The Arch-

Clark officially knows the "Arch" and will point it out each time we pass it. So we thought it would be fun to take him there so he could see it up close. And of course he had a great time and was in awe of the huge arch. We played around on the grounds for a while and Clark made it all the way down a hill with the goal of throwing his sticks into the water-


You can see the rings from his sticks being thrown in.

We went inside the arch to walk around the museum and made a pit stop in the gift shop where Clark and I played in bonnets. Ha.

Clark, where's the arch?

He was excited to actually touch it.

Franklyn Visits!

Monday Franklyn came down to St. Louis for a visit and just left tonight. Sadly, it didn't seem very long but we had SO much fun with him while he was here! I always end up having too much fun to take pictures so as we took him to the Megabus station I remembered my camera and got a couple shots of them together before he had to leave... We miss you Franklyn and hope you get home safe!!!

Clark was giving Franklyn a hug here- His hugs are the sweetest things ever!

The bus just arrived and Clark was super pumped! That was before he realized Franklyn was getting on that bus.

Goodbye kisses.

No Franklyn, don't go...

Come back soon- we miss you already!

18 Months

Our baby boy is a whole year and a half today- and we're not sure where the time has gone! We decided since it was so nice out that we should take him to the zoo since he's been so into animals lately. We put in one of our Planet Earth DVDs the other day and he actually sat down at watched part of it with us. Each time a new animal came on screen he'd get super excited. But of course once we were at the zoo all the water and waterfalls were so much cooler and exciting :) He did get a kick out of riding the train around the entire Zoo though. And it was the first time we've been out and he got tired of walking and asked to get in his stroller.




He's been drooling a TON lately working on all his new teeth-

It must have been too sunny out for Clark's liking because he kept taking the sunglasses off Rich's face and putting them on his own.

When we got home we put him down for his afternoon nap- and then actually napped ourselves we were so exhausted from the night before. When he woke up we decided to walk down the street to The Gelateria for a little "half birthday" treat. Scary that this place is walking distance because it's SO good. Clark tried the vanilla and mango flavors, Rich got a cinnamon cone and I went with blueberry and chocolate. Yummy. Clark had a couple bites but preferred to just dip his bink in the gelato and eat it that way. Once Rich was almost done with his cone he gave it to Clark to polish off. At first he thought it was just another way of getting gelato into his mouth until he figured out it was edible. I think it lasted maybe 2 minutes after that realization, and it was gone.

This was right after Clark realized the cone was edible and he was stuffing the whole thing into his mouth...

And we made one new discovery tonight... Clark loves goat cheese marinara. For our party last night I made my usual goat cheese marinara appetizer and usually everyone eats it all (Jarett!) but with all the other food we actually had a little leftover. So we heated it up tonight and let Clark try some with his dinner and he loved it- Tomorrow morning he has his 18 month check-up and I'll be sure to post his stats. Last time we checked he was just under 28lbs, and we've got the arm muscles to prove it! Then tomorrow afternoon Uncle Franklyn comes in town and we can't wait!!!!!

Endless Setlist

Last night we attempted what I thought was the impossible... Rock Band's Endless Setlist (which is all 84 songs in a row from easiest to hardest.) And we DID IT, With the help of some really awesome friends of course. But before we could begin we had to grill out some brats which were so yummy the little boys even liked them! Clark's buddy Adam came over and played in the yard, they fed each other dinner and even took a bath together. Good times. Sadly, the night didn't end until almost 3am and that is just WAY too late for a pregnant chick. I felt like I ran a marathon when I woke up this morning I was so tired and sore.


Clark LOVED his brats.

And then he helped his Daddy with a song...

But bathtime was the best. Both boys loved splashing around together- Here is Clark showing off his almost-full set of teeth. He got two more in recently and I'm pretty sure he only has 2 left to go. Guess that's why he's able to eat brats with no problem :)

Clarkspeak

Clark has had a little language explosion lately... His little "gremblin" mumbles as Aunt Lisa calls them are finally recognizable words and we've had so much fun listening to him attempt to say things. Many words he has all on his own, and the rest of the time he likes to repeat after us. Time to be REAL good about what we say around him, ha! Here's a little sample of him repeating the word pasta :)

His latest words that he has all on his own are: bye (bbyyyyeeee), light (ite), eat (E!), balloon (ba-oon), lloyd (loy), moon (moo), ball (baw), bath time (ba-tim, ba-tim), and the dreaded no.

Ted Drews

The other day Clark got his first taste of a St. Louis tradition... Ted Drews. Yummy. They actually serve their concretes upside down, they're so thick and delicious. He basically claimed Rich's milkshake and wouldn't give it back- And in true Ted Drews fashion Clark sat in the back hatch of the car while chowing down. Love it.

We had to hit up Ted Drews before taking Lindy to the airport-

Clark and Jolene

Trying it out for the first time

wow, this is YUMMY

MINE, don't even think about it!

WAAAAA- I was NOT done!

Clark LOVES Stephen

Clark has a serious crush on Stephen Colbert... and really, who doesn't? Each time he hears the opening credit music come on he freaks out and dances around our living room. We've never seen anything quite like it- so we had to get it on video to share!

The Boat House

This morning we headed to First Watch for a little brunch with the bachelorette girls, Gramme Pamme and my boys. Clark enjoyed eating with his Gramme, and we enjoyed yummy food! Then it was off to Forest Park's Boat House where we rented a paddle boat and headed out on the "lake". Clark LOVED the boats from land but once he was on it, not so much. All he wanted to do was get in the water and splash around, which of course wasn't going to happen. So there were tears, but all was better the minute we got home and he passed right out in his crib.


Clark was much happier before we got on the boat-

Oh- ducks!

Clark got to steer the rudder and he loved that part-

He is actually trying to step into the water.

Clark was so annoyed that Rich was holding onto him and not letting him jump into the lake. This was right before he chucked his bink into the lake waving and saying "BYE!"

Nicolle's Bachelorette Party

Well, this is what it looks like when a 25 week pregnant chick heads out for a bachelorette party- sick and wrong, ha! Yesterday was Nicolle's "last night out" and we had a blast. In the early afternoon we all met at a local nail salon for a little pampering... then it started out with a fun lingerie shower (pictures that will not be shared :) but all I've gotta say is Brian has some great surprises coming his way in 2 short months! Then we headed out to a place downtown which was just OK but Mandarin saved the day like always so we rounded out the night partying down in the Central West End. And of course, what would a night out in St. Louis be without a trip to Steak N Shake? Too fun. I really can't wait for the wedding!!!

Nicolle got awesome bride undies-

the bridesmaids (minus Pam who lives overseas) and Heather who had to step down because she might not be able to travel for the wedding, she's due 10 days before me.

so glad Lindy was able to make it into town to celebrate!

two of my best friends

oh, the belly was a hit on the dance floor

Little Worker Boy

Rich has been wanting to get Clark some tools for a long time now, so we picked up a little tool stool and box and he has been LOVING it! He will carry around his box and play with his toy power drill, it's the first thing he goes for in the morning right now. And what's even funnier is the hard hat in this first picture was from my Dad's old company, and it's an ADULT hat and it's not even on the smallest setting. It's strange to think that there are adults out there with smaller heads than Clark. Ha.