The Question

People are asking... "What is the new title of your blog going to be?" And I answer, "It's staying the same."  Well at least for now and this is why...

Ellison as a newborn:
Screamed the minute she came out of my tummy (the nurses and Doctor said it was the loudest scream they had ever heard) and the entire time in the hospital.  Ate constantly.  Disliked being wrapped in blankets - Grandma Daisy would say, "Jennifer, you cover that baby right now." If we put her in a sleep sack, 2 minutes later we would find that Ellison had wiggled so much that the sack was up at her shoulders. 

Dylan as a newborn:
Let out a few cries while coming out of my tummy. Quietest baby award at the hospital - would wake him up to eat - and he still would not eat. Loves being wrapped up in blankets. Sleep sacks stay put - no wiggling.

Anotherwards, Ellison had a huge personality from the start.  She commanded an audience and still does.  Not to slight Dylan in the least, he is adorable and sweet.  However let's face it, we are all still living in Ellison's World.  A big bright world filled with laughter, singing, dancing, and lots of story telling.  At least for now that is!

Hospital Pictures have arrived... FINALLY!

These were the photos taken at Winnie Palmer when Dylan was 3 days old. The disc finally arrived :)

Gobble, Gobble

Reading Oprah Magazine.

Exhaustion sets in!

Gobble, Gobble! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends on Thursday.  The Clarks joined the Beamans this year at my parent's home.  My Mom made a wonderful feast including 3 turkeys and a ham.  No wonder she was exhausted by the end of the day - she was cooking for 30 and has house guests (us)!

1 Week Old

Happy One Week Dylan!

Dylan's First Visitors

Uncle Drew and Papa

Mallory coloring with Miss E

Graham and Ellison putting on a show for the guests.

Auntie Chan and Evener

Over the weekend, we had several visitors come by and meet Dylan (unfortunately only have photos of a few).  Ellison as always played the performer and sang to her little hearts content for our guests.  And we once again forced Uncle Drew to hold a baby... he always love when we do that!

It's all kind of interesting

It's all kind of interesting... one week ago, we discovered a leak in our utility room.  Well actually we discovered a wet mat in the middle of the floor with no explanation.  24 hours later, I went to let the dogs out at 4 am and stepped on a wet oriental carpet in my dining room.  Turned on the lights to find water seeping up from the wood floors.  It ends up we had a pipe leak in the utility room that spread throughout the house.  And as a result, all of our new wood floors are being replaced, our house is being repainted, carpets and couches cleaned, kitchen baseboards  and laundry cabinets being replaced, and the entire house replumbed.  Can I add in that we moved in April to this house after remodeling for several months? 

In the end, we just have to laugh at it all.  The 4 am wake up call took place on the Monday before Dylan's Tuesday arrival at 12:30 pm.  Our clean, ready for baby house is now a wreck and not livable.  So we left the hospital and moved in with my parents for a few weeks. The great news (especially for my parents) is that Dylan is a sweet baby that sleeps at 3 hour intervals at night.  He  rarely cries.  And we have the amazing benefit of having my parents around for extra hands.  Home cooked meals, help with laundry, and extra assistance with a 2 year old is really more than anyone with a newborn could ask for. 

So in the end, we will just laugh about the flood and Florida Catastrophy Unit that is stationed at our house.  And instead we will just enjoy the next few weeks as a family.  Can I add that I have the best parents in the entire world?  Well, I do.

Introducing Dylan Beaman Clark

First photo of the little man.

Ellison with her new doll courtesy of Dylan.

On our way home.

Sound asleep... the little guy is a sleeper!

Future Gator Quarterback.

Ellison loves her little brother. 
She was laughing after taking off his hat.

Ellison holding her little brother.
She loves him.

On November 16, 2010, we welcomed a beautiful boy, Dylan Beaman Clark, into the world.  He arrived at 12:38 pm, 20 inches long, and weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz. He is an incredibly sweet and quiet child.  We left the hospital well rested and ready to start our adventure as a family of 6 - 2 adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs.

Final Weekend

So far my only successful picture with an earring!

Wild hair = no picture of new earrings!
You can see her beautiful pink lipstick.

I feel like it should be Monday already... our weekend has been jam packed.  It's our last weekend as a family with one child. And well, I have failed to document it with photos. 

On Friday night, we met up with some out of town friends, the Garcia family, and had the opportunity to meet their beautiful children, Cooper (18 months) and Cruz (3 weeks).  All of the kids were exceptional while we waited a really long time for our food at Spice.  Ellison is only on the exceptionally behaved list due to a 3 week old baby that served as a great distraction from her growling tummy.  She loved the baby, who allowed her (more like the parents allowed her) to take of his socks and play with his tiny feet. Watching Ellison's reaction to the baby gave Graham and I a nice peak at what we have to look forward to.

On Saturday, our wonderful friends, the Avishars, were in town from NYC.  We headed to Park Avenue to enjoy a yummy lunch at Briarpatch and a stroll down the Avenue.  Once again, I failed to document.

After Ellison's naptime, Graham headed off to the game with Grandpa (we won't even discuss the game - low point of the weekend).  Ellison and I headed to pick up Grandma and do some Big Sis stuff - ears pierced (she was a pro), buy Dylan a gift, and enjoy some time together.  Ellison's hair has been so wild that I have only one picture on the pierced ears - another Fail!

So now it's Sunday, Graham and I are both exhausted and for once in our lives ready for Monday to come :) Not sure if I am ready for Tuesday, but excited nonetheless.

2.5 and Smiling

This evening, Ellison finally cooperated and allowed me to get a few shots of my 2 and half year old.  Enjoy: