The Escandon's Family Blog

Halloween Photos!

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:29:00 +0000

We had a fun filled All Hallow's Eve! I wanted to do something fun with dinner and I invited my Dad, Step Mom, Brother and Sister over for some "Tombstone" Tortilla Soup and Trick or Treating with the girls.

Clare as a lady bug and Lucy in the flower costume. Her tu-tu u is homemade...can you tell?

Here they are with Grandma M...

The whole bunch... that expression defines Clare.

Macy-Mae. Isn't she cute?! I really wish I had a little dog just like her but Clare would crush it.

I look forward to next year. We'll be doing some more traditional All Hallow's Eve/All Saints Traditions and celebrations.

Its here, its here, its finally here!

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Autumn!

Projected forecast today is 65 and maybe some rain tomorrow!

I hope it sticks. Autumn is my favorite season.

Halloween photos coming soon!

More Pumpkins

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The paper mache type of course!

This is a little late but so what? You can always apply this to many different themes! Get creative!

Clare loves crafts. On Tuesday I set out to do something fun that wouldn't include her ripping though our home destructing everything in her path. I found this post on making paper mache Jack 'O Lanterns. The only thing I did differently is instead of using pieces of black paper for the face I thought it would be fun to do "Crazy Face Jack 'O Lanterns" by using pieces cut from magazines. This later turned out to be my biggest mistake.

Kind of creepy; he looks kind of like someone I know but I can't put my finger on it. After he was finished drying off Clare wanted to see him so I handed him over. She turned it around to see the face, took one look, screamed, dropped it, then she cried. I laughed. The rest of the evening he hung out on our counter and Clare would yell "No hold paper" every time she passed.

Pumpkins!

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:50:00 +0000

Saturday morning we all got out of bed and decided at the very last minute possible to go to mass and then to the pumpkin farm to pick out pumpkins and take a family photo. Actually, we were planning on going to mass in the morning and had planned to take the family photos the week before but got busy working on the back yard. So, we got all dolled up and scurried out of the house just in time to make it to mass.

After mass was over at about 9:45 we headed to the pumpkin farm in Wine Country. We quickly found a nice spot to take our photo. Paul took some test shots...

I have no idea what was so interesting over there.

Or what was so disgusting down there.

Whatever it was both girls got a look and didn't like it either.

This is typical. Clare's mischivious grin and Lucy's "What 'cha looking at face". I love test shots, don't you?

This is what we finally came up with.

I am very pleased with the way the photo turned out. I just love the bright blue sky and green grapevines in the background. The colors go well with the brightness of the pumpkins. I had the girls wearing coordinating outfits and they looked adorable. Clare had a great time checking out all the pumpkins and rolling around in the hay. This was her first time to the pumpkin farm. Last year we were out of state visiting friends so we didn't do the whole pumpkin thing. The "farm" also had pig races, a corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides, and a train ride. We decided to forgo all the paid attractions and we were better off. Clare had enough fun watching the pigs and running around the farm and through the corn maze.

Notice the hay on her bum.

She's looking for just the right pumpkin...

Are you in there???

Found it!

Truth be told this isn't the pumpkin she picked out. In fact, she didn't pick out any pumpkins. I had our pumpkins all pick out and ready to go in our wagon. It was already 11:00am and the sun was blazing hot (it was nearly 100 degrees that day). I was ready to GO HOME.

Tonight we got around to carving said pumpkins.

And ta-da! Paul's is on the far left, mine is to the right, Clare's is in the middle with Lucy's righ next to hers.

Burp Cloths

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:00:00 +0000

I made these deliciously adorable burp cloths for my cousin who is due in December. I had seen some with some really hip and trendy designs at a boutique a few months ago at a ridiculous price. I contemplating buying them for Paul's co-worker but there was no way I was paying 30 bucks for a couple of diapers with fabric sewing on them. So, I decided to make them myself.

I have to say they turned out great and I wish I had me a set! Please excuse the poor quality of the photos. Clare broke our camera so these were taken with our video camera and I am still trying to figure out how to use the darned thing.- flash or no flash, white balance, no white balance... etc.

To make your own you will need cloth diapers and fabric. You need as many diapers as you want to make (here I made 6) and enough fabric to cover the center of the diapers (about 1/2 a yard). I recommend using a diaper service quality diaper.

