Avery's 1st Christmas!

We hosted Christmas Eve dinner at our house this year, like we've done for the past 3 years. This year was obviously a special year because of an extra family member named Avery! She was cooperative throughout the day, taking her naps on schedule. We had her take a nap right before the party started so she'd be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but when she saw so many people when she woke up, she was a little overwhelmed, resulting in the deer-caught-in-headlights look throughout the evening (hence the stunned expressions in most of the party pics)

I made a standing rib roast, Cindy made a salad, Grandma made a pasta dish, Mom brought the wine, and my Mother-in-law Daisy brought a big slab of imported yellowtail sashimi. Ain't nothin' better than all-you-can-eat sashimi for the holidays! Here's a picture of the three of us under our Christmas tree. Most of the gifts under the tree were Avery's. Apparently no one told us that once we have a kid, we automatically forego Christmas presents for ourselves, and all presents go to Avery. She must've gotten 20 presents! We gave digital photo frames with Avery's pictures inside for both sets of Grandmas and Grandpas and Great-Grandma as well. That was obviously too great an idea because my mom gave out digital photo-frames to my in-laws and my sister too. Digital photo frames for all!

Grandma Chang got Avery the cutest little tiny Greek peasant dress from her recent trip to Greece, along with a bib from Hawaii that said "Mom says No, Grandma says Go!" Apparently that is going to be the family motto from now on. Grandma Shih got Avery a super-soft fleece sleeping bag and matching stroller blanket that is so fancy I feel bad about Avery's inevitable poop stains that will threaten to terrorize the gorgeous material. Uncle Henry got Avery a set of DVD's titled "Your Baby Can Read!" that I requested. I saw an infomercial about it a while back. Avery loves watching TV so much, I figured that we might as well make it educational and fun for her! Auntie Cindy got a super fancy jumperoo that sings songs, and will (hopefully) keep Avery occupied for months to come. YES!

The Chang Family in all their glory! Complete with Lulu and now Mimi, the combining of two Chang dogs from two separate continents into one family with enough dog drama for their own episode of Dog Whisperer. Of course its a good idea to enter them in for Cesar Millan's show. But the problem is, no one wants to get bit for the documentary.

Shih Family! Grandpa Shih thinks its funny to let Avery sniff his glass of wine, claiming that it will make her "stronger". Next time he does that again I will show him who is "stronger". That's right Dad, you heard me!

Avery stayed awake until 10pm, getting tired and antsy towards the end of the evening. Couldn't blame her - she usually can't stay awake past 2-3 hours at a time, and that night she was awake for almost 4 hours. Within minutes of everyone leaving the house, Avery fell asleep drinking her last bottle of milk for the night.

Merry Christmas Avery!