Dancing with the babes.....

When Kannon was ten months old, I was reading our "What to Expect the Toddler Years" and couldnt help but chuckle at the thought of Kannon dancing.  According to their research, "toddlers start to dance around 14 month" and thought of Kannon dancing choked me up, because how could this barely balancing, barely walking little man dance?  Well, little did I know, Kannon would do his first two step a few months later.  And it was adorable. He clearly took dance lessons from a friend of mine because he had the same signature moves.  Well, here we are not even a year later, and I have new dance monkey on my hands. Clark, now 10 months old, loves music.  Not just any music.  Clark prefers the classic rock unlike his older brother who preferred the Bob Marley and Elvis music. I luckily caught a few of his grooves on video but of course, he got a little shy as soon as he saw me peeking in on his one man dance party. I think he has rhythm!!

photo therapy:: Clark 6 months

Our little Clark turned 6 months today.  It is hard to believe how 6 months already went by!  It is even harder believe how cute this little guy is!!!

Little C Keeps on Growing!

I posted the "Many Faces of Clark" but never finished the rest.  Well, tonight was my chance to catch up and catch up I did!  I have *gasp* over 100 photos edited and ready to upload from our month of adventure.  Before we jump to those, remember little Clark?  He isn't so little anymore!!!

Life Update

We have been less than conversational these days.  So far this year we have been battling colds, airports, work, tantrums, and adapting to our constantly changing life.  In between the chaos, we barely have time to pick up the phone, email, or even chat with best friends---we are simply too tired.  Alas, I feel an end is near as things begin to even out (for the moment!).  So here are some updates on all of us.

1.) Kannon is growing into a little man more and more everyday.  I feel so blessed to have such an incredibly handsome, gentle, smart, and funny little guy.  He jumps, dances, spins in circles, and runs across our floor.  He climbs beds, tables, couches, and anything given the opportunity.  He eats everything and loves the Trader Joe's Apple-Carrot Crushers in particular.  Kannon is using spoons and forks and drinking out of big kid cups.  He can sign "sleep, milk, water, please, change, poop, water, eat, hungry, and more".  In fact, twice this week he has signed "change me" before he even pooped!!!!  And yesterday in a moment of fussiness, he walked up to Dale and with two exaggerated hands he signed "sleep".  This kid knows what he wants and how to get it!!!  He loves his brother and has a new playmate, Pike (7 months old).  Together they have been building legos, reading books, and playing with blocks.

Side note:  I was getting Pike, Kannon, and Clark ready for bed.  Both Pike and Clark were crying while I was mixing a bottle for Pike.  I turned around and Kannon was handing his sippy cup to Pike and patting Clark's belly with a little blankie at the same time!  This kid is such a big helper already!!!

2.) Clark is the happiest baby I have ever met!  He is constantly smiling and laughing.  He laughs at the dog, Kannon, Dale, shadows--EVERYTHING!  I have met some happy babies but Clark has smile lines already from the perma-smile splashed across his face.  He knows how to roll-over but doesn't like to do it.  He has found his hands and feet and everything in between.  Clark has started eating solids (slowly) and while it has improved the sleep situation, it is still not great.  Clark sleeps from 8-8 but he wakes up at 10, 12, 2, 4, and 6 most nights.  Sometimes he surprises us with an 8-5 stretch but it is rare.  I AM TIRED!!!  But its worth it for this cutie pie!

3.) Dale still loves his job.  He recently had the pleasure of serving Dana Cowin (editor of Food & Wine mag) and redesigned the wine menu.  The chefs he works for have been nominated for another James Beard Award.  With the weather getting nicer, Dale has started riding his bike to work which has meant many more outings for the boys and me.  Dale is looking into the next level of the Court of the Masters Sommelier.  The next test is in September but its almost $600 and a lot of studying!  We have to see where things are going before we just hand over our credit card. In between work and sleep, Dale loves taking the boys for walks, tasting new beers, of course cooking for all of us starving fools!

