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!

Photos with family

We've had some visits from friends and family over the last 2 months.  In September Nana Kaaren & Popi Dick came the weekend Clare was born.  Also, my mom, Grandma Susan was here helping us settle in for the first 3 weeks.  As I've written before, I'm not sure what we would have done without her.  

     Also, we had a visit from Aunt Shana, Uncle Rob, and Gavin.  Gavin just turned 2 at the end of August and is such a cutie.  It's so amazing how fast he is growing.  He's talking so much and is a sponge learning everything around him.  Seth's Dad, Grandpa Tim and Linda also came for a visit.  We've had a great time having Clare meet some of her family and we're really looking forward to taking her on a trip next month.

To Start

The past few months have been so exciting for us.  Clare arrived in the evening of September 6th and I have recovered really well.  She has truly been a joy to watch over the past month & a half.  Seth & I are now getting some sleep.  Sometimes I almost think we have somewhat of a schedule and I'm excited to get a 6 to 8 hour block of sleep in the night, then the very next night we change back.  At this point it's what ever Clare needs.  She's growing and changing so quickly and I think my favorite thing is to watch her little gummy smiles and hearing the sounds she makes.  She has been taking the whole world in and it's fun to watch.  She loves to go for stroller rides, taking her bath (sometimes), eating, looking around at contrasting colors and being held.  She especially loves being held by her Daddy.  

     Seth has been very busy the past few months.  Our pregnancy & Clare's birth, along with almost being 1/2 way thru his 3rd year of his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency (4 years total- we're almost there).  He was very upset with the abrupt ending of the Mets season but has recovered well!  In September he traveled to Seattle, Washington for the annual OMFS conference.  He was able to have several interviews and spend time with my family.  Also, last weekend he traveled a few hours away to Philadelphia for a conference for implants with our friends Ted & Brian.  Seth was a little tired and I think the guys had a lot of fun in Philly.  

     Elsa, our beautiful black cat, has been doing well.  She is still adjusting to having a new baby in the house and all the new things (swing, toys, sounds, etc).  She has recovered very well from her accident last spring, unfortunately they were not able to repair her leg so she has one less now.  Being a 3 legged cat gives her a lot of character and she has no problem running up/down the stairs and getting around the house and she lets you know she lets you know it!

     As for me, I went out on maternity leave towards the end of July and was able to enjoy the remainder of the busy, very HOT summer with Seth.  Since Clare's birth I have been recovering and feel really great now.  We were fortunate to have my mom visit and help for about the first 3 weeks.  I can't explain how important that was for us since we have 2 flights of stairs and I really had to limit going down them for a few weeks!  I am so much happier to be able to go outside for Clare's stroller ride or drive to appointments/etc.  Mostly we've been sticking to being at home trying to keep up on caring for Clare and the apartment.  So far we're not sure when I will be returning to work, which is a really nice feeling.  I feel so lucky to be able to spend time with Clare right now.