City Pool

Last night we checked out the city pool nearby our house. The pool is the place  to be during the TX summers. Clark is really into splashing water with his hands so he was having a great time.  After 15 minutes a whistle blew and everyone was ordered out of the pool to line up outside before re-entering. We went home at that point, but had a fun time during our brief swim. 

Swinging

Little Clark gets to swing nearly every day. Lucky guy!

Childrens' Museum

I took Clark to the Houston Childrens' Museum on Thursday evening to try it out. It was free and totally packed.  Imagine any movie where a ton of kids are screaming and running amok and that's what it was like.  Clark seemed overwhelmed by the humanity so I thought we'd start simple with one toy in a non-crowded corner:

He very quickly became acclimated to the crowd and was tearing off without me to discover all the new toys around him. There was so much to see and do that he spent about 1.2 seconds with each toy/other kid before scurrying off to the next. He left the part about making sure he didn't get stepped on to me. 

This is him after he climbed his first stairs (albeit they were extremely shallow)...and also 1 second before falling face first back down them.  Good job, Mom, for taking a picture instead of making sure your child doesn't injure himself.  

He loved this place so much we'll have to go back!

Just Like Heaven

Yesterday Steve and I were trying to remember what we used to do on weekends before we were parents. Neither of us were quite sure--I guess that means we don't miss those days too much. We had the most wonderful picnic on Friday night down by the bayou. Mr. Clark was fascinated with the grass and it was quite a job to keep it out of his mouth.

Before we left we pushed Clark on the swings for a few minutes. For a moment I thought "this is what heaven must be like." I know that sounds a little dorky, but there was something about the evening. or the weather. or the light. but most probably the company. that made the joy of being a family extra sweet.

I love the look of this tiny boy in the swings. 

Can't get away from this park without the obligatory skyline shots.

9 Months

Clark has been getting a lot of face time on here lately...so to add to it, here's what he's doing at 9 months. A lot of this and this:

If he's awake and not eating, he's in 100% Discovery Mode.  He crawls over, under, around, and through everything in the house, inspecting every corner and drawer that he can reach.  A favorite game we play is "Come find me!" (aka hide and seek).  Clark finds me every time and giggles along the way.

He has perfect posture

and loves reading books.

Now that he's more sociable and smiles at strangers, all those "he's so serious" comments have been replaced by "his eyes are so beautiful."

He likes to look at things upside down--assisted or not--and likes riding in the cart at the store, especially when there are groceries beside him.

His tongue was constantly out when he was younger but went dormant for a few months.  It has returned. And is longer than ever.

He loves technology (phones, remotes, cameras, wires, keyboards, etc.), peek-a-boo, and would eat a lot of paper if his mom would let him. 

When Did That Happen?

The other day while we were out on a jog I was so surprised to see this:

His legs are long enough that they actually bend over the edge?! I'm biased, but of course Clark is the cutest rider I've ever seen on the trail.

9 Month Well Check

We went to the pediatrician today for this busy guy's 9 month check-up.

Here's how he's growing:

Height - 26½" - 5^th percentile

Weight - 17lbs 5oz - 7^th percentile

Head Circumference - 46cm - 78^th percentile

It's an optical illusion: he doesn't look as small as he is, right? 

I love my tiny guy so much but hopefully he'll get growing soon.

p.s. When I went to get him out of the car at home he had a Band-Aid in his mouth and I found a soggy cotton ball nearby.  Both were securely on his heel--and dry--when we left the doctor...gross.

p.p.s The other moms at the doctor's office all thought Clark was a girl, despite being dressed in boy clothes.