Visit to Vestal

Last weekend we went up to visit Seth's Dad's house for Christmas. Unfortunately, we had a ruff ride up. We left on Saturday and Clare wasn't quite herself. She was really upset and it seemed like she had tummy discomfort. When we arrived she was much better. We had a nice visit and Clare was much more comfortable on the drive home. We have been very busy the past 2 weeks and it has been great to be able to spend this time together. Seth's been working very hard lately.

3 month Doctor visit

Clare had her 3 month Doctor visit last week. She's doing really well. Her weight was 14.4 lb (90-95%) and length 25 inches (95-97%). She's liking her fingers (looking at them & sucking them) and has started to reach for things more. She's getting stronger with tummy time. It's amazing how fast she's growing. She had her first few giggles the past few weeks!

Holiday Party

Seth & I made it out together for the first time since Clare has arrived. Family fiends, Dave & Penny, came over to babysit Clare for the evening. Meeting Dave & Penny when we first moved out here made me feel so much more at home. Dave grew up in my hometown, in Washington state, and has continued to be a friend of the family for many years. What a small world! We were out for about 3 hours for Seth's work holiday party. It was nice to go out on a date but I was happy to get home to Clare.

Thanksgiving

I feel so thankful for our friends and family. It has been an interesting year. The joys of having Clare and expanding our family along with the challenges we've faced with loss and injury of family over the past year make me think just how precious life is. We didn't get too many pictures during the Thanksgiving celebration but it was a great 1st Thanksgiving for Clare. Seth was on-call during the holiday weekend but we had a very nice time. We had our friends Brad & Mary Catherine and Josh & Nikki over for dinner. I spent most of the day in the small kitchen of our apartment cooking. I love cooking and someday hope to have a kitchen that functions a little better. Our cat, Elsa, matched the weight of our turkey (15+). Looking at her she's added a few on, even with one leg missing she is very "puffy". Clare is getting close and we'll find out this week at her 3 month Dr visit (her last visit she was 12lb 9oz.

Clare smiling!

Seth & I have been busy over the past 2 weeks and I have been getting behind on posting our pictures. This is Clare loving her new shirt from Popi. It was a gift from his trip to the Melbourne Cup in Australia.
Clare is smiling a ton and more interactive everyday. She's found her fingers and often prefers them to her pacifier. Braces here we come!

A visit to Nana & Popi's house!

These are some pictures of our visit with Seth's parents. It was our first trip with Clare. She loved traveling and spending time with family.

Congress Park

Last weekend we took a trip to Nana & Popi's house in Ballston Spa. Seth took Friday off and we had a nice drive upstate. The weather was cold & sunny. A beautiful fall day with blue skies. Clare did very well on her first excursion. She seemed to love the car ride and only cried if her shade needed to be adjusted if the sun was bothering her.
When we got in on Friday we were able to visit Seth's mom, Nana Kaaren, at work. Clare was bundled up in her pink suit and enjoyed a walk to Congress Park for a few family pictures and a visit with the ducks before we went to Seth's parent's house.

Visit with Auntie Danielle & Nicholas.

This morning Clare & I went out to East Islip to visit Auntie Danielle & her son Nicholas. I have been working with Danielle at the Medical Center and Nicholas will be 1 year old later this week. It's amazing how much he has grown. He's almost walking already and he is so adorable. It was Clare's first time to visit a friend at home and I think she was very interested in a change from our apartment. It was really great to visit with Danielle. She has been such a big support for me with my new beginnings of motherhood.

A Walk in the Park.

The weather has been sunny but very crisp. It's definitely changing to winter and we have been trying to enjoy these great days of sunshine by bundling up and getting out for a walk. There's a very large park near where we live and we were so happy to go for a walk with our neighbors Gabriel & Alajandra. It has been fun to get to know Alajandra and her little boy is adorable.

Rub a Dub-Dub, Clare loves her tub!

Clare has been enjoying her baths more each time!

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.

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween! Today was Clare's 1st Halloween and she was dressed as a pea pod.
This past year the hospital started a farmers market every Friday and we try to take a walk over every week. The weather has been getting very crisp so the Ergo carrier (front pack) is perfect to keep Clare warm and close. She likes to nap as we pick out our vegetables. The farmers market has gotten smaller since the summer but I was able to get some really great apples, fresh beets and a nice head of lettuce.
It was Clare's 1st time to Michaels, which is one of my favorite stores. There are so many hobbies I would love to try there and I love to do crafts and projects. I've been trying to take little trips throughout the week to get both Clare & I used to making little trips. She has been doing great and it's been fun to get out of the house.
Last night Seth & I carved our pumpkin and Clare patiently watched from a reclining chair at the table. She was so interested in the pumpkin! Seth & I had a really nice dinner together and were visited by tricker treaters and friends in the apartments. The kids were so cute. It was a nice family night at home playing games and watching a movie together. Seth has been working very hard and I'm so excited for him to have the weekend off with us.

Just Ducky

It was rainy most of today so Clare & I stayed mostly inside. These are pictures after her bath in her cute robe that Melissa & Scott gave her. She loves lounging in it after her bath.
At her 1 month appointment she was having some cradle cap and also a rash on her upper chest. The cradle cap has went away with changing shampoo and using baby oil. Her rash has disappeared as well after we started using baby powder under her chubby chin a couple times a day. It's amazing how many chubby creases babies have. She really is growing fast and will be 2 months this Saturday.

The Pumpkin Patch

     Last night Seth & I had a nice salmon dinner at home and brownies for desert.  It was great, but I have to say I miss my Grandpa Steve's fresh salmon.  We watched "Made of Honor" with Patrick Dempsey.  Beautiful pictures of Scotland, and it was great to watch a movie, but I would not say it's a must see.  Clare wanted to stay up for a while so we took turns playing with her and walking her around.  

     Seth has the weekend off and we were able to spend the morning together and go on our 1st family outing to pick out a pumpkin.  We found a great one.  Clare slept most of the time but seemed to enjoy the fresh air.  I have a hair appointment this afternoon and I'm very excited.  This will be the longest time away from Clare though.  Seth's very prepared though!