Clark Family PIctures 2013

Since I didn't get around to Christmas cards this year or even putting together a Christmas picture to post online, I thought I would share these today.

Merry Christmas everyone!

We lucked out that our favorite photographer Chelsea's husband got a job right here in Athens so she could take our family pics again this year. (And we're excited to have one of our fav families around too) She did a great job as always and we enjoyed a fun afternoon in the chilly autumn air at UGA's founder's garden. Henry only had a few meltdowns including one about not being able to chase and catch a squirrel. Geesh. Thanks again Chelsea.

And I think I am 16 weeks pregnant in these shots, something like that.

Zippy Continues...

Since I have been pretty low energy, most of the time Zippy just moves around the house hiding in new places. But every once in awhile, he pulled some pranks, left treats and fun surprises.
One night, Zippy replaced all of our stokcings with Henry's underwear. Henry thought this was hilarious!

Of course, a claw picture!

One day Zippy left us a gingerbread house to decorate and a stash of candies. I glued the crackers to some cardboard so it would be more sturdy. It also took forever! with the glue gun. But it was our first gingerbread house and we all had fun working on it. Steve did all the icing details and Henry loved both eating the candies and making patterns with them on the house.

We starte celebrating Henry's birthday a little early to that he would have time to play with some of his tys before leaving. He got this huge lego set that I scored at a consignment sale for $20. Zippy (Steve) had a great time constructing this huge tower to show Henry how awesome his new toys were. The tower didn't last the morning so I am glad I got this picture when I did.

Finally a repeat from last year, Zippy got fancy and cut out lots of snowflakes and hung them from the ceiling. He also made sure to leave little snippets of paper all over the floor. He is so messy!

Zippy even snuck into our luggage and will continue his antics through Christmas Eve!

oh baby baby: nesting for a little lady

19 weeks and a photoshoot crasher who made a big deal about being in the shot and then didn't even smile

I was lazy and am totally wearing maternity jeans under my dress...

• So we found out the gender a week early. Usually reserved for 20 weeks, the BIG ultrasound takes lots of fuzzy pictures to check vitals and you can also see the sex of your baby. Since we were going out of town, they let us come in early. We actually went on Henry's birthday and brought him along. He was super excited but then got bored so he played Angry Bird Star Wars on Steve's phone in the dark room. When the lady announced it was a girl he said, "I wanted it to be a boy." He still insists he wants a boy but has lent a hand in naming her by saying she should be named Kimmi. He wanted the boy to be called Henry. So there you have it, a girl! We're really excited. 
• Everything looks good on the health side and she put on quite an uncomfortable show during the ultrasound. She kept moving around and the tech had to press really hard with the camera thing. 
• Other than being sick from a cold and coughing up my lungs and blowing enough snot out of my nose that I feel like little bits of my brain are draining out too, I am doing great. I haven't been to the gym because of my cold so my body is less achy. 
• I also have two weeks off from seminary and will be clinging to whatever sleep I can get. Lots of naps are on my to-do list. 
• And Steve and I have already had a chat about making sure our daughter is well rounded, not super frilly and is given more than just princesses to look up to. I am ready for the challenge! Even while perusing Target-which is where we headed right after the doctor-I was overwhelmed by all the pink. It is going to be hard work to make sure things don't get too frilly and girly. Luckily we had a boy first so all our basic toys are gender neutral. 
• After the ultrasound is when I remember feeling like things were getting real with Henry. This is where I can start planning and figuring out how to make having another kid work. I can already see a shift in my mental attitude towards this pregnancy. Its time to start getting ready, there really is a baby in there, not just a floating blob but a little face and hands too. 
• And I am excited because I saved a big stack of sweet fabrics just in case this was a girl, I was going to get rid of them if this was a boy, so I am excited to get sewing. I also already have a quilt plan mentally saved from last time; red and white! I think it will be really sweet with touches of pink and other soft colors. And its time to rearrange the floor plan in Henry's room. And its time to dejunk! Can you tell my nesting gears are already turning? 

Dear Santa,

While we were all sick, we did rally enough energy to write Santa a letter. I did the "Dear Santa" and heart so Henry could trace them but he signed his name. He also drew a picture of Henry holding hands with Santa (top right corner). Santa is wearing the red hat and it has a white spot on the end (you can't see it but you can feel it). The blue drawing is a baseball field. I don't think there was a connection.

I prompted Henry on what he should say to Santa and this is what he came up with.

Later that day we were in Walmart and Steve was entertaining him in the toy department as I was doing some grocery shopping. He saw this huge imperial walker (star wars thing) toy and said something to the effect of. "Oh this is what I wanted for Christmas. I made a mistake!" Too late, Santa has already done all her shopping. The Millenium Falcon has been procurred.

Henry: 4 years old

As it is Henry's birthday here are some thoughts from Steve and I about our wonderful 4 year old!

It’s hard to believe that Henry is already 4 years old. The past year has been a blur and as I think about our little guy I can’t help but think about how much joy he brings to our lives. Of course, being Henry’s daddy at times isn’t the easiest thing. Whether I’m telling him to do something for the 6^th, 7^th, 8^th time, trying to wrangle him into his pajamas, or really wishing he would play by himself, it can be tough. But, when I look back at his insistent calls to “Daddy, look at this” or “Can I play on your phone” I can’t help but smile. Henry is a sweet, innocent boy. The thing I’ve probably enjoyed most this past year is seeing him grow emotionally. He loves to cuddle, give hugs and kisses, and spend time with his mommy and daddy every chance he gets. He loves to read stories with us, play games, and go on “adventures”. I’m extremely grateful for him in my life.

My favorite thing about Henry these days is his enthusiasm. Everything he wants to do he wants to do it "right now." Let's eat candy right now. Let's read this right now. And while sometimes this can be a pain, enthusiasm combined with determination can be exhausting, you can't deny his zest for life. He truly makes everything exciting even more so. Simple things like holiday preparations and even just FHE are met with delight. One of my favorite memories of the year was getting ready for Halloween. We had so much fun turning him into a werewolf, he loved everything about it. The hair, the makeup, the fake teeth and fierce growling. Something so simple became this huge joyful event.

As hard as it is sometimes, he truly does bring so much joy to our lives. I'm so grateful to be his mom. And yes, I am an emotional wreck (pregnancy+cold) and I am crying while I type this. Okay now off to party like I'm 4 years old.

All pictures from post are from our family picture photoshoot, they are fun peeks into the many faces of Henry.

giveaway winner...

And the giveaway winner is NATALIE! I will contact you to get your info. Thanks everyone for entering and sorry I am way behind on posting the winner.

I have been super busy being sick. A nasty cough, cold has camped out in our place. Everyone is hacking away in varying degrees of misery. Luckily we are on the mend just in time to be out of energy for the holidays. Geesh.

Being pregnant and sick is especially sucky as you can't take any medicine. No drug induced sleeps here. My remedy arsenal has shrunk to sleeping--yeah right!--and drinking water and washing my hands.

But on a positive note, I also was super busy doing two successful holiday craft shows! It kind of ruined my last two weekends socially but monetarily it was worth it.

More later as we find out the gender of the baby and celebrate a certain little boy's 4th birthday tomorrow!

Have a good one and stay away from sick people if you are pregnant, trust me.

bexcaliber: Holiday Market

Last weekend I rocked it out at the Indie South Fair craft show and tonight and tomorrow I will be keeping warm at this Holiday Market. Its outside and will be chilly but I am excited to be part of such a fun show. Its my first time! If you're in the area, stop in and see me.

Also tomorrow is the last day to enter the giveaway. If you haven't noticed, there are only 7 entries so your chances are pretty good.