1st Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARK!

Clark's 1st Birthday was May 16th, 2008. Since we were in Atlanta at that time for the International Science Fair we celebrated at home with friends and family on Sunday, May 25th.

Clark's party had a farm theme. The first picture shows his farm cake complete with a big red barn, haystacks and lots of piped animals!

The white cake turned out much better than the chocolate cake this year not sure why exactly but it was all good and we had a good time with everyone who came to help us celebrate.

Clark, however; wasn't feeling very good -- between a cold that probably had the beginning of his ear infection that we saw the doctor for later that week and the MMR shot kicking in with an actual little rash he did pretty good throughout the day -- so he took a nap pretty much right after we sang Happy Birthday.

After his nap, he opened his presents with his parents and grandparents.

He received many great gifts and we thank everyone who brought or sent him something. He really didn't get the concept of ripping open paper yet but I would bet by Christmas that will be different! He did however enjoy all the goodies that he opened. The books he received (especially the F is for Farm Book) are read over and over at nap and bed times. He also received some bathtub toys that have been a huge hit. Along with loving bubbles from his bubble machine (he and the cat are both very intrigued by the bubbles), his Winnie the Pooh airplane that he loves to push around the house and his new wooden train -- all have become big hits.

We have some new outfits, too! The UV swim shirt and shorts are waiting for a hot day. With some of the money Clark received we also bought a little wading pool for the back yard. Can't wait to use it. Yes, we do have a stock tank but we figure that is a little to deep for him the first couple of years. The main hurdle in the whole backyard wading pool thing may be keeping the dog, goose and duck out of it. (Duck and goose have their own swimming pool but they like to explore all their options).



Clark's new puppy Indy even helped out with the unwrapping of presents. This is a picture of Indy pulling away a sheet of wrapping paper. Indy is a black Cocker Spaniel and he is full of energy! I think Jack the cat is still Clark's favorite for now (they do have a lot of history) but he also enjoys having dad run around the back yard holding him with Indy chasing after.
As Clark becomes more adept at running himself I believe he and the puppy will be able to run off some steam together -- I also believe they are both looking forward to that day!

Finally, for supper that night Clark ate a small scoop of ice cream. His face says it all -- he is definitely a fan!

Bathtime Antics

OK, so as you may have noticed I am trying to catch up on some blogs and photos today. This video is just a typical evening for us. The minute Clark hears the water running he heads for the bathroom door. He really likes his bathtime -- as you can tell.

He also has recently decided that clothes should be tossed in the tub as well so if we don't catch him in time we end up with wet baby clothes all over the bathroom. Teddy is also fair game to try and toss in the bath (in fact, Clark has been upset a time or two when Teddy couldn't join him in the tub). Not saying that Teddy couldn't use a bath but probably not good to do it that way!

We also have gone to closing the bathroom door during the day since the toilet paper roll seems to be fun for Clark add in the cat and I have one big mess to pick up if I don't watch to make sure the door is closed (also, the cat and Clark have learned how to open doors or pry them open if not completely closed).

Mommy's Little Helper

I liked these pictures so I thought I would share. Clark has developed an interest in helping me with everything I do.

From helping out in the kitchen . . . (that's his favorite drawer)











to sorting laundry. . . (he can really make it fly)








to helping clear the table -- Clark likes to "help"!

And for the most part mom likes his "help" too!

Spring Cleaning

Mom hasn't been able to do a lot of yard work for awhile so she was very excited to have someone who wants to go out and help!

This spring stayed cold for a long time but on nice days I go out with mom.

This picture shows my favorite past time activity -- looking out the window. I watch trains and tractors, trucks and anything else that makes a lot of noise going by outside. I also enjoy watching the bunnies and birds under and on the feeders.

In the earlier days I watched mom from the pack and play.












Then I advanced to playing on the big quilt. Mom says the best part is I won't cross over onto the grass. So, I guess until I decide I like to play in the grass I'll stay on the quilt. (This has worked so far for quite a while but as Clark develops and shows more interest in walking I doubt it will last much longer but what a great way to have him outside and yet totally confined!)

2008 Intel ISEF -- Atlanta!

Last week the Spencer Family hit the road and traveled with the Iowa science fair student finalists, observers and adult sponsors to the 2008 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. It was held in Atlanta, Georgia this year so I added a new state to my list of states visited so far in my lifetime (I am now up to 4 -- that we have actually stayed in not just gone through).

The following is a photo blog of our trip:

I had a lot of fun with Heather -- we played lots of games and she let me bang on dad's head. I also enjoyed walking up and down the aisle with dad and visiting others on my way.


The big bus windows were fun to look out and I could stand looking out of them for long periods of time.



Here is the group (well most of them -- some are taking pictures). A group of us all took the CNN tour -- I made it through the whole 1 hour tour. I even fist bumped with one of the 6' 8" guards while the rest of the group was watching where they shoot the severe weather news.


The students had a lot do during the week, set-up their projects, pass safety reviews, go through judging and explain their research to lots of people on the day projects were open to the public. Not to
mention attending science research based workshops, listening to Phillipe Cousteau speak at the big Welcome Ceremony and attending a panel of Nobel Laureates. However, knowing that I would not make it through most of this, dad and I did a lot of exploring on our own and mom joined in when she could get away.


We went to the zoo one day and watched elephants and pandas and all kinds of other animals.

Me after visiting the zoo! It took a lot out of
me!






