Soaking in the bhav...

A beautiful weekend of love, light, celebration and being a family...

Bhakti-fied!!!

Just another Sunday

Yes, I know it is now Thursday...but these pics are from Sunday. We have discovered that being a parent sends you into a time warp. Every day we're like "wow, another day finished already?"

Daddy and Clark at the Studio City Farmer's Market...ahhhh....my boys....


Then Clark at Keric's house...we were trying to get him to nap but he was having no part of it...

And today, we're off to Bhakti Fest in Joshua Tree...pics to come!

Clark Says...

...Daddy, don't gimme no lip.

Clark rolls over

and over and over...

He discovered this week that he can roll from his belly to his back and he is super stoked about it...video to come.

A representative from the Regional Center came out to do an evaluation of Clark yesterday. They work with babies born prematurely and track their progress. So, Clark is 6 1/2 months chronologically but is expected to be at 2-3 months developmentally. Well...Clark whizzed right through the 2 month evaluation as well as the 3 month. It was cute to see the Rep jotting notes very quickly as Clark performed all his developmental skills for her. She kept saying "oh, wow...he is already doing ______-that is a 4 month skill and my goodness, he is doing _______-that is a 5 month skill. Clark was totally showing off and of course we were so proud!

Happy September

Clark just wanted to let you know that everything is groovy!

Swimmin'

Another Can't Sleep Blog

Yeah...can't sleep.
Actually went out on Monday night to see a pal's band at the House of Blues. Stayed up til 2am. Paid for it the next morn...and I only had two drinks!? WTF? Daddy fatigue is a biznitch. Come on though, waking up to this face can cure any ailment!
So I'm downstairs in our living room. The AC is much more prevalent here and I'm enjoying the cool. Couldn't believe it was 104 today! And probably will be again tomorrow. Yikes. Have been up for a couple of hours now. Clark, keeps stirring and I'm thinking he's gonna be "up" up any minute. Had him to myself tonight so Christy could "Eat Pray Love" with a pal. We danced to a Prince LP, 1999 (yes, a real record). I played some guitar for him (poorly...he fell asleep). We danced, then I took him in the shower with me, oiled him up, jammied him down, and got him to bed by 8:30pm. Soooo, he should wake up any minute to eat, right? Yeah, I've been saying that to myself since 1:30. Starting to get tired now. I could go to bed, then of course he'll really start thrashin'. Murphy's Law.

Oooh, wait. Hearing a stir on the monitor. Could be any minute now for reals!

Okay, I'll wrap this up.

Had a great weekend...again. Visited a pregnant pal who's about to pop any day now. Checked out her new digs...including the sweet swimmin' hole!
The pool plum tuckered him out and he passed out on their floor (with our help of course). And when he's out cold like that...perfect time to trim those lethal finger blades of his:
I'm used to it now, but every nail trim session feels like diffusing a bomb. "Please don't cut too close, please don't cut too close, please don't cut too close!"

Clark Otis is doing some new things!
- Gurgling! Yes, he has found a way to collect enough spit to form a foam of bubbles...and he enjoys it!
- Thumbsucking! He kept missing there for a while. Inserting his entire fist, or maybe a trifecta of digits. Nope, tonight...he achieved thumbsucking cuteness!
-Rolling over! With a little help from a rolled up burp cloth under his chest, he figured out how to get from his front to his back. (Video to come)
- And just when we thought he couldn't get any cuter...he freakin' does!

Ooop? More stirring? Hearing some serious lip smacking and some grunts. This could be it. Time to rouse, change, feed, and put back to bed...then maybe tend to Clark too. ;-)

Wish You Were Here

Happy Sunday everyone from Tony's Darts in Burbank! xo

Saturday afternoon power nap

We were about to leave for a BBQ and I came downstairs to my boys all tuckered out....

6 Month Check up

Clark had his 6 month check up today. He is doing so well that we don't have to go back to the doctor for 2 more months!

Weight: 12lbs 5 oz
Height: 24 inches

He smiles so much now and is growing so fast. Often we look at him and our eyes well up with tears. He is happy. He is healthy. He is our little miracle and we are so grateful.

