First Day

Ok so today was my official first day with both girls. I was up and ready to take Chelsea at 8:30 and we didn't need to be at school until 9:30. I was so proud. I had gotten a load of laundry washed and folded, dishes loaded and everybody dressed, fed and ready to walk out the door. I felt quite accomplished. I got to visit with a friend and catch up, which is always refreshing:) adult conversation:) Melody slept almost the entire visit except when she needed to eat. I picked Chelsea up from school only to discover her eye was matted with green gooey stuff and pink in the corner. GREAT!!! Meanwhile Melody is very unhappy. I called the Dr who promptly called a RX for us!! Yea we don't have to go in for a formal diagnosis. Because pink eye is so contagious I am very nervous about little Melody and trying to explain that Chelsea can't touch her is virtually impossible. So we decided that she can touch her feet and I think we have all washed our hands at least 50 times in the last several hours. She is contagious for 24 hours so we have several more handwashes ahead of us:)
I took Melody to the grocery store to get a few things. She screamed almost the entire time. I tried calmly to push the basket, stopping every few feet to try the pacificer and talk sweetly. Nothing worked. I knew if I took her out of the carrier all would be lost so I just shopped as quickly as I could. After leaving the checkout with an escort to help me put the groceries in the back of the blazer, she stopped and didn't make another sound. When I set her down in the family room she fell asleep. Oh well. Now it's off to give Chels a bath and feed Little Bit. Then Ryan and I will have a few minutes hopefully to catch up on DVR and then off to sleep. Tomorrow is another day with more challenges ahead.

JUST FYI on the potty training- we have continued to be dry throughout the day. She did have 1 accident on the bathroom floor- which I don't think should count...afterall she was right there. And even at night she has only had 1 night when she woke up wet for the past week. YEA Way to go CHELSEA!!!

Are we really finished????

I am so apprehensive about saying it but maybe it's true!!! I believe we are finished potty training. Chelsea has had NO accidents since Monday and been dry even through the night!! (One night she got up 3 times to go potty all by herself.) I think school was the final motivation she needed. I am so proud of her:) Hopefully she will continue "listening to her tummy" So we now have only one in diapers and my goal of having Chels potty trained by August was certainly accomplished. YEA!!
We went to the Dr today and Melody is a healthy 8lbs 8oz. She has exceeded Dr expectations in growing beyond what he expected- by almost a pound. She is no longer my "little bit" but "big bit" This week Ryan has been off and it has been loads of fun!! We have had a great time acclimating and adjusting to 2 kiddos. I am sad he has to go back to work:(
Ta Ta for now!!

A New Addition

Ok so I thought I would be so much more consistent about posting....well, I haven't. Just to catch everyone up, in case you didn't already know. Melody was born on May 22nd, 9 days early. My labor was very different than Chelsea's. I started having contractions every 10 minutes starting at 3am. I had a Dr appt, but I was only 1 cm dialated and he said, it could be hours, days or weeks. Later that day, around 4:30 mom and dad took Chelsea to Chucky Cheese so Ryan and I could watch a movie at home- our last official date. We were having to pause the movie so I could breathe through contractions. At 6pm they were coming every 4-6 minutes and much more intense. I decided to try to get into the bathtub...which did NO good. After another hour I told Ryan we needed to go to the hospital. I was REALLY hurting. In the truck I thought I was going to DIE!!!!! It was the most miserable ride ever!!! When we got to the hospital the nurse checked me and I was a 5. Immediately I asked for an epideral and 10 minutes later, after receiving my liter of required fluid, the nurse checked again and I was a 7. I was so much more relaxed after the epidural. Thank you LORD for modern medicine:) We moved into a birthing room and the anestialogist came in and when he left I was a 9. My water still had not broken and the next time the nurse checked me around 10:30 my water broke. She asked me to do some practice pushes. After 2 I could feel Melody's head. The nurse called for the Dr and 2 pushes later Melody arrived at 11:05.
Melody is a great baby. She is completely different than Chelsea and is sleeping at least 4 hours at a time at night. She usually has at least 1 fussy time of day, which can last up to a couple hours but really being able to sleep at night makes all the difference in the world. My parents stayed for a couple weeks to help out and the Clarks are here now helping. Next week Ryan will take off to transition:) I feel so blessed to have so much help. Our church family is going to be making meals for us for the next 2 weeks too. WOW!! We are so fortunate. I hear of people who have no support and I cannot imagine doing this alone. I recognize there is going to be some transition for all of us once everyone is gone and I pray I am up to the challenge. Lord, give me strength.
Chelsea absolutely adores Melody, a little too much. I wish she wasn't so taken with her. I pray she isn't jealous of the attention Melody needs. Ryan and I are trying to spend time with her, just one on one. Hopefully that will give her the confidence she needs:) to know she is still loved:)
In the midst of all the changes, Chelsea started Parents Day Out 2 days a week. She loves it and seems to be adjusting well. Also we are in the midst of potty training too. She does well at school and most of the time at home. We have had some accidents but at least we have made progress. My goal is to be finished by her birthday:) at least during the day:) So we still have a couple months.
I am recognizing how much more relaxed I am as a mom of a newborn. I am not as uptight about going out. We have been out to eat several times, to the mall, the waterpark, and the movies:) Part of me thinks that it's because Melody is an easier baby but the reality is that it is more likely I am just more at ease.
Overall, life at the Clark house is Blessed. More to come.
Check out www.dropshots.com/clark122399 for the latest pics of our girls:)