On Tuesday evening the Host City for the Intel ISEF sponsored their Welcome festivities. We visited the Coca Cola Museum and the Georgia Aquarium. There were desserts throughout the Coke Museum and dinner was catered at the aquarium.


Here are some pictures of me and the Coca Cola Polar Bear. They don't do justice to just how cute I actually was. People from all over were taking pictures of us. Plus, we went back on a different day to do some more exploring and some of the staff recognized me!













Did I forget to mention that all of the food was catered by Wolfgang Puck?
It was oh so yummy!!







The aquarium was amazing! I cried when mom and dad would move me to a new window but then get all excited again to view new things. Walking through the big tunnel was so much fun with fish everywhere.

Dad, Kyle (from Donnellson) and I

went to Turner Field to take a tour. We even ended up with a personal tour -- it was the three of us and the tour guide. Since they weren't in town we also were able to see the locker room and some other areas that would be off limits if they were in town.

Speaking of Turner, later in the week I actually met Ted Turner at his restaurant Ted's Montana Grill. He came in for lunch at the same time mom, dad and I were waiting for a table. He asked about my birthmark, made small talk and told mom and dad that I was cute. How about that -- not even 1 yet and I have met someone famous. By the way the food at the restaurant was excellent -- mom and dad say the best that they ate while in Atlanta.




On Friday, the group chipped in and bought me a birthday cookie! They sang Happy Birthday and everything. The chocolate was so yummy! I ended up with it all over my face.

Well, not much more to tell. We left Atlanta on Friday afternoon. This is me on the way home in my PJ's and fast asleep. It was a long week. Mom and I some how came down with nasty colds but we are getting over that now.

It was a great week! We have a lot more pictures from the trip but these were some of our favorites! Hope you enjoyed them!

Black & Blue (and Gold)

After Science Fair things still didn't settle down completely for awhile -- next came the 2008 Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference -- also held in Hilton Coliseum. Again, Whitney helped keep me entertained, gave me lots of wagon rides and kept my naps on schedule!



As you will notice in the following pictures I am dressed in FFA Official Dress (well, as official as it can be considering it is home made). After science fair mom whipped out the sewing machine and there was blue corduroy (yes, even official blue corduroy -- you can order it by the yard from National FFA) and thread and tissue paper all over the place. She had to make up her own pattern and ripped a part a full size jacket to figure it out.

At state convention there were lots of other babies around my age that would come down and hang out in the Secretary's Workroom with mom and me. I played with Deanna (daughter of friend of mom and dad's who is an ag teacher) and other ag teacher's babies and toddlers. Mom may end up with a side business of sewing things from blue corduroy with as many requests as she had during state convention!

Throughout the year I had a lot of fun with the 2007-08 Iowa FFA Officer Team -- so during state convention I had to have my picture with many of them!





Here I am with Ryan Borcherding the 2007-08
Iowa FFA President.
Convention was great and Ryan and his team did a great job planning it all out!

Here I am with some of the other State Officers and one of the National FFA Officers that came to visit Iowa's state convention.
Cortney is holding me -- then is Alec, Sarah, our visiting National Officer and Dan. Dan is the new 2008-09 Iowa FFA President. He and his newly elected team will have to work on moving the convention to Des Moines for the 2009 Iowa FFA State Convention.



After convention, Grandpa Spencer invited us down to the Villisca FFA Banquet. We went down for the day and visited Grandpa Spencer and my great Aunt and Uncle (Shirley and Bob Spencer). We also visited with lots of friends at the banquet.






After mom and dad changed my clothes (see above picture not so happy to be all dressed up vs. this picture much better) I even laughed and flirted with Ella -- she's a little older than I am but awfully cute!

In my pajamas and ready to go home. Guess the blue jacket can be put away in storage because mom doubts it will fit me for the National FFA Convention in October.

My First Science Fair!

The last few weeks of March mom was very busy. It seemed like she was always either at the computer or on the phone. We also traveled in to see Vicki, Holly, Haley or Jay at their offices a lot! I always get lots of attention when visiting so I didn't mind!


Finally, the last weekend of March arrived and we moved in to Hilton Coliseum on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday, over 500 6th - 12th grade students set up projects -- the largest fair in at least the last 10 years! While mom was busy lots of people watched me -- and I rode all over Hilton and Scheman in my little red wagon. -- Staying in the science theme of things I even had a plastic DNA helix puzzle to chew on.


Grandma Clark watched me for quite awhile and gave me rides. Grandpa Spencer was there to watch me one evening. On Saturday Grandpa Clark was able to see me too. How great all the grandparents could be there! Uncle Carl was busy taking lots of pictures and putting together a video with the crew from Rubber Puppy Productions. We missed having Aunt Em around (no one to keep those pesky High Schoolers in line).



I spent a lot of time with Whitney -- her name badge even read Babysitter. Whitney kept me entertained during the science fair and made sure I had my naps. Notice in the photos I had my own name badge like the big people! The people who make T-shirts for both mom and dad's events made me my own science fair t-shirt and sent it as a gift.


Look at me! I was able to walk across stage! Not when anyone else was there but still.

Things have settled down a bit now so mom has more time to play and update items like this. The plans are all finalized now for our trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair that will be held in Atlanta, Georgia this May. I am going to tag along and see what that is all about and celebrate my 1st Birthday in Atlanta! Mom and dad have promised a trip to the aquarium, the zoo and Turner Field (I will have to wear my Twins or Cubs gear). More on how that goes later!