Valentines Day!

Andre's first Valentines was very eventful. Mommy woke him up with a valentine bear and he said, "mamamama" (Andre-not the bear) She couldn't believe it so she kept getting him to repeat it...after three separate renditions she was convinced and wrote it in his baby book. :) What a great valentine for mamama! (Two weeks later he would say "dada") Yeah!

Andre got his very first valentine a few days earlier and gave it the 'ol taste test. It was from Gigi, his great-grandmother. "Mmmmm", Andre thought, "Valentines are delicious!"

Also that week, Andre was invited to a Valentine party at his buddy Preston's house. Here Preston aka "hunka burnin' love" according to his t-shirt, shows Andre the joys of being able to stand alone while holding onto something. Andre looks away- suppressing jelousy. It was a great party until...

Andre realized Canaan wasn't there!

It's ok Andre!! Preston doesn't know Canaan and surely you don't want competition with the "hunk".

Anyway-picking back up at Valentines Day. Mommy and Andre woke Daddy up to give him his present. Andre was poised and ready to taste test the card...

"It's mmphh ok dad!" munch munch.

It was a beautiful picture of mommy and Andre for daddy to put on his station at work. Andre couldn't resist giving his two dimensional mother a kiss. awww. :)

In keeping with Clark family tradition, mommy made pink waffles for dad. She wisely decided against turning Andre's formula pink, red dye #40 may not be a great thing to introduce to a 8 month old's diet.

Later that night Mimi (Andre's grandmother) and Auntie Amy babysat him so mommy and daddy could have a date. He had a great time, however, this picture is not from that night...it was just too stinkin' cute not to include! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

My Band

Maybe you haven't heard yet, but Andre has a developed a real ear for music. Mimi got him a Munchin Music Box pictured here and he loves the different instruments he can play. Recently, however, he has developed an affinity for the drum. Andre loves to bang on the drum so much he decided to take the show on the road!

He decided to start by asking Reese, Andre's newest cousin to join his band. After all-musical abilities run on mommy's side of the family. Here is Andre asking Reese to join his band. He interpreted her silence to mean that she didn't feel as if she had adequate control of her limbs yet to really be an asset to the band. No problem-there's always a spot for you Reese!

Naturally, the next person Andre thought to ask was his girlfriend Canaan. She's always been supportive of all of his endeavors. She stuck by him when he could only roll from tummy to back and not back to tummy. She held his hand when he told her about mommy introducing Squeggs in his diet (squash + eggs) What is she thinking? Here is Andre getting up the nerve to ask...

"Canaan, would you like to be in my band", Andre asked in so many words.

She tried acting coy, but she knew she would say yes, "Of course Andre, "she said not taking her eyes off the Baby Einstein video they were watching.

And so it began...



First things first- Andre and Canaan contemplated a name for their band.

"Rockin' Babies", "Dirrrrty Diapers" (rolling the r's), "The Teethers & The Droolers" and "Squeggs Stink" were just a few names that were thrown out.

Finally they settled on "Cutie and The Blowfish".

Now it was show time! Canaan got pumped up to play keyboard and Andre was ready to bring the house down with his percussionistic flair.

They of course had to wait until Andre's mommy left the room-she's not cool enough to hang out with the band just yet...

The first practice was a success! After about 15 minutes, though, both Canaan's and Andre's attention span was shot-it was nap time. So Canaan went home to dream about being a superstar. Andre, however, was on a drummer's high-mommy made him go outside to play the drum because the noise was deafening.

Unfortunately, as with many rockers Andre developed some bad habits. Here he is holding a piece of dead grass in his hands and wondering if mommy was serious when she warned him about eating strange vegetation...

This picture is self-expanatory.

Hey kids-pass on grass!

Andre learned from his mistakes and decided he was a little young to sow his wild oats just yet...

He kicked back with his orange butterfly and reflected on the day. Surely he would get some inspiration outside for Cutie and the Blowfish's next big hit-"Butterfly Hugs and Kisses" maybe...

Andre's First Christmas was BY FAR the best he'd remembered. Family, Fun and laughter...mistletoe and hohoho...and presents for handsome babies...but lets not forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas...

The Birth of SANTA!!

"What?"

just kidding Andre!

"Whew!"

No really- its the birth of Andre's new cousin Reese Marin Looper! Sweet tiny 5 lb. 7 oz. baby Reese was born December 19th. Quite the munchkin compared to Andre! Mommy poses with Uncle Bryant and the new babies...All their parents want for Christmas is a Silent Night...

Here is Romeo enjoying his one and only Christmas gift this year. Don't feel sorry for him! Can't you see why we don't give him "gifts"? If we had put coal in his stocking he would have eaten that too!!

Christmas is all about Christmas morning and opening presents of course. Here is Andre "Daddy's little Present" just wishing he would put him down so he can tear into all the gifts Santa brought him.

And tear he did! The wrapping paper made such a melodious sound in his ear. "This is not what I asked for", Andre thought to himself.

Later that night he burned off some fruit cake in his jumperoo. This has been a great Christmas. I only wish Canaan had been here so I could kiss her under the mistletoe. Isn't that what Christmas is all about??

Andre took a moment to look at picture of he and Canaan. He didn't want to forget what she looked like while she was out of town for Christmas.

Mom obviously thought that Christmas was about an obnoxious amount of picture taking. This Christmas had to be adequately documented since it was Andre's First Christmas and all.

WARNING: the following picture is rated

PG-6 months (some material may not be suited for infants under 6 months)

Whoa. Now there's a reason to be

Merry this Christmas! (a little trivia-they say "Happy" Christmas in England because "Merry" means drunk. Mom had a little too much egg nog whan she took this picture)

So after Andre did his rendidtion of Rudolph the red-and-slightly-scratched-nosed-reindeer, mommy ensured him that she wouldn't take anymore pictures this year!

