That's Not Sleeping

Lately when I put Clark down for a nap he forgets he's tired and turns into a little explorer. He wanders around his crib, pulling the bedding down and reaching his arms out to see if there is anything to grab. From my desk I can look back and see a little head, or sometimes just eyes, pop up and look around for a minute then dive back down.

This is what happens when I approach him and exclaim: "That's not sleeping!"

and this...this is definitely not sleeping. I lowered the crib after this.

Easter

I woke up this morning and wished Steve "an Easter." I was too tired to remember to include the "happy" part. Regardless, we had a very happy Easter, celebrating the glorious resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We hosted a family dinner and a riveting (2-second) Easter egg hunt. 

Martha Stewart told me to make these place cards. So I did.

Clark's best Easter smile :)

Solid Stuff

I bring you another series of Clark. Can you spot his jazz hands?

Mealtime has become a game of trust since I introduced foods other than rice cereal. I chose to start with pears. He took one teensy bite and gagged, blinked, sputtered...then puked! So...pears? no good? His reaction to sweet potatoes wasn't quite so dramatic, but almost. I guess I should have started introducing new foods by mixing them into his cereal, which I did after those two experiences. Now every time I offer him the first bite of whatever I've made he's very cautious, but is getting more used to different flavors and textures.

Jogging Photography

Last weekend Steve and I found ourselves watching part of the movie Yes Man on TV. For those who haven't seen the film, the main actress is a member of a jogging photography club. I loved the idea so we held our own jogging photoshoot today on a trail we've never tried before. It runs through the Heights neighborhood and is quite lovely and scenic. All pictures seen below were taken while actually jogging:

Clark's Hardwood Lumber Co, Clark, and a colorful house

water station, Mom & Boy, and an awesome park

family jogging photo

Steve, Clark, and the Houston skyline

I've suddenly started running this week--after a very lengthy sabbatical--since I'm doing a 5k in May. It's part of the reunion festivities with Steve's family...since they didn't get enough running in last month's marathon?

Heavy on the Driving

We took a day trip--or rather ½ day trip--to Temple, Texas yesterday to pick up a car. At three hours one way it was a lot of driving, but Clark is an excellent road tripper, come to find out! He's always liked going places and seeing new things. Now I know that holds true even if those places and things are far away.

We passed fields of bluebonnets almost the entire route, but these painted ones were the only ones I captured through the car window.

Rest stops come in handy when traveling with a baby.

Somebody loves Steve  :)

She's Gone

sniff. My trusty sidekick is sold and gone.  This was the first car I ever purchased, back in 2004, so I hate to see it go. I've always loved everything about it, but most of all the color! Steve is not at all sad to see it go since, as he said, his car was embarrassed of his girlfriend (my car). I will miss you, dear 97 purple Honda Accord...or as we affectionately referred to it "the purpler."

7 Months

Clark is 7 months today!

He loves getting his hands on anything in reach and is always on the move. He hasn't quite figured out how to to crawl, but he gets up on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth. When he wants to move, he puts his forehead on the ground and uses his legs to froggy jump. He eats rice cereal twice a day now and can sit by himself for a few seconds at a time. He likes to babble, blow air, growl on his tummy, shake anything that rattles, ride around in Mom's arms, see new places, open and close his mouth, smile for Mom, and giggle. I love this guy!

Rewarding

I feel so uplifted after watching General Conference this past weekend. All the messages were inspired and inspiring. I particularly enjoyed Elder Scott's talk about eternal families and his tender remarks about his own marriage and family.

I couldn't agree more with the statement he made: "It is so rewarding to be married." I would also add that is so rewarding to be a mother. I find so much joy in my role as a wife and mother and am so grateful for my little family.

The Big Dance

The Final Four is in town. We went downtown yesterday to the Big Dance party put on by the NCAA, but were deterred by the parking/traffic situation. We ended up doing a party drive-by and listened to the sounds of the current performing artist, coupled with Steve's version of Uncle Kracker songs.

Not wanting to waste a perfectly good evening, we stopped at a park on the way home where Clark had his first experience in a swing.

I love pictures of me with my little buddy!