The Escandon's Family Blog

Paul and I celebrated 3 years of marriage last week! Its amazing how fast the time goes. 3 years and we have two lovely beautiful daughters. Thank you sweet husband for being my very best friend. I don't know where I would be without you.


For your amusement... a few photos of us before we got married and our lives were forever changed. Not to mention before I got pregnant and gained 30 lbs, but that's another story.

Labels: Announcements, paul, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments

Last month we spent over $200 eating out.


Yes, $200.


I write this with my head down in shame.


So, we decided to try and go the entire month of October with out eating out. Not once. Not even buying bottled water. No more Cold Stone frozen yogurt for us.

It probably wouldn't have been much of a challenge 2 1/2 years ago when our income was a lot less. We have been so blessed the past two years with the opportunity for Paul to bring in more money. But with the increase and no increase in housing expenses, we took it for granted. We went out for pizza, ate at nice restaurants (ok so it was only once and we had a gift card- but still), and drove thru when it was too convenient and too much work for me to make a full fresh meal.


We started today and I stocked our fridge and pantry with lots of yummy goodness! So far so good...but we are on day one. Maybe I can finally shed these 8lbs to get to pre-pregnancy weight. Although loosing more like 20 would be perfect.

My goal is for this to really help us save some dough and I am hoping homemade meals will just be routine for us once again! We took on a mortgage with a substantial increase in housing expenses... as much as I love to be cooked for and not have a messy kitchen afterward- I like the roof over my head even more.

Labels: Announcements, Family Life, household hints, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Comments

We're back by popular demand! I have had TWO, yes, TWO requests to update the blog. Shout out to Brian's grandma ! Lots happening here in the Escandon house the past 4 months! I'll try to keep it simple and sweet.

• July 18th at 6:15pm I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Lucy Rose. She is a sweet baby who is adored by her big sister Clare. This photo was taken moments after Lucy's birth.
  

• We had our first successful homebirth, sure not to be the last (birth story to follow)!

• August 21st, 2008 Lucy was baptized.

• On June 20, 2008 (after a very long and nightmarish escrow period) we became homeowners! We just love our new home. Aside from the blazing heat that hits the west side of the house in the afternoon, the house is perfect for our family!
  

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, Lucy Rose, pictures

Posted by MamaEscandon at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments

I woke up bright and early this morning to have a garage sale. I've been trying really hard to purge some things that we don't need or use anymore. I don't know what it is but garage sale season is slow this year. We got 3 little rushes of people and the rest kind of trickled here and there. But I am still exhausted. In fact, I am sitting in a chair looking at all this junk stuff we have for sale and I really don't want to pack it up and take it to the Salvation Army. When things started winding down (THREE HOURS AGO) I decided I was going to post what I have left that is sellable on craigslist and my local buy and sell yahoo group. Everything else? Freecycle. Gotta love it. You post your well loved goodies and people just come and get it. Sort of. When you are lucky enough to get someone to actually show up that is. So far, I have been lucky. I had 2 people come haul stuff away and I am waiting on one more right this minute. Its funny how the same stuff even if for sale for $1 just doesn't sell... offer it for free and you can't blink before its taken.

Case in point: Remember this hideous thing? Well, I was inside with my feet proped up on the ottoman taking a much needed break when I saw some people in the driveway. They didn't look like Freecyclers. I immediately thought... "ugh, break time over". They bought .25 worth of pants and I told them everything piled in front of the car was FREE! Soon enough the husband noticed the ugly stackable unit. Sweet. I told him to take it. Just get it out of my garage. And you know what? He did! Along with the washer, they took TWO boxes of stuff I had fro free laid out. Who knows, maybe they took more than that. I don't care. I just know I don't have to take this stuff anywhere or call anyone to come pick it up.

Hopefully I can get rid of the rest of the junk just as easy. I have some things I am still trying to sell and I am praying that Craigslist does the job.

Labels: Announcements, Family Life, rachael

Posted by MamaEscandon at 3:28 PM | Permalink | Comments

Never had breakfast at The Escandon House! Cream of Wheat is the favorite around here. It amazes me how much of this stuff Clare can eat. If I make enough for two (according to package directions), she will eat half. If I make enough just for her, which is one adult size serving, she eats it all up. It is usually accompanied by some sort of fruit, usually fresh. If we don't have fresh, raisins it is. This morning it was fresh blueberries but she had already gobbled them up by the time I found the camera. This bowl is about 1/2 eaten already.