But wait!

Doesn't anybody know the true meaning of Christmas??!?

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for this
Thanksgiving....so lets start by thanking the Lord-Baby-Jesus that Georgia Tech beat Georgia after many long years of disappointment. Obviously they were waiting for their newest fan to cheer them on to victory!









Here is Andre relishing in the final score: 45;42 GT




I'm a ramblin' wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluvanengineer! :)






Another wonderful thing to be thankful for is FOOD! Andre started solid foods this month & what was the first thing he ate??? Broccoli of course! Andre LOVES BROCCOLI, which validates the paternity testing that Keenan is his father. He's not a fan of carrots proving moreover that Bonnie is indeed his mother. & he's not crazy about apples which is quite frankly unexplainable.




The most obvious reason to be thankful this holiday season is family. We had a blast at GiGi's house.



From left to right (Auntie Amy, Mommy, Daddy, Andre, GiGi, Poppy & Karen)






GiGi is Andre's Great-Grandmother on his Mommy's Daddy's side. She weighs only a few pounds more than Andre-requiring her to sit down to hold him! I think next year she will sit in his lap for the picture!









I like to call this picture Choo-Choo with Cha-Cha.


After another wonderful Thanksgiving with Mimi, Auntie Cha-Cha had a movie-nite sleepover for the girls...






Daddy came to pick Andre up so Mommy could have her first night away (and first silent night).



Auntie Amy, Mommy, Mimi, Auntie Cha-Cha and Ray-Ray had a great time in their matching pajamas watching movies and playing "catch phrase"





After the Looclarkihnerman Thanksgiving it was time for the Clark Thanksgiving. Andre is especially thankful for his cousin Colton Gould who is just 3 months older than he is but has a full head of hair! They are going to be best buds!

The Clark Thanksgiving was at Aunt Kami's & Uncle Mark's house. Cousin Kennedy held Andre while Makenzie explained that broccoli really doesn't taste good.

Crazy!

Andre's Cousin Kade is by far the coolest cousin, as is evident by his avoidance of eye contact. When you're cool- you just don't even have to look at the camera. Obviously Andre has a lot to learn!

Andre is most thankful that he has a few weeks to get used to the idea of life-sized snowmen singing Christmas carols because that is just freaky.

Happy Thanksgiving!! see you on Christmas!

A Day in the Life of Andre

I'm sure you all are wondering just what

exactly does a 5 month old do all day??



I give you: A Day in the Life of Andre Clark!

Upon waking, Andre likes to enjoy his morning bottle while watching his Frog in HD (thats High Definition for those of you who aren't digitally savvy) The plot is kind of slow, but the ending always leaves you in suspense: What ever happens to that darn fly?!







Next, Andre like to engage in some vigorous activity in his Excersaucer. Sometimes the terrain can be rugged-which explains the hiking shoes, and the hat is in case of inclement weather.

















After he's "pooped", literally and figuratively, its time for a nap in his bouncy seat. He likes to sleep with his frog over his face for some reason. His pants are unbuttoned because mom though they were too tight on his little belly* (*see muffin top spilling over the edges). Is that why Auntie Amy calls him "muffin"?

Following naptime, its off to piano lessons at Nanny's. There's nothing like tickling the old ivorys to get you in a good mood!

"Here's a little song I wrote-You might want to sing it note for note-Don't worry!....Be Happy!"

"Everybody Now!"

Back at home, its time to help out with the household chores. Its laundry day at the Clark's! Wait a minute- are the lights mixed in with the darks?

Geez.

Tummy time is always an adventure. If he looks a little spooked its because Andre thought those were monster eyes in the closet behind him. Turns out it was the reflection of his mom's running shoes. That was a close one!

He immediately had to go out and tell Canaan about the false alarm monster story. They can't talk yet but it was clearly written all over her face, "Are you SERIOUS Clark?".

Canaan was impressed, AND slightly embarassed that they had worn the same hat. What do you expect when their mommies shop together?

Time to go home and get ready for bathtime. Bathtime has always been Andre's favorite time of the day. Maybe because he likes being naked, maybe because it always takes a while for mom to get inbetween all the rolls, or maybe because his buoyancy makes him fearless in water! Anyway-he loves bathtime!

Now squeaky clean, Andre settles down for Monday Night Football with the boys! Romeo has his bone, Dad has his pit-pillow and Andre is proudly wearing his Falcons outfit that daddy bought him.

What a Day! :)

Halloween!

TRICK OR TREAT!!!

For my first Halloween I was (drum roll please) The Incredible Hulk! I looked pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Don't let the smile fool you...my brow is definitely furrowed (and green).

My mom and dad were so proud of their little Hulk!

The socks did not come with my costume, but seriously-when was I ever going to wear them??

After some creative costume alterations from Dad (he's quite clever with scissors) I was ready to go Trick or Treatin' with my future wife and in-laws

I told Canaan my peanut girlfriend to meet me in the middle of the street to go Trick or Treatin'. I know its dangerous to park our strollers in the street, but thats how we "roll". She wore an orange bow on her peanut head to make sure I didn't confuse her with other passerby peanuts.

We stopped by our friend Caroline's house. The three of us were born within a week of eachother! She was tearing into her candy already but I was having difficulty getting the wrapper off my fun-size snickers. Oh-are we taking a picture?

Yeah! What a great first Halloween! Our moms are beaming with pride-what a "treat" to show off their adorable babies in costume. Our dads are glazed over from the whiskey that was apparently necessary to make it through an infant halloween. Canaan is staring at me with those big eyes wishing I would share my snickers that I finally unwrapped..is it too late to tell her about my peanut allergy??

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!