Two Year Stats

Height: 37 inches (98th percentile)
Weight: 30 pounds (81st percentile)

Our pedatrician said Clark is healthy, happy and has a 'incredible vocabulary'. He didn't even cry with his two immunizations.

Reason #27: City of Brotherly Love

 

 

 

 

Clark and I took the train into Philadelphia today with no concrete plans, and ended up at the National Constitution Center. It was awesome! We loved the incredible theatrical performance called 'Freedom Rising', the the core exhibit of 'We the People'. There are tons of multimedia and hands on exhibits and so it was really fun for Clark. We also enjoyed the 'Art of the American Soldier' which holds pieces of art created by Soldiers in the line of duty.

I felt very patriotic today and hope I can think more frequently about my freedom and also my responsibility as a citizen (blah blah..cheesy I know but TRUE!)

After the Constitution Center, we went back to Reading Terminal Market which I am completely obsessed with and grabbed a treat from this amazing Italian Bakery. Clark chose the cupcake with blue sprinkles and I had a pignoli (a new find for me since we moved to Jersey and I LOVE them!). We walked around the Center City for awhile including a quick stop in China Town.

Don't be fooled

 

Don't let that smile make you think Clark likes the snow. We have encouraged him multiple times to get down in it and really enjoy the fun of snow and he basically refuses. I was stomping around in it this afternoon and he kept saying 'No, no Mommy, snow very dirty!'.

Christmas Morning

 

 

 

 

It was SO incredibly fun this morning to have a two year old and enjoy Christmas! Clark woke up to a new basketball hoop, blocks and play dough from Santa and MANY generous and wonderful gifts from friends and family. The biggest hit was a set of trains (Percy AND Gordon) from Uncle Ben that are battery powered and zoom around his train track.

Christmas Eve Jammies

 

Merry Christmas Bella.

 

I have been finding her here a lot lately.

Morning in Philly

 

 

 

 

Clark and I took the train to Philly this morning and walked to the Comcast office building where they have a free light show on the hour, every day! Clark was pretty mesmerized by the whole experience and didn't talk (SHOCKER I KNOW!) for the entire duration of the show (20 minutes). After the show we stopped in at the LOVE Park(JFK Plaza) to check out the giant Christmas Tree and Love sculpture as well as a great view of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We walked through a plaza adjacent to City Hall that has tons of game piece sculptures (Sorry, Chess, Monopoly etc) that Clark climbed on and then finished off the morning with Crepes at the Reading Terminal Market.

Live Nativity

 

A large Baptist church in our area puts on the most incredible live Nativity program every weekend in December. We were able to go Sunday, and it was really amazing! Clark loved seeing the animals, wisemen and shepherds and it really seemed to make the story of Christ's birth come alive to him.

Clark, Almost 2 Years!

 

 

 

 

I wanted to give a good update on Clark, before our lives get crazy with the holidays, starting my new job and moving (again!).

Clark is such a joy to have around. He is my little adventure buddy, and I love getting out and about and experiencing our new home with him.

To me, the most remarkable thing about him right now is his vocabulary. He never stops talking--and I am not exaggerating. I still love it and find it totally endearing except during church or on long car rides with just the two of us. He is putting 4-5 words together and can express himself at will. He is very curious about learning new words and wants to label everything and then practice the new word. Today it was 'exercise' and he proceeded to talk about anyone he saw outside walking/running "Mamma!!! Look! Guy in jacket exercising!"

A car ride is full of talk about 'diggers', 'backhoes', 'garbage trucks', 'dump trucks' and with Christmas here 'Santa Clause!', 'Christmas lights', 'nutcrackers', and 'happy snowmen'!

He has been with me enough as I comment on architecture or homes, that as we drive through various neighborhoods he will comment 'beautiful house!', 'look mommy, HUGE pretty house'.

Clark also has his counting to 10 down! It is funny, it just happened one night. He used to always count 1,2,1,2 etc, then he added 3 and then suddenly he started counting to 10! He can sing his ABCs accurately to about L.

Clark is very interested in his friends and family and remembers names so well! He frequently talks about his extended family, friends from Austin and new friends here in NJ. He loves to Skype and see pictures of his friends/family on the web.

He is still a pretty sensitive little guy and is responsive to others and their needs. After he has been reprimanded in any form he will say 'Sorry mama', "mama's pretty' or 'mama's happy!'.He is also quite the little deal maker! He was up until 10 (3 hours past bedtime) with a babysitter a few weeks ago because he kept saying 'Just one more book!', and then 'Just one more song!' about 100 times! Clark was really working it and our sweet little babysitter couldn't say no.

He loves to read and will easily sit for 20-30 minutes being read to. He has many of his favorite books that we have been reading to him forever like 'Brown Bear', 'Go, Dogs, Go' partly memorized and likes shout out the parts he knows. He is obsessed with Thomas the Train and Bob the Builder and if he is lucky gets 20-30 minutes to watch a show.

Clark is more picky with eating than he used to be. He still has a good appetite and east most things, but he used to eat ANYTHING, and EVERYTHING and now he definitely is showing preferences. He goes to bed around 7:30 and wakes up between 6:30-7. He still takes a good nap for 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

He definitely has 2 year old moments, but for the most part, Clark is a sweet, adorable and happy little guy! We still can't get enough of him.

A Balmy 33 Degrees...

 

 

 

 

This afternoon it was gorgeous, sunny and above 30 degrees so we celebrated by walking to the park. Clark was still pretty chilly (he had tears running down his face the whole time from the cold/wind), but we had a great time getting some fresh air.

Hmmm My Kitchen Smells Good

 

 

Homemade cranberry-orange preserves. It definitely smells like Christmas.

NYC!

 

 

Last night Todd and I went to NYC! It was so fun to see the city during Christmas and experience how close we really are now! We saw the NYC Symphonic Orchestra's rendition of the 'Messiah' and it was incredible!

Philly for Christmas

 

 

 

 

This afternoon I decided to take Clark on the train into Philly. Of course he was ecstatic waiting for the train and was completely mesmorized by the entire experience. We checked out the holiday market at historic City Hall, rode the outdoor carosel (brrrr!), watched the light show at Macy's and walked through the Charles Dickons Christmas Village. We had so much fun and Clark was a good little travel buddy.

Snow!!!!

 

 

 

Clark loved playing around in the snow this afternoon! He refused to taste it, and when I would get some in my hand and eat it, he kept saying 'no, no mommy. Snow is yucky!' After playing in the snow for 20 minutes we spent over an hour at the library. I have a feeling with this weather that is going to be a trend almost every afternoon.

Reason #28: Outings with Sophia et al

We have been so lucky to have Jason and Sophia welcome us to Philly with such open arms! I sure hope they don't feel like we are overtaking their lives, but we have just loved reconnecting with them after a few years of not seeing them very often.

Today we loaded the kids in Sophia's pimp ride and headed to Philly for some shopping and fine dining at Max Brenner's. We made quite the little group with 3 adults and 4 children under 3 1/2, but had so much fun! We arrived at the restaurant just before they opened, and so the older 3 kids went on a fieldtrip to see the subway train which they all thought was pretty cool.

I definitely want to go back to Max Brenner for brunch and take full advantage of their menu. If you like chocolate, it is a fun little place.