The Journey

Having children is a journey, figuring out their likes, dislikes and personality traits. Right as soon as you think you have it all nailed down it all changes!

With Maylee and her diet it's been an adventurous journey. They poor lady has had a rough go over the last year but I think we have ironed out the wrinkles and things are starting to look up.

I'll start off by saying I can eat anything I want and not have many "issues". Come to find out that MANY in my family can't eat certain things or they will have "issues".

With Maylee we should have known, since it was apparent from birth, that her and dairy don't mix well. Problem is, she L.O.V.E.S. it. Poor girl. We had been trying everything but the lady was having one HARD (literally) time with digestion. She was grouchy, crampy, gassy and would scream bloody murder for about 30 minutes before she could successfully go to the bathroom and when she did it was (TMI, I know) bloody.

Matt and I started cutting things out, switching things up and it came down to dairy. She and it don't mix. We cut out all yogurt, cheese and milk and she is doing 100 times better. Problem is those 3 things are her all time favorites!

LUCKILY she chugs Vanilla Almond Milk like a champ (thanks for the tip on that one from my Dad, he and dairy don't mix very well either)

AND Yoplait just started making Lactose Free Yogurt which seems to serve Maylee's system well (and her Daddy's too... Matt is becoming addicted to Almond milk as well)

Now if we could only find some lactose free cheese. HAHAHAA impossible. She still eats some here and there, like on Pizza or in dinner that I'll make but as far as eating string cheese it's right out, poor thing.

We also kicked up the fruits and veggies BIG TIME and try to only give her whole grains and make sure she is getting a TON of fluids and she'll be good as gold.

Glad we figured it out for now, she was really struggling for a while there, maybe in a few more years when she has a more mature system she'll be able to do a little more dairy but who knows. For now we're one of those families who has that one that can't have this and the other that doesn't like that but hey what family DOESN'T have that.

TMT: Sibling love

Ty and Maylee love to play with one another and take good care of one another. It definitely helps me remember that the whole grand scheme of things is all God's plan. God knew that Ty should come first to take care of his little sister(s) and that he needed a little sister like Maylee to help him along the way too.   

Ty is the BEST sharing brother I have ever seen. Most of the time I don't even have to ask and he is already sharing what I have given him with Maylee. Of course sometimes he doesn't want to share and sometimes I don't want him to share (i.e. any dairy... but more on that later)

 I always try to give Ty and Maylee a bowl of fruit to eat with their lunches. It's to the point where I don't bother separating it into two bowls because I know Ty will be feeding Maylee as quickly as he can put it in his own mouth, and Maylee LOVES it!

They also play outside all day long if the weather is nice. Ty makes sure Maylee doesn't fall and he teaches her all of his infinite "playing outside skills" like picking grass, throwing rocks digging for worms, spotting any sort of insect including their webs and getting dirty. He also helps me make sure she doesn't eat any of the above mentioned things because she can and will. Ty took about two tastes of dirt and didn't eat it again. May will sit in the dirt for hours and eat the rocks and dirt with out realizing how gross it is, or maybe she does and she likes it? Who knows she is a crazy child sometimes.

When Ty is using the bathroom she waits outside the door holding his underwear and pants to give to him. Or if we are getting ready for bed she'll pick up his pajamas before she gets hers on. She knows what toys he likes to play with so she'll bring them to him. She'll go get her blanket AND his at bedtime and bring his to him. Ty is also an expert hair bow or pacifier finder for Maylee and makes sure she is armed with one or both at all times. It's just the cutest thing to watch them interact with one another.

They frequently wrestle and roll around on the floor with one another, Ty chases May and she runs (which is really a haphazard walk) away. They can get one another laughing harder than anyone else can. Ty is still her little protector too. He keeps her safe and in line most of the time. I think it's funny when Maylee is crying in the back seat to get out of the car and Ty looks at her and says "Maylee, Relax." funny thing is, she usually does.

Boy do they love one another and I love even more that they love one another. It makes being their Mom a ton easier. I am hoping, wishing, thinking and praying #3 fits right on in with the sibling love.

D&C 136:11 And if ye do this with a pure heart, in all faithfulness, ye shall be blessed; you shall be blessed in your flocks, and in your herds, and in your fields, and in your houses, and in your families.


I'm feeling the blessings and soaking them up, because I know that in about 11 or 12 years things may or may not be hearts and flowers for these siblings... but you can bet i'll be trying to make sure it stays this way for a LONG time. 

Park Lunch Date!

A few weeks ago we had a good run of great weather. Matt and I were discussing it over the phone one day and we randomly decided to go to the park for lunch, kind of spur or the moment like. I hurried and packed a picnic and we went to pick up Matt.  

