Our Birth Story...

We thought we'd share a bit of the story of Liam's entrance...

Thursday morning, Jenn woke up feeling a "bit funny." We went to see Cindie, our midwife, who declared that Jenn was in early labor and we should be having a baby within 24 hours.

To help time pass and for labor to progress, we went to Carkeek Park for a walk. Samuel loved throwing rocks (as usual) into the water, while Jenn continued to battle regular contractions.

At 3:30, we saw Cindie again and decided to head home to try and relax as labor continued to progress. Samuel stayed with Jen and Tucker for a few hours so that Jenn and Mike could get a short nap and begin preparing for baby.

Around 7:30, Jon and Annie graciously brought Quiznos for dinner and stayed to watch Samuel while Jenn and Mike packed up to head to the birth center.

We arrived at the birth center around 10pm. Jenn was still in early labor, but was seeming to progress well. We spent time in the tub, walking around the parking lot, and sitting on birthing balls.

About 3am, Jenn was hit with the full onslaught of labor. Her contractions hit very hard, very quickly, causing her to vomit in between and during the sometimes overlapping contractions. She did amazing for during this period.

By about 4:35am, Jenn made it over the hump and was completely dilated and began to push. 11 minutes and 5 pushes later, a head emerged.

Here is Liam's debut.
He came out very peaceful and calm, wide eyed and taking in every aspect of his new world. After the discovering that he was a boy we all took a calming breath as he explored and let out a wail.

For the first 30 minutes, Liam rested on Jenn's stomach while he was getting the last of the yummy nutrients from the umbilical cord. He was content and happy, but ready to eat. Mike was able to cut his umbilical cord and Liam had his first meal at only 39 minutes old. Amazing!

We then spent the next couple of hours just being together. Liam was wide eyed and alert most of the time. He scored wonderfully on his Apgars and all the newborn screening. Jenn also was healing amazingly fast and was up moving out of bed less than an hour after Liam was born.

Mike and Liam shortly after birth.

Once we were up and moving we started preparing to go home. It was wonderful to know that everyone was doing so well and that our own beds were only minutes away.

We got all packed up and Liam was put into his car seat around 7:30am. We walked out of the birth center and began our trip home to introduce Samuel and Liam.
What an amazing morning!

Here HE Is...

Liam John Clark
Friday, July 20th
4:46am
8lbs 6oz

21 inches

Everyone is doing well. We arrived home about 8:00am (yes, less than 4 hours old) this morning and are all relaxing well. Samuel LOVES his brother and is eager to check every little part of him out. We will post more pictures soon!

As far as visitors we are asking that if people would like to stop by and visit that they wait until tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon. We would love to introduce you all to our newest family member. Feel free to call or email tomorrow after 10 and we can find good times to stop by and take a peek!

More pictures to come....along with the whole story...

More Pictures

I have a few pictures that were taken over the past week that are just cute and need to be shared. So ...here they are!

Mill Creek (town just north of us) had a street festival a few weekends ago. Mike took Samuel, Philipp and Johanna down. Although Samuel slept through most of it he did enjoy the fire trucks!

My two favorite boys!

Mike, Samuel, Philipp and Johanna spent some time downtown the other day when I had a meeting. Here is a great shot of the city from Kerry Park (Queen Anne).

Johanna, Samuel and Philipp being "cheesy!"

SAM (Seattle Art Museum) has recently opened a sculpture park near Mike's grad school. Although no one really calls Samuel, Sam, we thought this picture was much needed!

Camping Weekend

This past weekend we packed up and headed out to Gold Basin campground off Mt. Loop Highway for a few nights away. Yes...I am a week away from my due date, yes...we have a 2 year old, yes...we hiked two miles, yes...I slept on an air matress on the ground and yes...we had fun!

Here are a few pictures to highlight the weekend!

Philipp cooking his burger over the fire. We had a bit of trouble the first night with cooking, but no one straved. The rest of the weekend went much better!

Saturday morning Samuel was up at 6! Daddy decided to take him down to the river for awhile so the rest of the camp could sleep. They spent two hours exploring. Samuel loves climbing on the rocks, throwing rocks in the water and just being a boy!

Saturday afternoon we decided to take a hike. We headed up to Borgman Lake. It is a 0.8 mile hike into an alpine lake. It was a pretty easy hike. Mommy made it without having the baby and Samuel walked all on his own also.

Once we made it we took some time to play. Philipp and daddy went swimming, Samuel threw more rocks in the water and Johanna and I sat and ate cherries! We then hiked back out and enjoyed a drive back to camp with the air full blast!

Sunday morning we packed up camp and Samuel and I headed home. Philipp, Johanna and Mike decided to brave Mt. Pilchuck. They made it despite the bugs and huge elevation gain.

It was a great weekend away! I am glad we decided to go instead of waiting here for baby to make an apperance. We would still be waiting...

