tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24584555018185993732024-03-12T20:13:00.145-07:00Clark Otis MarsdenExpected June 4th, 2010, but destiny forced him to emerge Feb 17th! This is his adventure!MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-15436052804721959232012-06-01T15:18:00.003-07:002012-06-01T15:18:43.394-07:00"Buddy Boy and more"<i>"Hi, buddy boy."</i><br />
<i>"Hi, daddy."</i><br />
<i>"What'szat?"</i><br />
<i>"Coco water?"</i><br />
<i>"Mommy bed?"</i><br />
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Some of the many things you will hear Mr. Clark say lately. Right now, he's a mimic-machine! <i>"Hi buddy boy."</i> is often from Daddy, and this afternoon what he uttered to me as he was falling asleep on my chest. <i>"Hi daddy." </i>or <i>"Hi mommy." </i>Will most often be said after being issued a good scolding. E.G., he's in the 'running away' stage. Though he thinks it's a fun game, when we see him running towards a crowd or a busy street, we have to lay down the law. In loud, harsh, tones of warning (that we are not proud of, but hey, sometimes you have to be loud to be heard), we have to discipline how important it is for him to listen and not run away. Nose to nose, clearly as serious as serious can be, Clark eyes will lock on, become wide and full, and in the sweetest voice possible, attempt to distract with a heart-wrenching: "<i>Hi, daddy."</i><br />
<i>"What'szat!?" </i>His fave question. I label 'fave' because he seems to ask it often and with great zest. Answers can be anywhere from: "A bulldozer." "Breakfast." "Sewing machine." "Mommy's nipple." or my favorite, "A wall."<br />
"<i>Coco water? Coco milk? Chocolate coco water?" </i>Dude, this kid likes to drink his coconut water! We finally had to rashon his intake cuz we were tired of changing a sopping wet diaper every hour and a half. The fun part is when he asks for it in the middle of the night. Must always have coco-water on hand.<br />
Speaking of middle of the night, a habit we have begun, and have not seemed to deter from, is joining him in bed as he drifts off to sleep. Sometimes we can get his teeth brushed, read a book, tuck him in, kiss goodnight and creep out. Other times, he demands: "<i>Mommy, bed?</i>" or "<i>Daddy, bed</i>?" Indicating he wants company. If it's me, he'll follow up with "<i>Daddy, glasses off</i>." Knowing that when Daddy removes his specs, it's time to settle down. <i> </i><br />
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These are only a fraction of the words and mini-phrases he busts out on a daily basis. "<i>Daddy, funny.</i>", "<i>Mommy, play</i>?" and "<i>Daddy, so suh-weet!</i>" are among my personal faves.<br />
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<br />MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-35071724204374620122012-05-25T14:24:00.000-07:002012-05-25T14:24:18.454-07:00<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: left;">Chronicle Followers! Here's another post! More visually stimulating than prose stimulating, but really, do you read this blog because of what I have to say? </td><td style="text-align: left;"></td><td style="text-align: left;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When he conquers his first castle, this is the expression he will make!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all about the hair lately! Sometimes a post whisky'd Hemmingway. Other times, full on Gene Wilder!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Forgive me, I know not what I do." But he's awfully cute when he's doing it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's my sexy man and the best photographic subject a budding photog could ever want! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That face! </td></tr>
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Getting to show off my son is a true highlight for any self-absorbed, competitive-natured, easy-to-gloat, Capricorn like myself. Any chance I can bring my family to a work function, I jump on it! The rewards, like you see below, are definitely worth gloating! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the premier of Daddy's new toon "Rescue Bots", Clark ignores the presentation to show how proud he his of his poppa!</td></tr>
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<br />MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-66766014625034657952012-05-20T09:22:00.000-07:002012-05-20T09:22:05.806-07:00Are you shocked?! It's been moons! Many moons, since our last COC post. (Yes, I realize if you say the acronym as a word, it becomes a whole different blog.) Yeah, well, a lot has been going on. Life. Death. Reality. Not afraid to say that this curve ball life done threw at us buncha sucked. Still does. We have been immersed in family affairs and though Clark is a consistent light in our life, we've just been too busy to brag about it here.<br />
Many apologies to our loyal followers who kept coming back for updates. I will, once again, try to be diligent about posts.<br />
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So, yeah, he's two. Two and three months! We stopped counting in months! Yay! We've kicked the baby bottles! Yay! He no longer requires a crib! Yay! He's using the potty! Yay! Well, kinda. He uses the potty sure. He also uses the floor and the carpet and still requires diapers. One thing at a time, right?<br />