Clark LOVES to get all strapped into my chest and take walks...we have been doing it everyday. Look at his cute little face!!

Happy Half Birthday!!!

Today, Clark Otis is 6 months young! As a special treat, we have made him the Monkey Ambassador. Ooo ooo, eee eee!

Gaga for Clark

We successfully had our first Date Night this past Wednesday! As you can see, Christy and I got all dolled up; B.C. (Before Clark) that was a usual past time. Gettin' dressed up and going out on the town was our specialty. Of course, taking care of him is a happy trade for our once frivolous nightlife. Rest assured, as soon as he is able, we'll dress him up and he'll hit the town with us! Though these jaunts will most likely be in the afternoon/early evening.

We hired a dear and trusted friend to babysit, got ourselves a town car, and two car-garitas later, we arrived at Staples Center for Lady Gaga! And I'm sorry, say what you will (haters), but she is one of the most fearless, most talented, most real performers we've come across in a long time. The concert was spectacular! A true event! We had such a great time! As great of a time as we ever had B.C., with some minor differences:

- Our conversations almost always included mention of Clark.
- Periodically checking our phones for texts, not from friends, but
from the babysitter.
- As soon as the concert started...we were exhausted!
- All thoughts and conversations almost always included Clark.
(Did I type that already?) Yup. We even took a break to cycle
through some pictures cuz we missed the little dude so much!
- We zeroed in on any small child we saw at the concert (yes, people actually
brought their 8 - 10 year old to a Lady Gaga concert) and dreamed of the day
we can take him to see his favorite musical artist (dear Goddess, let it not
be angry-grunge-metal).

All that withstanding, we needed that night. For both of us. For the good of the family unit. I'm sure even as Clark gets older and begins to join us for fun outings, he will understand that sometimes Mommy and Daddy have to go out by themselves too. In fact, I'm sure he'll want a break from us occasionally. We're surprised he hasn't requested one already, considering
I don't think there's a moment where one of us is not all up in his grill.

Got home right before midnight and he was in his crib, asleep. We kissed him on his forehead then waited for his mid-AM feed. I think I was still a bit tipsy when I changed his diaper. I think he found it hilarious.

Christy and I have pledged to give ourselves a once a month night out, even if it's just to go out to dinner. Man, it's great that we've graduated to that. It's like we can relax now because we are so far out of the woods. We can finally allow ourselves special parent-time to celebrate us...and him...and for whatever happens next.

Mornin' Daddy!!!

Just wanted to share a special text I got this morning while I was on set. Check out them dimples!!!

"Nobody messes with this here giraffe, see!"

on being cute...

Working my new outfit...

Lounging on my giant teddy....

I kind of HAVE to be a Titans fan since my mama is from TN...

I Just Love Being a Dad!

Man o man, when the days are good...they're sweeter than Yoo Hoo! Thankfully we have many of these days. Clark is by far the best thing to happen to me since Christy. Sometimes I forget that he's actually mine. My 'son'. "Hey son!" "Alright son." "I can't right now, I'm spending time with my son." Ha! I squeal like a little girl about it. Since Clark came home, May 17, he continues to thrive. He's already outgrown the insert for his car-seat. He fills up his Moses basket. His not-so-little-anymore head surpasses the 'newborn' neck-rest of his bathtub. We've now graduated to the
bigger sized diapers and are introducing a whole new drawer of clothes that were once too big, are fitting just fine.

He cooes and gurgles. Sometimes sounding like an infant Wookie. Aarrrghghlllll. Hm, I think I might try to make that my new ring tone! He loves getting his diaper changed and loves the process of taking on and off his clothes. It just gets him so excited. I've started the habit of humming "Don't Stop Til Ya Get Enough" by Michael Jackson when I perform these tasks. The high pitched beat seems to tickle him.

Today we did some artwork. Check it.


