The Night Before Christmas...

We spent Christmas Eve shopping for last-minute gifts, snowboarding (in Steve's case), modeling small hats, taking typing tests, holding babies, feasting, and singing.  

Big Man in Red

We ran into this guy last week shopping for queso at WalMart...

Clark was later seen imitating the big guy in the red suit.  Here he is trying on his hat:

He got it on the right part of his head for his 15-week photo:

All he's missing now are the reindeer, and, as a little boy pointed out, a beard.

Unfortunately, after he delivered all sorts of Christmas cheer, mini Santa had a not-so-mini breakdown.  Good thing Mom was there to cheer him up.

First Snow

Clark recently experienced snow for the first time (in a homespun hat no less):

From left to right:

  - "this snow you speak of, Mom,...sounds interesting..."

  - "whoa.  In the eyes."

  - "Snow. yeah...I'll have to get back to you on that one."

Headgear

Karlee bought us some matching headbands to sport around town.  At one store another shopper stopped me to ask where I'd gotten mine since "they must be popular because she saw someone else wearing the same one!" 

Multiple Identities

Our house has been a lot of things in the almost 2 years that we've lived here: a cardboard box storage facility, a Bath & Body Works distribution center, a Roomba warehouse, a smoothie bar, a greenhouse...and lately...a textiles mill.  I've been upcycling our old clothes (e.g. thermal pants, old t-shirts, huge weird clothes Steve inherited in Finland...) into shirts for Clark.  I made the collared shirts (complete with tiny pockets) out of discarded scraps from a shirt manufacturer.  Not pictured are the current works in progress, and sweater vest I attempted yesterday that was a complete fail.

Twinners

Steve dressed to match Clark or it was the other way around.  Either way, these are the fine looking men I hang around with at church.

Winter Wear

Clark was trying on his winter wear earlier today in preparation for his first visit to Utah.  I think he's ready.  Bring on the ice and snow.

Storytime

I wouldn't describe Clark as a bookworm at 3 months but he seems to enjoy storytime with his dad.  Here he is, looking especially chubby, captivated by A Circus of Colors a couple weeks ago.

Pizza Throwdown

As part of our Thanksgiving mega weekend we held a pizza throwdown.  Each family was invited to bring their best pizza skills and go head to head.  

With one oven, our progressive 8-pizza dinner took 2 hours but everyone was full by the end.  There was something for everyone: thick crust, thin crust, white, wheat, rye, supreme, Hawaiian, and CPK Santa Fe style.

We brought our well-seasoned pizza stone which some declared was a gimmick, but gimmick or not I like my stone.  The winner of the competition was undecided, but 10 full stomachs is worth something, I'm sure.

Just Because...

...the last post of my guy was so gnarly.  Do I feel bad for Clark's siblings?  All the time.  I'm doubtful that they'll have 500+ pictures taken for every month of their lives.  

Hair

Here's to hoping Clark doesn't grow up and choose "sick balding rocker" as his profession:

I'm also hoping he grows up to have a good sense of humor.  
If anyone is interested, the recipe for this look is as follows:
1 handful of way too long mom hair 
1 cute baby
1 stressful day
1 nearby camera
Mix together, get a good laugh, and blog about it.

12 weeks

12 weeks.  Have you had enough?  This will be my last weekly post of the Clark man, but definitely not the last of his weekly photo shoots.  I'll post a monthly update from now on, so watch for 4 months in January.


The little guy figured out his laugh last night when we were playing.  It was so contagious that Steve and I were laughing along with him.  He's a strong little dude and is getting more control of his new body.  He likes to talk a lot and gave his grandpa a whole discourse this weekend.  Wish I knew what he was saying!

Happy Turkey Day

Now that we've run the traditional Turkey Trot, we're off to eat turkey and pie.  Steve, Mark, and Amy threw down a mean 10k.  Notice their anguish.  H and I were on the "train as you race" program and got our fill in the 5k.  Clark had to stay home this year, but he'll be in his jogger among all the action next time... 

Caught in the Act

uh...Did that get all over me?  yep.  and the carpet?  yep.

