Sunday I went to my first bridal shower. Mommy's cousin, Amber, is getting married in April. Mommy's cousin and goddaughter, Rebecca, loved holding me and tried to make me feel better when I wasn't so happy.

It's Fun to Stay at the Y-M-C-A

Sunday I got to show off my wheels at the Y. Mommy and Daddy took me there and we walked around the track. I opened my eyes for a split second to see the new pools and then I went right back to sleep. Mommy keeps talking about taking me into the new warm water pool during a family swim time. I think I'm going to have to go swimsuit shopping first! While I was at the Y, I met Mrs. Virgili, Mommy's second grade teacher.

Meet Brownie

Mommy's cousins, Steven and Rebecca, got me this awesome bear from Build-a-Bear. His name is Brownie!

This is me with Steven and Rebecca.

The Pickle Winner is...

KAITLIN!!! The girls dominated for another year! This year the competition was a little more intense! Kurt, the pickle virgin, joined us to make things even for the boys. This year dad lead us out and lined us up, backs to the tree, so nobody would cheat. Chris got nasty and pushed me back so he could get to the tree first!

Another victory for the girls!! Maybe next year boys!

Christmas Day Part 3

Our last celebration was at Nonna and Papa's house with Auntie and Kurt.

Mommy decorated me with some ribbon from one of my presents.

I got to hang out with Papa and Nonna a lot!

Nonna got me a special plate so I can leave some cookies for Santa next year!

Daddy got a drill for Christmas!

Christmas Day Part 2

After we got home from Grammie and Grampie's I finally got to see what Santa brought me! First, I opened my stocking. Mommy read me the book that was in there right away.

Then I let my Daddy open his stocking. I hope he'll share his candy with me! Mommy tells me he's pretty protective of his M&M's though!
Then I opened the rest of my presents with Daddy. I got this cool toy that will teach me my colors, letters and sounds! Mommy loves this toy!

All these presents and activity make a girl tired!

Christmas Day Part 1

Christmas morning we went to Grammie and Grampie Zarletti's house for breakfast and to open presents. I was excited to see Auntie because I didn't get to see her last night! She had to work so she didn't get to celebrate Christmas Eve with us this year.

I didn't want to be bothered, so I made Mommy open my presents for me!

Welcome Home Kurt!!

I got to meet Kurt today! He got home from the Navy just in time to celebrate Christmas! He told me he's officially a civilian again. I guess that means he's in Kenosha to stay now. Auntie is really excited about it!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Grammie and Grampie's house. Mommy dressed me up in my Christmas dress. The food Grammie made smelled really good! Mommy told me in a couple years I will be able to experience the famous fried apples and mushrooms. I got to meet all of my great aunts and uncles and mommy's cousins.

After dinner, I changed into my pj's and snuggled with Auntie Tina.
At 9:30 we headed to church. I've never been there before and I slept through the entire mass! I got home in time to eat and go to sleep so Santa could come!

Auntie's New Pad

Auntie closed on her house today! She was very patient for 4 months while things went back and forth on her house. Today she finally got the keys! Mommy and I went over to start cleaning for her. I got really sad when auntie told me she wouldn't be able to give me the tour of her new house because she had to go to work!

She told me mommy had been there before and could show me around. She promised I would love the huge jacuzzi tub in the basement bathroom. She told me when I get a little older I could swim in it! After I saw it I think it's a good idea!
After auntie left, mommy started to clean one of the bathrooms. I got to hang out in my bouncy in the room that will be mine! That's right I get a room at auntie's house!

Before mommy took me home, we set up this little Christmas tree by auntie's fireplace as a surprise for her. I hope she likes it!

One Happy Girl!

We have our happy baby back! After less than 24 hours on the new formula, Chris and I are very excited to have our almost "normal" Ava back! She is so much happier now that we've figured out her allergy and what she's able to eat. We are both thankful that Dr. Rocco figured out the problem so quickly and worked with us so closely to find a fix for Ava! Each day is getting better and she's more comfortable.