"Mommy, don't talk to me like that. "

I know exactly where she got this from.....me. I say it to her when she is disrespectful. How do you explain to a 2 year old you can say that to her but when she says it, it is inappropriate?

Yesterday, on our way home from church she was telling me a story about what had happened and I was trying to fill in the blanks- When she pipes up with, "This is my conversation." (She didn't say it mean or disrespectfully but just as a matter of factly.) I didn't know she knew the word conversation.

Life is just full of new words and new ideas when living with a 2 year old.

We are on the countdown with Melody- 2 weeks and 4 days- hopefully sooner. Mom and Dad are coming in 6 days. Time is ticking:)

New Phrases around our house..

Kids say the darndest things...Wasn't that a TV show? Anyway, Chelsea has several cute new phrases she enjoys saying nowdays.

Some of my favorite include:

"Mommy/Daddy don't you want to come play with me?"

"Just trust me, OK"

"I'm mad because...."

"I'm so happy, see my smiley face." and "I'm sad, see my frown face."

"I don't want to, or I don't need to"- especially when it's time to go sit on the potty.

Today Chelsea made and ate her first PBJ sandwich. She did not like the crunchy peanut butter (sorry Daddy) but licked her fingers clean after dipping it in the creamy- Mommy's favorite.

Earlier this week Rikki and I went to Grapevine to do some speed shopping. Rachel was in school, so Chelsea played big sister to Lauren. She loved being with her and was quite curious about everything dealing with a new baby- especially feeding her. Oh BOY!!!

We have some 'new' neighbors that moved in across the street. I say new but they moved in a couple months ago. We have already made some fun memories together and I'm sure there are many more for the future. They are a precious couple with 2 adorable kiddos Ethan and Juliette. Chelsea is crazy about both of them. Ethan - 2 months younger than Chelsa- is a great playmate and Chelsea is convinced 9mth old Juliette loves her:)

Chelsea was reading a story before it was time to go night night....for pretend. Evidently, from Chelsea's expression I interrrupted storytime:)

Easter

I keep thinking eventually I will catch up on the blog and update at least once a week. I have proved a failure.
Easter has been a great time this year. We are thrilled to have Ryan home from Africa and God did some incredible things in and through the team who went. There were 314 salvations:) Praise the Lord and Ryan was able to visit with Mercy, our adopted daughter from Africa. He actually walked her home from school:) When they got to her house the doll we had given her last year was on their couch. This year Ryan brought a backpack, teddy bear and a children's Bible. I will post a picture of the two of them later.

We are 33 weeks today and I am doing ok, definately on the countdown......praying for 5 weeks instead of 7. Melody is growing normally and we will check her rate of growth again in 2 weeks. Currently she is 3 lbs and 13oz and 16 1/2 inches long.
Chelsea went on 2 Easter egg hunts, one at the park with 1000 of our closest neighbors. We will NOT do that again, and the other in the backyard with our neighbors. We will definately plan a big party Easter egg hunt at our house next year:)

I was talking to Chelsea about church today and she said, "Mommy, Jesus is not in the egg anymore because He is alive." Evidently on Friday the kids did an activity putting Jesus in an egg and today He was gone because He is ALIVE!!! The story makes me smile. She understood the idea that Jesus is alive!!! We will work on the tomb part later:)


Be sure to check out www.dropshots.com/clark122399 for some cute pictures from Easter and Bluebonnets. Also check out the photo shoot my brother did while we were in FL. http://www.dropshots.com/clark122399#date/2009-03-25/17:02:44

Till next time:)

Random Pics

Some of these are from a retreat Ryan and I were able to take at the end of February and some are just from around the house or the park. Life is crazy and about to be even more so- come May.

