Almost on the move

Saturday when we got home from church I placed Carter on the floor left the room for a minute and when I came back he was on his hands and knees rocking. I know this is the first step to crawling and I'm excited for him, but a little scared at how my world will change as soon as he figures it out. One knee will move forward like he's going to take off but that's as far as he goes forward, he does however have scooting backwards down pretty good. Also this past week both of his bottom front teeth have started poking through so needless to say we've had a rough week, to top it off Andilyse got sick after her first week of school. All those germs going around I guess it was inevitable. Hope they both feel better soon.

Andilyse's first day of school

Today is Andilyse's first day of school and I'm sitting here in this house with complete silence! Had to drag her out of bed but once she got up she was super excited and ready to go. We got to Skype Daddy before we left so he could see her. Wish he would have been here to experience this day with us but I'm thankful for technology that allows him to at least see and talk to her. Once we got there she was a little quiet and didn't want me to leave so I sat at the cafeteria table with her for about 10 minutes before leaving. She didn't cry but she looked a little scared as she turned around backwards in her chair and waved at me until I was out of sight. Enjoying the silence but I'm already ready to go pick her up.

The day finally came

Carter Finn's is 4 months today and this day will always be marked as the sad day we had to say goodbye to Nathan/Daddy for six months. It's been a rough day and I already miss him so much. I have to remind myself to take it a day at a time, because thinking about the long haul seems so long. It's funny how six months of your baby's life can fly by, but when that time is spent in separation of someone you love so much, six months seems like an eternity.

Andilyse has no idea what six months means, but I think she understands that Daddy is going to be gone for a long time. She sat down by Nathan's carry on luggage and laid her head on them while Nathan was checking his other bags. She was a little quiet like she was really pondering what was going on. My heart aches for Nathan, but it also aches so badly for Andilyse because I know she is going to miss him so much.

I found my toes

This morning when Carter woke up I heard him talking and when I looked at my video monitor I saw that Carter had discovered his toes. It's always amazing to see little ones discover something new that seems so simple to us. Watching his amazement with his toes as he tried so hard to grab them was so adorable. So later I put on Andilyse's old shoe rattles and watched as Carter did sit ups in attempt to reach his toes.

Later Andilyse helped me make some peas and bananas for Carter and even though its a little early we decided to give him his first taste tonight. He seemed to enjoy them, what stayed in his mouth anyway

Easter Eggs

We decorated Easter eggs today while baby Carter took his nap. You really enjoyed dipping the eggs and stirring up the colors.












We found some egg dye that came in cue tips so after you colored the eggs you drew pictures and even faces on the eggs and decorated them with stickers.








These our your finished products, you were so proud of how good they turned out. You said that you couldn't wait for the Easter bunny to hide them from you so you could find them.

Using my hands

It's amazing how you have grown. You love to sit in your Exer Saucer that Grandma Rita gave us. You started reaching for all the toys on it and will sit for up to an hour sometimes playing with all the toys.

Here you are in a starring contest with your cow....

I think you won! You also love to spin the noise maker.

And sometimes you play so hard that you just fall asleep without a peep!

An Eventful Day

Can't believe it has been over three months now since baby Carter was born. Today the four of us took Carter on his first trip to the zoo. Although he wasn't that interested in the animals he did exceptionally well while Andilyse enjoyed the animals and the water.

Here's my little caterpillar and butterfly!

After returning home Andilyse managed to fall off the toilet and smack her head on the floor. She got a good size goose egg on her head from the fall and shortly later hit her eye right below her bump on her rocking chair. We felt sooo bad for her, thankfully she seemed fine and didn't' show any signs of a concussion.

Needless to say the two of them are both very tired and should sleep good tonight.

Welcome Carter Finn

Carter Finn Clark joined our world Sunday January 16, 2011 at 3:15 p.m. He was 6 lb. 13 oz and 20 inches long.

Although my labor was slightly longer than Andilyse's it still only lasted about an hour and a half. Every thing went well and I was able to have Carter naturally without pain medication the way we planned. We got to bring Carter home on Tuesday, Andilyse and Braum were excited to see us. Andilyse is a great big sister to Carter. She loves to help change diapers and feed Carter bottles. She also likes to help me give Carter baths. She is so gentle, loving, and caring.

