She's One!...and Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year!

The name of this blog needs to be changed to "Ava Bug's Blog that's usually really late and therefore sort of anti-climatic". Seriously. 

Here she is on her actual birthday! You may be asking yourself "Does the end of the monthly birthdays mean that Ava won't be subjected to endless supplies of tutus anymore?". Ha! You rascal. Ava loves tutus (she told me). So I've learned to make them. 

When Art and I were dating, our parents each decided (separately) to buy condos in Naples. Very fortuitous; we never have to rotate Christmas and get to see the whole family every year!  We didn't go last year, obviously, since she was just days old. But now we're back in the groove! 

On Christmas morning, she was thrilled to open presents...and then run around the house with them. The only reason I included this picture was for the look of total determination on her face. 

Here's my little hula dancer on the beach. Even though it was a blustery 65 degrees that day, she ran herself ragged and rewarded us with a two hour nap. 

Ever since Ava was born, my Dad has been talking about playing "Baby Toss" in the pool with her. He finally got his chance. Sink or swim, Ava. 

Ava was THRILLED to eat at Tommy Bahamas with Uncle Rob...

And Aunt Alexis (she was breaking down by the end of vacay; time to go pack up). Let us never speak of the plane ride home, except to call it "The Flight Which Shall Not Be Named".

Art had to go back to Chicago for work, but Ava and I stayed longer in order to enjoy some more family time. Here with are with Grandma and Grandpa P before we left. Notice the roll in her hand- it's like baby crack. 

Christmas baby! 

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to my sweet girl. 

New tricks:

Walking! On December 2nd, even though she'd walked a few steps before, she got up and walked across the basement on her own. Now she's everywhere!

-Can now identify her belly. And your belly. If you ever see Ava and she comes over and lifts up your shirt, don't be offended. She's just showing you where your belly is. 

-Claps...and expects you to clap along with her. She will repeatedly prompt you until you do as she says. Bossy.

Favorite Toys:

-Bitty Baby and stroller. She pushes it around and takes the baby out and smacks her in the face and then gives her a hug. We're trying to work on "gentle".

-Kate. Poor, poor Kate is just abused all the time. But she takes it like a good hound and lets Ava pull her ears, yank on her tail and "kiss" her on the side.

Favorite Foods:

-Spinach cakes. Which sound disgusting...but are actually tasty.

-Mini wheat bagels. I pull these things out and you'd think I was offering her the keys to the castle. I'll take it.

New words:

-"Ho ho" (when asked what Santa says).

-"Bebe" (when asked to say baby)

-Two days ago she looked at Art and said, "Hi, Dada". Twice. 

Stats: 


Weight: 21 lbs; 50th %ile
Height: 29": 47th %ile
Head: 48.5 cm: 100%ile....every time I'm at the doctor with her and he enters her head stats into the computer, it comes up all red with warning flags.