new carseat

Look at Avery's teeth! We had to get him a bigger carseat since he's really getting too big for his other one (his feet dangle over the end and it's a pretty snug fit). This one should last him a while! We tried it out at home just before bedtime. These are my favorite pajamas (I just love the colors!).

'Tis the Season . . .

. . . of holiday parties!

Tonight at 4th U. We put on our seasonal sweaters and got ready to sing carols and see friends.

Elmo Love

Thank you Opa, Bubbe, and Hannah for Avery's Hannukah gifts! He especially loves his Elmo doll and sweatsuit!

If you look closely, you can see Avery's 2 teeth on the 3rd picture!

big boy clothes and exciting news!

Avery has cute cargo pants and a big boy shirt on. Lots of pockets to keep all of his important things!

Our exciting news: our attorney called this morning. We have a court date to finalize our 2nd-parent adoption. It will take place on the 17th. We are really happy, because we didn't expect to get it done so soon. After the adoption is finalized, we will both be recognized as Avery's legal parents and we'll be issued a new birth certificate with both our names on it listed as his parents.

Mmmmm, toes!

just hanging out with a cool beverage

Avery is feeling much better (he is still slightly raspy though). I think I forgot to mention that at the hospital (the ER in the middle of the night, mind you!) he was smiling at everyone and despite his obviously croupy disposition, the doctor said "Well, if he's a sick baby, he is the happiest sick baby I've ever seen!"

These are just a couple of cute pictures from today. He stayed home to rest and drink plenty of fluids, as the doctor advised. Here he is sitting and drinking some cool water, holding the bottle all by himself!

end of the month fun (T-Giving) and not-so-fun (Croup)

Avery took his first long road trip with us to Atlanta to celebrate his first Thanksgiving. He really loved meeting all of his Georgia relatives. He also loved the jacuzzi tub in our hotel room; we had plenty of nice bubble baths (and compared to his tiny baby bathtub at home that he is too big for (but has to use at least until he can sit up on his own for longer periods of time), this was quite luxurious! We had a lovely Thanksgiving. The drive was looooooooooong but he was a real trooper, even when he cut his first tooth (we saw it happen: he got red, sweaty, started biting things frantically, and then, a fang appeared!). Unfortunately, this week he came down with croup. Last night it got so bad we went to the ER for treatments. He is doing much better today, and we followed up with the pediatrician this afternoon. He should be all better within the next couple of days, so we are just taking it easy and keeping him at home.


Avery with his great-grandpa Opa (Rebecca's grandfather).



Avery with great-grandpa Opa and Bubbe (Rebecca's mom).



Always the center of attention. Grandpa Opa (Rebecca's dad) on the left.



Cuddling with Aunt Hannah.


Hanging out with Sarah and Danielle.







We love his new Elmo outfit, a gift from Bubbe.



Despite the massive quantities of drool (thanks to teething), Avery looks like quite the professional doesn't he?

pictures by Gogo

Gogo was a big help to us these past couple of days ; Carolyn and I were so busy with work that she helped us out by doing a lot of taking care of Avery for us! Not that she minded the opportunity to take care of her grandson, of course. But it was nice for us to finish our work without getting too overwhelmed and stressed out.

Avery figuring out a toy. Obviously, it's delicious!





Our car:


Tanya and Annette (in the background) at childcare. Avery LOVES them and all of the children so much. Someone (I can't quite tell who) is peeking around in the front.

one more story: Adina's dad told us that she has a baby doll at home that she now calls "Avery" and takes care of it by singing to it, rocking it, and wiping its bottom. She adores Avery (both our son and her doll!)

weekend of church

Big church weekend. I'm all dressed up here (and looking rather snazzy if I do say so myself) because 4th U had an auction fundraiser last night. It was a lot of fun and a lot of money was raised for 4th U and the Coalition for the Homeless. We got raffle tickets with our entry fees and won the DVD set of the 4th season of the L word, a weeklong membership to the Equinox gym, and a $25 gift certificate to a French restaurant. We bid on (and won) a haircut at a nice salon, 2 hours of babysitting from a very cool (and responsible) teenager at our church, and a homemade baby blanket. I bid on (and lost) a massage :(

Then Sunday morning was Avery's dedication/ naming ceremony. It's a very short but sweet ceremony that is incorporated into the regular service. James and Gogo participated in the service, and Kim, Jess and Olivia came to support (and take pictures!) and we all had brunch afterwards. It was really nice.

Avery's dedication at 4th U

a whole lotta cuteness

Avery brought home his first Arts N'Crafts project from "school." Cute! When I picked up Avery today, I ran into Nia with her dad. She said "Look, it's Avery's mommy!!!" and according to her dad, Avery is the most exciting thing ever! All the parents know all about Avery.



We discovered that Avery can sit "tripod" style on his own (for a little while). Impressive!





bathtime for our boy. He loves a nice bath, followed by songs and a lotion massage and pjs. This Sunday, we are having his dedication at church. It's a short naming ceremony during the regular service. Our minister Rosemary is leaving on sabbatical soon, so we wanted to do it soon. And it worked out that Rosemary will be able to do it this Sunday when Gogo is visiting and some friends can come as well. So we have to figure out a cute outfit and make Avery look very handsome for his big day (shouldn't be too hard!).