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Clark's 2nd Celebration was an enormous success! Nana Pat flew in for the festivities, much to his delight. The morning of, he awoke to a barrage of balloons, a brand new play-table, and as much "Choo Choo Thomas" and wooden train track he could muster. That was just inside. Outside, Daddy, sprung for a giant inflatable slide which was utilized by all! I tell ya, I had SO much fun at the party store collecting all the fun for my son's Bday! I couldn't decide what theme to go with. Batman, of course. Then again, I kinda instill that upon him. He really likes Elmo and he <i>really </i>likes Thomas the Train Engine. So what did I come up with? A Bat-Elmo-Thomas themed party! Cuz why the frick not?!<br />
Two words, resounding success!<br />
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I could go on, filling you in on several months of activity, but I want to be diligent about posting regularly...aaaand maybe Mommy can help post too? (Christy. Am referring to you, mah'dear.) So until next time, consider your COC fix...fixed.MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-22116625327564896902012-01-19T16:06:00.000-08:002012-01-19T16:06:24.199-08:0023 Months and CountingHe's nearly TWO, folks. TWO!!! Man o man, I can't believe it.<br />
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So yeah, Christmas and New Year pretty much sucked (see previous entry), but the one true saving grace, the one shining, glittery, make-ya-smile, neon light that kept us from full on self-destruction...was little Clark Otis.<br />
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Christmas morning was ever so special. It was his very first, run into the living room to bask in all the Santa glory! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlNDP8XK1V-DvDpL_b22GYEqHHwh6DFNd9ZNCPaNzE2ORd78M0aM9eEWrQm3Q1nzcPlgl0i79o0fp6T3fS44bc-neTZDZesK-hg_8smeafy4_zw_kqKlim9aLkFvMIwx6QDCiSLhwp0Q/s1600/_MG_7856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlNDP8XK1V-DvDpL_b22GYEqHHwh6DFNd9ZNCPaNzE2ORd78M0aM9eEWrQm3Q1nzcPlgl0i79o0fp6T3fS44bc-neTZDZesK-hg_8smeafy4_zw_kqKlim9aLkFvMIwx6QDCiSLhwp0Q/s640/_MG_7856.JPG" width="640" /></a>He totally recognized that something special happened overnight. There were a multitude of extra presents under the tree, and like my parents did before me, left a few, unwrapped, scattered about for instant gratification. The nieces and nephew came over later on to another melee of gift unwrapping. Clark pretty much got the gist after that. If he sees a whimsically wrapped package, he identifies it as "Ho Ho". Meaning, Santa must've brought this, and he must've brought this for ME.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK0bdQtJo9AWvNGGZSTHCLCYXZdd6JXwG9w2tD9-k6Sb6KSXtOiP0xwf6z98QVLdyJMas0pnZfWRkiMkNIv9ntAeTnygIeiUEGWhPEjmiBc7SHZ6j6hF3SfRqkF3RbOyoMP4pnRe9_dE/s1600/_MG_7921.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK0bdQtJo9AWvNGGZSTHCLCYXZdd6JXwG9w2tD9-k6Sb6KSXtOiP0xwf6z98QVLdyJMas0pnZfWRkiMkNIv9ntAeTnygIeiUEGWhPEjmiBc7SHZ6j6hF3SfRqkF3RbOyoMP4pnRe9_dE/s320/_MG_7921.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUuItnAiP1mji-6A7PLXEvS8_spGJSXJ6kx1hxCnjP9arg-67SXLPEBhM8jMc8SY4BJWgsQ7rUrFQ3uV7zeLDe1Ax4XlozclEU18oVCWubkuDGO5rb72sKwLZZgZyUDrFVODTXEvqA1w/s1600/_MG_8012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUuItnAiP1mji-6A7PLXEvS8_spGJSXJ6kx1hxCnjP9arg-67SXLPEBhM8jMc8SY4BJWgsQ7rUrFQ3uV7zeLDe1Ax4XlozclEU18oVCWubkuDGO5rb72sKwLZZgZyUDrFVODTXEvqA1w/s320/_MG_8012.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Visiting Nashville is always a pleasure. Clark eats it up. It's like he knows his heritage is engrained deep in the pours of his Nana's house. He not only has the run of the joint, but he loves going "outshide?" where there is acres of land for him to roam free, independent, and safe from the hazards that would usually be in our front yard in Los Angeles. Did I say front yard? I meant street. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLl8g1NgKvZL2AHo8VAG5wEnB2k5oC_x8umcipEdw5UAF4sT7R12KIySJs6ddJ5bogGe6hPttGBu1ADKQgavn3o8uE6PNAOivk7I7YVy7lqGxeBJlm1Tfu40eDQwOkOKfs5cQfwGcXQ4/s1600/IMG_6535.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLl8g1NgKvZL2AHo8VAG5wEnB2k5oC_x8umcipEdw5UAF4sT7R12KIySJs6ddJ5bogGe6hPttGBu1ADKQgavn3o8uE6PNAOivk7I7YVy7lqGxeBJlm1Tfu40eDQwOkOKfs5cQfwGcXQ4/s320/IMG_6535.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrjjiAkgaR3GcUZg0-szbVp7OMN9Hk-xbRunNcgvCKYLE-U8-JcJ0uZZA70mGYOEwj3JxpkmObNwl2QendWKzSUWK3S55qTnF2irszrKMcg4HcOPbo_8Xc2X8OJNkHMH1DJ-Jl-cWwcQ/s1600/IMG_6507.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrjjiAkgaR3GcUZg0-szbVp7OMN9Hk-xbRunNcgvCKYLE-U8-JcJ0uZZA70mGYOEwj3JxpkmObNwl2QendWKzSUWK3S55qTnF2irszrKMcg4HcOPbo_8Xc2X8OJNkHMH1DJ-Jl-cWwcQ/s320/IMG_6507.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_haeAVuST4srBGofF_xSco9QFGf3e1JuolmFqteMyMnc21ec-MbG4wIZhadbeSXo9Yb0hsnUq7FqYxqMUcCBMqVj0a3MWLhQJ0hbWQzKEv4TZjncN_UzsxWSkgflKYkw5USGAcoND_I/s1600/IMG_6530.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_haeAVuST4srBGofF_xSco9QFGf3e1JuolmFqteMyMnc21ec-MbG4wIZhadbeSXo9Yb0hsnUq7FqYxqMUcCBMqVj0a3MWLhQJ0hbWQzKEv4TZjncN_UzsxWSkgflKYkw5USGAcoND_I/s320/IMG_6530.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Clark's vocabulary is growing by the day. He's getting really good at imitating, which as I'm sure you can guess, is causing us to censor ourselves lately. Though it's a lot of fun to hear him refer to a "fork" or his own name "Clark". (get it?)<br />
He knows nearly ALL of his ABC's. That's right. He can recognize a handful of numbers. He knows who Batman is "Baba", he can now spot Superman ("Man!"), calls our dog by name ("Mowwee"), can express "bite", "juice", "mah" (milk), "night-night", "eyes", "nose", "mouth", "ear" (eeooh), and melts us every day with "Mommy" and "Daddy". D'awwwww, LOVE IT!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnC_-DGbP9BcBAprkIbMt-eJ0e0i-cT7EjesPX08b6vsSvWTYV5GcbuRu_R0NyoxLnS7_ZjfYBbQwDgerabUM2z-nJy2moN3fVmDP8e82VHjTAqBGVoSRPcz3P4q-E5JUhBiuDO0Tz6Q/s1600/IMG_6575.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnC_-DGbP9BcBAprkIbMt-eJ0e0i-cT7EjesPX08b6vsSvWTYV5GcbuRu_R0NyoxLnS7_ZjfYBbQwDgerabUM2z-nJy2moN3fVmDP8e82VHjTAqBGVoSRPcz3P4q-E5JUhBiuDO0Tz6Q/s320/IMG_6575.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
<br />
Not sure what our plans are for his big Oh-Two, but considering last years plans were thwarted by weather, we're opting for an indoor venue.<br />
<br />
Every day his personality gets bigger. Sometimes preceded by a brief moment of shyness. But after a bit of a warm up, he'll high five, fist bump, blow raspberries, or do his best to make you smile! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOEBlAb6mPJvf7Uc1Kfxixt-R0VsP22H6fEaTQi8-J8tioe5xJ-ZuYzjUKNbzek6oeiDv6OvgQbH9TriDLMXOOulsCqbp_-yTtVudU9XkDv4e8sqk8zKDmYiRbN7m9-3tZw786tGDt24/s1600/IMG_6855.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOEBlAb6mPJvf7Uc1Kfxixt-R0VsP22H6fEaTQi8-J8tioe5xJ-ZuYzjUKNbzek6oeiDv6OvgQbH9TriDLMXOOulsCqbp_-yTtVudU9XkDv4e8sqk8zKDmYiRbN7m9-3tZw786tGDt24/s640/IMG_6855.JPG" width="640" /></a>MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-34297630772764877722011-12-12T10:09:00.000-08:002011-12-12T10:09:53.417-08:00Uncle Scott<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclL7-PKDa97uPQmyW7soqZqph1gkOJAzOuZzdmfSY6mYBSud95gcOLX07yUv70oR6gF7X9RHrILPjNKTAoxjXyxzeQjWuzbd60aKCEew7ocKeEyFPzhfUIup76cvDXrk5FZaDe5-mXmo/s1600/IMG_2817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclL7-PKDa97uPQmyW7soqZqph1gkOJAzOuZzdmfSY6mYBSud95gcOLX07yUv70oR6gF7X9RHrILPjNKTAoxjXyxzeQjWuzbd60aKCEew7ocKeEyFPzhfUIup76cvDXrk5FZaDe5-mXmo/s320/IMG_2817.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Dear Future Clark,<br />
<br />
Hiya buddy. I know you don't remember your Uncle Scott. Rest assured, he loved the heck outta you. It's unfortunate to state that you only got to experience him a handful of times. Each time, he scooped himself up a handful of you. As I write this, we're on day two of his wake visitation. Tomorrow we bury him next to your Pappy.<br />
<br />
Scott was 47 years young. He died of stroke complications just a few days ago. It is a very sad time right now. Your poor mama lost her Daddy (your Pappy) four short years ago and now, unexpectedly, her big brother. Scott's kids, your cousins, Bailey, Connor, and Emma, I'm SURE regaled you with many stories and anecdotes of their Dad. Comprised with tales you've no doubt heard from your Nana, your Mom, and myself, you should already have a good sense of how amazing and important Scott was in our lives.<br />
<br />
That above pic was your first trip to Disneyland. You know what, I'm pretty sure it was Scott's too (he didn't want to wear the button). So there you both are, sharing a first. He we all are, sharing a last.<br />
<br />
Scott was pretty torn up when you were born. See, he didn't really have the gift of foresight that your momma and I had with your situation. We never heard from him while you were in the NICU. He just couldn't bring himself to form the words. He was devastated. He thought about you every day though. He kept you in his prayers. He sent his own version of Heartbeams. So proud, so happy, so in love with you was he when he finally got to scoop you up in his arms.<br />
<br />
As I'm sure you are now aware, your Daddy ain't really a...well, a rough in tough man. A football watchin, chaw-chewin', Bud drinkin', poker playin', gone fishin' man! I was kinda hopin' Scott would introduce you to all that for me ('cept for the chaw...eecch). Hopefully, I did my best at giving you a taste (again....not the chaw...you know what I mean).<br />
<br />
BUT Scott did dig himself some "Family Guy" (probably still on the air), Golf, Bill Murray (Wiki him), Monty Python (I should still have the complete set somewhere), and though a small town boy, had a big taste for life.<br />
<br />
Today, as you read this, know your Uncle Scott is up there in the ether, somewhere, with your Pappy, and they really enjoyed watching you grow up.<br />
<br />
Love ya,<br />
<br />
Daddy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeV6iWwVnqlzkFcdnPtz4A-sfE74dP16MoNwAPIbLrQ2_qyqkiiSfENcTChyphenhyphen7WiAwjspGesm-ykC9gAqA9QIQKDsOa-_3g8Pr_mXYLKIsQLZ0gh18ZC0UrtVonYDRi7dJBDR4F8pQJzE/s1600/IMG_5284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeV6iWwVnqlzkFcdnPtz4A-sfE74dP16MoNwAPIbLrQ2_qyqkiiSfENcTChyphenhyphen7WiAwjspGesm-ykC9gAqA9QIQKDsOa-_3g8Pr_mXYLKIsQLZ0gh18ZC0UrtVonYDRi7dJBDR4F8pQJzE/s320/IMG_5284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrRehprZ3lnorSzoIfjKJxkJxuvTVdoQE-N75yZm34TqVgFhEj6IbvuS0nwqBRebjm4tGSzPcZN0jx_Zi-L2YeLF1rygrt1jTtxfQJ1GQ1CUIUCzz-OXYmjGqFzg5toxh4UfSkYnH_Fw/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrRehprZ3lnorSzoIfjKJxkJxuvTVdoQE-N75yZm34TqVgFhEj6IbvuS0nwqBRebjm4tGSzPcZN0jx_Zi-L2YeLF1rygrt1jTtxfQJ1GQ1CUIUCzz-OXYmjGqFzg5toxh4UfSkYnH_Fw/s320/IMG_5374.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-81987357048117021802011-11-29T11:21:00.000-08:002011-11-29T11:22:12.997-08:00Write or Left?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt3EsmtdGVCVdv7KLTeHHWOag5Y67ECHzjkSwtcZXq257TvSYMeZtR2KVd4i7pWUPO0AWvwQrkXIcNrnO_hbtN4lExoyaowsUxS9xB5D2OsEI5fwLN5glhli2Vi2tCfX3JnS6quRrw94/s1600/image-732998.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt3EsmtdGVCVdv7KLTeHHWOag5Y67ECHzjkSwtcZXq257TvSYMeZtR2KVd4i7pWUPO0AWvwQrkXIcNrnO_hbtN4lExoyaowsUxS9xB5D2OsEI5fwLN5glhli2Vi2tCfX3JnS6quRrw94/s320/image-732998.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680500269616038530" /></a></p>Looks like he's a leftie!MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-67602284281708758902011-11-20T12:29:00.001-08:002011-11-20T12:29:38.471-08:00What's UP With This Pic?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcprcyCYYh_icnTP7z2CbyeD1Tae4yCDwwhlbxUNjKkDheuFAkwgfz-8u39VEE0-D3ZMvbYW30VGuT2gsEobh8HhNzGtNNDFH7ahf6iJG7dbUC7sr2vJgkT_1COOUVTePq4Pa7mMDNBKs/s1600/photo-778471.