Thursday, October 28, 2010

Clark goes to Tennessee!

(The Parthenon replica in Nashville)

Nashville, TN...my hometown...well pretty much. I grew up in a small town East of Nashville called Mt. Juliet. A couple of weeks ago, we went back for the first time since Christmas last year where the first sign of trouble with my pregnancy began. It was just a short trip-Wednesday through Sunday, but it was really amazing. Being in my home that I have know for 32 years with my son...we moved there when I was 6...was very grounding. I missed my father like mad. He passed away 3 years ago...before Clark...it breaks my heart. But I do know that my dad was with Clark in a very different way...not bound by form or sorrow...my Dad stayed with Clark in the hospital while Jason and I went home to sleep. I felt him there...saying "we're gonna be alright" just as he did in his last days in his body. He protected Clark in the hospital...just as you all did with your own energy, thoughts, prayers, blessings and heart beams.

I know that is why Clark is thriving in unexpected ways (well...unexpected by some :) He is ahead of his developmental age in several areas...the gratitude we feel is overwhelming.

So...we went 'home' and although Clark was born here in LA, he is a southern boy at heart...just like his mama (that's me :) To see my little healthy baby boy rolling all over the soft cushy floor of the house that is still my home made me feel safe in a way that was a long time coming.
(View from the loft)

I needed that trip...we needed that trip...me, Jason, Clark, my mom, and my brother. The past 3 years have been a bitch to say the least...but here we are...all of us.

Back to the trip (sorry, mommy brain distracts me)...So, the reason we went was 1) we desperately needed a trip home and 2) my high school reunion was on Oct 16th. Perfect reason.

The reunion was great. It was nice to catch up with people after so many years. My favorite part of the reunion was the family picnic cuz little Clark got to go with us. So many of my friends from the past followed Clark's journey and it was amazing to be there with all of them and their kids...so much kindness...so much love...my kind of picnic...


Jason and I went out 3 out of 4 nights. THANKS NANA!!! My mom is the best Nana ever. My brother better appreciate how good he has it living just 10 minutes away (I know you do Scott...you've told me so...tell Mom more OFTEN!) She is super Nana! She picks up his kids from school, takes them wherever they need to go, buys them whatever they need, cooks for them, has sleep overs and special days designated to just one of her grandchildren and she rotates fairly through each of them. Since we live so far away, we don't get the week to week but we sure did get the 'my grandson...daughter's baby...special little preemie boy who lives across the country' treatment. Mom was ON IT. She played with him, sang to him, fed him, babysat him and rocked him to sleep every night. Mom...you are what a Nana is all about...I love you. My dad was the same way...
DAMNIT!
But, 'we're gonna be alright' and we are...Clark has shown us that...and boy does he LOVE his Nana!

Yes...Jason and I went out 3 out of 4 nights. 1st night...Michal Franti and Spearhead at the Ryman Auditorium. We actually decided to change our flight to a day earlier just to see him. It was SO worth it...the show was amazing and I am not sure where Jason and I got our energy after flying all day with a baby...but we were rocking out that night! Perhaps it was because we were home and knew that Nana was there for the night and really wanted us out of the house so she didn't have to share her grandson. She practically pushed us out the door. We started at the world famous Tootsies. A classic Honky Tonk where sooo many stars got their start. We opted for the upstairs band and sat in the open aired seating directly behind them. It was really cool to see the performance from that perspective. Then a few short steps to the Ryman where Michael Franti rocked it.

Next night, Jason, Clark, my mom and I went to Taste of Wilson County and sampled all the local cuisines. I am pretty sure that it was this evening, Clark slept through the night. We put him to bed around 8. He woke up briefly at 2am, so we put him in bed with us and lo and behold, another 5 hours he slept! To wake up, see the sunlight and realize you got almost 9 hours of pretty much uninterrupted sleep is a feeling that I cannot describe but it is GOOD!

Friday night was our night out with one of my very best friends in Nashville...Robin. We always see him when we are in town and always have a GREAT time. This one was no exception...well except that we did get home at a MUCH earlier hour, us being all responsible-adult-like and stuff.

We went to this amazing bar called The Patterson House where they have a waiting lobby library style where the 'Rules of the Bar' were posted and so appreciated by us: Some examples:
-Each bartender has a name and it is not 'chief', 'buddy', or 'pal'. Please find out their name and use it. -You will only be served if you are seated. -Please do not order cosmos, dirty or apple martinis. We serve unique, custom made drinks. Try something different. -If you are a male, you are only allowed to introduce yourself to a female if you have been invited by her friends. -Each drink is special and custom made and will take some time to make. Please be patient.