11 weeks

Mr. Clark has been busy testing out his pipes with new "words" and the occasional shout. He's been experimenting with laughter but hasn't perfected it yet.  This morning as I was washing his hair he gave me his best laugh so far. He always has a smile for me and is quite the little flirt. People get a kick out of how he's constantly working his tongue around--no need for a pacifier when you have a tongue! Today he figured out how to roll onto his side from his back. I can't believe how much babies learn in such a short time. 

Call the Fashion Police

Clark in the "Peter Pan" getup (as Steve calls it) I made today.  Kalina strikes again!  I am THE WORST at choosing fabrics for clothing.  Obviously.   

2 Month Well Check

I took Clark to the doctor today for his 2-month checkup.  

Height: 23.5" - 50%

Weight: 14lb 2oz - 85%

Head: 16.5" - 80%

The visit became an eventful one when he let loose and whizzed all over me and the floor after being weighed.  meh.  Part of the job.

Pants: an experiment

I've been wanting to get better at sewing knits.  I love the idea of making cute baby clothes. Inspired by this blog I undertook an experimental pants project for Clark.  They started out as simple pants from some fabric in my closet and a pattern I made.  I was nearly finished when I looked at them and decided they were boring and I hadn't tried anything new.  I cut off the waist, made a new waistband, and added some pockets with ribbing.  First time working with ribbing and I'm a fan!  I spent more time doing rework than construction on these, but sometimes that's how I learn best.  

10 weeks

This last week we've been battling eczema and an itchy case of cradle cap. I've had him wearing mittens for several days now to keep him from scratching.  He's still a very active and happy guy and learned how to roll over this week from tummy to back.  He's always adding new sounds to his repertoire of coos, gurgles, and sighs.  He's 14lbs of cute!

How I Got Here

How I Got Here: a short story by Clark Broadbent

retold by his mother

I was sitting on my mom's lap in church yesterday.  Someone got up to say the prayer and when everything was quiet I remembered that my diaper was empty so I loudly put something in it.  I sat through some talks until I got hungry so Mom took me to the mothers' room.  Again, I thought my diaper could use a little more work.  Mom set me on the changing table and noticed some tinted wet spots on her suit.  She turned me over and found a big mess all over my back.  She scrambled to get me changed and cleaned up without spreading it further.  I didn't like being so dirty and was getting cold so I started crying.  Mom picked me up, got more mess on her clothes, wiped me off, and got my pants on.  I wanted her to keep holding me but she couldn't get everything cleaned up with one hand so I got to sit all by myself in the big chair and watch.  I like church!

Nature Stroll

I took Clark on a nature stroll today to test out his new set of wheels.  If I had a quarter for every stroller we have...I'd have $1.00.  Hopefully $0.75 in a couple of weeks.  From craigslist they come, to craigslist they go. 

It was such a pretty day today I almost couldn't believe I had nowhere else to be.

Someday I'll look down and see knees instead of tiny little toes...

Behold, a Crib

Some people (most people) get their nursery finished BEFORE they have a baby, while others (yours truly) save some projects to work on after the baby comes.  Crib bedding was one such sewing project I planned to work on with my loads of stay-at-home free time.  And 9 weeks later...it's finished, just in time for Clark to outgrow the bassinett.  As it turns out, free time for a new mom comes in snippets, not loads.

I think he likes his new digs.  He insists on waking up several times at night just to have another look.  I'll keep that in mind when choosing fabric for future beds...

9 weeks

Since moving to his crib, Clark hasn't been sleeping very well.  I think I've been up more times in the night this last week than any other so far.  He discovered he has feet this week and likes to stare at his toes.  He loves showing me his tricks which include: lifting both legs at the same time, "tap dancing", and blowing bubbles.

Blessed

Clark Everett Broadbent was given a wonderful blessing by his dad at church today.

Grandma and Grandpa B, Mark, Amy, and her sisters came to see Clark on his special day.

Grandma did a wonderful job of making his outfit and I added the bowtie.  He looked stunning and was a perfect gentleman.  We feel so blessed to have such a sweet boy!

Shopping

Simple shopping trips are way harder when we bring our little buddy with us...

