sitting up AND eating solids!

What a big week!! Grandma and Grandpa stopped by for a visit this week and Avery had a hard time napping during their visit. As Grandpa said he saw the best of Avery and he saw the worst of Avery... and the worst wasn't soooo bad. Marmel visited this weekend from Ohio and she picked a good weekend to visit!!! Avery has now become a pro at sititng up by herself (she still needs a spotter/catcher, but she can last a while on her own). Roberta stopped by this morning to visit from Philly and got to see Avery in action.
We also tried rice cereal on Saturday and Sunday. Her first attempt was very successful - maybe 70% actually went into her mouth. Today, not so great, maybe a 20% success rate. She was really blowing a lot of bubbles into the milky cereal (which made it fly everywhere) and she really liked putting her tongue under the spoon instead. Oh well... we'll keep trying!

Calm Avery with Grandma

and then 2 seconds later...

A happy Avery loving her Marmel...


Daddy feeding Avery her rice cereal

Mmmmm...see I can eat really well...

Mom, do we have to do this every day???

Look at me sitting up playing with my toys...

Now I have a better angle to drool all over my shirt...

I have great posture, don't I??

Mom trying to imitate my big mouth...

Daddy making me fly

Me posing with Daddy's childhood Winnie the Pooh.

New Stroller

Avery's new stroller was backordered for another month (after we waited 4 weeks already), so we made a quick purchase on Friday to get her out of that car seat! No more legs spilling over and she finally has some room to stretch out (phew). The shrieking has diminshed this week, but Avery has picked up a cough sound as a means of communicating (kinda weird, but at least it's not deafening!).

Scott took Avery on a nice afternoon walk Saturday while I was getting my haircut. I came back and found Scott walking around Brooklyn with Avery still dressed in her pajamas! I was mortified, but apparently I was the only one who cared...


One month old kitty Scott and Avery met on the street.


All of her cute mary jane socks came out of the laundry wet yesterday so we had them laid out to dry. I think we could open our own trumpette store with all of these...:)


And we saved the best for last... a happy baby (and mommy) at brunch today!

Daddy's Day Weekend

Scott and Avery had quite an adventure this weekend. They went to the park early morning Saturday and took pictures together.

Then they went to the transit museum and drove an old bus together....

Watch out dad, here I come... beep beep!

Saw our friend Brittany on the street!

And then Avery and Daddy palled around on the floor during the thunderstorm - what a day!!

Then next day was Sunday (Father's Day) and we spent the day in NJ with the other dads on my side of the family. Avery and Daddy had more QT together.

Other funny pics from the week! Avery trying to eat her cousin Ryan... she licked him from his temple to his hairline (and left the drool to prove it). Luckily Ryan didn't seem to mind.

Aunt Elissa and Cousin Jacqui reading to Avery and Ryan.

Missy trying to hang out with Avery.

Avery trying to grab the camera...

Okay, now sit still for the picture :)

5 months old!

Avery turns 5 months old today! She's still mouthing everything in site (and drenching it with drool) but her new favorite activity is discovering her voice. She makes all these tiny little squeal noises when engaged in a conversation - her voice is becoming very sing-songy and cute. She also has a couple favorite things to do, like going to the office. We pull up her bumbo chair right in the middle of the activity mat so she can play with her toys from a new perspective and she really takes this business very seriously (picture below). Enjoy the pics.


showing off some new pants that actually fit my curves...


hey mom, this is how I look with fangs and teeth!


this is what I wear in 98 degree weather to try and stay cool...:)

baby naming movies

As promised, here's some video from last weekend's baby naming. These were taken by Gramps with a regular digital camera, so it's not the best picture/sound quality, but it still may be fun to watch for those of you who either missed it, want to relive it, or just like off-key chanting.

First off, here's me reading from the Torah. I did 4 verses, and this is about half of it.

Next, we did an Aliyah. We had a cheat sheet in front of us, but Cher and I both grew up singing slightly different tunes at our respective temples, so it made it a bit tough. Cheryl sounded great, though.

Here's me talking about the meaning of AJ's name.

The Rabbi also talked a bit about the names...

... and then gave a special shout out to Grandpop.

Next, the Cantor did her thing. (Avery loved it.)

Finally, the Rabbi said some words of prayer.

So that's how Avery got her hebrew name! Thanks for reading, and don't forget to vote in our new poll if you haven't already.

Basha Tehila

Avery had her baby naming on Saturday in NJ. She received wonderful blessings from both the Rabbi and the Cantor. Scott read from the Torah and spoke about where her names came from and I sang an aliyah. Video to come...:)

Here's a picture of her naming certificate with her official name Basha Tehila.

Avery and Gramps having a conversation about the party.

Sadie and Avery rekindling their friendship.

Drew, Sadie and Gilian post-party.


Other pics from Gramps visit this past weekend - it really meant a lot to us that he made the trip from the midwest to represent Scott's side of the fam.

Avery sucking on her favorite bumble bee teething toy.

Two cute pics of Avery in her skin-tight tank top having a good time in her Bumbo chair.

Gramps cracking up a fussy Avery before bedtime. She loved Gramps making a popping noise with his mouth so much she was squealing and snorting with laughter.

Avery's favorite activity - looking in the mirror.

Now that Avery is a little more grown - check out our new poll.