I'm late, I'm late, for a Very Important Eight!

Someone is a little late on the blogs these days. Hint: Ava. Anyway, Ava's 8-month milestone has come and gone. We've had a busy summer, so here's what Ava has been up to over the past month.

First, we enjoyed a visit from Uncle Rob before he moved out to Orange, CA to pursue his film/MBA dreams at Chapman. We miss you Bobbert!

Modeling my "Hollywood" onesie from Uncle Rob. He promised he'll cast me in his movies. I told him to call my agent. And if Grandpa E has anything to say about it, I actually will have an agent.

*Editor's note: I get a call from my Dad at least once a month asking me if I've signed Ava with a talent agency yet. And he's dead serious. Clearly I take this as an unbiased opinion of her cuteness.

Let me show you my wide range of emotion. I call this my "Pantus Fillus" face.

Next, we went up northern Michigan for our friends Jake & Elana's wedding. It was gorgeous and meaningful.

Until it devolved into this.

After we got back from Michigan, it was Ava's 8-month birthday! A little over 100 days until Ava's first birthday party. Planning has already commenced.

Why do I have so many different colored tutus, you ask? Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green? Why are my cheeks so chubby?

After that, Grandma and Grandpa E came up to visit and be overall baby hogs. Grandma was intent on teaching me to crawl before she left. But Mommy says she's okay with me not crawling. Something about preserving her sanity for a few more weeks.

Now see here, Granny. I'll do it when I'm good and ready. Hopefully on a day when Mommy least expects it and has a lot to get done around the house.

My belly continues to grow. And grow. I've decided I don't like my bottle anymore and prefer adult food. And foam cutouts. I looooove foam cutouts.

My cousin Matt came to visit me from Indy. Here I am, showing him my duckie. Foam: It's what's for breakfast.

BTW: I'm bringing side ponytails back. They're so fetch.

Sorry this blog is so late (and not what Mommy had planned). Maybe one of these days she'll actually get one in on time. Until next time, party like it's 1999 and let your hair go wild. Ciao!

Ava Potter: Baby Wizard

Disclaimer: If you like Harry Potter and/or babies in ridiculous predicaments, then this blog is for you. However, if you dislike Harry Potter (loser) and or babies performing spells, leave now. You have been warned.

Ava's 7 month birthday fell during the week of the last Harry Potter movie release. Coincidence? Doubtful. Not when her Mom is a full-fledged HP geek. So with the help of trusty Uncle Bobbert (Art refused to help with this blog. Way to ensure that you don't make the cut in any future blogs, "daddy"), we chronicled Ava's wizarding adventures.

Yes. That is a scar on my head. Legend has it that a magical "eyeliner pen" scarred me when I was sleeping. One day I shall figure out how to remove it. One day.

Oh my gosh, I'm so nervous. What if the sorting hat makes a mistake???

Sorting Hat: Hmm, difficult. VERY difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes. And a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?

Ava: Please not Hufflepuff, please don't say Hufflepuff.

Sorting Hat: Not Hufflepuff, eh? Are you sure? You could be mediocre there, you know. It's all here in your head. And Hufflepuff will help you on the way to anonymity, there's no doubt about that. No? Well, if you're sure. Better be....GRYFFINDOR!  

 Whew! That was close. Off I go on some wizarding adventures!

 Oh no! My playmat has been torn apart, possibly by a rampant puppy. Let me just pull out my trusty wand here....(Ava's wand is activated by saliva, apparently).

REPARO!

Much better.

I'm hungry, but this bottle is tinky. I need something a bit larger. Hmmm. ENGORGIO!

Perfect.

How did my yami get down there? I can't reach it! I've got it.

ACCIO YAMI!

I'm really getting the hang of this magic stuff. Maybe I can do some spells to turn my vegetables into mangos and apples. Hmmm, I'll have to look into that.

Darn it! There's a Horcrux behind this wall of stuffed animals. I know just what to do!

REDUCTO!

