One of my favorite moments

There are many moments in parenting that make you pause and recognize just how amazing the life you've created is. For me, this is one of those moments... not only recognizing what a miracle Hyatt is, but what an amazing father Garrett is.

The boys were out before bathtime, in the darkness, readying to feed the chickens. Garrett had Hyatt in the front carrier, all bundled up in the (very) brisk night, walking out to the coop. All of a sudden, Garrett said that Hyatt just tilted his hed back and his mouth fell open, in complete awe of the stars. He's never seen the stars before. So, Garrett just stopped, and they both stared up at the stars for a while.

I am so privileged to have married a man that delights in the joy of his child recognizing the beauty in such small things, the small things that so many others overlook. My wish for Hyatt and our other children is to always be able to pause, and stare in awe at the beauty of a starry night.

Fun times with Dominic and Grandpa Etue

We ended up being able to swing a short notice trip to stay in Brighton for a long weekend. Sadly, my Mom was in Florida visiting her Mom, but we'll make sure to make the trip over there again soon. Garrett had plans to be out of town and I thought it would be nice to be spoiled for a few days (and we definitely were)! Even though I dragged him to all of my favorite pregnancy craving restaurants (Zingermans, Thai, Mediterranean) - he willingly obliged! Our food choices are a bit limited here on the west side of the state at times! He also became quite educated at the natural diapering/baby stores and deciphering Hyatt's sign language. We were lucky to be able to spend such special time with him.


Uncle Dominic made time for us in his busy schedule - obviously these two get along pretty well!

signing "MORE" (icecream)

Mmmmm!!!

clapping for things he loves is another new trick

Loving Pregnancy - 4 months!

Finally the belly has officially popped! Not just looking round(er), finally looking pregnant. It's amazing to think that I'll be 20 weeks tomorrow - halfway through this pregnancy. I'm loving it! We're feeling the baby regularly move, and the baby does seem to be more active whenever I'm nursing Hyatt. I have gotten the "You're still nursing?!" comment pretty regularly (even though it's said lovingly). Yes, we're still nursing. I just finished reading a book called "Adventures in Tandem Nursing", and nursing both of these babies at the same time I'm sure will be an adventure. However, many studies (and other mothers) have shown that it's best nutritionally to nurse for at least two years, that tandem nursing creates a stronger bond between siblings and also decreases jealousy issues regarding the new baby.

Our happy boy!

13 Month Big Boy

What an amazing month! When I compare this January to last January... obviously having a 13 month old compared to a 1 month old - there are huge changes and life has much more rhythm to it. Hyatt is the happiest child I have ever been around. He is really starting and trying to put words with objects and he's learning SO quickly! He can identify and say ball and dog and then look at or point to nose, ears, fan, diaper, water... the list goes on and on. He is a kissing machine and has so many funny looks, especially when he wants someone new to really look at him!

I am also purely loving our nursing relationship... he can sign nurse (the sign for milk) and it's made our relationship so much easier. Now I know when he's feeling needy for some special mama time, rather than just having to guess. I am so thankful that we are extending nursing past one year, and that I'm able to continue nursing through this pregnancy.

13 month stats:
32.5" tall
22 pounds
12 teeth

kisses for Aunt Teri bear

(no more sitting still for mama!)

Who's ready for another little Spencer?!

We are OVERJOYED! Another little baby on the way - due sometime in the first few weeks of July! I think Hyatt is going to be an amazing big brother - he loves giving other kids kisses, hugs and he has such a gentle soul. We have another planned homebirth... it will be a whole new adventure having a baby in such HOT weather! Mama and baby are feeling great - we feel so blessed.

Hyatt is ONE!

Weighing in at 21.6 pounds and 32", he's a long and lean eating machine! He's started sign language and we're LOVING it. He's not able to always TELL us what he wants, but he sure can sign it to us! His favorites are "more", "all done", and "nurse". Everything else we seem to figure out! His first cake - no big deal to him. It was a sugar-free applesauce and banana cake and he dove right into it! He is so full of light - we just adore this little man! He's taken to dancing every time music is on, twirling around the room and singing in a little voice.

First time in the snow... probably not his most favorite experience!

He LOVES the chickens (and 4-wheeler)!

Christmas!

What a busy and wonderful time of year. As our first Christmas as parents, we wanted to focus as much as possible on the non-material parts of Christmas, and just as much on each other. This time of year last year was so different - tons of snow, quiet waiting for baby, fully prepared in every aspect of the house... THIS YEAR - woah! We're trying to move in a direction where we make as much as we can for our friends and family for "presents" - whether it's canning things, sewing, knitting. The older we get, and the more that we notice what Hyatt gravitates to, it's the items that were made with natural products, made with love.

My family came to visit the day after Christmas, to celebrate Hyatt's birthday and to spend a night here. I wish they were able to stay longer!

We initially weren't going to buy a Christmas tree, but every place we went, Hyatt was obsessed... so about a week before Christmas we found a small tree that we loved. Our little boy would just stand and stare, gently touch the tree, take off the few ornaments I put low enough on the tree and just walk around the house.











He looked like a big grown-up boy on Christmas Eve!

He didn't open a SINGLE present! He did spend a lot of time sitting in this Lego Truck that Allen and Brianna bought for him.