I'm Gonna Be a Big Sister

Mama saw the Dr. today and it’s official - we are pregnant! Well, technically it’s Mama who’s pregnant, but with my brother or sister (UPDATE: it's a girl!). Here is the picture of our new baby, which sorta looks like E.T. But don’t worry, that’s what the baby is supposed to look like at 11 weeks. This pregnancy was a BIG surprise to Mama and Papa, but sometimes the best things in life are just that. While they are a bit fearful about having two in diapers and the impending sleep deprivation, I think they’ll do just fine.

So come early June, our family will be complete. Let’s hope Mama doesn’t suffer a postpartum Britney episode. Trust me, the woman would not look good sporting a sheaved head while flashing her baby-making business all over town.

Papa's Soul Ride

Papa gets up at 5 a.m. to go surfing before work. I agree, it’s early and he’s crazy, but a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. Last month, Surfinside.com featured a picture of Papa doing his thing during a morning session w/ his buddy Erik. BTW, Erik shaped the beautiful board that Papa is riding, and Papa did the artwork featured on the board. For a closer look, check out this post from Erik’s blog.

Papa can’t wait to get me out in the water. While he’s advocating buying me a board NOW, Mama thinks it best we wait a few years :-) Afterall, our garage is only so big…

Vidal Sasson

I know, it’s been a while since I’ve posted to my blog. Did you miss me? I’ve missed you too. Well, I am officially 14 months old today. Time is really flying. My folks say I babble like crazy, but I like to think I have my own language going on. I do have a few actual words in my repertoire – like mama, dada, AB (i.e. Avery), baba (i.e. milk), yeah, ba (i.e. bath), hi, bye, all done, baby and my favorite – No, No, No. Sometimes I’ll use just one “No” with the wave of my finger, which isn’t going to be as cute in the months to come as it is now :-) I still only have seven teeth, but my folks swear another is on its way. My new favorite things are spaghetti, playing soccer in the grass w/ the dog Summer, taking walks in my neighborhood (of which I am the ambassador), string cheese, the good night show, and last but not least - climbing on papa like he’s a jungle gym when he walks in the door from work.

Here are a few recent pictures of me that Mama’s been meaning to post for some time now. They were taken a few weeks ago, and it’s fair to say that my hair is even bigger now! Yep, I am rockin’ the crazy mane – no doubt about it.

Save KLSD 1360

This morning I attended my first protest with Mama and Grandma. We participated in a rally in the Clear Channel parking lot to help save KLSD 1360 – San Diego’s local Air America affiliate. It is rumored that Clear Channel is considering pulling the plug on KLSD and changing the format to sports talk radio (pretty lame, huh?). Auntie Lorraine and Uncle Doogie were also at the rally representing. If you are interested in helping save San Diego’s only progressive talk radio station, please go to www.saveklsd.com to sign the petition, and to learn more about what you can do to help keep KLSD on the airwaves.

Doggie Days

Yesterday morning, Mama captured some sweet pictures of my doggie Summer and me. I have three dogs – Summer, Salamander and Oliver. They are really, really crazy, but they interact very nicely with little ole me. Summer is kind of an old lady now, so she likes to have her quiet time every once in a while. Here are some pictures of us enjoying quiet time together.

Bedtime With Papa

My Papa usually puts me to bed now. Since he’s at work all day making art for video games, this is our special time to spend together at the end of the day. We read a story (actually, he reads and I turn the pages), and then he gives me my warm baba while we cuddle in the rocking chair. I have the best Papa in the world and I love him very much! Everyday he asks me, “Avery, how did you get so beautiful?” I tell him, “It’s genetics.” After all, my Papa is pretty handsome, don’t you think?

Meet My Buddy Segan

Segan and his family were in town last week visiting from Tennessee. Mama and Stephanie used to work together and they were both blessed with adorable babies last year. While Segan is a few months younger than me, we got along splendidly. We played with all my new birthday booty while Mama, Auntie Lorraine, Stephanie and Santiago visited with each other. I’m sad that Segan lives so far away, but hopefully we’ll see each other again soon. He’s a future potential suitor fo shizzle!

Happy 1st Birthday to Me

I’m turned the big ONE last Sunday. My folks threw a birthday party for me on Saturday, and I got to celebrate the occasion with my family and close friends. All my people were so generous – showering me with lots of booty and “she’s sooooo cutes.” I had a great time roaming the house in my party dress, taking a quick dip in my kiddie pool, playing w/ the little peeps and eating my first cupcake ever! Thank you to everyone for your love and birthday wishes. You all made my first birthday a very special one.

You Can't Cage This Monkey!

Last Friday I got to visit the San Diego Zoo for the first time. Mama, Grandma D and I went with Mama’s childhood friend Norell and her boyfriend Pete, both of whom where in town from Chicago for a wedding. I got to see polar bears, elephants and giraffes, and I got a strong whiff of the camels (those guys are pretty stinky!). It was a warm day, and Mama broke a sweat pushing me up the steep hills while I kicked it in my sweet ride. We had a great time, and it was lovely finally getting to hang out with Norell and Pete.

