Love the words...

...to the song you're listening to right now.

Ramona Quimby age 3

Just in case you never read the books... :)

Another first...

Well, I officially have a preschooler. AnnMarie had her first day of 3 year old preschool today. Monday night we had "orientation" where we officially "met the teacher" (which was really weird being on this side of the coin---I mean, aren't I supposed to be the teacher?).

Anyway, here is AM standing outside of her new classroom. Can you sense the excitement?? For the record, I did have to fight back the tears as they called for all the three year olds to walk with their teachers to the classrooms while the parents listened to the administrator, Mrs. Purdy, talk. I walked her back there, and she was so big! It just tears at my heartstrings though when she looks back at me with those big puppy dog eyes as if to say, "come get me, Mommy!". Melt my heart!

While the parents were in the meeting, the kids made these Dr. Seuss hats to help decorate the bulletin board. She was so proud.

This morning we got up bright and early, shuffled out the door with Mr. Clark in tow, and walked up to meet her class. Here she is with Mrs. Thompson. We're so thankful for her!! Sweet as can be and made the first day so good!

Anxiously waiting to head to the class. She was fine until the line started moving and then the puppy dog eyes and tears came. I was so proud of her though because amidst the tears, she stayed strong and went into her class.

Waving bye to Mommy. Waving by to Mother's Day Out, bye to being a toddler, bye to the days of just us. But----hello to new beginnings and lots of learning!

Clark and I got back in the car as I choked back the tears and started a new life with my little man hitting our errands together. I just knew she would be fine and that this is what she needs. And I knew I needed time alone with my little chunk. After a good ten minutes or so of crying, I was fine! :)

Here she is with her other teacher, Mrs. Connor, when I picked her up. So happy! She had a great day and said, "It was SO, SO fun!". Her favorite thing was finger painting and making me a little handprint page which I will keep forever! :)

I'm so proud of my little preschooler and hopefully Mommy will not shed as many tears next week. :)

What life might be like...

Lately I've been amazed at Clark's size and how quickly he's growing... It reminds me of a certain SNL skit and makes me wonder if this is what it might be like for Sean and I to discipline him one day:
btw---let me preface this video with a few things:
1. Pause the music at the bottom of my blog before you watch this!
2. I do NOT approve of some of the language in this clip, but you have to admit it's funny.
3. Sorry about having to watch the 15 second advertisement beforehand.

Now, just imagine Sean and Clark one late night during his teenage years...

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My little Auburn Tigers

We're getting really excited about college football around here, and we decided to dress up Clark in one of AnnMarie's hand me down Auburn onesies. Here is my little chunk all full and content...

Okay but then he was tired of me taking his picture...

Now, here's AM in the same onesie right before we went to the Cotton Bowl to see AU mercilessly defeat Nebraska in '07! :)
Only difference is...AM was almost TEN MONTHS old. hehe

Guess I better pull out the hand me downs fast!

Please pray...

...for my dear friend, Caroline, from college who lost her husband suddenly this weekend. She is a precious girl with two children under 3. I am just heartbroken for her and would appreciate your prayers for her and her sweet family.

It used to be food...

...that kept her entertained while I was grocery shopping. Now==it's the IPhone. I guess that's the time we're living in, right? :)

Side note--for all of you that have one--DoodleBuddy is a great "App" that will keep your kids busy for just this sort of thing!

My Birthday

This past Saturday was my 31st (wow!) birthday.

Friday night we went out for a childless dinner (thanks, mom!) with some buddies (so fun!). Then, on Saturday Sean kept little brother so I could do some girly things. The whole day I was thinking about what a great day it was and how everything was perfect. I was blessed with my bouncing bundle of blue, got to spend some one on one time with AnnMarie, and just felt great about my life right now! What a blessing.

Here are little sister and I getting pedicures. (Thank you, Angie, Erica, Lauren, and Heather!) This was AM's first, and I cannot even tell you how excited she was. She is ALL GIRL. :)

The little (I mean tiny!) Asian lady doing her nails did not understand AM's request of purple on one foot and pink on the other. Communication was a big barrier this morning! :) ha

Remember when life was so simple and innocent that your biggest problem was choosing between pink and purple?

