Sheesh, having a baby sure keeps you busy!

I don't know where the time has gone! It's been over two weeks since we have posted anything. I feel like we should measure time in dirty diapers, though. By the way, we changed 6 (count 'em - 6!) diapers in 3 hours last night. Gross. Anyway, Clark and mommy and daddy are doing great. Clark is now going 6 hours between feedings at night - that means a good 4-5 hour chunk of sleep for me. Then he's back to every 3 hours during the day. He hasn't gone to the doctor in a while, but I tried to weigh him and I think he's about 11.5 pounds now and over 23 inches. Big boy - his newborn pj's are too short! He also lost his umbilical cord stump a while ago and has a very cute belly button. He's spending some good time on his tummy and is starting to hold his head up on his own here and there. Two weeks ago he actually rolled over during tummy time, but I think it was just because he hates tummy time so much that he kicked really hard and rolled over. He hasn't done it again since, but he will soon enough!

Holding up my head!

This past weekend Jamie (Ben's sister - you can see her blog and her post about Portland here) came up to Portland to hang with Clark and us for the weekend. We had a great time! Mostly we just hung out, went on some walks, went to church and lunch with some friends, and played with Clark. However, Monday we decided to take Clark downtown for the first time. We went to Powell's, ate teriyaki at one of the food carts (really yummy!), visited Pioneer Courthouse Square where we found Caleb's brick (Jamie's best friend's son who passed away), munched on some donuts at VooDoo Donuts (the Portland Cream and the Blazer Blunt), and just enjoyed the amazing weather on Memorial Day. We had tons of fun with Jamie and are so happy that she came up to visit!

Downtown with Auntie Jamie...

...and Dad...

...and Mom!

Clark got a little package in the mail two days ago and look what was inside! Jessica Harper (you can see her blog here - she just got engaged!) crocheted the CUTEST little monkey for our little monkey. She did a great job and Clark loves it! Thanks, Jessie!


Also, I forgot to post pics of Clark's finished nursery. I didn't post anything since his name was on the wall and was a big secret, so here's the finished product. Clark likes it very much and has added his own touch by peeing on the wall more times than I can count now!


And here's just some extra shots of Clark from the last couple of weeks for the grandmas. Enjoy!

Clark's First Day at Church - Mother's Day 2009

After missing the last few weeks of church in order to get things in order, we thought it would be appropriate to have Clark's first trip to church be on Mother's Day. Everyone smiled and loved seeing him. I also saw many personal light-bulbs turn on and heard others saying, "So that's why he hasn't been playing guitar lately." But most of all, I loved everyone saying Happy Mother's Day to Alli.

Happy Mother's Day!

When I called my mom up the other day, I asked her what she wanted for her birthday. "More pictures of Clark," was her answer. So we thought that it would be fitting to plaster our blog with tons of pictures of Clark over the past few weeks. Here's to you Grandma Porter! Happy Birthday! And to both Grandmas and Great Grandmas, Happy Mother's Day!

Clark likes his tummy time on his soccer blanket my sister made.

Clark's first bath at home.

Clark getting dried off in his cute baby towel.

Clark and Ben celebrate Manchester United being at the top of the table after last week's win.

Our first family picture.

Clark showing off his guns.

Hanging out with dad on the play mat.

Check me out!

Wow! Check out my hand!

What!? I'm naked?

Being almost 9 pounds and 23 inches is hard work.

Mom's First Mom's Day

It's strange to think that things have now completely changed. Alli, my lovely wife, is now a mother. Being a teacher, which is practically like being a father to 25 kids a year, has given me a lot of growth in patience and love in the area of working with kids. I even had the pleasure of being a good uncle and changing my fair share of Audrey's diapers when she was a baby. But now that Alli is a mom, I love seeing her grow as she experiences becoming a mom. And how awesome is it that we now get to celebrate that fact. She's definitely been earning her stripes with the number of diapers she has changed and the hours of sleep that have been lost over the past few months. But the best thing I love is seeing her lovin' on Clark. Sure, Clark is a super baby, but I think Alli also needs the new title of Super Mom.

