Time Outside of Seattle

This past month we were able to get out of town for a few days. We headed down to Gig Harbor, about an hour and a half south of Seattle for some much needed rest and relaxation. We should have known better. Nothing that involves two children can be considered rest, relaxation or a vacation.

Regardless we went. It was just Mike, I and the boys on Wednesday . Thursday early afternoon, Jon, Annie and Grant were able to join us and Friday afternoon Jessi, David and Lachlan joined the fun. We all stayed through Saturday before heading back into Seattle. We stayed at a beautiful place right on the bay. Each day with the tide the water changed by 5 feet of so. It was amazing to watch how quickly it happened. Here are a few of the highlights...

Jenn falling down the stairs with Liam (everyone ended up just fine)
Liam falling over on his toy causing a huge bruise on his check.
Bailey cutting open her foot pretty badly (all repaired now).
Samuel stepping in a pile of dog poop bigger than his foot.
Two full games of Settlers while most kids slept.
Good food and good wine.

We also got a couple of great pictures.
The Clark Family

The whole gang!

Our New Niece

Mike and I had a new niece born this week. She was born early Tuesday morning.
We can't wait to meet her soon!
Here she is...

Ruby Neylon Puck
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
8lbs 1oz

Addison and Ruby

Back into the Swing

Well, I hope this week that we are able to get back into the swing of things. It feels like we have been out of commission for a few weeks and that the world did not wait for us to get healthy. It kept going...imagine that.

Mike is back at work this week and seems to be feeling better. He has quite a bit of catching up to do since he has been home for a week and a half (the week was vacation). Classes also continue for Mike so there is always reading and paper writing to do.

Samuel seems to be back to his old self. He is very much 2 1/2 and is finding more and more ways to push our buttons on a daily basis. He is still on antibiotics but is back up to moving nonstop from activity to activity.
Liam is officially done with his second round of antibiotics and is needing to go back to the doctor to have his ears checked. We really hope they are clear but since he is still pulling on them I doubt they are. If they are not we will probably have to see a specialist to figure out why they won't clear and look at other ways to help him out.

I am feeling much better than a few weeks ago. I still have a week of antibiotics to take but am actually able to function a bit better this week. I still always feel like I need to take a nap but that could also be the fact that I have two young children. Hopefully nights will provide a bit more rest this week.

Guess that is it from the home front. We have a short six months left here in Seattle and the reality of our leaving is starting to sink in. Good in some ways, sad in others. Guess we will have to wait and see what the remaining time brings.

The Doctor is in...

This will be a quick update. This past Tuesday we were all still really sick so we headed back up to the med center yet again.

The diagnosis
Mike...nasty cough, viral infection...treatment-cough syrup, rest
Liam...double ear infection...antibiotics
Samuel....ear infection...antibiotics
Jenn...sinus infection, walking pneumonia...antibiotics, rest

So as you can see, life still pretty much is awful at this point. Wednesday we left for a weekend away with friends. We got back today and Mike heads back to school on Monday. I will post more about this past weekend and a few photos when I have the energy to do so.

Spring Is Just Around the Corner

It is beginning to be a bit more like Spring around here. The sun has been shining and flowers are starting to bud. Yesterday we took a walk to the library and stopped along the way to run and play in the grass. Samuel and daddy chased one another around in the grass. Samuel loved picking all the little flowers for me. It is so nice to hear birds chirp and feel the cool spring air blowing in the windows. I am looking forward to more daylight, the sun being out more, the smell of spring, walks around the lake, cool afternoons, and lots of time on the playground. I guess along with spring also comes muddy shoes and muddy knees.

What A Week

As you have all well noticed, I have been a bit absent on the blog postings. Not much has been going on to report on since we have all been cooped up inside trying to get over this illness that has invaded the house for over two weeks now. Samuel is seeming to feel better and is getting back to his old self. Liam now has a double ear infection which is being treated by antibiotics. He has been a pretty cranky baby, rightfully so. I am still trying to recover from what I am guessing is a sinus infection. Mike has been feeling cruddy here and there but doesn't seem to have been hit with all the crap we have. Thank goodness...someone has to hold us all together.

