Clay Turns Six Months!

Let me tell ya... Clay didn't take turning six months lightly... he decided to jam pack as much learnin' as he could in one month's time.  I felt like I would just watch him wide-eyed saying, "Really?  Really did you just do that?"  It was so fun to be with the grandparents and watch him do things for the first time.  They got to witness him getting bigger right before their eyes!

So six months... when we left for our trip, I thought he was at least 2-3 months away from being able to sit up on his own and the pediatrician agreed.  And then... to my amazement, he started sitting up all by himself.  It took him about a week to become a pro, but the process was so neat to watch.  First he would just timber over to one side like a falling tree in the forest.  No warning, no attempt to brace his fall.  Then he got smarter.  He figured out a thing called balance.  He placed his arms straight as an arrow on both sides of him so his hands were flat on the ground.  This was great... he could sit up.  But soon he realized this was no fun because he couldn't play with anything.  So he would get brave and lift one arm at a time.  You could see his little legs wobbling trying to keep himself upright.  Soon after, Clay's like, "I got this."

Same thing with his bottle.  We would give it to him and he would reach for it and feed himself!  It was one of those things I tried and he was able to do it every time thereafter.  Yay!  With those two things, I just bought a little freedom.

Or so I thought.  Then I see Clay up on all fours.  Next, he starts rocking.  And then, he does the precursor to crawling: he hops his two back legs forward at the same time and lunges forward like an inch worm.  And he could get to where he wanted to go... it would just take him awhile.  But, Corey and I knew our days were numbered before he would be off to the races!  Slow down Clay... you are too little.

By his 6 month birthday, Clay is moving one arm at a time with the opposite knee.  He is officially crawling even though I am sure at some point this will feel like this is just slow motion crawling!

And I know every child learns the same way and has these same milestones... it is just so incredible to watch the process as it goes day-by-day.  It is very exciting to see their brains in action!  We had such an amazing month as did our little one.  What a fun age!  Can't wait to see what the next month brings!!

~Leslie

18 Days, 3 States, 5 Cribs... Countless Memories

I felt like I was in kindergarten and it was my turn to have show-and-tell.  Clay was my show-and-tell this trip and that is exactly what I did.  I handed him over to everyone.  "Here he is.  Meet Clay."  I showed him and I talked all about him.  A very proud mama I am.  

Luckily, everyone was just as enthusiastic to meet this little guy.  And I was sooooo glad to see that he knows no stranger.  He went to everyone and gives everyone smiles.  He demonstrates equal opportunities like he is running for office.  He gives me the same reaction/smiles/giggles as he gives the random lady in the checkout line.  Which by the way makes her feel real good.

By the way, Clay wanted me to give a shout out to his girlfriend, Avery Harris.  He just wants to make sure you are keeping it real, girl.  (Long distance relationships... so tough.)

But, it was the grandparents that stole the show... and Clay's attention.  Grandma Spencer, Grandpa Spencer, Nana Neen and Grandpa Longfellow were just hovering... "my turn, my turn, my turn, my turn!"  They couldn't get enough of their little man.  And I know their time with him was limited and so I was more than willing to let them have as many special moments and memories with him as possible.  Just like any grandparents, they marveled at all of his accomplishments, milestones and tricks.  Of course they think he is so amazing and advanced!  He's a prodigy I tell ya!  (Tee hee.)  

There were so many highlights to the trip.  The first one: my cousin Shanan & Stuart's wedding in Dallas.  I have never seen a more beautiful couple!  I can't even describe how much fun it was to reunite with family for such a joyous occasion.  If you think my laugh is annoying, you should hear it when we get me, Shanan, Aunt Cathie & Aunt Jenny all going.  We sound like a pack of laughing hyenas... that high pitch giggle that goes from low to high to low to high.  Oh my... we can't even deny each other if we wanted to... which we don't.  Clay was such a trooper and he owned that styling outfit.  By owning it I mean turning the light blue tie dark blue with massive amounts of slobber.  It amazed me how much my male cousins snuggled and loved on Clay.  And Aunt Jenny... he loves you to pieces!  Also amazing, Shanan & Aunt Cathie took time out of Shanan's wedding day morning to come to our hotel to meet Clay.  It was the sweetest thing ever!  Congrats to the new Mr. & Mrs. Ridnour!

And then there was Miss Nella's 1st Birthday party!  Something I had been looking forward to since it turned 2011.  Janelle painted such a picture of the party in my head (hot pink and yellow butterfly party-- ultra girly, tons of details and Mia's cupcakes!)  It was so much fun!  Nella was such a big girl and enjoyed every minute of it!  I was so glad that we could all be there for such a big day in the life of a little one.  We love you Nella!

Thanks to everyone for making it such a wonderful trip home.  We appreciate all the hosting, borrowed cars, rides to and from, meals and love!

XOXO

Leslie, Corey & Clay