Davis Family: 2008

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Boys Day Out

As one of the Davis men, Waylon has been indoctrinated early into the life of boating. Aaron and Grandpa Ed often take Waylon out for boat rides, and Aaron finally brought along the camera. Waylon certainly loves to be on the water!

Holiday Visitors

Aaron had two good friends come for a visit, and used the time to partake in his favorite things--beer and boating. Steve Edmundson and John Purdy came for a visit, and John brought his wonderful fiance, Kate. It was great having them here, and Aaron had so much fun he ended up sick and has been sleeping most of the day away. Aaron, Steve, and John had fun reminiscing about high school shenanigans, while Kate helped me with the kids. It was a great time, and we hope they can all visit again very soon!

Avalon jumps in a photo with Aaron, Steve, and John.

John's fiance, Kate, is wonderful. Last time they visited they were dating and Aaron and I both told him not to let her get away. We're glad he listened.

Avalon's One Year Update

I cannot believe that our baby girl is a year old. I feel like this posting should be very detailed, but frankly I was so behind with my 10 and 11 month updates that almost everything has been covered. I definitely enjoyed Avalon's first year. Poor Waylon was our guinea pig. We joked that he was trying to send messages to the outside world that his clueless parents needed serious help. The second time around things were crazy because there were two, but I did not feel so incompetent. I also spent a lot of time just enjoying Avalon's infant stage, knowing that it goes way too fast. That said, I still cannot believe twelve months have already passed. At this rate she'll be driving before we know it.

The big news this month was that Avalon started exclusively high crawling on December 2. She just decided to get up off her belly and that was that. She still scooches now and again, but most of the time she crawls to her destination of choice, immediately holds on to something (even the wall) and stands up. She likes to cruise. About two weeks ago we pulled out the walker, and she loves walking all around, but does not know how to fix her course when she bangs into things. She loves it so much that she will grab on to any toy with wheels and start pushing it around to get where she wants to go. This girl is dying to walk! However, she doesn't have the confidence to let go and stand, or to take independent steps.

Avalon is still playing a lot with Waylon's toys, and I can often just chill out while they play, either independently or together. She is eating a ton, and as of today (12/28) she is done nursing. She still wont take a bottle very well, but I am trying to sneak milk into her cereal, and the pediatrician assured us that she will be fine. Since I dont have to worry about the milk feedings, I am letting Avalon eat as much solid food as she wants at all three meals, and she loves it! The girl can eat, and will make crazy pterodactyl noises to let you know what she wants, especially when she sees other eating.

At her one year well check, Avalon was 19 lbs, 1 oz (20th percentile), 28 inches (20th percentile) and her head was in the 30th percentile. She is proportional, but still small. People are often surprised when I tell them her age, and I am shocked when I see other babies her age that look so much older. I am in no hurry to have her get bigger. I know it will happen. She is a healthy baby, and our main goal now is to encourage her verbal skills, including her receptive skills such as following simple commands. Like her brother, she can be stubborn so its hard to tell if she does not understand what we are asking her to do, or she just chooses not to do it.

High crawling! I have been a bad mom and have no good photos of Avalon high crawling so this blurry one will have to do.

Avalon is very much a daddy's girl, and has Aaron (and me) wrapped around her finger.

After one year of lots of pink and lots of frills, I am still not tired of all of the girly clothes.

She loves her walker!

Our little dancer loves music and loves to bob up and down to any music she hears.

Those teeth are something else.

Using her ride-on toy as a walker.

Christmas Day 2008

After all of the holiday hoopla and threats of, "If you dont go upstairs and get ready for bed, I am going to email Santa," Christmas morning finally arrived. We opened gifts with just the four of us as soon as the kids got up, and after Avalon's first nap all of the grandparents came over for brunch and gift-opening round 2. As expected, the kids were totally and completely spoiled and we were exhausted. It was a lot of fun to see Waylon's excitement, but in all honesty he probably would have been just as happy with one or two gifts. Each one that he opened became the new favorite and consumed his focus. Life is good for an almost-three-year-old. Of course, Avalon enjoyed opening the paper and was indifferent to most of the gifts. Although she loves to use her new ride-on toy as a walker.

Waylon styles in his Lightning McQueen slippers.

Aaron took Waylon shopping and he picked this Little People boat out as a gift for Avalon. You will not be shocked to learn that he instantly ripped it open yelling, "A new Little People boat!!!" When we reminded him that it was for Avalon, Waylon was quick to assure us that she was happy to share it.

Aaron supervised the dual-attack on the gifts. While it looks harmless, it quickly got dangerous.

Avalon mastered the art of gift opening.

Waylon checks out his Little People pirate ship.

Aaron channels Christmas morning 1908.

Chaos! The kids were totally spoiled with all of the gifts from their grandparents.

Avalon loves the Radio Flyer ride-on toy from Grandma and Grandpa Davis.

Waylon took off on his Radio Flyer tricycle. He absolutely loved it, and was very good due all of his practice at daycare.

However, he had troubles going up the slight incline on our street, abandoning the bike and making Grandpa push it home.

After his nap, Waylon got his big gift from Nana Patty, a train table. Nana and Grandma Josephine leaned in to figure out how to design the tracks.

Waylon was consumed with the train table, and a few days later it still seems to be a good gift. He is nice enough to let Avalon use it...sometimes.

Totally focused.

Here I am playing tennis on our new Wii, a gift from my mom.

Christmas Eve

We attended church services on Christmas Eve with Grandma and Grandpa Davis followed by traditional Christmas Eve tamales. The service was very cute since it involved puppets, keeping both kids riveted. I also loved the opportunity to dress both kids up, especially Avalon, who got to wear her beautiful birthday gift from great aunt Evelyn.

All dressed up, but still giving raspberries.

"I am ONE!"

Avalon loves cruising with her walker, or anything else with wheels that she can push.

Dashing Through the Snow...

We braved unusually cold weather by Southern California standards to deliver gifts to our neighbors. It was fun, and super cute to see the kids all bundled up.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Avalon's 1st Birthday Celebration

Avalon had a very intimate, but joyful birthday celebration on December 21st. We enjoyed burgers, cake, and family time. The great thing about a small gathering was that Avalon was not too intimidated to dig into the cake and have fun! I am in shock that my baby is one. It is interesting how one year can be totally insane and yet totally and completely filled with joy.