Since I don't feel like writing a ton but wanted to let you know that we are all still alive, I will just update you with some cute pictures. Here you go...

Samuel thinks it is great to dress Liam up. Liam is not always amused.

Getting bigger everyday. I can't believe how old he looks here.

Still smiling with two ear infections.

Yes, both boys are sitting. That is all I can ask. Maybe someday they will both look and smile at the same time. Then again...probably not.

This morning we went on a walk to the library. We had to stop part way so Liam could eat. Samuel and daddy picked flowers and ran around in the muddy grass. Spring is just around the corner.

This week I will try and do a better job of keeping everyone updated! Keep praying that we all get healthy soon. This being sick stuff really stinks!

The Newest Dinkins

Our good friends had an addition to their family last week. Here he is...

Everett Lewis Dinkins
February 8th
3:32pm
9lb 11oz
21.25 inches

The new family of four.

Trish, Paul and Roxy moved back to St. Louis this past December. We miss them all so much and can't wait to see them all this summer. It will be so much fun to introduce Liam and Everett!

Welcome Home Katelynn Joy

Yesterday was a good day here in Seattle. Our good friends, Jen and Tucker brought home their baby girl, Katelynn Joy. We had the wonderful opportunity to meet her last night. She is a cutie. Here are a few pictures.

Katelynn Joy
December 21st
5lbs 11oz
18 inches

pure joy

Katelynn and daddy.

Katelynn and mommy.

Our Near Future

I saw this video yesterday and was laughing out loud. I can only imagine that it will be our reality soon enough (minus the accent of course). If you need a good laugh here you go!

Giving Up Hope

Well, shortly after I posted I got a call from Mike at school. He has been feeling horrible all afternoon. It is the same way I started so it looks like he is in for it also.

Samuel also just woke up from his nap screaming and pulling on his ear. He tells me it hurts and that he is still sick. He is walking around the house holding his "t-t" to his ear. At least that gives him a bit of comfort.

Round 3...ding.

Sick Days

Although there has been drastic improvement in the health at the Clark household we are still pretty quarantined around here. Here is the breakdown of the past week...

Thursday pm..Samuel starts running a fever
Friday 3:00am...Samuel throws up all over Mike, his bed and his floor
Friday 3:01am...Mike puts in for a sub
Friday day...Samuel continues to run a fever and is just not feeling well
Friday night...Samuel is up throughout the night crying and taking Tylenol
Saturday am...Samuel continues to run a fever, Mike is at wits end with a sick 2 year old, Jenn is praying Liam doesn't catch it, Liam thinks life is grand
Saturday day and night...Samuel's fever stops, running nose and cough start
Saturday night...sleepless enough I don't remember
Sunday am...Samuel is doing much better, runny nose and cough still but back playing
Sunday day...Mike and Jenn are saved by Jen and Tucker and actually get out to see Juno
Sunday night..Samuel starts up again with a really bad cough, Mike puts in for another sub
Monday day...Samuel seems to be doing better, Jenn, Liam and Mike seem to be in the clear
Monday night...more sleep than previously
Tuesday early am...Mike off to work, Jenn up and ready for the day, Samuel feeling better, Liam happy
Tuesday mid am...Liam spikes a fever, Jenn starts to feel miserable
Tuesday 3:30pm...Mike home, Liam and Samuel left with him, Jenn to bed
Tuesday 6:00pm...Jenn throwing up, Liam crying non-stop, Samuel wondering why everyone is sick
Tuesday 8:00pm...Liam sleeping but only if held, Jenn back in bed, Samuel asleep, Mike watching CNN for Super Tuesday updates
Wednesday am...all feeling a bit better, no fevers, Liam pulling on ears and coughing, Samuel coughing and runny nose, Jenn coughing and running nose, Mike fingers crossed that he stays well
Wednesday night...continued improvement but lots of waking in the middle of the night since it is impossible to breath laying down for any of us
Current...Liam napping, Samuel napping, Jenn showered, Mike at work...all feeling better but still needing a few more days

As you can see it has been an adventure. I hope no one else has to go through this!