How awesome is that? They wait until seats open up to let you in. We were sat pretty quick upon our arrival. The bar was like an old speakeasy. The bartenders were all dressed in vest and tie, looked amazing and really knew their drinks-which were all so deliciously unique.

Again, we had an amazing time...knowing that our little boy was probably asleep on Nana's chest definitely helps..and when we got home...we found him exactly there.


The following night was the reunion which was really strange...you would see people from afar and recognize them...sort of...but before you could get closer to confirm...you would see someone else that was closer and start talking to them. But it was so great to connect with the people that I did get the chance to and I am very happy that I went.


And the next day...breakfast at Cracker Barrel with my mom, my brother and his kids and my cousin who just LOVES babies as you can see...


Then it was off to the airport for our flight back to our other home. We are so grateful to have 2 homes and the means to travel between the 2 easily. Clark was amazing on the plane...he just slept, played, ate and slept.

Oh...Jason was so funny as he sat on the plane with Clark in his lap. We knew the flight was completely full so Jason kept holding Clark up and saying "who wants to sit with the baby?" He cracks me up. Anyway...it ended up being a very nice older gentlemen who had 6 kids...didn't bother him a bit. On the way back, we lucked out with an empty seat in our row which little Clark Otis took all for himself!

Sweet Potatoes!!!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Clark's 1st Trip to Disneyland!!!

Those who know me, know I love me the Disneyland. I used to study the park map and dream that as soon as I got my driver's license, I would visit every chance I got, starting with the train, then Space Mountain, then Big Thunder, meticulously visiting every attraction in every 'land' until exhaustion. Turns out, by the time I was old enough to drive myself, I did go every chance I got, but not to exhaust myself on rides, but rather wander, take in the sights, find a nice spot to sit and people watch. And during these voyeuristic visits, I would marvel at the parents who were audacious enough to bring an infant! I mean, it's not like the little creature is going to remember anything. I often thought it must be torture for some of them to be in the presence of a behemoth mouse with a glazed grin! Why would anyone do that???

Yet, there I was, at Disneyland...with my infant...and I got it. More on that in a sec.

It wasn't a premeditated decision, what happened was, Christy's brother Scott and his three kids, my nieces and nephew, Bailey, Emma, and Connor were coming to visit from TN. Of course, they wanted to go to Disneyland. Of course, we wanted to go too. Luckily both our jobs granted us the luxury to embark on such a task. Luckily, Christy has a most kick ass assistant (also close, personal friend), Marriah, who was put on the clock to join us on our trip and watch Clark so we could ride rides and hang with the family (nice gig, eh)!

From L-R Connor, Emma, Bailey, and Scott!



Marriah and Clark while we were on Indiana Jones!


We had such a great time! Although it did rain that day, well, more like a mild drizzle, it did keep the lines short and left the brave to battle the weather in the name of Disneyland fun!

Christy's 'Bubba', givin' his nephew a lift.



A perk I've acquired over the years, is access to the exclusive Club 33. Disney-philes know it as the private club Walt was building to entertain celebs, dignitaries, royals and more. He never lived to see its completion, but fans all over have been enjoying the fruits of Disney's labor.

Clark, too young for the steak, too young still for the Mickey shaped chicken tenders,
but he can definitely appreciate a fine tablecloth.



Christy got to hold him on the Jungle Cruise and I held him on Pirates (he slept...yes, even during that first, steep, wet, descent), yet even with Marriah in tow, Christy and I couldn't help but want to sit out some rides so we could hang with our son. There was something about one of us chillin' with our boy while the other joined the family on a ride or two. There was one particular moment I was waiting with Clark. It was raining pretty hard at this point and we were under some shelter. Christy, Marriah, and the fam were on the Matterhorn when I looked down and saw this face looking back up at me:



Then this face:


I captured these moments right there... and I got it. Taking your infant to Disneyland is more than just for them, it's more than just for the parent. Disneyland, although some would argue its corporate mutation, is still very much a place for family. The nostalgia, the history, the intention is for everyone to experience, just as Walt probably wanted. You can't deny the candy coated rainbow sprinkles that dance in your tummy each time you walk down Main Street. Disneyland is for generations. Christy and I have created another generation, and in a way, we were almost obligated to take him to Disneyland as soon as he was able. Sort of a baptism, I guess. Sure, he might not remember the experience and it's not like these pictures or words will matter to him a few years from now, because we will take him again...and again...and each experience will be new and exciting and fresh and amazing and we can always look back on this moment as that special day we took Clark to Disneyland for his first time!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

One Week Til Halloween!!!

