Christmas Holiday

Happy Holidays to all family and friends! Our small family had a wonderful first Christmas together. We were fortunate to have the Falk grandparents in town to share this special time with us.

Aviana met her Grandpa Falk for the first time and immediately became the apple of his eye. And Grandma Falk could hardly believe how much Aviana had grown!

As the visit progressed we ate . . .

drank . . .

and were merry (aka played with Aviana!) . . .

Christmas morning dawned cold and bright, many presents had appeared overnight!

Look at this beautiful cross stitch done by Great Aunt Martha!

Pretty good hand-eye coordination playing with a new toy!

Who says Christmas is just for kids?

It's for dogs too!

Check out Grandpa's new pants from Santa . . . nothing says Christmas like Camo! :)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Aviana's Many Sides

Tough girl . . .



Diva . . .



Heartbreaker (though Dad says no dating until the age of 30!) . . .



Tomboy . . .



This great gift from the List Family may have been jinxed as the Bears lost to the Packers the first time she wore it (Erika is a notorious cheesehead!). At least she has an outfit every Sunday!

Christmas time is here!

Time moves along and Christmas approaches. Aviana was the supervisor as Mom decorated the house.



Aviana's stocking will be arriving packed in Grandma Falk's suitcase; she is in charge of knitting stockings for the family! Then it was time to pick out the perfect tree!







Very helpful 4-legged friends!



Aviana did put her first ornament on the tree with Dad's help; it is a beautiful Waterford baby bottle engraved with baby's first Christmas and was a gift from Aunt Pam and Uncle John Sekerak!







After a tough day of Christmas preparation it was time for a relaxing bath (first time in water--she loved it!).

One Month Old!

It is hard to believe that our wee one is already one month old! Time flies when immersed in all things baby! Aviana is doing great--she is still along string bean but growing well and we treasure her daily.

On her one month birthday!

The girls had their first bonding time alone when Mike spent 3 days in Colorado on an Air Force drill weekend! Ann-Marie was successful as a single mother adding to the list of things she can do one-handed, but is very glad Mike is back!

Aviana is becoming more interested in the world around her everyday--Mom and Dad are becoming boring already! Aviana gave her Oceans play mat an enthusiastic thumbs up!

See a resemblance?

Aviana sleeping November, 2009



Ann-Marie sleeping 1979

Mom just can't stop taking pictures of Aviana--her cuteness is irresistible!

Turkey Time!

Thanksgiving arrived with not just turkey and cranberries but a visit from Mama and Papa (Mike's parents) and Aunt Lisa. Aviana welcomes her guests with open arms!

Before company came Mom had her first drink back post pregnancy practicing the time honored tradition of "pumping and dumping." Her drink of choice = Samuel Smith Cider Beer courtesy of the Migliores. Yum!
And Mike was successful giving Aviana her first bottle at home.

Aviana spent lots of time in Mama's arms!

And took several naps with Papa! They opened their eyes for this picture. . .

Mike learned from Aviana, he combined crying like a baby and a hand signal to make beer appear!

Then it was time to eat, drink, and be merry! Mike and Papa were the genius chefs behind a delicious Thanksgiving dinner!

In honor of company Ann-Marie tried out her Hooter Hider and learned the basic art of modest nursing!

Thank you Mama, Papa, and Aunt Lisa for sharing Aviana's first Thanksgiving with us!

On Thanksgiving a proud Mom and Dad were thankful for their beautiful, healthy 3 week old baby girl who has already brought us so much joy!

For dessert the Sekerak strawberries!

Watching the baby grow!

The twelve days that have gone by since Aviana's arrival have been filled with lots of firsts. The three of us are settling into something of a routine. Aviana is nursing well, Ann is healing well, and Mike is coping well with the demands of his ladies!

First bath = one very mad baby!

Recovered from first bath . . .

First attempt at Tummy Time, Aviana was able to turn her head from left to right!

First time in the Bjorn, Mom made it two laps around the block!

Aviana loves her Dad!

And her Mom!

Three generations of Falk women pose for a picture . . .

Aviana models her strawberry hat (made by her Mom) and her sweater (a hand-made shower gift) on her way to run some errands. This picture was the aftermath of a HUGE tantrum and putting on clothes.



We have been so lucky to have Grandma (Ann's Mom) here to help! And Mama (Mike's Mom) and Papa (Mike's Dad) arrive on Sunday, hopefully Mike and Ann survive the few days of baby care on their own!

Our happy family!