4.)  Me.  Well, I am tired.  I have had a lot of stuff going on.  First off, I have a BIG interview next Wednesday at 9 for Teach for America.  I applied in 2008 and was not accepted but it was fortunate because I met Dale, got married, and moved to Montana.  This year, TFA is starting in Seattle and I realllly want to become a corps member for so many reasons--I wont bore you with them.  Keep your fingers crossed!!!!  If I am not accepted I will be opening my own photography studio to grow my photography business and finish the details on a little exciting project (SECRET!).  I have decided to stop selling on my Etsy site as it has become too much to keep up with.  With everything that I have going on, knitting a few hats and rolling dryer balls isnt really on the top of my list.  I have been so exhausted lately that staying up to watch/knit has become impossible.  So farewell Etsy, you have been good to me.  

See, we are good.  We have not fallen off the earth or disappeared in a snow-storm.  Our lives just never stop moving.  I dont stop moving between 8-8 and even when the kids are sleeping work is to be had.  I just got back from vacation but I am already ready for another one!!!

PS For those of you have had problems/dropped calls on our phone.  We got new phones!!!  Hopefully these will hold a charge and avoid Kannon's sticky fingers so we can talk without disruptions!  

Clark Updates:: 4 months!

It is hard to believe 4 months has passed since Clark joined our family.  He is a joy--so happy and content.  He has started rolling over, grabbing toys, and exploring his hands and feet.  Lately he has discovered his ability to express himself.  What a doll!
4 months stats: 12 lbs 6 oz, 24 1/2 inches tall

sleep.

We aren't getting much sleep lately.  Between Dale's late night schedule, the etsy orders I have been cranking out, and Clark who can't decide what his schedule is, I am lucky if I get 5 hours.   The lack of sleep leaves us a little less than 100%.  We lose things, snap at each other, and fall asleep 5 minutes into Top Chef.  The sleep issue has somehow created a black hole for things to fall into.



Like the cinnamon rolls I bought from the store and have a receipt showing their purchase.
Like our cell phone charger which was here and then gone.
Like Dale's work apron which apparently walked its way out of our house.
and sadly, like the ipod touch we got new just last week.  Lost. Stolen.  Whatever you call it.

Alas, I digress. I have spent the week addressing the sleep issue and I think I have it down.  If Clark goes to bed at 8pm, I have to wake him up at midnight to nurse, otherwise he will sleep till 3 and then wake up every hour after that.  If he goes to bed at 10, he sleeps through the night.  What a weirdo!  

The boys are sharing a room and have been for the last few weeks and it is going remarkably well.  Kannon, formerly a light sleeper, doesn't even stir when I come in to nurse.  And lastly, Kannon just moved into a real bed.  That's right peeps, I kicked him out of the crib and put him in a queen size bed on the floor.  His first reaction?  Grabbed a blanket, his monkey, and rolled around.  I think he gets the idea.  We will just see how the rest of the night goes.

Anyways, I apologize fore the lack of postings lately, things are just to effin' busy around here!!!!  I can't wait for Christmas so I can recover.  Santa will you bring me sleeping pills and a breast pump?

Updates

Okay, so I am a bit behind on the updates.   My mom was here, we celebrated Kannon's 1-year birthday, and I have just been catching up.

Kannon
12-months
21 lbs  5 oz
29 inches

Kannon is doing great.  Our pediatrician is wonderful and had fun flirting with Kannon.  He is walking, clapping, waving hi and by.  He says mama, baba, dada, lala, nemma and random babbles.  Kannon hates cauliflower and refried beans but eats everything else.  He loves his legos and nesting boxes.  He LOOOVEES books, and spends most of the day looking at them.  Kannon now has 6 teeth.  Twice now, he has tried to bite us.  He is also noticing Clark more and starting to bring him things like food, toys, and clothes.  He is a little small for his age but we aren't surprised as we are both short people.  Kannon got his MMR and Hep A vaccine and we went our merry little way....granted Kannon was a little pissed about his shots but he recovered quickly.  We will go back when he is 15 months old!

