Ava is on the Nice List

This is Ava's reaction to Rap Music. It is her favorite. I think she loves the bass First Santa Trip! Santa telling her she is on the nice list since she behaved all 6 weeks of this year

It's a Smile!!!!! and another one! Ava & Mommy playing photo shoot in the morning She loves playing on my chest Wake up sleepy head This was the day she realized there were animals at the end of her chair and she decided she liked them... This is actually THE first smile and it's a little blurry because I grabbed my camera so fast Reading my favorite book to her "Freckleface Strawberry" She is looking at Mommy's freckles here This was the cliff hanger of the story

This week was very eventful in the Valdez house. Ava is awake a little bit more each day and learning vast amounts of things. Most notable, this week she had her first smile! I was so excited I caught it on camera ( papparazzi mommy). The smile took place after she finished eating and mommy was dancing to rap music for her. Ava loves rap and it usually works in stopping her from crying. Ava's vision is improving and can now focus on us from across the room. She follows us with her eyes and turns her head. She loves her vibrating chair now and stairs at the animals.

Finally, Ava had her first Santa visit this week. Our apartment complex had a Santa visit and Ava was almost as popular as Santa. Needless to say, she thought Santa was a bit overrated but I am sure that will change next year. We received our Christmas present to each other this past week which was a DVD Video Camera. Greg is in love with his new toy and would film paint drying if it was available. We have her first Santa visit on DVD along with other random events of our household like Penny doing the "low rider" (dog running around the house as fast as she can like she just snorted crack). We are counting down the days to return to Virginia (5 days!). It will be interesting to see how we fit all of Ava's "necessities" as well as Penny Lane Cargo into our little Mazda 3. The 15 hour trip will be quite the adventure.

Quarter of a Century

Working the Roulette tables High Roller faces Look at the resemblence! Great night out

She loves her binky

Pen warming up to her new sister

Momma's babies She was ready to eat Pen loves her daddy

We had a wonderful week in the Valdez household. We thoroughly have been enjoying the 65 degree weather and Momma took Ava Marie on many walks this week. Ava Marie has started taking a bottle which has given Becca much valued sleep. We left Ava for the first time this week with our good friend Garrett. We were able to go out for Becca's 25th birthday and Greg's squadron party. We enjoyed dining at the Melting Pot and then proceeding to the Christmas Party which was a Casino themed night. We had our best luck with the Roulette table. We had a wonderful time and Ava was very well behaved for Garrett. Thank you all for the birthday wishes and cards.

Go Navy Beat Army!

USNA Alumni teaching Ava the ropes Greg doing his "Rapper" pose Look at those little feet!

Start training her at a young age!

She was their good luck charm this year.

Popping Ava's collar

Sometimes we can't resist dressing her up like a baby doll

She can track us with her eyes now

Peekaboo!

Ava is now a month old! Becca and I had a great time decking her out in Navy gear and watching Navy beat Army. All three of us are now over our colds and feeling good. Ava sleeps a little more each night but from time to time she likes to keep things interesting and not allow her parents to sleep!

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.