tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49347990019495962692024-03-04T22:55:52.512-08:00The Crazy Clarks and Other OdditiesA journey through the life (and parenthood) of Ken and Stephanie ClarkKen and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-68299177867090571822013-03-06T19:05:00.001-08:002013-03-06T19:05:40.272-08:00Christian's Second Birthday LetterMy Dearest Christian,<br />
<br />
I think on all the times I've called you My Redemption. And I think maybe I never really knew what I meant when I said that till now. On the other hand, maybe it's not that I didn't know, it's that I now feel it fully from the very depths of my being.<br />
<br />
I know that I could not live without you. Every part of me craves you, my Little Wonder. Your sweet hugs, your even sweeter kisses are the highlight of my day. When I walk in the door you're excited greeting of a hearty, "Mama!!!!" makes everything ok. Even when I let everyone else in the world down, when I fail or fall, somehow I'm still your hero...I'm still your "Mommy". And that title is one that I humbly accept.<br />
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You are such a wonder. Every little thing amazes you. Your eyes shine bright when you recognize something still so new to your little world. A car or a truck, a bird or a dog, a banana or couscous...no matter what it is, the world astounds you. And it gives me hope. Hope that maybe there is still a trace of humanity left. That maybe there is redemption for all...through the sweet eyes of a little boy. <br />
<br />
If every Mother loves their child the way I love you, I don't know why there is such hatred in the world. Why there are wars or pain or oppression. All I want is for you to know true love, adoration, empathy, sincerity. I wish the world to be kind to you in your discoveries. The world can be such a place of wonder.<br />
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And I know one day you'll break my heart. Daddy told me this will inevitably happen...even if I don't believe him, maybe I know it's true. But on that day, I will look back on the age you are right now. I will recall all your expressions (there are so many!), I will reminisce how a kiss was enough to cure any "boo boo", I will recollect how I was your Hero.<br />
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Thank you for every moment. Thank you for every kiss. Thank you for every sweet reassuring touch. I love you more than anything. And if you ever doubt it, read this and know I am forever yours.<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday, My Love. And here's to many many more beautiful years of you blessing my life and our family. <br />
<br />
Love Always,<br />
Mama<br />
<br />
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<br />Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-60974548125237914102012-06-28T13:52:00.000-07:002012-06-28T13:52:26.872-07:00Uncertain Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't usually get political on my blog. In fact, I never do. However, after the decision made by the Supreme Court to uphold the personal mandate for health insurance, I have to use whatever outlet I can to communicate to my generation the severity and long term consequences that have, in fact, taken place today. Let me start off with a short personal story. <br />
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My husband was diagnosed with skin cancer several years ago. Thankfully, we have had the cancerous cells removed whenever a patch cropped up, and at the moment he is living cancer free. Praise the Lord.<br />
<br />
But because my husband works for himself, his insurance went up over 100% when the insuance company found out about his diagnosis. He went from paying about $300 a month with a $1,000 deductible, to paying over $700 a month with the same deductible over night.<br />
<br />
My husband has never failed to pay a bill...or even to pay a bill on time (except for this one time when he boycotted ATT). He is more than responsible and even helped me with my debt when I met him. He has never not had insurance. He takes care of himself. He paid out of pocket several thousand dollars to have his cancer removed in hopes the insurance company wouldn't up his premiums. Obviously, that didn't happen. (Insurance companies couldn't care less about upping your monthly output.) <br />
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The main reason I went back to work after I had Christian, was to ensure my husband would have insurance coverage. With the possibility of more cancer showing up, we didn't want to chance his insurance company dropping him. Also, I didn't want to have to worry about my husband putting off important doctor's visits because of cost. <br />
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My point in sharing this personal story, is to express the fact that I understand how messed up our healthcare system is in this country. I know firsthand how unfair and overwhelming it can be to just stay healthy.<br />
<br />
However, under Obama's healthcare law, we will be paying trillions of dollars to cover 30 million uninsured people's insurance. There is no way we can support this type of plan. Our country simply doesn't produce any amount of money anywhere close to what is necessary to enact this type of policy. And it sounds great, right? Healthcare for everyone. But when you have a system that is crumbling financially, you don't add to the decay.<br />
<br />
I'm worried about Christian's future. What type of country will he be living in when this policy goes into full effect? What type of debt will be added to his tab that he nor his grandchildren or granchildren's children will ever be able to pay off?<br />
<br />
Not to mention, the unrest that is taking place overseas is at a hightened level. People like Putin are sitting back and watching America destroy itself from the inside out. <br />
<br />
There are so many aspects of Obamacare that are a detriment to our country as it is. But providing healthcare to over 30 million people who supposedly can't afford it will break the American bank. We need a better option. And we need it now. If there was ever a time to be complacent or negligent, now is not that time. It is time to get informed. It is time to becomes involved. It is time to get your own house in order, because the times to come are uncertain. There is no security in more government and more government regulation. There is only security in self and God. See to your preparedness, for I predict hard times are upon us.Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-66605177677152335082012-05-30T07:52:00.002-07:002012-05-30T07:52:58.641-07:00Nursing My Toddler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, it's been 14 (almost 15) months, and Christian's nursing journey has changed so much. I remember, in the beginning, wondering if my child would ever go more than 10 minutes without nursing...and now I relish every moment he wants to be on the breast because he does it so infrequently.<br />
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At about 9 months he began REALLY eating solid foods...we found out quickly that pizza was manna from Heaven. At this point, nursing became more and more about comfort than actual nourishment. And I felt accomplished in "making it" nine months of giving him breastmilk exclusively. It was at this time that we decided to start mixing breastmilk with organic bovine milk. The Canadian Society of Pediatrics states that babies who have been exclusively breastfed are fine to start having cow's milk at 9 months of age, and the logic behind their recommendation made sense to us. Also, after nine months of pumping 40 hours a week, my supply had dropped off by about one feeding a day (3 oz).<br />
<br />
Christian had no problems drinking bovine milk. Apparently, some babies struggle to drink dairy because of allergies...my kid was NOT one of them. And even though he liked cow's milk, he would still have rather nursed when we were together. Which was fine by me...<br />
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At about 11 months I stopped pumping as much at work. Since Christian was 8 weeks old, I had pumped 3-4 times a day at work. (This was NO SMALL TASK considering I work retail...I will always be proud of my efforts and success in this area.) I began pumping only 2 times a day to only 1 time a day to pumping no times a day. Many women express serious discomfort when discontinuing pumping at work, but I did it the best way...a little at a time...and I experienced almost no discomfort.<br />
<br />
The only "discomfort" I did experience was the feeling of "I should be pumping right now...". Like there was something I needed to be doing and wasn't. It was strange. It was a relief to not have to tote my big ole' "milk bag" around, but at the same time it was a sad period for me. It was all so bittersweet. I remember crying to my trainer at the gym because I had started my period and I knew in my heart that Christian's "need" for breastmilk had waned. <br />
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At one year, Christian had a photo shoot for his first birthday. I decided to to do a nursing session since I wasn't sure how much longer he would actually be on the breast and I wanted to capture every moment.<br />
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My little nursling proved to be quite the ham as he cuddled with me and rolled around from breast to breast playfully...he nursed sweetly, showing off his favorite pastime. The pictures say it all...<br />
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At 14 months old, Christian continues to nurse at night and at nap times when we are together. He still loves "the boobies" and can point to them if you ask him where they are. At night he asks for them by pulling at my shirt and saying "that!". It is something that may sound strange to someone who has never nursed a child, but is a behavior that I will forever hold close to my heart. It even makes Ken smile to see Christian instantly soothed by the comfort of my breast.<br />
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I recently experienced sadness over the fact that I am producing almost no milk. I wondered if I was holding onto something selfishly...so I consulted two of my friends that are nursing their toddlers to see what they were experiencing. They confirmed that they, too, were producing little milk...that they could barely hear their nursling swallow anymore (a sound that any nursing mother comes to know and love). But more importantly, they confirmed that this was still "nursing"; that this was how toddlers nursed. It's almost like a "frees style" time in their nursing journey where it's touch and go, but where it is truly about love and closeness. I was instantly comforted by their feedback! I was thankful that we could keep on keeping on without it being about "production" and instead, being about whatever we wanted it to be. It's like the Golden Time. It's what we've worked so hard for...<br />
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Through all the sleepless nights, through all the fumblings in the middle of the night where mouth struggles to find breast, through all the worry about "is there enough?", or wondering if I would ever get my body back...now it is what it is...and it was all worth it.<br />
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I'm not ready to give up nursing my little boy. And he isn't ready either. We have something special that no one can touch or take away. It is my gift to him...his gift to me.Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-71903904201890495462012-03-07T19:08:00.000-08:002012-03-07T19:08:36.720-08:00Happy Birthday, ChristianMy Precious Child,<br />
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It's hard for me to write this. It's hard for me to imagine that my little bitty boy is a <i>whole year old</i>. Maybe it's selfish...but it's true.<br />
<br />
My heart is heavy with the idea that you are growing...growing older, growing more independent, growing bigger, growing up. What will I do when I cannot hold you across my body and nurse you to sleep? What will I do when you don't need me to? <br />
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How can this ever get better? How can I love you more? These are the questions I ask myself as your special approaches. Because it's not just you who is growing...it's me, too.<br />
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You have changed the world just by existing. You have enhanced my life just by smiling at me. You have given me purpose by needing me. And you have made life so so much sweeter with those amazing kisses that you give unselfishly!<br />
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Dear God, I pray I can be a good Mommy to you every day for the rest of your life and mine. I pray that you will grow up to be a good man like your Daddy. He loves you as much as Mommy does. And I pray that you always know what so many people spend their entire lives trying to figure out; <i>that you matter</i>. And that you have forever changed an old heart that will forever be unworthy of your love. <br />
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Mommy loves you so much, Son. More than you can ever know. And if you can grow, so can my heart. And I will love you more and more with every passing day.<br />
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Happy Birthday, My Love. God bless you and keep you always by His side.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
MommyKen and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-33444416992795136342011-12-26T08:36:00.000-08:002011-12-26T08:40:14.952-08:00Catching Up...Can you believe I didn't blog ONE single time during the WHOLE month of November and even December? I have SO much catching up to do it's not even funny.<br />
<br />
Soooo...maybe I just knock it out in one big, concise, inclusive blog?!?! I say, "YES!"<br />
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<b>November</b>:<br />
I bought a house! That's right! I guess that makes me an official adult now...More to come on our house...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing my life away!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken, Christian and Diane (Our real estate agent...)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian is very important in his rolling chair at the closing...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03htmJNaYN9FTnFaPqkelISvRjxDPXCEmtUoNJpmZXZZ5ei6oNnzxzb5LQLbMKvAiMKAhdy95SbKzIj0WcZVrwbYkth3PdmXd7vweWs2qumY0XydzOAvti08xNIZHU46n78zgS_Aq1hE/s1600/IMG02470-20111115-1801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03htmJNaYN9FTnFaPqkelISvRjxDPXCEmtUoNJpmZXZZ5ei6oNnzxzb5LQLbMKvAiMKAhdy95SbKzIj0WcZVrwbYkth3PdmXd7vweWs2qumY0XydzOAvti08xNIZHU46n78zgS_Aq1hE/s320/IMG02470-20111115-1801.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sweet congratulatory dessert our waitress made us at the Cheesecake Factory after our closing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LCDt4j0061byJta5Y7E-LroYTGvxc2y_4qzrNbNZPn6KEBuXAR6_eO9luhDkvIxb3V9aRVkSkU2rbp6CTXpv1lxoqzXx8hRAFuzAP6YPgEW6kX_sCvviNI3OAlmWvRMd_HdXbXVBsAA/s1600/IMG02510-20111127-1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LCDt4j0061byJta5Y7E-LroYTGvxc2y_4qzrNbNZPn6KEBuXAR6_eO9luhDkvIxb3V9aRVkSkU2rbp6CTXpv1lxoqzXx8hRAFuzAP6YPgEW6kX_sCvviNI3OAlmWvRMd_HdXbXVBsAA/s320/IMG02510-20111127-1218.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somehow Christian lost his britches at the new house while we were helping Daddy "fix it up"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ3zpq-hOewECWocURZbP5bSalVZp6glCXTA0-kWW7OlM_R4Xi5ElYHhMygdht6Z3PGw3D4eLH8dMgHd9z-WxzYyTQiyeOlpQxDn2w2Ul8yFBeItn2i1YeNP8kz647Hi4umr-2MqiQ-w/s1600/IMG02509-20111127-1151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ3zpq-hOewECWocURZbP5bSalVZp6glCXTA0-kWW7OlM_R4Xi5ElYHhMygdht6Z3PGw3D4eLH8dMgHd9z-WxzYyTQiyeOlpQxDn2w2Ul8yFBeItn2i1YeNP8kz647Hi4umr-2MqiQ-w/s320/IMG02509-20111127-1151.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiles for Mommy! You can see the heinous color the previous tenants used int he sun room. We have had to repaint the WHOLE house...28 gallons (and counting) later and it doesn't hurt your eyes to look at the walls...