It was trial and error at first. I realized, it was much easier to bring the paint to his feet than his feet to the paint. He seemed to love the sensation of it between his toes. I foresee the future...Clark, age 18, in the Sand Dunes of Colorado, with a huge canvas, painting in the nude.
Or maybe he'll sell pencils...whatever...I'll still love him!


This weekend we had special visitors. Two couples we befriended in the NICU. Meet Julie and Barry, and their TRIPLETS!


That's right, this play date was chock full of baby. As cute as Emmett, Noah, and Hudson were, Christy and I are certainly happy that we only have one. Julie is often on our minds when we experience something challenging with Clark, reminding us that she's probably dealing with the same thing...times three!

That was Friday. On Sunday, Katie and Lynx brought their two cuties, Malik and Kamali.


They were in the NICU before Clark and were much worse off. Poor babies went through multiple surgeries. Katie and Lynx routinely had to dress in a paper gown and rubber gloves just to touch them. Even after they were sent home from the NICU, Malik had to be re-admitted the following week to deal with further complications. But now, they too are home, happy, and family-complete!


Clark was an absolute angel during both visits, especially during a chorus of screaming, teething, triplets. He would only look on with concern. Of course, there are the challenges where all he wants is our attention, to be held, to be fed, changed. He makes these demands obvious. Politely (well, as politely as unabashed screaming can be) that our lives no longer come first. The e-mails can wait. Shower? Maybe tomorrow. That project we wanted to get to...can stand to sit on the shelf for a while. "You need to hold me, bitch!" is the look in his eye. And at first, I'm clenched at being interrupted from my task, but then I pick him up and he instantly soothes...and then I thank him.

Clark goes to San Diego!

We had our first family trip this past weekend. Jason went to Comic Con. Clark, Molly and I stayed as far away from that madness as possible at the Catamaran Hotel in Mission Beach right on the border of Pacific Beach, which for the price is just OK...fyi...I don't think we would stay there again.

They did allow dogs at the hotel, so we decided to take Molly...great in theory, but when you are a mom flying solo for the whole day with a newborn and a dog on the 3rd floor...let's just say it was a lot to handle. But we had a great time. While Jason was out doing his thing, the 3 of us went for a nice long hour and a half walk on the beach walk on Friday and Saturday, which was filled with people walking, running, biking, roller blading and pushing strollers. Our dog, Molly is a GREAT dog...anybody who has met her can attest to the fact that she is super chill, super sweat, super smart and just amazing. What some people don't realize is that she is all of those things UNTIL she gets on a leash...and sees other dogs on a leash...and wheels moving by very fast and hears the loud sound of skate boards whizzing by...Holy Moly, it's like a different dog...the first 1/2 hour was pretty rough. But I hung in there...breathed super slow and deep, visualized her being really calm as all the chaos came and went...and she finally settled and just walked along side us...phew. It was mild (a little chilly for my liking) and mostly cloudy, so we didn't get in the water. We mostly just walked...and it was great. There were so many families. I find it fascinating how people just come right up and talk to us now because evidently newborns make you part of an exclusive club called 'parents'.

We got to soak up the ocean air and just take in the sights and sounds of the water which is one of my favorite things to do...it was so nice. And that night...our little Clark blessed us with 7 hours of straight sleep, woke up, ate and then slept another 3. I felt like a new woman, that was the most sleep I had had in over 5 months. I thanked him profusely throughout the day.

Clark and I went to a Luau on Friday night...check him out...
Then, on Saturday there was a small window of time where it was slightly warm and sunny. So, Clark and I chilled on the beach for about an hour...
Then, Sunday we had a nice brunch before heading home...he was pretty stoked about how cute he looked in his outfit...thanks Dori and Phil!

And he slept through the whole brunch...
Well...almost...he started to get a little hungry towards the end, and I prepared to take him back to the room while Jason settled the bill...and in classic Christy style...I karate chopped my mimosa, sending oj, champagne and glass all over me and the ground...luckily missing Clark...it was awesome...