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcprcyCYYh_icnTP7z2CbyeD1Tae4yCDwwhlbxUNjKkDheuFAkwgfz-8u39VEE0-D3ZMvbYW30VGuT2gsEobh8HhNzGtNNDFH7ahf6iJG7dbUC7sr2vJgkT_1COOUVTePq4Pa7mMDNBKs/s320/photo-778471.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677177874156740418" /></a></p>Clark Otis! Cuz he be on a booster seat!MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-27781508885704373082011-11-14T15:53:00.000-08:002011-11-14T15:53:24.611-08:00Excuse Me, May I Please Hold Your Baby?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_O3z5MudqIGk4apc3eswQkSZ-AUhrXKD7H3zRjENT97rKNdWJWmGGsq2xIx02o1qGcJI3-21B8-aXY15AV2h_xhhM-G58Hu0Uq_IiZEIkru1Cn0abWihFSyINKEtvNxGWxOJgFuVGZA/s1600/_MG_7235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_O3z5MudqIGk4apc3eswQkSZ-AUhrXKD7H3zRjENT97rKNdWJWmGGsq2xIx02o1qGcJI3-21B8-aXY15AV2h_xhhM-G58Hu0Uq_IiZEIkru1Cn0abWihFSyINKEtvNxGWxOJgFuVGZA/s320/_MG_7235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Argh! He's not even a baby anymore. He's full on toddlin'. He's a toddler! The other night, during our bed-time ritual, I got him in his jammies, activated the mood-lighting, switched on his humidifier, gathered him up in my arms and fed him his bottle. Singing to him, as I usually would, "Wanna Be Like You" from the Jungle Book, or Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours", and kissing his warm little forehead between verses; tonight I intended to continue holding him as he drifted off to sleep. It had been a while since we did that and I wanted to treat us both. Yet, Clark had another idea. After finishing his bottle, he pointed to his crib and said "Night night." A not so subtle indication that a horizontal position, comfy on his pillow is where he wanted to be. And...<br />
<br />
"CRITCH"<br />
<br />
Though I couldn't hear it, I'm pretty sure at that moment, a hairline-crack opened just above the top-left portion of my heart. Yeah, the time for passing out on Daddy's chest is now slowly coming to an end. Unless I spike his milk with Benadryl. (NOTE to Activists: Just a joke. Jeeze) My little man is turning into, well, a little man!<br />
<br />
As annoying as it was for near EVERY person we came across who told us to "savor every moment, cuz it goes by so fast", it's true. Man, it's true. Though I'm pretty sure if I savored even more than I already do, we might get conjoined. I mean, he might as well be behind a glass, with me staring, fixated with a pad and pen recording his every nuance. I mean I think I did that one day just for fun, but seriously folks, we ARE savoring!<br />
<br />
Yet in a way, it kinda makes it hurt more. When he wakes up from a nap and appears significantly longer. When he busts out words like "yellow". When with just a look from one of us, he recognizes that he shouldn't play with that glass jar, instead, knowingly putting it (carefully) back on the shelf where he got it from. Arrgh I say! Perhaps as we're savoring we're subliminally trying to create a suspension of time. <br />
<br />
He's just so fuckin' cute! So smart! So mature (well, you know what I mean). Am I biased? Absofuckinlutely. But I'm not waxing here either. We have a true gem on our hands. During our annual Pumpkin Carving Jello Shot Party (which we appropriately changed to Pumpkin Pot-Luck for obvious reasons), Clark totally worked the room as a little host should. He socialized, played, ate, charmed, and nuzzled with everyone. And towards the end, Christy and I discovered him crawling up the stairs and with a wave announced "Night night". The dude was putting himself to bed! Christy and I looked at each other, stunned. We gathered his bottle and jammies, excused ourselves from the party, and up we went.<br />
<br />
It's been nearly 21 months since his rocket like emergence into our world and we're, on a daily basis, rendered emotional from SOMEthing, some look, some antic that he creates for us.<br />
<br />
Yeah, man. We're totally in savor. We're also completely in love and in awe! <br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpCo2ZvAOlp43Ojbcf6JtUeBGiT5f_rn4vb_DLV8PSENXc1eXHwda3_6j4FaZEyvPYsXKkbmGW5oPND-WgdwuRzx72r9W7YEYD6khYQnAPtyGlkCXsMq0giSYiS7oPeONSkX3GKL7eog/s1600/_MG_7236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpCo2ZvAOlp43Ojbcf6JtUeBGiT5f_rn4vb_DLV8PSENXc1eXHwda3_6j4FaZEyvPYsXKkbmGW5oPND-WgdwuRzx72r9W7YEYD6khYQnAPtyGlkCXsMq0giSYiS7oPeONSkX3GKL7eog/s320/_MG_7236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-45953946187969285082011-11-06T11:36:00.000-08:002011-11-06T11:38:47.560-08:00Another<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4YHzu3nGCYfAwCRwsPjXLLdkWNM-UjKCI0dTvUVeAfh53RSVjwfjH5sMao8UJFndbzfD5-F4Cw_jPzcOzOMWiT3W3DBc4d-gKeIeicr6QDTLbqUUhRLAIIxdxo6FL6l9ul7M-UbH8-8/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4YHzu3nGCYfAwCRwsPjXLLdkWNM-UjKCI0dTvUVeAfh53RSVjwfjH5sMao8UJFndbzfD5-F4Cw_jPzcOzOMWiT3W3DBc4d-gKeIeicr6QDTLbqUUhRLAIIxdxo6FL6l9ul7M-UbH8-8/s320/IMG_6188.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Don't let the photo fool ya. We are finished with the child birthing. The above pic is for your amusement only! Got it!? No more babies. At least not the old fashioned way. Two weeks ago I underwent the simple yet ghastly procedure of what the laymen refer to as "the ole snip snip". Simple, cuz for me, it was. Ghastly, cuz well, I could show you pictures of the aftermath but we're trying to keep this a family-friendly blog. But if you're more than curious, next time you see me, I have 'em on my phone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Why stop at one? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Well read about Clark's first 90 days and ask yourself, would you want to go through that again? 'Nuff said there. The most surprising (annoying) reaction when I would tell folk that I was about to have a vasectomy was <i>"You know, you can get that reversed."</i> Like, without missing a beat, batting an eyelash, first knee-jerk response. It struck the same chord that vibrated every time someone would ask <i>"So, when are you having another one!?</i>" Yes, I certainly intended to have my balls cut open thinking that maybe a few years down the line I would love to do it again. As Wayne Campbell and his pal Garth would say..."Not"!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<i>"Hmm. Yes. So cute, I am!"</i><br />