Big Girl Bed

So we are working on Chelsea's big girl room. Here are a couple pics:) We still have a ways to go but it should be complete before Little C gets here:)

Chelsea's favorite new thing: "Daddy chase me." "Follow me"

Christmas Pics

Here are a few Christmas pics.... Chelsea did exceptionally well considering our photographer was not very animated!!!
Everything is going well at the Clark household. Baby is growing and Chelsea went with us to the Dr to hear the heartbeat. She was so excited. "I hear it, I hear it." When we came home she wanted to listen with her Dr kit.
We are travelling to Houston for Thanksgiving and looking forward to seeing everyone. We haven't been there since April!!!
Christmas is just around the corner and our calendars show the signs- Christmas parties, rehearsals, performances, church banquets and lots of fun are in store. I am so looking forward to decorating for Christmas with Chelsea this year. Ryan and I are still trying to pick some holiday traditions we want to start....so fun!!! Any suggestions??? More updates to come.

Chelsea is sleeping relatively better. I wish I could say the same for me, but between waking up to go to the bathroom and not being able to fall back asleep morning comes way too early. I am continuing to feel pregnant, excess salavia (great info I know), gagging, felling quesy constantly, dizzy, having crazy and vivid dreams. I must say this is not my favorite part of pregnancy but I know it is a special time that I should treasure. I remember 3 years ago just being so desperate to get pregnant, so I am grateful:)
We have gotten our secound look at baby #2, of which I am convinced it is a boy:) Everything is measuring right on schedule for May 31st. Our Dr met with us to discuss some concerns about this pregnancy. He wants to monitor and be sure baby continues to grow because Chelsea was so small. He said they would do 2 more sonograms in the thrid trimester just to make sure baby was growing normally. I wasn't exactly expecting this conversation but I am just thankful he is being cautious, and this way we will get some more pics for the scrapbook. Anyway that is about all that is going on around here:)

So since my last post, Chelsea has been doing marvelous without paci, with only 1 downside. She is waking up around 5:15-5:30 AM, which she did before, and now it is virtually imposssible to get her back to sleep. This morning was no exception. She was up at 5:15 ready to start her day!! Her only obstacle was ME!!! I was NOT ready to start my day. I laid with her in bed trying to convince her that it was night night time. Didn't work.... well, she was still for about 15 minutes and I thought several times she might have fallen back to sleep.....NO such luck. The crazy thing is she was up till 10:00 last night!!!! That is only 7 and a half hours of sleep, certainly not enough for a toddler. After 45 minutes of failing to coax her back to sleep, I decided to tell her she could go play in her room or the playroom but Mommy was staying in bed.
"Mommy go play too. Don't leave me."

This would have broken my heart had it not been 6 AM.

My last resort was to very assertively say, "Chelsea if you chose to stay in bed with mommy you must be still and quiet. If not Mommy will take you to your room and close the door."

Without missing a beat Chelsea says, Like Ariel, no Cinderella, when the mean lady locked the door!!!" Great now my child is now comparing me to the wicked stepmother from Cinderella. Nevertheless, she did make a valid connection. I did say I would close the door.

We went to music class and headed for the play area in the mall (Ryan's suggestion) She had a blast running around with Rachel and Josiah. We ate there and rode the carousel only once, without throwing a fit...actually she wanted to play with the buttons on this game they had there and she was upset that I wouldn't let her play with it. I wouldn't have minded neccessarily except I had to go to the bathroom.

