Saturday, October 11, 2008

"LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE BUSY MAKING OTHER PLANS........"


Exactly one year ago today, at this time, two lines on a stick changed my world and turned it upside down. You see, dearest of all Aviv's, the furthest thing from my mind was getting pregnant. I had just gotten married, and was knee deep in the fantasy of buying a house, and making plans to apply for an MBA program.



I will admit that I was -- initially -- completely terrified. shocked. overwhelmed. I knew everything was going to change, and wasn't sure if I was ready for it, to be an Ima, to face so much responsibility.

A week later we found ourselves at the obgyn's office, where an ultrasound showed us I was already 8 weeks 6 days pregnant, and for the first time, we saw YOU. We saw you, Aviv. We saw a little peanut, with a flickering heart beat, and we heard that heart beat go WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH. As my hand flew to my mouth (which gasped, "oh!") Emiro teared up and stared at the screen. There you were.

Aviv, the day we found out about your presence in our lives, was the day that changed everything. You are the biggest blessing, the biggest joy. Your arrival closed a chapter of my life, and opened an entire book. You expanded me, my abilities, my compassion, my love. I look at you and I melt. I see your little dimpled knuckles and I melt. I hear you cry and I melt. I watch as you learn to laugh, smile, engage with others, and I melt.

You are my all, my joy, my hopes. The day I found out my had world flipped upside down- well, turns out it was the best day of my life. You have been with me ever since, a constant companian. I love you so dearly, so thoroughly. Words cannot even begin to explain just how much I adore you.

One year ago, today.




Being back home, but with a baby in tow......

It was so strange picking up our luggage and then going through the doors to the arrivals pick-up lounge with Aviv and Emiro. I felt.... so grown up? playing a part? Kind of like an out of body experience. Within seconds I saw mom waving from the audience, and then she ran up to us and immediately took Aviv from my arms and kissed her. It was heart warming and I continued to wheel our luggage / stroller / car seat with Emiro towards dad. We sat down at the airport cafe area and enjoyed coffee for an hour before starting the 1 1/2 hour car ride from Ben Gurion Airport to Haifa.

At home, meeting her auntie Leore for the first time:






Hanging out with my parents, waiting for my sister Shira to arrive:



Snuggling with Auntie Shira:



Falling asleep in her arms:



The following day we had a couple family member drop by to meet Aviv (we had a bigger party planned that weekend) - my aunts and grandparents were too impatient to wait, not that I can blame them!

With my grandma & Aunt Rivka:



With Aunt Simi:



Grandma & cousin Oren



We also went to visit one of my best friends - Sandy, and her husband Arie:



Getting smiles from Cupcake!



And she gets kisses in return:



Showing off her iron grip on Sandy's finger:



We were watching the opening of the Olympics here:



Later that evening Shira picked us up and we drove to Aunt Simi's place to celebrate her birthday.



Aviv's great grandparents:



Shira taking Aviv's fingers out of her mouth:



This picture makes my heart sing:



As you can see, she got loads of attention and was not allowed to be in my arms:





Being silly:





We went a bunch of times with my parents to the mall, where they went crazy and bought Aviv a million toys. She's becoming so much more observant and alert that she's starting to react to the toys we show her:









Getting burped by Emiro after a BF session at the Greg coffee shop in Horev Mall:





Different day, different coffee shop:







My cousin Roxanne came to visit from England, so we go together one evening:



We started carrying Aviv face forward in the Baby Bjorn- she has such great head control now:



We had a party at my parents house for close family members -- everyone got to meet Aviv and she loved all of the extra attention:





















Aviv had a blow up poop in the middle, so like a little diva she had an outfit change :)

Posing for a couple of cameras:







Someone is getting tired:





A beautiful series of photos (please excuse my dad's hairy legs, though!!!!!!!)











Getting bathed by Shira and my mom at the end of a (very!) tiring day of being passed around between family members:









LOTS MORE TO COME!!!!