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It's Halloween night! He's wearing one of the two costumes I had planned for him. We're at Downtown Burbank with the other costumed kiddies. He's soaking it all in. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's Mom and Dad gettin' in on the act. I totally wanted to be <a href="http://www.sandtroopers.com/sandwatch/sideshow/luke_yoda/SSpremLukeYoda009.jpg" target="_blank">Luke Skywalker carrying Yoda on my back</a>. But that costume requires a tank top and I was concerned about freezing my tushie off. We walked the Promenade, the mall, a few blocks near Yoga Blend, testing out "Trick or Treat" or simply marveling at the spooky decorations and cool costumes. We ended the eve at a pal's party where Clark shed his Yoda persona for...</div><br />
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Superboy! What? Never seen Superboy like this? Well, you must not be a geek. This is actually "Connor Kent", Superman's clone. Seen in comics and on the toon <a href="http://youngjustice.wikia.com/wiki/Superboy" target="_blank">Young Justice</a>!<br />
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Man, he's growing up so rapidly. It seems like every time he wakes up from a nap there is a significant change. His arms look longer. His forehead, thinner. His expression, more dynamic. Yes, I am missing that toothless, helpless, light as a feather, baby that fell asleep on my chest. Now, the dude actually ASKS to be put into his crib. Yeah, the longing is definitely there, but longing is not enough to make us chance another preemie. A preemie that may or may not prevail as Clark has. For now, we love focusing all our love, attention, and energies at Mr. Clark Otis! Nearly 20 + months young. Full on toddler. Perfectly satisfied!<br />
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Not to say that I don't have the overwhelming urge to pick up every baby I see.MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-26931754663884065182011-11-06T10:55:00.001-08:002011-11-06T10:55:13.600-08:00Most Like to Drive Around the Block...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0-wUctFrIweLDtIX5ZPO77kF_oU20AUaYDZMyZHodzmmnKFIM_cHEwlNA1P21p8KSOV7729rtEW-4Z_xy3BPi5HZNkN_BF_J_YvNwzv_2rb6nWzZHVglKsE02jCyCJFgAB3dGapwdhc/s1600/photo-713601.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0-wUctFrIweLDtIX5ZPO77kF_oU20AUaYDZMyZHodzmmnKFIM_cHEwlNA1P21p8KSOV7729rtEW-4Z_xy3BPi5HZNkN_BF_J_YvNwzv_2rb6nWzZHVglKsE02jCyCJFgAB3dGapwdhc/s320/photo-713601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671958355568667506" /></a></p>> Clark likes to take the block around for a drive. <br>>MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-38908842672561416262011-10-24T11:42:00.000-07:002011-10-24T12:15:44.351-07:00Little builderI know, I know...we are totally slacking on the posts...we're too busy watching this little guy grow right before our very eyes. So exciting, so grateful...so in love!!!!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwspJrr4mKwYuNBH-t-7gmSyeJpmHDWiPbXuxAwkGLCR6Q7aovSb6m7qZhAvt6OfRp1bYujXRKAmwSQd8eG' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>ChristyLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878103342903001153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-62853253536058343362011-10-18T16:13:00.000-07:002011-10-18T16:14:10.533-07:0020 Months Young<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT5_usfYChoiT6EEdeKH65sFlKbaEi5dCwO62GOXvUmxraLDuWjGGPsWsRGcDb9LpWxLmT2LQZ7FQk2XzK4kgRTfmlCNmdIEmfNLxkilSwCJRuJ1CkuCG2oDZqXPZiCQBAV5-SkT4sPs/s1600/photo-750537.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT5_usfYChoiT6EEdeKH65sFlKbaEi5dCwO62GOXvUmxraLDuWjGGPsWsRGcDb9LpWxLmT2LQZ7FQk2XzK4kgRTfmlCNmdIEmfNLxkilSwCJRuJ1CkuCG2oDZqXPZiCQBAV5-SkT4sPs/s320/photo-750537.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664974468155231538" /></a></p>F'in love this little guy!MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-75149912337209093892011-08-18T07:56:00.000-07:002011-08-18T07:58:47.425-07:001 and a HalfYesterday Clark turned 18 months! In that time he's absorbed a lot of love and attention. Below is a little somethin' celebrating all the folk who've contributed to that love! xoxxo
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<br />MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-41842365801409282922011-08-14T09:00:00.001-07:002011-08-14T10:10:30.105-07:00"Gross Gross Gross, Let's Not Eat the Erasers""Oh, I see you found Daddy's wallet."
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<br />"I found your keys! They're in the recycle bin."
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<br />These are a few things we found ourselves saying lately.
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<br />Here's a few things Clark has been saying:
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<br />"Be." "Beh." "Da'goon." "Dada." "Bay-bee." "Mah-mee." "Wooooaaaaoowww." That last one is probably the cutest exclamation. Imagine the sweetest, softest, sounding "wow" that you could ever hear. Then imagine Tinkerbell-like chimes ringing as you hear it. Yeah, unbiased, gooey goodness!
