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Halloween ‘08 was somewhat of a disaster.  Doodlebug came down with her first ear infection(s).  The Thursday before Halloween, she was kinda sneezy but no fever so I thought she was just getting her allergy groove on again.  Little did I know that a 102.5 fever was waiting for us when we woke up.  Not only did Doodle have a fever, but I was down for the count as well.  It wasn’t pretty.  I had planned to put her in her M&M outfit for her daycare’s “Fall Festival.”  Instead, we made an emergency visit to the peditrician’s office in her jammies. Luckily, Doodle goes to an awesome daycare and they took pictures the day before Halloween so at least we got something.

All is well now… as soon as her daddy gets over whatever we shared with him.

This came home just last week from Claire’s school. All classroom windows were decorated with little bat feet.

More proof that Claire-Bear is a creative genius! :)  We’re getting ready for the dissertation now.

Well that’s what Uncle John called Claire.  Who can resist a baby in sunglasses?  Thanks Auntie Angie for the cool shades!

Rob and I took Doodle to a pumpkin patch for her first Halloween pictures.  I think she enjoyed it more than the audience that she attracted.  Can’t wait for Halloween!  Doodle is going to help me hand out candy.  She may jump out of the bushes at unsuspecting “monsters.”

On a side note… Congrats to Katie and Nate on their newborn baby boy!  Katie and I are planning an arranged marriage between little Michael and Claire.

Doodle got a new chair and book… I’m serious about the thesis!

Claire got through her first road trip just fine.  We took Doodle to Bay City to see MaMaw and PawPaw last weekend.  She slept through about 2.5 hours of the 3 hour trip down to BC.  About 30 minutes out, she needed a bottle.  She ate and I wondered how to burp her on the road.  Didn’t really matter, it came out on it’s own.  A good time was had by all in the City by the Bay.  Claire went to her first Fish Fry - I only ate from the dessert table.  MaMaw was a little upset when we went to that nameless big-box store in BC.  She didn’t run into any of her friends!  This is completely unheard of in such a big store/small town. :)  The trip back was a little more harried.  Spudlette was a little cranky most of the way home.  I think she missed snoozing with PawPaw in his big chair.

Since the road trip went well, Rob and I decided to fly to Lubbock in November so Doodle Bug could hang out with Uncle Kevin, Aunt Roxie and Aunt Marci.  We compared the 1.5 hour flight time to the 7 or 8 hour drive time and, well, it was a no-brainer.  I will apologize right now - in advance - to all fellow fliers on our plane(s). I tried to book flights that were close to Claire’s nap time so she’ll be a little drowsey and I will have bottles and her paci(s) on the ready.  We’ll see how it goes.  Any advice from other parents with small children that have flown before?

For now… here’s a cute picture of Doodle’s Game Face!

Thanks to those of you who have asked how Claire is doing in her new daycare.  She’s having a good time and the teachers are wonderful.  I think Doodle is a creative genius, too.  She’s already done artwork!  Pretty soon, she’ll be writing her thesis.

There have been many advances in the Land of Spud these last two weeks.  Claire had her first day at “school” and it went ok.  I was in tears but Claire did fine.  When I went to visit her at lunch, she had such a tired and confused look on her little face.  In her short life, she hadn’t heard another baby cry other than herself and I think it was a startling sound to her.  I went back to work and haven’t stopped since I sat at my desk at 7:45am that morning!  It’s good to be back but I so miss all the little things about hanging out with Claire-Bear all day.  Oct. 1, she will be changing to a new day care facility that provides more care and fun for the Doodle (and she won’t be threatened with the flying fingers of one aggressive little boy who shall remain nameless).

Another big change - Doodle Long Legs has out-grown her bassinette!

She slept in her crib for the first time Friday night!

Claire had more wiggle room even though it was a  longer walk to get her in the middle of the night.  Luckily, she’s sleeping through the night unless she gets herself sideways in the bassinette and starts grunting.  She only woke up once crying but immediately fell asleep.  I think she really enjoyed the new sleeping arrangements.  I put her down with her head at one end and she woke up with her head at the other end.  She must be baby breakdancing now that she has the space.  Claire-Bear looks so tiny in the crib!  By the way, that is an outfit sized for a SIX month old she’s wearing!  I tried a three month (what she’s wearing now) on her but it was too short.  She can fit into three months as long as it doesn’t have footies in it.

Claire is so very alert these days. One of her favorite things to look at is the TV.  It’s big and flashy and has already caught her attention at 9 weeks of age!  Hmmm… does this have anything to do with TV parents?  Pretty soon, our lives will be filled with PBS, Nickolodeon and The Disney Channel.  I thank the technology gods for giving us DVR!

All in all, we three Igos are doing great!  I can’t wait for the babbling phase to start!

She is the sweetest thing in the world… and she has a hot mom!

Claire had her 2 month well-baby visit today.  She now weighs 11lbs 6 oz (80th percentile) and is 23 1/2 inches long (95th percentile).  That’s why she’s wearing 3 month old clothes!  She also got her first round of shots.  It was traumatic… for me.  Claire was just fine.  Nurse Kathy (best pediatric nurse EVER) stuck her 3 times quickly, Claire cried for about 5 minutes then fell asleep.  We had to get the first round a little early since she starts daycare on Monday.  I can’t believe 8 weeks have already gone by.  I don’t know if I’m ready to be without her.  It’s a great daycare and we’re happy to be with them… but there are some “older” boys in her room!  I’m sure with her outgoing personality she’ll make friends in no time and tell everyone how to do it right.

Claire has hit her first growth spurt… eating, sleeping and best of all, smiling.  She has the best grin when you tickle her under her chin.  Aunt Mandy bought her a new, very cool swing that she just loves to fall asleep in.  I love the fact that she’s completely content swinging even though I want to hold her 24/7.

And speaking of sleeping… Claire slept through the night for the first time last night!  We put her down around 10:30 and she slept until 7:30!  I feel rejuvenated!  So much so, I’m going shopping! :)  Claire and Daddy are going to spend the afternoon together.  I think she’s going to have her first lesson in editing videos on Daddy’s new Mac.   Our goal is to have her editing Baby Einstein videos before her first birthday.