In other events, I am back to blogging, back to emailing, and back to perusing the net. Although, the degree at which I find is necessary has dramatically decreased. I don't have as much interest in message boards, reading all 30 blogs I have on my RSS feed, and visiting myspace/facebook. It certainly helps that my late night internet time has been replaced by another vice. One day Paul showed up with a borrowed season 1 set and I've been hooked ever since, watching up to 4 or 5 episodes a night (we usually keep it at just 3)! I keep trying to convince myself I just need to catch up to season 4. It shouldn't be hard since we are already at season 3. Then there is Dexter, the serial killer I hate to love (also a borrowed box set). Thankfully season 1's story line ended pretty nicely so I am not agonizing over what is going to happen next. We don't get showtime so we are just waiting for season 2 to come out on DVD.

Clare is getting so big! I can hardly believe it. Her language skills are developing but she isn't putting together words to form little sentences yet. She now says outside, bye bye, bowl, dog, wee (this is the word for stairs, slides, swings, and driving around in the car), balloon, and much more. She loves to play outside in her sandbox and in her cozy coupe car I picked up at a garage sale for 3 bucks. I also scored a picnic table on craigslist for free! She just loves to watch Yo Gabba Gabba, and although I try so hard to distract her with other things to do, sometimes I just need a break and need 20 mins to prepare dinner, hang the clothes on the line, or just to breathe I give in and let her watch an episode from our DVR. I admit, I really love watching the show too!

Easter was great! I was Confirmed and I am filled with the Holy Spirit! We spent the day with my Sister in Law and her family. Clare loved her Easter basket (filled with healthy yummy goodness and organic candies) and had a blast looking for Easter Eggs!


We also became Auntie and Uncle to Baby Rosemary Ludmila Teresa! She was born abotu 5 weeks early and has been in NICU while they plump her up. She is otherwise very, very healthy. Thanks be to God! She is the cutes little thing and came into this world at only 3lbs 12 oz. We are also so very proud and honored that her parents chose us to be Rosemary's godparents! It is such a blessing for all of us. I can't wait for her to come home to be with her family.

Speaking of babies... our little bun in the oven is doing just fine, very active. We had an ultra sound about 3 weeks ago. It was our first time with the 3-D and I am dissapointed we didn't have the opportunity to do the same with Clare.

The baby was still really skinny at this time, hardly any fat so she looks a little like an alien baby still. Shh... don't tell I said that. Oh and if you were wondering... its a GIRL! We are so excited and I have to say both Paul and myself really wanted another girl. Makes shopping so much easier! I had a feeling it was going to be another girl from the very beginning, mama knows best I suppose.

Lets see... what else? Oh, we are officially in the market for a new home! God has certainly blessed us in 2007 and we are in a position to find a house we can put some love and sweat into and make it a home. Lucky for us, the market is just right. After about 10am this morning we will have offers on 3 homes. One is a back up, one we are submitting today and one is in the negotiation stages... still. Our agent is a good friend and my old boss... funny how I used to work for him now he's working for me. :o)

I gotta get going for my day. Just thought I'd pop in and update any readers... if you're still there.

Labels: Announcements, Baby Escandon #2, clare, Family Life, pictures, The Three Of Us

Posted by MamaEscandon at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments

We are really, really late getting our Christmas letter out. They won't even go out until Christmas Eve. Its a good thing that Christmas is actually from December 25th to Epiphany on January 6th!

Christmas Greetings from The Escandons!

Click the link and a PDF will open.

Labels: Announcements, Family Life, holiday, rachael

Posted by MamaEscandon at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments

If you recall when I wrote this, the whole Cry-it-Out thing just wasn't working. But I couldn't go back. So I decided to try something different.