The Clark Chakra Weekend

(Click images for bigger size)

Back in the middle of September...this happened...

Every year, Yoga Blend hosts a group to an exotic (yet local) location for its annual Chakra Retreat. For those unawares, here's a complex description of Chakra. A simpler version is, they are 7 energy centers in the body along the spine that relate to various aspects of your life. From health, creativity, inspiration, and aspiration. (Here's another cool link.) Btw: it's pronounced CH-ah-krah...like CH-aw-coh-let.



The retreat is a three day event! Yoga in the morning, yoga in the evening, afternoon play, three squares of yummy vegetarian food provided and all the fun you can handle as each yoga portion is designed to focus on a particular Chakra system. These retreats are always so well put together and always packed and it was Clark's first time in attendance. As you can see, he found it all fascinating.



Usually I'm a participant. I love this retreat. I love meeting new people, hanging with the usual suspects, playing in a rich environment, doing my yoga, and getting my creative on! This year, I was more of a spectator…cuz I had other points of focus...Mr. Clark. The previous week, we were in this exact location for Bhakti Fest. Both Christy and I noticed a distinct change in behavior for Clark. Something about the dense Joshua Tree energy, the vortices, the ghosts, who knows what. But Clark was diggin' on it big time!



While Christy arose every morning to lead the group in the days practice,



I would get Clark ready and join the group later. Sometimes Clark would let me practice along with everyone, but most of the time he wanted some attention! And believe me when I say that there was an endless supply of attention.



He stuck to his daily routine, was hungry at the right time, sleepy at the right time, went to bed at the right time and in the interim absorbed all the love, the strength, vulnerability, and creativity from the retreat participants. He was in the midst of powerful yogis in practice. Nearby for drum circles and ecstatic dance. And dreamed while the students, in ritual, proclaimed manifestations for their futures.

I'm so happy that Clark gets to grow up among those who are continuing to find themselves in positive and nurturing spaces like a Bhakti Fest or a Chakra Retreat or a Yoga Blend…or a Jason and Christy.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Get Ready, Here Comes a 'Clark Tease'!!!

Decorate for Halloween.
Edit projects.
Write.
Catch up on movies.
Read "The Passage" by Justin Cronin
Work on photography.
Get rid of all of that stuff in the garage.
Add to Clark's Blog

These are all the things (and more) that I would like to be doing. Alas, as Mr. Clark Otis Marsden continues to mature, explode with cute, become more mobile, finding time for the above mentioned 'extra curricular' activities seem to be put by the way side. Until, one by one, I can start bringing the 'way side' to the 'very near side', you, yes you our fine Chronicle reader must endure the weeks of blog neglect.

Or do you???

Here's what's to come:

Clark Otis, back at Joshua Tree for Yoga Blend's Annual Chakra Retreat!
Clark Otis in Disneyland!
Clark Otis in TN!
Clark Otis takes a bite of oatmeal!

Oh, wait! Wait. That last one's ready:

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Finally...a new post!

There is so much we want to post about but because our time is limited and there is so much to share, we put it off until we have 'time'...well...with a baby, that is a luxury that no longer looks the way we want...I realize that we have to redefine time. So, I have decided I will just post WHATEVER and when we have more time, we can go back and fill in details and gaps as needed. Even if that means Clark wakes up and needs me right this very second...I am going to hit publish post, regardless of how much I have written.

Things are amazing and wonderful. Clark is thriving in every way. He is happy, he is healthy...he is home and we are whole. We don't take one minute for granted. Jason and I will be watching Clark with so much love in our hearts...we look up at each other and both of us have tears in our eyes...and one word, one look...and we know exactly what the other is feeling...such deep gratitude for the miracle that lies before us and how far he has come.

We are not sure what Clark weighs but he goes back to the doctor next week and we will find out-we are guessing close to 16 lbs...crazy!! We have an occupational therapist coming to do a full developmental evaluation on Clark next week so that we can see if he is ready for solid foods. His two front teeth are almost through. He rolls from belly to back AND back to belly now...but can only go from back to belly to the right...and boy does it piss him off that he cannot yet go back the other way.

We went to Bhakti Fest a few weeks ago as Jason wrote about...the next weekend we went back for our annual Chakra Yoga Retreat which was amazing (still more to come about that-but I did post one pic below)...and then Jason, Clark and I went back to the desert for our 6 year wedding anniversary on Thursday...we came back Saturday...and now my brother and his 3 kids are here for vacation which is the first time Clark is meeting his uncle and cousins...and then we head to Nashville in less than 2 weeks for my 20 year high school reunion...phew!

And uh oh...baby wakes!

More to come!