

I am one week old today (October 19)!

Natalie absolutely adores her baby brother. She wants to hold him all of the time! We catch her singing to him alot...she'll sing "Trust and Obey," "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," or "The Barney Song." It is so sweet!

Spencer sure loves his Daddy! Erick loves having him lay or sleep on his chest.

We put Spencer on a blanket on the floor some to have stretch time. Whenever we do, it seems like the other two just gravitate towards him. I caught them laying next to him one day and snapped this shot. They said they were making a "Spencer sandwich!"

Here is what greeted us in our front yard when we arrived home! What fun to announce our good news to the neighborhood. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

It's a Boy!

We welcome with love...

Spencer Bishop Mida

Born October 12, 2007 @ 7:53 a.m.

Weighing 8 lbs. and 1 oz.

20 inches long