When I put Clare to sleep I gently forced her onto her tummy. Well, I didn't really force her, just guided her. I stood there with her and rubbed her back until she fell asleep. She went down beautifully! No tears at all! She even stayed laying down. She goes down now so easy and even points to her crib. She doesn't fuss but some nights she takes longer and she likes to chat with me. She babbles and will stand up, kiss me, and lay back down on her stomach. Nights like that I will stay with her for 10 minutes or so then kiss her and walk out. She has yet to object. She also has a new friend. He is a huge elephant that Paul bought for her before she was born. It is as big as she is! She loves to cuddle and snuggle him and usually falls asleep clenching him. We were still having a hard time with naps and I didn't press the issue... but it is starting to be painful for me to nurse so I thought I had to do something since nursing at naps isn't working anymore. I nursed her for a few minutes today and then put her in the crib. She fell asleep in minutes. I am so relieved. I can hear her through the monitor; she is snoring!

Now we just have to work on the weaning thing...

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

At 15 months old Clare finally started walking. She took her very first steps at around 7pm. So far she's getting the hang of it. Although we didn't give her much practice time since bedtime is usually 7:30-8ish.

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, video

Posted by MamaEscandon at 9:45 PM | Permalink | Comments

Anyone find it odd that our daughter refuses to walk? In fact, she has skipped that step and goes from a crawl to a climb! I caught her climbing on her kid furniture just a second ago and she has been trying to climb on top of the couch!! I keep saying walking is any day away... but I have been saying that since August. That's about how long she has been walking around furniture.

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, Nonsense

Posted by MamaEscandon at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

Yes, Clare will be a big sister soon! We are all very excited and can't wait to have another little baby running around this house. I don't have an exact due date as of yet but I should be due sometime at the end of July. Clare will be just shy of her 2nd birthday. I am about 4 or 5 weeks along and I feel good (except for the typical exhaustion in the first trimester). I am a little heavier this time around so I hope not to gain another 50lbs like I did with Clare! We also have a gym membership now and so I hope to be going at least 3 times a week at night when Clare is sleeping. We'll be consulting with a number of midwives until we find one we like. We plan on having the baby here at home!

Labels: Announcements, Baby Escandon #2, Family Life, rachael

Posted by MamaEscandon at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments

Labels: Announcements, Baby Escandon #2, Family Life, rachael

Posted by MamaEscandon at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments

Yes, to all our readers... We are back! After taking a couple months to think about it (and an inspiring trip to Washington State) we finally decided to put Clare in the crib to cry it out. It was time and I have been "feeling" like it was the right time. 2 or 3 months ago I wasn't ready. This time I was. Call it mother's intuition, or the fact that I was going to bed at 8pm with my daughter while on a visit with a friend... but I'd like to think it was The Holy Spirit guiding me and telling me it was time to let it go and let my daughter sleep in her crib with out me.

I simply copied what my friend Ellie practices with her children. I like it because it lets the babe know its time for bed and I can still co-sleep. It was so easy (more confirmation for me that it was the right time). I nursed her in the rocker and just put her in the crib. She cried for only 15 minutes the first night, 20 seconds the second night, stopped before I got down my stairs the 3rd night and tonight I didn't even get a chance to close the door. She is in our room so she has been waking up when we come to bed. So we just grab her and bring her in with us and so far it hasn't had any affect on the next night.

I miss her at night but I am also relieved a little because I have some free time to do laundry, clean up, work on special projects, and spend time with Paul.

That said, I am going to have some more opportunity to post photos and updates with our family. Stay tuned!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

When I was writing this, I was waiting for Paul to finish putting Clare to bed and come downstairs to watch a movie with me. After about 40 minutes I went to check on him. This is how I found them both:



She slept for TWO HOURS STRAIGHT! Then woke up looking for Mama. We have been having a tiny problem lately though. When she wakes up we go in to put her back to sleep and the past couple of nights our roommate's dog (a lab mix) has been barking. He is a very well behaved dog and usually doesn't make a peep. But because we have been coming in and out of the room at night, he sees us and barks. Its just a couple of barks and he doesn't go on and on, so that's good. But even just 1 or 2 barks wakes up Clare and I think it scares her because it is after being woken up by barks she refuses to go back in the crib. I am hoping that as the dog gets to know us a little more he will stop barking at us. I try to play with him during the day but he isn't very excited about me and especially Clare! :o) I think I might have to continue to camp out in the room until Clare starts sleeping longer stretches on nights Jared and the dog are home and inside the house.

