CLIPS FROM THE CLARKS: California

I have decided I am the world's worst picture taker....my camera is ALWAYS in my purse and yet I never seem to take pictures!!! So forgive me for the scant documentation of our very exciting week!

Last week Bella took her first plane ride. We went to California to find a place to live (since we are moving in ONE month!!!!). I was so nervous about the flight I barely slept the night before. I was particularly nervous about take off and how Bella would handle the pressure on her ears. I nursed her and she wasn't bothered one bit....however apparently the pressure affected her in another way; with the seat belt sign still on she decides to have a massive diaper blow-out! So ignoring the sign, David and I cram into the ridiculously small airplane bathroom and had to use every last wipe plus the tissues in the bathroom to get her presentable....thank goodness we had a change of clothes. Whew!!!!

While in CA, we tried to keep her up at night because of the 2 hour time change but she was having nothing of it. Which meant we stayed up 'late' visiting with the friends we were staying with but got up at 5:30 or 6am in the morning because that is when Bella is used to getting up! During the day we toured a bunch of apartments and it came down to 3. I liked each one for a different reason so made David make the final decision. If nothing else, the town we are going to be living in is beautiful, there is a great park down the street, the weather is great, and it is only a year. Bella was a trooper and didn't fuss a bit as we dragged her all over town.

Tuesday the 25th was our 8 year anniversary but we had previously decided we weren't going to celebrate in CA since we were staying with friends (who also have two kids) and we were just so busy all week. Not sure when we will have time to reschedule but we will.

One day the weather was gorgeous so we sat out on the patio. Our friends have two huge dogs and Bella, for the first time, was laughing at them as they wrestled. She has giggled when I tickle her but never at a situation she thought was funny. TOO CUTE!!!!!!

We got back to TX Saturday and went straight to my parents place in Conroe for memorial day weekend. All my brothers and their kiddos were there...it was very bitter sweet. I love being all together but knew it would be the last time we are all together like that again until Thanksgiving. The reality of moving is starting to hit me hard and my excitement is turning a little bit to apprehension....I don't want to be away from my family!

Anyways, back to our weekend.....Bella has never been a fan of tummy time. She fusses after about 30 seconds. So why would she want to ever roll from her back to her tummy? That would be silly....but she did FINALLY roll from her tummy to her back. That's my girl!! We also took her swimming for the first time which she really enjoyed. We were in the pool about 20 minutes and she did great. Our last night in Conroe my parents babysat while David and I went to see Iron Man 2.....two very enthusiastic thumbs up!!!

Vacation over....now to start packing!

Here is the ONLY picture I took in California....David and Bella playing one morning.