Holiday Parties

Tis the season to be merry!! We decided to host a few holiday parties, ON THE SAME WEEKEND!  What was mommy thinking?? It was too much fun to pass up. 

First we had all of Mommies high school girlfriends and significants over for a classic Christmas party, everyone got fancy and we had apps and drinks, lots of drinks! We had an awesome time, I love my girlfriends so much. I only hope that you are as lucky as Mommy is to have such amazing girlfriends. 

We all had funny wearing our festive party headbands, even the boys played along.  We had a gift exchange which got a lot of laughs and there were some gems in there as well. 

From L to R: Jesso, Kelley, Megs, Siri, Rena, Jess, Jenny, Britini and Mommy

Mommy and Kelley

Daddy and Mommy

Nick, Daddy and Tyler 

Britini, Jenny and Mommy

Jenny, Nick, Chris and Jesso

Mommy and Rena

Mommy, Britini and Jesso

Mommy, Kelley and Britini

Jesso and Kelley under the mistle toe

Mommy and Britini

The next night we had our annual Christmikah party with our IU group.  Mommy was having so much fun that she forgot to take any photos.  Mommy and Daddy made our usual ham and kougle, Bekah made her delicious potatoe latkes (better at her house than mine) and they were tasty as usual.  Everyone else pitched in with either an appetizer or dessert and the night was so fun.  We also had a white elephant this night too and then played head's up and catch phrase! The girls won both times :)

Four Months

Avery Nell is already four months old! 

4 months old

Her monthly pic with Brisco

I was just looking back over photos from her first month and am amazed by her transformation.  We had her four month check up she is growing, growing growing.  She weighs 16lbs 7oz is 25 inches long and her head is 17 inches round.  She is still eating only breast milk and a lot of it.  I nurse her in the morning before leaving for work and then typically eats 4-6 ounces during her three daytime feedings.  During her last feeding before bed she tanks up and eats between 8-11 ounces depending on the day.  Her napping schedule has changed quite a bit, because she sleeps for 11-12 hours every night - NO COMPLAINTS HERE!! Her naps are much shorter usually around 45 min to an hour at a time.  Avery's awake time is getting much longer as well being able to stretch around two hours between naps. 

She is so alert and active at four months too.  She is able to touch her toes, and does quite often.  She reaches and grabs for things, can switch things from hand to hand and has quite the strong grip. She does lots of kicking, especially when you go in to get her after her naps - she is so excited she kicks her legs up and down.  She's always smiling and giggles often.  She can blow bubbles and is learning that she actually makes noises which is really fun to listen to. 

Toe touches

Avery is so strong she can go 3-5 minutes during tummy time and we usually put different books or toys in front of her to keep her entertained.  We also move around to keep her alert to sounds and where we are located. She is moving her little legs like she wants to crawl but ends up like a caterpillar and just gets squished since she's got some time before that happens, but at least she understands the motion.  She is just starting to understand she can sit up and pull herself forward and is kind of getting that her hands work as a base when she gets there.  I bet in a month she'll be a pro.  

Practicing sitting

We have a great video of peanut laughing with Mommy. 

In the Christmas Spirit

Avery is doing so well! Everyone has been so generous this year to outfit her in the most adorable clothes and Christmas clothes have been no exception... it's a good thing there are 25 days till Christmas because we need all 25 to get through all these adorable outfits.  

Can not help it, look at that tummy! 

Getting ready for bedtime

love footie pj's

Mom I'm to tired this morning for photos

Or not, I love to giggle now!

Photo session with our penguin in our penguin outfit

starting to reach and grab for things

Polar bear photo shoot

loves touching soft cuddly stuffed animals

look at those adorable cheeks

Loves any toy that makes noise, especially crinkle books

In her new chair from Bubbies friends, it goes perfectly in her room

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! As we gear up for Christmas we've already started some new family traditions.  Our first order of business was taking Avery to meet Santa.  We went to the 900 North Michigan Ave mall with Nana and waited in line for about an hour to have our first Santa experiencing.  It was great, while we waited Daddy walked you around the mall while you napped and then fed you while Mommy waited in line.  Once it was your turn we sat you on his lap and you showed zero interest in the moment.  It was really cute and Santa was so nice and excited to meet you too.  As we left he gave you an adorable stuffed animal dalmatian dog, we are still working on the name. 

