Update on the Girls

Nicole and Ava have been busy! On December 13th, Ava made her first sign - she signed "Mommy!" We were so excited. Nicole has started signing to her little sister now too - she can sign "Mommy," "Daddy," "Grammy," "Butterfly" (Ava's nickname), "Milk", and "Diaper." My girls are so smart!

Ava also got her first tooth on December 19th. I haven't actually seen it but I have felt it. That explains why my usually sweet little girl has been having such a rough time falling asleep at night. I have a feeling that more are on the way...

Nicole seems to have started reading a bit. On Thursday, December 20th, she received a Christmas card from her friend Joey at daycare. We opened the card at home that evening. Nicole looked at the inside and got very upset. She said, "Joey! This isn't for me!" It seems that she read his name at the bottom of the card and thought it was for Joey instead of from him. I was so impressed!

Nicole and Ava both had holiday parties at daycare on Friday, December 21st. I was able to attend both. Nicole and I enjoyed cupcakes, brownies, Dora fruit snacks, and fresh strawberries. Nicole ate about eight strawberries! She participated in the gift exchange and received a pink plastic purse with a light-up butterfly. We see butterflies everywhere since Ava was born! Ava partied with the babies and made a huge mess. She had bananas all over her face when Nicole and I went to visit her in the baby room.

The girls continued their partying streak on Sunday, when we celebrated with Grammy, Great Grammy, Uncle Craig, and Aunt Deborah at an early Christmas dinner at Auntie Jean's house. Nicole enjoyed eating shrimp and exploring Auntie Jean's trinkets. Ava played on the floor and fell asleep on Auntie Jean's bed. Nicole received a coloring book and crayons, jeweled hair bows and clips, and a huge chocolate Santa.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at our house with Daddy, Grammy, and Great Grammy. After we went to look at the Christmas lights, we returned to the house and found that Santa had arrived while we were gone. The girls had so much fun opening their presents. Nicole said she got everything she wanted and that it was the best Christmas ever. Ava started to cry when Daddy picked her up and wouldn't stop until he put her back on the floor with her gifts.

Christmas Day we had dinner at Grammy's house with Daddy, Grammy, Great Grammy, and Auntie Jean. The turkey was absolutely delicious. Nicole wasn't hungry but Ava was. I tried to give her a bit of mashed potatoes - she was furious! We decided pureed bananas were her preference. Santa came for the third time to Grammy's house and the girls got even more presents. Nicole enjoyed playing Whack-A-Mole but she liked the Dora push toy that Santa left for Ava even better.