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Christian <i><b>LOVES</b></i> taking "big boy baths"! No more baby bath tubs for this little guy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWhQIRaMru6YMQii8q_cDZUrcOCvm530xWKfG7YO0KYML1K5XEpVMRl7koexs0uk6L-AkVyFoDBuM4PubSqF0PtAxIlt3TCsj_PnLeFzawMduogLGtP7Hq-g5WF0MfNqCAH6x7o7G9zM/s1600/IMG02578-20111218-2058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWhQIRaMru6YMQii8q_cDZUrcOCvm530xWKfG7YO0KYML1K5XEpVMRl7koexs0uk6L-AkVyFoDBuM4PubSqF0PtAxIlt3TCsj_PnLeFzawMduogLGtP7Hq-g5WF0MfNqCAH6x7o7G9zM/s320/IMG02578-20111218-2058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03YAw-RlKngE90c1Qb6K_Vvb6OwHcjIC7TK_c1wXkvpRm6oij6M4kCst3WLeaTmGrNk_coclanCYbb44yUFSUAFrUs7YwM14so8MckaeoJ3xlxzTij2bEF3Z0mHEX2pS_mWVW7iYkE8Q/s1600/IMG02576-20111218-2057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03YAw-RlKngE90c1Qb6K_Vvb6OwHcjIC7TK_c1wXkvpRm6oij6M4kCst3WLeaTmGrNk_coclanCYbb44yUFSUAFrUs7YwM14so8MckaeoJ3xlxzTij2bEF3Z0mHEX2pS_mWVW7iYkE8Q/s320/IMG02576-20111218-2057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Christian also went from <i>loving</i> baby food to only wanting "big boy food" like, overnight...so he's in this weird stage where he wants to eat <i>everything</i> you're eating, but he doesn't have the teeth to do it with! He has <u>one</u> tooth coming in right now and as far as teething is concerned, you'd never know a difference in his personality. He's not drooling any more than usual. He doesn't appear to be in any pain or discomfort. It's kind of strange. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop (which I'm sure it now will since I just had to open my big mouth...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4Kjg1PCioW2LBu9I1lL1ZxQHELxghxCIJRWFVzAONVuoEBNr4lZi788Urwp4uiG4lIOaQu70JcpAigW7ZpexJvgrAq_PYpl25b73Mkcz4-HI8hme07B9tXVEnQMUn68SDefuLirn7u4/s1600/IMG02526-20111205-2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4Kjg1PCioW2LBu9I1lL1ZxQHELxghxCIJRWFVzAONVuoEBNr4lZi788Urwp4uiG4lIOaQu70JcpAigW7ZpexJvgrAq_PYpl25b73Mkcz4-HI8hme07B9tXVEnQMUn68SDefuLirn7u4/s320/IMG02526-20111205-2003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating meatballs (HIS FAVORITE!) and sweet potato french fries...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I went through Holiday at my store and we rocked it out BIG TIME! I'm sad that the Christmas season is over...I'm probably the <b>ONLY</b> person in retail who <i>LOVES</i> Christmas in retail. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP22AwNL_Y74oVdPUMsFQbnZVgZ1mq6Bn52GCSP-SsfeJYO9PbfYMLNE24sIaq7YgEbh8owzaSx-80Vw6tpMCbV_W1eqkvVJif0-JXRbxBKHBTqr84sBslZA942pkjft9lwb59tovp-o/s1600/DSC04428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP22AwNL_Y74oVdPUMsFQbnZVgZ1mq6Bn52GCSP-SsfeJYO9PbfYMLNE24sIaq7YgEbh8owzaSx-80Vw6tpMCbV_W1eqkvVJif0-JXRbxBKHBTqr84sBslZA942pkjft9lwb59tovp-o/s320/DSC04428.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Holiday Team!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHdQ5t8WkinHg3C5zUdpDqWkM2BEW9C-syDjkhbElRaoTvmnlUmnis52gvkiWy5o5GbCh6Hy86pphuFw3B6r5C8TNDxqwp6M5Yu4MXDySQf6RcwVXCQEYF33kIz5s_QbjUmxU3VnGPHw/s1600/DSC04430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHdQ5t8WkinHg3C5zUdpDqWkM2BEW9C-syDjkhbElRaoTvmnlUmnis52gvkiWy5o5GbCh6Hy86pphuFw3B6r5C8TNDxqwp6M5Yu4MXDySQf6RcwVXCQEYF33kIz5s_QbjUmxU3VnGPHw/s320/DSC04430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My AMAZING management team and their FEARLESS leader!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Grandma INSISTS on dressing me up...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ftRR33mit5QM1JyeEN1AsRE0aReTvVr89v5BrCY_SxL5LE3BUj_K2cUy5f5vg-jamPiweSha9odHcWAeapivAKSZ-LBpQDoJbDqAXmEW5kH5kMoEzPc4sCIgzu_SobCzN458uhKb7XE/s1600/thanksgiving+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ftRR33mit5QM1JyeEN1AsRE0aReTvVr89v5BrCY_SxL5LE3BUj_K2cUy5f5vg-jamPiweSha9odHcWAeapivAKSZ-LBpQDoJbDqAXmEW5kH5kMoEzPc4sCIgzu_SobCzN458uhKb7XE/s320/thanksgiving+3.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhp2sV_Dh_ft_ZLtZ-aXtjR4Ul4sP86CXzVwJU44gzWtEJ0j1cC-2BEsfJqCHENICUcW4dUgqlKALRp8l_TYYUYDGNRqU6AdGqBeAMbD-po-Buo3_mh6xX50JvLnUflZYS44pQEgBwCQ/s1600/thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhp2sV_Dh_ft_ZLtZ-aXtjR4Ul4sP86CXzVwJU44gzWtEJ0j1cC-2BEsfJqCHENICUcW4dUgqlKALRp8l_TYYUYDGNRqU6AdGqBeAMbD-po-Buo3_mh6xX50JvLnUflZYS44pQEgBwCQ/s320/thanksgiving.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05zb2zLVulKSrznRpzea07KzQFYdrM0J1BbuMaxdOLtLshGpGMuzxsCQAZdnTx_qqOMsN0LLBM7DNPr262u9igkCt3RlyPqeMlo1AYg6XwWLcwkIeI3IqWTHSYq7-6T-TRXexO2tKKAo/s1600/thanksgiving+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05zb2zLVulKSrznRpzea07KzQFYdrM0J1BbuMaxdOLtLshGpGMuzxsCQAZdnTx_qqOMsN0LLBM7DNPr262u9igkCt3RlyPqeMlo1AYg6XwWLcwkIeI3IqWTHSYq7-6T-TRXexO2tKKAo/s320/thanksgiving+2.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>Christian got to hang out with his BFF, Zeryk. Christian LOVES Zeryk...and Zeryk tolerates Christian. In his family, Zeryk is the youngest and whenever someone refers to Christian as "the baby", Zeryk is quick to remind them that he is "the baby". It's pretty funny! One day I asked Zeryk if Christian was his buddy. Zeryk said, "No! He's my friend." I had to laugh...but am so thankful that Christian gets to spend time with other children.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDIhTbdLls4MkBCXhg02sL00Jb26TJ9eE3RP4xCodjjT53eKUQVAIUpk0ZywPaDK909ndIjnL0cl6s7IaV0Lk-Ph3A2DVtEIhThCH6IIHcirVSdUSh0Q_5kSa6_a18Vip5n1pOF3TieY/s1600/cruisin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDIhTbdLls4MkBCXhg02sL00Jb26TJ9eE3RP4xCodjjT53eKUQVAIUpk0ZywPaDK909ndIjnL0cl6s7IaV0Lk-Ph3A2DVtEIhThCH6IIHcirVSdUSh0Q_5kSa6_a18Vip5n1pOF3TieY/s320/cruisin.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Christian is on the move! And he is into EVERYTHING! He has a ball playing on the floor with his toys and with Remmy's and we have officially lost the "don't play with that toy it's Remmy's toy" battle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS45yH9DKYMLHl0cQ3AgCEs9iOCWXwETu68HXON9QeSu-cdIT_9sisYRbViu0pHUDCalP1_-r7NDPLA33K9rBdxVZ0yxjkjPxi1WC-PAgdtnzvN6-X4EndtBNWCvEsPfT4P2oaAW0wgM/s1600/IMG02554-20111212-2153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS45yH9DKYMLHl0cQ3AgCEs9iOCWXwETu68HXON9QeSu-cdIT_9sisYRbViu0pHUDCalP1_-r7NDPLA33K9rBdxVZ0yxjkjPxi1WC-PAgdtnzvN6-X4EndtBNWCvEsPfT4P2oaAW0wgM/s320/IMG02554-20111212-2153.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay for toilet paper!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<b>December</b>:<br />
Christian is doing much much better at sleeping through the night! He will usually sleep for about 6 hours straight (and sometimes even 8 on a really good night!) before waking up to be nursed. I have no pictures to represent this change in his life, but you can visibly see a difference in the reduction of bags underneath my eyes. Sometimes when I get home from work, I miss nursing him to sleep if he's already in bed. But I realize it's part of Christian growing up and needing Mommy less and less. It's such a bittersweet thing...<br />
<br />
Christian went to see the doctor on the 8th of December for his 9 month checkup! The doctor confirmed that Christian is a healthy happy boy who remains in the 10th percentile for growth. We are absolutely fine with having a little guy with a big personality! I will do a separate post for this checkup because there was a lot of information learned...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZQpwoVrApshPGnerzfd2weCNRRlIor5GOmsdaNgnvofahs47bdMq9e03R9YuPhN1adqi9yyNwD98P_mBoVAADRL7qI6Qy4bTwT3hxiC2bSCK2KfjnJp-_s2UNKAk9Ot8Ed-qhJKlf1Y/s1600/DSC04563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZQpwoVrApshPGnerzfd2weCNRRlIor5GOmsdaNgnvofahs47bdMq9e03R9YuPhN1adqi9yyNwD98P_mBoVAADRL7qI6Qy4bTwT3hxiC2bSCK2KfjnJp-_s2UNKAk9Ot8Ed-qhJKlf1Y/s320/DSC04563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Daddy celebrated his birthday on the 9th! We took Daddy out for a day of shopping and a dinner of sushi...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm1G-EbluN5om9gfRrk-7rjldRqyqPAjUOyHpAHPzecsf3UTTKrAGH7agCTVos5Y2y6jTMKz_GlYhBoOwl-d86_5W9WnDnIpfp2MY4w4tQOBrYDtL_QxLn1C9WSim6xDYzp1krRthZzE/s1600/bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTm1G-EbluN5om9gfRrk-7rjldRqyqPAjUOyHpAHPzecsf3UTTKrAGH7agCTVos5Y2y6jTMKz_GlYhBoOwl-d86_5W9WnDnIpfp2MY4w4tQOBrYDtL_QxLn1C9WSim6xDYzp1krRthZzE/s320/bday.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the carousel with Daddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jLtFaBcWDNoRgWlGln1yssEnKQobMNCX7phzGTgHbSYGOTyLrY52Rp_eDeq7OjSnLZPdHhm93q7Y3R-su95FT-e_-lqAVrzfCibP0R0haOtd06ci10LNysAuM7IEjcLHx_1nRchlxa4/s1600/bday+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jLtFaBcWDNoRgWlGln1yssEnKQobMNCX7phzGTgHbSYGOTyLrY52Rp_eDeq7OjSnLZPdHhm93q7Y3R-su95FT-e_-lqAVrzfCibP0R0haOtd06ci10LNysAuM7IEjcLHx_1nRchlxa4/s320/bday+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVES playing on the playground</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aONp78WAowtKzUquJzIWBq39CQdNXdSCCXxhi7xZUuQnAwApxFArN9N3wSOyda0M-bdBjEHmDV5x3UWVSUTo135NXdXnxlL_kjHC9XRaaODKwWc8kq0fJT1R0fKe3zLZB9W8jybBzhQ/s1600/bday+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aONp78WAowtKzUquJzIWBq39CQdNXdSCCXxhi7xZUuQnAwApxFArN9N3wSOyda0M-bdBjEHmDV5x3UWVSUTo135NXdXnxlL_kjHC9XRaaODKwWc8kq0fJT1R0fKe3zLZB9W8jybBzhQ/s320/bday+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making friends wherever he goes...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fusylWDyH1eieHRXJwUthtuyQkU42nsCjycTGvTso3RaWGes0dOiXltX2OvjqCvgkzyEfxu8i74-PDwxvjDKtWKkoSn31FXNzy3crR15h_zeWav35R70UseTOJRLS65GYiCOdxI_C7E/s1600/IMG02547-20111209-1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fusylWDyH1eieHRXJwUthtuyQkU42nsCjycTGvTso3RaWGes0dOiXltX2OvjqCvgkzyEfxu8i74-PDwxvjDKtWKkoSn31FXNzy3crR15h_zeWav35R70UseTOJRLS65GYiCOdxI_C7E/s320/IMG02547-20111209-1916.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing with our waitress...we're pretty sure Christian has a thing for Asian women.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSXIhDcYX8tnb_ZMwC8ISAgeBepveHn3SPMtmDf3_Q7rsLUavYbII8oXSiA0FDYQ5cTLzpK95CtqsKipLEWX7sjchVBaCYF0qh5a1ARyyjXzveIvYULVuziAf5fCzp6evxio40K8i9rM/s1600/IMG02546-20111209-1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSXIhDcYX8tnb_ZMwC8ISAgeBepveHn3SPMtmDf3_Q7rsLUavYbII8oXSiA0FDYQ5cTLzpK95CtqsKipLEWX7sjchVBaCYF0qh5a1ARyyjXzveIvYULVuziAf5fCzp6evxio40K8i9rM/s320/IMG02546-20111209-1907.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUSHI! Mana from the gods!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Christian also got to see Santa! And he LOVED him...naturally, my child knows where his bread is buttered...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsPSs1w1sLcEDSeSwYYoPQKp-Z1ILEbi0A9d4zw4MW4rwH48yZOFVThtf_H8tkYHrL38L0vDsL1jD4oKgR7aI189WQIiVw1ElTfiBdOjghITrqSg2OFbIU_0YuxQRy76bpGeYch6GfAw/s1600/santa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsPSs1w1sLcEDSeSwYYoPQKp-Z1ILEbi0A9d4zw4MW4rwH48yZOFVThtf_H8tkYHrL38L0vDsL1jD4oKgR7aI189WQIiVw1ElTfiBdOjghITrqSg2OFbIU_0YuxQRy76bpGeYch6GfAw/s320/santa+2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
Grandma still loves to dress me up...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwOPLMWcThx8xrS5OrTkVXU5x3zKtClKZxWyta5oZT43FRM52s-yDbJO4pbE65bOJwn9fsQb__iSp1mrc1QQUBTPe-fS-VkMSDC9SBNDSKcsQ4gFPGjhQey35CzfKCXeKVn_KvX70lPs/s1600/christian+xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwOPLMWcThx8xrS5OrTkVXU5x3zKtClKZxWyta5oZT43FRM52s-yDbJO4pbE65bOJwn9fsQb__iSp1mrc1QQUBTPe-fS-VkMSDC9SBNDSKcsQ4gFPGjhQey35CzfKCXeKVn_KvX70lPs/s320/christian+xmas.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We spent Christmas at my mother's house...it was wonderful! I will do a longer blog of Christmas day, but we had so much fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nv-y6VNhkhm70zu15RBJe7w0b15XTETNP3aRiJln4xW-UlJOk1KGpondNUd0qrH7vKTYoWWMgGXRw3Zrj9ROwpdWXyU2RWHBlTh6_GDYBTMdc-Y6hBNp7s1I1Ch4wGPcmnk1u7r1ymo/s1600/DSC04672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nv-y6VNhkhm70zu15RBJe7w0b15XTETNP3aRiJln4xW-UlJOk1KGpondNUd0qrH7vKTYoWWMgGXRw3Zrj9ROwpdWXyU2RWHBlTh6_GDYBTMdc-Y6hBNp7s1I1Ch4wGPcmnk1u7r1ymo/s320/DSC04672.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOYS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We've had some busy months! And our little man has flourished. You never understand how thankful you are until you take time to stop and recognize all of your blessings...and the Clarks aren't short on blessings! Here's to a quick "wham-bam-thank you-ma'am!" catch up blog!Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-68634870212391675212011-10-31T03:17:00.000-07:002011-10-31T03:17:24.679-07:00Q & A...because I'm like, ten years old...ok!? Sue me!<div class="post-header"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">I copied this from a fellow blogger <a href="http://presleipaige.blogspot.com/"></a><a href="http://ahjones2010.blogspot.com/">Sometimes, the smallest things take up the most room in your heart...</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Fill in the blanks....<br />
<br />
<br />
If I were to get pregnant again...<br />
**I would scream. Seriously. Because <i>secretly</i> I wouldn't mind (which I suppose isn't a secret anymore...), but I would also be kind of scared because I was <b>not</b> a huge fan of being pregnant the first go round. <br />
<br />
If I could have any job in the world...<br />
**I would be famous. That's all you need to know. (And you know I'd be good at it. I was <b>MADE</b> for the stage, baby!)<br />
<br />
If I had a day to myself...<br />
**I would sleep in, get a massage and go shopping...it's the simple things I miss most, people!<br />
<br />
If I could get married all over again...<br />
**I would elope. <br />
<br />
If I could live anywhere in the US...<br />
**Montana, Wyoming or the Florida Keys...<br />
<br />
If my boy would have been a girl they would have been named...<br />
**Francesca Denise...SUCH a beautiful name!</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br />
If I could have any talent in the world...<br />
**A voice like the girl in Glee...you know, the one who no one likes. Her voice amazes me. I can't believe that God gave someone a voice like that. <br />
<br />
If you met me in real life...<br />
**You would realize that I am rarely being mean...I'm just being funny! Or at least <i>I</i> think I'm funny...<br />
<br />
If I could go back to school and get a different degree...<br />
**I would go back to school to be a lactation consultant or a midwife...like, the old school midwives...you know, the ones that give you a piece of wood to chomp down on and tell you to shut up and push. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br />
If money was no object...<br />
**I would have a shelter for homeless animals and kids...and I would own J Crew and take Michelle Obama out of their marketing. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br />
If I could meet one celebrity, it would be...<br />
**Michael Moore...and then I'd punch him in the face. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br />
If I could shop at only one store the rest of my life...<br />
**Macy's...if you can't find it at Macys or BBW, you don't need it!<br />
<br />
If we were to get another pet it would be...<br />
**A bird! Christian loves birds just like his mommy!<br />
<br />
If I could go on a trip right now...<br />
**I would never come back...seriously. The Keys are calling my name.<br />
<br />
If I had to choose between a house cleaner and a personal chef...<br />
**House cleaner...to give my hubby a break already!<br />
<br />
If I had the option of plastic surgery...<br />
**I'd get 'er done up right! I am not opposed AT ALL!<br />
<br />
Alright! Now feel free to copy and paste to your own blog! (But only if you're ten years old like me...)</div>Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-46706010988284026042011-10-30T19:17:00.000-07:002011-10-30T19:17:26.018-07:00Let's Go Team Christian! 6 Month CheckupRight before we went to the mountains (Literally. After the doctor visit, we went home and loaded up the cars!), Christian had his 6 month checkup. Because of Mommy's hectic schedule, we weren't able to see the doctor until just a few days before he turned 7 months old. I'm not sure if that's a bad thing, but Mama's gotta do what Mama's schedule allows...you know?<br />
<br />
This doctor visit was really special because Daddy got to come! Ken hasn't been to one of Christian's well child checkups because I usually take Christian on one of my days off and Ken is usually working on those days. It was helpful to have that extra set of hands there to keep Christian occupied since his patience levels are low and his energy levels are high!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1-h5TfnhCLKep_cgyE8GuGLtYSsKpA9M-h6Tp5f6fYQxoNMPdp6H68_l2Cz9xvSkYONUXZ4FAZE9UQKU9oS3jhxNehJlFXkc481B1Po2arvWqgywUs4scr_gUah7ARiJMEIdkJyRxW4/s1600/IMG02073-20111003-1336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1-h5TfnhCLKep_cgyE8GuGLtYSsKpA9M-h6Tp5f6fYQxoNMPdp6H68_l2Cz9xvSkYONUXZ4FAZE9UQKU9oS3jhxNehJlFXkc481B1Po2arvWqgywUs4scr_gUah7ARiJMEIdkJyRxW4/s320/IMG02073-20111003-1336.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yay! Daddy is at the doctor's office with us!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TalHeAtXegt_rkT9Qur2kBgsLbPdH0CFWXZ91m60cP5eN4gsblpcKu2dyIfHatMUThKYX5f44SqSQab9ek9KeTmQPSocmdKijhiSBCkK0bweJ2o01j_WgUjtdbMDngS_AtfVfRwww1A/s1600/IMG02074-20111003-1346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TalHeAtXegt_rkT9Qur2kBgsLbPdH0CFWXZ91m60cP5eN4gsblpcKu2dyIfHatMUThKYX5f44SqSQab9ek9KeTmQPSocmdKijhiSBCkK0bweJ2o01j_WgUjtdbMDngS_AtfVfRwww1A/s320/IMG02074-20111003-1346.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">16 pounds! Good growing, Buddy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xypgUDAFl9EL4XDEcDe3rG0brMKNg_y8lpD3F08GNzRg8Gdi5mvihBI3F00yPyDW_8gG2fWGXG2C29CbXqaPSRpjWCOoe5SqKzVOUcuTiMUXj6Z_et4UvNlTMonq7KKw9ZCMIKFE8Uc/s1600/IMG02079-20111003-1349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xypgUDAFl9EL4XDEcDe3rG0brMKNg_y8lpD3F08GNzRg8Gdi5mvihBI3F00yPyDW_8gG2fWGXG2C29CbXqaPSRpjWCOoe5SqKzVOUcuTiMUXj6Z_et4UvNlTMonq7KKw9ZCMIKFE8Uc/s320/IMG02079-20111003-1349.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">25 inches long!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> Christian's weight and growth percentile dropped a little bit. I was concerned that he was only in the 10th percentile whereas he was in the 25th last time. Dr. Rosenthal assured me that his growth was fine...as long as he's growing, there's nothing to be worried about (riiiiight...try telling a mom that!) But I had a hard time believing he was only in the 10th percentile. I mean, to us he has grown soooo much! He feels heavier and looks longer. He's wearing 6-9 month clothes (and even some 12 month clothes!) All I can deduce is that there must be some pretty big babies out there setting the curve so high. I think about all the babies who come in my store that outweigh Christian by <u><b>10 pounds</b></u> sometimes <i>!!!!!!</i> and are the same age, and I guess I am thankful that he's not obese at a young age.<br />