Clark was amazing on the ride back to LA. He woke up about 45 minutes before we got home, really ready to eat...and since the traffic was pretty bad...it was definitely time. We had already been on the road almost 3 hours. However, we did talk to Clark and let him know that we understood he was hungry and would gladly pull off to feed him but asked if he would think about it for 5 minutes and then decide if he could wait till we got home or if he really wanted us to stop now. He thought about it for about 2 minutes and then started crying again...to which we said, that was not quite 5 minutes...give it the full 5 and then we will do what we need to. Now of course, Jason and I were simply buying some time trying to keep him calm as traffic was a beast and it would be a bit before we could find an exit. But it really seemed that he understood us...that's the way we decided to interpret anyway and isn't that the reality of what we created? So, in our eyes, Clark decided to wait it out...super calm, super chill. Forty five minutes later, we arrived home and were able to feed him in the comfort of home...then we all went outside, lied on a blanket and watched the wind move through the trees and listened to the sounds of nature for over an hour...the perfect way to ground after a trip...

This morning...my heart melted at this site...
Our little family...all together in bed after a good night's sleep...ahhhh....

Stats

Clark had his 5 month check up today and is doing so great. The doctor is very pleased!

In the past month, he gained 2lbs 6 ozs-he now weighs 10lbs 10ozs! He also grew 1 3/4 inches so is now 22 3/4 inches long!! What a big boy he is!

So, the other night when I had him in the spa...he was sort of floating on his back with my support and when he would move his arms and legs-I would move him in the water. When he stopped, I would stop. It took him only 2 times of this before he figured out if he kicked his arms and legs- he moved. He got so excited by this and would kick, kick, kick and move his arms about. This went on to his sheer delight for quite some time...ADORABLE!

Last night, I decided to take a bath with him in our tub...so we could both go to bed at the same time. Well...he got in the bath and immediately started kicking and moving his arms about...he wanted to swim like he had the night before...and was not too pleased that his efforts were not creating the desired results. Looks like it is his bath, the spa or a pool...no more of this bath that sort of feels like he could swim in it.

Amazing...

Clark goes for a swim

Wednesday night, the girls from this year's teacher training got together for dinner, swimming, love and laughter. Clark loves going on adventures as I call them. Everyday, no matter how small...we go on an 'adventure' together. He is so cute as I put him in his car seat, he gets this super satisfied grin on his face as I say "We're going on an adventure".

Anyhoo...it was at the lovely Rose's home, who has a pool. We arrived, I fed him via breast then bottle (I always have to supplement after-but that is a whole blog in of itself that I may dive into one day). After allowing for digestion, it was time for a swim. Clark gets a bath every other night and LOVES it. In fact, some nights, we have fed him, changed him, played with him, I have nursed him and he is still fussy. We will finally realize that is bath night and the minute we put him in the bath...voila...so chill and relaxed. He knows...even when we forget. Smart boy...knows what he likes.

So, back to the pool...it was heated to a nice 88 degrees and we got in and floated around for at least 20 minutes...he loved it. His little feet kickin'...he would lean back and kick and then forward onto my chest and kick. I am in awe of him. Check us out...


After we got out, he proceeded to be held and cuddled and loved and passed around to at least 10 beautiful goddess...he was in heaven...again, smart boy...knows what he likes. Definitely daddy's little boy :)

That night, I nursed him when we got home and he passed OUT...and slept the longest he ever has in a row...6 hours!

The next night we decided to get in our spa with Clark...we had the temp at a nice warm 96. That night...5 hours of straight sleep. We got ourselves a new nightly ritual! Now we just need about 10 girls to come over and hold and cuddle him after :)

Well....

Actually...Clark was 21 weeks yesterday and is 5 months on Saturday...but who's counting...I mean...clearly not us :)

Tomorrow is 20 Weeks!!! Let's Celebrate Early!

Here's an early Christmas card for y'all. Enjoy!
(Make sure to click 'Full Screen' for maximum Cuteness)

Ha Ha

Clark just would not sleep today. I mean, a little nap here, tiny doze there, but otherwise he seemed to just wanna play, be picked up, be entertained. So we took him to a bar. For reals. Well, technically it was grandfathered in as a restaurant, so babies are allowed. For those in Burbank who haven't experienced Tony's Darts, check it out. Locally brewed beers and a vegan menu.

