It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It has been a very busy holiday season for us! First we spent Thanksgiving with Goggie, Granddaddy, Grandmommy and our good friends Mike and Andrea. That week-end Ava also helped her Daddy put up and decorate the Christmas tree. On Sunday we took her to the mall to meet Santa. She now has an aversion to large men with beards.





Then Ava had her 9 month check-up...a little late.
Stats:
Weight 18lbs 6oz
Height 26.4inches
Weight for age- roughly the 25th percentile
Height for age- 10th percentile
So maybe her PNP's theory of tall and slim needs revision? Regardless, she is a very healthy, happy and beautiful baby!

Also this month we travelled to Orlando to visit with the Grinch at Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure. And this time Ava rode a ride and played in the parks playground! She liked the carousel but she loved the teeter-totter in Feivel's Playground!

Ava also had a playdate this month with her girlfriends, Ava, Ava, and Ariana! It's difficult to coordinate schedules where we can all be together at the same time. The girls exchanged gifts while the Mommy's ate bagels and chatted. It was a great time and we are so happy that Ava has made so many wonderful friends in her ten months!

Now for Ava's "Parlour Tricks": Ava has been very active the last few months. It seems she went from crawling to pulling herself up in just a couple of days. Then she quickly discovered how to "walk" while pushing her mail cart around the "Avahood." Finally, on December 20th, Ava took her first steps!!! She took a few more steps the next day but has returned to crawling for the moment. We think she's saving it up to show off for Granddaddy and Grandmommy.

Ava also likes to do things her way (wonder where she gets that from?) For example, she insists on crawling over everything instead of around them. Sometimes she even knocks them over just so she can crawl over them.

Ooh, and we almost forgot! Ava is learning to sign! She now signs more, all done, baby, sleepy, mommy and daddy. She claps when singing "If you're happy and you know it" and she can quickly locate her head for "Head, shoulders, knees and toes." She says "Dada" and "book" with a soft k. She also makes a noise that we're convinced sounds like "giraffe."

We have started a Johnson family tradition by visiting the Festival of Lights just outside the city. Ava loves Christmas lights! We strolled around the park and listened to carollers. We met Santa for some last minute gift requests and suggestions. We drank hot cocoa with mint and roasted a marshmallow around the large bonfire. It was a great night!



Now, we are preparing for family and friends to arrive and celebrate Ava's first Christmas!


Merry Christmas Everyone!