24 Weeks old!

From Ashton Jeffrey Clark - Fall 2009

Yesterday marked 24 weeks for Ashton. 13 lbs, 14.5 oz

He had his "4 month" shots and checkup and for the first time is on the charts! As a 5 month old he is in the 25th percentile for weight, his head circumference is in the 25th percentile, and his 24" in "height" is in the 10th. They say premies catch up by year 2. He is on the charts and within a range of "NORMAL" by 5 months :) Teh doctor was very pleased with his growth and progression.



24 weeks. How life has changed. Spending time with this little man is absolutely amazing. He changes and grows every day and is so much fun. He now puts everything in his mouth, and has really learned to giggle. Stuffed animals and blankets really interest him. He has started to love them and hug them. He has such curious eyes - it is like he is trying to figure out how everything works. Ashton is an incredibly happy baby, and although i have nothing to compare him against, he is easy. I love it.

The last week has been really fun for me (he has become daddy's boy this week...). I have been travellign a ton, yet i had 8 solid days at home with him. He loves the running stroller and we have used it every day. the look in his eyes when i walk in a room and teh effect that has on me is undescribable. We'll see how he treats me after my next trip which starts in about 4 hours...



All is great here, with a growing and happy boy and family.

August 21, 2009

Wow. How fast time flies.

Today marks the 13 Week birthday. 1/4 of a year since Ashton was born.

9lbs, 13 oz and 22 inches long - more than twice as heavy, and 5" longer than the 4lbs, 8 oz and 17"...

This week Ashton has been sleeping really well (when he sleeps well, so do we). He eats around 9pm and we put him in his crib. He then wakes about 3am to eat (6 hours later) which takes about 30-45 minutes... Following that he goes back to his crib from 3:30 ish to about 7:30 when we wakes again. This time he is generally not ready to get up and eat, but instead likes to sleep on Dad's pillow for another 45 mintues until about 8:15 when we both get up to eat. Of course, this schedule has really cut into my running schedule this week, but i tell you - i feel great having some sleep.

He completely holds his head up, can sit as long as you help him not fall over, likes to pull himself up when you hold his hands and if you really help him he attempts to stand. Overall - this boy is getting quite strong.

Despite what we see as great growth, whenever we take him out in public people are always shocked to hear that he is 3 months old. 9lbs 13 oz. Kids are born that size.... ouch.

Today he had his first set of shots. Cried while they stuck him with the needle, but otherwise handled it well.

First airplane trip is coming quickly - that should be an adventure for all of us.

Z

New Photos!

I know, it has been a while since I updated any photos or blog. I suppose adjusting to parentood while starting a business leaves little time. But those are just excuses...

Life is great. Ashton is an amazing little person, who every day makes each Amie and I smile. If you check out his website www.ashtonclark.net you will find updated photos that give a great highlight of our time post-hospital.

The past couple of months have been amazing. We have had many sleepless nights and all kinds of new experiences. We have had some of our best friends stay with us and get to spend a lot of time playing with and napping with our little boy. It is fun to watch everyone react to the little man. We took him to a party last weekend, where i walked onto a deck filled with strangers - all of whom (female) came over to goo over the boy - people love babies - and really love this little baby; he is just so damn cute!

Ashton is likely weighing in around 9 pounds today. He had a Doctor appt about three weeks ago, where he weighed 7lbs 14 ounces, but that was three weeks ago. He eats a ton - usually about 8x per day, and takes around 45 minutes to do so. (hence the sleepless nights).

So, check out the photos when you have time. If you click through the slideshow on his site you will find yourself at Google's Picasa site where you can download, share, order prints or whatever. I heard there is a way you could even upload and share your photos of Ashton back. If any of you know about this give me a call and teach me. It would be really cool as I know many of you have great pics to share.

I hope the summer is treating you all well. More later

Z

July 7

Ashton is doing great! home almost two weeks and we are slowly establishing routines. of course, just as we get used to something he throws a curve ball. the last two days he has been all about being held while sleeping. This makes it really difficult to cook etc, but i am sure we will adapt. He still does great at night and sleeps 3-5 hours between waking to eat.

Having a child is certainly a fun and very different experience. an example: Yesterday was our 7th wedding anniversary. As we had dinner on our deck with Ashtonn we were thinking about how different this anniversary was in comparison to all others. We have spent two anniversaries riding motorcycles accross the western US, Three on the beach in paradise, last year in Paris and now one at home. Surprisingly we were absolutely happy about being home and enjoying this perfect little boy. Amazing.

The pic above was taken today, and is in no way a message to you...

July 1

(Yes, Dad put gel in his hair...)

Today marks the first seven days at home! We came home from the hospital last thursday, and so far have had six relatively restfull nights of limited sleep....

Ashton typically eats around 11pm and crashes out until 2-3am, then up again at 630 or 7. This, of course, varies. One night he woke up 4x to eat which was tough.

He is still gaining weight like a champ! Yesterday we went to a non-hospital doctor for the first time where Ashton was weighed at 6lbs 5oz. that is 1/2 pound greater than his discharge weight. I dont think we will have any issues keeping this kid growing at this rate.

Over the course of the past week he has had a ton of visitors. Both of his great-grandparents (Amie's Grandfather, My grandmother) came to see him and instantly fell in love. Amie's family came to a BBQ on Sunday, Jessika and Alex, his cousins were very cute with him. Many of our friends, some more comfortable holding such a small baby than others, have been to visit, he has been to our favorite neighborhood breakfast spot, Cottonwood Cafe, where the waitresses cooed, and last night he met his cousin Madison, aunt Nichole and was adored by his Uncle Matt. There is certainly no lack of love in this Kid's life.

June 26, noonish

Having Ashton at home for almost 24 hours has been fantastic! and slighly surreal.

We had dinner on the deck with Ashton in my lap, he had a bath in our tub and a very thorough tour of the house... Ashton slept over 3 hours between feedings, but we found quickly that did not mean we did. he went to sleep at 10, we tried at midnight, to be awoken one hour later with him ready to eat at 1am. As he is used to light and noise we had some lights on and for awhile the television on to provide a more similar environment to what he is accustomed. Of course, as a result we had trouble sleeping with noise, and light, and concern... I am sure all three of us will get used to this soon. He ate again around 4, then again at 8. Inbetween feedings he made a lot of noise (bringing more concern). No problems, just little grunts here and there to which we had to inspect every movement or noise.

Today Ashton went to his first party. Our close friends Chiao-Ih and Mike are getting married this evening, and the mornign started the festivities with a Tea Ceremony honoring the families. Really cool ceremony - their respective families are seated on opposite ends of a large outside deck. Chiao-Ih's brother introduces Mike to her family at which point Mike offers them each tea, then Mike's sister introduces Chiao-Ih to Mike's entire family and offers them Tea. After the tea cups are collected, the families get up and walk accrosst he deck meet each other (presumably in some cases for the first time). Ashton had a great time sleeping through it all. Maybe he will be more awake for the next party...afterall he has only been out of the hospital for 3/4 a day.

Have a great Friday!

June 25, 230pm

Day 36 of Ashton's life, 2585 grams= 5lbs, 11oz. Five weeks and ten minutes ago Ashton was born. Today we are leaving the hospital and he is coming with us!
I am amazed at the overall level of care and quality of service that the U and the NICU specifically deliver. It is weird to say I will miss these people who have worked so hard and done so much to ensure Ashton had a great beginning. Today starts the new adventure for us all and a big step forward into his great life
Zack Clark
Mobile-801.244.4849