Emily-ism #4

"I'm all done with the new baby. You can take her back to the hospital."

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Say hello to the newest member of the Clark family:

Natalie Elizabeth

Born Tuesday, September 30th, 5:33 p.m.

7 pounds, 12 ounces

20.5 inches

Welcome little Natalie! We adore you!

For more details, check out Aaron's blog.

Big Girl, Little Hair

Pregnancy can drive people to do desperate things. Some women eat dirt. Others feel the need to wash every wall in their home. Me? I chop my hair off.

I started growing my hair out over a year ago when I couldn't decide how I wanted to cut it. My goal was to let it go until it was long enough to donate to Locks of Love, with enough left over to reach at, or just above shoulder level.

I don't know if it was the summer heat, the need for something on my body to start shrinking, or

some other unknown factor, but about 3 weeks ago, I couldn't take it anymore. Locks of Love requires at least a 10 inch donation, and I didn't want my year-plus to go to waste, so in a moment of hormonal insanity I decided I didn't care how short it would end up. I was done with it. Here are the results:

Before.

(Sorry, I couldn't find a better picture - I try to avoid the camera these days.)

After.

(I made the kids pose with me for moral support. And to hide my belly.)

It has been......OK. The day I had it cut, I came home feeling free, but I wasn't really thrilled with it. I like my hair a little longer. And I'd rather not feel like I resemble a mushroom from the neck up. Even still, I have no regrets.

Luckily, this week has been much better. The cut is starting to grow on me, enough that when I look in the mirror I don't really mind it anymore. See? Look how happy I am....and big.....happy and big*:

By the way, my due date is tomorrow (another reason I am smiling).

*As Emily likes to point out frequently, "Mommy has a big tummy. I have a little one."

Emily-ism #3

This week, during a tantrum, Emily informed me, "Mommy, I will bite your belly button." You've gotta love the terrible two's.

Emily-ism #2

Emily has been learning a new Primary song lately. Her version begins, "When Jesus Christ was baptized, down in the river Georgia..."

Jaredism #7

Jared came to me the other day like this and asked, "Mom, do I look like a lamb?"

Jaredism #6

"Mom, someday I want to hunt chickens."

Summer Fun

The purpose of this post is to entice you to come and visit us in sunny San Diego. Then you can have as much fun as we do hanging out at all of our favorite summer-time spots:

The Children's Beach in La Jolla is great. We love watching the seals that have taken over this part of the beach, but further down the beautiful coastal walkway is a also nice park, perfect for picnics, and several spots leading down to the water, including one place where we've spotted sea lions too.

We also enjoy exploring the tide pools at Cabrillo National Park:

Jared, fleeing in terror from a rather menacing crab:

Family camp-outs are always a good time:

And, of course, the beach:

Or, if nothing else, you should come for some free dental work, compliments of Emily. No doubt Aaron's brother Peter was glad he did:

Happy Summer Everyone!

Guess Who Had A Birthday...

Yes, our little Emily turned 2 this week. We celebrated twice - once at the beginning of the month when my family was in town visiting and again on the 24th, which was her actual DOB. Both times though we made sure to have plenty of orange cupcakes on hand, per her request.

Quick story: Emily has coveted Aaron's laptop for months. If we leave it unattended for even a moment, Emily will drop whatever she is doing to rush over and furiously begin "typing," while at the same time casting nervous glances over her shoulder, lest one of her parents return and chase her away. Then, about a month ago she informed me, "I need a laptop for my birthday" and a few days later, "I want my own orange laptop." (I say, what kind of world is this? My two-year-old demanding a laptop.....) Anyway, Tuesday she got her wish. We found her a nice, kid-sized Elmo laptop and she hasn't been far from it since.

Happy Birthday Emily! You're beautiful....like corn.

Emily-ism #1

Emily likes salsa. Last night, she ate some and remarked, "It tastes beautiful. Like corn."

Massive Photo Post

This post is for those of you who have told me I haven't posted enough pictures in recent months. Yes, I know it's long and random, but just keep in mind you brought this upon yourselves.

Jared celebrated his 4th birthday with with a jungle-themed party just before we moved. Highlights included a jungle obstacle course and decorating the snake cake (thanks again Erica for the idea). I think more candy probably ended up stuffed into the mouths of Jared and his little friends then there was actually applied to the cake, but what's a birthday without a little indulgence, right?

I posted this picture for a couple of reasons: First, though we did very little during the weeks of unpacking and evil morning sickness, we did manage to take a trip to Legoland using some freebie tickets one of Aaron's colleagues gave us, and here's proof - the backside of a Lego giraffe. Second, (and mainly), I wanted to point out Emily's "smile." A few months ago she starting making this face every time we pulled out the camera, which makes getting a normal shot of her very difficult. You'll being seeing it again....

Jared fighting Lego Darth.

Lego "Thinker"

One of my favorite attractions at Legoland was a part of the park they called "Miniland USA," which included Lego replicas on a 1/100th scale of places such as Las Vegas, D.C, Manhattan, and a few other major cities. It was really cool, but I liked it even more when we passed by a 2nd time to find Birdzilla perched atop one of the buildings in the Manhattan section.

A few random Easter pictures:

The smile again....I warned you....