There it is! Slytherin's ring. How did it wind up in Mommy's jewelry box?

*GASP* It's a big scary dementor named Uncle Bobbert! Lucky for me I have a cool patronus!

EXPECTO PATRONUM!

(Editor's note: Okay, I can kind of see how Art would be reluctant to help out with this).

My patronus is the shape of my puppy. See how lifelike it is?

Wow, this dementor is taking an awfully long time to vanish.

Stop milking your camera time, guy.

The lion has challenged me to a wizarding duel. How is he holding onto his wand? It looks like some sort of a magical chip clip contraption. Oh well...

EXPELLIARMUS!

Now I have TWO wands to eat. Delicious, delicious wood. Yum.

My patronus just won't stop following me around and sleeping on my feet. That's how awesome I am at magic.

Now it's time for bed. A little light reading to help me go down easier.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I'm seven months now. Sorry this is a little late. Love potions and magical wishes to all my friends!



Vermont Visit

Ava had a fabulous 4th while hosting her cousins from Vermont, David and Matthew. A couple of my favorite photos from the week:

Ava, Matthew and Kate playing in Ava's room. I love how they're looking at each other.

A Cubs fan with her two die-hard Red Sox fan cousins.

Ava and her best buddy David (modeling his home-made Angry Birds shirt drawn by moi and painted by David).


Ava's 7-month blog will be postponed until next week. We leave for Cape Cod for more cousin-visiting tomorrow and won't be back until next week. Teaser- Ava is a wizard. Yes, a wee wizard.

Happy Birthday America!

God Bless America, land that I love,

Stand beside her, and guide her,

Through the night, with the light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam,

God bless America, my home sweet home.

Happy 4th of July! Love, Ava

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Some families have family heirlooms. Antiques, books, jewelry. My family has a family bikini. Every girl born in the last 35 years has worn this little number. Here I am, below, in 1982. As you can see, the propensity for dressing children in absurd accessories is a hereditary trait.

Here's Ava 29 years later at Girl's Weekend. Wow. My daughter is WAY cuter than I was as a kiddo.



The Darlingest Catch

We've had a crazy 10 days of traveling to Champaign for Father's Day, back to Chicago, then to Champaign again a couple days later, then to Brown County, IN, back to Champaign and finally home. Whew.





I know precisely nothing about the show The Deadliest Catch. However, if there were a baby edition, Ava would be the star. Or, I guess she could be the villain from I Know What You Did Last Summer. Either way, thanks, Grandma E, for the cool hat and boots.

I'll be able to wear these sometime in 2014. I guess you could say I'm saving them for a rainy day. Hardy har har.



 I'd like to congratulate Art for officially making the blog. He hasn't been on it since he posted his one and only contribution (the first post) back in January and included a couple photos of himself. This is Father's Day with Grandpa E down in Champaign. Hooray! Ava has a dad.

After we got home on Father's Day, Grandma & Grandpa P came to see Ava. Happy belated Father's Day to all the dads out there!

After FD Weekend, we came back to Chicago, then headed back down south to Brown County for our 7th Annual Girl's Weekend. Ava got to meet her cousins Elle and Sophie. Heather and Pam got them matching pj's, natch.

Modeling her pre-bedtime hair with Aunt Peggy. Someone is going to make an EXCELLENT Harry Potter for Hallowen.

"Come a little closer and tell me I need to do more tummy time. No? That's what I thought".

Aunt Peggyis getting her bid in early and bought Ava a Trevecca shirt, where she works. Ava has family alums from U of I, Marquette, Harvard, Clark, IU, Purdue, North Park, Miami and Babson, to name a few. I forsee quite the college tour in 2028.

We rounded out our whirlwind 10 days by dropping Grandma E off in Champaign before heading back home. Cousin Matt was waiting to see Ava and fed her before he headed back home.

Next up, cousins visiting from Vermont next weekend and Aunt Alexis comes to town. Gearing up for the 4th....