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, paul, pictures

Posted by MamaEscandon at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

The answer is no. We had a run of some good nights of 3 hours of sleep at a time but it didn't last long. The first night when I went upstairs to check on Paul and Clare she was alseep in his arms. He laid her down and she slept for 2 or 3 hours or so. I think once this week she went back asleep with out needing to be picked up. I just rubbed her tummy and hummed her back to sleep. We decided that putting her to sleep in the crib drowsy or semi-asleep after holding her would be more gentle than just laying her in there wide awake. The combination of anticipating her first birthday and her party and the transition really was exhausting me. I didn't sleep much Wednesday-Saturday. I kept thinking about her alone in the crib and I was missing her. You see, it isn't the co-sleeping that bothers us. We really enjoy co-sleeping... its the having no life and going to bed at 7:30pm that is bothersome. Even though Clare is an all night nurser, I never awaken from it anymore. She can easily find the breast, latch on, and just fall back asleep with out me ever waking up. I haven't felt as sleep deprived as I did last week since she was a newborn. So in a desperate attempt for some sleep... I just would bring her to bed with me once I was ready and she woke up. It worked OK. Until last night. I just threw in the towel. I put her in the bed drowsy and she looked as if she was going to sleep, which lasted maybe 60 seconds, then she woke up, rolled on her belly, got on all fours, and then on her knees and started bouncing. So, I picked her up and tried to lull her to sleep again. Then I put her back in the bed. I did this a total of 3 times. Paul tried to put her to sleep also and that didn't work either. So, I just brought her into the bed.

Tonight Paul got her to sleep. She has been asleep for maybe 20 mins. We'll see how it lasts. I am still a little conflicted about this whole thing, but I know in the long run its the best thing to do. I am slightly concerned about how it is effecting her. Since we have began this last week she has become more clingy to me and won't let me out of her sight. She won't even let me put her on the floor in the morning when I am trying to get out of bed and make it. I can't sit on the couch, I have to sit on the floor with her. She used to be a very friendly baby and wouldn't mind being held by just about anyone. Now she doesn't even want my mom to hold her! The only change that I can think of is this sleep thing. It was making me feel really bad last night. But I think if we are just really persistent about this is the way things are going to be and she knows she is taken care of just fine during the day, then things will just work themselves out. Eventually she will quit waking up... right? Maybe when she stops nursing all together? As long as she knows she needs to go in for the first chunk of the night. I would love also for her to be able to just lay in my bed in the morning for at least an hour or so... as it is, she is still nursing a lot once she comes to the bed. I can't get up with out her waking up even if she hasn't had enough sleep.

For now, I guess I will just go with the flow... see how this works out and pray that she gets the point! If any of you moms have any advice, I am sure happy to take it!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 8:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

For Clare to be in her own bed. We have been co-sleeping since she came home from the hospital. I have really enjoyed it and I will definitely miss our midnight cuddles. But, it is just become too draining for our family and after 12 months we are ready for some change. Its not easy. She isn't happy about it at all. I guess I wouldn't be either. She has had the best seat in the house. Her favorite food and comfort has been available to her all night and she has a warm cuddly body to lay next to. Now, she has a cold cage to sleep in. Tonight is night one of trying to get her in the crib. We have carefully decided that this is the right time and we, I mean she no longer needs our all night nursing marathons. She does fall asleep with out nursing and doesn't need to nurse to sleep, given the right situation of course.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to be able to continue to co-sleep. Maybe we will go back once Clare is sleeping through the night and night-weaned. I hope so anyway. This is probably just as hard for me as it is for her. But, I need to reclaim my life back and my marriage! Night after night I go into our bedroom with Clare and zone out in front of the boob tube until I fall sleep. Usually Paul is in a different room in the other side of the house. Sometimes we go 3 hours or more with out even seeing each other. Sad really, our couple time has really diminished. I really look forward to being able to just sit and watch an entire movie together again. Or maybe.. gasp... so out to see a late night flick! I also can't wait to get some exercise back into my routine.

