P.Y.T.

Here are some pics from the last week... Highlights have included a brand new belly button and visits from my mom (aka Marmel), Stan, Elaine, Elissa & Roberta.





Avery showing off her long legs...



and her lightning fast uppercut.

Marmel was in town and she was a huge help. Needless to say, she was a big fan of Miss Cakes. After Marmel discovered this position she was dubbed the Avery Whisperer.

Aunt Lisa said she liked the pics of Avery crying, so this one's for her!

We could hand a crying baby to mom, and within a minute she was usually completely chilled out.

Aunt Elissa, Grandma & Grandpop swung by on Saturday to hang out and say hi.

Some family pics. Avery: "Oh, hi, I think I recognize you from somewhere."

"Now this lady I like."

"Oh, cool, I guess we're all sticking together then!"

Mom's friend Roberta with AJ.

Avery decked out in her winter whites before a family outing to the bookstore.

Avery's only been getting a few kisses from us. A few thousand.

Finally, here's the little petunia in a vase.

Hopefully more happy days ahead! Thanks to everyone for reading and posting!

Mini mani

I gave Avery her first manicure today! She slept through the whole thing but seemed to enjoy it.

Alert time

It's been a good couple of days, as Cheryl and I are falling into more of a rhythm with little Avery. The best news of the week was that she has gained back most of her birth weight. After being born at 7 lbs, 9 0z., she dipped down to 6 lbs, 11 oz as of her first pediatrician appointment on Monday. But on Friday we went for a follow-up, and she put on over half a pound in four days, weighing in at 7 lbs, 4 oz.

The other change in the last few days is that Avery has been more alert for more time each day. During the first week or so, Avery would pretty much conk out after (or during) a meal, as illustrated below.

However, in the last few days, we've had the pleasure of spending an hour or two each day with her wide awake, looking around, listening to us, etc. Here are some pics of our little monkey, aka Avery Cakes, aka Kickapoo, checking out her world.

Grandma and Grandpop came in on Saturday, and got to enjoy Avery's company as well.

The rest of the family, however, has been a bit more worn out due to AJ's presence, as Missy and Monty demonstrate below.

Firsts

We've had a lot of firsts these last couple days. Avery had her first pediatrician visit, which also meant her first trip in the stroller around Brooklyn (bumpy but she slept the whole way), her first diaper change in public (basically a success), and her first full-blown crying fit in public (pretty stressful, but fortunately we were in the pediatrician's waiting room, so all the other parents were empathetic).

Avery also had her first sponge bath. Here she is beforehand, blissfully unaware of what was about to happen.



During the bath, not quite as happy.



And afterwards, warm and happy again.

Meeting more family...

Sunday, Avery spent the day with Aunt Peggy, Uncle Ken, Cousin Aidan and Gramps.

Our Little Girl...

AVERY JADE
January 10th, 2008
7 lbs 9 oz, 19.75 inches

We are still tired and adjusting to our new lives but we are thrilled to have our little cutie pie! More stories to come soon... but for now, here are some pics!

The new mommy and baby!!!


































Happy, relieved daddy.



















Gramps said he was "in heaven" holding grandchild number 2!


















Grandpa and Grandma all smiles with little Avery.









































Aunt Elissa and Uncle Jon greet their new neice.















































A.J. with cousin Ryan... too much cuteness for one picture!

Last Pre-Labor Entry!!!

Update!!!!! As of today, I still have not dilated at all, although I have pretty minor contractions. We are heading to the hospital Wednesday night for a scheduled inducement and then if all goes well, we should have a baby by late Thursday afternoon/early evening. As you can imagine, we are super nervous and excited and it'll be hard to rest the next 2 days with all of this anticipation!!!

As requested, here are my last pregnancy pictures!

Next time we post, no one (thankfully) will want to see me anymore, and they'll just want to see baby Avery!