FAAN Walk 2012

Last night as I was cleaning out the pantry and came across some sample packs of Sunbutter I had the thought to find out when the Houston FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) Walk would be held this year. Turns out, it was today! I found out in the nick of time. Instead of our usual walk at the park I took Clark downtown this morning to attend the allergy walk. Steve couldn't make it since, ironically, he was working at the Houston Food Bank.

We each got a ribbon when we registered: blue for food-allergic and green for no allergies. Our walk was kicked off and led by local news anchor Dominique Sachse on the back of a Toyota Tundra. (This is Texas, so no surprise with the truck.)

Clark entertained himself on our 2-mile, sunny and way-too-hot walk with a fan, not to be confused with FAAN. hee, hee...

We visited all the vendor booths before and after the walk. We even got to say hello to Clark's allergist. Clark was fascinated with all the blow-up toys but wouldn't set foot in the bounce house or obstacle courses. If you look real close, you can see a tiny picture of my belly below:

We came home with t-shirts, and samples and coupons (yess!!) a-plenty. It's my once-a-year price break on "Top 8-Free" foods. 

Although I don't necessarily celebrate food allergies, I think it's great to celebrate the kids that have them. Hooray for FAAN and that they hold events like these.

Clark is 2!

But if you ask him how old he is he says, "old." I guess it's all relative. 

Though his party was on Monday, Clark's actual birthday was fun too, especially since it involved another round of blowing out candles and making a chocolaty mess.

Here are some of his favorites at this age:
Favorite Toys: diggers, cars, trucks, and balls
Favorite Game: playing in the pillows with Dad
Favorite Book: The Little Red Hen
Favorite Songs: Twinkle, Twinkle, Baa Baa Black Sheep, and Keep the Commandments 

He loves enthusiastically waving and saying, "hi" to animals and birds, he loves to hop, run, and somersault, he has a great throwing arm and surprisingly good aim, he's very mild-tempered, he's fascinated with babies, and he can recognize the letters "Y" and "B". Funny little tidbit: whenever we go to the store he always tries (and sometimes succeeds) to take a bit out of whatever produce I'm buying. ack! 

We went in for his 2-year checkup this week and he's still my small little guy with a big head:

Height - 32.5" - 9th percentile

Weight - 29lb 8oz - 69th percentile

Head Circumference - 20" - 94th percentile

Party!

Clark had a digger party on Monday to celebrate his birthday. The theme was an obvious choice, given his obsession with construction equipment. In fact, "digger" was his first word. I decorated on Sunday night and when Clark came downstairs on Monday he was thrilled with the look of his "para!"

I created all the printables in Illustrator, and I even made frosting this year for the gluten-free, vegan (aka allergen-free) cupcakes. One of Clark's trucks made a perfect serving platter. 

We had a 100% Clark-safe meal.

He really tore into his cupcake!

Testing out all the loot:

We all had a fun time. Thanks for coming Gma&Gpa B, Mark, Amy, and the twins. When I asked him the next day if he could remember who came to his party, he named every one of you!



Bad Hair Week(s)

Just when I thought I was getting better at cutting hair I went and did this. on both sides. Note to self: do not use this technique in the future.

The Pah-Ful Gardener

Clark has reached the phase where he wants to do everything himself. He's still a very good little helper and I try to find him little tasks he can do all by himself. One of them is watering our garden. The tomatoes he helped me plant back in February burned up in early July so I transplanted our withered herbs into the vacated pots. I love watching Clark take the pitcher of water to each plant, while repeating "pah-ful" (how he says careful), then carefully pouring it onto each plant. 

He doesn't usually dump the whole thing onto one plant, but he likes to distribute it among all the pots each time. Even the empty one. 

Sometimes he has to stop to wave to a dog or feel the breeze, which is fine too. Once he's done he throws pebbles and/or fists full of watered soil from our balcony onto the driveway . All part of a job well done. 

I sure love this age. Can he stay this way forever?