So tonight, after a few eps of Mad Men, we did our nightly wind down in hopes to get Clark to sleep. Just wouldn't do it. Not without some sort of cuddle or nipple in his mouth. Laying him down in his crib...didn't want any of that.

I'm still pretty awake too, so I relieved Christy and sat down to give him one more bottle in hopes to top him off. We feel he's graduated to the "Level 2" nipple, allowing him to work less as he feeds. Well, as he took the bottle, the more drowsy he became. When I sat him up to burp, he dangles over my hand like a drunk...then moments later, like a drunk...he laughed! He totally chuckled. Kind of like a guffaw. It cracked me up, cuz I had no idea what it was about the situation that was funny to him. Of course it didn't have to be funny, the little dude just felt like laughing. I would even categorize it as a triumphant laugh! Like "I did it folks! I was up all day! Party on!"

So sweet. So amazing. I feel so lucky to have had him in my arms at that exact moment to witness that.

Though for some reason he did remind me a bit of Herman Munster.

Out and About

At long last, a word from Daddy! Sorry ya'll, we just don't care about our readers as much anymore...not! (Haha, thought I'd bring that back.) So, 4th of July was one of many small adventures we, the family 'we', embarked upon since my last official post. Independence Day morn we took Clark to a fun Farmer's Market up in Montrose, then that evening to a house party in Shermak Oaks, via a sister-yoga studio, to celebrate with mutual pals, students, teachers. Oh, and Mary Loise Parker from "Weeds"! Yeah! Besides showing off the boy and grazing at the buffet nothin' really exciting to report. When we take Clark out, most usually, he sleeps. When he wakes or stirs, we feed him. The only fun thing to describe would be the extra level of pride that swells as people fawn all over him. He did enjoy his first out-of-belly Kirtan experience, aaaaand loved it!

Thanks to a lot of you we haven't had to buy Clark a single outfit. I did get him some cute sweatpants at American Apparel and a Tigger onesie from the Dis Store. But here are a few faves from friends:

The little rocker!


Yup. Clark will have to love Mickey just as much as Daddy.


Clark is ready for the playa in his Burning Man outfit! I absolutely could not wait for him to fit into this! Hey, real men wear pink!

When we're not carting him around town or playing dress up, there is lots of snuggling!


Or setting him up on places to marvel at his diminutive cuteness!


As fun as he is, and I'm sure I don't need to tell you guys, loving Clark is a full time job! So pardon the Chronicle hiatus. We figure we've got at least 18 years of this and you guys haven't been too demanding.

Coming up:
Clark goes to San Diego.
Clark gets his first Nanny-sit as Mom and Dad check out Lady Gaga.
Clark goes back to where he was conceived! Bhakti Fest in Joshua Tree.
Then BACK to Joshua Tree for the annual Yoga Blend Chakra Retreat.
THEN...Nashville???
Holy shiz, kids...there's more to come!

Twins Basil...Twins

Clark and I had a GREAT afternoon. We went to drop off some extra diapers that Clark has outgrown at another new mom's house who has twins. We have only known each other a short while...but our circumstances have made us seem like lifetime friends. Her girls were also born early and spent 7 and 9 weeks in the NICU. They were Clark's crib neighbors and were just a few weeks behind us in going home...which they both are now and are doing great. The bond between us is deep...as was evident by our 3 hour visit. I had planned to stay only an hour but also gave her the option of just dropping the diapers on the porch as I totally get how fast the energy level can change and how visitors can take it out of you completely. However, we seemed to give each other energy...talking, sharing, remembering, tearing up, laughing, feeding babies, jumping to 50 different topics and never really completing one...it was perfect...

Below is a picture of the 3 of them...just chilling together...SO CUTE! It looks like Clark is showing them some yoga...hee, hee!

So Big

I have been working on a post for 3 days and cannot seem to finish it...so I just thought I would post a picture.

Does he look as big to you as he does us? Amazing to watch him grow...especially since he started so small...

