It has been too long since we updated our blog, and it’s almost more difficult to know what to say when it’s been 6 or more months! The biggest news since we last wrote is that Curtis Wayne Clark was born August 25, weighing 9 lbs, 9.5 oz. We have been so happy to have this new addition to our family. He is a sweet, easygoing baby, and very loved by his big brothers. We’ve managed to cram three car seats into our sedan, so we don’t have to get a van yet.

We had a nice Thanksgiving here in our home with a few local friends. We also enjoyed a quiet Christmas with our little family. We also had a great time spending the last few days of December in Texas with David’s family. It was fun to finally introduce Curtis to some of his extended family.

Since Neil learned how to climb out of his crib in January, we’ve changed the boys’ sleeping arrangements. After a few weeks of Neil’s crib mattress on the floor in his room, we moved him into William’s twin bed, and put a bed rail up. We moved William up to the queen bed we’ve used for guests, and Curtis is now in the real crib instead of the portable crib. Everyone is thrilled with the new arrangement and is sleeping well. William was so excited about sleeping in his new bed that he was “tired” and wanted to go to bed right after dinner.

We’ve enjoyed some trips to the Cincinnati Children’s Museum and Natural History Museum, taking a break for a picnic lunch in the cafeteria.

David is now in a three-month stint at the children’s hospital here. It has helped remind him why he chose to do adult neurology. He is also in the midst of applying for fellowship.

Emily has a new calling in the ward: Primary teacher. She teaches the 4- and 5- year-olds, and is learning a lot. David keeps her from pulling her hair out every Sunday afternoon. In addition, the last few months she has enjoyed participating in a monthly book club with a group of women in the ward.



William enjoyed listening to Emily read Charlotte’s Web and The Trumpet of the Swan to him this past month. He continues to practice writing one letter and one number each day. William has also shown renewed interest in learning to read. He is a good helper, and is really growing up!

Neil turned two the beginning of the year. He is the family hugger, and always wants to hug each of us—especially Curtis. The past few weeks he has been able to open door knobs, and although we now have child locks on most doors, he can get into the pantry due to a glitch in the door. Neil frequently opens the pantry and gets out a package of cereal or crackers and rips it open. He seems to have an endless appetite.

Curtis (six months) really grabs things now. He reaches for anything remotely close to him and tries to get it in his mouth. Curtis can now sit up, and loves to “stand up” whenever he can. Emily is thrilled that he has finally figured out how to go to bed at 7:00 p.m.