Clark
1-month
9 lbs 5 oz
21 (22 ??) inches


Clark is growing like a champ!!! He is already growing so much differently than big brother Kannon.  During the day he nurses every 1 1/2 hours.  At night, he sleeps 5-1/2 -6 hours, wakes to nurse and then wakes up every 2 hours after that.  Clark has started smiling and giggles in his sleep :)  Twice this week I have found Clark sleeping on his side.  He is already so different from Kannon as a baby.  He loves to be swaddled, sleeps well everywhere, except his carseat.  He is alert, quiet, and loves to be around us.  He is still sleeping most of the day but when he is awake, he smiles, coos, and stares at us with his big brown eyes.  We love our little guy!

worse night ever.

Somebody start the coffee and put an IV in me.  We are soooo tired today.  Dale stayed up working on his BarSmarts course last night until 2am meanwhile I was nursing Clark every 45 minutes until 6:15am.  Just when Clark finally decided to doze off, if was time to head to his circumcision and 2 week well check this morning.

We were running late.  So without my coffee, I left Dale at home with Kannon, and braved rush-hour traffic at 8am with a screaming baby to get to Mercer Island by 9.  Sometimes, I hate the city. 

But we made it.  Clark got his tip snipped without even a peep and passed out just in time for another jaunt across the city for his 2-week well check.

We just love our pediatrician who is likewise in love with both our kids.  She said that Clark is very alert and observant for his age....which explains the lost sleep :(  She suggested moving him into his own space instead of co-sleeping---it might be less distracting.  So tonight, we will shift things around and put Clark in his bassinet and see if that means more sleep for us.  At two weeks old, Clark is weighing in at 7 lbs 7 oz and just a shade over 20 inches long.  He just keeps growing!!!

We are taking a break from doctors for a while.  Kannon goes in for his 1-year well check in November and Clark won't go back until December.  This might be the first 2-week stretch that didn't involve a doctors visit for one of us since.....March????? 

Until then, I am attempting a nap before our next adventure.

some updates

I have been so busy blogging about our family adjusting to life with 2 babies that I have forgotten some major updates!

First, Kannon is walking!!! He still mostly crawls, but everyday he takes brave steps that are getting longer and longer.  Today, he walked almost 15 feet before he decided to give up and crawl.  Here is a video of him in action:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkiZBP_0JwI
(Please excuse the sideways video and those adorable baby cheeks!)

Kannon is turning one next week and not a day goes by that I dont think about this momentuous occasion.  Kannon can drink out of his own cup.  He can open bottles, especially my Gatorade bottles that I thought were foolproof.  He speaks nonsense all the time.  Mostly bababa's, dada's, and mama's but they are slurred together in long sentences that we are still translating. 

Our little boy who used to eat everything seems to finally be developing his own tastes.  Whatever he doesn't like goes to Emma (the dog).  These days, it has been tomatoes, carrots, and turkey.  He still loves his blueberries and while they are messy they certainly keep his diaper habits regular!

Kannon finally understands 'no' and he pouts his lips out when he say it...but he does stop whatever it was that deserved the 'no'.  He is one rolly-polly kid and spends a lot of time rolling around on the floor from the dog bed to the couch.  No one knows why.  He has transitioned fully to whole milk and the cup.  He is becoming a toddler!  What a big boy!!!! 

Did I mention he also became a big brother?????

Which brings me to Clark who is growing bigger by the day.  His umbillical cord fell off at 8 days....Kannon held onto his for 2 weeks!  Clark got his first bath.  He was hesitant at first but finally warmed up to the notion when we started rubbing his feet.  Here is a video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xi3fXeCrkk

Clark is still eating like a champ.  He nurses during the day every 2 hours but sleeps in 4-5 hour stretches at night which is heavenly!  Kannon and Clark have very similar schedules already.  They both pass out hard around 8pm and wake up for good at 8am.  Clark obviously still spends most of his day sleeping, but he is most alert between 8-10am and 3-5pm.  Clark has his 2-week check up on Friday and *gulp* is also getting circumcised.  We will be sure to share his stats when the day comes.