Avery and Santa meeting for the first time

Mommy, Avery and Daddy after meeting Santa

Nana joined in on the fun

The house is all decorated and tis the season.  We've started to develop a reindeer theme in the condo and I'm really liking it. We also started a tradition for Avery's tree in her room, penguins and polar bears.  We'll add a new ornament to it every year for her so when she's all grown up she'll have a full set of ornaments for her own tree. 

Avery loving her tree

penguins and polar bears

A tree just for Brisco

Avery's 1st Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! We were so excited for Avery to celebrate her first thanksgiving.  Every year Mommy and Daddy rotate between spending it with each family so this year we were off to Minnesota. We packed up the car and left on Wednesday - totally prepared for a very long drive with lots of stop since it was your first car trip.

Avery all dressed up for her first thanksgiving

To our surprise you slept most of the way waking up to eat and play with mommy in the back seat.  Somehow Brisco ended up riding shotgun with Daddy, which was ok with me because I got to spend quality time with my little lady in the back.  You looked so peaceful sleeping.

Snuggling with your wiggly elephant

We arrived with just enough time to get you in the door, say hello to Bubbie and Grandpa and then it was bedtime. It was much colder in St. Paul than when we left Chicago, it snowed most of the drive there so we made sure to snuggle you up in a fleece sleeper once we arrived. 

Enjoying some snuggles with Bubbie and Grandpa

The next day was Thanksgiving.  It fell late this year which happens every 6 years as your Nana always reminds us from her days as a retail queen.  We headed over to Auntie Nancy's house for our annual Thanksgiving traditional feast.  She puts out quite the spread, first an appetizer round of treats and then the main course.  She doesn't spare anything and usually has 20 chaffing dishes out in the kitchen with turkey, ham, lasagna, salmon, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, cheesey potatoes; I could keep going but you get the idea - LOTS OF FOOD. 

Avery and Mommy and matching vest

Mommy, Avery and Daddy

On Friday we had a full day planned; we started the day going to Lenny Lichtblau's house for a open house welcoming Andy and Lauren's Daughter Audrey - they also put Avery's name on the cake since they are about six weeks apart in age. 

Lauren, Audrey, Avery and Mommy

Avery and Auntie Susie

Auntie Michelle, Susie and Avery

That night we went to one of their favorite Chinese restaurants Shuang Cheng. Avery did so well at both events, we are so happy that she's becoming so versatile. 

Avery and Daddy

Avery and Auntie Nancy

Mommy, Vicki and Uncle Mike

It was so nice to be in town and spend some quality time with that side of our family.  Your uncle Mike brought his girlfriend Vicki home to meet everyone.  She is so nice and we really enjoyed getting to know her over the weekend.  We are looking forward to them coming to visit this summer, maybe around your first birthday party. 

It was a full house Bubbe's and Grandpa's with three dogs and six people and a baby but we made it work. Bailey got so lonely one morning he snuck upstairs to say hi to us.  You had an adorable moment with him. 

Bailey and Avery nose to nose with Uncle Mike

It's hard to believe that you're almost four months old, time is really flying by.  You are doing so much; smiling, laughing talking.  On Sunday night November 30th you rolled over for the first time in your crib on to your tummy and slept that way the whole night.  Your Dr. said once you do it to leave you alone but of course i flipped you back onto your back and by the time I got back to our bedroom you were on your tummy again.  Instead of playing that game all night I just glared at the monitor every hour to make sure you were breathing :) I also might have snuck in a few times just to be sure.  #overprotectivemommy. 

Such a great video of Daddy getting you to laugh