<br />
Dr. Rosenthal said that he's just "a little guy" which makes him that much more endearing to me! She did suggest that we feed him more solids when I told her he was only eating about 3-8 ounces of solids a day. She said to make sure we are offering them at every meal...and since then we have made a concerted effort to do so. But honestly, Christian is not a huge fan of solids just yet. He'll eat them if he's hungry, but he'd rather nurse if I'm around. Plus, he's such a piggy when it comes to nursing that he's usually full from milk and isn't all that hungry for more. Really all a baby needs till they are about a year old is breastmilk. My mom didn't feed me any solids till I was a year and I'll eat anything. I think the common concern is that the older a child gets, the less open they are to new and different things. <br />
<br />
The best part about the whole visit was hearing about how sweet and good natured Christian is. The nurses <b>LOVE</b> him! They <i>ALWAYS</i> comment on what a pleasure he is. Thank goodness!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DZiWxdXWTCjXFv7uSLHAzVr_jZ858DrBEEajC6ZMpuT1jFsP4xr31eRsh1SR_Qv2ovSIFzToULJgPl5GX1ZEuKAEkF0SRCeW8dGds1fQVL-PGLpOa4_7N0IvKzght5jLZdUPXwCDTqc/s1600/IMG02078-20111003-1348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DZiWxdXWTCjXFv7uSLHAzVr_jZ858DrBEEajC6ZMpuT1jFsP4xr31eRsh1SR_Qv2ovSIFzToULJgPl5GX1ZEuKAEkF0SRCeW8dGds1fQVL-PGLpOa4_7N0IvKzght5jLZdUPXwCDTqc/s320/IMG02078-20111003-1348.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stethoscopes also double as fun toys!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJl7NotaEyz6hP-DRa1yIMDRQKndqPSRXxZmLlE7dNPKHgSTd35l2kUhIOVZFueLzvvlIRSFIZOzsMW5VXbqcSd6k4DCLzbV8wCKk1ytwFjSI6FwAiYYwIlwGyDoHYB6Uu3sf9kT9Cvo/s1600/IMG02076-20111003-1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJl7NotaEyz6hP-DRa1yIMDRQKndqPSRXxZmLlE7dNPKHgSTd35l2kUhIOVZFueLzvvlIRSFIZOzsMW5VXbqcSd6k4DCLzbV8wCKk1ytwFjSI6FwAiYYwIlwGyDoHYB6Uu3sf9kT9Cvo/s320/IMG02076-20111003-1347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Same thing with thermometers...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRd3Q7UKcthJQ7jSGhijTV6W2iMcRLkvrwcwYdY9llRgUzObrpfKAqTS3bhEiYgVHGVCk5D_vQkX0MzxKbrbFGThNtFfw8Yl9TFxceic4gscTz9KysXtW175LY74cKneqXasnbI28-ZU/s1600/IMG02077-20111003-1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRd3Q7UKcthJQ7jSGhijTV6W2iMcRLkvrwcwYdY9llRgUzObrpfKAqTS3bhEiYgVHGVCk5D_vQkX0MzxKbrbFGThNtFfw8Yl9TFxceic4gscTz9KysXtW175LY74cKneqXasnbI28-ZU/s320/IMG02077-20111003-1347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just about everything is fun to play with!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>After all his measurements were done, along with his temperature and breathing and heart rate (which were all perfect, thank goodness!)...it was time to wait...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXsUhGvjU6oMS97zwbP5AIsUydFDBmDe9p0_mnEQ7DO7T2shtaJtEulQ9LwgYkoBBGeTojjhnK75kcVhic9F2ySho6BzvQdQzipntWhhSh3OQ7zbLnNFVB19lp3324mwmUTyK_1BnaC0/s1600/IMG02086-20111003-1411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXsUhGvjU6oMS97zwbP5AIsUydFDBmDe9p0_mnEQ7DO7T2shtaJtEulQ9LwgYkoBBGeTojjhnK75kcVhic9F2ySho6BzvQdQzipntWhhSh3OQ7zbLnNFVB19lp3324mwmUTyK_1BnaC0/s320/IMG02086-20111003-1411.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And eat...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sVO82JCsxn6qQfpZmf23X5Ghx_-0RO_QRwEBkEQSEpPFblzUR_7OSOTElqWysV2JQFHMtmmxNybgjckkGmpQBI5hNn3A0AkfhQKGUjsqMWE0lqR_HSEllo5YxcwiMsGIXy9zIdGjIeA/s1600/IMG02091-20111003-1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sVO82JCsxn6qQfpZmf23X5Ghx_-0RO_QRwEBkEQSEpPFblzUR_7OSOTElqWysV2JQFHMtmmxNybgjckkGmpQBI5hNn3A0AkfhQKGUjsqMWE0lqR_HSEllo5YxcwiMsGIXy9zIdGjIeA/s320/IMG02091-20111003-1425.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And wait...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVvzmOXjVviUWxM4uXNNZ40GcujMd5Qc5GWqBDiRmhs3SoKWHbFWAfjPbbS_VVXbvRYAzB_NQRF2FJ49_AYyeEWZHmzUdBT5RZDrYsLeS6HqL2O4fH4wdxDhlv6MgQVpdBIGOg3hlgLY/s1600/IMG02090-20111003-1417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVvzmOXjVviUWxM4uXNNZ40GcujMd5Qc5GWqBDiRmhs3SoKWHbFWAfjPbbS_VVXbvRYAzB_NQRF2FJ49_AYyeEWZHmzUdBT5RZDrYsLeS6HqL2O4fH4wdxDhlv6MgQVpdBIGOg3hlgLY/s320/IMG02090-20111003-1417.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And wait...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FPtSb1BC-1_VAjZWKE6lLB840Zxwu8CyFDeZ7Pr-xPXXcEtBl9ch6aK0Gj80yEemYFIVqLy9C06xCfg83XKCjCo6VmjZhyphenhyphenT3TBs9KaS0PmEn6EX01gdBb0KIOXD_YC4IZEHfuhrHtdM/s1600/IMG02083-20111003-1357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FPtSb1BC-1_VAjZWKE6lLB840Zxwu8CyFDeZ7Pr-xPXXcEtBl9ch6aK0Gj80yEemYFIVqLy9C06xCfg83XKCjCo6VmjZhyphenhyphenT3TBs9KaS0PmEn6EX01gdBb0KIOXD_YC4IZEHfuhrHtdM/s320/IMG02083-20111003-1357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"> And wait...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">When the doctor finally visited Christian, he was really enthused with all of her gadgets. She let him have one of the tongue depressors since he laid claim to it anyhow (go figure...) She loved how happy he was and how entertained he was by every. little. thing. Seriously. It takes almost nothing to amuse our child.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz88rNLP-xOyrVonsNQ8ROiGCKqRldyssWyaH0_luhevukR2hRte7KYsknDzQlf5w2NnnBldE5_ymBu0PsGjKdLjmOw4l4TOK__FJud5juN3dspiFM8qAIqe-m4_m4i6k-PreOeLUv_k/s1600/IMG02097-20111003-1439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz88rNLP-xOyrVonsNQ8ROiGCKqRldyssWyaH0_luhevukR2hRte7KYsknDzQlf5w2NnnBldE5_ymBu0PsGjKdLjmOw4l4TOK__FJud5juN3dspiFM8qAIqe-m4_m4i6k-PreOeLUv_k/s320/IMG02097-20111003-1439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtT9BYxT8qiAOeGxN_CB5rLbYbR7syDdVFxe97vE8254kvOFupVjeF1I1hSbm3cN19pBi5aoQorTLG5fedIiT-5n3IKa9aXb6KFT39OIxgoOy2YwIS8K4wlPhAWQiiRRAQzNNjt8CyNg/s1600/IMG02099-20111003-1441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtT9BYxT8qiAOeGxN_CB5rLbYbR7syDdVFxe97vE8254kvOFupVjeF1I1hSbm3cN19pBi5aoQorTLG5fedIiT-5n3IKa9aXb6KFT39OIxgoOy2YwIS8K4wlPhAWQiiRRAQzNNjt8CyNg/s320/IMG02099-20111003-1441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-4-ntX8EMSbaE8Txjz92pvW6qRfqFRMxTT9cfHvVmBNBvrxUCBAvS-V8FA3XhC0jRCwRv0zWak9OZ722-nLnE77KrVnRMDzbJA73mBVNC9JSC4LTBnMNgArYXukSPk72VWzo1We71Xs/s1600/IMG02101-20111003-1441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-4-ntX8EMSbaE8Txjz92pvW6qRfqFRMxTT9cfHvVmBNBvrxUCBAvS-V8FA3XhC0jRCwRv0zWak9OZ722-nLnE77KrVnRMDzbJA73mBVNC9JSC4LTBnMNgArYXukSPk72VWzo1We71Xs/s320/IMG02101-20111003-1441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV3bG6EFei76d8AL7CPsHjrxm2HuS-0SDI00Vozueg3e820A73MDurezMGkhfMT-UZtYSjiwdpkm5_aL7Xilr9kb3UfhwGp2Z4siRUqXazw7WVToqwk49DkZpPv-GTgljvygyRxZBHKg/s1600/IMG02100-20111003-1441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV3bG6EFei76d8AL7CPsHjrxm2HuS-0SDI00Vozueg3e820A73MDurezMGkhfMT-UZtYSjiwdpkm5_aL7Xilr9kb3UfhwGp2Z4siRUqXazw7WVToqwk49DkZpPv-GTgljvygyRxZBHKg/s320/IMG02100-20111003-1441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcUd0sulVXWOLnRyPpAhHA8uG944L6uhZdctavU4hJk73WZAtppwW11XM_k6a8fMvKIhv6KfH_suZ8qrcEkNuF2Qb5kX5U50vq76NVZ4y6lzNFZokJAc0f1N1uVGgXylRChReIupNemA/s1600/IMG02104-20111003-1442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcUd0sulVXWOLnRyPpAhHA8uG944L6uhZdctavU4hJk73WZAtppwW11XM_k6a8fMvKIhv6KfH_suZ8qrcEkNuF2Qb5kX5U50vq76NVZ4y6lzNFZokJAc0f1N1uVGgXylRChReIupNemA/s320/IMG02104-20111003-1442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her only concern was that we weren't pulling his skin back enough from his circumcision. Apparently, if you don't pull it back on a daily basis it could grow back and he'd end up having to have another surgery. Obviously that is <b><i>not</i></b> something we want to have happen...it's so weird having a little boy though. I never would have thought that something like that could grow back. And I'm sure one day he'll hate me for writing this, but oh well! It's my right as Mother to embarrass my child!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">After Dr. Rosenthal got done inspecting every inch of His Majesty, it was time for Christian's favorite part...edible vaccinations! Woo hoo! Yup. You know my kid! He'll eat just about anything...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZJVzJeWA2cKdsfno0wdXSurHpnZE93p03mXQZAB35T0e3ZMLiPoNYJw9HF0kx2Fft_z7RYIjxUMIKE1pNIL9lkZ6j7sbPWXaQSckyzGONRHQjTfFAxmzOABN6Li-NikxrMenUV74ijE/s1600/IMG02119-20111003-1456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZJVzJeWA2cKdsfno0wdXSurHpnZE93p03mXQZAB35T0e3ZMLiPoNYJw9HF0kx2Fft_z7RYIjxUMIKE1pNIL9lkZ6j7sbPWXaQSckyzGONRHQjTfFAxmzOABN6Li-NikxrMenUV74ijE/s320/IMG02119-20111003-1456.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">But with the good comes the bad. Poor little man never had a chance...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzTjaKFIXTc0MC0V4Lzh3cwZQQL_RjtoswRsOkBn5pJ4zHLTe71k5RfNZw_YLcGSmCnq8E7nz0gzSm0GJNtCgPVmOzPA5FYZet2jfDI2fFAzEn6XeikptuNgVR85KCaviDV1IdzizkJg/s1600/IMG02125-20111003-1458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzTjaKFIXTc0MC0V4Lzh3cwZQQL_RjtoswRsOkBn5pJ4zHLTe71k5RfNZw_YLcGSmCnq8E7nz0gzSm0GJNtCgPVmOzPA5FYZet2jfDI2fFAzEn6XeikptuNgVR85KCaviDV1IdzizkJg/s320/IMG02125-20111003-1458.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtg1igJqL-BxbLq-_WHyCGPTbrALSMEe4wX6OOl_ghM5C29V3MCmKbEZ3Jy80xbZ63QM9RwfGusVIaJFUGl6RdKodttIC5F7On0uKrXQ65KRbMnUI-ZGkNebA3upEUDyC0cwj9MrFICE0/s1600/IMG02126-20111003-1458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtg1igJqL-BxbLq-_WHyCGPTbrALSMEe4wX6OOl_ghM5C29V3MCmKbEZ3Jy80xbZ63QM9RwfGusVIaJFUGl6RdKodttIC5F7On0uKrXQ65KRbMnUI-ZGkNebA3upEUDyC0cwj9MrFICE0/s320/IMG02126-20111003-1458.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">However sad that little face might be, it only lasted for a moment. He is such a trooper with his Daddy and Mommy's tolerance for pain...seriously, this kid almost never cries from pain...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even though I was a little upset by Christian's growth, we still had a great visit. We did decide, however, that doctor visits should take place in the morning hours instead of in the afternoon...Christian was a little grumpy there towards the end. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">His next appointment is in December for his 9 month well child checkup. I can't wait to report his growth and progress!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span id="goog_1640689966"></span><span id="goog_1640689967"></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span id="goog_1653093539"></span><span id="goog_1653093540"></span>Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-35604478203763345842011-10-30T14:28:00.000-07:002011-10-30T14:28:00.595-07:00Go Bright!This year's Holiday Kickoff was held at Embassy Suites at Cobb for Aeropostale and PS From Aeropostale. Holiday Kickoff meetings are always soooo much fun! We have games and prizes and we learn so much to help us understand the company's strategy for the holiday season.<br />
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It's also a time to enjoy your peers since you almost never get to see them throughout the regular part of the year. I am lucky to have amazing co-workers who are super talented and full of great insight.<br />
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I honestly love my job and the company I work for, but more than that, I love my boss. She is an amazing woman who allows me to manage my store in the way which I best see fit. She allows me to grow my people according to my own strategies (and the company's, of course!) and trusts my abilities to the fullest extent.<br />
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Here are some pictures from the holiday meeting! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4c4oszTQG8ijFKuMDhNjVWPx9XviaxQh_mXHXF0OTmDpsWRUmGktyizz0ny7Tih0BL8m0T-FPaj5WJdGZsYM7K_BG10RkvG0ewdazGKBkvUY-NckJbCThIcvmcJoaqE_dX_JnVR3wQs/s1600/IMG02308-20111013-0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4c4oszTQG8ijFKuMDhNjVWPx9XviaxQh_mXHXF0OTmDpsWRUmGktyizz0ny7Tih0BL8m0T-FPaj5WJdGZsYM7K_BG10RkvG0ewdazGKBkvUY-NckJbCThIcvmcJoaqE_dX_JnVR3wQs/s320/IMG02308-20111013-0913.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always gotta look your best for Holiday Meetings! With VP's living in Atlanta, you never know who might be there! Plus, I was super excited to show off my new figure that I have been working so hard to get back. My Regional VP didn't even recognize me when she saw me...it was great!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMD1R5dGMfk90IaIx_O9Wrje8Snc31UmrwSUBI4qqjuozRnYSEBtkyXCObcMQT8mEkSCq9kjUBT7kkHV8CkoF59xQwk1BFZHyU8ECUhg7ILS6zJRrLQ9Tfvb9QE96XV6Cqn8S5kbhXB0/s1600/IMG02311-20111013-1658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMD1R5dGMfk90IaIx_O9Wrje8Snc31UmrwSUBI4qqjuozRnYSEBtkyXCObcMQT8mEkSCq9kjUBT7kkHV8CkoF59xQwk1BFZHyU8ECUhg7ILS6zJRrLQ9Tfvb9QE96XV6Cqn8S5kbhXB0/s320/IMG02311-20111013-1658.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kay (our district training store manager, whom I LOVE!), Korenda (my boss and mentor, whom I also LOVE!) and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3Ha_0sSTNAORVncub94l0xj8-AoQUWoiK3KwkNLvXGBqpKySqCIV4JoQEcZmAVNwbrzl1UJ2z30faCICQpp1RWqt8c7J5guu3FOwwHQVqxLLjQnZ06NPKHsgpGW3bzi3XW7Ri3JOFzI/s1600/IMG02309-20111013-1449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3Ha_0sSTNAORVncub94l0xj8-AoQUWoiK3KwkNLvXGBqpKySqCIV4JoQEcZmAVNwbrzl1UJ2z30faCICQpp1RWqt8c7J5guu3FOwwHQVqxLLjQnZ06NPKHsgpGW3bzi3XW7Ri3JOFzI/s320/IMG02309-20111013-1449.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PS store store managers doing our best to be Super Heroes! We launched our new Marvel line in October and are pumped! From left to right: Spider Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Wolverine and Iron Man!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nZ4vzWJpRata9niGE2Qn1v4Pte1x6642l3P_MLBSzFib9Z9M6QeRPiEZf_QOc1RLlvRwlaCUvUriyYE-RvObyYJsedXIbBfBmNVLR4weOqZswk6AerdZwNOlTt6SlJ9xG8DUybiq2Vc/s1600/IMG02310-20111013-1655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nZ4vzWJpRata9niGE2Qn1v4Pte1x6642l3P_MLBSzFib9Z9M6QeRPiEZf_QOc1RLlvRwlaCUvUriyYE-RvObyYJsedXIbBfBmNVLR4weOqZswk6AerdZwNOlTt6SlJ9xG8DUybiq2Vc/s320/IMG02310-20111013-1655.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My PS BFF, Cory! Cory is my daily dose of humor when I need it most...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>I know that this holiday season is going to be AMAZING! We are almost 100% staffed and ready to go. Not to mention, I have the best team possible dedicated to our store's success. Let's Go, Holiday 2011!Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-61712477246469713272011-10-28T06:14:00.000-07:002011-10-28T06:14:01.604-07:00Fun In The Mountains!For my birthday every year, it's been a tradition of ours to go to the mountains. (Except for last year...yeah, we went to the Keys instead. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make...) This year, we had a few people who accompanied us to North Georgia. His Majesty, Christian James and his sister, Marcella along with her boyfriend Pat decided to come along (as if <i>Christian</i> had any choice...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4W7evAeskLbZF7chlwx_ZmBBpzy5Qf_W8qhah7rlDbzYgcsQDs5ahkMa0ApECePm4pRH29avhBqk4NZ_xaYIBzYDIErFzwu-WvdzLraF57hla1FdxlqXx1z6dgR0P1xG5RmgIK02ZPQ/s1600/DSC03975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4W7evAeskLbZF7chlwx_ZmBBpzy5Qf_W8qhah7rlDbzYgcsQDs5ahkMa0ApECePm4pRH29avhBqk4NZ_xaYIBzYDIErFzwu-WvdzLraF57hla1FdxlqXx1z6dgR0P1xG5RmgIK02ZPQ/s320/DSC03975.