Rough Days...Rougher Nights

Well, the last few days around the Clark household have been pretty rough. Mike and I are exhausted and the boys are both sick. Yuck is right!

It all started Thursday night. Samuel started running a fever around 8:30pm. He was up and down most of the night and finally topped it all off around 4am when he threw up down Mike's back and all over his bed. Mike stayed home from work on Friday to help out.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are pretty much a blur at this point. Lots of crying (mostly from Samuel and I), lots of coughing, nose wiping, Tylenol taking, walking with kids in our arms, rocking at all hours of the nights and more crying. I am not sure either of the boys have slept for more than about a two hour span, of course both on different cycles, meaning Mike or I are awake every hour. To say the least we are ready to wave the magic wand that will make everyone better. Mike is home again today since dealing with two sick kids is beyond what I am able to handle at this point.

The highlight of the weekend was that Mike and I were able to get away for a couple of hours. Jen and Tucker watched the boys while we went and saw the movie, Juno. Highly recommended by both of us. We had two hours of a good movie, buttery popcorn, all you can drink diet coke, and best of all no crying children.

Wish us luck in the next couple of days as we try to get this sickness to leave our house. Hopefully sooner rather than later for all our sakes.

366 Days to Better Pictures

As a way to better my picture taking ability I have decided to participate in a couple of photo opportunities. A good friend of mine, Jessi, set up a Flickr group in which we have to post one photo a week. Each week has a theme and we share our pictures and have a chance to get feedback . These are a few pictures I have posted to that group.

Theme: natural light

(picture is suppose to be in color but I am too tired to look for it)

Theme: Landscape

Theme: Close-Up

(parts of something)

Theme: Close-Up

(parts of something)

Additionally, I have joined another Flickr group that is a picture a day with the theme being kids. Each day I am suppose to capture one of the boys being cute (really hard to do around here) and post it to the group. Now, I know I will miss a day or two but I am eager to see the progression of my pictures. I started Feb. 1st to this group so here are my first two days of pictures.

All in all, I am eager to use my camera more and more and hopefully get better and better! You can check out my Flickr account here.

Snowy Morning in Seattle

This morning we woke up to a blanket of snow. Mike was able to stay home this morning since it is a non-student day at Skyview. I left the boys in his care and took a quick trip out to Green Lake. Although I love my camera there is so much to learn. I had a great time experimenting this morning and came up with a few great pictures.

A Snowy Morning in Seattle

Cora Diesel Pendergast

We would love to announce the arrival of a new little member of the Pendergast Family. After a much anticipated few days Cora Diesel made a fashionably late appearance. She was born Sunday, January 27th at 2:52pm. Here she is...

Cora Diesel

7lbs 14oz
20.5 inches
Cute as can be...

Happy Birthday Matia

Sunday, Samuel's good friend Matia turned 2! It is so hard to believe that it has already been two years since her arrival. We were able to join the party for pizza, presents and cake!
She loved people singing Happy Birthday to her and laughed throughout the entire song!
So cute!

Quick Update

Yesterday was Liam's six month well child check. His stats...

Weight: 18lbs 12oz (72nd percentile)
Height: 29.5 in (100th percentile)

So we knew he was tall, but didn't expect quite that tall. He has hit all his developmental milestones that they want him to at this point. He has started solid foods and is doing everything a typical six month old is doing.

Additionally, we found out that not only does he have a normal ear infection, but also has both a middle and outer ear infection. It appears that his ear drum burst and is repairing itself now. He is on amoxicillin and ear drops for the next 10 days. We have to take him back in 8-10 days to make sure his ear drum closes back up. He is amazing. He has acted a bit sick the last couple of days by just wanting to be held more, sleeping more and having a minor cough. Monday he pulled on his ear once but other than that there has been nothing.