Carter is a beautiful baby boy and has been an amazing baby thus far. We are truly blessed to have two beautiful, amazing, healthy children. We definitely have an adventure ahead of us but it's going to be an amazing wonderful adventure. We are so happy to have Carter home and finally a part of our family.

38 weeks

I am 38 weeks pregnant with you Carter and I am ready to meet you. I have a Dr. appt. today, one that my Dr. didn't think I would make it to. When I was 36 weeks I was dialated to a three, she said I was 90% cerfaced and your head is down and in position. So It seems that you are in position to be born, but are waiting for the perfect time to join our world. We are so excited to meet you and are anticipating it every day. Your big sister took this picture of me today, that's why I am on my knees.

Life

It's been a few months and a lot has occurred.... Baby boy has a name, Carter Finn Clark. It is only six more weeks until he is due to come into our world. We are all getting excited and anxious to meet our little guy. I graduated from college early November and it has been such a relief in some ways but it seems we keep getting hit with more and more things since then. I have enjoyed spending more time with Andilyse and we have got to appreciate the true essence of me being a stay at home mother.
On the other hand we recently found out that Nathan is deploying shortly after baby Carter is born. Honestly I haven't had time or the energy to even think about what it will be like without him around for so long. When I do think about it I usually start to cry so I push it away and am trying to stay focused on the here and now. Nathan has a lot of requirements and responsibilities to fill before he leaves, and we have Christmas, a baby being born, and a lot more to accomplish over the next three months. I have a lot of fears and uncertainties in my mind about the upcoming deployment. My biggest concern is what to tell and how to help Andilyse through this time. Nathan will be leaving some time close to her 4th birthday, and she has become quite the daddy's girl lately. I love to see her excitement and love for her daddy, but at the same time it makes me realize how much she is going to miss him. How in the HELL am I suppose to tell a four year old that her daddy has to leave for so long? She doesn't understand the concept of time... and every time she asks me when is daddy coming home I'll have to push the idea out of my mind that he may never come home..... it is so hard for me to not question God right now. Why now, why ever? I'm sure many men and women have asked this question and we see and hear about the war every day, but it takes on a new reality when it is your own family.

I'm trying to be strong because the last think I want is for Nathan to worry about us while he is gone. I want him to stay focused on coming back to us safely, but I can't help but wonder, how am I going to do this??? I can handle the day to day, taking care of the kids house etc. and I know I will have lots of help from family and friends, what I'm not sure I can handle is the uncertainty of when if ever he will come home, and the reassurance I will have to provide for Andilyse when I am so unsure.

Needless to say this is a bitter sweet time in our lives, we are so excited about having a baby boy, but the birth of Carter only brings us closer to the day when we will all be seperated for so long....

Big Day

Today was a big day for the Clark family. We went to the Dr. today to have an Ultrasound and we found out that our precious baby is a boy! We are all excited especially daddy. Andilyse isn't quite sure yet, she is still saying that your her baby sister. This is a picture of your legs spread and your anatomy for everyone to see.

This is a picture of your profile.

Later today we went Andilyse's first soccer practice. This is Andilyse getting her soccer cleats and shin guards on for practice. Daddy had to help you because mommy just didn't know how to do it right.

It was really cute to see all the little kids playing soccer and carrying on conversation with each other. You kept walking around asking everyone "what's your name? my name is Andilyse"

During practice you did pretty good listening to Coach Juan and had fun kicking the ball. You wanted to use your hands sooo bad and every time we told you no hands you would try and use your fingers or forearms instead.

Kicking

You have been very active today, kicking away inside my stomach. You kicked so hard today your big sister was able to feel you. Her face looked like she was in shock. It was if she was saying "so there really is something inside mommy's belly?!?" She wanted to feel you do it again and again, and you did. She felt you kick several times, then I think you got tired after a couple of minutes and stopped. She didn't want you to stop, and she was so excited to feel you. Hopefully you will do it again tonight so your daddy can feel.