Oh, and when I went to the bathroom Chelsea decided she wanted to go too. We were in one of the family restrooms with a child's size potty. So, when I turn I see Chelsea pulling down her pants, undoing her diaper, getting toliet paper and laying it across the potty horizontally, (who teaches the child these things). Finally she sits on the potty. I was so sure she was going to fall in. After a couple seconds I hear sounds of tickle and it's not me!!! Yea SHE DID IT!!! all by herself!! I really think if she had other parents she would be potty trained by now. She is showing all kinds of signs of being ready but I am not sure I am ready for the committment of potty training. Don't get me wrong, I am ready for the end result, just not sure I want to put the work in now. Oh well, anyway she is sleeping now and that is where I am headed too.

Thanks Rikki and Heather for meeting us and playing at the mall today.

Not as easy as I thought....

Ok so we took the plunge and got rid of paci. The first 2 days were completely uneventful. I was so surprised at how easy this was, until yesterday. At nap time Chelsea cried and got out of bed several times. I finally had to hold the door closed, because it is broken, so she wouldn't keep coming out of her room. I know it sounds terribly cruel but she is perfectly safe. Last night Ryan tried putting her down and again more tears. I finally went in and sang to her until she fell asleep.
This afternoon I have tried getting her down for the last 30 minutes with no success.
I am not sure what could have happened from day 1 till now but I thought it was supposed to get easier not harder. Oh well, deep breath. Here I go again.

State Fair 2008

2008

Here are some of the pics from the State Fair and just for fun pics from last year:) Chelsea has grown so much!!!

2007

D Day update

Ok so right befire naptime we went for a walk around the block, just to make sure she was good and tired. Then I brought her in her room and she reminded me that paci was broke. She didn't want it, so she threw it on the floor. After a few minutes of singing to her while she wiggled and wallowed in bed I told her I would sing 1 more song and then Mommy was going bye- bye. I got up after the song was over and walked out. I could still hear her flipping and flopping on her bed. I stepped into the computer room to check email when I heard her door shut. Patiently, I waited as she cried at the door. Then silence. After about 5 minutes of not hearing anything I tiptoed to the door and listened intently. Nothing. So I opened the door and found Chelsea laying on her bed with her shoes on and a box of wipes open at the foot of her bed. She put herself to sleep!!! Praise the Lord. I just pray bedtime goes as smoothly, and naptime tomorrow and the next day and the next...... Whoooo! I was ready for a battle. Thank you Lord, I don't have to fight this one today!

D- Day

Today is the day we have decided to get rid of paci- for good. We have been talking about it to Chelsea for quite some time and with g-parents coming this weekend we figured we could rotate turns for some potentially sleepless nights. So I cut the tip off... here is a video clip of what followed shortly thereafter.

http://www.dropshots.com/clark122399#date/2008-09-24/23:51:02 (I tried to put the movie here but the file is too large.)

By the way, let me interpret that Chelsea is going to Build A Bear to build a Puppy that will have roller skates. We are not getting another dog!!!!

Pray she naps and sleeps without her soothing friend.

Catch up again!!!

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever catch up.... laundry, chores, blogging, facebook, email and just...well, life.

We had an incredible vacation with some of my favorite people. We were sick together, laughed together, complained or grumbled (about kids mostly and sometimes hubbies) Seriously, we had an amazing time. We relaxed at the beach, spent time as a family, as a couple and as friends, well, more like family.

Be sure to check out the pics on dropshots.... see link on sidebar.

Overall Chelsea did very well travelling so we could possibly be willing to drive long distances again. (I know my parents are breathing a sigh of relief) We visited the Gularium, which is another blog altogether. Chelsea loved it and we had a fun time with Mom and Dad who came up to visit for the day. We went to a waste of time muesum but afterward enjoyed a picnic and playground just for the kiddos while the guys were venturing out at Deep Sea Fishing. Well 3 out of the four guys enjoyed their trip, but poor Jeremy was sick every 30 minutes, so I heard, which earned him the name Seablaster!! Poor guy. The men brought home enough fish to serve all of us a great meal. For the girls afternoon out we painted pottery. I have to admit I was quite leary of the idea but it turned out to be a great time of chatting and laughing, and I am pleased with the finished product. I made a celebrate you plate so that on special occasions whoever could eat on it. (birthday, good report card etc) Anyway, everything turned out really cute. Noone brought their camera to take pics through the process but I will post pics of the finished products later.

Great times, great memories. Treasured friendships that will last into eternity!!!

