Laying around

Avery had a ball this past week with lots of laughs and smiles. She's already on a very drooly track to teething (thus the constant hands in the mouth), and she has also improved her head and neck strength.


Relaxing with her favorite bunny and quilt.

Passover

The 'our family' kids enjoyed meeting Avery on Saturday for Passover. Abby held Avery lots and lots and got some qt with her new cousin.

Avery loves shoving fingers into her mouth now. She even figured out how to ditch the pacifier for her tasty fingers (sometimes she sucks both the pacifier and fingers at the same time).

The last time Avery will be wearing her purple sweatsuit... she was not happy - we made her wear it and it was too tight.

Happy 2nd Birthday Tillie!

Our computer is on the fritz, so in lieu of our funny Tillie videos from the St. Louis trip - here's some Tillie and "Ba-Avery" pics to celebrate her 2nd birthday!
Happy Birthday Tillie!

All the Eckert/Berge girls together (and one soon to be Griebling)

Shana holding Avery and Tillie and a bun in the oven.

Avery watching and learning from her cousin.

The two girls holding hands.

Passover pics coming soon....:)

What a week - part 1

Too much happened this past week for one blog entry! Wednesday, Scott was sworn into the NY Bar!! Avery and I attended the ceremony at the Appellate Court and watched Scott become an official lawyer! YAY! Avery was the best-behaved child at the ceremony and fell asleep while we waited for her Daddy to sign the book of NY attorneys.

Thursday, Avery turned 3 months old and spent the day with Grandma and Grandpop at the Brooklyn Promenade! Where did the time go already?? I guess that’s what happens when you are sleep deprived!

Friday morning, we hit the road for St. Louis and Aunt Lisa’s bridal shower. Avery was terrific on the plane and was in relatively good spirits for most of the trip. Sometimes a house full of the Eckert/Toybes/Dirks/Kleiner clan caused for a meltdown, but she was passed around like a hot potato and she was full of smiles and laughs. She especially loved meeting her cousin Tillie (more to come on video in part 2)!!!!

Saturday afternoon we finally made it to Aunt Lisa’s shower (and she was certainly showered with lots of gifts!). Saturday night was a 2nd bday party for Tillie!!! Avery’s 3 month bday was also celebrated, but somebody was being rocked in her stroller to fall asleep and missed the festivities.

Sunday was brunch at Grandpa Mush’s house and lots of kisses and hugs goodbye. Avery was pretty calm again on the plane and seemed thrilled to be home with her toys and crib.

The new lawyer and his girl!

Posing with the judges

Getting clean for the trip to St. Louis.

Gramps and Grandma Deborah at the shower

Avery and her marmel

the happy couple - Lisa and Tyler

Avery with Aunt Sharlene, Uncle Tyler, Aunt Lisa, Aunt Shana (who is 25 weeks pregnant with Tillie's little sister) and Aunt Shelley!

Lisa and Tyler with Grandpa Mush

G'pa with Aunt Terriann and cousin Sarah

Avery back home again laying on her beautiful quilt that Marmel made for her!!!!!! We love it!

12 weeks old!

Avery has two new habits this week... she likes to touch her stuffed bunny (and sometimes fall asleep with her) and she loves her activity mat from Aunt Peggy and Uncle Ken. Missy, our bday cat from below, has been extremely sweet towards Avery this past week and even came up on the couch this weekend and cuddled up next to Avery. Unfortunately for both cats, Avery has kicked and punched them when they're too close, but we are still hoping they can all be friends in the years ahead.

Missy

Our original little girl, Missy, is ten years old today! She's still as shy and silly as ever, but she gets sweeter and sweeter by the year. Already she's warming up to AJ, coming to check on her when she's crying, and sometimes even bopping Avery with her head (Missy's version of a kiss). We have no doubt that they'll be good friends in just a few years. Anyway, here are some pics of our little brown sweetie.

Posing with the boys...


Enjoying a bath on a sunny day...

Showing off the silly mush face.


Cheryl took this one, my all-time favorite picture of Missy. She really is a sweet little one.


So happy 10th, Missy!

check out my cousins!

Avery saw her cousins Jacqui and Ryan today. Ryan loved looking at baby Avery and even tried sucking her foot. He was too cute and we tried getting all 3 cousins together (Aunt Elissa might have a better version of this picture).

check out Avery and Ryan 11 weeks ago....

vs today!!!!!!

Otherwise, not much new here... just another jolly week as Avery turned 11 weeks!


A new family picture...

Pictures of Uncle Jon and Scott trying to entertain Avery at brunch.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to AUNT LISA!!!! She turned a whopping 25 today!!!

Chubba Bubba

Family and friends fell in love with chubba bubba this week. We are finding new fat folds and crevices on Avery every day as she gets chubbier and chubbier, but she still seems really happy about it (so we are too!).
Aunt Lisa and Uncle Tyler had some good times with Avery this weekend playing with toys, reading books and her favorite activity of all - smiling back to smiling faces. Lisa taught us 4 essential sign language signs to use with Avery to help communicate - milk, more, dirty diaper and go to sleep! I can't wait until she can sign back!!

The whole gang this weekend minus Missy who was probably hiding under the bed (and me, the photographer).

Daddy and Avery having fun.

Avery loved her Uncle Tyler - she laughed and coo'd at his many funny faces, but here she's just chillin' and gazing up into his eyes.

Mom, Dad, Avery and her bunny

Jessica and Nikki came over to catch up and play with Avery. Nikki managed to escape getting into any pictures - so here's Jess and Avery.

Guggenheim exhibit of Cai Guo-Qiang's work this weekend. Avery wasn't too crazy about having to walk around in a baby carrier, but the exhibit was very cool.