...because he makes so many cute faces that it's hard to focus on the shopping!

8 weeks

Clark turned 8 weeks on Halloween.  His hobbies include: trying to suck his thumb (as his mom replaces it with a pacifier), kicking his legs, looking side to side, and smiling for mom and dad.  Clark slept in his own room for the first time last night since I was asleep as Steve put him to bed.  I love having our little boy in our room--he's my baby!--but I guess dads help remind moms that their babies need to grow up.  nooooo!!!

Ogre Mother

When I was younger and my siblings or I wanted something that my mom didn't agree with, she'd refer to herself as the "Ogre Mother" that didn't let us do/have that thing we demanded.  Years later, now that I'm a mom...I went to see an ogre last night.  Does that make me an ogre mother?  Maybe not unless you count the part about stepping out for 5 hours sans baby.  It was probably more traumatic for me than for him--that's a long time away from my little buddy!


Steve and I were graciously treated to dinner and a show, Shrek the Musical, with family and friends.  I stuffed myself into some of my pre-baby wardrobe (which seems smaller than I remember) and off we went, leaving Clark in the very capable hands of some friends.

Dinner was fabulous, the show was witty, and Steve couldn't take his eyes off me the whole night.  We had a great time!

HaPEA Halloween

The very first baby item we ever owned was a newborn pea pod costume Steve snagged off amazon.com for $2 last Spring.  We debuted as farmers with our crop at our ward Halloween party.  Not the most original costume, but certainly easy.  And too bad I have such a sick plaid shirt.    

I took Clark into Steve's office today to show him off in his costume.  I got the idea from my SIL who does this every year.  With so many numbers flying around, Clark left daddy's work counting on his fingers (top left).

7 weeks

Now that he's the big 7 weeks, Clark is smiling a lot--even for the camera now!  He's gained another pound since last week which puts him at 12.6 lbs and is now 24" long.  He had his first cough and congestion this week.  He's taking it like a champ and is still just as sweet and playful as ever. 

Sweet Feet

As a native Texan, Clark has the privilege of wearing cowboy boots to church.  The black ones are stunning, but he also has yellow, orange, red, and green in his boot collection. 

So True

Need he say more? 

Thank you, Aunt Kara.

6 weeks

Clark is getting his smiling skills down but all my attempts to capture it on film have been in vain.  He's over 11 pounds now and is getting too long for some of his clothes (case in point: above onesie is a hair short for him).  His little arms and legs remind me of stacks of marshmallows and are fun to squish!

Sunday Best

Clark is serious about dressing up for church.  He and his dad have similar tastes in suits, however, since Clark has limited control over his limbs he went with a clip-on tie and skipped the shoes entirely.    

5 Weeks

Our little baby, now over 10 lbs, made his debut at church yesterday.  He was very reverent and made a lot of new friends.  His baby acne cleared up this week and most of his hair has fallen out except in the back.  Mullets are in for Fall 2010.

10-10-10

In the words of a Sesame Street episode, "today was brought to you by the number 10!"

We have extra reason to celebrate 10.10.10 around here because it's Steve's birthday.  I couldn't think of a better number to describe Steve than 10, even down to one of his (less-used) nicknames of Steve-da-dime (aka 10 cents)-dops. 

Here are 10 (of many) reasons why I think Steve is a perfect 10:

1.  He's steady and consistent--my rock.

2.  He's very fit...and easy on the eyes!

3.  He took dance classes once to impress me and can cut a serious rug!

4.  He still opens the car door for me.

5.  He likes everything I cook for him AND helps make and clean it up.

6.  He loves learning. 

7.  He works hard at work and at home.

8.  He does ridiculous things to make me laugh.

9.  He is an exceptional husband and father.

10. He makes me want to be a better person.    

Happy birthday, Handsome! 

So Fun I Could Spit

Clark had a wild night out with us last night on our date.  He was wowed with the Houston skyline at Eleanor Tinsley Park.  He loved the sunset views of the bayou, and found the skate park to be totally radical.  Part or all of our activity must've left a bad taste in his mouth since he looked like he wanted to spit the entire time.