19 weeks

I am now in my 19th week of pregnancy. I have an ultrasound scheduled for September 13th, hopefully we can find out if your a precious girl or boy. Over the past week I have started to feel you move a lot and it's so exciting. I can almost feel your little kicks from the outside of my tummy but not enough yet to where your daddy and big sister can feel them. I think your big sister will love to feel you kick and move and I can't wait to see what she does and says the first time she feels you. This weekend, your Opa and Oma are coming to visit us (hopefully), and we are going to paint your room. I'm excited to get it all ready for you and for you to be here.

Life unexpected

Nathan's Grandma passed away two days ago and the reality of it hasn't sunk in yet. This was Nathan's last living grandparent and she will be missed dearly. Andilyse has been spending the last week in Edmond with her Papa and Sity so instead of meeting them half way tomorrow to pick her up it looks like we are going the distance then sticking around until Tuesday or Wednesday. I miss my baby (although she is not a baby any more) soooo much. I haven't seen her since last Sunday morning. Although, we've enjoyed all the free time this last week and were able to get A LOT accomplished with her gone and with Nathan off of work. Well it's time to go get ready for a long day in the car tomorrow with the two dogs.

Playing in the rain and gymnastics

Yesterday we all took Braum for a walk and while we were at the park it started to rain on us. We all ran home without getting too wet, except for you! When we got home you wouldn't come out of the rain so we let you play in it for awhile.






















Today we went to open play at gymnastics, it's been a couple months since we've been able to go so you really enjoyed it today. Your favorite thing to do today was jump on the trampoline, which you did a lot of!

When you got tired of jumping you went over to the jump ropes and got one, then you took it to another child and gave it to them. Then you would go get another jump rope and find another kid to give it to. It was sooo sweet to see you share with all the other kids. At the end of gymnastics they put out a bubble machine and gave you a cookie. You are typically very polite, but you have a hard time telling people you don't know (adults) thank you. When you got your cookie today you told the girl thank you without mumbling or hiding behind me. I was so proud of you for overcoming a fear.

LEGO'S

Today we bought you your first set of Lego's. They were a little difficult for you to do by yourself, but nothing that daddy couldn't handle. You helped me build a wagon and a little girl, and you helped daddy build a pretty pink house. Daddy pretended like he didn't like the house, but he sure put a lot of time and attention into it.

Today we went to the Zoo again, this time it was just you, me, and Isaiah. We got rained on a little but you two didn't seem to mind. Again you loved feeding the birds, Isaiah was a little scared of them but you fnally talked him in to coming in with us.

After we left the birds you both wanted to go play in the water, too bad you guys didn't have swimming suits because you both got SOAKED!!!!

13 weeks

I am officially 13 weeks pregnant now. Although I haven't been too sick I have definitely felt the effects of pregnancy more with you than I did with Andilyse. We are all so excited about our new addition and have started thinking about names for you when you come. Andilyse says she wants a girl but we all know what daddy is hoping for. Whatever you are we will love you just the same, right now I just pray for your health and mine throughout the rest of this pregnancy. I can't wait to feel you move inside of me and for your big sister and daddy to feel you move. You are already a blessing to this family and we love you very much.

Corpus Christi

We went to Corpus today with Oma, Opa, and Shannon. This is your second time to go to the beach and you loved it just as much this time as the first time you went. We took Daddy with us this time, he wasn't able to go the last time we went and you have been asking for the past month if we could take Daddy to the beach.

You built sand castles and ate cookies

But most of all you loved to swim!! You played in the water for hours and when it was time to come home you didn't want to get out of the water.

Zoo and Rainforest Cafe

You me and daddy went to the zoo today with Oma, Opa, and Shannon. Not too long ago it would take you a couple days to warm up to your Opa but you took right to him when they visited us this weekend. You even held his hand all the way from the car to the zoo. We saw lots of animals and you were a good tour guide.But the whole time we were at the zoo you kept asking if we could "go feed the birds". We finally made it to the birds and you loved feeding them.
After we left the zoo Oma and Opa took us all to Rainforest Cafe, you were a little scared of the elephants and the lightning and thunder but you loved the chicken!

On the way to the car after eating lunch you asked me and your Oma "what we going to do next?" But You didn't have enough energy to do anything because when you got in the car after a long exhausting day you passed out in the car while you were watching BarnYard.