Samuel is doing amazingly well with potty training. He has gone two days without any accidents. We are now working on him telling us when he needs to go instead of us always reminding him and asking constantly. Yesterday, while we were out running around, he stayed dry for over several hours. He even went on big, public toilets without a problem. We keep our fingers crossed that he keeps up the great work. He is such a big boy now!

Six Months

Liam John-

I can't believe I am writing this, but over the weekend you turned six months old. It is so hard for me to imagine that it was only six months ago that you blessed our lives with your arrival. In all honesty I wish time could slow down and I could spend more time being with you. I know how quickly time passes and how it will be all too soon that you will pass up the cuddles, refuse the kisses and go running the other way when we call. Yesterday I heard someone say not to wish your children would stay little, but be so involved and so present in each moment of their lives that you don't miss a thing, that in the end there is nothing to regret because you were present in all of it. This is probably a better way to be.

This past month has been a busy one for us. We spent nearly three weeks in Michigan. There were so many people there that were meeting you for the first time. You were such a joy and traveled so well. You greeted everyone with smiles and enjoyed the holiday season. People are amazed by your patience, your "go with flow" attitude and your ability to adjust to whatever is going on around you. I guess you have only know life with a brother and understand that you have to share your mommy and daddy.

The big change for you this month has been your introduction to "solid" foods. I say that understanding that they food you eat is still very much in a liquid form. While we were at Nana and Papa's house you were introduced to rice cereal. I think you were disappointed that it didn't taste more like pizza but entertained us with all sorts of new faces and disapproving looks. Since we have been home you have been refusing cereal but have willingly tried sweet potatoes. After the first bite you looked at me as if I had just poisoned you (see below). You then began to like them and are eager to eat more and more. Although I am sure you would like to move straight to chicken fingers and french fries I think we will stick with more veggies for now.

You also have been playing with the idea of sitting up. You have become pretty stable on your bottom and are now mastering the ability to reach for a toy and not go crashing to the floor. The world is a whole new place to you from the vantage point of sitting. You often are content just sitting on the floor and watching mommy and daddy as we go about doing and watching Samuel as he races from one thing to the next. Every once in a while you make sure we haven't forgotten about you, trust me, we haven't! Samuel is also excited that you can sit up because to him "he is getting bigger. He plays with my cars"! Samuel is so excited for you to be able to play with him.
You still absolutely adore Samuel. You love to watch him and are always paying attention to where he is or what he is doing. I love to see your face light up when he enters the room or you hear him from across the house. Samuel adores you just as much as you do him. He is constantly wondering where you are, what you are doing and when you will be big enough to play with his cars. He loves singing to you, dancing for you and making you laugh. The two of you have a special relationship that is truly amazing to witness.
So, instead of wishing you little forever, I will just be here with you now. I will be there as you go from babyhood into toddlerhood. I will be there when you learn to crawl, walk and talk. I will wipe away your tears, kiss your bumps and bruises, and hold your hand when the world just seems to scary to go at it alone. I will cherish all the memories we make together and know that this time is precious, but the time to come is too. I love just being your mommy and just being with you. You are such a special gift.

I love you,
Mommy

Happy Belated Birthday Aunt Kate

Samuel's latest attempt at Happy Birthday on his new drum. Liam is happy to sit and watch Samuel play and every once in awhile will join in with a few taps of his own. **No small children where harmed in the recording of this video.** Also please note that we generally do not allow Samuel to play quite so close to Liam!

Fun with Photoshop

So in addition to my camera for Christmas I got Photoshop Elements. I feel just as lost with it as I do the camera but am having a great time learning all the cool things I can now do! The other night I found a tutorial on how to change a picture to black and white but keep one object in color. I went through it and was quickly addicted. Here are a couple of pictures Mike and I did! I love my camera!