Clark Family Blog: December 2009

Boy! What a couple of very busy weeks. I have some catching up to do on the blog! Christmas is always a busy time of the year, but I'm discovering how much more busy it is with baby along for the ride. And how much more FUN it is!

Two weekends ago, I went on my annual shopping trip with college girlfriends to Schaumburg (can you say IKEA?). It was my first weekend away from Gavin which was difficult. I missed him incredibly, but had such a wonderful time with the girls. We shopped 'til we dropped as usual. And enjoyed wonderful food as well. The best part of the weekend was the SPLENDID news that my very good friend Danielle and her husband Brock are expecting their first little one. Danielle kept the news a secret until we met in person...she is already 25 weeks (23 weeks at the time of the trip). Now, I know I didn't share our pregnancy news with the general public until we were 13 weeks pregnant, but could you imagine holding this in until 23 weeks? Not a peep on the phone in the weeks leading up to the trip, nothing on Facebook... She really wanted to tell us in person. And what a surprise. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about it...every time I think about it. And I'm thinking of you often and praying that God watches over you all! This has been a LONG journey for Danielle and Brock. One that is definitely worth traveling. We love you guys!

Shopping was great fun, pumping-along-the-way and all! I felt like quite the milk machine, storing up all that nutrition to take home to little man!

Last weekend we were in Chicago, as a family, with my parents and my mom's family from Appleton, WI. Another fabulous weekend adventure. We weren't sure what to expect -- taking a baby out in the cold Chicago weather shopping and such. But, we lucked out. The weather was quite mild -- upper 30's, no wind (which is unheard of in the Windy City) and no snow! It was quite perfect. We shopped while our little angel baby rode patiently in the stroller, taking naps along the way so we didn't have to huddle in our hotel room. And we got to catch up with family who we don't see very often. Lots of fun! We love spending time in Chicago.

This weekend marked the marathon of Christmas parties, three in two days. It was great to get together with all of our family. A bit bittersweet with the Clarks, as Grandma Clark is not doing well. We're praying that God will see her through this difficult, unknown time. It is extremely difficult to see such a strong soul weakened.

The week nights have been filled with all that Christmas brings -- shopping online (too hard to get out to do this), wrapping gifts, decorating, trying to bake cookies. Boy, it is a busy time!

And, not to be overshadowed by the busy times, Gavin turned 10 months on Friday! He is on the go, crawling all over, pulling up on anything he can manuver onto, babbling up a storm, creating a true sense of humor, and just being his relaxed, wonderful self. He is intrigued by the Christmas tree, vertical blinds, plugs (which all have those plastic safety things in them), the baby gate (with Stuart on the other side). He continues to try new foods. Most recent was the introduction of tomatoes, which has been great fun. I love tomatoes and it is a staple in many of our family meals. I'm happy to report that Gavin loves them, too. And we introduced meat balls last weekend in Chicago...a huge hit. Graham crackers are also a favorite, along with some of others I've mentioned before.

Well, enough for now, I suppose. Here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks...

Happy Holidays to you all, if I don't get a chance to say it later this week!