Philipp and Johanna

As many of you know, Philipp and Johanna are here for the next couple of weeks visiting. Philipp was our exchange student two years ago. He and his sister have had the chance to come back to the US to visit for about a month. They started their trip in Chicago and stayed with Mike's sister. They are now here in Seattle and will be staying until the 22nd of July. We have lots of fun things planned for their time here...hopefully even the arrival of Baby Clark #2!

Here are Mike and Johanna putting together the chair/bed we found for all our guests! She said it is pretty comfy!

Samuel warmed up to Philipp right away! Now they are buds for life!

Philipp and Johanna brought gifts from Germany. Samuel loves his new puzzle. Mom and Dad love his English/German wordbook! Daddy will be learning right along with him!

Happy Birthday!

Wow! It is so hard to believe that Samuel is actually 2 years old. Here are a few shots of his birthday weekend!On his birthday he got to wear the Mickey Hat all day! What an exciting time. Daddy took the day off of work so we went out to breakfast, down to the airport to pick up Philipp and Johanna, to IKEA then to the pool! A great day!

Saturday morning Samuel had his Little Gym class. We decided to start these classes as a special activity just for Samuel, especially after baby arrives. He loves them...so do mom and dad. They are a great chance for him to use all his energy in very productive ways. He loves the class and talks about it all week!

Living up to his nickname...monkey!

Walking on the beam.
Although Mike is holding his elbows, he has great balance and needs very little supporting!

Saturday afternoon we had finally had the eagerly awaited...MICKEY CAKE. After spending weeks trying to find a Mickey cake and having no success we went for the easy way. I found the Mickey figures at the Disney store and we put them on a cake. He was so excited he couldn't even get the whole phrase out. It sounded a lot like..."Mick...Mick...Mickey...Mickey...Mickey Cake....MY MICKEY CAKE!! Worth every single stop at every single bakery in Washington!

We had a get together with all Samuel's friends at a local park. We had a great cookout and the kids had the chance to play. Here they are with their sidewalk chalk, bubbles, play dough and Mickey ears!

Always time for a piece of happy cake!

Samuel even got his very own Mickey car. It was popular amongst all the kiddos!

Roxy and Samuel riding away into the sunset!

The little dude...wow...has it really been two years!

Fun With Friends

This past Saturday, Samuel had a few of his friends over to play. Since the weather was so nice we played by the pool and then grilled out. Here are a few cute moments!

Samuel and Roxy playing on the steps!

Paul attempting to ride on the airplane!

Trying to stay cool.

Waiting patiently for the hot dogs to be finished!

"Pool...I Coming!"

Samuel is going to be like mom was...when summer rolls around he becomes a fish!

We have been really lucky to have a nice pool at the apartment complex. Samuel loves swimming and asks to head outside as soon as he gets up. We generally make at least one trip to the pool each day! Yesterday he was about three feet in front of Mike and I and yelled out "Pool...I coming!" Here are some pictures from our trip!

Samuel is very cautious around the water and is actually surprisingly safe. He loves sitting on the steps and playing with his bucket and shovel. He mixes the water and dumps it over himself!

Yesterday, daddy was able to finish up at school early and headed home to spend some time with us. It is so much nicer for me when Mike is in the pool since I can then sit and relax. Here are the two dudes in the pool!

"One...two...one...two...one..."

We seem to get caught up on the one and two, but eventually he gives in and jumps!

Samuel is great in his ring. He loves floating around and splashing. He is really good about holding on to it so that he doesn't fall in or through! He even does his own version of motorboat by spinning himself around in the ring!

Looks like we have a whole summer of fun in the pool ahead of us!

Will You Forgive Me?

Samuel loves playing out in his sand box. He has the really bad habit though of allowing the sand to wander outside the box. It ends up all over the deck, on the people's deck below us, three floors down and anywhere else we might look. Since he has been told and reminded multiple times that the sand is to stay inside the box, when it wanders out he has to come inside for awhile. This is usually accompanied with tears and even a bit of frustration.

The other day, after having to already come inside a few times for allowing the sand to wander, he went into the laundry room, found the brush and started to sweep the sand off the deck. I want to believe that it was an act of repentance and him trying to "make up" for the wandering sand. Part of me wonders was he just trying to hide it? Oh well...it was cute anyway!

Jocie turns 2!

This past Saturday, we all celebrated Jocie turning 2! It is so hard to believe that all the kids are hitting 2 already! We had a great get together...

We all were able to create our own pizzas. The kids all helped out and came up with some very creative and interesting masterpieces. Samuel was very excited about putting the cheese on. We won the "Most Professional" award!

While the pizzas were cooking, the kids each were able to decorate a pot.

Samuel then chose a chili plant to put into his pot. He was pretty proud of himself and had to show daddy as soon as we got home!

After pizza we all sang Happy Birthday and ate yummy cake. Jocie even blew out all her own candles without spitting all over the cake!

Jocie then showed all of us her backyard and beautiful garden. The kids explored, played with bubbles and even ate a few raspberries right off the bush!

And here they are...the fantastic five!

Koen, Samuel, Jocie, Roxy and Matia!
It has been amazing to watch these kiddos grow up together.

Great friends...great memories!