I used some that I already had but they can be purchased online at various diaper retailers. Go with the regular size 4x6x4 thickness. If you go with the 4x8x4 it will have blue stitching and that just ain't pretty. I suppose you could use the popular baby brand "diaper" but they are smaller and not as thick and absorbant as the DSQ diapers. You want these to be soft and fluffy-not cheap-especially if they are a gift.

If your diapers are brand new you want to wash them with HOT water at least 3 times. They will soften and get fluffier every time you wash and dry. You will also want to pre-wash your fabric. Cotton works well for absorbancy but I have seen them with silky satins as well. Choose something cute and funky! Here I chose a boyish dinosaur camo print.

Once your diapers and fabric are washed and dried. Iron out your diaper.

After ironing its going to "grow" about an inch longer on each side.

Sorry I don't have a photo for this part but I am sure you can figure it out. Measure the center rectangle so you can cut your fabric accordingly. Cut your fabric with about an inch allowance on all sides for folding under. Mine measured about 6 inches wide and 20 inches long, with the extra allowance.

Now iron out your fabric

Fold about 1/4-1/2 inch of fabric down on the wrong side of the fabric. I wet my fabric with water so the folds stay down nicely for pinning.

It should look like this when finished.

Lay your fabric on top of the diaper in the center.

I had to make some corrections because I didn't fold down enough.

Much better.

When the fabric is lined up nicely pin down the edges to the diaper like so:

I'm a clutz so I use lots and lots of pins. I went ahead and did all 5 diapers (I had already completed 1) up to this point. Now they are ready to be sewn.

Take them over to your handy dandy sewing machine.

I love this machine. Its a simple machine but it was owned by a wonderful woman before me. I have always had bad experiences with cheap machines. I inherited this one from my late mother in law when she passed. Its great being able to sew with out having to fight with the machine half the time. Bad machines are the exact reason why I have 352 unfinished sewing projects in a Rubbermaid bin in the back of my closet.

Sorry. Back to my wanna-be tutorial.

Sew all 4 sides down. You will want to get as close to the edge as possible. Repeat, repeat, repeat with all your burp cloths.

Your finished product should look something like this:

I really liked the way they turned out and they are re-e-e-a-a-lly easy! Perfect homemade gift for a beginner! Your gift-ee will have a wonderful homemade (with love), personalized, and practical item. I have a 3 month old. Trust me. One can never have too many burp cloths (aka spit up rags)! They are also very cute and fashionable!

These only took me about 5 hours to complete. But unless you also have a hungry husband, screaming toddler, and fussy/sleepy newborn, and dinner burning on the stove... I am sure you'll finish yours in record time!

As Promised.

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 04:51:00 +0000

July 18th at 6:15 pm Lucy Rose was born right into her Daddy's hands here at home. She was 6lbs 11oz. We had a wonderful, beautiful, and intimate home birth.

It all started earlier that morning at about 2:30 am. I woke up having to use the restroom. When I laid back down in bed I felt a small gush of amniotic fluid. I woke up Paul and told him what was happening. Funny thing is that the night before we got to bed late (well, we always go to bed late). But this time we met some friends at the local amphitheater to see a classic rock cover band preform. I had been pretty much on the go the entire week. Paul said as we were falling asleep "We have to stop doing this, you better get some rest before the baby comes". Little did we know that she would be sleeping there in that very bed less than 24 hours later.

When we woke up we jumped the gun (not knowing what to expect) and called the midwife. She said to try to get some rest, relax, and do whatever made me comfortable. I called my mom to come help with Clare. She came over and crashed on our couch. Paul had the birth pool inflated and we pulled out all of our birth supplies from the closet so we would be sure they were ready and available when we needed them. We all went back to sleep and I got as much rest as possible. I had been practicing Hypnobirthing so I put on my CD and just breathed slowly and relaxed, just as I had prepared.

In the morning we woke up and our pool had a rip... so off I went to the store with my mom to get a new pool. Things were getting stronger but I was still able to walk and talk through the contractions. They were very irregular. We got home and I tried to nap (by this time it was 11am). Things kind of putzed around and the contractions were definitely getting stronger as I had to pause and breath through them. At about 2 I suggested we take a stroll through the neighborhood to see if the contractions would come closer together. That did the trick. We came home and I couldn't find a comfortable spot to relax! I had a bizarre craving for cake and sent my mom out for a white cake with strawberry filling and whipped topping. It hit the spot.

