I am nearly halfway through my maternity leave and enjoying the down time. Although, I am not sure how it is that I do so much, yet get so little done at the same time. No one tells you that breast feeding is sincerely challenging, you feel like an overexposed snack bar and with my amateur nursing abilities I wouldn't even attempt feeding in public. Your breasts are plump and voluptuous, but entirely un-sexy as they leak constantly and without warning. Like a toy squirt gun, I actually assaulted my newborn with breast milk as I tried to position myself correctly for her to latch on. When I was in the hospital I received numerous coaching sessions from the lactation nurse who asked me if I had taken a breastfeeding class, when I told her "no, I had not", she responded "you should have". Well, we are a little late for that, as though prior to having milk or a baby I would have some how acquired expert skills during the two hour course.

Enough about my boobs, lets move on. Cash is starting to walk and is getting into everything. I say starting because he generally takes a few steps and reverts back to his very efficient high speed crawl. Several friends have reported great success with the squeaker shoes and so I ran right out a picked up a pair. So far he seems entertained and it appears to be fostering progress. I hope to have him upright for Halloween -- we will see.

I am in the process of getting a birth announcement put together and sent out, so keep you eyes peeled (as well as some over due thank you notes). I had pictures taken at Sweet Pea Photography (sweetpeapix.com) and I love so many of the pictures that I am paralyzed with indecision.

Little Landry has arrived!

Okay, Okay, I know I have been a major slacker about updating my blog, but a new baby can take it out of you. Our precious little Landry finally arrived by c-section on September 24th; she weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and is 19 inches long. She has been a little angel, other than the usual diaper blowouts and every three hour feedings you would expect at this age. Cash has taken very well to his new little sis, and often puts his head on her to "give loves" and will try to give her a bottle or binky when he can.
Doug is such the proud dad; he created a wonderful nursery fit for a princess (as you can see from the pics). I have been pregnant for the past two years, which has zapped my energy and mental capacity -- so I was happy Doug took the lead in getting Landry's nursery ready. Additionally, being colorblind can pose several challenges when decorating and coordinating the perfect ensemble.

Cash turns 1 !

Sunday was a big day at the Clark household; Cash turned one! I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. As a parent, you are so eager for your child to master each new task and hit their developmental milestones -- then you are sad and anxious that they are growing up to fast and they won't be your baby forever. It's a good thing our husbands never grow up and always require our parenting - ha ha.

Cash loved his cake and dug right in. We were all a bit surprised at how much he actually consumed. He has never had much sugar and we thought he might slip into a sugar coma. Thanks to our family and friends for making this a memorable day and for all of the wonderful gifts for Cash. As you can see from the pictures, it was like Christmas at our house. All of the kids enjoyed opening gifts and playing with the multitude of toys. Cash enjoyed watching the kids and playing with the ribbons, wrapping, & boxes. Our family room now looks like a parking lot of miniature cars and push toys.

Pioneer Holiday

What a crazy week! It was the last week for our adorable nanny, Macy, and we have been in search of a new nanny that will fit our family dynamics. Translation: someone who can appreciate and tolerate Doug's flamboyant energy and nonconformity, as well as wants to take on responsibility of both an active one year old and a newborn.
We did get some much needed family "down time" on the 24th; my colleague at work informed me that the holiday was not "Pioneer Day", but actually "Pie and Beer Day". We took a leisurely hike around silver lake at Brighton and ate some yummy breakfast at Silver Fork while enjoying the mountains on their over sized deck. Doug drank "nectar of the gods" (obviously his words not mine), while Cash mastered his latest trick of "high five".
Later that day, the pregnant girl in me agreed to eat wings at the best place for wings -- yes that is a "I love Hooters" balloon Cash is playing with. What can I say, I'm married to Doug and as it goes -- "if you can't beat 'em join 'em". Lastly, we ended our week with a couple of days with my family at my Mom's cabin. It was so peaceful and relaxing and the boys really enjoyed the ATVs.

Hurray for twins!

This last weekend I co-hosted a shower for my dear friend Jenni Conklin. Jenni and I met by fate and good fortune shortly after she moved from California to Utah nearly a decade ago. We were both inexperienced and optimistic college graduates starting new jobs in the world or technical recruiting. We hit it off immediately and have been good friends ever since. Through the years we have supported one another through the good, the bad, and the ugly. We both had the misfortune of being reproductively challenged, a curse not easily endured in the fertility boom town of "happy valley" Utah. I was blessed to have my second round of IVF result in my little miracle, Cash. Jenni has had to wait a bit longer to find her resolve, but thanks to the love and support of her wonderful sister, her own IVF adventure, and through the marvel of modern medicine, she will have two little miracles in a few short months. Her sister, Tammi, is the incubator and surrogate to Jenni & Ryan's twins -- Drake and Lanna. We had a fabulous shower on Saturday full of love and celebration for the much anticipated arrival of the twins, two incredible parents in waiting, and family and friends the wish the best for the Conklin Family.