Back to work

So, yesterday was my first day back teaching at Yoga Blend in 4 1/2 months. What a JOY it was to be back at my sacred home again with all the wonderful friends and students that are like family to me. We had a blast...the energy was amazing...and I felt like my old self, but brand new....

Someone said I don't know how you can stand being away from him. It is hard but for the first 3 months of Clark's life, I had to be away from him every night and usually for 10 or more hours (driving home, sleeping, eating, driving back the next morn). So, to be away for just 2 1/2-3 hours seems like nothing. Yes, I miss him, but knowing that he is home with Daddy just minutes away is so different than him being 45 minutes away in a hospital where we can only move 3 feet away from his crib because of all the monitors. It is a whole different world for sure. So, it is hard, but I love what I do and I really missed doing it...so I am back to teaching, just 3 classes a week for now. I am really excited about it and I think that is something great that I can offer Clark because he can feel that from me...my passion and love for what I do...he may not know what it means but he knows what he feels...and when I feel good...so does he!

I have an amazing assistant who happens to be a dear friend (double blessing) who many of you know-Marriah. She handles all kinds of stuff from the studio to the personal and is way more than awesome. Over the next few weeks, she will start helping with Clark so that if it so happens Jason has to work when I am teaching or when I start doing privates again at the house, she is there to help out in the middle of all the other things she is doing. Here she is giving Clark a bottle for the first time...so sweet!


Although Clark has never been there...he loves NY as you can see by his outfit (thanks Nicole!)

He is outgrowing outfits left and right and seems to be expanding before our eyes...I mean literally. He will lay down for a nap and when he wakes up...he looks bigger...it is crazy!

And YES, to all those that have been asking...I will be bringing him to the studio...for sure! And he will be there A LOT. I just want him to get a little bigger so he can handle all the LOVE that will be pouring all over him! We are so blessed and excited that he gets to grow up in such a place of warmth, community and love...

It's A Good Thing I'm Not Tired

Well, not too tired anyway. This little angel you see in the following pics represents maybe 15 minutes of "sleeping Clark". In between about two hours of "I'm sleepy...no wait, I'm awake...I'm sleepy...no wait, I'm hungry...I'm sleepy, no wait..." and me, like an OCD case, repetitively opening the refrigerator to take out his bottle, only to put it back in once he nodded off. Back to the couch I went to lay him down, only to have him stir and fuss with annoyance at me for not reading his mind, which apparently was saying "Yo! Even though I ate a full bottle not an hour ago, I'm ready for another one, bitch!"

Yeah, I know...language. I don't know where he picks it up.



Okay, he seems to be down now. For real. I should probably sleep too, but I gots some bloggin' to do.

Took him to work with me this afternoon to show him off! With a great display of fatherly pride, I would offer "Do you wanna hold him?". I'd just beam as if I just made a delicious sauce; "Here, you gotta try this!" I love watching my friends hold Clark in their arms. He reduces the most stoic to a babbling, grinning, silly-song-singing mess! It's classic!

He's getting more dense. Heavier. Longer. His face continues to mold itself right before our eyes. We make a joke of it, but truly he's getting cuter by the second! He's starting to experiment with sounds. Amusing himself with coos and gurgles. His demands are becoming greater. At night, he still offers us maybe two or three hours of sleep at a time. As eagerly as I can muster, I pull myself out of bed and begin the routine. Sometimes, after I change him, warm his bottle, and begin feeding him...I'm so tired I just want to cry.

But look at this face!



It's all so worth it! I don't even need to remind myself. It's soldered into my heart.

Alas, last evening I declared a temporary STOP in visitors. It just got to the point where I would be so tired, have an appointment or errand during the day, and between Clark care, next thing you know it's five o' clock and a new guest is scheduled to come by. The day is lost and somehow I missed time for a nap. So...no offense friends...but like Nancy Reagan wanted, we're "just saying no".


Ahhh, he's asleep. I'm gonna stay awake a bit longer. Next time he stirs it's Christy's shift. Can't wait for tomorrow to see what happens next!