Hey, It's Jade! and family

Monday, March 30, 2015

I Kind of Forgot to Announce This Here...

I was pretty sure I had already posted about this specific topic, and yet... when I looked, I couldn't find it.  Um, oops.  That's rather embarrassing.  So, the news is...

We're expecting Baby #3 towards the end of August!  Yep, another Clark on the way!

We found out on the morning of Christmas Eve.  I had been sick the week before (like allergies, cold, not morning sickness) and was just feeling "off" and hadn't had my cycle in a bit.  That's normal for me though, being irregular and all.  But for some reason, I felt like I should take a test.  I had taken tests the previous months fully expecting a POSITIVE and not getting one.  This time I fully expected a NEGATIVE and yet... it was POSITIVE!  I was so shocked!  I ran in and woke Michael up, telling him "Christmas Eve Gift!"  He didn't know what to think and ended up trying to go back to sleep, lol.  I wanted to tell everyone right away, but we agreed to wait and confirm more and give it a while.  It's funny, because about half a dozen of my friends made Big Announcements on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day... and then New Years, too... and I was just over here, like, ME TOO!  Lol.

I started feeling bad pretty quickly after finding out we were expecting.  We announced to my parents and Michael's.  We told Jill and Steve in person because they were in town staying at the Ranch in Ennis for the Winter.  We told my parents by meeting them at Jason's Deli.  We didn't tell the kids right away, though.  When I went on my Leadership Retreat to Branson, MO, I had to tell the gals I was riding with in case I ended up being sick (I was nauseous a lot, but hadn't hurled at that point).  I also told Candi and Regina around that time, I was just too excited to keep it to myself.  Haha. 

We finally made our big announcement by posting on Facebook, and received a ton of likes and comments from friends and family.  I was so glad it was out.  We also told the boys... Preston seemed kind of excited and Callen pretended to be a cat, so we weren't really sure what his opinion was.  I commenced being really, really sick around that time.  There were days I couldn't keep anything down and could barely get out of bed.  This was different for me because as much as I felt bad and hurled with the previous two pregnancies, I would hurl and then feel better... it didn't last all day long like this.  Finally, around 17 weeks, the nausea faded and I haven't been physically sick since (knock of wood!).  I am still tired a lot and feel funky quite often, but so much better than the first trimester.

In about 3 weeks, we get to do the sonogram and find out what we're having.  I am so excited.  I feel like it's going to be a girl, but who knows... I am a "boymom," after all.  The other thing is that we are using midwives this time and will either use the birthing center or have a home birth.  We are still undecided at this point, but leaning towards home.  I'm nervous about that, but also extremely excited.  My previous births weren't horrible experiences, but they weren't what I wanted.  I ended up being induced both times, and I would prefer not to go that route.  So... hoping for as natural as possible, and what's more natural than at home?!

Ok, so there.  It's officially on the blog.  I can't believe I hadn't posted before.  Sorry Baby#3, there just aren't enough hours in the day, apparently.  But I promise you'll receive a lot more attention when you're here!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Callen Turns Five!

Callen is officially 5 years old now.  We are having a CupCake Wars party for him this evening, lol.  He went through a slew of party theme ideas and this is the one that stuck, because they get to decorate their own cupcakes... woo hoo!

Let's see, this year... Callen has learned his letter sounds, how to write most of them and sound them out so he's on the verge of reading!  He has a fantastic memory and often surprises us by bringing up obscure things that happened a long time ago (things that we barely remember), but he remembers clearly.  He loves playing ball of any kind, running around and riding his bike (with training wheels).  He likes to play on the iPad, of course.  His favorite shows lately are Scooby Doo Mysteries, Jake & The Neverland Pirates and Super Hero Squad.  He loves all things superhero and action-packed. 

We have been having some on-going issues with him thinking he's in charge and not respecting authority.  He is a strong-willed child, for sure.  He is also quite aggressive and will throw things and hit, still.  Praying and working on that!  But he can also be incredibly sweet and kind.  Every time he hears me say "ow," he asks if I'm OK or need help.  He doesn't know he's little, and tries to do everything (or more) that Preston does.  Which, obviously, doesn't always work out for the best.  He switches back and forth between being excited and not wanting to be a big brother, haha.  So, we'll see how he feels when the time comes.

Happy birthday to my Callen-Bear!

My Five-Year-Old Callen!


Looking back...

Newborn Callen with giraffe

1 year old Callen with giraffe

2 year old Callen with giraffe

3 year old funny face with giraffe.
4 year old Callen