Wedding Bells for Grandma Z

On Sunday, my folks and I went to Grandma Z’s wedding. It was a beautiful day, and my Grandma and new Grandpa are so in love and very happy. I got to celebrate the occasion with my cousins Colin and Xander, and meet the rest of my family from Seattle, Houston and Wyoming. I wore a pretty pink dress and my cousin’s sported handsome, matching pinstriped shorts suits. The three of us were too cute for words! Oh, and I got to stay up a few hours past my bedtime (very cool!). It’s official people - Grandma Z is now Grandma T!

Pool Party East County Style

My folks bought me an inflatable kiddie pool – and now I get pool parties every afternoon! I love to splash around in the water and shriek like a crazy lady when playing in my own private little oasis. It’s actually a play boat with an inflatable fishing pole and fishies. It's so cool! I’m also experiencing some sort of growth spurt, so I kinda look like little Buddha in my swimsuits. But I’m a cute little Buddha, don’t ya think? Oh yeah, I also started walking a few weeks ago. There's no stopping me now!!!

Hittin the Sauce

Ok, not really - but it makes for a good headline. I’ve finally mastered the art of drinking from the sippy cup. For months I used it like a hammer, banging on everything to make as much noise as I possibly could. Now I drink from my sippy cup like a little lady.

Bring on the Orajel

Teething is no fun – not for my folks or me. I just cut another tooth, and it has made me a bit cranky. Seven down and only 13 more to go!

Letter to the President

Dear Mr. President,

Yesterday marked my first 4th of July celebration. Mama and Papa have told me how important this day was in 1776, as we officially claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. And how important it is that we celebrate this day each year, to give thanks for the history, people and laws that make up this great country of ours.

I may not be able to vote, but the freedoms of citizenship still apply to me. And Mr. President, I have some serious issues with how you are representing America – both at home and abroad. You have used executive orders and privilege, the Patriot Act and the tragedy of 9/11 to grant yourself unprecedented power and immunity from the law. Your waged war in Iraq has further fueled the extremist Muslim movement and in my opinion, made us far less safe as a nation. You have authorized the use of torture, and prosecuted the low level military personnel that carry out your orders. Your policies have killed tens if not hundreds of thousands of Arab civilians, and are responsible for the deaths of 3,586 of our brave soldiers. You’ve destroyed more than the Iraqi people and infrastructure and economy, but also any possibility of stability in the Middle East for generations to come. At home, you’ve managed to invade the privacy of American citizens, kill the writ of habeas corpus, pander to corporations at the expense of the poor and the middle class, and commuted a senior member of your staff convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in an investigation of a treasonous act. If the pokey is good enough for Paris, it is certainly good enough for Scooter. I not only question your patriotism Mr. President, but your competence, morality and quite honestly, your sobriety.

So this 4th of July as I celebrated our great country - whose reputation you have managed to tarnish around the world - and our freedoms - which you have successfully chiseled away at in your war against terror - I wonder why it is that you have yet to be fired from your job? Am I really supposed to believe that lying about a private indiscretion between consenting adults is a more impeachable offense than the laundry list of violations committed by you? I’m much smarter than that. And I suspect the rest of America is too. You have lost touch with your constituents Mr. President - men and women, young and old, Black and White and Hispanic and Asian, gay and straight, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican. You work for all of us, and very few are happy with the job you are doing.

So come 2009, I look forward to celebrating Independence Day twice. On the 4th of July of course, but also on January 9, when a new President will be sworn in and America will be free from the reign of you and your administration.

A Very Concerned Patriot,
Avery Lorraine

My Metamorphosis

Just as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, this tiny little newborn has blossomed into a beautiful little girl. It is happening so gradually, yet so quickly. Sometimes my folks don’t realize how much I have changed until it is captured in a snapshot. This is one of those snapshots.

Hangin With Uncle Andrew

This weekend Uncle Andrew was passing through town on his way back to Oregon. He spent last week in Ensenada, MX with his church group building a home for a needy family. We met up for lunch on Saturday and I got to meet my Uncle for the first time. He thought I was very cute, which of course I am :-) We had a short, but sweet visit. I look forward to seeing him again in December when my folks and I head to Oregon for his and Brittany’s wedding.

Amondson's Wedding in the Grove

My folks and I went to Ojai this weekend for the Amondson’s wedding. Andrew and Birge got married in the garden of the beautiful Churchill residence, and their reception took place in an orange orchard a few miles away. The trees were filled with lights and Chinese lanterns and the tables adorned with pale-colored rose petals. A live band played music while the guests ate, drank and celebrated Andrew and Birge’s union. It was a very special day and my first wedding celebration could not have been more lovely or charming. Congrats Andrew and Birge! Now get busy and make me a playmate (no pressure, of course).

Splish Splash

No more baby baths for me. Last month I started taking my nightly baths in the big people tub. I like to splash around in my safety seat and play with all my new water toys. When Papa joins me, we get bubble baths – bubbles from the soap, bubbles from the tub jets and sometimes we get bubbles from Papa’s bottom :-)