It was 4:30 when I called the midwife. I asked her if I could get into the pool because things were getting very intense, but still irregular. She said it might be too early still (I am a GBS + candidate and I opted not to take any precautions- the water can increase infection if your water breaks early in labor as mine had)... but I was having trouble walking and talking through the contractions. I suggested she head on over since the earliest she would arrive would be around 6:00pm with the Friday traffic.

Earlier that day I made Paul cover up all my windows in the bedroom with heavy blanket. It was a nice and quiet birthing cave; complete with candles and Gregorian chant playing in the background.

My mom was keeping Clare occupied and busy making me albondigas soup per my request. At about 5pm. I got in the pool. It was so incredible. Paul and I labored in our dark, peaceful bedroom. Alone. I don't remember my contractions being very consistent at this point either. They were however, very long and very close together. I had probably 10-12 good contractions before I felt a LOT of pressure. Just then, at 6:00pm my midwife arrived. Just as I predicted. The pressure in my bottom was overwhelming. I did not have the pleasure of experiencing a natural childbirth the first time around so I wasn't sure the baby was ready to be born yet... but my midwife assured me otherwise. She felt around and said the baby's head was already down. I hadn't even pushed! I had breathed her down the previous hour or so. I was in hard labor longer than I thought. We quickly called Clare and my mom in. I really wanted Clare to experience this with us. All she waneted to do was get in the "pool wah wah" with mama! Within minutes and a couple of good pushes, Lucy came out and was "caught" by her Daddy. Imediately she was placed on my tummy. Clare was horrified. I wish I could have captured her face on camera. She looked down at the baby then at me. Totally confused as to what just happend!

Baby was healthy and so, so calm. It was amazing. I latched her onto the breast soon after and we was nursing like an old pro. Even though Clare had been weaned a good 3 months, as soon as the baby latched she started yelling "no, no, no, no!" and pointing. I have to take a moment to brag for myself and baby that during the "learning" period that most breastfeeding mama's and babies go through, ours was practically painless. I didn't feel sore for a single day. She really was a nursing champ, I tell ya.

Paul was extremely pleased with the experience as well. We both agreed that we will never go back to birthing in a hospital. Unless (of course) it is medically necessary. He jokes he was able to watch the Dodger game between contractions. Although I don't think he was really joking.

Recovery after a natural childbirth (especially at home) is amazing. I almost felt like wonder woman. It was as if this event was just part of our day. After the shower, clean up, and post delivery exams, we just went about our evening. I had a delicious bowl of soup for dinner while Lucy spent some time in the arms of her grandparents and aunts/uncles. With a home birth you don't go anywhere so you don't come home feeling overwhelmed with the other children, piles of laundry, piles of dishes that accumulated while you were gone, and all the duties of running a home. You just go about your routine as much as you can. It still comes with its challenges that most are faced with having a newborn and healing though. I was on cloud nine. That night I cuddled with my husband and my newborn baby girl. In my own bed. In my own home. In my own pajamas.

In the hours proceeding the birth I remember at one point saying out loud "Lets to that again". Would I? Abso-freaking-lutely.

She always has this "What are YOU looking at?" expression on her face. Don't let it fool you. She's just acting tough. Lucy is one very sweet and tender little baby. She looks just like her Daddy. I love her... and the cleft chin.

3 Years...

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:32:00 +0000

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.

31 Day Challenge.

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:24:00 +0000

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.

VIDEO_006

noreply@blogger.com (P. Escandon) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:22:00 +0000

Back, by popular demand!

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 06:02:00 +0000

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!

In May we went on our first uber-vacation to Walt Disney World, complete with a vomiting child on the entire flight home! But here she is having a blast at Animal Kingdom... all decked out in her new hat that she owned for a mere hour and a half before loosing it.

Paul is working, working away, working hard taking care of his family! He returns to teaching after the new year, possibly at a second school. There is also a possibility of a promotion of sorts. Its an entirely new department so everything is up in the air right now and we likely won't know until the end of year.

