a day in the life of a soon-to-be one-year-old

In two days, Avi turns a year old. I can't believe it, and at the same time, it seems so natural. She's doing so many new things everyday... so many, I can't write them all down. So, I'll just share what she did yesterday. She pointed to a book and moaned/talked/grunted. I got her the book and she was happy. Later, she repeated the same thing for food and for a stuffed animal. She may have been doing this for a while, but yesterday, it became very apparent what she wanted and that she was clearly communicating her desires. Also, yesterday, she started "cruising" comfortably along the couch. Michael said she started standing on her hands and feet and looking upside-down through her legs yesterday, too! So many fun developments everyday!

Today, I will write Aveah a note. I hope to write her a note each year on her birthday, telling her all the special things that happened that year in her life. This blog, of course is a note to her and to all her siblings yet to come. (No, we don't know how many more there are to be.)

Avi about 360 days ago.

Avi about 10 days ago.

Aveah stands!

Today, right in front of our (amazed and proud) eyes, Avi stood on her own. Here's how the break-down of thousands of muscles fibers, millions of synapses, and days of dedicated practice worked out to get her to this momentous point in her life.

She was on her knees and hands. Slowly she lifted her knees off the ground. Then, tentatively lifted one hand in the air, while crouched , knees still bent, doubled at the waist. Finally, in a second of glory, lifted that remaining hand off the ground and began to stand up erect. Four adults (including her two parents) witnessed this gigantic feat of infancy and all four cheered when she stood among us (for the first time in her life). Immediately, she began crying: Why were we all screaming at her? After a few hugs from Ma & Pa she was ready to be let down on the ground again, but alas, no more miracles to perform in this day.

Passport Pictures

Avi is becoming an international traveler. She will summer in Canada this July. So, (since many terrorist are infants), she had to get a passport! Here are the finalists for her passport picture, with comments below each contestant.

Michael wouldn't let me use this one - though it was my first pick. He said she looked "too mature"!

This one is super cute, but maybe not for the next 5 years (after 5 years, children have to renew their passports & hence get a new picture).

I didn't know if they'd allow hands in the picture.

This is another cutie, but the hand disqualified it.

The winner!

My Dad's a Sucker.

My Dad, Avi's maternal grandpa, is a sucker. He is the quintessential doting Grandpa. The one who says, "My grand-daughter is the prettiest in the world. And I'm not just being partial; she really is the prettiest baby - ever." This from the guy who chided his peers for becoming too goo-goo ga-ga over their grand-babies. So, when I see him playing with my little girl, I get really happy inside, but I also smirk, thinking, Mister Tough Guy ain't so tough anymore, is he?!

Papa Paul and Avi.

It makes me so happy that my dad can enjoy my daughter because when we were kids, he had to work so hard, he didn't get to spend a lot of time with us as infants. Now he's getting his chance!

Bath Time Eyelashes

Michael was inspired to do this series of pictures after looking at Aveah's long, dark eyelashes that had got wet from her bath water. Mommy was sitting in the bat with Avi, enjoying this bath-time fun!

Avi's eyes are changing color ever so slightly. They seem to be getting less blue and more green. What do you think?

I love this series: 1. Avi bits squeeze ball (which squeezes out water through a tiny hole).

2. Water from tiny hole hits the back of Avi's throat, causing her to gag.

3. Two seconds later she realizes she's okay after she looks up at mom and sees that everything all right.

Wine Tasting with Avi

We went on a mini-vacation with Avi to BridleWood Winery in Santa Ynez. It was a perfect day with our perfect baby.

Avi wearing the dress Cousin Meagan bought her in Spain.

Hanging out with Daddy.

While outside she wore this hat. One woman stopped and said she looked like a Petunia flower.

Avi's first horse experience. BridleWood Winery is an old horse rehabilitation center.

Avi and Mommy, happy in each other's arms.

This is the front of the winery. Stunning, but not as gorgeous as what Mama has in her arms.

Great Nana & Great Pap-Pap

Isn't it amazing how much Great Nana and Avi look alike in the picture? That same mischievous, contagious smile.

Avi soaking up all the love from her great-grandparents.

Avi gave her great-grandparents a foot mold in clay from her foot prints. How considerate of you Avi.

Michael, I want you to take a picture of Avi looking up at me like this. This is too adorable - I can't stand it!