 There is a little park close to Matt's work that was a good size for Ty. This is before Maylee would wear shoes so she didn't play a ton, unless Matt was helping her everywhere. Here he is taking her down the slide.

 Ty likes to go do his own thing and it usually includes finding the biggest fastest slide and taking different routes to get there.

 A few months ago Ty couldn't figure out how to hold on and slide across on those (for lack of knowing what it's actually called) Zip line things. So Matt ingeniously told him those few months ago that he would help him so he squeezed him tight with his legs and went across. Ty remembered that was the proper way to do it so he is hugging Matt's leg SUPER TIGHT for Matt to go across.

 Ty likes to climb all the ladders now, which kind of scares me but that is what little boys do- try things on their own that scare their mother.

 Ty LOVES slides!

 Maylee was on the bridge.

 "Hop Hop Hop" is what Ty says every time he goes across these.

 Trying to bridge walk with Daddy.

Just'a'swinging- Maylee is warming up to the swings a little bit. She can handle them with a teeny push involved. Anything bigger than a teeny push and she isn't having it. Ty is learning to pump his legs to do it on his own too. Maybe by the end of the summer he'll be able to do it, all though it's always more fun to have Dad or Mom push you!

It was a lovely day at the park, we should do it a lot more often than we do. It's such a welcome break for Matt to get out from behind his 10 hour a day desk job and run around with his kids in the sun for a while. It's a definite plus for me too, to get the kids out and have Matt wear them out before naptime.

Special Edition Matt Post "Mostly healthy but missing a crucial limb"

If you guessed we were having a boy, then I appreciate your optimism, but you’re wrong.  Yep, we will be out of diapers and into tampax before you know it.  I’m not saying I’m disappointed, but…….I’m a bit disappointed.  I just want to look back on fatherhood and say “that was a fun adventure”, NOT, “well, that was expensive.” I thought I would write quick public letter to my girls so they can understand what I mean.

To Maylee and the other one (we don’t have a name yet),

First of all, you need to understand that my job is heavily focused on numbers and finding ways to improve an investment.  Therefore, with the facts that I do have, you girls are a risky investment.  More accessories come with the girls.  Boys are good to go with pants and a tee shirt. With the exception of church, school, or those annoying 7-Elevens where they force their main clientele to put on clothes to make a purchase, boys can go without one or the other, most of the time.  In fact, boys aren’t even expected to know how to zip up their zipper till about 12 years old, and even then it’s funny if they forget.  Currently, I get in trouble with Mickie if I let Maylee leave the house without a headband, or if I put the headband on the wrong way.

I guess I just understand boys better than girls, so I was hoping to be able to win an argument or two every once in a while.  Now that Ty and I will be outnumbered by the girls, it’s reasonable to suspect that I will be wrong more than right from now on.  In the world of money management, you don’t have a job very long if that is the case.

Then there is the issue with the sporting events or lack thereof.  When you are cheering at the game, you might catch my eyes drifting towards the game.  Sorry, I know I am supposed to be watching you but they are charging me $7 dollars at the door to watch the game.  They don’t have a discount price for the fathers who are there to watch their daughter cheer.  I’m just trying to get what I paid for.

That leads into my next point.  It’s risky to invest in something you know nothing about.  When boys play with toys, it’s simple. You can rarely go wrong when your gun always hits its target or the rules can change to ensure victory every time.  You can see why I don’t look forward to losing the made up arguments between Barbie and Ken, because he forgot to do the dishes while Barbie was out shopping, again. It’s just sounds a bit too real for play time.  And to be honest, it’s not fair that you girls will practice the drama at such a young age. 

Above all else, you should know, I will give it my best, but lets’ rely on your mom for most of the advice.  Also, I will love you forever.

Your Dad.

Mickie's addition : This is post 1000 for the Spence Family blog, that's a lot of blogging! We do it for you, but we also do it for our kids. In 16 years Matt and I will probably look back at this post and laugh with our girls, understanding the sarcasm and stereotypes employed. YES we know our girls don't HAVE to be cheerleaders who like tea parties and play with Barbies. I was about the exact opposite of that myself. However it is fun to play off the stereotypes for now. 

It's all a guessing game...

So as many of you know, I'm pregnant with Spence baby number three and in a few days we find out what sex the baby is. I can hear some of you doing quick math in your head, "Wait a minute... you have to be about half way (or 20 weeks) before you know the sex and didn't Maylee just turn one a month or so ago?" You Are Correct! This one was quite the surprise to Matt and myself considering precautions were set in place to prevent this very thing. But hey, as they say, God trumps birth control. Maylee and #3 will be ohhhhh 17 or 18 months apart, depending on when this one shows up... I thought 20 months was close enough with #1 and #2 and God blesses us with kids even closer together.

That being said, usually Matt and I both know the sex before the ultrasound. We both just knew Ty was a boy and deep down as much as we didn't want to admit it, we knew Maylee was a girl.

That brings me to the topic. This time neither of us have ANY IDEA. It's pretty odd actually. One day i'll just know for sure that it's a girl then the next day I would swear it's a boy. Matt and I are about 60 % it's a girl and 40% it's a boy.

The other thing is we can't really decide what would be better for the family dynamics, or which would be easier, a boy or a girl. Maylee is a fancy pants so maybe a little brother and a big brother could fix that... or would it get worse since she's the only girl? If we had a girl would that just exponentially increase the fancy pants-ness in both girls, feeding off one another?

Either way I think Ty will be fine. I bet he would like a little brother but he is a VERY GOOD older brother to his sister too. He keeps her out of trouble in a way that only a big brother can do which would be good for #3 too.

Then there's the matter of how the pregnancy has gone so far:
A) it was a surprise, so most of the time that is a girl.

B) I am half way there and showing (for me) but not really showing. Most pants I still button up just fine, no problem wearing any of my regular shirts and I've only gained 8 pounds. Usually I have gained at LEAST 12 if not 15 by half way. Since I was smaller with Maylee than Ty that points to girl.

Proof of the no show baby... in the form of the classic Facebook mirror photo pose taken oh 5 minutes ago. Yeah I know I am wearing a cardigan so it's hard to tell but believe me there isn't much to see.

Then there's C) #3 is a CRAZY CHILD. Maylee was nice and graceful, no sudden jerky movements. Ty was a crazy kid who liked to kick and break my ribs and stretch his legs. So far #3 has taken after their brother. Today as Dr. Chen was listening for the heart beat #3 moved so much he had to adjust it three times to hear 10 seconds of heart beat. #3 just wouldn't hold still. That bodes well for ultrasound day in a few days. Ty was the same way they had to take numerous shots or come back to it since he wouldn't be still. So that points to boy.

D) I was SO SICK and SO TIRED from about weeks 6 to 14. Maylee I was sick too, but not that sick, and Ty I wasn't sick at all. So since I was sick that points to girl.

Then there is the matter of naming #3. Matt and I have had our names picked out since before we were married. Yes both Ty and Maylee were already chosen. We have a boy name set, but for a girl we have NO IDEA. We go back and forth on everything and it's irritating since we've always just known. We DID have a girl name chosen but it kind of fell out of favor a little bit. Anyway so Matt and I have been brain storming girl names and come up empty handed... so another reason a boy would be nice. No worries about the name.

SO bottom line is, WHAT DO YOU THINK #3 WILL BE?  BOY or GIRL? If you think girl then leave a few name suggestions too because we have a short list of names that neither of us are in love with yet.

As for me I think it's a boy, no girl, a healthy little Spence baby because really that's all that matters right?

P.S. in case you are for some reason worried about the lack of belly, the Doctor says I am measuring right on and the weight gain is just fine (not that I was worried... and no I am not doing anything different then I have in previous pregnancies)

Mother's Day

Mother's Day evening after a little bit of delicious BBQ we went out to a lake near our home and strolled the trails. 

Matt stopped for a while and tried to show Ty how to skip rocks. Ty didn't care to skip them he just liked throwing them in. 

 This is the usual, Maylee, hand open to me meaning give me what you have... in this case, the camera. 

 Ty stopping for a split second to say cheese. 

 Matt was picking up more rocks to skip and Ty was throwing them as quickly as he could. We were both  trying to keep Maylee from charging into the water, she wanted to so badly!

 Me and the kids, couldn't get both the kids to look at the same time - par for the course right? 

 Maylee again wanting the camera. 

 Walking the trails, Ty always liked to forge the way and show us which way to go. 

 At the end the kids played at the park for a little bit. Maylee is finally more mobile since she will actually keep those pink shoes on. She usually HATES shoes so luckily we were able to find some she didn't throw a fit about and rip off. Makes it nice so she can actually walk on dirt, rocks and bark to play with her brother. 

I don't think Maylee was a fan of the tire swing but Ty sure had fun. 

We live in such a lovely place and the weather has been fantastic these last few weeks. It's been really nice to get out and walk trails, go for bike rides and hit up parks any time we want. Mother's Day was lovely here at our place, well besides the morning madness (read below) and I hope all of you other Mother's out there had a wonderful day too! 

TMT: Panic mode doesn't work

Last Sunday was the REAL Mother's Day Matt didn't have his copious amounts of morning meetings so he got up a made me breakfast in bed. I started eating then Ty, who was lying next to me woke up and wanted his breakfast too. Matt tried to get him to come eat it at the table with he and May but Ty wanted it in bed too. We both laughed and gave him a plate in bed next to me. I should have taken a picture he was SO excited. Matt even said "Well, Happy Mother's Day Ty..." haha his little voice said back "Happy Mother Day Dad!"

For breakfast Matt made me eggs just the way I like them, with toast. And a banana (which was half eaten by the 2 year old) and some yogurt with fresh strawberries. Ty had strawberries on his plate too with his eggs.

Matt left for church and I was quickly getting the kids ready for our 9 am meeting time. I was ironing Ty's shirt and I told him to quickly finish his breakfast before I put his church shirt on. I turned my back to him while he sat on the floor eating. Then I heard a weird noise. I can't really describe it, I turned to see what was going on and Ty was standing there OBVIOUSLY CHOKING. He tried to eat his strawberries TOO fast. No air was going in or out. He was gagging kind of, but really just looking at me with bugged eyes.

I've had how many classes on CPR and what to do when someone is choking, and for some reason the last few months something the Spirit has been whispering to me "look up what to do if someone, especially kids like yours are choking or need CPR". Of course I've been too busy to heed that direction... so after about 15 seconds and my mind was still blank on what to do I just panicked, I did nothing, I thought a million things and nothing at the same time.

This is unheard of with me, normally in intense situations I keep my cool then when all the dust settle's I lose it with my burst of emotion. Never have I just panicked. This time, I just said "Ty Ty! TY! Can you breathe? Ty?" I had my hand on his back but I did remember not to smack his back or else the food could get lodged further. I thought he was too small for the Heimlich so what to do? Finally, Ty stuck his own fingers down his own throat, to instinctively clear his passage way and gagged himself enough to get a good reflex of puking thus clearing his airway.... It was about a ONE MAYBE TWO minute ordeal, but it seemed like hours in my head.

After it was all over, Ty with watery eyes looked up at me smiling and said "Woah! Ty okay! Strawberries stuck, look mom yuck." pointing to his puke on the plate. How classic for him he just laughs about it all. Happy Mother's Day to me... it could have been a DISASTROUS one, but instead I got to hug that little guy extra tight for a few minutes and literally thank GOD nothing worse happened.

I was pretty tough on myself for a while after that ordeal. "Why didn't I do anything? Why didn't I look up that stuff when I was told to before? What if, why that, and that was terrible" was flying through my mind. I eventually came to the conclusion that nothing really bad did happen, next time just heed the promptings of the Spirit, that is why I have it and I need to listen.

We were late to church because you can bet I was looking up what I SHOULD have done... and yes it would have been the Heimlich. On kids small enough, like May I would have put her on my lap securing her head lower than her body and smacked her back four times then flipped her over and do some pushes just above the sternum four times. But since Ty is too big for that then the Heimlich would have been right. I should have done that, I should have known and now I do.

Bottom line is, if the voice in your head at random moments keeps telling you to look something up or refresh yourself on something, drop everything and just do it... sometimes it just might save a life (not to be dramatic or anything) sometimes it may be an answer to someones prayer, sometimes nothing will ever come out of it, but that's the thing you n.e.v.e.r. know. Heavenly Father does though and testing whether you want to listen to his direction or not is never a good idea. Just Do It!

N. Spence Visit and Mother's Day gift how to

This last weekend we got to watch Tanner and Dallin while Nate Kelly and Ashlyn went to ISU for Nate's Graduation. Congrats to Nate, finally done with school and we were so happy to watch Tanner and Dallin! I was so busy with the three and Maylee stuck to my leg that I forgot to take pictures most of the weekend, but i'll share the few that I did get. 

Ty loved showing his cousins the art of digging for bugs, worms, roots etc.

We pulled the ole' double buckle trick on our way to and from Disc Golfing. The boys thought it was HILARIOUS to play the noodle game in the back seat.

 Of course every night before bed was a "run at Dad/Uncle Matt as fast as possible and see if you can tackle him" game. I think Tanner was already crashed out on the couch when I took these pictures.

 The boys played out back a ton! When Nate and Kelly got back early Sunday morning they gave Tanner and Dallin a surprise, new sunglasses! So Ty borrowed some of mine and they all sat outside eating their snacks with their new shades on.

Nate, Kelly and Ashlyn were up since 4 am... we popped in a movie after church and they all got a good nap.

After Nap time we made our Mothers Day gifts for NEXT Sunday haha. We did a repeat of the hand print stones we made a few years ago with Ty. It was finally time for May to make one.

 Uncle Matt poured the Morter mix while the rest of us were on shell and shiny rock detail or proper hand placement helper. You have to work fast before the stuff sets quickly. Tanner went first and did wonderfully. Then Matt poured double, one for Dallin and Ashlyn at the same time so we tag teamed, Kelly and I, while Nate was on hand washing duty. The stuff is pretty bad if ingested or not properly cleaned off so one of us had to make sure the kids washed their hands really well right afterwards.

 As you can see Ashlyn was THRILLED to make her mom a special Mothers Day gift. HAHA I didn't get a picture of Dallin because I was helping him.

 Ty was pretty stoked, and did his just right, just like the other boys.

 May on the other hand (no pun intended) didn't do so well she would just grab and squish the Morter instead of placing her hand in it. We had to try and do it about 4 times until we finally gave up.

 As you can tell, she took it about as well as Ashlyn, probably worse. She was flinging the Morter everywhere.

So of course Matt had to hose her down, which made her even happier... Yeah! Happy Mother's Day to ME!

The stones are "cooking" nicely (Ty calls them cooking when they aren't done yet) I think they are about ready. It usually takes about 24 hours for a hard set. We're going to bring them down to Nate and Kelly next time we go to Medford and I and going to have May make my mom another one for Mother's Day too since Ty made her one at about the same age 2 years ago.

We loved having the Spence's visit, even though it was a quick trip. Tanner and Dallin had fun with their "Sleep Over"  (I think) and we wish they could have stayed longer. Next time for sure :)

P.S. if any of you are wondering how to make the hand pavers they are really inexpensive. Go to the Home Improvement store and get Morter Mix, it doesn't have rocks or anything in it, it dries smooth for the most part. It's about 6 bucks for a huge bag. Also buy some clear plastic water guards for the bottom of potted plants. That will serve as your mold for the mix and costs about .30-$1 each. Mix the morter mix with a small amount of water and dump it into a greased mold (yeah like cooking spray). Have your kid put their hand in there firmly then take it out. We added shiny bead rock things and seashells that I collect every time I go to the beach just for fun all around the outside. With the supplies we have we could probably do about 25 more so if any of you around WA want to make one hit me up, you can do it for FREE! We put ours by our front door step or in the flower beds by our front door.

Sheer Random Fun

I have been trying to have Ty help me with my responsibilities lately. It's difficult but good to teach him. This day we were mopping. I had already mopped that section but maybe he didn't think I did a good enough job?

 I told him it was slippery, he realized just how slippery it was.

 He also helps me fold the laundry sometimes. Usually I let him work on his clothes only but this time he insisted on helping with Daddy's work shirts. I showed him how to hang them properly then went to go put some clothes away and I found the shirts like this, PERFECT! I thought it was so cute. He was proud to help too.

 Maylee thinks the camera is fun, I hadn't focused yet and she was already beaming so I had to keep this one in.

 Then of course she flopped on the floor and started rolling around.

Maylee is getting good about playing in her room. She loves this toy that she got from her friends for her birthday. 

 I don't know why it's so cute to me but Ty likes to take naps in his shirt and underwear. I know he is going to LOVE this picture in about 20 years :)

Ty always has Matt or me read stories to him. I read them to him all day but he has a certain few he likes before bed. They change occasionally, right now he likes The Eye Book and he can practically read it to you. He usually does it almost word for word. I finnaly got it on video, well sort of, just listen you can't see much.

Also we have been doing a ton of Spring clean up in our yard the last few weeks. Lots of weeding, mowing, whacking and digging... Ty goes out there with us and hunts for.... you guessed it.... WORMS! It's gross but he loves it. He'll go out back, dig up worms and put them in his pocket. He comes inside to show me all the time. Usually it's a family, the Daddy, Mommy and Baby worm. That one is all boy I tell you.

For the record the worm wasn't dead... It was just playing dead because he was tired of a two year old bugging him. Ty found him his "family" soon after and made sure they stayed together.

Oh and one more thing, yesterday was Matt and I's 6 year anniversary. Isn't that fantastic? We spent it going to church, hanging out with Nate, Kelly and the kids who were visiting, BBQ'ing and making a Mother's Day craft for mine and Kelly's presents. I thought Mother's Day was yesterday too, then I was corrected by Nate that morning... funny. So Matt and I kept joking it was Mother's Day anyway and we would treat next Sunday like a normal Sunday. HAHA Even saying prayers last night Matt said "and today on Mother's Day we're grateful for all mothers and especially Mickie." I burst out laughing while he was praying. So yeah Mom. Happy Mother's Day yesterday!!