Oh, one last important detail. On Sunday we found out that there were not just 7 children under 4 on the trip but 8 children, the youngest of which is about 4 weeks still growing in my belly!!! We were quite surprised and elated to find out such great news to end our memorable vacation. Chelsea is insisting Mommy will have a girl but only the Lord knows now. We can't wait to see this little one and our first appt is October 24th.... Praise the Lord for the miracle of Life.

A new trend???

Ok today is 1 week from the day we leave for Seaside and I am totally excited. I am cruising the internet searching for adventures for the family after putting Chelsea down for a nap an hour ago. As I sit in the computer room I can still hear her chatting away. She has come in 3 times. The first time I lovingly picked her up and put her back in bed.
"Mommy, sing Jesus Loves me," she says so innocently.
So of course I do..
"Pray Mommy," so we do.
"Nightnight Chelsea," I say closing the door.

The second time she comes in I tell her "Chelsea it is night night time, go back in your bed and go to sleep."
"Mommy sing Jesus Loves me.
"Ok Chelsea but Mommy is only going to sing it one more time and then it is time for night night."
"Pray Mommy..." so we pray again.

The third time I am feeling a little irritated. I take her hand and walk her back to her room. "Mommy sing Jesus Loves Me"
"No Chelsea I told you Mommy wasn't going to sing anymore it is time for night night.
"Mommy Pray..."
"Chelsea you can pray, Mommy is going to close the door, I say walking out of her room. As I leave I hear the sound of our seet girl,
"Dear God thank you for Mommy and Daddy, and Missie. Thank you for everything. Amen" "Lord," I pray silently, "please let her go to sleep."

It seems so harsh not to sing and pray, especially when your child asks...What kind of parent am I????

I hope this is not a sign of things to come...NO NAP!!! AHHHHHH!!!!

Deep Thoughts by Chelsea

"Mommy I getting older." Wow! What insight!

"Mommy, don't leave me."

"Pray Mommy, Pray." An important reminder all throughout my day.


In other news....
There is only about a week an a half till we leave for vacation. Yea! We venture to FW to discuss details on Sunday. Saturday we plan on going to Hawaiian Falls for some family water fun! Yippee! Monday is Labor Day and we are going to play at the park and enjoy a picnic lunch. There is nothing like the end of Summer heat.

Next week the Clarks come to pick Misse up and we are going to Six Flags. We couldn't pass up a great deal on tickets so we decided to make a day trip. Should promise to be loads of fun!!!

This to shall pass...I pray!!

Well, Chelsea is offically 2. She has surpassed all our expectations of what fun and challenge such a little person would be. We could not be more blessed and are so grateful for our little bundle of Joy. Some days are easier than others and each day presents new learning for Mommy, Daddy and little Chelsea.
Some of Chelsea's new phrases are What's that called Mommy? or the short version, What's this? and our least favorite, No Mommy, No Daddy, Stop IT!!!! with a short squatty 2 year old finger pointed in our direction!!! (This too shall pass) Oh the Joy! I pray that this will be a stage we move through ever so quickly..it is not fun for her or us!
On the other hand she is leanrning to play more independently and is watching tv for a longer length of time without running around. (this should work out well for our FL vacation drive) She is sleeping at least 2 hours for a nap- today 3- almost unheard of- and sleeping between 9-10 at night. She loves playing with others, for the most part, but sometimes forgets that she is suppossed to share and be kind to others. (I have heard this is also a stage..This too shall pass) I pray Ryan and I will be equip for each stage of Chelsea's development in order that she will be the toddler, little girl, tween, teen, young woman, college student, graduate, woman, wife and mother that God desires for her to be. What a privilege it is to share in her life and watch what God will do:)
I just hope we don't mess it up:( haha

Chelsea's Bday

Here are some pictures from Chelsea's 2nd bday. I know she was very confused about when her actual bday is because we celebrate for days. My parents came in town last Tuesday and they left this morning (Tusday). Ryan's parents came in town on Thursday and left Sunday night. Even Aaron and Nikki, my brother and his finance came to join in with the festivities. We partied for Aaron's graduation, ventured to Sam Moon and clapped and clapped at the circus. We had incredible seats and all of us had more fun watching Chelsea watch the circus thatn actually watching it for ourselves. Precious memories. There are so many pics to view them all go to http://www.dropshots.com/clark122399#date/2008-08-05/20:45:42 and scroll through the tons of pics. Just keep in mind they are not all from my camera- Gran and Grandy took loads too:)

Here are some highlights...