Christmas 2007

What a fun holiday it was this year! We hope you enjoyed the holidays with your family, as well!

Ava was excited about the holidays this year, watching “Frah-tee the Noman” at every opportunity. On a sad note, we ACCIDENTALLY left the DVD at Grandma and Grandpa Carey’s house, before returning to Georgia. (Can’t you tell I’m torn-up about it? ;-) Ava enjoyed looking for “Tanta” in every nook and cranny of her grandparents’ houses. While opening presents, she looked like an old pro, ripping into presents, although pieces of wrapping paper came off in one inch increments.

She immensely enjoyed playing with the kitchen that Grandma Pam and Grandpa Bill bought for her, even foregoing her nap. I think we counted that she spent seven consecutive hours playing in her kitchen. She also liked everyone running around the coffee table. If we weren’t running, she would point at the table as if to say “Get down here… you need to do this, too!” Of course Grandpa and Grandma complied, even if already in a dizzied haze.

She giggled with delight while Grandpa Dean tickled her. When he would ask where she wanted to be tickled: “Here, or here?” she would reply by pointing to the place she wanted to be tickled. Nothing like volunteering for it, huh? She was overjoyed while dancing with cousin Sophia, who liked to swing her around, dancing to Christmas music. Ava danced like she had done this before somewhere? Grandma Dolly lovingly fed Ava spaghetti, which was quickly gobbled up. After Grandma Dolly treated her to a few Reese’s pieces, Ava was amped-up and ready to party! I think she surprised all of her grandparents with the sheer quantity of food she can eat. She definitely works it off!

Ava enjoyed playing with the cash register, the crazy musical Christmas decoration, and miniature xylophone at Grandma and Grandpa Carey’s house. She liked watching cartoons with Grandpa Carey and loved when Grandma Carey fed breakfast to her. Grandma Carey says she may need to get a part-time job to pay for the groceries Ava eats! :-) Aunt Tracy helped Ava color with her markers at the kitchen table, too. Ava seemed to really enjoy the peanut butter cookies on their table, requesting them by name: “Cookie! Cookie!” Ava also liked to bowl with the plastic bowling set the Careys gave to her. When all pins didn’t come down, she would kick them down. She would hand her guitar to Grandpa Carey, prompting him to sing in his loudest voice. Ava always wanted him to sing more! :-)

Before we left yesterday, Ava was calling the grandparents by name: “Grampy”… “Grandma” sounded more similar to “Grampy” than not, but is somewhat decipherable. She also was able to say “Tracy!” She would quickly run toward each grandparent with a smile on her face for a big hug, too. Ava definitely has her colors down-pat by now, and she EVEN COUNTS! While laying in bed each morning, we would hear Ava reciting what she knew while laying in the crib: “one, two, three”… “grampy, grandma”… “red, yew-woah”, orange, white, byoo”. I couldn’t believe that she actually started counting. We'll definitely have to get this on video tape. She also holds up her fingers to display the number one. Putting her hand up for two, she curls her fingers and crosses them. It’s pretty funny!

She officially puts two words together now, too. In the past she has said phrases like “thank you,” “I don’t want it,” “hot cocoa”, etc, but she started putting two words together herself now, repeating “yellow car” over and over and over again… She will turn to you and babble jibberish, like she is holding a conversation with you. She now responds vocally when we ask her a question by saying "yeah!" or "okay!" enthusiastically.

We stayed in Michigan for a good ten days. While there, it was amazing to see how much Ava grew physically (I think she got taller), as well as how closely she seemed to bond with everyone. It warmed my heart to see her grow closer to family.

We were able to enjoy two nights out, going out for dinner one night, and out for New Year’s the next night, thanks to the Careys. Doug and I didn’t know what to do at dinner, as we’re so used to shoveling food into our own mouths while trying to prevent potential Ava spills, etc. It was nice to act like an adult for a few!

We’ll be sure to post pictures later.

Happy New Year!
Shelly