Clark turns 5 months!!

Wow! What a difference 5 months makes! Five month old babies are very enjoyable. Clark prefers attention from us, but he can definitely entertain himself. He loves life. Seriously, I know it is hard to imagine a five month old embracing each day, but Clark does! Clark had his first airport and airplane experience this month. He was awesome. We went to St. Louis for a sorority sister's wedding, but were also able to squeeze in time with Mark's parents and brother in law. We made a 24 hour trip and had four flights!

Five month milestones:

- Clark is so close to sitting up on his own. I am thinking he will be there by 6 months!

- He mimics sounds and gestures. The other day he made a "b" sound.

- He rolls over a lot! If we walk away for a few minutes, Clark manages to roll into the most interesting places.

- He can pull objects down from his play gym. (Superman like strength :))

- He recognizes Mark and I when we pick him up at daycare.

What he loves:

- When Mark tickles him.

- Being outside. If Clark is upset, we will just walk outside for a few minutes and he will calm down.

- Watching us eat! He is fascinated by food.

- Putting his fists in his mouth when he is really happy. It almost looks like he is saying "Aw shucks, you are so funny."

- Bath time - Clark will splash around during his bath.

- Our sweet next door neighbor who is five years old. I think she might be his first crush when he gets older!

- Sleeping on his belly with his bottom in the air!

- His first fiesta party and being able to wear the shirt Nona bought him in Mexico.

What he does not like:

- loud noises

- being hungry

My 30th Birthday!

I am not sure when I found out about golden birthdays. I like to imagine that I was eating ice cream at a birthday party in Paris and someone explained to me the magical phrase "golden birthday". A golden birthday is when your age and your date of birth match. My golden birthday was my 30th on March 30th! I initially wanted to go on a big trip for my 30th and then I remembered that I had a four month old and the trip was not as enticing.

In college, my roommates and I threw a random t-shirt party. I thought it was the perfect party because you could wear jeans and a t-shirt and I wasn't really into getting all jazzed up. Fast forward and I was looking for fun invitations for my 30th and I found a Nameapalooza birthday. It was destiny! For my birthday, Mark threw me an Ellenpalooza party and everyone was encouraged to wear a funny tshirt.

I couldn't have asked for a better evening for the party. My mother offered to make the food, Mark bought cupcakes from cuppies & joe and my neighbor Katy supplied the perfect party supplies. Mark and I had so much fun and were so thankful that all of our friends were able to make it out to celebrate.

The next night Mark planned a one night staycation in OKC complete with my parents & brother watching Clark overnight. We ate at Ludvine (a new local restaurant that changes their menu weekly) and then headed over to the civic center. We saw the world premiere (their words not ours) of the OKC ballet, philharmonic and choral on one stage. It was awesome and I now want to enroll in adult ballet! We stayed the night at the Colcord and I definitely recommend staying there if you are in town.

All in all my golden birthday exceeded my expectations! Poor Mark's golden birthday is August 1st, so unfortunately Mark was unable to celebrate his golden birthday in style! The pictures are in reverse order!

Clark plays the piano!

Clark is Four Months

Hello Mr. Personality! I have to admit that this stage in the baby timeline has been so enjoyable! Clark really embraces the day. He has hit the major milestones for four months. He loves being around people and is recognizing early the laws of cause and effect. If he smiles, then people will not only smile back but praise his ability to smile!

Four month milestones:

- Clark rolls from back to front and front to back. He always starts out on his back at night, but in the morning he is usually curled up on his belly with his bottom in the air.

- He sits with support - Clark can finally sit up in his bumbo.

- He is fascinated with new objects and activities.

- He coos, smiles and wiggles to express pleasure.

- He holds objects for a short period of time. His favorite objects include plastic links and Sheriff Cowhorse.

What he loves:

- Watching other babies. He is fascinated by the kids in his daycare class.

- Talking with others. If Clark is not part of the conversation, then he is going to let you know it. He loves making sounds to bring the focus back to him.

- Singing - His personal favorite songs are the "Wheels on the Bus" and "Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes"

- Mornings - He is a child after my own heart. He is so happy in the mornings.

- Books - He thinks he can turn the pages!

- Noise - He has started banging objects and rattling his toys to hear noise.

What he does not love:

- Mike Anderson leaving the Tigers.

- Mark's NCAA bracket.

- Sleeping through the night (at least the past four nights!)

- Being left alone - It is hard for us to step out of the room for even a second.

Our Budding Soccer Player

Clark's Baptismal Gown

I decided to have my wedding gown made into a baptismal gown. I honestly don't believe many girls re-wear their mother's wedding gown outside of hollywood movies! And while I believed my gown was classic and timeless, I doubt my daughter would think the same thing. My mom's seamstress in Paris (sounds so fancy!) made the gown and I loved it!! She even created a bonnet for him to wear. I only have two picture on our computer with me in my wedding dress. This picture is Mark and I with two of my best friends from college and we were singing "Like a Prayer". This was the classic Kappa song and is still one of my favorite pictures!

Clark laughing!

Mark does a great job at getting Clark to laugh!!