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<br />As you can imagine, things are ever so non-stop in the Marsden household. Christy and I have been balls to the walls with work, which has been awesome. Meanwhile, Clark is full on walking and exploring. We had to buy him shoes. That's right, shoes! He's a shoe wearin' fool now! Which makes outings that much easier. Too tired to carry him? No prob, he'll walk. Usually at a much slower pace than we're used to. Usually not in the direction we are intending to go. Usually. But the dude is also usually obedient.
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<br />"Ah ah ah." Is also something you might hear us say <span style="font-style: italic;">often</span>. "Ah ah ah", with a curt enough tone, indicates something Clark shouldn't be doing (It's also the tone we use for our dog, Molly. So it can get confusing for the innocent party). If Clark moves beyond the "ah ah ah" and decides to go ahead and put his hand in the dog bowl, throw food on the floor, or walk into traffic, then a fierce "No!" is implemented. So, we let Clark wander wherever he wishes (within' eye sight), if he strays too far, we: "Ah ah ah, come on over here." To which, he stops and makes his way to join us.
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<br />Clark, is an absotively posilutely very good kid. He's fierce, brave, sensitive, cuddly, funny, inquisitive, and downright cuuuuute! His sleep routine you could practically set your watch to. Wakes every morn between 6:30-7am. Then every three hours after that, a nap. Has breakfast when he wakes, lunch at noon, dinner at 6, bed by 7:30pm (8 at the latest), and gives us no grief when being put down to rest.
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<br />His new hobbies are, swimming (last weekend in Palm Springs, he couldn't get enough!), throwing things down stairs, pushing chairs and large objects, hiding behind curtains, opening doors/drawers and emptying the contents (sometimes putting things back), and the kid just will not stop smiling!
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<br />His Nana Pat got him a full on Radio Flyer wagon which he loves (as do we). He'll ride in it along our local bike path, at Farmer's Markets, or just in our driveway.
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<br />Every day is something new. He does indeed change so fast. When I see newer babies while I'm out and about, I can't help but yearn for those times when Clark was a bit more helpless, light as a feather, tiny. It's just the sadness of watching my boy shed layers that are now forever gone. But underneath each layer is something more outstanding than the next! Thanks to Groupon, I just got us a 1/2 off Family Membership to the LA Zoo...so that's happening! Basically, kids, it's ON. It's so on!
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<br />MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-35497376524014572352011-07-20T15:06:00.000-07:002011-07-20T16:12:55.204-07:00ReflectionAs my mom and I were talking yesterday the conversation, as it always does, started to center around Clark....which is totally my favorite subject. He is just so amazing and so super excited to be alive. He is ready for whatever, pretty much whenever (except when he's tired or hungry....then watch out!). We were chattering about all the joy that he is and that he creates. Then we drifted to the way he came into this world. We talked about how emotional it is to look at the pictures...just how small and fragile he was. This feeling comes over me that is so hard to explain. This sadness for the suffering of anyone and everyone. There is definitely a deep impression on my soul of that experience. I am not sure I have quite processed it all yet. In fact, when I look at pictures...I know I haven't. But at the time, we just dealt with what was right in front of us. Going to the past and wishing things were different didn't help, nor did thinking about the long, unknown road ahead of us. So the present is where we needed to be...for ourselves and for our baby boy. If the past or future aren't causing suffering and are creating joy, then why try to stop the mind from that experience? But when they DO cause suffering, I find that being present is the best way to keep creating joy despite the obstacles; So, we decided to be in each and every moment...loving that little guy as hard as we possibly could. And now here we are and I look at that soul survivor and I am blown away by the heart's capacity for love.<br /><br />And now, here he is growing by leaps and bounds...happy, healthy and super sweet...ACK...I can hardly stand it!<br /><br />I have several pics I wanted to post but for some reason I cannot get them to load. I'll try later.<br /><br />Love!ChristyLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878103342903001153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-67191879459923765072011-06-29T16:13:00.000-07:002011-06-29T16:25:58.161-07:00Water Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYw6ylcZmzOo8-HMU6Yh2Vdn5glOM_ZwyKQuwMnV6xMLJz_CEMWo70agPMaarcrs0bJOYjgsB6ALUIHlIKHy3Vx1EzVaokGi72vJzbf1bbxQveZFGH_i-SEE0ilepcW0JcLme0t7N0gk/s1600/IMG_1421.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYw6ylcZmzOo8-HMU6Yh2Vdn5glOM_ZwyKQuwMnV6xMLJz_CEMWo70agPMaarcrs0bJOYjgsB6ALUIHlIKHy3Vx1EzVaokGi72vJzbf1bbxQveZFGH_i-SEE0ilepcW0JcLme0t7N0gk/s400/IMG_1421.