Maree Rose Clark

 We had a tragedy in our family.

My sister-in-law Jannie had a baby girl born with Anencephaly.

They knew the condition of their baby girl early on and chose to carry their angel as long as they could.

Her arrival was difficult with plenty of curve balls.

She wound up passing in her mother's womb.

The most peaceful and comforting place for her I can imagine.

 Maree Rose Clark touched many lives.

But all are still heartbroken she is not here with us now.

The entire family made it to the funeral service.

We would not have missed it for the world.

It was only family at the service.

It was beautiful, intimate, and somehow uplifting.

Maree's brothers and sisters made her this beautiful quilt with personal notes addressed to her.

Jannie held her little angel for the duration of the service.

Her family sang to her 

her little cousins were there

and her bigger cousins couldn't keep away from her.

One of the most beautiful things about this experience was seeing the cousins.

For almost all of them it was their first experience with tragedy and death.

Seeing how affected each of them was; the curiosity in the younger ones, the hurt in the older ones, each one having this new experience. But through it all, they were right there next to her casket, not wanting to leave her side. 

I can think of no better farewell than this.

The older girl cousins were quite emotional.

But they stood together. 

The last part of the service was perfect.

Misty had gotten a balloon for each of the kids to send off with baby Maree.

It was an angelic sight to see.

Maree Rose Clark

June 23, 2011

We will remember you forever 

and can not wait till we are all together forever again.

15 month check-up

At 15 months....
weight: 24.12 lbs (50%)
height: 30.5 in (25%)
head: 50 cm (100%+)

it was a hilarious appointment. new doctor... I think the nurse was extra new. She measured Brig's head 3 times would go enter the number in the computer then look really confused. She politely excused herself saying she thought she was ding something wrong and went in search of another nurse. Queue nurse number 2. She comes in and expertly measures Brig's head only to have gotten the same number nurse 1 measured. They then both turn to me and ask if his head is usually large for his age.  I see the lovely arcs of the growth chart and Brig's head-dot in far left out field. I am laughing hysterically inside, and respond with a resounding yes.
Oh I love my big headed boy.

You're a walking, climbing fool, and when those feet get going to what I guess you would consider a "run" I melt. You are terrified of your squeak shoes. You took two good falls off our front steps (the bruised head on father's day)You do the feet stomp when you get excited. 

You are a man of few words. Well, two words "Daddey" and "Hiy". 

Both of which are used to greet Daddy when he walks in the door. 

However, you sing along to "clean-up" pretty darn good. You quite enjoy hanging out in your crib babbling and trying to take down your wall decor. You're a sucker for fruit snacks. Since you've started walking you've become more your won person and are now afraid of strangers and do not tolerate them touching you. Swimming lessons were a bit difficult with this development. You also won't let me feed you. It's a "I feed my self or nothing" kind of attitude and I am a little concerned about your nutrition but also am sticking to my guns with the you eat what's on the table philosophy. Plus, when your hungry I'm sure you will eat.  Curse vegetables though... I'm yet to find one you like. 

Tricks? still not your strong suit. But you drive your cars around like a champ and are getting pretty good at throwing your balls and other items....

your cute though and 15 months suits you well :)

xoxo 

momma

McKay turns 4

Well this little man had a 4th birthday!
Not only do you not want to miss his parties cause he's adorable and the sweetest
but his mother throws beyond fantastic birthday parties.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of just the decor because it was so dang cute.

There was a petting zoo, pony rides, cookie decorating, a pinata, and enough delicious food to feed an army.

Unfortunately, this was Brig the whole party

:(

Who doesn't sleep on a two hour car drive? He just sat there staring at us with the most ornery face.

He did try to feed the goat though

and pat the pig.

Like I said, Carie's party are not to be missed.
A real live Pony.
Named Patches

We tried to coax our ornery cuss to go for a ride... we puled out all the stops. 

Binkie, momma, daddy, and of course Thomas. 

It didn't work :(

He was introduced quite happily to juice boxes though.

Thank you birthday boy McKay for being such a lovely host and offering a "pineapple juice" to Brig.

The birthday party ended with Brig and Cleo fishing for a few cold ones.

Then throwing back a few.