One Month Wellness Check

Ava went for her one month wellness check today. It was also our follow up appointment for her milk protein allergy. The good news first! She weighed in at 9 pounds 2 ounces and was 22.5 inches long. She is in the 50th percentile for her weight and head circumference and the 90th percentile for her length. Chris and I said she's got big feet and will probably end up taller than us! I guess she may have inherited the Uhlenhake gene for height! We had Ava on a "special" formula that was suppose to be for babies with the milk protein allergy. It has made her absolutely miserable! We ended up leaving Christmas at my grandparents' house early yesterday because she was in so much pain and we couldn't get her to stop crying. Chris ran out and got some gas drops which seemed to help her and stop her 3 hour crying streak. We put those in each bottle last night and it seemed to make her a little better. The dr. put us on the "most special" formula that's available. Her first feeding already seems better. We are hoping the insurance company will cover the cost of the formula as the "most special" stuff also comes with the most special price tag! Our fingers are crossed that this will work for Ava and make her return to her happy little self!

Go Tremper Go!!

Tonight mommy took me to her old high school, Tremper, to watch daddy's wrestlers. Mommy told me she was amazed at the new cafeteria but was sad there wasn't a commons anymore. We watched daddy's wrestlers beat Case High School. The score was 64-10! Mommy got really excited when the ref blew the whistle after only a little bit of the match. She told me that meant that there was a pin and that's really good for our team. The loud cheering didn't even bother me!

Ava Update

I took Ava to the dr. on Wednesday because I thought she could have a sinus infection. Chris and I were also a bit concerned because she screamed uncontrolably for a couple days and we couldn't do anything to calm her down. She was also having some vomitting issues. After Dr. Rocco explaining that it's almost impossible for babies as young as Ava to get sinus infections because sinus cavities aren't formed, she decided to test for a lactose intolerance. I had to sit in the room and wait for Ava to dirty a diaper so the test could be done! The test confirmed that Ava has a milk protein allergy. That means she is not able to have any dairy, milk or soy products. They handed me a two page handout of the things I could not eat while nursing her. It would have been much easier for them to tell me what I CAN eat! The nutritionist at the hospital has helped me understand a little bit better what to be looking at food labels for. Later that night I was that dreaded person that just stands in the aisles of the grocery store examining labels! After a day of my adjusted diet Ava seemed to be closer to her happy, laid back self. On a happier note, I was shocked that she's up to 8 pounds 14 ounces!

I Love My Play Gym!

Last night when daddy came home from wrestling practice he found a large box addressed to me on the front porch! Gramma and Grampa Passe sent me an awesome play gym for Christmas! Daddy put it together last night and mommy and I played with it today! I love looking at the penguin and listening to the music it plays! Thank you Gramma and Grampa, I love it!!

I'm 4 weeks old today! Mommy says it's gone by really fast already.

Fun at Nonna and Papa's

After all the excitement of making the ravioli, Ava and Papa fell asleep in the chair.

Ava found a stuffed moose under Nonna's Christmas tree.

She was very fond of the moose.

Mangia!!

We went to Mom and Dad's today to make our annual ravioli for Christmas dinner.

The picture we took for Mom and Dad's Christmas card. Ava wasn't too thrilled about sitting in the mixer bowl and having noodles on her head and legs.

Snuggied Up

Kaitlin came over today to give me my birthday present. I got a pink snuggie as part of my gift! I will not be wearing it on an airplane like the box suggests though!

My Daddy Rocks!

I had a super fun day with my daddy today! Mommy took me to his work to eat lunch with him. She said it was suppose to snow a lot (whatever snow is) tonight and then get really cold so it would be our last outing for awhile. Then daddy didn't have to go to wrestling practice, so we had some tummy time and snuggles together tonight.

St. Nick

St. Nick made a stop at our house for Ava. She got a new toy that she really likes to watch when she has tummy time or is laying on the floor.

Waking up to open her present wasn't on Ava's agenda.