As for me? I have a mom mobile! That's right. We joined the mini-van club! A couple weeks ago we got an awesome deal on a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan (stock photo... ours is silver). I love driving around in it, Clare loves it too especially when the DVD player is on . Lucy on the other hand, not so much! This child screams from the second she is placed in the car seat until she is taken out, nursed, and held.

So, that's it in a nutshell. Busy, busy, busy... although I guess it isn't too exciting. Just your run of the mill family life!

Bonsai!

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:59:00 +0000

Yesterday we met Paul and his ~~boy~~friend John (or is it Jon?) for lunch. My brother came with. We love this place. Lunch is perfect because its half the price of dinner and the portions are a tad smaller... you still get stuffed but its not as much food as dinner time. As it was, we all waddled out of there. This was Clare's first Bonsai experience and I think it freaked her out just a tad.

Uncle Cj sure was enjoying himself and the rooster sauce.

That's John... and that's our punk rock daughter who picked out her own clothes. I even tried to hide that shirt that's on top in the dresser. She pulled out ALL the clothes to find it and demanded I put it on her. You can't see the Chucks she's wearing... but they are really cute. We got them from a friend and they are Clare's new favorite shoes.

I think its ironic that this place has a Mexican making Japanese food. He's a pretty nice guy. Funny too. That's his onion volcano. You can't see the flame too well with the flash. Oops.

Clare's not too sure about that huge fire.

Paul was dumbfounded as well.

Then they decided lunch called for a Hi-Five.

When in doubt, give it away for FREE!

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Sat, 03 May 2008 22:28:00 +0000

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.

Proud Mama Moments

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:41:00 +0000

Nothing makes a Mama more proud than to open the refrigerator door and have your toddler begging you for carrots.

Fish Tacos... again!

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:32:00 +0000

I am really trying to use up what's left in our freezer before buying more groceries. Recently I bought some yummy "Panko Breaded Tilapia Fish Fillets" at Costco. I never realized that Paul doesn't really like breaded fish. So what to do with these fillets? Fish tacos of course! We love Rubios (even Paul) and the tacos average about $2 each. I'm not too sure how much my homemade version costs but it makes great use out of stuff I already have on hand and we don't have to eat with the crowds!

I am serving these with homemade pinto (or charro) beans, and some steamed white rice flavored with parsley.

Check out my previous post on fish tacos I did sometime last year. And, if you haven't tried them, nows the time! :o)

Gotta love that face.

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:33:00 +0000

Hurricane Clare

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Fri, 02 May 2008 02:43:00 +0000

This is what it looks like when Mama doesn't pay any mind to what Clare is doing. I spent all afternoon packing up our kitchen. Clare went napless and played happily while destroying our house. Since she was playing so well and I was getting so much done, I figured I would just let her be... and this is what my home looked like.

Clare's play area... and some "new to us" leather couches I scored for $60 at a garage sale a couple weeks ago.

I think she pulled out every single toy from her box.

Our family room. That's my brother, here visiting.

My kitchen... this actuall looks worse in person. There's a pile of stuff under the table.

This is my kitchen mat turned into beautiful canvas of sidewalk chalk artwork.

And, that is Clare's new favorite puzzle. I think she has completed it about 100 times today. She's an old pro with the puzzles now, practically over night! Oh, and theres some cardboard I used to protect my glass items I was packing. I have to admit the house still looks this way. I am too exhausted right now to clean it up. I have been experiencing some pretty intense pelvic pain today... I need a break!

I can't even get someone to take it for free...

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:21:00 +0000

I have been trying to get rid of our old stackable washer and dryer for a while now. We bought it when we lived in our last apartment. I paid way to much for it in the first place, replaced the motor in the washer, and the timer. I sold it late last year but it was returned because the dryer broke. I felt bad for the guy since I didn't mean to sell it to him that way...

Anyway, I got really lazy about the whole thing and its been taking up space in our garage for nearly a year. The past month or so I have tried to sell it, freecycle it, throw it away, give it away and recycle it... all with no success.

I tried selling it, but it broke en route to its new home. Then, I was an idiot and had a repair man come take a look so I could sell it but tell the buyer what was wrong. Boy was that a mistake. Cost me 50 bucks and the repair man said it was going to cost just... oh another $350 to get it fixed. So I put it on craigslist to see if someone would at least pay me $50 for what I paid to have the guy come look at it. I was thinking it was a sweet deal because they were at least getting a washer. So someone came to buy it. He was an appliance repair man. Go figure. He opened up the washer and said the transmission was leaking. Long story short, he didn't buy it.