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Cabin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXn0EXP1LQPD126fJaI7amM9Ul10T4WVSc6XnM4c286IBEyCPrkCggpBE-ePsfav45PgwNn50KtfCUH3XnX9yhKrWvuzON_oqJO2lkdTO_sBFjC7dmIsEFHTnsvWYdpBdzGLrhtSPoIU/s1600/IMG02130-20111004-1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXn0EXP1LQPD126fJaI7amM9Ul10T4WVSc6XnM4c286IBEyCPrkCggpBE-ePsfav45PgwNn50KtfCUH3XnX9yhKrWvuzON_oqJO2lkdTO_sBFjC7dmIsEFHTnsvWYdpBdzGLrhtSPoIU/s320/IMG02130-20111004-1251.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we come, Helen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB81UAc9y9a__Cj3mrEGONBKw3ZQcsQsnTzIVXv7D7VRwJWpstWTuRqCf_3_s3jz-xXuHaHxBbLMauiETWKQCO-WIeCk1vkQ93pR3Pe3GaKmU89GGPUDB63l8LQd-fdUhPAV-rOYAYPjY/s1600/IMG02129-20111004-1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB81UAc9y9a__Cj3mrEGONBKw3ZQcsQsnTzIVXv7D7VRwJWpstWTuRqCf_3_s3jz-xXuHaHxBbLMauiETWKQCO-WIeCk1vkQ93pR3Pe3GaKmU89GGPUDB63l8LQd-fdUhPAV-rOYAYPjY/s320/IMG02129-20111004-1251.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! We're here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbEhmtHHD5N2S_GY7K_S9-7wm0bbFS18KgBc1QmNsnXXFL9PuzcSLOjdP85R9vOXZIV8B7Yis-GPWrVO2EcEk8g1OUoE0hoQxy-vb1BYjx8uCs3jaizJLNkRCbSDjQwjbqYYaLNfT9pg/s1600/IMG02131-20111004-1300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbEhmtHHD5N2S_GY7K_S9-7wm0bbFS18KgBc1QmNsnXXFL9PuzcSLOjdP85R9vOXZIV8B7Yis-GPWrVO2EcEk8g1OUoE0hoQxy-vb1BYjx8uCs3jaizJLNkRCbSDjQwjbqYYaLNfT9pg/s320/IMG02131-20111004-1300.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to roll!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGSk_zvsF9s-j3v4sNeFvhcRajJfGwxJYRJ10FrQKSszAblvemDrzHuAWjmidKaC_DJeP8fRKWXMvDGJd5NqpQWkWustviggHt36VF9MjC1b7frPsIzl2SM9uVckqe5G6E5iis9GK6KM/s1600/IMG02132-20111004-1300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGSk_zvsF9s-j3v4sNeFvhcRajJfGwxJYRJ10FrQKSszAblvemDrzHuAWjmidKaC_DJeP8fRKWXMvDGJd5NqpQWkWustviggHt36VF9MjC1b7frPsIzl2SM9uVckqe5G6E5iis9GK6KM/s320/IMG02132-20111004-1300.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already changing color</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0ULCrd9AMWCv6_KB8wJthuNNIkvjqLkneH-TCLtAzZjCmlCBQe6lPQM0_XG_1UaYdFygBYQ7VdJsX-9PDn5jAOWR0PaBj1jKr7_UMnJKySiolqWoI-7fa1HGm9fZ0HXTeQ6gb8k2GqQ/s1600/IMG02133-20111004-1305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0ULCrd9AMWCv6_KB8wJthuNNIkvjqLkneH-TCLtAzZjCmlCBQe6lPQM0_XG_1UaYdFygBYQ7VdJsX-9PDn5jAOWR0PaBj1jKr7_UMnJKySiolqWoI-7fa1HGm9fZ0HXTeQ6gb8k2GqQ/s320/IMG02133-20111004-1305.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls...Remmy isn't as excited for pictures...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPGDuglqcs0IJZH_bVx5p8zSkh5MGINBZCp4dhb2XpVeHkjRYQc4sUKpVi3fhr4UAxYr2Q0Grwm6QJD8o7nc91F2tsCd74prC6IJPdu5quKosi16eG1bpIQnICyjppT2xXOGT79aCjHY/s1600/IMG02134-20111004-1306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPGDuglqcs0IJZH_bVx5p8zSkh5MGINBZCp4dhb2XpVeHkjRYQc4sUKpVi3fhr4UAxYr2Q0Grwm6QJD8o7nc91F2tsCd74prC6IJPdu5quKosi16eG1bpIQnICyjppT2xXOGT79aCjHY/s320/IMG02134-20111004-1306.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat got man points for strolling His Majesty</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatXgSIPeuGoxQwlSZNFsS1zvpfGlmyyANEaou7RgRysPDydFT_IdCEMdC8NeEfdTDFxWC4j-tLuAVh-0VpnxfVZMYpMalNEuI9oJ7s54ORY_8_nchFggQ4TgXl_bCkwu79SzpAmoqKiU/s1600/IMG02135-20111004-1307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatXgSIPeuGoxQwlSZNFsS1zvpfGlmyyANEaou7RgRysPDydFT_IdCEMdC8NeEfdTDFxWC4j-tLuAVh-0VpnxfVZMYpMalNEuI9oJ7s54ORY_8_nchFggQ4TgXl_bCkwu79SzpAmoqKiU/s320/IMG02135-20111004-1307.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boys...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5c1IdZ7Jqw2vaSycuTgeZHY3OJv9Zo7MKdLS0QZBh6SVlTa2G3ciH3m8MPFudcu7azriNO8Ew-cQaETb6o8hCyPoHXH_YY5vqRn6RNkCxg_RFAGK67VIYVDBL70mLnl9iEL_rSlcZKU/s1600/IMG02137-20111004-1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5c1IdZ7Jqw2vaSycuTgeZHY3OJv9Zo7MKdLS0QZBh6SVlTa2G3ciH3m8MPFudcu7azriNO8Ew-cQaETb6o8hCyPoHXH_YY5vqRn6RNkCxg_RFAGK67VIYVDBL70mLnl9iEL_rSlcZKU/s320/IMG02137-20111004-1310.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcella was going to push him in the drink!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4qbMw1h8qetQRsi41VRHgb4-OtP6Hq7BizYDIYF_6CEoQPH4Tu6Uszy7lHJh5Ia4WwS92R_IG8gbTZrXP9dEDGEsUZruwLATqPbk2-G50ihxLVYuGDbkGghyKZPpUIATUxPiUEHmtVI/s1600/IMG02136-20111004-1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4qbMw1h8qetQRsi41VRHgb4-OtP6Hq7BizYDIYF_6CEoQPH4Tu6Uszy7lHJh5Ia4WwS92R_IG8gbTZrXP9dEDGEsUZruwLATqPbk2-G50ihxLVYuGDbkGghyKZPpUIATUxPiUEHmtVI/s320/IMG02136-20111004-1310.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's better :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp-Do05x-DHFNY5OuDwzyyqlx_yuO5jysOkFlUQcqYfWrI0ljiVD3ff5VwlSS-tHSLrvrUorMXi7fuGKeisWycYVhseRXDAraJAbkRZj2te-xaTqQfT1q0jaukwUKvm-0ByVo20YR0gM/s1600/IMG02153-20111004-1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp-Do05x-DHFNY5OuDwzyyqlx_yuO5jysOkFlUQcqYfWrI0ljiVD3ff5VwlSS-tHSLrvrUorMXi7fuGKeisWycYVhseRXDAraJAbkRZj2te-xaTqQfT1q0jaukwUKvm-0ByVo20YR0gM/s320/IMG02153-20111004-1359.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing my best "Helga" face</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxJzi_vTZnhL3NzjSBhSMy5-rAWhYLcRKS4s8TdQ8dAObO1C8YOiBhx8gDkgX9yFi916rouy3pHDCkF-0UgigVukbM4lLYBbM2CK_h2kc8fOSY3oShku0YGEIyZ6wbXVhUyMJ2edLppU/s1600/IMG02152-20111004-1358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxJzi_vTZnhL3NzjSBhSMy5-rAWhYLcRKS4s8TdQ8dAObO1C8YOiBhx8gDkgX9yFi916rouy3pHDCkF-0UgigVukbM4lLYBbM2CK_h2kc8fOSY3oShku0YGEIyZ6wbXVhUyMJ2edLppU/s320/IMG02152-20111004-1358.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat doing his best "Honz" face</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-PD6Hrk7PRzZ4QRGqRw31jwhyXhrqBU0Ry3BtpU-sc46TayFKylF0QSTQgEr758nF8_OQjpZcQBjZqAMJwaONZuWGA54GUQG793oOPX2kiz5FMGRkwOBJpnt44d6PbvNpkrpZ6Unl6Q/s1600/IMG02156-20111004-1420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-PD6Hrk7PRzZ4QRGqRw31jwhyXhrqBU0Ry3BtpU-sc46TayFKylF0QSTQgEr758nF8_OQjpZcQBjZqAMJwaONZuWGA54GUQG793oOPX2kiz5FMGRkwOBJpnt44d6PbvNpkrpZ6Unl6Q/s320/IMG02156-20111004-1420.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding the bears</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxHaziaiRCJFZ0qth4mQzNU84RQfIu0xUvfhUZMk5iVPhCGdW3ixfLR29KjJJ9UKs6VxdP_7y8Z4mLBdVfm7o0LaPH2o-L2B6JS8ex89G5lNavubl0GEP-JminrmiNJNDyqR4Gvy6afI/s1600/IMG02182-20111004-1612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxHaziaiRCJFZ0qth4mQzNU84RQfIu0xUvfhUZMk5iVPhCGdW3ixfLR29KjJJ9UKs6VxdP_7y8Z4mLBdVfm7o0LaPH2o-L2B6JS8ex89G5lNavubl0GEP-JminrmiNJNDyqR4Gvy6afI/s320/IMG02182-20111004-1612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little feet...my wish came true!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAvgYqAvNjXBHKw91qS6jOVsEKMItnJRPNERhJOtEAxZgveHiV5jdNGF-hyTKmBWb8j-dVgzh2fXmKHfpM599RXco3roQpbyWjwo6Vi6cm3EH8nqUPC1yy11pXPsGbrcnsL2oqij3wps/s1600/IMG02184-20111004-1613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAvgYqAvNjXBHKw91qS6jOVsEKMItnJRPNERhJOtEAxZgveHiV5jdNGF-hyTKmBWb8j-dVgzh2fXmKHfpM599RXco3roQpbyWjwo6Vi6cm3EH8nqUPC1yy11pXPsGbrcnsL2oqij3wps/s320/IMG02184-20111004-1613.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy and the Baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsrzVJ75_ICu2l-T2b-zEo1nBr86v5AjCmq-3FVEJG-C42GF65Fq0EiLfZEV7LtagK9fMZDE8ou-2KW3tWZ9AvmiTO7vIot288-k5j1w6vj4TsmQch72pggL7Sebj8HqSlZKdE7WJMaM/s1600/IMG02186-20111004-1823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsrzVJ75_ICu2l-T2b-zEo1nBr86v5AjCmq-3FVEJG-C42GF65Fq0EiLfZEV7LtagK9fMZDE8ou-2KW3tWZ9AvmiTO7vIot288-k5j1w6vj4TsmQch72pggL7Sebj8HqSlZKdE7WJMaM/s320/IMG02186-20111004-1823.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legit campfire!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJymmw71ohM_y0_GQ4WArJZjysm0lr12053OAwrjwmLYO3ilyyPjM51hwjsCULRIwf3KMNImH7E4cg01ez6TpbZmpRA1dwRX0tkuQ910fIQh7a6F1aDqesW_AEW2FAbLkJNHMMyVFEA6M/s1600/IMG02188-20111004-1824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJymmw71ohM_y0_GQ4WArJZjysm0lr12053OAwrjwmLYO3ilyyPjM51hwjsCULRIwf3KMNImH7E4cg01ez6TpbZmpRA1dwRX0tkuQ910fIQh7a6F1aDqesW_AEW2FAbLkJNHMMyVFEA6M/s320/IMG02188-20111004-1824.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entranced by the flames!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9nr_n6OOC0qV9wcuUkUBFpwFr0k1mxTSmMqHKZFt8sJ5XsPDcwRhpIKZH6AS1d7YnYU7cxN8lD6R1-aXBNg-Hmv6ierDsndh84Fw0OGoB3t0kYnSjVAdz22hvorKaZx1YdQXNsa0TPA/s1600/IMG02187-20111004-1823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9nr_n6OOC0qV9wcuUkUBFpwFr0k1mxTSmMqHKZFt8sJ5XsPDcwRhpIKZH6AS1d7YnYU7cxN8lD6R1-aXBNg-Hmv6ierDsndh84Fw0OGoB3t0kYnSjVAdz22hvorKaZx1YdQXNsa0TPA/s320/IMG02187-20111004-1823.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cella and her Dad</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO11ZLDU8IVFpdnGezBHfAjrbl3HAVx76GImBvHJwi-evSxuoStGxpUK5HuXfRGTI9ql_AHu3drLk0xSvbSGQdGkcgzwO_PAOCNzHF-7z4WiJ0kRX4pY3I0Cm6ZunpFgbG2W6hEK5tkZc/s1600/DSC04042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO11ZLDU8IVFpdnGezBHfAjrbl3HAVx76GImBvHJwi-evSxuoStGxpUK5HuXfRGTI9ql_AHu3drLk0xSvbSGQdGkcgzwO_PAOCNzHF-7z4WiJ0kRX4pY3I0Cm6ZunpFgbG2W6hEK5tkZc/s320/DSC04042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a beer by the fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8REhbm17coKvglCC0RiDYfTO8UG0givMw3atrwtNcrWdSRN92rGOy0iVDcxY03cj7ySZZhpi7lqGTL29iysJ_QK5nxXzUBFTmS6guYca9AQcmE6CFzM8MRUvP2Vzd079JV2IY-Y-pftA/s1600/IMG02224-20111005-2044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8REhbm17coKvglCC0RiDYfTO8UG0givMw3atrwtNcrWdSRN92rGOy0iVDcxY03cj7ySZZhpi7lqGTL29iysJ_QK5nxXzUBFTmS6guYca9AQcmE6CFzM8MRUvP2Vzd079JV2IY-Y-pftA/s320/IMG02224-20111005-2044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tickle time with Daddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY1uSTumhtyye_gEGcypsx9TyvtbrB5rgVWYWWWqux-ZV_Tvc3Lf1Udyx8VQkBq97A3GkXVQX6hNA2WfhrvzVwDldQS-lFw3jwNhJwI0d2jxLZ3XglFyxI3thilgsocRQJrw7RhA7JJ8/s1600/IMG02226-20111005-2201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY1uSTumhtyye_gEGcypsx9TyvtbrB5rgVWYWWWqux-ZV_Tvc3Lf1Udyx8VQkBq97A3GkXVQX6hNA2WfhrvzVwDldQS-lFw3jwNhJwI0d2jxLZ3XglFyxI3thilgsocRQJrw7RhA7JJ8/s320/IMG02226-20111005-2201.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing pool with the big boys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_ItbwZYJG3oBekToBeDcrLpT6gC6eLWV_EOQaYqchwpuTlPZh3VScLkHtf_jY-z304cHElmtE_qen-shwslHtam1kp2LP7T5Q0kUKbstOw1h8M4d069nor52riidwj3gPGkGSKXc5e4/s1600/IMG02225-20111005-2200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_ItbwZYJG3oBekToBeDcrLpT6gC6eLWV_EOQaYqchwpuTlPZh3VScLkHtf_jY-z304cHElmtE_qen-shwslHtam1kp2LP7T5Q0kUKbstOw1h8M4d069nor52riidwj3gPGkGSKXc5e4/s320/IMG02225-20111005-2200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call side pocket!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPzdr3GNv2fq38DYid9uAm4dDB4Z-xQ21HSlgszaQZkH1lpZshwcIDrqP6u7bPEeeLdsqosSqj8Ck6nsLv_Ni_7luqDiguB_YkLKMeUUO_ZLT2aMYvmGsl2qkHzM1pMEr7rmuohXbiu0/s1600/IMG02194-20111004-2050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPzdr3GNv2fq38DYid9uAm4dDB4Z-xQ21HSlgszaQZkH1lpZshwcIDrqP6u7bPEeeLdsqosSqj8Ck6nsLv_Ni_7luqDiguB_YkLKMeUUO_ZLT2aMYvmGsl2qkHzM1pMEr7rmuohXbiu0/s320/IMG02194-20111004-2050.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited for smores!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKn8o0MzAXKSRBTsUyOcpQU2CfkpSW9OsW9FGdLFAFRkM9Jz6QBNWNlGLDjbQWV52Bz2L-SqBHQkt3UW_pj62USzxta8OxdX6h2KKx5n2N-Mo0mnsQPtPA1DMrp0gzOkLJLvYHEJTtqY/s1600/IMG02207-20111005-1446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKn8o0MzAXKSRBTsUyOcpQU2CfkpSW9OsW9FGdLFAFRkM9Jz6QBNWNlGLDjbQWV52Bz2L-SqBHQkt3UW_pj62USzxta8OxdX6h2KKx5n2N-Mo0mnsQPtPA1DMrp0gzOkLJLvYHEJTtqY/s320/IMG02207-20111005-1446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail walking with Daddy </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVSjnAs8EhNrCgc8Wv5QDwfRv0cEryIECfw2B_wDzECIz8BSUhoFLnIXAnVOzaz4h8x8GyatH9DK7cquDzG7sUspmP4lg6TMYPF_x1MQGIg7T_dApE_CPv4IX6riORBk7mBEwBNO2JEc/s1600/IMG02215-20111005-1737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVSjnAs8EhNrCgc8Wv5QDwfRv0cEryIECfw2B_wDzECIz8BSUhoFLnIXAnVOzaz4h8x8GyatH9DK7cquDzG7sUspmP4lg6TMYPF_x1MQGIg7T_dApE_CPv4IX6riORBk7mBEwBNO2JEc/s320/IMG02215-20111005-1737.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful drive to our cabin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKBOQS2TIrUURx8QqRGLlYKwqImvkQnd6D99PSiLa59263vX_-DYLm_U3xJUMupmScyoRyhqg2fzlyWfqjWfbL7oDG0drLZFxByk8WKeZDYTMutmmVGtWRQU5Kp497EKIYVd6Qn5SRwY/s1600/IMG02216-20111005-1738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKBOQS2TIrUURx8QqRGLlYKwqImvkQnd6D99PSiLa59263vX_-DYLm_U3xJUMupmScyoRyhqg2fzlyWfqjWfbL7oDG0drLZFxByk8WKeZDYTMutmmVGtWRQU5Kp497EKIYVd6Qn5SRwY/s320/IMG02216-20111005-1738.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So gorgeous</td></tr>
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We had a great time in the mountains...and it was awesome to have Marcella and Pat join us!Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-77904709695740142742011-10-27T05:42:00.000-07:002011-10-27T05:42:42.888-07:00Pumpkin Patch 2011On October 6th (Mommy's birthday!), we headed back from the mountains with the sole intent of visiting the pumpkin patch! I love pumpkin patches...I remember going to them when I was a kid, and I always loved the smell, the food, the dirt and the pumpkins (of course!). I wanted Christian to experience a pumpkin patch (no matter how limited his first experience might be).<br />
<br />
Grandma met us (Myself, Christian, Ken, Marcella and Pat...) at Corn Dawgs in Loganville (a huge Pumpkin Patch that really borders more along the lines of "theme park" where they take every kid's parent's money until every parent within the tri-county area is broke and all they have to show for it is a mangy pumpkin and a few good photo ops). BUT! Can you believe that the pumpkin patch was closed during the week!?!?!? (It'sOctober, people!) However, we were told that we could walk through the pumpkin patch and look and take some pictures. Soooooo...we did!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2492p_4mtgR544Lez8nK1KQhQFso2p23wdyq7VGfKpzgsSqHARQh0A4eiImXyD7YmgM4BPLZGGM4fcfQ7dPtjtjetnNuYF1o0xgB2YcuHbBX6mK2CLuxlVeNRKt00fGr3_Ki-2unfvM/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2492p_4mtgR544Lez8nK1KQhQFso2p23wdyq7VGfKpzgsSqHARQh0A4eiImXyD7YmgM4BPLZGGM4fcfQ7dPtjtjetnNuYF1o0xgB2YcuHbBX6mK2CLuxlVeNRKt00fGr3_Ki-2unfvM/s320/5.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting...verrrrry interesting....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm6_0L7hKMCMo7FCLrPabHiLRGYtwpRe-NKBRxYeNgKQAUAYosoPqFy9oBbbx_vokDHJYc0J_EtfMx05djHYUyRTKpNDVJvDXe3X5b4QZKKXXzT2kklZg4fpOLLQXjtubpJVa-cuSm38/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm6_0L7hKMCMo7FCLrPabHiLRGYtwpRe-NKBRxYeNgKQAUAYosoPqFy9oBbbx_vokDHJYc0J_EtfMx05djHYUyRTKpNDVJvDXe3X5b4QZKKXXzT2kklZg4fpOLLQXjtubpJVa-cuSm38/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! Time with Grandma!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKPKN-vt6ZRjuJMVewIGrPgA_QA5fyGUmwqKP02xUMoBUSZzC9dRKYlORuZlnQQUpqOItfh1WO9Nj6-4QdNDewa7Q_-OJAqtvghdUNoZQX30gnup8pLX-RCrSomPX2LOVEWCcK5dy5nY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKPKN-vt6ZRjuJMVewIGrPgA_QA5fyGUmwqKP02xUMoBUSZzC9dRKYlORuZlnQQUpqOItfh1WO9Nj6-4QdNDewa7Q_-OJAqtvghdUNoZQX30gnup8pLX-RCrSomPX2LOVEWCcK5dy5nY/s320/1.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my big sissy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmZIkdM8H09aABmRhTHlYLorsWJcrAmpAID8vWz-PqJ5am-rcAOR0wMFaOiKuF7ZpvmL8Z8SaODv22zBDhxh6HStTdLf1XwxbFw80emJzjF9P4fAsPH2j8h-3oxq96ECTjaNztdIROZo/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmZIkdM8H09aABmRhTHlYLorsWJcrAmpAID8vWz-PqJ5am-rcAOR0wMFaOiKuF7ZpvmL8Z8SaODv22zBDhxh6HStTdLf1XwxbFw80emJzjF9P4fAsPH2j8h-3oxq96ECTjaNztdIROZo/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's this prickly stuff all about?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAb6im79otDFHDS_thKr1Z-6VUY1hrUSgXR9pe0x4rRLgWj7lwXWVS_0hiLSfdn653VSpexNpGVlUUz7yVlgBBl_-53Z92evICmqBhNOMbpXVA1L2L8Zb4GXVNslQobLZRtS84MTibe8/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAb6im79otDFHDS_thKr1Z-6VUY1hrUSgXR9pe0x4rRLgWj7lwXWVS_0hiLSfdn653VSpexNpGVlUUz7yVlgBBl_-53Z92evICmqBhNOMbpXVA1L2L8Zb4GXVNslQobLZRtS84MTibe8/s320/11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, Mom!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWbW11HKQBrDnRlbjPeeOOgXaGAcamz3lky0jOyVYjm_fsuNW-UwVUazJ86AB49YIBuRHzHMhy3VMFpIFzrsm3oeHNQP3UTTscq2baQyV-D4e8EfMDr4JEG361sd8rjh6fnxVXjetzbc/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWbW11HKQBrDnRlbjPeeOOgXaGAcamz3lky0jOyVYjm_fsuNW-UwVUazJ86AB49YIBuRHzHMhy3VMFpIFzrsm3oeHNQP3UTTscq2baQyV-D4e8EfMDr4JEG361sd8rjh6fnxVXjetzbc/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too sure about these orange things...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw9kWGQAJctJkmE-X447xpOyZIYq4mtDA36hAgW9gJupjIE8bRREM66VssZIW0DylhENUXedcIFt8luQpd0ngj0bShhtN1zVt5AD4p3ScQJfkv0sulmZZJtHS7aohwy_0ynEISF9CRMY/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw9kWGQAJctJkmE-X447xpOyZIYq4mtDA36hAgW9gJupjIE8bRREM66VssZIW0DylhENUXedcIFt8luQpd0ngj0bShhtN1zVt5AD4p3ScQJfkv0sulmZZJtHS7aohwy_0ynEISF9CRMY/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Of Pumpkin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NrFBNJ24rzbmHCBPbdhyphenhyphen_kiUlkTQG1sW-6fKhfsyxOJsfjpaEwtv73LuC33xWpAe6Kbyv6M4jbGgnQGcUu_se-mp4X6fSYrWSqAdWNwBLLl66DM7hrPM1c-uFlAAfxsRU6sjLNZ8VEY/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NrFBNJ24rzbmHCBPbdhyphenhyphen_kiUlkTQG1sW-6fKhfsyxOJsfjpaEwtv73LuC33xWpAe6Kbyv6M4jbGgnQGcUu_se-mp4X6fSYrWSqAdWNwBLLl66DM7hrPM1c-uFlAAfxsRU6sjLNZ8VEY/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Majesty demands better transportation...this simply will not do!