So we started off our night routine with a bath, pjs, story time, a lullaby, and nursing. Then we put her in the crib. Paul and I took breaks laying our hands on her and trying to comfort her and let her know we were there. So, thats where I left them. He is upstairs with her and I told him I would be back in 15 mins... its been more like 25.

I'll let you know how it goes. Afterall, I should have plenty of time to blog!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, rachael, The Three Of Us

Posted by MamaEscandon at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments

Clare had her first brownie today... I think she liked it.





Daddy thought Clare would be yummy with a dollip of whip cream on her head!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, pictures

Posted by MamaEscandon at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments

For some serious blogging! I finally got my own computer up and running. I also got a USB cord for my camera so I can easily get pictures and post them here right away! I used to have to wait for Paul to unload them onto our external hard drives from the MAC and it was just a mess... So, here I am and I am ready.

Labels: Announcements, Nonsense, rachael

Posted by MamaEscandon at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments

Things are going well in our new home. We had a broken washing machine but our landlord replaced it yesterday and I have been catching up on laundry ever since. Ok, I'll admit... I took a break this evening. But I think I did 8 loads!

Clare and I have been enjoying the community pool. She just loves to be in the water and to watch the other kids. She giggles and screams at them. She isn't afraid of the water but she holds on tight. I think we got some photos of her on the 4th in the pool... I'll have to post them when I can get them off of the camera. The house has all tile downstairs so it stays fairly cool and we are trying not to run the AC too much. But there is a 4 hour window (1-4pm) where the heat is almost unbearable. Especially since we nap upstairs right at that time. I think we will be visiting the pool a lot this summer! It is a nice feeling to get in, cool off, and come change into dry clothes and take a snooze. I get the added benefit of exercise and getting out of the house!

We still have a lot of unpacking to do and the backyard is starting to look very unkempt... we are looking for a lawnmower so we can mow it. I also don't own any gardening tools. There are weeds everywhere and I am NOT looking forward to weeding the lawn. Maybe I will hire a teenager to come and do it as a one time job, then the keep up won't be so hard. Its also time to learn how to take care of rose bushes! We have a lot of them and I haven't the slightest clue! I wish my mother in law was still with us... she loved to garden... it would have been a great bonding experience for us. :o(

I am getting over being sick, or allergies.... I can't decide what it is. But I have had the most awful sinus headache the past couple of days. Things are looking better but I have an irritating cough that won't go away. Paul was having an allergic reaction last week and now Clare is getting the sniffles. I really am hoping there isn't something in the house making us sick... like mold. Our landlord said he would get someone into the house to look at the ducts and clean them out, so I am happy about that.

Oh, and I wanted to mention... our IRL friends and family probably won't see too much of us for a while... we got HDTV and Jared has a large 42 inch flat screen tv that is pretty amazing. Not to mention... we have DVR. Yeah, we're in trouble now.

Labels: Announcements, Family Life, rachael, The Three Of Us

Posted by MamaEscandon at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments

I know Clare is mimicking sounds but I believe she is really trying to communicate and "talk"! She has variations of Daddy, Dadda, Dad, etc. In the morning she wakes up, takes one look at her Daddy lying in the bed and starts saying "Daddaddadda" or "daaaaaaaaadieee" (high pitched voice) while trying to climb on him and grab his nose to wake him up. She also says this when he comes home for lunch and when she sees him. She says "mehm mehm mehm", usually when she is cranky and upset, wants to nurse, or just wants her mama! Her new "word" is puppy. It sounds more like peh-peh. Our roommate Jared has a big dog, not exactly a puppy. But when I see it, I say look at the puppy. And she says peh-peh. Clare likes him. A lot. She hasn't gotten close enough to poke an eye or pull an ear off... but thats mostly because he is scared of her. He isn't too sure what to think about this tiny person that screams and giggles at him! He comes to peak in the back door in the kitchen in the mornings when she is sitting in her highchair and she talks to him through the glass door. He is an extremely gentle and mellow dog. Hopefully he warms up to her as she gets a little older.

My little Clare Bear is a lover of life! She just loves to look at and talk to all of God's beautiful creatures.