I got on the phone with waste management to schedule a pick up for the following Friday. I just wanted this thing out of my garage (I'm sure our house mate does too)! I was supposed to have it out on the driveway by 6am that morning. Well, Thursdays Paul teaches his class in San Diego and he was dropping us off at my mom's work so we could go to a birthday celebration for my grandmother. Long story short, we got home so late I forgot to put it out.

Too embarassed to call waste management, I tried to freecyel the darn thing. No takers. I put it for free on good 'ole trusty craigslist. I had not 1, not 2, but THREE people offering to pick it up- ASAP. They all said they would come "tomorrow". Long story short: when I reply via email my info, I never hear back.

A kind freecyler told me about a local family owned recyling company that will come pick up your waste free of charge. I know now why they offer it for free. Because no one in their right mind would pay for the type of service they have given me. I called 3 times to schedule a pick up for the appliance and some random e-waste. Each time they have taken my name and number, promising to call me back with a date. Three weeks later, I still don't get a call. I emailed the company with a complaint last week... they never responded. I called again and asked to speak to a supervisor. I finally got a pick up scheduled but they couldn't give me a date. So I sit here and I wait... and wait... and hope that I can get rid of this piece of crap ASAP. Doubt it.

Long story short: I may have to actually pay someone to haul this junk away.

Lesson learned? Never, never purchase a 15 year old appliance. I am not going to embarrass myself any further by actually disclosing how much I paid for this thing.

Be Inspired

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:28:00 +0000

OK, the hand washing of clothes is a little much... so are the hand powered appliances. I am not so sure I could go that far (although I did grow up watching/helping my grandmother hand wash their clothes). But think of all the money saved! I suppose when I have my little army of children it wouldn't be so bad. I already hang dry my clothes. I would love for all of our produce come from our own yard. However, I do enjoy the convenience of having certain fruits out of season. I can't wait to get my garden going next spring. I just wish we didn't have the HOA telling us what to do with our yard and not allowing us to be self sustaining!

April Fool's

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:03:00 +0000

Tonight while was getting Clare ready for bed I received a phone call from an unknown number. FYI, for our home purchase, my mom is handling the FHA loan we are going with. The conversation went a little something like this:

Me: "Hello"

Mom: "Hey, its Mom. We need to talk. We have a problem".

Me: "What is it?"

Mom:"Well, we are going to have to figure out what we are going to do. We aren't going to be able to do the loan on the house".

Me: "What?! Why not"?

Mom: "Well, FHA has some really strict guidelines."

Me: "Uh huh".

Mom: "And apparently Paul has a warrant out for his arrest".

Me: "WHAAAT?! For what? That's not possible". All I can think is "Great, now I have to call my Dad".

Mom: "I know, I thought he was so innocent."

Me: "What for"?

Mom: "I don't know you are going to have to talk to him".

My heart is pounding. At this point I am starting to freak out and I am pretty sure pre-term labor is starting.

Then, Paul comes in the room screaming:

"APRIL FOOLS!"

Yes, it was all his idea.

Whoever says Wheaties is the "Breakfast of Champions"...

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:24:00 +0000

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.

Random

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:09:00 +0000

I know its been quite a while. Not sure if anyone missed us. With my first trimester behind me, I have been spending a lot of time trying to catch up on the housework and chores that have been neglected lately. I plan on taking another hiatus from the computer starting Wednesday of next week and I won't be back until after Easter. So, I wanted to update and what's been going on around here.

Christmas was great. We spent Christmas Eve at my maternal Grandmothers with my side of the family. We had a delicious meal of pozole and tamales. Christmas morning we got up and went to Mass at The Mission, then went to my dad's for the early afternoon. We came home and all crashed for a family nap. Unfortunately, we do not have many photos. We were too busy enjoying our time. Plus, we didn't do any family gifts on Christmas. Both Paul and myself gave in and gave our presents over a week early. I bought him a rain coat he can use when he is filming in the rain, along with some fleece pajama bottoms. And I got an awesome HP laptop! We figure Clare was still to little to get the whole Christmas thing and we haven't decided on what traditions we are going to be celebrating so we just skipped buying her a present (read on... we make up for it). So we didn't have a Christmas morning at the tree. I will share the few photos we do have.

