Hi There

Hi there, Man, thanks for all the helpful travel/sleep baby tips. Hannah was a rock star on her first international flight. And I've looked at some of your favorite places to go and added them to my favorites. check this place out http://www.oustadebaumaniere.com we just went there, and it is my favorite type of place. You are surrounded by epic nature, where you can't see any other building except some old Roman ruins on top of hill. The restaurant had two Michelin stars, and it was to die for.

I'm absolutely exhausted from our travels, it's a lot of work packing for three and just being a mom. Working as an actress is a piece of cake compared to this mommy stuff. Woman are unbelievable creatures, pouring out pounds of love and energy.

Sadly, when I got home we had to put our dog Ella down. Ella had degenerative myelopathy(MS for dogs). We had to help her to the bathroom for the last three months, and she couldn't do the things that a dog should do to make them happy. Putting your dog down is such a awful thing to have to do, and yet, thankfully we have the option to do so when things are really bad. No more dogs for awhile, it's horrific to loose these dear friends. As my mom says, my husband is my new dog. I will lavish that extra attention on him and the baby. Enjoy your summer and your loved ones.

love,
Christie

Hi There

I never knew what sleep deprivation was until recently! All those cliches you hear over and over again are all true when it comes to having a child. Thank God, we have all these fantastic books to read over, ergonomic breast pumps to use,chlorine free diapers, strollers with two seats if you decide to have two children. My mom never had it so easy, that's for sure. I wonder what it will be like when Hannah is having children, my goodness the Jetsons here we come.

If any of you having any tried and true strategies for getting your child to sleep through the night, send them my way. I read your posts. And if you have any favorite travel spots you want to share, please do. I'm a big nerd with folders of places I'd like to visit. We are traveling in June to the UK and France. Hannah got her first passport, and it's hysterical. Any child travel help would be greatly appreciated as well. Anyway...really enjoying being a new mommy, cooing and pooing is my new cup of tea!

Many thanks,
Christie

Had the baby

Hello, so we had our bundle of joy a month early. Hannah was 5pds 10oz. She clearly has her fathers energy and wanted to join the party a bit earlier than was planned. We are just falling in love with our little lady, and learning the ropes as we go. Didn't get to read the last couple of chapters in the pregnancy books, trying to sneak in a chapter here and there. Thank God, I had a shower the weekend that she came out of the oven or I'd really be scrambling for items that were needed.

Tom had just flown back from the UK to Washington DC, and I didn't know which hotel he was in when my water broke. Luckily, he always books hotels thru American Express, so I had to call them and find out which hotel he was in. American Express booked him on the first flight out of DC, and he made it just in time for the birth. It was like a scene like a scene from a movie the way he describes it, running thru the airport screaming "out of my way", hopped in a cab and the nurses were all waiting in the hall saying "this way". Could be a good commercial for American Express. Either way...she is healthy and doing extremely well.

Many thanks,
Christie

Hello

Hello, man oh man....six weeks left! FORTY TWO DAYS! YIKES!!! Our daughter's name will be Hannah Bella Barnes! We've had her name for at least six years. I know Hannah Montana is extremely popular right now, but we won't let that change our plans. Tom and i have had our children named way before we got married, and so far we haven't changed our minds. But you never know.

I went to see Tab Benoit on Friday night, he is absolutely awesome! It's a southern swamp boogie kind of groove. We have seen him at Jazz fest in New Orleans many times. Have any of you been to Jazzfest in New Orleans? It is without a doubt the best music festival, I have ever been to. Check it out if you love music, and food, it 's at the end of April. Tom and I won't be going this year, but look forward to it the year after. Stevie Wonder is playing this year, I'm so bummed to be missing him.

xo
Christie

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I hope 2008 brings everything you could be wishing for and more. Tom and I just got back from the UK for Christmas. We only have three months left until our little girl enters the world. I'm trying to get all things checked off my list, before this blessed event. It's amazing the crazy dreams you have when your pregnant. Extremely vivid dreams, or maybe I just remember them more because I haven't had the usual wine I have through out the week. It's been raining a ton in SF, which brings the snow to the local mountains.

We are heading up to Tahoe next week, but I can't snowboard this year, so I'll be preparing the after ski meal.

If you ever want ski/snow board equipement, go to http://www.snowsportsforless.com It's the family ski store, we have four locations in California that my Dad and Uncles run. But you can now purchase things online, and it's great value. Talk to you soon.

Ciao,
Christie

Hey There!

Thank you for all the kind notes about the baby! And also, for the your thoughts on Mr. Blonde(my dog who died a couple of months ago). Tom and I just got back from Maui and Kauai. We went to Hana in Maui and Hanalei in Kauai, both places are extremely lush from all the rain.

I've decided I'm going to start a file on the website, for my favorite travel spots and maybe some recipes. Since it seems like all I'm ever talking about is eating and traveling.

Speaking of eating, who's excited about Thanksgiving? It has to be hands down my favorite holiday. No presents. Even though I like presents(a lot). Thanksgiving is all about family,wine,food,friends,and leftovers. What could be better?

Enjoy your Turkey Day!

Christie Clark

Hallo!

Hello, what a summer. Our backyard project is almost finished. All we have to finish is the living green roof and the solar panels. Very exciting.

So my dog Mr. Blonde died about a month ago from cancer. He was an absolute champion. About a couple of weeks before his death we found out i'm pregnant. It's funny how life works that way. One chapter closing and another opening up.

Our Indian summer is just starting in SF, so really looking forward to some sun and bar-be-que's

XO
CHRISTIE