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623787011558063794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ2eINO3n0ktpNcbK2dd2FkPfvJvWDpXiuWXXfwMzV4um8HEHnoFJFhenYivOmYUQjmGyZlGxVB1yZCqEREDAhlQ6vdYl0dXKnh-pbmohzWBF6dhcI5IDAv8MuP8ppygUDSujwUmLOSE/s1600/IMG_1421.jpg"><br /></a><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxjNicds3DR6qPRlYIsSXXV1E6NJlLfAh0ZqPr5Ht9qZx8022nw5YKzxGZE_ucrPDvCqBV9SadtUYSZ6Wwe3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>ChristyLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878103342903001153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-1121130455506773772011-06-17T10:33:00.000-07:002011-06-17T11:03:27.702-07:00Stairs, Clapping, and Subtle Manipulation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6qldFyfz_J3qun7j0QF6bqz7Bwc0byGIPj2G5QfclDXSxUTq6x2kg8DnIMG5pdoVRziWz6hL91U_4E95dpoXg6ZDGKR4ZeGhm3uUYpd2ko7mVm-AgGGMKVcKhi0sKl1rpAhmxzPwn2Q/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6qldFyfz_J3qun7j0QF6bqz7Bwc0byGIPj2G5QfclDXSxUTq6x2kg8DnIMG5pdoVRziWz6hL91U_4E95dpoXg6ZDGKR4ZeGhm3uUYpd2ko7mVm-AgGGMKVcKhi0sKl1rpAhmxzPwn2Q/s400/IMG_4313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619244551325966434" border="0" /></a>Hiya Clark fans! Been a while, I know. We've been updating via our Facebook accounts and have left you out like an ugly step-child. Nothing personal.<br /><br />Since we've last posted, some major changes have taken place!<br />Clark is an expert traveler! He's been to Nashville and back and Rhode Island and back and we've another Nash trip coming up for 4th of July! We've had to spring for his own seat, cuz we don't want to have to burden some poor soul while Clark gets his wiggles out. (I'll post an airplane chronicle as soon as my computer starts comfortably accessing new pics.)<br />Clark not only climbs stairs, he sails down them with ease!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25247615?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="420" height="236" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />We love watching the faces of those who have not seen Clark conquer the stairs. It's like their watching a tightrope walker...or Jaws!<br />Yesterday, for the very first time, he figured out clapping! For a while, instead of doing it himself, he would grab mine or Christy's hands and slam them together, making US clap. Being able to do it himself was better than cotton candy! (Sorry, no video on that. We were too busy capturing it in our brains!)<br />Ah yes, subtle manipulation. I think we might have another thesp in the house. When Clark wants to be picked up, like really bad, he will throw himself to his knees, arms outstretched, head back with a pleading wail! When we pick him up, the little super villain beams with a shit-eating grin! This is not quite the case when we have to put him down for a nap. Sometimes he gives little to no protest, but most of the time, as soon as we place him in the crib, expressions and screams of betrayal! Tears stream! Cheeks burn strawberry! And the Emmy goes to...<br /><br />It truly tears my heart out. But as soon as we leave the room, minutes, sometimes seconds later, he stops, talks to himself, and finally passes out.<br /><br />He's 16 months old today! Growing like a weed, expressing unabashed, exploring like a hero on a mission! Love him!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ7lCQQn3W41KnYCOBS7AJVf3ooFUQ7j2vLwX7q88ZpLX26XK_Nhbz3wHGhokakFlbSpzXIrD77RYLHzVoMt1SFupCunqUBktE56ktXXIPwE6sjMU4Di-nO4Dq86SUztBK-Fl6Zqq93g/s1600/IMG_4320.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ7lCQQn3W41KnYCOBS7AJVf3ooFUQ7j2vLwX7q88ZpLX26XK_Nhbz3wHGhokakFlbSpzXIrD77RYLHzVoMt1SFupCunqUBktE56ktXXIPwE6sjMU4Di-nO4Dq86SUztBK-Fl6Zqq93g/s400/IMG_4320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619244572398146818" border="0" /></a>MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-38420334365994531262011-05-27T10:52:00.000-07:002011-05-27T11:09:18.759-07:00NICU ReunionI arrived home late on Saturday night May 14th from Mexico. The next day was the NICU reunion. Jason was not feeling so great, so Clark and I decided to go alone. Overwhelming is the best way to describe that day. Seeing all of Clark's nurses and doctor's...and of course the babies. The sweet little souls that spent time in the NICU and now are happy, growing, thriving little babies. My eyes were brimming with tears the entire time. We didn't stay long because it was super crowded and Clark just wanted to crawl around. There were all ages of kids and parents walking around, strollers everywhere and food on the tables that he could just reach to pull off a table. Had I let him down, it would not have been pretty, so I had to hold him and with his fierce determination to get free, we had to make it a short visit. I didn't even get a picture that day. <br /><br />However, everyone was blown away by Clark...the little baby that could. The baby that came into this world with the odds against him and he stuck his tongue right out to those odds and said 'I'll show you' and show us he did...about what it means to be grateful, to be present, to love with all your heart no matter what the end result. Every day when I look at his little face and those big brown eyes look back up at me...I remember...I remember what it means to be alive...what it means to truly love...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3OZDVLyA60D8woEkp1WeOmLOx2URWx1VK-mQZ96ZCW9S8FgBnHUH3p2U3wShyvY_Zj2hweqGvkyqHchOphqtIXGKDbFLPSqty2VChmMXIMeDOzUz9zCyEN15PpWIJUVDRc-YSoHrg3U/s1600/Clark058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3OZDVLyA60D8woEkp1WeOmLOx2URWx1VK-mQZ96ZCW9S8FgBnHUH3p2U3wShyvY_Zj2hweqGvkyqHchOphqtIXGKDbFLPSqty2VChmMXIMeDOzUz9zCyEN15PpWIJUVDRc-YSoHrg3U/s400/Clark058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611458697410689682" border="0" /></a>ChristyLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878103342903001153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-78706364949978756602011-05-17T08:55:00.001-07:002011-05-17T08:57:24.185-07:00TOGA TOGA TOGA!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f7g2xWwLLZKTHTRAtcRoaEr2Cu3LIVa8eQsT_brW_WqBsqOM7P8lIe56vCzFtqbDLkGXfGeWoi_kGmXnIxGl4wUHtmATuTcfT4WIm0YrsFuEWCaWNAlBXU2lPCQ-etOErU1E_KW5c4Y/s1600/ClarkToga.