She thought she was sooooooooo big.
That evening we went out to my parents' house for a home cooked meal by Gigi. Pre-dinner we had a little dance party with Mimi and Gramps==the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of the Jurgensen clan. =)

AnnMarie got in on the action.

My little cowgirl---with a princess flair.
AnnMarie insisted that I have a "Belle" party, so Gigi came through with a Belle cake topper, napkins and party favors.

These are a little out of order, but here (we) are blowing out the candles.

Gigi made my favorite Frozen Banana Split Dessert............ooooooooooooooh it's soooooo good!

I had such a fun time reflecting on what a great birthday weekend it was. Thanks to everyone who made it so special! Side note--I do not know why I didn't take any more pictures of the rest of the family. Anyway, everyone was there! :) (Especially you, little Clarkman! Your birthday present to me was that you were sleeping peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeacefully.) hehe

Wanna compare?

Cuz IIIIIIIII doooooooooooo.... ;)

(Sorry, I've been in the house for a while now, and I'm getting silly.)

Anyway, here are some shots of the kids on the exact days they turned a month old. Similarities? Differences? Let's look...
Notice that AM's eyes are wide open. It takes all I can do to get Clark to open his eyes, ever.

Loved the swing, took alot to get her calm

Does not care for the swing, takes no effort to make him calm :)

I think the most obvious is their coloring. You be the judge. :)

Clark is 1 month old!

***WARNING---Very proud mother of new son alert. High amount of pictures! Consider yourself warned!

Happy 1st month, Clark man! Aw, look at that little grin...

I really don't like the swing when it's moving. I just prefer to lay in it.

Mama likes to dress me up.

This is about as much of a "smile" as I'll give her.

Fat and happy

Big sister likes to play doctor and give me "shots"

I think I'm starting to look more and more like daddy.

I took my first bottle from Daddy!

Cutie patootie

I love to stretch.

Mommy wants to snuggle and squeeze me ALL the time.

Mommy and her friends plopped me in a bucket for pictures. I didn't mind it that much. :)

Sister already makes me play with her dolls...ugh

Mommy can't get enough of my BIG thighs and little feet

I am very strong considering all my weight I have to deal with. This is me pushing up on Daddy's chest.

I am a good sleeper.

Did I mention Mommy likes to dress me up? Here I am as a sailor...

No autographs, please.

All About Me:

*I make the cutest little billy goat grunting sounds all the time.

*I make the sweetest breathy "heh" noise when I nurse.

*I look at Mommy like she's crazy when she makes all these googly faces and "kissy" talk.

* I poop and pee in astronomical amounts all day (and night!).

*Mommy and Daddy are therefore going broke on diapers and wipes.

*Last night I gave Mommy a one month present---I slept a 3 1/2 hour stretch followed by two 4 hour stretches. Mommy was so glad!

*I have stolen Mommy's heart.

*Sister looooooves me.

*So does Daddy. :)

--wearing 6 months clothes

--wearing size 2 diapers

--weighed 10.4 at his 2 week checkup

Lots of Love

Mr. Clark has had LOTS of love showered on him by family and friends during these first few weeks of life. Here's a sampling:

Gigi (Papa was there! He was just the one taking all the pictures!!)

Uncle Luke

Caroline was a great entertainer for big sis! (as always) :)

Emmalie

Mimi and Gramps

Aunt Julia

Mrs. Dianne

Mama

Aunt Allison (once again---another great entertainer for big sis) Thank goodness!

Gamma

Great Grandma Svoboda

The "Wallis" (Svoboda) crew: Gene, Grandma, Joann, Joey, Judy and Jeanne (phew!)

(how sweet of them all to come!)

Four generations of Svobodas

Grandmommy

Granddaddy

Daddy

Our buddy, Mase

And last but not least...Big sister AnnMarie