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."