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuk9RQrbBJNTkClGp664WPctCvwHY7d0utUU2_lnBq_7TUgdGUNep58lZ8CVJzFpxZUOPWuTx9EU-JVi2fUeAC7XSzOa1oiHrEapwH0aLPN7Y5UXMmFJ7LG2MYQVog_lXWuzdAaroIZQ/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuk9RQrbBJNTkClGp664WPctCvwHY7d0utUU2_lnBq_7TUgdGUNep58lZ8CVJzFpxZUOPWuTx9EU-JVi2fUeAC7XSzOa1oiHrEapwH0aLPN7Y5UXMmFJ7LG2MYQVog_lXWuzdAaroIZQ/s320/17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian was a little obsessed with the prickly hay...until he lay down in it and realized it didn't feel as cool as it looked!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV0U4i47SXDviiBP6qaG5XUXkls1zxExGbfOGMZbKTO4OgAqd9orQ1_beI56hI6UefHLTUDG60I5DlYckAlX-1khJzcalvmJwS8qVDa65IB2ppj5DdeGt6cHkqkkLv21jPOEjsoe5Z7E/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV0U4i47SXDviiBP6qaG5XUXkls1zxExGbfOGMZbKTO4OgAqd9orQ1_beI56hI6UefHLTUDG60I5DlYckAlX-1khJzcalvmJwS8qVDa65IB2ppj5DdeGt6cHkqkkLv21jPOEjsoe5Z7E/s320/15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two favorite boys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4ue0W7DnbINQC4mGHujppxWQL_1CobUvnb52qyhV-cKhqzmXT7cb4xODXwTiY0nomw1on7k2ToTjgpMx37qLUNnbIe6X2EJloC_V-cFnOCnFnyuZLM8XWdUki2WgCsi4j5FXH3lBDBc/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4ue0W7DnbINQC4mGHujppxWQL_1CobUvnb52qyhV-cKhqzmXT7cb4xODXwTiY0nomw1on7k2ToTjgpMx37qLUNnbIe6X2EJloC_V-cFnOCnFnyuZLM8XWdUki2WgCsi4j5FXH3lBDBc/s320/16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving the tractor!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuzxPmxuCIh9FnDMSkj1clSjLtb-xPX7pQyWMx3NGZhHM-uDFDZiDjb8D0A0YWVmzx34KR2r2LCS4LYaVRJ5lMTbT9wvd6o-GZWsFiY8HcIavNq4qp2-lNpoP9xHgOtrZi5km7dZna9Q/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuzxPmxuCIh9FnDMSkj1clSjLtb-xPX7pQyWMx3NGZhHM-uDFDZiDjb8D0A0YWVmzx34KR2r2LCS4LYaVRJ5lMTbT9wvd6o-GZWsFiY8HcIavNq4qp2-lNpoP9xHgOtrZi5km7dZna9Q/s320/22.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing all by himself! What a big man!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9pY16EsCoe1MEnpghCBkOaCZ8l01c1te_57ZsvEXb76k1jKuN45LcrRAg1ICu5dEEDjDzrwbC4ADToqEOyCO_Rb-hYyFnqdat6BjD2guCQkHL3HtRs5EHQpJd-yNGn2ewuZRdGGcM6Q/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9pY16EsCoe1MEnpghCBkOaCZ8l01c1te_57ZsvEXb76k1jKuN45LcrRAg1ICu5dEEDjDzrwbC4ADToqEOyCO_Rb-hYyFnqdat6BjD2guCQkHL3HtRs5EHQpJd-yNGn2ewuZRdGGcM6Q/s320/35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Annnnnnd...I <i>may </i>have a slight confession. BUT! I totally paid for my misdoings... You see, when the workers told us we could "walk around", I took that as a free pass to enjoy the zip lines, swings, slides and pretty much everything else you have to pay for during normal business hours. However, as I said, I totally paid for it. Waiting at the bottom of the big slide was a puddle of mud with MY name on it. Fabulous.<br />
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Anyhow, Christian's first pumpkin patch experience was amazing! Can't wait to do it again next year!Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-67395161834114628872011-09-29T19:43:00.000-07:002011-09-29T19:43:37.443-07:00Saying PrayersWhen I was a little girl, my parents would always say my prayers with me at night. Even when I was too sleepy to stay awake, we'd still pray together. It was a comforting part of my daily routine.<br />
<br />
Now that I have my own child, I think it is important to start getting into the habit of praying with Christian. Sometimes I think that God can't hear me; that I'm too far gone to pray to Him. Whereas I know that's not true, it doesn't mean it makes any easier for me to pray myself. But having a baby really makes you believe that God is there and that His Son is watching down upon us, too. I never knew what it was to be truly thankful for something until I met my husband and had Christian.<br />
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I believe there is a "right way" to pray. Not to say that there is a wrong way, just that there is an appropriate way to talk to God. So when we say prayers with Christian at night, here's what we say...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dear Heavenly Father,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank you for the nice day. Thank you for helping me listen and share and play and grow. Thank you for Mommy and Daddy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please bless Grandma Dennie and Grandma Bonnie, Aunt Laurie and Abuela, and all my brothers and my sister. Please bless all my friends and family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please watch over me while I sleep and help me to have a good day tomorrow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I say all of this in the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I hope that Christian always knows he can talk to God. I hope he takes refuge in knowing that God's Son died for our sins and that he especially loves children. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span>Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-66845319183778123462011-09-29T15:39:00.000-07:002011-09-29T15:39:29.163-07:00The Petite PicassoChristian is very tactile...(In other words, he likes to touch everything)...and we are supportive of that! (Well, at least <i>I</i> am. Ken isn't too keen on the whole "who cares if you make a mess as long as you're learning and having fun" scene.) So we decided that Christian should paint his first picture!<br />
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He was specifically making a picture for three of his favorite ladies: Lily (for her first birthday!), Grandma Dennie and Grandma Bonnie.<br />
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Ken and I only took several hundred pictures of him painting...we didn't want to get too carried away.<br />
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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClwOVoVQ3Z4OhdtyMRpcDlIJc01FrSH2qo55FK8q4Uhq8oB2pi3cEtBFDvbu5bCZ59jS4uLwhpPXFjCIpx2qtyW9-aS3u5UT0Upz2VJbBtyiNHu7_D3L5NYVIkAFtUeajA2PFo0qF90U/s1600/Painting+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClwOVoVQ3Z4OhdtyMRpcDlIJc01FrSH2qo55FK8q4Uhq8oB2pi3cEtBFDvbu5bCZ59jS4uLwhpPXFjCIpx2qtyW9-aS3u5UT0Upz2VJbBtyiNHu7_D3L5NYVIkAFtUeajA2PFo0qF90U/s320/Painting+17.jpg" width="320" /></a></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/AVvXsEhpKOxPIZdoCrXLKhGZFxo6X5yssNDxP8Ur4tGXRMMuKTc8JALHR0RZUCaudLyn_hgxj0SQ68dEl-nc3QoV7TaNB-cBG_ZAzMtP7snT0-bgnZJT2yxINWqEdDzb_nfWx6fo1wNAmzG0xZU/s1600/Painting+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKOxPIZdoCrXLKhGZFxo6X5yssNDxP8Ur4tGXRMMuKTc8JALHR0RZUCaudLyn_hgxj0SQ68dEl-nc3QoV7TaNB-cBG_ZAzMtP7snT0-bgnZJT2yxINWqEdDzb_nfWx6fo1wNAmzG0xZU/s320/Painting+18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-85215178931720157552011-09-29T13:24:00.000-07:002011-09-29T13:24:00.786-07:00Party Animal!Christian went to his first birthday party in September! His BFF, Lily, was celebrating her first birthday and was sweet enough to invite His Majesty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMhG0k8s5RRUQMgdeWEQXaMtDSmwla0a2wDVaMcX1bcQ2V316q2VNKrVNKnMbiZPpGWa5Y8omatU8v1oQuG_Gwcm011wKzfBrtHx0q0-xtsXSsuiPg9bDt2TBLpw-xCqdZwLXDPkt4PU/s1600/Painting+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMhG0k8s5RRUQMgdeWEQXaMtDSmwla0a2wDVaMcX1bcQ2V316q2VNKrVNKnMbiZPpGWa5Y8omatU8v1oQuG_Gwcm011wKzfBrtHx0q0-xtsXSsuiPg9bDt2TBLpw-xCqdZwLXDPkt4PU/s320/Painting+19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Fortunately, Christian is super thoughtful...so he decided to paint Lily a picture!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJhAbkFs2wQkDeRHIR-UX3N6wBZAVUeLz7pp8VGa-J6tJIoOVfJ4bk0HoX4MwiErxCZ_Zk85vNK5HPYGXkQ-Zty2yArwYF5bVTbFMDbTEyvejXfs2HQYjkjE37EnvDsdSnds-Uy1rUBk/s1600/Painting+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJhAbkFs2wQkDeRHIR-UX3N6wBZAVUeLz7pp8VGa-J6tJIoOVfJ4bk0HoX4MwiErxCZ_Zk85vNK5HPYGXkQ-Zty2yArwYF5bVTbFMDbTEyvejXfs2HQYjkjE37EnvDsdSnds-Uy1rUBk/s320/Painting+27.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">He ended up painting himself as well...and Mommy and his Bumbo and pretty much the entire kitchen...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY7JrK1vZkl86zEgF1P5J02gsdgoQYnaSfpzLnpUk2FA54QM-0Z3RmPdnla9RlvGG3GpRLxS0-GJcydkcTxtYNm7RLE2dk7ACKTQp0KMyxECSkwYpgadgPeXfEjTeEpt7rDpEpbwsVPw/s1600/Going+to+a+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmY7JrK1vZkl86zEgF1P5J02gsdgoQYnaSfpzLnpUk2FA54QM-0Z3RmPdnla9RlvGG3GpRLxS0-GJcydkcTxtYNm7RLE2dk7ACKTQp0KMyxECSkwYpgadgPeXfEjTeEpt7rDpEpbwsVPw/s320/Going+to+a+Party.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian was highly concerned about looking cool for her party...he wanted to dress to impress! So he picked out his Nautica tracksuit since blue is his best color.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuaxwPghx1KvenSPd0fG19K1k1vTo49mheSfUt7fiZxrT9LelX90nmsO7hjwq-slxctlQvDAkGxWREHch7IE1qXeGuODANnL-utkXaYgmcb3LiiE5ICgnXzt8M5_7xrwFs801gNWZghg/s1600/lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuaxwPghx1KvenSPd0fG19K1k1vTo49mheSfUt7fiZxrT9LelX90nmsO7hjwq-slxctlQvDAkGxWREHch7IE1qXeGuODANnL-utkXaYgmcb3LiiE5ICgnXzt8M5_7xrwFs801gNWZghg/s320/lily.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lily looked so pretty in her cute outfit! Her Mommy even decorated her highchair!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3xzshOGFhWCYuc1AjxsiKDa8SyV9-rjvZcSIZw6diWN1OKs1wpzCwWlU9hY3THvP3tO0r6PsVxmwMjuEtOSxtJWwLvOtNRwhEBa6Mvor4qmZiawa9ImnJ2BPeL_8RZ22SvqSOddW1aY/s1600/lily+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3xzshOGFhWCYuc1AjxsiKDa8SyV9-rjvZcSIZw6diWN1OKs1wpzCwWlU9hY3THvP3tO0r6PsVxmwMjuEtOSxtJWwLvOtNRwhEBa6Mvor4qmZiawa9ImnJ2BPeL_8RZ22SvqSOddW1aY/s320/lily+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lily with her Daddy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVB-0IUQ7pSC47XuCeK38tnUqkSHR8JFIRBbjh5ZzkDupCU8f3-xJF0vk2un42nEuQJwJKwml9dYFc2QoXpUUd-uMD62spY_AyGFUpgBWJ-toJsNIjkWQNW61XnGaJpQFLfVs-ECG6Ps/s1600/lily+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVB-0IUQ7pSC47XuCeK38tnUqkSHR8JFIRBbjh5ZzkDupCU8f3-xJF0vk2un42nEuQJwJKwml9dYFc2QoXpUUd-uMD62spY_AyGFUpgBWJ-toJsNIjkWQNW61XnGaJpQFLfVs-ECG6Ps/s320/lily+3.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian with Ms.Lauren...he looooooved Ms.Lauren! But he wondered when Ms.Lauren was going to make a friend for him...hmmmm...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfDODTcHcLct-T906R_1bhm3xVW4Vds747IjpPwxXtgIGMfubIrgtu4dP9qyXTkJvqPFSqdXl9VIjMN97SBjKqmhnWaq2N0a_aP3KPlcM1wyblUXtP-qwX9pliryUPoc3kj7DstBTFF0/s1600/lily+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfDODTcHcLct-T906R_1bhm3xVW4Vds747IjpPwxXtgIGMfubIrgtu4dP9qyXTkJvqPFSqdXl9VIjMN97SBjKqmhnWaq2N0a_aP3KPlcM1wyblUXtP-qwX9pliryUPoc3kj7DstBTFF0/s320/lily+4.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian even got to see Ms.Elizabeth and her two children! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9wic0BfinhPLTdxgplQvM1WBaaR254mhUvvaSO2woeNR0WARHYMvCOpqPxmbrWf5csmoXFjXuCwBocYnZihQrHzwTI5dwtQlCvKnI591w29GALZ_a_lHXGj5LdjodWnGPC5ZTSQKbVk/s1600/lily+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9wic0BfinhPLTdxgplQvM1WBaaR254mhUvvaSO2woeNR0WARHYMvCOpqPxmbrWf5csmoXFjXuCwBocYnZihQrHzwTI5dwtQlCvKnI591w29GALZ_a_lHXGj5LdjodWnGPC5ZTSQKbVk/s320/lily+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Ms.Elizabeth and Madelyn, Ms.Lauren, Mommy and Christian, and Ms.Stephanie (Christian and Ken's other favorite Stephanie) and The Birthday Girl, Lily!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2662shX_rcYasLVCzkn26Wa-y6uKqHYEJHJPBO0ZA1hmmwaWqzLO2g0cOu-z0zRiPNk7JJIm51Uahcg3UTgyS7jwQ8woT6jmurx39JZInEf3s1F4XkcoJw7-a-AJdxXYFMO_9mNZDXFw/s1600/lily+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2662shX_rcYasLVCzkn26Wa-y6uKqHYEJHJPBO0ZA1hmmwaWqzLO2g0cOu-z0zRiPNk7JJIm51Uahcg3UTgyS7jwQ8woT6jmurx39JZInEf3s1F4XkcoJw7-a-AJdxXYFMO_9mNZDXFw/s320/lily+6.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lily was on the move! She was being the hostess with the mostess!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII5jmm7eCmus0l_yUyYtD56rKpxHsPsB87YCBKN9ZOOzBzZjMHlImfvCS9xfyU6MqCEa8Fb9voH8YNvETzSC3UDxtXmuObX2QXoES5YQn3WvmolwTeKmDqux-MVYA1MzyKW7hjFMCymE/s1600/lily+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII5jmm7eCmus0l_yUyYtD56rKpxHsPsB87YCBKN9ZOOzBzZjMHlImfvCS9xfyU6MqCEa8Fb9voH8YNvETzSC3UDxtXmuObX2QXoES5YQn3WvmolwTeKmDqux-MVYA1MzyKW7hjFMCymE/s320/lily+7.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look how beautiful Lily Bug was for her big day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLTHzLSOEfnqu-eb7inHxeR4wGLUvfEb-iWPsRrBKWarfwNtwKio7w1cKRdfeG-BjW2GsHwffvwvFk-z1326B6XQg4fqCasnAgcEEbYG-A5LzGljWGr0OkhqiWTloObfWUVxZoN2VT6w/s1600/lily+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLTHzLSOEfnqu-eb7inHxeR4wGLUvfEb-iWPsRrBKWarfwNtwKio7w1cKRdfeG-BjW2GsHwffvwvFk-z1326B6XQg4fqCasnAgcEEbYG-A5LzGljWGr0OkhqiWTloObfWUVxZoN2VT6w/s320/lily+18.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then it was time to play!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVx30nysxpnNG8a9BdZWCvYlXW0jDi0cOp9gLZamv7m7A-_7F6QAdsfoesoqEOOYj6sIU8nON0Y-UXKXmEPfOq3YVYhcm_SeAYWICjkwd1_Ro06ZXDK-rkGSr8iJzwsjdqfOQJSCpRL0/s1600/lily+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVx30nysxpnNG8a9BdZWCvYlXW0jDi0cOp9gLZamv7m7A-_7F6QAdsfoesoqEOOYj6sIU8nON0Y-UXKXmEPfOq3YVYhcm_SeAYWICjkwd1_Ro06ZXDK-rkGSr8iJzwsjdqfOQJSCpRL0/s320/lily+17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian loved Lily's toys! Boy, oh boy! </span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ws4kTOOsxB_c4w8rNly4R0z2hAw4DGfvYcgcYW9WBjAFpRaulhfxd4cJRaNx3pSd0jZlxeOB6AraWVwqLj9RoJaO2cz81s1_nrovJ6n07OHVWETBlPAoBlIjUsm9Oeob7yD9VpOuzqI/s1600/lily+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ws4kTOOsxB_c4w8rNly4R0z2hAw4DGfvYcgcYW9WBjAFpRaulhfxd4cJRaNx3pSd0jZlxeOB6AraWVwqLj9RoJaO2cz81s1_nrovJ6n07OHVWETBlPAoBlIjUsm9Oeob7yD9VpOuzqI/s320/lily+25.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian even got to play with Damian...Christian felt like such a big boy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM4_equ6UQ8vG_uttuG2f9YsBPK9cWj-j1Wq1IC9hJ6pdNuIlweq2ra-FiSxORmY0j3HkOd_oI7s0IE2021Dkl4j4HJfQmD6etb-7P2TA1Wd39cgw4IGokAW_PIFOznr2tzoUJPDFkSg/s1600/lily+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM4_equ6UQ8vG_uttuG2f9YsBPK9cWj-j1Wq1IC9hJ6pdNuIlweq2ra-FiSxORmY0j3HkOd_oI7s0IE2021Dkl4j4HJfQmD6etb-7P2TA1Wd39cgw4IGokAW_PIFOznr2tzoUJPDFkSg/s320/lily+26.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily's Grandma helped get Lily ready for cake...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUNeOuNG7q2CkmGgQdTSvNpHOR6-Vu8opfiC6rV1HaBS25UVm4qS4CXJ7Rls0DqgNJT6LQ5-DDC_dpd_aylNnYd5Zq7oaTnI-2hIqjd83gxmst5dCzSypoMEWDVoQ26i1iteVVMBIyig/s1600/lily+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUNeOuNG7q2CkmGgQdTSvNpHOR6-Vu8opfiC6rV1HaBS25UVm4qS4CXJ7Rls0DqgNJT6LQ5-DDC_dpd_aylNnYd5Zq7oaTnI-2hIqjd83gxmst5dCzSypoMEWDVoQ26i1iteVVMBIyig/s320/lily+28.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian was really excited about the cake...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhdHTnU_5RVdi84VYSVNLomWeX2cP7fJiSwNKuebsK83qq8b3oxZG9trRTCwyAyTgEWCwTNYUIU4ow_qq-Nyxcun3GSBxxz3nua7FJp7vGTg-TdgkQ_DpEgz70SeSHc12fcNcH9Sq7LA/s1600/lily+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhdHTnU_5RVdi84VYSVNLomWeX2cP7fJiSwNKuebsK83qq8b3oxZG9trRTCwyAyTgEWCwTNYUIU4ow_qq-Nyxcun3GSBxxz3nua7FJp7vGTg-TdgkQ_DpEgz70SeSHc12fcNcH9Sq7LA/s320/lily+27.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lily wasn't too sure...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu4UpxTHrkQtPAKBtwy2o9XKJ2ucJpGGCTsHnJyXHXGKPPsW8M6JehNMd0JGg2wApaYTJ-lJfrC9lzRP6bvSkQiGpkr6ksE_iW59T0EO-hI5KCpt9UqMgAM1pAxoiGPdNqO4FXqIHPDY/s1600/lily+36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu4UpxTHrkQtPAKBtwy2o9XKJ2ucJpGGCTsHnJyXHXGKPPsW8M6JehNMd0JGg2wApaYTJ-lJfrC9lzRP6bvSkQiGpkr6ksE_iW59T0EO-hI5KCpt9UqMgAM1pAxoiGPdNqO4FXqIHPDY/s320/lily+36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After Lily's party, Christian got to see Grandma and Nanny for dinner!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFe6sVcV4Ujbo9RrtZ2ZibMQaOZRJ19cYpwI6QZc_o9jSdHGPXw1Vn-t4TBgNYJt-juQbb02imdS50RigUS3q5cdrlDKAGFvsjmOJ1wssfWHnZb1JGih6JNC4ZasaDohFLmurVx_4cWo/s1600/lily+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFe6sVcV4Ujbo9RrtZ2ZibMQaOZRJ19cYpwI6QZc_o9jSdHGPXw1Vn-t4TBgNYJt-juQbb02imdS50RigUS3q5cdrlDKAGFvsjmOJ1wssfWHnZb1JGih6JNC4ZasaDohFLmurVx_4cWo/s320/lily+37.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grandma was so happy to see Christian! She gave him kisses allllllll over!