Walkin' on Sunshine

Hurray! The spring-like weather is finally here and we can take Spencer out to enjoy the fresh air. Our neighborhood looks beautiful with all the blossoms on the trees and the flowers blooming...too bad spring can't last longer. In NJ it seems we go from cold to hot/humid pretty quick - not much of a spring. But I'll stop complaining and simply enjoy the nice weather while it lasts!

Don't let go Daddy! Not so sure Spencer had as much fun as we did watching him experience all the "newness" of playing at the park.

Making new friends.

This video clip shows Spencer's first ride down the slide...he's not that into it yet. :)

Uh-Oh! Looks like someone found Daddy's big box of Oreo cookies he brought home to put in storage. Spencer is pretty good about sniffing out the food...he's always ready for a snack. :)

I find that babies are particularly edible right after a bath.

Scott and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary on Monday by eating dinner together (that's a BIG deal!), watching an episode of "House" and going to bed. I was pretty sick and we were both tired after a long day of work...so that was all the excitment we had left. We did, however, celebrate earlier that weekend by purchasing a better vaccuum. We've been wanting to buy one with a hose attachment to clean the carpet edges so Spencer won't eat any more fuzz balls.. I'm happy to report Spencer has been weaned of fuzz and our carpets have never looked so clean!

Spring Cleaning

Well, spring is finally here and I'm finally getting around to posting our pictures from the past 2 months. I can't even remember what I did in February, and March is about to slip away...summer will be here before we know it!

In early March, Scott and Spencer were kind enough to travel to Boston with me for a conference on family-centered care. It was my first week in my new job, and I was greatful to have them both with me. Seeing them every afternoon and evening kept me sane during all the long meetings. The first four pictures were taken in Boston: 1) from our hotel room window, 2) out to dinner at mongolian grill "Fire & Ice", 3) Scott & Spencer at Fanueil Hall, and 4) Scott in front of Cheers replica. We would have seen more of the city if it had not been FREEZING every day.

I love this picture, so I have to include it! Spencer is getting bigger every day, crawling more, and climbing the furniture (he can even navigate one step from the living room to the dining room!)

Last Saturday, we opened the blinds while we were cleaning and Spencer became very interested in his shadow. At one point he even lifted up his foot as if he were looking for the source of his new friend.

My handsome boys ready for church. I can't believe that Spencer will be in nursery in December...yikes!

Spencer's at-home "Spring Training" for baseball. Daddy can't wait until they can play ball for real outside!

Just a few days ago, Jeopardy was on TV and Spencer dropped the blocks we was playing, crawled to the TV and watched the game. Perhaps he is a junior champion in training?

Playing Catch Up

So, I figured if I posted our holiday photos before the end of the month, I wouldn't feel so behind schedule. Perhaps January 31 is better late than never? Our Christmas celebrations were nice and relaxing...not too much rushing around for once! Christmas Eve was spent with Scott's brothers and their families as we waited for Mom and Dad Maldonado to arrive from Puerto Rico. Their flight was delayed a bit, but it was wonderful to see them again. The kids were happy to see them too...it meant we could open the family gifts.




Below are pictures of the nieces and nephews as we waited for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive.
First photo is of Nathaniel and Katie; the second photo is Christian, Jonathon, and Eliza.



Mandy asked Jonathon to go wrap Spencer's gift...this is the bag he chose. I don't think he understood why the adults in the room where laughing. :)


Gabriella and Scott Jr. were able to join us Christmas Day evening. They opened their gifts quickly, because we had invited a family from the ward to have Christmas dinner with us. Both kids took cooking classes over the summer, so Scott gave the kids their favorite ingredients: Hungarian Paprika for Scott Jr. (according to him, his potato salad just isn't they same without it); and Hoisin Sauce for Gabriella (she just LOVES saying "hoisin sauce"). Spencer, of course, simply enjoyed the wrapping paper the most.


The day after Christmas, Spencer and I flew to Utah for Diana and Brandon's wedding (Dec. 27). It was a beautiful snow-covered day for the happy couple. It was also nice to see family again, although there didn't seem to be enough time to visit as much as I would have liked. Maybe next time!

(Couldn't resist posting Spencer's naptime bed-head.)

Luckily, when we returned from Utah after the new year, we had one last visit with Scott's parents before they returned home.


Earlier this month we made Gabriella work for her birthday present. In the middle of the night I tied a string to her present (a giant gumball machine) and wound that string all over the house, ending at her bed. Her job was to follow the stringy path to find her gift.


As for Spencer, he finally has his first tooth (it arrived the day of Diana's wedding) and he is getting quite proficient at scooting about. When I look back at pictures taken just a few months ago, it's hard to believe how much he has changed in 8 months!

Here is a little clip of Spencer using his arms to push himself across the floor (he just started doing this 3 days ago).

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year! We love the change of the seasons and the holidays we get to spend with family and friends. For Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, we drove to Pennsylvania and ate a delicious meal with Uncle Charles and Aunt Marie and a few of their friends. Spencer truly enjoyed being the center of attention. I don't know where the time has flown, but Spencer is already six months old and so anxious to be mobile. He finds it very hard to sit still. A co-worker of mine was kind enough to find an "Exersaucer" for Spencer to enjoy. He loves it for all the activity, and I love it because it gives my arms a break and I can get some household things done! :)

I had to add this picture, because Spencer's smiles (even half a smile) are so elusive. When he sees the lights of the camera, he gets the "deer in the headlights" look.

Spencer loves it when Scott Jr. and Gabriella are here on the weekend. I think it's safe to say he will be following his older siblings' every move!

Spencer still enjoys eating anything and everything that is put in front of him. To date he has had all kinds of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and meat. This is a little video clip of him eating green beans for the first time.

Lions, Tigers...and Gorillas??? Oh my!!

It's hard to believe another Halloween has come and gone, but we lived it up to the fullest! Thankfully the weather was mild enough to take Spencer for his first night of trick-or-treating with Scott Jr. and Gabriella in Pennsylvania. Scott Jr. was a 1920s Gangster and Gabriella was a Candy Corn Witch. Scott Sr., of course, was a Gorilla, so it was only natural that Spencer be a banana. I stayed up until 2am the week before Halloween to make Spencer's costume...I'm just glad it didn't fall apart on him. :) The night after Halloween, Scott and I were invited to one of my co-workers homes for a party. I dressed as a pirate and let's just say Scott got a lot of use out of his costume this year!

As of Saturday, Spencer is officially 5 months old. Wow! He is getting bigger (or longer...there still isn't much baby fat) and stronger by the day. We introduced Spencer to his first fruit (applesauce) this past week and he LOVES it mixed with his cereal.

Scott introduced Spencer to the remote control recently and he was fascinated....what a man!