Much to be Thankful for.....

Dean and Jena gave us lots of parenting wisdom Tilly, Elinor, and Davis took great care of Ava

Goofy shot of the whole family!

Give me some Turkey! Aunt Julie had the magic touch to calm down Ava

Tilly is a natural with babies!

Jena and Ava

We just returned from a wonderful Thanksgiving trip to Marietta, GA to visit my family. Greg is permited to travel 350 miles without having to take leave so we have enjoyed taking several trips to Marietta in the past year (exactly 348 miles from Pensacola). We stuffed our faces with delicious Southern food while relaxing with the family. Ava was welcomed with adorable outfits so she can dress like a true Southern Belle. Tilly, Elinor, and Davis were especially attentive to Ava's needs and loved to hold her. Ava falls asleep instantly during car trips so the traveling was very easy. We are the most thankful for our supportive family this year.

Hints of personality....

Daddy Play time

Taking Ava out around Pensacola Already getting spoiled by Grandmas

Social Ava irritated Ava Happy Ava

We have had a pretty quiet week. We were sad to see Grandma and Lita go on Saturday. We have been spending lots of quality time at home where Ava has perfected rolling over. She now does it about every other day and even did it twice yesterday! We are amazed. Ava is already showing a liking to music. She is instantly calmed by singing or classical music. She is spending more time awake everyday and her personality is starting to shine through. She is a very social baby and loves to be held and talked to. We went to the doctor this week and she weighed in at 8lbs 3 oz and is in the 75 percentile in height and weight for her age group. Greg has been able to spend the entire month of November at home with Ava and I because of how his class schedule has worked out. He has really gotten to know his little girl.

Ava on the move

Center of Attention!

Being spoiled with homemade dinners by Greg's mom

Ava's "Whadda ya looking at" face

Squishy cheeks!

Her "I just went to the bathroom face".

Ava had a monumental first on her 13th day of life- she rolled over! She showed off this amazing skill in front of her Mommy and Daddy. Her Grandmas had a hard time believing this until Ava performed the same act for them two days later! She rolled over both times from her tummy to her back. Look out world Ava is on the move!

Bath Time

Ava's umbilical cord fell off so she has graduated from the sponge bath to the infant bath tub. Here are pictures of her first bath. It was a three person job that could only be accomplished with the help of loving grandmothers. Baths are not her favorite pasttime at the moment.

Time spent well

Daddy loves to play

Peekaboo Ava! Sleep tight baby girl

Baby Ava Photo Shoot

Ava didn't get the memo that we are paparazzi style picture takers

Daddy's Girl Ava on the beautiful blanket handmade by her Aunt Betsy Sweet Dreams baby Ava

Beach Baby

Grandma's 12th Great Grandchild

(a true child rearing expert!)

Life is Good with Grandmas

Lita's first Grandbaby

Grandma Dukes is sad to say Goodbye to Ava till December.

Grandma & Lita make the trip to Florida!

(You can see how jealous Penny is of Ms. Ava from her look in this photo)

Grandmas are willing to throw punches over who gets to hold Ava!

We are now in Week 2 of welcoming Ms. Ava to the world. Her personality is already starting to shine through. She is a big cuddler and has just adored all the attention she has gotten from her Grandmas. Greg's baby leave has expired but Becca still has lots of help with Grandma & Lita in town. Ava is starting to sleep more hours during the night (4 hours at a time) which has given Becca much more energy. We have our 2 week apointment this week where we will see the lactation specialist again. Ava's jaundice has cleared up quite nicely as well as all her baby acne. Daddy has already been "christened" by Ava when he was changing her diaper and Mommy is just waiting for it to happen to her.

Home from the hospital

Ava keeps late hours. Thank goodness for Grandma Dukes

Penny Checking Ava Out

Ava 1 week old getting a sponge bath

Very inquisitive little girl (1 week old)

already being spoiled by Grandma Dukes

Ava has adjusted very well at home. Penny Lane the pug has gotten jealous but constantly wants to give her kisses. We visited a lactation specialist and now Ava is a very eager eater. She keeps late hours but with Grandma Dukes visiting we have been able to do shifts with Mommy, Daddy, and Dukes so we have been able to get about 4 hours of sleep each night.

The Happiest of all Halloweens!

Momma's Ava

Team Magoo!

7.93 Ounces 20.5 inches long

Proud Pappa

Clean Bill of Health!

Ava Marie Valdez was born at 10:54 PM on October 31, 2007. She was born at NAS Pensacola Naval Hospital. Becca was induced at 5:30 PM and was only in labor for 5 1/2 hours! Ava was a vacuum assist delivery because her heart rate dropped in the birth canal. Ava was born with a bit of jaundice but that has cleared up by her first week. Ava has her daddy's face, her mommy's hair, her maternal Grandmother's birthmark on the back of her neck, and the sass of a redhead.