Her Little Face Shines

At nearly seven weeks old, Ava has become a character. Her facial expressions change almost constantly as she smiles and moves her little eyebrows in all sorts of different postions. Her little eyelashes get longer everyday, and her eyes get darker--we think they will probably be brown, but are still holding out for hazel. Who knows. She is weighing between 10-11 lbs. now but we won't know for sure for about another week and a half when we go the the pediatrician. All we know for certain is that she hasn't been wearing the newborn size of clothes for two weeks, and she is ready for the next size up in diapers.

We haven't totally figured Ava out yet--she is either gassy, which makes her fussy, or she needs to be entertained, and she fusses when she gets bored. My family thinks it is the latter of the two, which would make her like her daddy in that respect--an active little lady.

Ava smiling at her mommy.
Daddy likes to tell Ava that he found his little peanut in an oversized peanut-shell in a peanut-patch.
Ava is very content laying on her mommy--especially after her mommy just got done feeding her.

Halloween

On Halloween, we took Ava to downtown Huntington Beach (Main Street) for the annual halloween street celebration. We met up with Giselle's brother Adrian, sister-in-law, Autumn, and our nephew, Caden, as well as, Giselle's best-friends Donna and Ami, Ami's husband, Pete, and son, Logan. Main Street was loaded with families and kids dressed up for halloween and trick-or-treating at the shops, bars, and restaurants. There were also fireman, police officers, and lifeguards, with their vehicles, handing out candy to the kids. When Giselle had told me that we were going downtown for Halloween, I had figured we would be spending our night dodging the drunk bar patrons that frequent the 15+ bars that dot the 1/4-mile stretch. I was relieved to see a large crowd of families, inflatable slides and activities, and the presence of our local police and fire departments.

The Miss Lady asleep in her carrier as we head out for the evening.
Giselle stops for a picture with the sleeping little peanut.
Adrian, Autumn and Caden Leroux.

Caden was dressed up like a dragonfly for halloween.
Obviously Superman's only weakness isn't kryptonite--it is also "binky"!

Logan and his Superman costume on Halloween.

...and the smelly dog.

Mommy and Ava laying in bed.
The Mr. Bugs demands his affirmation.
Daddy and his peanut. Ava is getting bigger (naturally). She is approximately 10lbs right now and alot of her little "sleep sacks" aren't long enough to fit her anymore.
"Daddy having fun.

The "Little Peanut" with Mommy and Daddy

Ava and Mommy
Ava holds tightly onto the pacifier while in her swing.
"Miss Lady" getting to know the play-gym for the first time.Daddy and his "peanut"--all tuckered out.

Mommy and Ava asleep very early in the morning.

Ava's Room

Ava's crib was given to her by Grandma Roxie and Grandpa Brian. It is still full of all her little stuffed animals and blankets, as she is still bunking with us in our room.
Her changing table/ dresser was a gift from her abuelitos Juan and Estella. The two little pendants hanging right above the lamp were from Giselle's room when she was a baby.

The "Miss Lady" napping in her crib.

A Visit with Grandpa

Ava and Juan Carlos

Ava had not met her Grandpa, as he was visiting family in Argentina when she was born. He came home on October 11th, and we went to visit. This was Ava's first trip out of the house that was not a doctor's visit.
Juan brought with him gifts for Ava that he had purchased and that family had made for her. He brought two shirts, earrings (from his sister Celia), and a bracelet that was engraved with her name. He had also brought a handmade sweater, hat, and booties, that were knit for her by Estella's sister-in-law, Marina, and a handmade blouse from Estella's sister-in-law, Margarita.
Ava with her abuelos Juan Carlos and Estella

"This little piggy..."

Ava found a new friend in her thumb. Although she isn't too fussy anyway, she definately uses it to soothe herself. We weren't too excited when she started thumbsucking, but her Dad sucked his thumb--so it is in her blood. Plus, she is really cute when she does it.
"Xanadu!"
"Nothing says relaxation like a chubby, slobbery thumb."

Ava meets the rest of her much extended family.

Ava and Aunt Shana
Ava and Aunt Rachel
Ava and Aunt Donna
Ava and Aunt Ami
Ava and Aunt Abi

More introductions...

Ava and Alexis
Ava and Uncle David (David's Image used with permission)
Ava Giselle and Uncle Ben
Ava and her little Aunties

I was excited to get a picture like this. Madison was really excited to hold the baby, as she called herself an "auntie". Abigail was also very interested in Ava, though she was not allowed to hold her just yet.
Ava and Anita

Introductions all around...

Ava and Uncle Adrian
Ava and her Uncle John
"I have my Daddy's eyes and eyebrows, and my Mommy's nose and mouth." Ava's eyes are big and round. We are hoping that they will either be blue or green.
Ava with Aunt Autumn.
Caden was very happy to meet his little cousin Ava.

Ava meets grandparents, abeulita, and her great aunts.

Ava and Grandma Roxie

Mom had just left us in California not more than 4 days before, with plans of coming back a month later for Ava's birth. When Ava decided to come early, I called mom, and she was back out by Sunday morning and the first person (besides Giselle and myself) to see Ava. Brian stayed back in Texas for work, but we keep him up to date with frequent pictures.

Ava with her abuelita Estella.

Estella had been praying for a little girl from the moment we had found out we were pregnant. This is her first granddaughter and she was so excited to meet and hold her. Juan Carlos was in Argentina for family business when Ava was born--she will meet him for the first time on October 11th.

Ava and Grandpa Brian.

Ava was excited to meet her Grandpa for the first time, and Dad is a pro when it comes to girls--Madison is nearly three and Abigail is about eighteen months. Anita and the girls were on their cross-country trip when Ava was born, but Dad, Anita and the girls will be coming by on Sunday. I am excited for Ava to meet her little "aunties".

Great Grandma Balko meets Ava.

Grandma calls Ava "a little dolly" and "itsl". She comments on just how tiny she looks and loves to hold her. Ava is grandma' s fourth and newest great grandchild--right under Chloe, Aidan, and Eliot. Ava is looking forward to meeting her great-grandpa and great-grandma Rudesill. They reside in Ladysmith, WI, but come out frequently to visit.

Aunt Julie and Aunt Joy with the little girl.

Aunt Julie and Aunt Joy were the first ones to the hospital the day Ava was born. They met with us in our room at about 7AM and helped put us at ease before Giselle went into surgery. We were very happy to have them there over the course of the morning to provide support and share in our joy.

"Look what someone left on our doorstep!"

"Put me back in!!!!"

Ava Giselle was delivered at 8:12AM on Sunday, September 23, 2007 via C-section. Here she has been out for about 4 minutes, and she is probably wishing she was back in the warmth of Giselle's belly.

Our first family picture.

Minutes after she was born, Ava opens her eyes, while her Dad anxiously counts all fingers and toes.

Giselle and Ava. My two beautiful girls.

First picture of Ava and Daddy. Notice her little hat--we have called her our "little lawn gnome" since.