We ended our festivities with a night joined by family and friends at "Keys on Main", a hilarious dueling piano bar down town. There is nothing like pregnant women in a bar belting out lyrics to tunes from the 80's and 90's.

NICU Reunion

Families of NICU babies gather to say thanks
June 28th, 2008 @ 5:50pm
(KSL News) Families of children who spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Mark's Hospital reunited with the health care workers who saved their babies' lives today.
Clowns helped entertain the young survivors while 10 years worth of parents and patients said thanks to those who helped them through some of their toughest moments.
"With so many highs and a lot of lows, and just had such wonderful support, and just had an experience that was so traumatic for our family; [I] just had so many great things that came from it," parent Stephanie Kelley said.
The event also recognized the hospital's recent five-star rating for Women's Health Services from HealthGrades.

Doug and I took Cash to his NICU reunion at St. Mark's on Saturday. As most of you know, last August Cash surprised us by coming seven weeks earlier than his expected due date.

It was fun seeing some of the doctors and nurses that took care of Cash for the five weeks he was in the hospital. It is amazing that is has been 10 months since we added our little bundle of joy to the family, and miraculous how much he has changed and grown up already.

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for." ~Anonymous

Father's Day

“Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.” -Anne Geddes

Today was Doug's first Father's Day! We enjoyed family time together at our community pool, hung out in the backyard relishing the warm weather, and ate some detrimentally good stuffed pizza from Sweet Home Chicago. We opted out of the customary tie, as Doug insisted a keg was better suited for his taste. Just a lazy summer day making memories at home. In our fast paced lives, it is important to remember that it is the little moments that make life big.

Doug is a tremendous hands-on Dad with a knack for parenting. He is patient and loving with a genuine concern for providing the best possible life for our little guy. Happy Father's Day Doug!

Put down the sandwich...

Step away from the food, says the little voice in my head. I am in the mist of a panic attack following my OB appointment yesterday, where the scale conspired against me and declared a whopping 8 pound gain over the previous month. Are you kidding, how is this possible? My amiable OB, Dr. Yamashiro, tells me this is nothing to worry about and attempted to placate me with the usual " some of it could be water retention". I would like to believe this to be true, but I am unconvinced that water retention settles into a localized area of the ass and thighs. Please let this be a very big baby going through an incredible growth spurt the last four weeks.

Perhaps I took this eating for two a bit to literally; I must come to terms that this cliche' is not referring to doubling your caloric intake -- but rather an extra morsel of nourishment for my hot dog size fetus. I curse the books that say you should gain between 25-35 pounds during a healthy pregnancy, don't they know to me the reader I instantly assume I will be the petite 25 pounder or less and have a coronary event when this is not the case. I have resolved to eat more carrot sticks and less cake, even if baby Landry begs from the womb with a craving I can scarcely suppress. I must remember a vegetable is surely better for her development then a sugar laden treat and it may be MY craving rather than the baby's meal request. As though the hormones aren't enough to deal with, women have the joy of body image issues as well. And don't even get me started on the gas, hemorrhoids, mammoth nipples, peeing when you sneeze, and of course the lovely back fat. In the end, nothing is more rewarding or miraculous than having a baby -- so ladies we must take this all in stride and keep our eye on the prize. This is not to say you will not hear me bitch and moan about my demoralized state of mind; I am expecting unwavering sympathy and accolades as to my appearance and gestational progress over the next three months.

Backyard Extreme Makeover

(backyard before picture)

We have lived in our home for nearly three years, and since we bought the house we have intended to make some minor improvements. Those of you who know me well, know that I am perpetually cheap. This is comical when you know Doug is my polar opposite when it comes to spending money. When Doug decides to do something, he commits 110% and goes big, often forsaking my opinion and any sort of budget. Needless to say, my project of having a a cover built for our patio turned into Doug's crusade to construct his version of Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Not featured in the pictures is "Doug's VIP Lounge", these furnishings are set to arrive any day now.
Our backyard in finally done and I am happy I threw caution to the wind and allowed Doug's vision to overtake my desire to save a dollar. It has become our little sanctuary and feels like an addition to our home. I hope we will create many fond memories here with family and friends. FYI - the pool is open and summer is here so lets have some fun, mi casa es su casa!