Paul went to the Rose Bowl with his father. Second year in a row, by the way.

The second week in January we took a mini-vacation to Big Bear Mountain. It was Clare's first time in the snow. Sadly, we forgot our camera so we didn't get the best photos. But I got two from my camera phone and a cute video of Clare and Paul sledding. I did try sledding but it was a little bouncy so I didn't want to do it again. I got a couple cute shots of her checking out the snow in her snow suit. She was really cute, she hated being inside the room in the lodge and wanted to be outside the whole time!

Clare & Daddy Sledding (H264) from The Escandons on Vimeo.

Clare is getting so stinkin' big! I can't believe it. She is no longer my baby but my big walking, running, toddler. She helps me all around the house and wants to do everything on her own. Her vocabulary is growing. She can now say baby, uh ooh, & mama (in addition to the words she was saying at Christmas time). She loves stuffed animals and loves to cuddle with them and take the small ones with her everywhere. Funny thing is that I don't care much for them. They are mere dust collectors. But hey, they make her happy and that makes me happy. I love watching her cuddle and kiss the animals. She is such a lover girl. She sees my belly and says "baby" and puts her lips out to kiss it! She loves other children also and wants to give them all love! I know she is just going to be a loving big sister. I can't wait! Here she is helping me rake the leaves in the front yard.

As I said, we made up for Christmas. I had been eying the Radio Flyer walker wagon for a while now... and I fell in love when Clare and I went to visit our friends in Washington (who happen to have one). So one Saturday afternoon we got in the car and drove down to Escondido to my favorite store. I am hooked to that store and we buy every gift for children there. They have a wonderful collection of wooden and classic toys. Just my style. They also carry organic baby and children's clothes, soft shoes, cloth diapers & accessories, baby slings, and so much other awesome stuff! Ok, commercial over. Clare loves her walker wagon. She plays with it more than her other walking toys. She loves to sit in it-even when playing by herself and loves to put her toys and stuffed animals in it and push them around. We took it with us one day when we went to mass so she could play with it afterwards. She and another boy from church had a good time. I blocked out his face because I did not get permission from his mother to post his photo on the internet.

And now there is me. I am currently about 14 weeks pregnant. Now that I am in the second trimester, I have a lot more energy to keep up on my wifely and motherly duties. The house is slowly starting to come together... although all it takes is a blink and Clare destroys or annihilates something. :o) She certainly is keeping me busy. I am being confirmed this Easter and that is exciting for me. I am attending RCIA with other converts to the Faith. So, my Lenten preparation for Easter I will be taking a hiatus from the computer and will be trying to immerse myself in prayer, spiritual reading, and my vocation. I hope to return with a new attitude on life and my Faith.

That's pretty much it for now... Paul's going to Las Vegas this weekend with work so Clare and I will spend the next 5 days or so trying to keep busy. I think a trip to the Wild Animal Park is in order!

Christmas Recap.

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 06:24:00 +0000

Make a photobook - it's easy!

Please excuse our daughter's unruly hair! She won't let me near it with the brush. I tried putting something in it to hold it back and she pulled it out along with a chunk of hair! We had a great Christmas, I just wish we got some more/better photos. We were too busy enjoying ourselves! We went to my Grandmother's for Christmas Eve, went to a beautiful mass at the Mission, then to my Dad's for Christmas day. On Christmas night Paul's Dad came over to exchange gifts. We spent the rest of the time relaxing. Thursday night my sister in law and her bunch came over to hang out and exchange gifts. It was so much fun watching Clare have a good time playing with her cousins! She got to bed really late (almost 11pm) but she had a blast running around with them! Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures. Maybe next time!

Enjoy the picture book!

Our Christmas Letter...

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:14:00 +0000

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.

This is the life...

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:01:00 +0000

My mom came over today to watch Clare for me. They went out for a walk and the house is quiet. To top it off, I am laying in my bed at 10am in my pjs playing with the awesome laptop Paul got me for Christmas.

I think I will now take a nap.

NFP vs. Contraception

noreply@blogger.com (MamaEscandon) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 22:46:00 +0000

I love these clips! They are a bit cheesy but do a great job at getting the message across!