I am adjusting well to life with the two.  We have made a lot of sacrifices that allow me to stay at home for the time being.  However, I am beginning to start the job search for something part-time starting in January.  We are very lucky that Dale goes to work at 5 or 6 most days because that means we have all day together with both kiddos.  The few hours that I have both boys without Dale are chaos but each day is getting better and better as I learn how to keep them both happy.....sometimes it means lollipops before dinner or 15 trips up and down the stairs to pop a pacifier in Clark's mouth.  Whew.  But before I know it, it is 8pm and both are asleep.  More updates to come.

Clark is here!

Clark Allen Pittman

10.08.10

11:24pm

6 lbs 15 oz

19 3/4 inches 

Our new little man finally arrived with a bang Friday night.  After barely 24 hours in the hospital we are home, recovering and enjoying getting to know each other.  It feels so good to be back in our own beds!

Our birth story:
On Tuesday, I was 0 cm dilated but was having consistent contractions every 7-10 minutes.  My doctor and I decided that if Clark wasn't here by Friday (41 weeks) that we would start the induction process.  I was induced with Kannon and while I had a great birth experience I was still hoping things would happen more naturally this time around.

Friday arrived and the hospital kept pushing back our induction time.  By the time we arrived, I was already having contractions 5-7 minutes apart (I couldn't feel them!) and was 2 cm dilated.  My blood pressure was elevated so they started me on the lowest dose of pitocin at 3pm to help contractions pick up.

At 7pm I was 3 cm, my doctor stripped my membranes and things picked up instantly.  They stopped pitocin and let things go naturally.  My doctor was convinced that this baby wasn't going to be born until Sunday....but I guess Clark had other plans.

By 7:30pm I was 4 cm dilated and laboring in the bathroom.  It was hard work, breathing through each contraction.  I was trying not to bang my head on the wall and curse at Dale.  For the first time, I found myself hating Dale, wishing I could stop labor, and hoping for it to all be over.  By 9:30pm I was 6cm, I caved and begged for the epidural!

I got the epidural at 10:15pm and immediately relaxed.  Dale's mom (who just flew in from Alaska) arrived at the hospital and Dale was planning on taking her home and coming back.  Again, Clark had different plans.

I called my nana at 10:40 to let her know what the progress was, we were all convinced that Clark would stay put until the 9th, my nana's birthday.  At 10:45pm I was 7cm, Dale left the room to tell his mom, and soon after our little guy's heart rate started dropping.  Dale came racing back as nurses rushed in around me.  They moved me to my side, my water broke, and at 11:20 I started pushing.  4 minutes and 3 pushes later Clark Allen was born screaming with a cord wrapped around his neck and both arms! 

Everyone was expecting an 8 pound baby but surprisingly Clark was only 6lbs and 15 oz.  He has a full head of black hair, dark (almost brown) eyes, and hairy shoulders!!!

Unlike Kannon who slept for the first 3 days refusing to nurse, Clark is hungry!  He latched on 10 minutes after birth and hasn't stopped since!  Last night he woke us up on the hour, every hour to feed! I am recovering easily...I just need some sleep!

All in all, it was a quick and almost painless birth.  Everything went well and our little man arrived healthy and perfect!  It is so easy to forget how small newborns are.  Even though we are still pretty fresh at the parenting thing, we are both amazed at how tiny Clark his.  He has tiny fingers, hands, and I am still adjusting to holding such a tiny infant again!  I am in awe, looking at Kannon, and realizing he was this tiny just a year ago.  They change and grow so fast and having two boys in my life is a reminder to enjoy every precious moment.

Kannon has no clue what is going on. He is loving the extra attention and smiles at the new baby but it is going to be a few months before he fully realizes he shares our love with Clark.  Until then, it will be chaos learning how to hold and care for 2 boys but equally rewarding with double the love.  I look forward to getting know Clark and his personality and again opening my heart to another.