Clark's first haircut!

It was about time! His hair was getting pretty shaggy looking. He did not cry at all. He sat on Daddy's lap, and Daddy just buzzed the clippers round and round his head. He looks like such a little boy now!

Daddy's Little Helper

Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 11! Lime!

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio of body to head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming - setting up a significantly more attractive future.

Purpose of the Blog

Nolan and I have been watching the new show called Modern Family. Last night was one couple's anniversary. He went all out for her, and she made him a coupon book for hugs. We were cracking up because often, I make Nolan gifts when honestly he'd rather get outdoor gear or bike parts.
But I started this blog about a month ago, so I could give Nolan an established blog for Christmas. He has wanted us to do a family blog ever since Clark was born, but I have been unsure of it. I figured out how to keep the blog for just friends and family, so I think it will be okay. Anyways, after last night's show, I am doubting this as a Christmas gift. I am envisioning Christmas morning with me getting everything I asked for and Nolan getting a card with a blog address in it. I have a month to decide it it is a bad idea or not. I just don't know. He REALLY wants a blog, but does he REALLY want a blog for Christmas?

Upward Basketball Cheerleading

I am a cheerleading coach again. I am coaching in the Upward league at Biltmore Baptist Church. We had a coaches meeting last night. It was basically me (the only cheer coach) and a bunch of dads there to coach basketball. My squads name is the Pom Poms. I have a ton of cheers, chants, and routines to learn. I started practicing today, and it was exhausting. This will be so different than coaching high school, but I am excited. I'm sure they will be precious.

Clark's 18 month appointment

I took Clark to his new doctor for his 18 month appointment. He is doing well. He is still 23 pounds. He is 50% in height, and he is still only 20% in weight. The doctor said this is not really a good indication of his size later on, so all is well. Who knows, maybe Clark will not be big like Nolan after all. I guess only time will tell. The only bad news was that he should be talking more. We knew this, but we did not know how the doctor would feel. There are so many opinions. Basically since Clark is a boy and the only kid in the house, that can cause kids to talk later. He grunts and points, and we know what he wants, so we give it to him. We have to quit doing this apparently. It stinks!
The plan is for the next two weeks to make Clark say a word or make a talking like sound (rather than grunting) when he wants something. After two weeks, we can then start asking him to say specific things. We will start small, like with just the beginning sound of a word, and then work our way up. Our hope is that this will just click in his head one day that using words gets him what he wants, and then I think he will start using them more. Our first night resulted in Clark screaming for twenty minutes until he just smiled, blurted out dog, and ate the rest of the meal in peace. I hate making him cry!!
Part two of the plan is to totally eliminate the pacifier. We had already reduced it at 15 months to sleeping and travel. Now it is bye bye pacifier! Tonight was the first night. I did not want to do it the last three nights because I was afraid he might be sore from his shots, and I had a cheerleading meeting. It took him an hour to fall asleep. We comforted him four times. I really hope tomorrow gets better for him, but I know it is for the best. I don't want to screw up his speech and teeth.

Week Ten! Prune!

With bones and cartalidge starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon legs will be too.)

Week Nine! Green Olive!

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a doppler ultrasound device mightbe able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to like like...well, a baby!

1st appointment

The Davey Visit

Week Eight! Raspberry!

Your baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimter everyday and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs, and (now only slightly( webbed fingers and toes like crazy.