Ava learns to be spontaneous....and likes it??

Well, this weekend, Ava experienced some spontaneity. On Friday, Nandita and Jochem invited us all to go along with them to Lake Berryessa to spend a night in a cabin on the water. It was supposed to be foggy and cold in the city, so could we really say no to the 90 degree heat in the Napa Valley? Heck no! So, last minute, we all drove up on Saturday morning....wondering what our lake experience would be.

We arrived at the cabins around noon after some horrible directions (thanks to Google). Ava slept the whole way, thankfully. Once we arrived, she was ready for some heat and some lounging by the lake! Unfortunately, the lake is REALLY low this year, making for not so ideal lounging areas, but more like mud pits. Also, apparently Lake Berryessa is a big haven for boaters. Red boaters...if you know what I mean. Don't get us wrong, we love our red boating - we have spent many a weekends in Disco Bay with the Hitches. But, it isn't so fun when you aren't in a boat. We were just watching from the sidelines.

In any case, we did lounge for a little while. Ava got really hot and bothered...no really...she was really hot and bothered. In fact, I don't think she likes hot weather at all. Maybe 98 is too hot for her. She fussed a lot, cried a little, and even screamed a few times. It wasn't so fun for her.

Here she is lounging with Nandita in a brief moment of happiness:

Once we returned to the air-conditioned cabins (HA!), she felt a little better. As the night wore on, she felt even better as the air cooled off. We got to enjoy some great conversation with Nan, Jochem, Sonya and Luke...along with some ribs, brat and corn on the cob! Oh, and some beer. That was the best part.

Overall, the trip was a fun thing to do on a weekend where we thought we would be stuck in fog. Ava likes spontaneity, even though apparently she doesn't like heat - and what doesn't kill her, will only make her stronger.

Also, the past two weeks have been pretty fun. We had cocktails and drinks with Joanna on Friday night, dinner at Gordon and Jeannie's on Thursday night, brunch at Park Chow and playtime in the park with the Hitches last Sunday, and a BBQ at Oliver's house with Audrey too (and their parents)! The next couple weeks are sure to be tops though. On Friday, August 3 we are going to Scottsdale to visit Nanny and Papa Williams and then straight to Florida to visit Kirsten, Tony and Colin until Friday, August 10! Then, only a week and half at home and then off to Australia on the 23rd to meet the Peades! G'day!

Below is a cute picture to keep you wanting more.....

...and here are more if you want it!

My Mom and Dad are GRRRReat!

I have to admit - I have pretty cool parents. They take me all over the place! In the picture above with my daddy, we had just spent the entire day walking around the city on a beautiful day, stopping by the Fillmore Festival and then ending up at my favorite New Mexican restaurant, Green Chile Kitchen! I could eat there everyday...er...well they could anyway.

Then, in the picture with mommy above, we were at the Alameda County fair in Pleasanton. It was a beautiful 90 degrees there. My parents love the hot weather, so they leave the city whenever it is cold there to venture into hot weather. The fair was really fun and quite an experience. I saw prize winning pigs, cows and sheep, cloggers, pig races, rides and lots of good fried food! I think I am going to like these places even better when I get a little older.

On July 4, it was actually a lovely day in San Francisco, so we went to Golden Gate Park to enjoy the weather and have a picnic. Here I am celebrating our nation's birthday! Yay America!

On July 8 - I was left for the first time somewhere without my parents. They had to celebrate their 1-year anniversary. They went to a fabulous Peruvian restaurant and I stayed with Aunt Nandita and Uncle Jochem. I love them...so it was fine that mommy and daddy left me. Jochem makes me laugh and I love to fall asleep on Nandita. Mmmmm, comfy!

This week I also went to my first movie. Mommy and I went to the mommy and me movies at the Presidio Theater and saw Knocked Up. It is a great deal...because the movies are free and I get to go with my other baby friends! It was pretty good movie, but mommy had to cover my ears a few times because of the naughty language! This past weekend, we went to Tiburon for some more nice weather. We walked all over the place and ended with some margaritas on the bay (I had milk - proof below)! I love my life!

