Happy 31st to Ann Marie!

Mom had to stretch the umbilical cord long enough to return to work mid-January. The separation proved too hard for her the first day and Dad dropped off a happy baby to her first day of day care. Aviana was ready for the adventure.

Anna is Aviana's day care provider. She has run a day care at her home for many years and her newest charge is our precious daughter. Aviana has already made friends with the other children--they were really excited by her arrival and spent the first week showing her things. A new baby means they are the big kids now! Aviana seems to be enjoying day care--she is a really engaged infant--very alert and interactive with her environment and the people in it. We hope day care brings her social opportunities staying at home with Mom will not provide.

Mother and daughter happily reunited after Aviana's first day at day care. Although it is very hard to leave Aviana even now I am glad to be back at work. I enjoy what I do and work is also a social outlet for me--Aviana is not much for coherent conversation yet. As Mike put it,"I talk, you poop!"

Aviana loves her Dad! Aviana's baby vocabulary has increased a lot the last few weeks. She now giggles, chortles, squeaks, squawks, and even shrieks! Most of her new noises express happiness. After she makes a noise Aviana looks around as if trying to figure out where the noise came from! Aviana kicks her legs and vocalizes in delight whenever Mom or Dad comes home!

Our big baby blue eyes!

Aviana was the first person to wish Mom a Happy Birthday at 3am! This birthday shot was at a more reasonable time (7am) the girls were just waking up from a snooze on the couch. Snuggling with my baby was a great birthday treat!

A handsome man gave me the beautiful birthday roses and cooked a yummy meal. Aviana is now able to join us at the table in her activity chair.

Happy Birthday Mom! 31 candles for 31derful years!

Mom's all dressed up for a birthday dinner out but alas parenthood called. Aviana was upset when she found out she was not going to dinner--this picture was the calm before the storm (ie tantrum); a storm so great we had to take a rain check!

Road Trip!!!!!!!

Things have been going so well for our family we decided to take the Sekerak Show on the road! We made Mike's extended drill weekend into a mini-trip. After literally packing the car to the gills with military paraphernalia and baby gear there was hardly enough room for Mom! Aviana slept most of the way to and from Colorado and Mom had her first nursing experience in public at a grimy McDonald's in Las Vegas, NM (not a recommended stop).
Aviana was a further trooper sleeping well at the Sliver's house and in a hotel. You can tell sleep is a hot topic amongst new mothers! Speaking of sleep Aviana did try out her new PeaPod sleeper travel tent. Mom thought it was comfortable too (and won a bet--Mike did not think I'd fit!)

Mike kept busy with Air Force business and is now certified to teach a satellite lab class! The girls spent their time relaxing. We had a nice play date with the Chavannes and enjoyed the hospitality at the Sliver's. Mike has regained the darts title in a stunning victory over Gary. As always it was great seeing Gary and Emma!

Sadly we were remiss and did not take many photos to document Aviana's first road trip but here is a cute shot with her Dad!

2 Months Old!

Today Aviana is 2 months old! Did you just see time flying by?

Kicking back and enjoying the day . . . look at that Buddha belly!

Bright eyed, sitting up, and ready for an adventure!

Aviana survived her first round of vaccines, she was as brave as she could be and did not fuss too much afterwards. Today she can smile about it!

And last but not least I present Hildy and Scout. Scout is very proud for once he is king of the castle and booted Hildy from his bed!

Around the New Year

Just a cute picture of Aviana!

Announcing to 2010 Ta-Da Cuteness has arrived!

After the Falks migrated back to sunny Florida our family indulged in a few days of R&R before ringing in the New Year. Mike enjoyed his time off from work, especially time spent with his baby girl! Aviana has discovered her hands and thinks they taste very good. She is also starting to drool a lot--doctor says this means she may get her first tooth as early as 4 months!

We awoke up December 30th and forgot for a moment we were in New Mexico! Four inches of snow brought us back to our childhoods in the Mid-West.

The weather cleared New Year's Eve and the Sliver's drove down from Denver to party it up for 2010 . . . translation with a new baby we barely made it past midnight! That did not stop us from celebrating with watching football (ie cheering Penn State to victory!), competitive darts, champagne, and good food! Happy New Year!

Aviana has really started to smile in the last few weeks which is a delight for everyone. Here are my first attempts at catching it on film. The first shot was the best except the photographer had trouble getting the baby to smile and keeping the camera on the subject! :)