When I grow up...

Funny pic and post I received from my sister-in-law that made me laugh...thought others would appreciate.



Dear Mrs. Jones,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer.
I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.
From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."

Twilight

Now that I have returned to work and I'm trying to manage two kids and the holidays I have really become a slacker on my blog, but I couldn't resist getting this out there -- I think it is hilarious.

As many of you know I am a big fan of the Twilight series and have recommended the books to many of my friends and family. I was excited for the movie and like many of you I saw it the first weekend it came out. As is commonly the case with books made into movies, I was somewhat disappointed -- I had hopes of a romance like "The Notebook", but only with vampires. Anyway, I will not pick apart the details, but I think this spoof accurately depicts what makes the movie a little comical.

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