Girls Night & the Harrigan Conference

Seth is getting ready for the Harrigan in New York. Every year the OMFS residents go to a conference in the city. The chief resident has a presentation and then the guys have some "bonding" time. It's an all day and night affair and it's a good time for the girls to hang out, too. The past two years we have always had a good time. My first year living out here Angelica & I had a 12 hour shopping excursion including lunch out and dinner at PF Chang. Last year, although I had to work, Lily, Angelica & I had a very nice dinner at Mama Theresa's.
This year Angelica, Clare & I had a very nice day shopping. It was Clare's first trip to the mall and to Macy's. She did great and slept most of the time. In the evening Melissa, Lily, Mary Catherine, & Angelica came over for dinner, movie & games. It was really good to catch up and Clare loved having a girls night.

2 Month Dr. Visit

Seth was off today and was able to go with us to Clare's check-up. She has been doing well and growing fast. Her weight was 12 lbs 9oz (90th%), length 24 inches(95%) and head circumference 15 1/2 inches(50-75%). She received 2 more of her immunizations and barely even cried. She's been sleeping in her crib for the past few weeks. She was growing a little big for the bassinet and the nursery area is right next to our room so I don't feel too far away at night. We have been working really hard on her sleeping pattern. She follows in her daddy's footsteps of being a good sleeper. We're just trying to keep it that way. She's been going to bed some nights around 8 to 10 and then waking at around 6 to 7 in the morning!! Some nights are different still. I haven't wanted to say "we have a schedule" because if I do that very night we wake up a few times. Even though she may be sleeping in a long block of time I wake up a couple times a night to check on her.

Pretty in Pink

Clare has been doing well. She has been smiling and making new sounds. She loves to look at faces and has loved sucking her hands and fingers. A few times she has found her thumb but she seems to like her whole hand better at this point. She had some craddle cap on her scalp that has went away and also some prickly heat rash from her chubby chin. Baby powder has worked great and her complexion is looking beautiful. We're still working on having fun with tummy time. She's growing more and more everyday.

Voting

This morning Auntie Lily came over to keep an eye on Clare while I went out to vote. I was expecting some lines but was pleasantly surprised with a line of 1 person in front of me at 9am. It was my first time voting at the polls for the President (I've always voted absentee). Clare had a nice morning and did great on her swing.

Out to Dinner

Tonight was the first time Seth & I took Clare out to a restaurant. She is now 2 months old and we've started to take her out around people more. It has been quite a while since Seth & I have been able to go out to dinner so it was great to have a nice meal out. We went to a restaurant near by, Mama Theresa's. Clare did so well. She sat in her car seat and was an angel. Seth took a vacation day and has been working around the apartment all day. It was really nice to have a long weekend with him.

Dia de los Muertos

Last night Clare attended her 1st party. Our friend's, Brian & Lily, had their 2nd annual costume party for Halloween. Brian does an amazing job decorating their apartment and it's great to dress up and get together. Clare did great. She slept most of the time and when she was awake she was so curious about everything around her. It was really nice to take her out and be with friends.
Lily is originally from Mexico and is a teacher doing her Master's in Spanish. I love to learn about different cultures and it has been so fun to learn more about Mexican culture & tradition. The Day of the Dead or in spanish, Dia de los Muertos, is celebrated on the 1st/2nd of November and is usually a gathering of friends & family to remember those who have died. At the party Lily & Brian had a special area to write a person's name who had passed on a card surrounded by candles and salt. Also the holiday correlates with the Catholic holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
These are pictures of the guys in the OMFS program (Brad, Seth, Ted & Brian) having too much fun and Brian & Lily outside their home. And of course a family photo!

8 weeks

Clare is now 8 weeks old! It's great to see her smiles and hear her making new sounds. She is soaking in everything around her and it's amazing to see her changing everyday.