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENz-jlEzz1I66imajAjoAhyphenhyphenIjnd_GBtylb1_k-eZzhWtODO_TSCH3yAeD63eO7OMFzTdH9wk-urMvZq5PyOEVz5qGWaZKu6cGtLnmE9hWDehxvz2Y-mD77nhtEMJXwWRBf1JAmi0vq_w/s1600/lily+40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENz-jlEzz1I66imajAjoAhyphenhyphenIjnd_GBtylb1_k-eZzhWtODO_TSCH3yAeD63eO7OMFzTdH9wk-urMvZq5PyOEVz5qGWaZKu6cGtLnmE9hWDehxvz2Y-mD77nhtEMJXwWRBf1JAmi0vq_w/s320/lily+40.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"No, no, Christian! It's not nice to pinch Nanny! She's not squishy!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktHZlgQ_BUANx5N3j3E2wjp6Li5uwgf8DsD6FmHEbGKx7lLC0BgOBp4yGpEzE_onO690A1nAF9kqRUCODjoaabj-up2PGawh0wy_3lr-eE8ibW5jbKcnrXAES-L87xaXyX-fOu79SQhM/s1600/lily+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktHZlgQ_BUANx5N3j3E2wjp6Li5uwgf8DsD6FmHEbGKx7lLC0BgOBp4yGpEzE_onO690A1nAF9kqRUCODjoaabj-up2PGawh0wy_3lr-eE8ibW5jbKcnrXAES-L87xaXyX-fOu79SQhM/s320/lily+42.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian decided to pinch Funny Bunny instead...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6roh07_PsR9N3dnYnIhaqVwU0peZxznfY8JFZksZnV-J7jiNT44KsvWM3aK-jy5RD6J_2kOzqnmgE8h-yQVRLyvijCmP6tSS0ZOi2LfGVvyasT3F7ScF23Ttzvbvr2UyO9WQlxYkCs14/s1600/lily+46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6roh07_PsR9N3dnYnIhaqVwU0peZxznfY8JFZksZnV-J7jiNT44KsvWM3aK-jy5RD6J_2kOzqnmgE8h-yQVRLyvijCmP6tSS0ZOi2LfGVvyasT3F7ScF23Ttzvbvr2UyO9WQlxYkCs14/s320/lily+46.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian just had to have a sip of Grandma's water...he's such a piggy pie!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOxQo_Y1z5N2xTA3mX-RKguDtA-OWZFDHM9GGLGh-C8muAPnH9PmyEEToF89pWaSXq8ISxF3sAHNM-G5hfwjwi_ZnwcOBtlydbHBzzS3noQwfh17XyQHFrsD6Wuym3EQjj2caG0WmZus/s1600/lily+45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOxQo_Y1z5N2xTA3mX-RKguDtA-OWZFDHM9GGLGh-C8muAPnH9PmyEEToF89pWaSXq8ISxF3sAHNM-G5hfwjwi_ZnwcOBtlydbHBzzS3noQwfh17XyQHFrsD6Wuym3EQjj2caG0WmZus/s320/lily+45.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mmmmm...green beans!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCFjlfGo40A-TE-5V8hKkvljh8_Ro_k22ZPBll6Rdr-v0jWKEa66mlacbe46qMaotv8HKWHv-17bKoMBS07ongDpNJ0xSLa6P_m-OwsqiE3ofuPOgfjH-JXHufNAy-r_BFavXi2k3Wz0/s1600/lily+43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCFjlfGo40A-TE-5V8hKkvljh8_Ro_k22ZPBll6Rdr-v0jWKEa66mlacbe46qMaotv8HKWHv-17bKoMBS07ongDpNJ0xSLa6P_m-OwsqiE3ofuPOgfjH-JXHufNAy-r_BFavXi2k3Wz0/s320/lily+43.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Daddy told Christian all about hamburgers and how yummy they are...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIKlJ5BemWb7sWsiT6avAAS2JLjcZGRwJOKULLMLrfTLsATiHfw7NCaDtcHhiRr52hPM32SYtLkWpGwqNXWulj5gsZhRwVWmRMTQMvGJadaD2jNm_yijmza8GWrqNeHysfJXXA0AbBRc/s1600/lily+44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIKlJ5BemWb7sWsiT6avAAS2JLjcZGRwJOKULLMLrfTLsATiHfw7NCaDtcHhiRr52hPM32SYtLkWpGwqNXWulj5gsZhRwVWmRMTQMvGJadaD2jNm_yijmza8GWrqNeHysfJXXA0AbBRc/s320/lily+44.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And then he let him try a pickle. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Christian had such a great day! He was so excited to celebrate with Lily and finish the day with his family!Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-6705238949511560162011-09-22T20:50:00.000-07:002011-09-22T20:50:35.711-07:00Baby TalkEveryone knows that when you have a baby, you develop your own lingo of silly sounding words that usually make you think ushy gushy thoughts. And Ken and I are no exception to the rule. As much as we try to talk to Christian like a big boy, the baby talk still manages to pop up in everyday conversation. Here is a look at some of the words we use:<br />
<br />
<b>Didee</b> (pronounced: Die-dee): noun: a synonym for diaper: "Oh my goodness! Christian has the big pewpy didee!"<br />
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<b>Showee</b> (pronounced: sh-oww-ee): noun: a synonym for shower: "Ohhh, Christian! Do you want to take a showee?!?!?"<br />
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<b>Bobbie</b> (pronounced: bob-ee): noun: synonym for bottle: "I made Christian the big bobbie."<br />
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<b>Bathy Bath</b> (pronounced: really? do I have to spell it out for you?): noun: a synonym for bath: "Christian wants to take a big boy bathy bath!"<br />
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<b>Pewpies</b> (preonounced: pew-pees): noun: a synonym for poo: "Ohhhhh, Christian! Did you make the big pewpies?!?!? Geez oh Pete, son! That is a stinky pewpie!"<br />
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<b>Foozies</b> (prounounced: foo-zees): noun: a synonym for food: "Are you ready to eat some foozies?!?!"<br />
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<b>Doo-Di-Doos</b> (pronounced: just like it says...): noun: the ticklish spot on Christian's chubby thighs: "Christian, you better watch out or the coyotes are going to get your doo-di-doos!!!!!!!"<br />
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<b>Onion</b> (pronounced: the same way you would say onion...): noun: Christian's head: "Mommy's gonna kiss you on your onion!" proper noun: another name for Christian: "Hey, Onion! Whatcha doin'?"<br />
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<b>Boogity Boo</b> (pronounced Boog-it-ee Boo): proper noun: another name for Christian: "What's the matter, Boogity Boo?"<br />
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As little man gets older, I am sure we will speak like adults (or not...) in order to help his vocabulary. But for now, I am LOVING hearing my very serious hubby say things like, "Christian has the big doo-di-doos!!!!" and "Does Daddy need to change your big pee pee didee????" It's most definitely added a new dimension to our relationship! Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-47012377801391210682011-09-21T19:30:00.000-07:002011-09-21T19:30:14.690-07:006 month Letter From MommyMy Dear Sweet Christian,<br />
<br />
When I think about how you have changed my life, I think about the simple moments that have become part of my daily routine.<br />
<br />
I love waking up with you in the morning and seeing your smiling face when you realize it's cuddle time with Mommy.<br />
<br />
I love coming home to you knowing that your big toothless grin will be waiting on me.<br />
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I love watching you with your Daddy. If I ever doubted the love that God has for His children, all I've to do is what your father with you.<br />
<br />
I love all your faces and expressions that make you who you are.<br />
<br />
I love holding you close to me and having you wrap your little arms around my neck. Oh my goodness! Your hugs are the very best!<br />
<br />
I love nursing you and have you smile up at me as if to say, "Thanks, Mom!" You're welcome, my angel. It's my joy to feed you.<br />
<br />
I love bath time! Watching you kick and splash in the water fills my heart with so much joy! And even more than bath time, I love taking a "showee" with you. You are such a fun bath time boy!<br />
<br />
I love knowing you. Knowing your moods, your cries, your favorites...it makes every moment meaningful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNVNm_7AY03YpzeLn-cg1lo_2Jc4BsQ0prs9ismVZinxASw1EYEVNqn361Rxs7CFC4Zen8JwSkQ98NgWwP2tUngyTINr1zpYMmqs0K_TEiOf0qV7XTD-o-vfLnFyCygg6xSv2haNPPOQ/s1600/CHRISTIAN_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNVNm_7AY03YpzeLn-cg1lo_2Jc4BsQ0prs9ismVZinxASw1EYEVNqn361Rxs7CFC4Zen8JwSkQ98NgWwP2tUngyTINr1zpYMmqs0K_TEiOf0qV7XTD-o-vfLnFyCygg6xSv2haNPPOQ/s320/CHRISTIAN_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In utero</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiKskb4MCTvFUxsHaKZFM3RfDvoqKj9fYixiQ5hqity-_cU7rrdN4P5lpwKYSh3Ta2_AZO2Qd8BIIOQI1FqVNlNl2k8e-J2v9CSZeTjzn_D5q2FY2bbBic5Iy1sNI8hBbURCHcw3XZ-o/s1600/DSC02504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiKskb4MCTvFUxsHaKZFM3RfDvoqKj9fYixiQ5hqity-_cU7rrdN4P5lpwKYSh3Ta2_AZO2Qd8BIIOQI1FqVNlNl2k8e-J2v9CSZeTjzn_D5q2FY2bbBic5Iy1sNI8hBbURCHcw3XZ-o/s320/DSC02504.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 day old!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFT110C1NHSPLbx1B4C9IE9p6QRtES_jAQ-umCr64-hte8Xu2RYZ49hSbp47KlutCJ0BjTdki-T9RmU1R8oGzvV6c0Oan32VjWpxN_zbOjNN19q-E25ZBdFDSvPjhGZQOVGAPrko7fUk/s1600/pro+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFT110C1NHSPLbx1B4C9IE9p6QRtES_jAQ-umCr64-hte8Xu2RYZ49hSbp47KlutCJ0BjTdki-T9RmU1R8oGzvV6c0Oan32VjWpxN_zbOjNN19q-E25ZBdFDSvPjhGZQOVGAPrko7fUk/s320/pro+7.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 month</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh5ll_-0-4HhH_mwLwsMPfXOv5e5qyVPSZAiZZuSaURN6izMhaAYCSbgD6gLre_6j4Ub88rq6HYPN_LAF9QNbq4B8AJO2X9JwKtz4yy2UN5B6c9snVEp6YF5TzHsMA8px2ddRF-VrXms/s1600/bathtime+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh5ll_-0-4HhH_mwLwsMPfXOv5e5qyVPSZAiZZuSaURN6izMhaAYCSbgD6gLre_6j4Ub88rq6HYPN_LAF9QNbq4B8AJO2X9JwKtz4yy2UN5B6c9snVEp6YF5TzHsMA8px2ddRF-VrXms/s320/bathtime+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhADPdoiObcXJx2W5RNVsWiLVzhwGMB68iOpD6YUxoVUrrfbhMUwY6OZQCCAXBqsh_SzGgjCxoIKu5WerZTnRiiLd9m7fiN2wCnDTaAYIEWHhYnmxM-W912EbP6NhAmhS10VkMmamcR9o/s1600/bouncy+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhADPdoiObcXJx2W5RNVsWiLVzhwGMB68iOpD6YUxoVUrrfbhMUwY6OZQCCAXBqsh_SzGgjCxoIKu5WerZTnRiiLd9m7fiN2wCnDTaAYIEWHhYnmxM-W912EbP6NhAmhS10VkMmamcR9o/s320/bouncy+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2haRVKs8YxYJdv1OcCXd6Aet1FGH8u_UYGB2x02jpxXnGLQFEjOWJ0Bk9fISFdK0XbjVV61mpUxSYA2Q6rM7BttnN_PEdU5kVBsu98x2UhIDjpqyAanhzNBfZr6fK3maMleJyfeTCx0/s1600/Father%2527s+Day+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2haRVKs8YxYJdv1OcCXd6Aet1FGH8u_UYGB2x02jpxXnGLQFEjOWJ0Bk9fISFdK0XbjVV61mpUxSYA2Q6rM7BttnN_PEdU5kVBsu98x2UhIDjpqyAanhzNBfZr6fK3maMleJyfeTCx0/s320/Father%2527s+Day+One.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRauXXvhM8pPvOaWfvIBz5gmhCwWM9JA04yrtJ4aYtyRMgMk3mkVeTrCXgrMrrGdI2xNdqJrMlhB4SzV7N-zBAR-bJLdfN-VP_x-_9eKbGUUSlGKeTYhkhdk4oBEgvizIHz6ST_sFQSM/s1600/kidsignment+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRauXXvhM8pPvOaWfvIBz5gmhCwWM9JA04yrtJ4aYtyRMgMk3mkVeTrCXgrMrrGdI2xNdqJrMlhB4SzV7N-zBAR-bJLdfN-VP_x-_9eKbGUUSlGKeTYhkhdk4oBEgvizIHz6ST_sFQSM/s320/kidsignment+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWGGwsjao7QngPUDU-M9WbxjKd14IC1jdXStPP6bXnAj_S1yZ-VnGXzrZV2k3RYPHQbSzDBKTdGO9vM0GyCiw6lLR4MoTf1E0FptdH69y9trnkooAl_mVHfry-LDLoQX4ir5Da4F9ko0/s1600/Painting+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWGGwsjao7QngPUDU-M9WbxjKd14IC1jdXStPP6bXnAj_S1yZ-VnGXzrZV2k3RYPHQbSzDBKTdGO9vM0GyCiw6lLR4MoTf1E0FptdH69y9trnkooAl_mVHfry-LDLoQX4ir5Da4F9ko0/s320/Painting+27.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 months</td></tr>
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I am so grateful for you, son. You have given me purpose beyond myself. <br />
<br />
Your father and I love you so deeply. Thank you for being our son.Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-26403936820337887542011-09-21T05:26:00.000-07:002011-09-21T05:26:54.101-07:00The YMCA and the Case of the Bitter BettiesI am not the mom who freaks out over every little thing. I'm just not. Germs don't bother me like they do other moms...I breastfeed, so my kid has ultra immunity (knock on wood). I don't worry about an exact schedule...we have a routine that is pretty flexible. I don't worry about how often Christian eats...he eats when he wants to. When Ken and I leave Christian with someone for the day, we don't leave 6 pages of notes on how to care for him. We just don't! If we didn't trust you to take care of our child, we probably wouldn't leave him with you! (Not to mention, the only people who have ever watched Christian for the day are highly "baby-skilled" people...they're probably better with him than I am!)<br />
<br />
With <i>alllllllllllll</i> that being said, I <b>do</b> have a bone to pick with a few Bitter Betties in the nursery at the YMCA where I work out. Every damn time I take Christian to the nursery at the Y, they have <i>something</i> to say about the way I parent him or his behavior. It would be different if he was a horribly behaved toddler who ran through the nursery stealing toys and boppin' other kids upside the head. <b>BUT HE'S NOT! HE'S A BABY!</b><br />
<br />
Here are a list of different incedences:<br />
1) I was informed that, "We don't try to hold the babies unless we have to..." "Really? Why?", I asked (thinking it might have something to do with a liability issue...) "Because we don't want to spoil them", was the reply I received. <i>My thoughts</i>? It is <b>YOUR JOB</b> to spoil my kid for <b>AN HOUR AND A HALF</b> or <b>LESS</b> so that I can work off this baby weight which <i>YOU</i> have so <i>obviously</i> <b><u>NOT</u></b> worked off! (Even though your kids are 45...)<br />
<br />
2) One day I received several snide looks when Christian was dressed in a onsie that said "I am boob man". When I told the nursery woman that it was ok to give him milk if he got hungry, she asked, "When was the last time he ate?" "It really doesn't matter. He's not on a feeding schedule since he nurses", I answered. "Oh. (<i>humph</i>) <i>That's</i> why he's wearing that shirt..." <i>My thoughts</i>? <i>Why the hell else would he be wearing that shirt</i>???? Are you dense? Do you think that I dress my kid in a onsie that says, "I am boob man" because he has a sexual attraction to women with large breasts???? HE'S A BABY, YOU WEIRDO! Ugh...<br />
<br />
3) Christian likes to squeal. He just does. Ever since he found his vocal cords (at birth), he likes to exercise them. He's not unhappy when he squeals...he's excited! When he plays with a toy that is highly amusing, he squeals at it! It's what he does. HE'S A BABY! So when I come in to pick him up from the nursery, the last thing I want to hear is how "Next time we're gonna bring our ear plugs..." <i>My thoughts</i>? Maybe you should remove your earplugs from your <u>(I'll let you fill in the blank. It'll be like Mad Libs...)</u><br />
<br />
4) Apparently no child is equipped for life without a dadgum paci. Except you wanna know what my kid does with a paci????? He spits it out. But according to the nursery women, my child would fare much better with a paci. So "next time you need to bring a paci"...GUESS WHAT? NOT ALL BABIES LIKE PACIS! MAYBE just MAYBE if you'd PICK HIM UP AND PLAY WITH HIM, HE WOULDN'T CRY! Just a suggestion...<br />
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5) Even Ken has gone in there to make sure I wasn't exaggerating...hey! I've been known to exaggerate every now and again...shocking, right? And do you know what they said to him? They said, "You must spoil your baby." To which he replied, "Yes. Yes, I do. It's my honor and privilege to spoil and love and hold that baby every chance I get. And if you don't want to spoil my kid for an hour, you're in the wrong business."<br />
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With all these incedents, I'm sure you're wondering if I've said anything to management. And yes. Yes, I have. But it doesn't do a lick of good! Nothing changes...<br />
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These horribly bitter old ladies remind me of the mean ole' elephants in Dumbo...<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033563/quotes?qt=qt0424356">remember how mean they were?</a> They were mean because they were jealous or scared or intimidated. And I think the ladies in the nursery are just plain old <i>bitter</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVHQfletJeUmN4IVjmcoUOFegwlhH-JoMXjXkBxe7wejwAp9lucjwCKW_uKSwDq-SRaPOljRaXUlxDvzMd9hShX7hCkaBhNZOQnW8zzggS8Q3_a3D6_uT4kw024FnZiq8AjX15IgZPR0/s1600/bitter+betties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVHQfletJeUmN4IVjmcoUOFegwlhH-JoMXjXkBxe7wejwAp9lucjwCKW_uKSwDq-SRaPOljRaXUlxDvzMd9hShX7hCkaBhNZOQnW8zzggS8Q3_a3D6_uT4kw024FnZiq8AjX15IgZPR0/s320/bitter+betties.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Believe me, I am waiting for the next time they say something to me so I can give them just a little piece of my mind. But more than anything I am really just ready for a new gym...Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-79134869091456176092011-09-08T05:01:00.000-07:002011-09-08T05:01:34.394-07:00GOAL!It seems like yesterday that I was worried sick about whether or not I'd be able to pump enough milk for Christian while I was at work. I remember feeling so nervous and insecure about my milk supply along with my will to do something so<i> physically taxing</i>. But now my son is six months old and <a href="http://thecrazyclarksandotheroddities.blogspot.com/2011/03/christians-nursing-journey.html">I have made it to my original goal.</a><br />
<br />
Christian will have nursed or had breastmilk now for the first six months of his life. Even as I say that, I can't believe I did it...or rather, we did it, as it took many peoples' support to encourage such an accomplishment. There are just a few people I'd like to thank...<br />
<br />
-<i>Mama</i>, thank you for encouraging me to breastfeed. It was the best thing you did for me as a baby and it has been the best thing I have done for Christian. It is so helpful to have a mother who is supportive of breastfeeding. You truly planted the seed.<br />
