Lauren's 31st Birthday

Lauren's 31st Birthday marked a huge milestone. TJ baked for the first time. Lauren made the request for a lemon cake and TJ delivered. Lauren showed him how to flour the pan correctly so it would not stick. TJ used the handbeater for the first time, and asked good questions before using it. Do you start it, then put it in the batter?
He was so proud of his delicious creation.

Happy Birthday Lauren.

Lauren and Ava, 5 months.

Lauren with her girls, Carys 22 months and Ava.

Ava sitting pretty.

TJ and Carys, and of course Dollie.

Christmas Day 2010

Christmas day 2010 had to have been one of the longest days in Markiewicz history. With two little ones having to be fed or take naps, opening presents took until late afternoon. I believe James and Holley called around 3 pm and we were still opening presents! Up first, stockings! Ava was as big as her stocking.Carys walked around the blue chair to see their new table and chairs. Such excitement!

Papa James and CC came over in the morning. Carys had to show him her new penguin from Papa Tom the night before.

Sit down Papa, check out my new table and chairs and my advent calendar, or as she called it her house.

Papa James and CC with the girls...minus Macy.

Carys loved the ribbon as well as her new Bitty Baby.

She loved looking at her and put her in Ava's bumbo.

Carys also helped me put together the baby's cradle.

Carys putting the baby to bed.

Carys reading to the baby. What a good mommy.

Check out Carys' new purses, one for each arm!

Ava with her new toys too.

As Goofy would say...a Birdie House! And a gloworm for Ava.

Daddy TJ went out and bought a mailbox for the girls, it was an instant hit.

A tunnel from Uncle Jamie and Aunt Holley, fun...even Papa James got stuck in it!

Even though it was one of the coldest days on record, Carys still wanted a ride on her new tricycle.

This picture shows the complete chaos we called our home on Christmas. Auntie Kim came down with her boyfriend Matt and their dog Buddy. Macy had a playmate, Maya hid the entire time and it was a full house covered in presents. Thank you everyone for all the presents and company. Another great Markiewicz holiday for the books.

Carys' First Golf Lesson

Papa Tom gave Carys golf clubs for Christmas. Here is her first lesson, slightly comical.

Christmas Eve 2010

Nana and Papa came down from Katy to celebrate on Christmas Eve. We went to Villa Capri a new family favorite since Ava's baptism.

Carys was too busy talking on her telephone to pose for a picture with Nana and Papa. This is the same telephone that I gave Grant as a baby and about 5.5 years later the battery finally went out, and no we did not replace it.

Auntie Kim also came down for dinner and to open a few presents. Our family on Christmas Eve TJ with Maya in his lap, Macy on the floor, Lauren, Kim, Nana with Ava and Papa Tom. Carys on Kim's lap had to have Ernie included.

Ava loved the penguin Papa Tom bought at an auction.

Carys loved the golf clubs from Papa Tom.

A tricycle for me! Carys is so happy.

Carys left milk and cookies for Santa...the carrot sticks are for the reindeer.

And all the children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of Sugar Plums danced in their heads...good night.

Ava at Five Months

Big Sister and Baby Sister...they are quite a pair. Carys loves her baby sister Ava and has a hard time "sharing" her at daycare. Carys will refer to her as "my Ava", we are currently successfully working on sharing. Carys is about 23 months in this picture.
Ava is 5 months old and is a super baby. We think she is teething but she is very good, barely showing any discomfort. She enjoys playing in her jumperoo and grasping toys.

Carys at 5 months, she definitely had less hair than Ava.

Not anymore! Look at those locks! Carys also had her first haircut this month. She struck a pose for me while I was taking Ava's pictures.

Ava is now a supported sitter. She is not very sturdy but does great in the Bumbo. She sits in her high chair to eat her oatmeal cereal twice a day.

Ava is very strong, and does not get upset on her tummy quickly.

She has discovered her toes, which is adorable. She can put her foot in her mouth, literally. By grabbing her toes she has also figured out how to roll over!

Carys was showing me she could do it too. Good Job Carys.

Here is a video of our little Ava rolling over!

Meeting Santa for the First Time

The excitement of Christmas begins early in late November, early December. Ava got to meet Santa for the first time the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We were at the mall doing family pictures and even though she was tired, she still posed with Santa.

We were lucky to have Grant visiting, so he struck a pose too. He said he was going to ask Santa how old he was...I still am not sure about that answer.

Carys, our very shy child, would not sit with Santa, so I have added last year's picture of Carys with Santa, the first time she ever met him in 2009.

Harborwalk hosts a tree triming party in early December, here is Carys with CC awaiting the arrival of Santa on the boat.

There he is with his little helper Papa!

Papa James drove the boat to bring Santa in, Carys was a little unsure of the beard. Grandma CC must have been to Australia again for Papa to grow such a magnificent beard.

Our family, TJ, Lauren, Carys and Ava with Santa.

So Much to Be Thankful For

Thanksgiving 2010 was full of family and the unknown. I had taken Ava to the doctor on the Monday for her usual check up when the doctor pointed out Ava's eyes "shaking." I confirmed that she had had it since birth but had gotten better with age. The doctor expressed her concern and asked us to take her to see a pediatric opthamologist. In the meantime, reading about Nystagmus online did not help settle my concerns. Reading brain tumor and thinking about your 4 month old left me with many sleepless nights. We had an appointment to see the opthamologist on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We spent Thanksgiving Thursday with Papa Tom and Nana Sharla. Ava had a great first Thanksgiving. Carys enjoyed playing at Papa's house, especially rocking Nana in the rocking chair.

Friday morning, TJ and I took Ava to the doctor, after 2 hours and an eye dilation, it turns out Ava is ok. She has a genetic Nystagmus, dancing of the eyes, when she tries to focus. It is something that could get worse or better with age, it is just something to watch. She did not even need glasses. When we left I just cried from relief, when it is your baby, you cannot help but worry. We then drove down to Harborwalk where James, Holley and Grant had arrived for a visit. Our family, while Carys and Ava are napping.

It was so special for Carys to have time to play with her cousin. She was so excited to sleep in the same room, she could not go to sleep!

Grant was such a good big cousin, sharing his toys, quite often giving things up so that Carys would just be happy. Carys was still learning how to share at the time and was used to her personal space. Grant did great with Carys, being very understanding.

Lots of playtime for the cousins.

This was also the first time James, Holley and Grant got to meet Ava. Ava was such a good baby, going to anyone. Here is Ava with Papa James.

Aunt Holley getting to spend some quality time with Carys.

Proud Uncle Jamie, Cousin Grant and Ava.

Proud Aunt Holley with her family and Ava.

Silly Grant playing in Carys's car on their last night in Houston.

Beep! Beep!