Sweet times!

An update from the Clark household: Carson rocked his nursery follow up appointment last week! It consisted of a Bayley IQ/Developmental test and a clinic appointment with the NICU doctors. Carson's scores on the Bayley IQ test (gross & fine motor, cognition, and communication-expressive & receptive) were all in the average to above average range!!!! We were really excited and I think the examiner was even impressed! It really is a miracle considering the potential risks that were part of Carson's beginning. But even more than the results of the Bayley test, Carson did SO well taking the test. It is hard to put into words seeing Carson sitting in the testing chair. He sat just like a little boy in that chair, his feet were swinging, and he stayed focused on the examiner and doing what she asked for almost an hour with the occasional glance and sweet smile over to me to make sure I was paying attention. Each glance and grin just seemed to say "Did you see that Mom? See what I just did?" It just melted my heart! One particular time, he was stacking blocks and his stack was getting really tall, he had his feet swinging in so much excitement, he almost knocked his tower over : )

The other piece of the trip to St. Louis (for his appointment) that was even more of a miracle...Carson (& Kellen) ate like champs. I've said it before but feeding the boys (really just Carson now) continues to be the MOST difficult part of our days. Often times, Carson just isn't too interested in participating in the meal or is more interested in something else. But to keep his weight up and hopefully continue to cut down on his tube feeding, it is important that he gets all the necessary calories. Anyways, at home it typically goes fairly smooth but when we travel it is even harder because it is out of our normal routine and often his feeding schedule is hard to keep with other activities going on. With that said, we arrived at Cardinal Glennon with 40 minutes to spare before Carson's appointment. We had to get into the hospital, get setup for lunch (including Carson's tube feeding which takes just under 30 minutes), get something from the cafeteria, and actually get the boys fed. Miraculously (& I'm being serious), we did it AND Carson actually helped me spoon his yogurt into his mouth, with his mouth WIDE open for most bites, and Kellen sat beside us and ate his food in a timely manner. I was thanking God the whole time! And then they had another successful mealtime right before we left (after about 4 hours of clinic time and NO nap!).

This week, Kellen has made some big strides in potty training (such a wonderful part of parenting : ). He has successfully gone poop in the potty a couple times, has had several mornings with NO accidents, and has gone pee in public bathrooms several times. It is fun to see his excitement each time he is successful! Carson, however, has no interest at this point. He joins in on congratulating Kellen and doesn't care in the least bit that he isn't using the big potty (he sits on it but that's all). I love the innocence and 'not a care in the world' attitude : ) We will have our first trip in big boy underwear this weekend when we head to Nana and Poppy's.

In other news, we have set a closing date for our current home for the end of this month!!! We are so thankful it sold (or most likely sold) in such a reasonable amount of time and I really like the buyers (because of course it matters than our home is going to nice people : ) but I would be lying if I'm not more than a little sad about leaving our neighborhood and our wonderful neighbors! We have had several people offer to let us use their driveways to park in, if we want to come back to use the neighborhood to walk/run : ). And Dave & Sandy have been good enough to offer to let us stay with them since our new house is not finished yet. We are looking at three months before the house is done. We need less rain and more sunshine so the bricklayers can keep working! (we are the third project in line)

P.S. If you find a green cat, please let us know! We told the boys that we would get two cats when we moved to the new house. When asked, Carson said he wants a yellow cat and Kellen is sticking with a green cat. Hmmm....

The crazy duo!

Checking out the frog Daddy found. I'm glad Preston can hold the frog without squealing (I sure couldn't!)

We moved the boys to the table (note Carson enjoying his chocolate bunny)

Making brownies with Daddy! The boys are learning all the necessities...tasting the batter and any other ingredients that need quality control checks : )

What teamwork! The boys finish out most walks pushing the strollers.

Carson wanted to try a banana with peanut butter (don't worry it was only a peasized amt of PB)

Seeing Daddy off in the morning. "Bye, bye Daddy. (L)ove you!"

The fire department made a visit to Story Hour this week.

One proud little boy!