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-<i>Ken</i>, thank you for being my cheering section through this journey. You being proud of me day in and day out is what inspires me to continue providing milk for our child. Thank you for reassuring me and supporting my decision.<br />
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-<i>Lisa</i>, thank you for allowing me to borrow your pump and for all the advice and support you've given along the way. You have saved my family countless sums of money and eased my mind just by sharing your story.<br />
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-<i>Rebecca and Margeaux</i>, thank you for encouraging me to pump milk at work and tolerating our "topless chats". If it weren't for the two of you and our amazing team, I would never have continued pumping after the first month I returned back to work. <br />
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-<i>Christian</i>, thank you for being the best teammate any nursing mommy could ever ask for! Your sincere enjoyment while breastfeeding lets me know that all the struggle is totally worth it. I can't imagine not breastfeeding you. And that's why we will continue this journey together for as long as we can. I love you so much. And what I especially love is the bond that we share through you nursing. I love the way you "talk with your mouth full" and look up at me with milk dribbling out of your mouth. I love the way that when nothing else will comfort you, my breast will. Sometimes I think that our bond is weakened because I chose to go back to work, but when I get to hold you and nurse you, I know it's as strong as ever.<br />
<br />
-<i>ME</i>! I am so proud of myself for accomplishing the goal I set out to do! Not many women breastfeed anymore...and even less are willing to pump at work...but I DID!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuiwfvz5EgDZVzQN-RDXUVKfNjMDWsn2KuZIBYFScdOthyphenhyphenN452yLpuhiQ4Ky76lalbPfrni8shhHXO69hc0MjxmxIO1ulJ1bvJQPMRuWfPmdWzWGD1nzreNOGC_VoVCRkCHkdvLsRX8o/s1600/71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuiwfvz5EgDZVzQN-RDXUVKfNjMDWsn2KuZIBYFScdOthyphenhyphenN452yLpuhiQ4Ky76lalbPfrni8shhHXO69hc0MjxmxIO1ulJ1bvJQPMRuWfPmdWzWGD1nzreNOGC_VoVCRkCHkdvLsRX8o/s320/71.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Going forward, I know I am entering holiday season at work and it will become less and less convenient to pump milk at work. However, if I can continue to at least pump twice a day I will still be able to provide enough milk for Christian while I am away. And I think twice a day during holiday is totally doable. I would like to get him through one year...and I remember when I didn't think it would be possible!...and now I have a new goal; I would like to nurse Christian until he is ready to wean himself. If that means he's done nursing at one year, so be it. If he decides he's done with the breast at 18 months, that's ok, too. But I am dedicated to nursing as long as my son finds it satisfying and comforting. And I feel so good about making that choice.Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-74446869693490183602011-08-30T14:26:00.000-07:002011-08-31T05:37:52.673-07:00Yellow BirdWhen Marcella came to visit us in July, she brought Remmy a stuffed animal. Since Remmy destroys all stuffed animals and leaves the remains scattered throughout the house, we decided that the stuffed animal should go to Christian. (Side Note: Remmy has stolen about 10 of Christian's toys, so it was only fair!)<br />
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Since then, the plush chick has been dubbed "Yellow Bird". Yellow Bird is one of Christian's favorite toys (if not his favorite). He plays with Yellow Bird much like he <a href="http://thecrazyclarksandotheroddities.blogspot.com/2011/08/kens-corner-pillow-calisthenics.html">plays with his pillows</a>. He loves to laugh at Yellow Bird and will sit and stare at him...it's pretty freakin' cute.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewmOMT6asEJ8wu5VWjKDJTFFwHRwtLpU1qw6o-y2kPftM-e3ef2l88oNPUzuqF1JVYWJvucmuqf171n93Gcbyc2xqjpIj7G184Ng2zXE6D0pz3tnSFx-rPHU7Taq8GOIi67-F2ISsEjk/s1600/yellow+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewmOMT6asEJ8wu5VWjKDJTFFwHRwtLpU1qw6o-y2kPftM-e3ef2l88oNPUzuqF1JVYWJvucmuqf171n93Gcbyc2xqjpIj7G184Ng2zXE6D0pz3tnSFx-rPHU7Taq8GOIi67-F2ISsEjk/s320/yellow+bird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Mommy even happens to know a song about a yellow bird that her Daddy taught her...it goes a little something like this:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>A yellow bird</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>With a yellow bill</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Was sitting on</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>My windowsill</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I coaxed him in</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>With crumbs of bread</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And then I smashed</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>His little head</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, isn't' that endearing? (By the way, I do not condone violence against animals...just in case anyone was thinking of calling PETA.)</div>Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-36129339330547342362011-08-30T09:10:00.000-07:002011-08-30T18:47:58.942-07:00Three Year Tribute<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv443LREceqxlc0gc6KuSx9kt7f05qg8PRiBFuriSrDHmEUP5qZypmtE0fS5YozzHE2oqq_DErsl9HySsTIad-La9mGwcq4uhf34xw3-elFxvSKN3IAKAVJ0peJW36oaqn0kkX6ZLVYdY/s1600/Too+Sexy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv443LREceqxlc0gc6KuSx9kt7f05qg8PRiBFuriSrDHmEUP5qZypmtE0fS5YozzHE2oqq_DErsl9HySsTIad-La9mGwcq4uhf34xw3-elFxvSKN3IAKAVJ0peJW36oaqn0kkX6ZLVYdY/s400/Too+Sexy.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first Picture Together</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEjpik4BljWcKxIJpBgW_HzxHxnP6bsrPAW9oRifMUVUsxod4691NJZVFb5EJAkyCS3ltcVeu75n7DmZncYnvyqTj9IW6riuvCvQk-tOyuhga_GnfDkNWq5Jzo6fk10KUF4zbkgqv4VDGes/s1600/l_cb14e083a461df342baf9356153e2b9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hay Ride in North GA</td></tr>
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Three years of marriage and so much to be thankful for. How could I ever describe the twists and turns that led me to my loving husband? I will never deserve him, and I will forever cherish him. He is simply the best man I have ever known. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohfq6jGOChqrx95ihi0BNuPKxmInBX0gpP5_MInC59lBJywj5aS1e72V9OdsC5qaXj_WeRdPGtuPE569LU1G4XUPsGEKqrexr0Jj74sOt1W2CdRmr-NHVfgL1a_SpL5oUPM3LZbcgw3Y/s1600/Picture+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohfq6jGOChqrx95ihi0BNuPKxmInBX0gpP5_MInC59lBJywj5aS1e72V9OdsC5qaXj_WeRdPGtuPE569LU1G4XUPsGEKqrexr0Jj74sOt1W2CdRmr-NHVfgL1a_SpL5oUPM3LZbcgw3Y/s320/Picture+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On vacation in the mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh400Kq16LqueYiQHbpW1LzWQi7K-tfQXtRjJZYbhFIDfxe1PJked4a3VOomd-s2BAwohA20Xq323ROufc0v5QB9MKPCZsKXkVzvaQNMFZfhF6SpDq6G6MmH9os3_2onfz_JdGKCmpB__g/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh400Kq16LqueYiQHbpW1LzWQi7K-tfQXtRjJZYbhFIDfxe1PJked4a3VOomd-s2BAwohA20Xq323ROufc0v5QB9MKPCZsKXkVzvaQNMFZfhF6SpDq6G6MmH9os3_2onfz_JdGKCmpB__g/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My birthday at the Melting Pot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZ753n-WoidtBkDRdIcIE-k_0ATjChrzf3bp_NDNyWEPpncOigFT90xnYb_T1B7Zy2476ZIqP8NUA72npTPsnWkNRjmQ7ilf8zSoKniyV0RJqhFVox07j7KmyF1zeOXv_v7rLUezrKNI/s1600/Ken+%2526+Stephanie-164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZ753n-WoidtBkDRdIcIE-k_0ATjChrzf3bp_NDNyWEPpncOigFT90xnYb_T1B7Zy2476ZIqP8NUA72npTPsnWkNRjmQ7ilf8zSoKniyV0RJqhFVox07j7KmyF1zeOXv_v7rLUezrKNI/s320/Ken+%2526+Stephanie-164.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Wedding Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH1suN0evjo9ZKMSsCgNuD1W67Ubie1nXrW5lodIoU3SxrIVqmbkPvcUgyYyNnheN8mVcOEA_EVsjYFkHp3Tt3qLi9WZ7G3H61OBpMJbUVFjGfptzvhVudXjwXL33rqlVrqUcIwZgz2o/s1600/Steph%2527s+Tatoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH1suN0evjo9ZKMSsCgNuD1W67Ubie1nXrW5lodIoU3SxrIVqmbkPvcUgyYyNnheN8mVcOEA_EVsjYFkHp3Tt3qLi9WZ7G3H61OBpMJbUVFjGfptzvhVudXjwXL33rqlVrqUcIwZgz2o/s320/Steph%2527s+Tatoo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tattoo I got on our honeymoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRR0EfKcge7lZSC5a5EZ6l83SKP4oOewqzdfKac0013MNTaDMFp9gCAkkOEu6fkxpRmDtXxINkgsG3WRbE2jI9fvTA9peiTAJlHURzIzEv3vUDcbbQ0wxZ2cxOgRRQJkotUBPHWMa2ZM/s1600/Out+in+Helen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRR0EfKcge7lZSC5a5EZ6l83SKP4oOewqzdfKac0013MNTaDMFp9gCAkkOEu6fkxpRmDtXxINkgsG3WRbE2jI9fvTA9peiTAJlHURzIzEv3vUDcbbQ0wxZ2cxOgRRQJkotUBPHWMa2ZM/s320/Out+in+Helen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a coffee shop on our honeymoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gRvIF762ydO3IvgaCZlKsWiKzJrPyChbO0xBhjjad6tX842dTLTTp-46kTLGcwVVQWu8BAiKqOhezbQHVZtJtDjLBLeN3D7dRIL0RHtSaxIh1CAQvfe4myaK4bSRXiEH9L-JlWRPHZo/s1600/ken+and+me+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gRvIF762ydO3IvgaCZlKsWiKzJrPyChbO0xBhjjad6tX842dTLTTp-46kTLGcwVVQWu8BAiKqOhezbQHVZtJtDjLBLeN3D7dRIL0RHtSaxIh1CAQvfe4myaK4bSRXiEH9L-JlWRPHZo/s1600/ken+and+me+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out to dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oVedZzjDVvDGgZzhSimSegw-3kGrJJXTo08uYCzYF-5je6AAAhchPaIy_EvE2J2vtJ7cXJwi-bzFOXAbwxFa2acJx6aLn7ay8ulqjEFpbN426jkPUBhS5nYMjSGMHQRw74HjBd9DTMk/s1600/Photo06131237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oVedZzjDVvDGgZzhSimSegw-3kGrJJXTo08uYCzYF-5je6AAAhchPaIy_EvE2J2vtJ7cXJwi-bzFOXAbwxFa2acJx6aLn7ay8ulqjEFpbN426jkPUBhS5nYMjSGMHQRw74HjBd9DTMk/s320/Photo06131237.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In South Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrAHnDadMzFOz3vqZ7DJQKM6zI8bhTDYhJaH4HZuPr2bCXwzRYZxU6ts7NEkJJ0fnq0tLiZVJtgpgcftkp_POUF7wcQtdgTuiDkftgth6V_FgsybYmtxvzSlFpDj2fO13g49AnWniqJA/s1600/DSC00525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrAHnDadMzFOz3vqZ7DJQKM6zI8bhTDYhJaH4HZuPr2bCXwzRYZxU6ts7NEkJJ0fnq0tLiZVJtgpgcftkp_POUF7wcQtdgTuiDkftgth6V_FgsybYmtxvzSlFpDj2fO13g49AnWniqJA/s320/DSC00525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the aquarium</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRCTyAGtSxFvklpXu_saqkSdBLPjMJmrZj6pPrUOom2UdO45mGHLENT_ZNfCgJVMnXMetkqsWhIWvJQkSAqiWaqd5OwtfGvfpf2M4qQ05gAgZgjz3vPJWb3avBOuWaB3fz6aYdm-6s80/s1600/Steph+and+Big+Daddy+at+the+Doc%2527s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRCTyAGtSxFvklpXu_saqkSdBLPjMJmrZj6pPrUOom2UdO45mGHLENT_ZNfCgJVMnXMetkqsWhIWvJQkSAqiWaqd5OwtfGvfpf2M4qQ05gAgZgjz3vPJWb3avBOuWaB3fz6aYdm-6s80/s320/Steph+and+Big+Daddy+at+the+Doc%2527s.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First visit to the OBGYN</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BBGzAXHEmvjnzpApsNZYjYdffp-o1QOH8U1p6cXMEZXKYoyRlPWtUzgbECofdSbBzhjTbsZbqXVVBzNgNWMbNsjxWKkyBH8rVMdLuwwUQUr1hI3ruWN405lBuk9MwKEPpySOjGK9xJM/s1600/easter+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BBGzAXHEmvjnzpApsNZYjYdffp-o1QOH8U1p6cXMEZXKYoyRlPWtUzgbECofdSbBzhjTbsZbqXVVBzNgNWMbNsjxWKkyBH8rVMdLuwwUQUr1hI3ruWN405lBuk9MwKEPpySOjGK9xJM/s320/easter+3.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh1Q37xC3LwAvqAaxT9e24f1y3MPDJZIfSczXwYb6qgSWLmQsa_VkRreZ_ts1Ad-DtaVwo5qEbF74I3wthfMbCIoYwMnwNFa5w9pu0DNm6P99goJwea3eu7bS9X56uDyK2lk9KMgHwFM/s1600/Lobster+People.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh1Q37xC3LwAvqAaxT9e24f1y3MPDJZIfSczXwYb6qgSWLmQsa_VkRreZ_ts1Ad-DtaVwo5qEbF74I3wthfMbCIoYwMnwNFa5w9pu0DNm6P99goJwea3eu7bS9X56uDyK2lk9KMgHwFM/s320/Lobster+People.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On vacation in Florida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-55955779850690331912011-08-25T04:47:00.000-07:002011-08-25T04:47:19.109-07:00Ken's Corner: Interesting Logic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAQBEoQpatV8pij9aLT33b2ZXogTYbB_3CD2XyOIM08hubvVSPcGjIp4OIGgA1NkMnJAd2VUtU2SbqqKzro3wPfcCSSzHCKKxAv_lneu5I4_SJwKJ6ZFMzd8pZkBtt1l9KnHcrOFp5aU/s1600/Daddy+and+Christian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAQBEoQpatV8pij9aLT33b2ZXogTYbB_3CD2XyOIM08hubvVSPcGjIp4OIGgA1NkMnJAd2VUtU2SbqqKzro3wPfcCSSzHCKKxAv_lneu5I4_SJwKJ6ZFMzd8pZkBtt1l9KnHcrOFp5aU/s320/Daddy+and+Christian.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>Mommy, while blowing on Christian's tummy: "I think Christian is going to have an outie!"<br />
<br />
Daddy, while cleaning up the kitchen from dinner: "Why would he have an outie? We both have innies."<br />
<br />
Mommy, while inspecting Christian's belly button a little closer: "I think it has something to do with how they cut the cord..."<br />
<br />
Daddy (still cleaning the kitchen): "Probably. But I don't want him to have an outie. I want him to have a belly button like ours."<br />
<br />
Mommy: "Outies are cute! Why do you want him to have a belly button like us <i>so</i> bad?"<br />
<br />
Daddy: "So we all match."<br />
<br />
Mommy: laughing and appreciating Ken's interesting logicKen and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-82993922338757793862011-08-23T06:08:00.000-07:002011-08-23T06:08:30.262-07:00Under(pants) Progress...Ahhh...pregnancy! A glorious time in a woman's life when she can celebrate the life growing within her and dream about the child soon to be had! Right? Anyone? Hello?<br />
<br />
Ok, ok! So I was <i>NOT</i> the most pleasant pregnant woman. Hell, <i>I </i>was <i>miserable</i>! But part of that can definitely be attributed to the fact that I gained a <i>whopping 65 pounds</i>. Yeah. I have no shame. I'll admit it. And it wasn't <i>exactly</i> my fault. I mean, if Christian had not had a craving for ice cream <i>every day</i>, I wouldn't have eaten it <i>every day</i>. (And, for the record, I have no idea how this child didn't weigh 12 pounds at birth...)<br />
<br />
HOWEVER! Guess what? I have lost <u><b>40</b></u> of the 65 pounds! I am back to my pre-pre-pregnancy weight! When I got pregnant I was super skinny because I had just lost 25 pounds (Murphy's Law...). And I feel I can best represent my weight loss, and my future weight loss, with this picture...<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrEj77fYF7CbBn1H3Z4AEHuOjHkER7hyobpDJD5wMpkpjRfInRbIBYvJZCdIIOpWSwfCKcM9jHxiX966umTQH4tj9pV1HGehqITrnDJxXaSmtKlLMi7lgrsdLmjvWoM9r_DEHeqEloe0/s1600/underpants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrEj77fYF7CbBn1H3Z4AEHuOjHkER7hyobpDJD5wMpkpjRfInRbIBYvJZCdIIOpWSwfCKcM9jHxiX966umTQH4tj9pV1HGehqITrnDJxXaSmtKlLMi7lgrsdLmjvWoM9r_DEHeqEloe0/s400/underpants.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From right to left...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><b>The Institution Panty</b></u>: Super comfy and super durable. Amazing stretch capacity. Will not arouse sexual attention from husband (unless removed). After one has lost enough weight, The Institution Panty will: bunch up in pants, sag in bottom, not arouse sexual attention from husband (unless removed). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><b>The "Look-I-Can-Fit-Into-Semi-Cute-Undies" Panty:</b></u> Also comfy and durable. A slight bit less stretch capacity. Small embellishment and/or color other than white improves chances of sexual attention from husband (chances also improve upon removal).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><b>The "I-May-Be-A-Mom-But-I-Look-Like-A-Sexy-CoEd-In-These-Little-Things" Panty:</b></u> Comfy only if you are a waif. Durable? Who cares. Stretch capacity? Not much, unless you like rolls hanging over sides. The "I-May-Be-A-Mom-But-I-Look-Like-A-Sexy-CoEd-In-These-Little-Things" panties will ensure sexual attention from husband.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So now you see where I have been, where I am, and where I'm headed. My goal is to be at 130 by January. That is where I was happiest and felt the best about myself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know weight is only a number...but it wasn't about the number for me; it was about the <i>feeling</i>. I want to be fit and I want Christian to understand the importance of being healthy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can use all the support I can get! I am committing to three days <b>MINIMUM</b> in the gym per week and will tack down a meal plan in a week or so. I find that being accountable is super motivating. Updates to follow! Any words of wisdom, support, tips, etc. are welcome!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-70166919983657841452011-08-21T18:19:00.000-07:002011-08-21T18:19:36.901-07:00A Solid Start (The Remix)<i>There is a time for everything and everything has a time</i>...that's how the expression goes, right? No? Well, you get the idea. What I am trying to say is that Christian is ready for some solids! How do I know? Because at dinner tonight, he tried to eat his Bumbo seat. Really. I'm not kidding...he tried to <i>eat </i>his Bumbo seat while watching Ken and I eat our meals.<br />