Labels: Announcements, clare

Posted by MamaEscandon at 12:37 AM | Permalink | Comments

I just wanted to pop in and let our readers know there are some exciting things happening. We are leaving our apartment lifestyle behind us and moving into a house. Its a rental for now but we really like it. 4br 2.5 ba, about 1900 sqft. It has a large yard and mature trees.... the house is about 30 years old. Which, by local area standards is "ancient". Its in good shape though and has had some improvements. Mostly, I am excited to have some kitchen space and a large yard for Clare to run around in. The back yard also features an apple tree, peaches, nectarines, onions, and a stub of what used to be an orange tree. I guess I'll be making some pie this year! We really like our landlords and I think they like us... they're pretty easygoing. We also have a roommate; a co-worker if Paul's. I think its all going to work out just fine.

I am packing up most of our stuff today and hopefully we can move some larger items too. We are going to hire...let's see... the politically correct term is "day laborer" to help us. Since its a Friday and most people we know are working or out of town this weekend, we are strapped for the help. Our wonderful landlords are letting us move in a week early, which is good because of the lack-of-help issue we have. We will have a whole week to slowly make the move.

I have some helpful hints for packing. Instead of wrapping our breakables in newspaper, I pulled out all of our washcloths, rags, and dishtowels and wrapped them in those. Not only will I not have newspaper ink all over my items, but I won't have to pack these things in their own box! Other linens can also be used to put in between pots and pans and your corning ware to keep them from moving around in the boxes. I took all of the left over receiving blankets I had and I wrapped each individual large picture/print frame I had. I then stacked them on top of each other (about 5 per stack), then I taped the stack together. The tape goes completely around the picture frame, one on each end, both horizontally and vertically. Make sure that the the tape is tight and you have something covering the frame completely, you don't want tape on the frame! I also am not packing anything that doesn't need to be packed. This is a very close move so this isn't a big deal for us. For example, I am not packing our clothes, or even putting them in trash bags. Our drawers pull out of the dressers nicely and they will just be stacked on top of each other in the truck. Generally, we take them out anyway, and only 2 can be carried at a time so it isn't creating more work. That's pretty much all... besides the usual of getting free boxes from behind the grocery stores etc.

OK, its time for me to get packing!

Labels: Announcements, Family Life, household hints, pictures, rachael, The Three Of Us

Posted by MamaEscandon at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments

My sweet baby Clare has finally started crawling! And she is getting into everything! Here I am putting the nice crisp clean sheets on my bed and she is getting into our laundry basket with all of our lonely singleton socks. Apologies for the photo quality, I took it with the camera on our computer.

She started crawling the day before yesterday. It is somewhat of a relief because she can entertain herself for longer periods of time and I can finally get to cleaning the bathrooms (I don't like to clean them with her around with all those yucky chemicals- I am slowly working on all natural cleansers). However, she really likes to play with everything she isn't supposed to be playing with. Despite the mounds of toys she has! For now, she is enjoying the socks and hangers!

I know I always say this, but more post to come!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, pictures, rachael

Posted by MamaEscandon at 3:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

Please pray for Paul's Aunt Julie. She passed away yesterday. She was diagnosed with cancer in January. You can say the following prayer:

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon her
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Labels: Announcements, Family Life, Prayer Requests

Posted by MamaEscandon at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

No, I am not pregnant with twins.

Clare's 5th, yes, FIFTH tooth is coming in!

We're here but I know, I have been MIA for a while. Just busy, trying to keep productive. But I am not sure how that is working out for me. :o)

Some posts to come, photos and video too. Clare learned to splash the water in the tub! She's too cute to put into words. I'll work on getting some stuff up soon for those of you who are having Clare withdrawals.

Peace!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, Nonsense, rachael, Thoughts

Posted by MamaEscandon at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments

OK, so I did it. I took Clare to this obscenely expensive place for her first haircut. I paid $29 (including tip) for a bang trim and a certificate with her hair with a photo. Big whoop. I could have saved myself 10 bucks had I taken her to the other place. She was really cute though. The hairstylist plopped her in the little car chair and she loved it.


Clare with her stylist


Clare right after the cut.


The next morning with bedhead.

She was a pretty good girl. Wiggly, but good nonetheless.

