Level 3 at Gymboree!

Now that Graham is 10 months old he has moved up to Level 3 at Gymboree class. The kids in this level are anywhere between 10-16 months of age and varying levels of physical development. We think it will be beneficial for Graham to be around kids that are standing on their own and even walking. Alex and I have a bet on whether Graham will be walking by his first birthday or not. I'll tell you later who wins!

Here is a little video montage of his first week in level 3.

Cousins!

Graham's cousin, Penelope, came to America for a visit. Erica and Nellie arrived March 20 and were here in Colorado for 2 weeks. It's amazing how quickly the 2 weeks passed. Unfortunately, the last week included most of us being sick! I had bronchitis, Alex didn't feel well, Nellie got an ear infection, and Erica came down with something too. We did a lot of resting and relaxing at home that week.

The first week was a little more productive. Since Erica and Nellie will be here for a year while Devon deploys, we had to take care of a few things. This included a trip to the DMV, apartment hunting, and buying a new car. We also took a few trips to Gymboree to play. And visited with Erica's cousins-in-law who happen to live in Colorado too!

All in all, we had a great time and wished they could have stayed longer! Graham and Penelope were so cute together. Graham definitely had to get used to another baby in the house. In the beginning he would start crying whenever Penelope cried. We definitely had a few meltdowns. Erica and I would just look at each other and start laughing! But G and Nellie had a lot of quality time watching Baby Signing Time, playing, and taking baths together. So cute!

Bath Time!
The babies got to go in the big tub together
and Alex would keep them entertained while we drew the bath.

Family Time!
The adults and the babies hanging out around the house

Play Time!
Goodness knows there were plenty of toys

Outside Time!
We had some really nice days during their visit

Just Plain Cute!

Momformation: Baby Signing Time

Another one of my favorite things, or rather one of my son's favorite things, are his Baby Signing Time and Signing Time videos! We began showing these videos to him when he was around 6 months old and started with the 4 volumes of Baby Signing Time (created for ages 3-36 months). We now also have the first 13 volumes of Signing Time (created for ages 1-8).

Not only do I love the concept of teaching your child to sign, I love the fact that it allows me to get things done around the house. Kind of selfish, I know, but at least he is watching something that will hopefully benefit him. In short, a big benefit of teaching your baby sign language is that it allows your child to communicate long before he is verbally able. This creates less frustration for all!

One criticism of teaching sign language to your baby is that it delays their speech. As always, there is research out there for everything! Personally, in this case, I am willing to take my chances. And I am aware of the "con" so I will be sure to not only teach signing but incorporate plenty of verbal communication.

My husband and I find it quite amazing at how much Graham loves these videos. We put Graham in his exersaucer or his crib (yes, he has a t.v. in his room already and we actually contemplated mounting it so he could see better) and he stares at Rachel, Alex, and Leah as they sing and dance and sign. One great thing about the dvd's is that they have an automatic replay feature so if Momma is busy doing laundry or drying her hair and the show ends, it will start up again without having to press play. Genius! Thank you Signing Time!

Here are a few photos that we have taken of Graham while he enjoys his Signing Time!

Graham is not an expert signer yet. But we have noticed some hand movement. At the end of meal time when we ask if he is all done he will mimic us doing the sign for "all done". He is still learning that his hands can do different things. But I think it is just a matter of weeks before he begins to sign. That will be so exciting.

To The Top

Just a quick video of Graham climbing up the stairs. He's been doing this for about 2 weeks now. He has no concept of how to climb down the stairs but we will certainly feel much safer when he masters that too!

Graham Flintstone

Graham is walking! Well... with some help. Here's Graham having a Yabba-Dabba-Doo time!

G-Owen To Have Another Boy!

Today was the big day of the gender ultrasound. It seems as though this day has taken forever to arrive. But it was well worth the wait! The newest addition to the Clark family is going to be a little boy. Owen Alexander Clark is due to arrive July 31st, 2011. Our doctor said that everything looked healthy as can be. Owen is estimated to be 12 oz, which is 2 oz less than what Graham was at this stage.

Check out some new photos of me (and Owen). I have also included a comparison of me with Owen and me with Graham!

Owen's first onesie from Aunt Erica
(She got one for a Finley too. We'll save that for next time!)

Compare the bumps!

Graham: 9 months

Our little munchkin is now 9 months old! It's crazy to think in just 3 months he will be 1! He's shown tremendous developmental growth over the last month including learning how to crawl, pulling himself to standing, and really just being much more mobile in general. He's also finally being way more verbal and using more consonants in his "language". He likes to use "mamamama" as his go-to phrase for just about anything. Daddy thinks this gets him off the hook but Momma's no fool! And actually as Momma sits here editing this post, Graham is in his exersaucer saying "dadadada".

We had his 9 month doctor's appointment this morning and here are the official stats:

Head Circumference-18 inches (50/75th %tile)
Weight-19 lbs 14 oz (50th %tile)
Height-29 3/4 inches (90th %tile)

Graham is exactly half as tall as his Momma! I'm sure this looks hilarious when he's in his baby carrier. We'll have to try to get a photo of that! Below are a few 9 month photos. Enjoy.

The only good picture I got with the entire sticker showing!
He's getting too squiggly.

"Momma, what is this thing?"

"See, I'm 9 months old"

Standing and playing with toys

Showing off his new talents
"DADADA"