We attempted making two-toned Easter eggs, which turned out pretty well. Emily kept calling them deviled eggs.

A few completely random shots:

Yes, smile Emily....

Pooh Bear costume, Cinderella shoes, Sleeping Beauty earrings....

We're saving this one for bribery purposes in a few years:

I gave Jared a snack one afternoon and came back a couple minutes later to find this. He told me his animals had been curious about what he was eating:

And finally, a few pictures from the new Sesame Street Bay of Play, which just opened this weekend at Sea World. As pass holders, we got to go in a day early to check it out (plus they had cookies):

Jared had been hoping to meet Big Bird, and as luck would have it, he was available when we happened to be passing by. Nice backdrop, huh? You have to buy their photo to get the cute Sesame Street scene behind him. Sigh. At least the cookies were free.

No, Emily doesn't look that way because she isn't enjoying the ride. She just saved the best "smile" for last.

There, I did it. Now you can all leave me alone. =)

It's a Girl!

Yes, an ultrasound this week revealed that Jared and Emily will be joined by a baby sister come October. We are thrilled!

Jared had originally wanted a baby brother quite desperately. When I told him the news though, he started jumping up and down and cheering, with a look of slight confusion, but certainly not disappointment. Later in the day he told me he "had made a mistake." He thought he had wanted a "boy baby," but really he wanted a girl.

Hooray for pink!

"I Dot A Big Owie!"

That is how Emily describes the result her trying to squeeze her head in the gap behind our entertainment center yesterday. She would have been fine too, if she had just backed her head out the way she squeezed it in, but instead she panicked, turned her face into the corner of the unit and started thrashing wildly, creating the worst cut either of my children has ever received. Poor little Emily!

Or perhaps this picture better conveys her feelings about the whole ordeal:

A Bit of Poetry

I heard this poem at a Relief Society activity. It is long, but gave me a laugh...

The Girl in a Whirl

by ‘Dr. Sue’

(a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!

You could do what I doIf you only knew how. I study the scriptures one hour each day;

I bake,

I upholster,

I scrub,

and I pray. I always keep all the commandments completely;

I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly. I help in their classrooms!

I sew all they wear!

I drive them to practice!

I cut all their hair! I memorize names of the General Authorities;

I focus on things to be done by priorities. I play the piano!

I bless with my talents!

My toilets all sparkle!

My checkbooks all balance! Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;

I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!) I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all … I track my bad habits ‘til each is abolished;

Our t-shirts are ironed!

My toenails are polished! Our family home evenings are always delightful;

The lessons I give are both fun and insightful. I do genealogy faithfully, too.

It’s easy to do all the things that I do! I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;

I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children!

I help all my neighbors!

I bless the community, too, with my labors. I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;

My visiting teaching is done the first day! (I also go do it for someone who missed hers.

It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.) I chart resolutions and check off each goal;

I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll. I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.

But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all … I write in my journal!

I sing in the choir!

Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire. My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!

My kids get straight A’s!

And their bedrooms are clean! I have a home business to help make some money;

I always look beautifully groomed for my honey. I go to the temple at least once a week;

I change the car’s tires!

I fix the sink’s leak! I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;

I have all our meals planned out six months ahead. I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;

My shopping for Christmas is done by July! These things are not hard;

It’s good if you do them;

You can if you try!

Just set goals and pursue them! It’s easy to do all the things that I do!

If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too! It’s easy!” she said …

… and then she dropped dead.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

A very happy birthday to my favorite person in the world, who happened to turn 30 this past Monday! This week I've started to come back to life, feeling considerably less nauseous and the timing couldn't have been better, as it allowed me to provide Aaron with a little birthday cheer in the form of dinner and cake:

FYI: 30 lighted candles is not good for frosting. Ours was pretty much melted by the time Aaron blew out the candles. Thirty candles also create a lot of smoke.

Most of you will probably not be surprised that Aaron was able to blow out all the candles in one breath. What I wish I had a picture of though, was all the melted wax that was splattered across the cake and table as a result. I think we may have finally reached the point in Aaron's life when birthday candles will no longer be required.

Happy Birthday Aaron! I love you!

Jaredism #5

Jared said to me the other day out of the blue, "Mom, you're getting older."

On My Way Back

Finally, I can tell the truth! No, I haven't given up on my blog. Yes, we are settled into our apartment and have been since the beginning of February. And no, I'm really not just that lazy. Feast your eyes on the real reason I have been absent these long weeks*:

Yes, meet Clark #3 and as thriling as the news is, he/she has been making me dreadfully SICK (which, in my case is constant, awful nausea - that's 24 hours a day, every day......every....long....day...ugh). I've also been unable to stay awake beyond 8 or 8:30 every night, so there you have it. The good news is that my official due date is October 1st, which means the morning sickness could be over in the next couple of weeks (I'm keeping my fingers crossed). The bad news is that since it hasn't happened yet, I'm afraid my focus will continue to be on sleeping and trying not the throw up. Hang in there loyal fans!

*And I promise this will be the only intro uterine shot you will be forced to endure viewing this pregnancy.

On Hold

We will be moving closer to downtown San Diego in the next couple of weeks, so I think I'm going to put blogging on hold until we get settled in. Check back in February!