<br />
After our last ordeal with solids, I decided to follow my La Leche book to the T when introducing solids...again.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 1)</b> Offer food to him during the family meal time.<br />
<b>Step 2)</b> Hold the spoon sideways to his lips and let him lip the food into his mouth. Coax him to eat just like when you breastfeed...don't force him, but offer. <br />
<b>Step 3)</b> Let <i>him </i>put the food in his mouth. If it gets messy, so be it! Babies who feed themselves are less messy in the long run. (And honestly, we're at home, so it doesn't matter anyway!)<br />
<b>Step 4)</b> Put the baby in the bathtub ASAP!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5ZIHcR7fekio8HZD4PtMgm_l9Tb0JU50cfNeR4NkirjILsj8oTUKskdaJ75D9faw5lfd0qq4lCke7QTYj-NCltrGTetoHUKle6vRrReTcNGt8XHM4ckesWJEKghR4m7ECGwUlUa9YFg/s1600/spinach+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5ZIHcR7fekio8HZD4PtMgm_l9Tb0JU50cfNeR4NkirjILsj8oTUKskdaJ75D9faw5lfd0qq4lCke7QTYj-NCltrGTetoHUKle6vRrReTcNGt8XHM4ckesWJEKghR4m7ECGwUlUa9YFg/s320/spinach+5.jpg" width="255" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVA4o3w3qx1LCforf1sqtw4-hUFNYP1HGGNCQ5-ZzSM8TxRy3Td8EjU2EdvO8zMkQoJpHIVtTPK_4dMrsT2MS_eQU_uHvtE-5TqRZGDkHP4jXPyTd7ZtovkDVw608oZPrj80bKT4IWNU/s1600/spinach+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVA4o3w3qx1LCforf1sqtw4-hUFNYP1HGGNCQ5-ZzSM8TxRy3Td8EjU2EdvO8zMkQoJpHIVtTPK_4dMrsT2MS_eQU_uHvtE-5TqRZGDkHP4jXPyTd7ZtovkDVw608oZPrj80bKT4IWNU/s320/spinach+3.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngryed_wN69KGiJ5efo-ONPa_yqiHFc8QjKpIlZ4_hSXUJHLLYtCcd0vvPT5w1oJeD1M7sm_cFp4EHnarF7ICzgX49lzNrySq-U7VBjyeVGSi2cQBqtSZl3HkvhWLfIkBIiJu_QAgjZc/s1600/spinach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngryed_wN69KGiJ5efo-ONPa_yqiHFc8QjKpIlZ4_hSXUJHLLYtCcd0vvPT5w1oJeD1M7sm_cFp4EHnarF7ICzgX49lzNrySq-U7VBjyeVGSi2cQBqtSZl3HkvhWLfIkBIiJu_QAgjZc/s320/spinach.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Christian LOVE, LOVE, LOVED his organic spinach and carrots! <br />
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Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-18302832604571262782011-08-21T14:43:00.000-07:002011-08-21T15:28:46.054-07:00Ken's Corner: Pillow Calisthenics<div style="text-align: center;">How does Daddy ensure his son has big strong legs? Why, he makes him do pillow calisthenics! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8nJo0L6klrA_xNBK52PPUM3i-QgbixedJWnEnzqoN_RUtTcPuj4zIxVBBxymdDn7aeNagzsLG3iqn1m7IgPMUDkxIqGmxA0jvDyyj-vedoHLWY63CMCYVddYh1soA_T8eZVz4bIT898/s1600/leg+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8nJo0L6klrA_xNBK52PPUM3i-QgbixedJWnEnzqoN_RUtTcPuj4zIxVBBxymdDn7aeNagzsLG3iqn1m7IgPMUDkxIqGmxA0jvDyyj-vedoHLWY63CMCYVddYh1soA_T8eZVz4bIT898/s320/leg+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Every little boy should be getting his daily exercise! </div><div style="text-align: center;">And with Daddy's help, Christian has entered into a daily routine of strenuous pillow lifting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyOQ7wMn4ydn5mZ8U94Mz2ycTYTapJuDR_TLxgG1nqLj5HDWQnBpcj4hmO3ZVhd0VzeYOVvarzr83Y7J7bJxA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-37381396805746420002011-08-21T06:16:00.000-07:002011-08-21T06:16:49.921-07:00The Crazy Kidsignment!Who doesn't love a good deal, right? Well, good deals were many to be had at Gwinnett's Kidsignment sale this past week.<br />
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I decided to go with my BFF, Stephanie (Yes. We are Stephanie Squared.), and her daughter, Lily, to see what kind of good deals we could <i>really</i> find. Steph's advice, since she is a seasoned Kidsignment goer, was to make sure you know what you're going there looking for. In other words, have a list. Christian's list included clothes for 6-9 months and 9-12 months (since he has <i>NONE</i>!) and some toys (since he is starting to play with <i>things</i> instead of just his feet and hands).<br />
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Because I work in retail, sometimes I think I'm a little jaded as to the "good deals" that consignment can bring. I <i>know</i> how much something costs once it hits the clearance rack, and I know that some of the prices of some of the used articles of clothing were a <i>little</i> ridiculous. I am an <u>avid</u> couponer and know how to work sales with coupons in order to get the most bang for my buck. So whereas the hunt of consignment shopping is <i>fun</i>, it isn't always the <i>best</i> deal. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbOHmxFpysAa6yigM9gP8ISHshHJ2mLHiLrt9Xj_24gOlr-cAdbfZ_n4sH2f2mlllUYuSvuAcXw_qOlPflR3jzCcsG73E5I67schTwG9G3DJ7GFD9mf9816B5vKt9-0GiM7uVeB_A-0Q/s1600/kidsignment+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbOHmxFpysAa6yigM9gP8ISHshHJ2mLHiLrt9Xj_24gOlr-cAdbfZ_n4sH2f2mlllUYuSvuAcXw_qOlPflR3jzCcsG73E5I67schTwG9G3DJ7GFD9mf9816B5vKt9-0GiM7uVeB_A-0Q/s320/kidsignment+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed out parking lot...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One thing that shocked me was the price of toys! I was expecting garage sale prices (Like, $2 or $3 for handheld toys)...ummm, no ma'am! We're talkin' $10 and even $15 for little toys! When I told Stephanie that I felt like the prices were high she told me that new toys in the stores were like, $30!!!! I was a little shocked. I realized that I had no concept of what baby stuff actually costs. But I decided that $10 was all I was going to spend on used toys. I found a Johnny Jumper in good condition for $10 and was reassured by several shoppers that that was, in fact, a good deal. So, Christian now has his Johnny Jumper...if only he could figure out how to use it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHmbLjmqmr_rSwtiiOTdo3OWryshhWvfk8p24VtvKq6uTJm7edtoQzXVXsaGEsJN8PxfoaTDuVN2VGQoSxUx6ByRzvjlXBceBx04iu-QKXPy7IM3ogdg3B8KrpMCvAwESFUawtohtSFM/s1600/kidsignment+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHmbLjmqmr_rSwtiiOTdo3OWryshhWvfk8p24VtvKq6uTJm7edtoQzXVXsaGEsJN8PxfoaTDuVN2VGQoSxUx6ByRzvjlXBceBx04iu-QKXPy7IM3ogdg3B8KrpMCvAwESFUawtohtSFM/s320/kidsignment+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toy building...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After leaving the toy building, (Yes, they had TWO buildings!) we headed over to the clothes building. Oh. My. Goodness. I have never seen so many clothes! They had everything from maternity clothes, to Halloween costumes, to adult sized clothes. It was a lot to take in, and I felt a little overwhelmed, but once I found the 6-9 month boys section, I was a little more focused! We narrowed down about 9 outfits that were in good condition and would be good for winter time. I have a hard time buying a lot because who knows what size he's going to be?! I mean, he's still wearing pants and shorts size 0-3 months! He has no hiney...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP1zdlJoplk4Umsspl3HoGT4v0BrwM2XhYb9br6sqlQo6KFtliEXqp6uJsKdMj0GEM2EphYijh_of8eaq0efWaheKUZmwfGl_UmGSMmMWipzlfkTt5IzBkINGRvPBVZZCe_BPwyrl5x0/s1600/kidsignment+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP1zdlJoplk4Umsspl3HoGT4v0BrwM2XhYb9br6sqlQo6KFtliEXqp6uJsKdMj0GEM2EphYijh_of8eaq0efWaheKUZmwfGl_UmGSMmMWipzlfkTt5IzBkINGRvPBVZZCe_BPwyrl5x0/s320/kidsignment+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One <b>VERY SMALL</b> section of the clothes building...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The line for the checkout was loooong! It was wrapped halfway around the building (Which, according to several people in line, was not that bad...). However, I was approached by a lady who was working the sale, and she very quietly asked me how many items I had. She asked me if I had less than 10 items, and I replied that I had about that many, but that I was in line with my friend who had a lot more than 10 items and I would prefer to stay in line with her instead of going to the express line. Apparently, I had committed the mortal sin of Kidsignment shopping! You have to be <i>chosen</i>...yes, <i>chosen</i>...to go to the express line. Even if you have 10 items or less, they have to give you a <i>ticket </i>to actually go to the express line. It's a very big deal to be one of the chosen ones and my refusal to move to the express line was like winning the lottery and telling the lottery people to keep the money.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The line from H E double hockey sticks...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsqq3ONaQ8iMvuCnpi3WVhMmcGSRdszVMbS8REmDlF8rsZvRvQB3ApqbMPyB1ZJ036KPSeZU1r7HMCE0o4_LTZsTHjRacxKiYOQxMoBAqbr8nwJ7PuMhFOd1iqeHCspcNXYOodTuyUdU/s1600/kidsignment+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsqq3ONaQ8iMvuCnpi3WVhMmcGSRdszVMbS8REmDlF8rsZvRvQB3ApqbMPyB1ZJ036KPSeZU1r7HMCE0o4_LTZsTHjRacxKiYOQxMoBAqbr8nwJ7PuMhFOd1iqeHCspcNXYOodTuyUdU/s320/kidsignment+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coveted <i>Ticket to the Express Line</i>...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anyway, Stephanie (the other one...) was insistent upon getting into the express line...she ditched a few items in order to be one of the <i>chosen few</i>. I was approached <i>again</i> by a worker (I probably should have played the lottery that day...I mean, who is approached <i>twice</i> in one day to go to the express line?!) and told her I wouldn't go unless Stephanie (the other one...) could go. The worker finally relented and allowed us to go to the express line. I will never forget the faces of the women around us as we walked to the express line...envy was never so green!<br />
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All in all, Kidsignment was a good time and a good experience. I think the best deals to be had are on the 25 and 50 percent off days...I figure if what you want is still there on 50% off day, then it was meant to be. Next year we are going to to try to consign some of Christian's stuff, and we will definitely be going back!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian and Lily ready for their big day out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_7XGb5JuzaOEMmHdk4I4I2ni4AnmCV9hFU2I9y2evf1zKA_XcXTqaxmHBxr31_XTtMQ5JQaZCFqxlzPHWNtF3n68b5kFuYvCEnr7XZ99ku32-UlzWB0bn3bMly0ksADKdoHM1rkOikk/s1600/kidsignment+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_7XGb5JuzaOEMmHdk4I4I2ni4AnmCV9hFU2I9y2evf1zKA_XcXTqaxmHBxr31_XTtMQ5JQaZCFqxlzPHWNtF3n68b5kFuYvCEnr7XZ99ku32-UlzWB0bn3bMly0ksADKdoHM1rkOikk/s320/kidsignment+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie Squared!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CnS2reeUrb5MacTr077_48HqkW_f9bjPnbQig7dmt6dZhPRC7AxMZ58eW5t6VahFPgKvw1StQ2Vw1U5x7SmFDOyAyku0pOqbqOAmG2efWqMby8TLUxeNKAehHL-Wtrptt16qA9kU9x4/s1600/kidsignment+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CnS2reeUrb5MacTr077_48HqkW_f9bjPnbQig7dmt6dZhPRC7AxMZ58eW5t6VahFPgKvw1StQ2Vw1U5x7SmFDOyAyku0pOqbqOAmG2efWqMby8TLUxeNKAehHL-Wtrptt16qA9kU9x4/s320/kidsignment+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily was out like a light after lunch...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-pn2XRayoPoskshjk89Rcjl3c6N7ffQhAPlZeuJnpb_AZo3nzU59s54xNXPi1kYmY5GY_DKSgeMGwyK5S0ixMHs8uZoN9Z_NhGIYfA8uDEUP1TEvvbkMHcqkzHuWvpcBTgPnnVhVhWI/s1600/kidsignment+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-pn2XRayoPoskshjk89Rcjl3c6N7ffQhAPlZeuJnpb_AZo3nzU59s54xNXPi1kYmY5GY_DKSgeMGwyK5S0ixMHs8uZoN9Z_NhGIYfA8uDEUP1TEvvbkMHcqkzHuWvpcBTgPnnVhVhWI/s320/kidsignment+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian and his Scary Frog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh94WRYwDuewai-ZusL_ii3g7dnpwgzUiPXQu_H-zlCwaxilQ1W528Z6iPaxRYB6VmuYBLgJBFRqMrCdN5v6TSI2BWM2zUolSKiwU2b2QHCa-NLLeEjMZfi47rF7zyrvljD-3-Ks0npKU/s1600/kidsignment+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh94WRYwDuewai-ZusL_ii3g7dnpwgzUiPXQu_H-zlCwaxilQ1W528Z6iPaxRYB6VmuYBLgJBFRqMrCdN5v6TSI2BWM2zUolSKiwU2b2QHCa-NLLeEjMZfi47rF7zyrvljD-3-Ks0npKU/s320/kidsignment+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to shop? or A little scared?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhcT2khnd8qUELIjna2yUBNFqqh-zA3QvEp1639zgO2BJyW_EQk6l_WjLbdN1LkZYd1ksLDf-bhtnIFf8nmpQrPAIGxwhRfR7r3XmdOBg26U695Rhv9rLPXRNXNBiqOe8FslayTFtzJM/s1600/kidsignment+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhcT2khnd8qUELIjna2yUBNFqqh-zA3QvEp1639zgO2BJyW_EQk6l_WjLbdN1LkZYd1ksLDf-bhtnIFf8nmpQrPAIGxwhRfR7r3XmdOBg26U695Rhv9rLPXRNXNBiqOe8FslayTFtzJM/s320/kidsignment+12.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie and Lily waiting in line</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4xmZN8BOP7SzRnlHBvBAqEno2vm2Qv6kHEJ5i9bf2th4lQCC6y6f-U8m0afk6gtsE-sfAWwFuGjGVOnt9MBSbNgwo3Nb54-tmbRpLb-P_a6e-Dvq86gX2a5cTMiLe3Bxe8oQk4HlzoU/s1600/kidsignment+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4xmZN8BOP7SzRnlHBvBAqEno2vm2Qv6kHEJ5i9bf2th4lQCC6y6f-U8m0afk6gtsE-sfAWwFuGjGVOnt9MBSbNgwo3Nb54-tmbRpLb-P_a6e-Dvq86gX2a5cTMiLe3Bxe8oQk4HlzoU/s320/kidsignment+14.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally asleep...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpiuEmEmHazJraYPDkuhDsbyPtEk44ywoDnR9KZEl8SUCSUUeM5bT_ZY6uXMsM7icpcFD183qhGF1oHDNeP8FFRRzeIJ1mkmKRR87z29-SdGRaqjA04g77eO9b4HEv8uYuKHodlbEWTM/s1600/kidsignment+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpiuEmEmHazJraYPDkuhDsbyPtEk44ywoDnR9KZEl8SUCSUUeM5bT_ZY6uXMsM7icpcFD183qhGF1oHDNeP8FFRRzeIJ1mkmKRR87z29-SdGRaqjA04g77eO9b4HEv8uYuKHodlbEWTM/s320/kidsignment+13.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian and Mommy waiting in line...</td></tr>
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Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4934799001949596269.post-4853725755248635322011-08-17T05:47:00.000-07:002011-08-17T05:47:39.077-07:00Very Dairy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJe6SZkIxyostbap4HSKVvqUnCIrvEEd21_Gp4z8MSI7cA_ifVpy3MmFoYutRhe9RSKDfOEEyrRqBrWdCpL1G0EQVgMo1p0NiuxDHkkvGkveyHF-KNHpCTdUwC9ky_iiBWt_zMQqHfP4/s1600/56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJe6SZkIxyostbap4HSKVvqUnCIrvEEd21_Gp4z8MSI7cA_ifVpy3MmFoYutRhe9RSKDfOEEyrRqBrWdCpL1G0EQVgMo1p0NiuxDHkkvGkveyHF-KNHpCTdUwC9ky_iiBWt_zMQqHfP4/s320/56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> While we were on vacation in Ohio we made a little pit stop at a dairy called Toft's. When my family vacationed in Port Clinton, Toft's was a 20 minute drive into Sandusky. The ice cream there was the best ice cream I'd ever had in my entire life...and it still is!<br />
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I always remembered the ice cream cones being being ginormous and super cheap. They give you about 5 scoops of ice cream for $3...and that's their SMALL! So, of course, when I suggested going for the large, all of the associates gathered round and began daring me (and some even warned me against it)...it was pretty funny. I opted for the small after all was said and done (I didn't want to embarrass Ken...I could just hear the peanut gallery's thoughts, "<i>Oh look at that handsome man with the fat wife. She probably didn't need to order the large ice cream cone...she'll never lose that baby weight</i>!"...)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because it was a special trip, I wanted Christian to try the ice cream...just a<i> little</i> bit. I don't think he liked it at all. How about you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1S-q1g-VjkaGpHo5XOS83sfHQRxS1H0ucHgXOC7jD4f0PQTdRZHg97FN2K6NFKZlpLDepdw8O1rl0lEbibw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
I'm afraid Christian may suffer from the same disease as his mommy...<i>eat-a-ton-of-ice-cream-itis</i>...it's a horrible affliction in which the victim wants ice cream after every meal and sometimes in between.<br />
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One of the coolest things about the dairy (Besides the fact that they had the <i>nicest</i>, <i>most helpful,</i> <i>genuine</i> staff ever! Even after I chose my ice cream flavors, I wanted to try the blueberry pie ice cream, so the manager told the associate to put an extra scoop on top of my already huge ice cream cone!) was that they used windmills to help power their plant! And you know Ken loves it since he is a professor of alternate energy! I snapped a shot just for Ken.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepmiWqFhl9QjKiZjTrhj6Il_Kj0Xt0E1AXgPCehB3LxiY3wiiBEkuUlC5fa0lpW3EWhCH6fkTpW3MhIzN33VxkyYYv2n57aBfmeD6o9pl3ZkHjSMzwrZO6SZQcLAx7YyXlE58_gftTfM/s1600/55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepmiWqFhl9QjKiZjTrhj6Il_Kj0Xt0E1AXgPCehB3LxiY3wiiBEkuUlC5fa0lpW3EWhCH6fkTpW3MhIzN33VxkyYYv2n57aBfmeD6o9pl3ZkHjSMzwrZO6SZQcLAx7YyXlE58_gftTfM/s320/55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We had such a great time at Toft's! Our next visit can't come soon enough! (Just ask Christian...)Ken and Stephanie Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00761974888082613479noreply@blogger.com0