Love, Ben

The Many Faces of Clark Porter

As a future football star (and by football I mean soccer), Clark likes to sport the David Beckham mohawk.

Check out my guns. Booyah!

Full, fed, and out cold.

Look at me! I'm a baby burrito!

Clark's First Week!

It's been wild to see how quickly time goes by when you have a new baby. Also, it's been great to have Alli's family come into town and stay with us for a while. Paul, Julia, and Amelia flew into town on Saturday and have been loving on Clark for the past three days. As for Clark, he is a great baby. He isn't that fussy, sleeps well, is alert when awake, and eats like a champ. Although he dropped down to 7 lbs, 13 oz on Friday, he is back up to 8 lbs, 5 oz today. That's half a pound in three days! We may have a little chunk on our hands in a short while. Here are some pics of what's been going on in the Porter house for the past few days.

Clark's first trip to the doctor. As you can tell, he didn't want to go.

Grandma Julia's first time holding Clark

Grandpa Paul and Clark

Auntie Mimi's first time with Clark

This was what it was like for the first hour they were here. They couldn't get enough of Clark.

John, Alexis and Hillary joined us for some bonding and barbecue.

A Poem From Great Grandma

My grandmother (Ben's mom's mom) always likes to write poems when it's a special occasions. She wrote one when we moved to Oregon. She wrote one when we first got pregnant. And now she has even written a poem to welcome Clark into the family. Since it's so cute, we thought it would be fun to share with everyone else.

It's a bird? It's a plane?
I hear a loud cry? Am I going insane?
With the strength of an eagle,
He came down to earth-
A wonderful gift, a special birth!
Clark will amaze us, fill us with fear,
He'll fly like an eagle - run like a deer.
Life won't be the same,
For joy he imparts,
Superman's landed to steal
ALL our hearts!

He love you, too, Great Grandma Girl - G3!

Clark's First Day Home!

After getting some rest (only about 4 hours), we had another great day with friends and family. Mary Towell, Tammy Eaton (McKinley Friends), and Nicole Langton came to say hi and meet Clark. Later that night, Great Aunt Alexis and Great Uncle John came to welcome Clark and take part in baby's first Star Wars Trilogy. (Don't worry. They were the original three pre-Lucas messing with them.) They were the only VHS tapes we still owned so we decided to bust them out to help pass time. He really liked Empire Strikes Back. This morning we woke up early and did all of the wrap-up stuff at the hospital. Alli and Clark got to spend some great time bonding while I got some much needed sleep. (I was on the night shift. :) Then we dressed him up in his new duds and brought him home. It's nice to finally be in a familiar place...with a great bed! We'll post more pics of him later this week, but for the time being enjoy some fun shots of the last few days.

Great Aunt Alexis and Great Uncle John with Clark (with Han and Leah in the background)

Mary Towell and Tammy Eaton with Clark

Mommy and Clark

I'm Full!

Alli and Clark love Snuggle time!

Who would have though putting on baby shoes would be so hard.

Daddy's little man in his first outfit.

Home at last!

Clark Alden Porter is Here!

Coming in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 21 inches, Clark was born last night at 10:22 P.M. He was totally healthy. Alli is also doing great and is healing up nicely. We're all so glad that he is here and thank all of you so much for the prayers and support you have and are still giving us. Special thanks to Travis and Beth, who hung in there and waited in the waiting room to support us and help us welcome Clark. (The steaks were awesome!) Even the staff was super awesome! Those ladies (and the dude who gave Alli her epidural) knew what they were doing. Here are some pics of Clark and us at the hospital when he was first born, his first bath, his hearing test (with the cool baby ear phones), and more.

We love Clark. He's super!
(Someone had to make the joke sooner or later so I guess I should be the first.)