Avi's first ferry ride

Crossing from Tsawwassen, British Columbia to Sidney, Vancouver Island

Avi made about a million friends while on the ferry. People would be absorbed in their books, magazines, even snoozing, but then Avi would walk by, smile, and all attention was on her. In fact, Michael believes several of the Chinese tourist women would have taken her home, would we have let them!

The trip took about 90 minutes. During that time, Avi explore the entire perimeter of the ferry. I mean she really explored everything. Here she is checking the integrity of the ropes.

A sentimental, cheesy shot for Michael.

Avi's First Birthday

Avi turned one year old on a Sunday this year. We had shot a wedding in San Luis Obispo the day before, and were heading to Canada the day after, and had planned a birthday party in Fresno on the day of! We like to pack things in tight. On the drive to Fresno, at exactly 12:02pm, I was driving and I pulled over on the shoulder in the middle of nowhere. Michael asked why I was stopping. I said because this is the time she was born a year ago, and I needed a group hug. So we pulled her out of the car seat and stood there: Michael hugging Maren, Avi wondering what the heck was going on (and just happy to be out of her carseat), and Maren bawling like a baby. I cried because this moment marked the passing of my "baby" no longer being a baby - she is now officially a toddler. This last year with her has been the happiest year of my life. She has brought us so much joy. I cherished the moments that Michael, her and I would just lie in bed and look at each other - completely entertained and content. I will miss her "littleness" so much, and this made me weep. Life is way too fast ~ especially when you're having the time of your life. Goodbye, my little infant Avi. I loved you from the moment I met you.

Here are some pictures from Avi's Fresno birthday party. In attendance were: Grandpa Alan, Step-Grandma Jeannette, Mimi Peggy, Papa Paul, Sitti Julia, Step-Grandpa Jim, Great-Aunt Julie, Great-Uncle David, Cousins Meagan & Emily, Great-Great-Aunt Carolyn, Bob & Becky Chambers, Uncle Brant, Sophie, Mama Maren and Daddy Michael. (Great Nana Barbara and Great-PapPap Ed couldn't make it due to sickness.)

Wearing her "birthday girl" shirt, compliments of Sitti Julie, who always keeps Avi in style!

In between costume, err... clothes, changing. Her real birthday suit!

Cousin Emily hand made this card - sooo cute!

Avi trying to figure out these things called toys.

Walking in her birthday dress Sitti Julie got for her.

Uncle Brant normally would get the prize for traveling the furthest to come to Avi's 1st birthday party (considering he drove a motorbike 9 hours round trip, in 100+ degree weather, partially on dirt roads, which earned him the toughest-traveled award), but...

my friend Sophie, who came from Kenya, gets the furthest-traveled award this year!

Working with Avi

I think I've posted before about wearing Avi during a shoot, but I love it so much I have to post again! These pictures were taken without me even knowing it, and when I got them, my heart melted. She is such a good little helper. She just remains quiet and curious during the shoot, then afterwards, woos everyone with her cute face and little words. I love my job! I really, really love my job when wearing my baby!

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!