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, pictures, video

Posted by MamaEscandon at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments

I made an appointment for Clare to get her first haircut! I have been thinking about it for a couple weeks now. Yesterday we went to JC Penny to have her photos taken and they didn't come out so great. I put her hair in a ponytail and it was a mess... So, I thought if I cut it then I can get them re-done. I am going to try bangs. I really like her hair pulled to the side though. If I don't like the bangs then I'll just grow them out.

Say goodbye to the manginess!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, pictures, rachael

Posted by MamaEscandon at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments

A few weeks ago my cousin Tawney had a 2nd birthday party for her daughter. This was Clare's first shot at the pinata!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, paul, pictures

Posted by MamaEscandon at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments

Clare can now sit up by herself... kind of. She can hold herself up for about 5 minuites. Then, she topples over.

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life, pictures

Posted by MamaEscandon at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments

Uncle Lee,

I am grown out of my Princeton onsie. Please buy me a new one. Thanks.

Your Niece, Clare

Labels: Announcements, clare

Posted by MamaEscandon at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments

Clare is 5 months old today. Her new favorite thing is to pull mommy's and daddy's glasses off. Fortunately for her, we both wear our glasses 100% of the time. She also likes to reach for everything that I am doing... like the pot of spaghetti I am cooking. Good thing I have quick hands.

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life

Posted by MamaEscandon at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments

I just wanted to annouce quickly before bed that tonight Clare rolled over on her own-from her back to her tummy. Happened right in the middle of a poopy diaper change. Next thing I know, her bare bottom was staring right at me. :o)

We tried to get her to do it again... but it was waaaaay past her bedtime. Maybe tomorrow. I'll have my camera ready to go!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life

Posted by MamaEscandon at 10:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

Yesterday was Clare's 4 month check up! I can't believe how fast she is growing. A whopping 17lbs and 7oz!

I am also delighted to announce that Clare didn't shed a single tear on our long drive to and from the doctors office! This is HUGE! Most of our readers are aware (if they haven't witnessed first hand) of Clare's ability to scream and cry during an entire car ride. In fact, on the way home I was talking to Paul on the phone and Clare fell asleep! She woke up juuuuuust as I was pulling into our parking lot.

Here are some other things Clare is into/doing right now:

• Loving her jumper and bouncing
  
• Goes to bed quickly at night, wakes up only to nurse and then right back to sleep (although, it is every hour )
• Sleeping 12 hours every night
  
• Recently started sucking her thumb to self soothe
• Is on a routine with naps about every 2 hours
• Fits into 9 month size clothes
• Becoming more and more independent and can entertain herself for 20-45 mins
• Sloooooooowly trying to roll over, can roll over to her side from her back
• Gives "kisses" (really, I think she's just trying to suck on anything in reach, but "kisses" is much cuter)
• Pees 3 seconds after being placed in the bath.
  
• Touches the face of those familiar to her with affection
• Holds on with affection and comfort to my hand while nursing
• Makes lots and lots of spit bubbles!
• Sticks her tongue out and blows to make "Pfffttthhh" sound
• Laughs and giggles when played with
• Smiles at those she recognizes
• Always wakes up in a happy mood and with smiles
  

Just typical things a 4 month old does... but she's our first so everything she does is exciting!
We'll get some pictures soon... she's napping right now and when she's happy and awake we'll take some tonight!

Labels: Announcements, clare, Family Life

Posted by MamaEscandon at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments

Hi everyone. Rachael here. I just wanted to come out an say hello and thank you for visiting our blog. I hope to really keep up here with photos, videos, stories, thoughts, reflections etc. Be sure to book mark our page and check back often! I am going to be moving some of my posts from my personal blog over here so you can catch up on what's been going on in this kooky home of ours.

Please don't be shy! We want to hear your comments and thoughts. It's super easy! Just click the link below the post where it says "comments" and type away. I am pretty sure we allow "anonymous" posts, so if you don't want to sign up for a blogger account, that's okay-you don't have to, you can still comment. Just be sure to sign you name at the bottom so we know who you are.

Also, if you click the labels you will be directed to other posts that have that same label or theme.

That's all for now. :o)

Labels: Announcements

Posted by MamaEscandon at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments