23 Months

Today we began the final month in which we will refer to Spencer's age in months. He's 23 months old today, but a month from now he'll be 2 years old. No one says "25 months old" or "30 months old," right?

The boy and I went back to Angleton this weekend to visit Grannie and Paw-Paw. We were happy to see that Paw-Paw is doing so great - he should be home soon. Spencer played lots of golf, helped scatter birdseed around Grannie and Paw-Paw's yard, and finally sat on the famous donkey planter. We also got to see lots of family and friends - having both grandmothers in the same nursing home means bumping into so many people!

Grannie and I dragged Spencer all over town and he was super patient - a real gentleman, as I like to say. He made sure to let us know, though, when he started feeling frustrated about anything. Oh yes, did I mention that "I'm frustrated" is the latest item in his bag of tricks? Love it!

Family Time

David, Spencer and I went to Angleton last weekend to visit lots of family. First, we went to the nursing home to see Great-Grandma Rives and Great-Uncle Raymond. The Trahans, Elliotts and Cahills were there so it was a mini family reunion. Spencer and Sarah had a good time looking at all the fish and birds.

After that we went to visit Paw-Paw, who had surgery about two weeks ago and is recovering in a rehab center. His surgery went really well, and now Spencer is just waiting until he's well enough to take him on lawnmower rides again!


We also popped over to see Great-Grandma Hill and Aunt Renee. Spencer has always loved playing with Grandma's cane and this day was no different. He was also introduced to the "back bedroom" at Grandma's house, too, which is full of vintage toys and treasures.

Silly Soapy Horns

Earning His Keep

Spencer has become quite the little helper lately. He loves putting his toys away before dinner, using the little broom and dustpan to clean the floors, and putting his unfinished drinks in the refrigerator (we actually aren't big fans of that one...). He helped Daddy sweep and rake leaves from the carport and driveway a couple of weeks ago - I'm woefully behind on blog posts.

Yard Work from Susan Rives Horridge on Vimeo.

There are a couple of other new videos posted on the right side of the page, too.

Don't Dumb It Down, Mommy

Tonight I was reading Big Red Barn to Spencer. He pointed to a cow's udders and then we had the following exchange:

Spencer: "What's that?"

Me: "That's the cow's tummy."

Spencer, not satisfied with my response, points again: "What's that?"

Me: "Um, that's where the baby cow gets milk from the mommy cow."

Spencer: "Udders."

I guess he wasn't so much asking me as he was quizzing me?

Stream of Consciousness

When I was putting Spencer to bed the other night, I asked him some questions to prompt him to tell me about his day (one of my favorite things in the world). I was asking if he remembered seeing a puppy, when all of a sudden he launched into a description of the last 2-3 weeks. He was smiling from ear to ear. What I would've given to have a recording of this stream of consciousness! Here's what I was able to remember and write down...

Truck
Big truck
Ranch
Geep
Pop
EZ tractor
Carol
Aunt Carol
Taylor
Hyelom
Audrey
Golf
Hit golf ball
Grass
Back and forth
Crickets
Buh-flies (butterflies)
Deers
Two deers
Baby deer
Bunny rabbit
Gate
Water
Geep car
Puke
Oh, puke
Monkey pants

To elaborate, we spent some time at the ranch and in Concan with Geep, Pop, Aunt Carol, and cousins Taylor, Audrey and Hyelom (sorry that Uncle Dan didn't make the list above, but trust me, he's been talking about him!). Spencer played golf a lot, rode on the EZ tractor, splashed in the Frio River and saw various wildlife.


And then he ended with more recent news - he puked on his monkey pants Thursday night.

Happy Birthday, Cousin Sarah

Spencer's 2nd cousin, Sarah, turned two last week and we went to her birthday party on Sunday. I am still on a mission to get a great picture of those two together - photographing multiple toddlers is not easy!


Grannie and Paw-Paw came to visit on Saturday. Paw-Paw headed home on Sunday, but Grannie is staying with us for a few days. She and Spencer are having a ball! We went to the Ricky Guerrero splash pad yesterday to cool off.