Video Test

I just want to see if I can upload video.

Christmas Tree 2008

We got our Christmas Tree the weekend after Thanksgiving weekend this year. I kind of like doing it that way. I thought we would do it Thanksgiving weekend but there just wasn't enough time. We thought we would save a few bucks this year and go to Home Depot for our tree. The only problem was that most of their trees were bound and leaning on each other which made it hard to look at them. It was cold and tree hunting there was a real hassle so we bailed. We went to this landscaping nursery where someone else showed us trees and the first one they guy pulled out was the one we took. I love it...but we had to pay for it. We picked a 6-7 foot frasier. Note to self for next year - choose a tree that is 7-8 foot. We are still decorating so I'll post Christmas decor pics later.

Our Little Ballerina

Jessica loves to dance. She takes a ballet class with her friend Anna. Her teacher (this session) is Miss Connie. Jess also loves her ballet clothes. I think they are pretty cute too. I'm always trying to figure out what activity or class we should expose her to...dance was certainly a good choice.

Lauren ~ Month 8

Lauren is 8 months now. I really can't believe it. I wanted to jot down a few things about her at this age. She can't crawl yet but she is very strong and can hold herself in the crawl position and she really tries to reach for things. She rocks a lot when she sits. It's pretty funny. The other day she rocked so hard she did a face plant into the carpet. She didn't think that was funny. She can rock and get her tushy to slide forward. She can actually hold herself in a standing position, leaning against the sofa, for a few seconds. That is how I was able to take this priceless photo:

We are still nursing. We are talking about giving her a bottle during the day. She's been on solids for awhile now but I am just starting finger foods. I've been giving her those little puff finger foods. She's still coordinating picking them up and putting them in her mouth. She's done it a few times. I started her on the 'meats' baby food this month too. We give her a sippy cup with water and she likes trying to use it but she gets more on her clothes than in her mouth.

She loves to be held and she loves when you dance with her. She loves taking a bath and she loves looking in mirrors. She just started raising her arms above her head and she's working on clapping her hands. She's started to stick her tongue out a lot and she has cutest laugh.

She really is just lovely.

Who's Idea Was This?

Every day I see how different Lauren's 'growing up' environment is different from Jessica's. Jessica only had her mommy and daddy to play with on a day to day basis. Lauren has the great joy of having a big sister - a friend and playmate. The only problem is that at 8 months old she can't really defend herself if big sis wants to play princess with her:

I don't think Lauren really seems to mind. That's what sisters are for, right?

Thanksgiving 2008

This year we spent our Thanksgiving at Scotts' parents house (Grandmom, Pop Pop & Nana). This Thanksgiving was extra special because it was Lauren's first. The girls had a great time and we even managed to get Lauren to take a nap in the master bedroom. The food was delicious and I even managed to pick up some Delicious Orchards pies for dessert. Trust me - it's no small task to drive with the girls to Colts Neck in the rain, to enter a packed market looking for pies. But we were successful. A great time was had by everyone. We tried to get a family photo but this was the result:

We tried. :-)

It's Been An Eternity!

Well, it's been an eternity since I've posted to this blog. I haven't been sticking to my journal either so I thought I should revisit blogging. So much has happened since my last post. The most important event was the birth of our second daughter - Lauren Grace Clark. She was born on 3/28 and is now already 8 months. Jessica is 3 1/2 now. They really keep me busy and on my toes. It can be challenging but really fun too. Jess is in preschool now 3 days a week. I think it would be too much to try to summarize the last year and a half so let's just start fresh.

It's December 2 (my Grandma's birthday) - a Tuesday - and it was a somewhat tough day. The girls can be challenging in their own way. Lauren who is full of smiles and is totally adorable and is a little roly poly, can also be pretty demanding and fussy. She doesn't take a pacifier and she certainly isn't one of those babies that can hang out all day in a stroller. She's pretty good about playing in her playpen in the morning. She is getting very messy when we eat now. She wants the spoon and if she doesn't want anymore she pushes the spoon away w/ the food flying. I just gave her her first meat today - it was apple turkey cranberry and she loved it. We are still nursing. That's another story as I still try to figure out if we are on a good schedule. She nurses 4x per day. I hope that is enough. She loves to dance and she is very good at putting weight on her legs. We aren't crawling yet but she can hold herself up in the 'crawl' position. She has two teeth too. Jessica is going through a lot of stuff right now. She's my 'big girl' but also wants to be a 'baby' at the same time. She loves her baby sister but still craves that extra attention Lauren sometimes gets. Jess loves to sing and dance. She is so funny and beautiful. I look at her and can't believe how much time has passed already. Now 3 1/2 has also posed some challenges. We want to be very independent and somewhat bossy and we can be a little defiant too. Who knew? I feel so much pressure to raise her well and during the week I pretty much do it on my own and there are times when I feel like I'm really failing her. Having children really can reveal all your own weaknesses (in case they weren't already clear to you before kids :-P) It's funny how sometimes when I feel that way, Jess comes out of nowhere with "I love you mommy. You're the best mommy in the whole world." Ahhhhh - so nice. It's very easy to lose perspective and those words just help me so much. I feel like there is so much 'on the job' training and I don't want my missteps to affect her. I just want her to be happy and confident in herself. I pray for a kind and empathetic heart and a loving and generous spirit. I just hope she knows that I'm doing my best and I love her "oodles and oodles with lots of cheese doodles" (it's our thing).