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f7g2xWwLLZKTHTRAtcRoaEr2Cu3LIVa8eQsT_brW_WqBsqOM7P8lIe56vCzFtqbDLkGXfGeWoi_kGmXnIxGl4wUHtmATuTcfT4WIm0YrsFuEWCaWNAlBXU2lPCQ-etOErU1E_KW5c4Y/s400/ClarkToga.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607714530852215298" border="0" />Boys having fun while mommy was away...</a>ChristyLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878103342903001153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-83008381657361119032011-05-01T16:30:00.000-07:002011-05-01T16:52:33.214-07:00Meanwhile at Olive Garden in Mt Juliet, TN<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/23130338?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="420" height="236" frameborder="0"></iframe>MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-78209132252343764252011-04-25T17:25:00.001-07:002011-04-25T17:27:17.466-07:00Pensive and Passionate...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zN4icezZ_UZ8z9ke5Cb9Xhpf-onczlyba9fKSNw9e9NBbpeyiqPskjGFaP6m71RvM9xav2jevMSEMIvTe95Smc1VR__EnDA8mB_ZVfv6ACB3AcdGX-zvDEE_eYHTOnWV_mzFxA3XQBI/s1600/Clark087.jpg">Pensive...<br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xNLj21apm61PA6ZuoDfNbr_DxplNgJUDhpqKuhVFVPmyXxJElCr6HzTSAZhn7aPorWHLem234524Di2u7I5-13EU5SJPpjDJMCvMXTzSHAJ2YbPHAxVWLAwn22vrqvh1oJD-rqRhakk/s1600/Clark090.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xNLj21apm61PA6ZuoDfNbr_DxplNgJUDhpqKuhVFVPmyXxJElCr6HzTSAZhn7aPorWHLem234524Di2u7I5-13EU5SJPpjDJMCvMXTzSHAJ2YbPHAxVWLAwn22vrqvh1oJD-rqRhakk/s400/Clark090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599682013668429122" border="0" /></a><br />Passionate...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zN4icezZ_UZ8z9ke5Cb9Xhpf-onczlyba9fKSNw9e9NBbpeyiqPskjGFaP6m71RvM9xav2jevMSEMIvTe95Smc1VR__EnDA8mB_ZVfv6ACB3AcdGX-zvDEE_eYHTOnWV_mzFxA3XQBI/s1600/Clark087.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zN4icezZ_UZ8z9ke5Cb9Xhpf-onczlyba9fKSNw9e9NBbpeyiqPskjGFaP6m71RvM9xav2jevMSEMIvTe95Smc1VR__EnDA8mB_ZVfv6ACB3AcdGX-zvDEE_eYHTOnWV_mzFxA3XQBI/s400/Clark087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599682151160735330" border="0" /></a>ChristyLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878103342903001153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-16060049893707156692011-04-11T15:04:00.000-07:002011-04-11T15:08:01.181-07:00Clark Conquers the Stairs<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/22174193?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="420" height="525" frameborder="0"></iframe>MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-26262185648443905202011-04-10T19:38:00.000-07:002011-04-10T19:43:17.869-07:00another...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCHVPdYIQZHk2Noih_My7TC9_6U0pWVtrItLWdJazsWGaOjZQZG6GwLuaYA8-5Nwp-UnKiwsf484mOcP8SAR4U4Stz0B8OLgvvY0fkV1V0VqnNThLoPm52TOmf9HcES5m4WRCTdl_WGw/s1600/Clark067.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCHVPdYIQZHk2Noih_My7TC9_6U0pWVtrItLWdJazsWGaOjZQZG6GwLuaYA8-5Nwp-UnKiwsf484mOcP8SAR4U4Stz0B8OLgvvY0fkV1V0VqnNThLoPm52TOmf9HcES5m4WRCTdl_WGw/s400/Clark067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594150578919008978" border="0" /></a>ChristyLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878103342903001153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-63715758283985633792011-04-08T19:44:00.000-07:002011-04-08T19:46:34.362-07:00First of many new pics...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pIpSblNtzpk4xVq0UBB5lmzOmVA3BbGXbCea8IqUH-lcc76hszOPVFt2RlNWSNqglTJb18sNbMERx3s65v_FkC42h2LIew-cCHTS5wIVByVggMMLf09EiIkhbBACmf-FOfzeYGmh-qk/s1600/Clark071.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pIpSblNtzpk4xVq0UBB5lmzOmVA3BbGXbCea8IqUH-lcc76hszOPVFt2RlNWSNqglTJb18sNbMERx3s65v_FkC42h2LIew-cCHTS5wIVByVggMMLf09EiIkhbBACmf-FOfzeYGmh-qk/s400/Clark071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593409721718819010" border="0" /></a>ChristyLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878103342903001153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2458455501818599373.post-69938376469246945282011-03-31T13:20:00.001-07:002011-03-31T13:56:01.118-07:00Messy Good Times<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YXzAfoD-6y55gJMfcHMACQBB78JjygsZ7-XMV9uk1gyzauGU8RCib1WMoJkpAKMSERW7Mc7ORlQo5AkedY1Bb24-I1UEgCWXTRh7ms5VE0c_0odd_Vu_BjWujFb3GkPaI7bU6VcZgww/s1600/IMG_5997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YXzAfoD-6y55gJMfcHMACQBB78JjygsZ7-XMV9uk1gyzauGU8RCib1WMoJkpAKMSERW7Mc7ORlQo5AkedY1Bb24-I1UEgCWXTRh7ms5VE0c_0odd_Vu_BjWujFb3GkPaI7bU6VcZgww/s400/IMG_5997.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590350642460358674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0SPJfIj1a3_Vx9rr-g4J5lQmXnEXehE1ovcxm0zVmcmI24FnT_n0kD-U4Z30wR4ZAKBxbHWIljlH7cddNzHjR4gs7QWWoUKJrWCNhJQ4IEXujlvrkHu0HDlpcQgbwpZlrZMkQT9neNI/s1600/IMG_5990.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0SPJfIj1a3_Vx9rr-g4J5lQmXnEXehE1ovcxm0zVmcmI24FnT_n0kD-U4Z30wR4ZAKBxbHWIljlH7cddNzHjR4gs7QWWoUKJrWCNhJQ4IEXujlvrkHu0HDlpcQgbwpZlrZMkQT9neNI/s400/IMG_5990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590342260808865858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd8c_sJgpkaS3F9IKVEf7CW1L7G9qavfuFiHJoRiAzBT5E6VipCF7F2LiE9a027FYALaxK_D00C45G12D7UFDIhk1UG4CZLkZJNvBNYlrE-U1OiJr8iCzZTfhzGM91vc9yq4Fg5uxFpI/s1600/IMG_5983.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86ryv1LvoHmqqnL3UrWgrr87JNYzSOb8Mg781N3eksSXu7bVHZRVZ9tmh3wfuJRkTmFyFA4EpPhNRbQ-W-v5W42bprwaaV_664xhTTlhJuzzS4TSlvRVJJVRO-QapH0Hs7N60ZiaxAyA/s1600/IMG_5975.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86ryv1LvoHmqqnL3UrWgrr87JNYzSOb8Mg781N3eksSXu7bVHZRVZ9tmh3wfuJRkTmFyFA4EpPhNRbQ-W-v5W42bprwaaV_664xhTTlhJuzzS4TSlvRVJJVRO-QapH0Hs7N60ZiaxAyA/s400/IMG_5975.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590342262016820626" border="0" /></a>MarsManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12573421776767311868noreply@blogger.com2