Our California Clark Family. Even though Carie throws a mean party, I wouldn't have missed it cause I just love them all so much. Our visits may be long over due but we fall into place real easy. We spent the rest of the day enjoying one another's company then heading over to Greg and Carie's friends who are so sweet and maybe live on a dream property. 

Bottom line?

So glad McKay was born so I could have such a cute nephew. 

We love you Mckay-kay!

Fork

We're learning to feed ourselves in our home. Primarily with a fork. It's no easy task and I tell you. It is kind of adorable but it drives me crazy.

 The boy doesn't eat. Meal time consists of pushing his food around his plate. 

He will only swallow what he himself can get on the fork which happens to be very little. 

Alas, I'm beginning to think a complete meal is fantasy.

His feeble attempts are pretty cute though... so enjoy :)

Father's day 11'

First I just have to say how much I love Nate as a father. 

(And how much I love this picture?)

It is so incredible watching each other grow and the new roles we learn to play. I tend to be the type of person who thinks things are supposed to be a certain way. Nate has been my great teacher of "things are supposed to be the way they happen for us". I saw in my mind what a father was supposed to be. Nate wasn't that father, but boy he is becoming so much more than those things and redefining what a father is for me. He adores our boy. Stops by home just so he can see that boy toddle over to say "Hiiii", let's him watch as many Thomas episodes cause he just knows how much he loves them, let's him take as long of a bath as he wants, is so proud of every little accomplishment our boy makes, and would give anything for our little man. 

In short, everything a Brig's father should be.

We strolled down to Dublin for a very overdue visit with family.

These two were pleased about the arrangement.

We spent the afternoon at my favorite hosts house.

Greg and Carie have a gorgeous home with an even more gorgeous backyard that is the most perfect lounging/hanging out/ birthday partying place around.

Brig and all things water = love

Index finger in water, then straight to mouth for a taste

The boys grilled up Curly's famous steaks and we ate, talked, and watched the kids have the time of their life roaming around the yard.

Although Brig and Cleo were border line lucid from lack of naps it turned out to be a grand ole day.

And I think we all couldn't be prouder of our handsome father's.

And to second Coleen's comment when she saw this picture...

look at those arms!

My man cub

Is walking

I keep catching myself recording Brig just toddling around. I am absolutely smitten by it. Really, most adorable thing ever. How did I not notice how adorable this is in other children? Arms out for balance, the robotic leg motions, feet that get going faster than little bodies, the deep squats to avoid falling, the sounds made when he thinks he's going down, the last reach before he gets to his destination. 

I love it.

Notice Brig's "ohhh" he makes when he gets into his squat and thinks he's going down. This sound can also be heard when the dogs get to the ice cubes before Brig and anything else that doesn't go according to Brig plan.

Brig in what I call his "lederhosen" 

brought to you by the hands of Nannie.

(I may or may not have a matching suit)

He took his first steps the first week in May when Brad was in town.

 It has taken him a whole month to figure it all out.

but now he's toddling away.

and tasting the flora and fauna at the front of our house.

love you my boy.

The going ons...

Nothing out of the ordinary has been going on round here. Just life.

It's amazing how wonderful good old life can be. We've enjoyed about 3 weeks of having family breakfasts, evenings, and weekends together. A routine. No trips or parties or important appointments. Just easy life.

So what does that mean for us? Well a healthy lifestyle of eating right and exercise.(all the sudden I love jogging... like I go everyday. I know me. It's crazy but I feel so great when I do.) A lot of movies in and evening strolls out. As well as a good amount a tv and snuggling. I've had no desire to be "projecting". So I haven't. I've just been doing well... life.

Having said that. A lot of great and momentous things occur in plain old life.

(Like Brig walking! A post for this later)

First on the docket...

Brig has fallen for Thomas the Train.

The most boring and shortest children show ever... which I now love as well.

Second...

Brig has a new favorite spot

It's adorable..

It's where Nate's electroinics found a home

and

where our baby has found a home

Mesmerized by Thomas, with remote in hand of course.

If you were wondering... no he cannot get out of there by himself humph..

3rdly...

Brig has discovered how to hug the dogs

I know that tongue in his face and mouth makes many a people cringe... what can you do? And plus... I'm pretty sure Brig will come down with giardia after his bout in my water fountain this afternoon. 

Really, babies can be so disgusting.

Anyway... that is what is going on :)