Here are the latest photos of my life!

New toys, wedding and just hanging out...

Here are all the latest pictures of Ava and her exciting life! Enjoy!

Playgroup!

Here is Ava's Playgroup! We meet with them every Tuesday. Today we had a good crowd...there are only a few babies missing. They were all so well-behaved for the picture! It was so adorable - Ava was flirting with her new friend Brighton (she is second from the left). She couldn't stop staring at him and poking him. I think it is her first boyfriend!

They linked arms together all by themselves....look how cute they were!

All Smiles

It has been a busy few weeks for little Ava. With all the energy she has from sleeping through the night, she has been been active during the day. She is all smiles now - as you can see from above. Every day she smiles more and more. I can't believe how she is responding to us - and more remarkable is how different she looks from week to week. She is holding her head up very well too.

The weather in San Francisco has been pretty darn nice lately. Ava had her first boat ride on a Blue and Gold Ferry to Angel Island on one of those beautiful days. We went with her friend Oliver and his friend Lucy. Their moms Sarah and Karen went as well. It was a great day! We walked all around the island and had a great workout. Here is a nice photo from the day:

Then, we had a very nice weekend visit from Kelly and Eric. It was great to see them and it also allowed us to spend some quality time with our super friends Nandita and Jochem. It seemed like such a long weekend - we all enjoyed it. See how Nandita and Jochem enjoyed hanging out with Ava. They are getting some good practice! Their little baby is due in December (I think it is a girl!)

Lastly, we went to ANOTHER wedding! It was absolutely beautiful. One of the best ever. Jeannie and Gordon got married at Tomales Bay State Park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The reception at Point Reyes Station House Cafe was breathtaking. It makes us want to go to weddings all the time.

Dad was the best man at the wedding - and we have to say he looks pretty handsome. Ava looks cute in her wedding outfit as well.

Ava is SO Proud!

Here is Ava looking very proud that she just slept through the night! She surprised Mommy and Daddy - as they had no idea it was coming! She went to bed at her normal time of 9:30 pm and then didn't wake up until 5:30! That is 8 full hours of sleep! We all like 8 hours of sleep! Of course, Mom and Dad woke up around 5:15 and were amazed that she hadn't stirred all night. They checked to make sure she was still breathing (as all new parents do). Sure enough, she was still alive and made them very proud!

The real test was whether she would do it again....and believe it or not, she slept from 9:00 pm to 4:30 the very next night! That is good for us - 7.5 hours of sleep!

Nanny nanny poo poo - I sleep through the night!

Warner Family Time!

Ava made her first trip to Charlotte to visit Grandma and Grandpa Warner and Uncle Ralph, soon to be Aunt Carey and Uncle Adam. It was a nervous time for mom, because she was traveling alone with Ava at 7 weeks old on two very long flights there and back. But, mom should have known that Ava was going to be her normal angel self. She didn't make one peep on both 5 hour flights! The people around us didn't even know there was a baby with me. She really is the best baby ever!

In Charlotte, Ava got to meet Grandpa and her two uncles for the first time and was excited to see Grandma again! It was both our first times seeing the new Warner house in Charlotte - since they just moved there a few months ago. The house is very cute and is in a wonderful neighborhood. We enjoyed ourselves in the hot weather - going for walks and visiting. Ava also got to meet her great uncle Carl - who lives just 35 minutes north of Charlotte - and his girlfriend Maryann.

While in Charlotte, Ava made her first real baby cooing sounds. She was playing with a new elephant toy and obviously got very excited. She also started grabbing for toys and smiling back at us more and more. Here she is playing with another new toy that Grandma bought - there are two Avas!

Here are some more pictures from her big trip. Now that Ava has flown to Charlotte - she is now ready to take on the world!