Ava Quinn Van Dusen

Things to be thankful for...

2009-11-27T07:47:00.000-08:00

AQVD couldn't have had a better Thanksgiving. The day started in Central Park, where she got to see her heros, Abby Kaddaby and Dora, in balloon form with the help of grandpa's sturdy shoulders. Then she got to spend the afternoon chasing and getting chased by her energetic second cousins -- thanks Blair and Ashley! And the big day ended with some turkey, turkey-apple making and chunks from a giant chocolate turkey. Yum.
Boots and swiper didn't make it to the parade- we think they were napping.

Yes - that's Kermit coming up behind us!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Birthday Bashes!

2009-10-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

AQVD kicked off her first days as a two-year-old with an elevator-related boo boo. But things quickly improved, starting with a family party at home, a (admittedly slightly freaky looking) Dora birthday cake and a new kitchen! (The daily special is very al dente penne.) Then, last weekend AQVD had a co-birthday party with an old Inwood buddy and lots of little friends. Highlights included puppet making, cupcake eating and lots of drumming. AQVD has some rhythm, folks!

Ava and her buddy Mika - the two birthday girls- having a little disagreement at their party about who gets to hold the crying baby.
AQVD, Auntie Christie, Elmo and, of course, the Irish. Someday they will beat USC. Someday.

Stop! Cousin Time

2009-09-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

AQVD got a chance to hang out with some of her favorite people last weekend - her cousins, Turner and Alex, Auntie Meggie, Uncle Matt, Grandpa Opa and Grandma Mary. When AQVD wasn't following Alex around like a lost puppy, she was wearing her sweaters or playing with her Dora toys. Toronto also turned out to be a great place to swim, eat dinosaur-laced oatmeal and do a lot of smiling...

House Party!

2009-08-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

Witness AQVD's pure joy at not only having Auntie Christie (aka uncle crusty) and Grammy Christine but also grammy's doggies, Coco and Berry, in her very own little house! (Grandpa even briefly popped his head in.) Can't wait until you come back to NYC grammy and grandpa!

Big Kisses

2009-08-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

AQVD has been settling into her new home and neighborhood - and now she's got a (rather big) new buddy to help her do it. Good old Raggedy Ann. Thanks for the special gift Grammy Christine!

Summer lovin'!

2009-07-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

AQVD sadly said goodbye to our home in Inwood last week by partying with her buddies at a birthday party in the park. There was dancing, cupcakes and other nearby parties to crash. And that's not all. We've also had a visit from Kate and got to take a dip in Uncle Don's pool on the 4th of July. Now, onto settling into our new home. Visitors welcome!

Out and About

2009-06-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

AQVD hasn't really been herself the past couple of days - we're hoping it's teething and not a preview of the terrible twos. But we've managed to eek some smiles out by doing a little naked dancing, pizza eating (a must for New York babies), and bonding with gama and gampa. Today she rewarded us by adding a new phrase to her repertoire -- "rock an roll!" Indeed.

Busted!

2009-06-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

AQVD spent some time in a patrol car this weekend - you just never know what's going to happen at a buddy's first birthday party. In other news, there's been lots of romping around Isham Park and the playground, ringing around the rosie and pizza eating. Good times.

Tutu time!

2009-06-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

The rain has really been coming down lately but, if you're AQVD, that just means more time for dancing around the living room in your pink tutu.
We were all lucky to have a visit from Grandpa Opa this past week, too. Thanks for the nibbles and good times!
And, finally, thanks to daddy for coming home and enabling some serious, two-handed hair twirling. Happy Boppy dada!

Pat the bunny

2009-05-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

For the long weekend we made our much anticipated return to the Berkshires, where Ava got to see what it's like to live in a house with stairs, a dog and - you guessed it - a bunny. That poor bunny.

Egg-cellent!

2009-04-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

We weren't sure AQVD would get the concept of an Easter egg hunt but apparently there's something innate about hording eggs and putting them in a pretty basket, thoughtfully provided by the Robbs and Webers.
And while some people may be distracted by the playoffs or baseball season, Ava Quinn remains focused on what's important: College football.

Ava Quinn or Snork?

2009-04-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

AQVD fans will be happy to know that our little muffin finally relented to having something put in her hair the other day. (It's been quite a battle.) This week also saw another milestone - the quitting of the bottle. Next up? College, and maybe potty training.

Mmmm, Lunch

2009-03-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

Apparently, we're not the only ones who think AQVD is scrumptious. Little Avabear turned a few heads during her first trip to the zoo in San Antonio last weekend. Other spring break activities included stroller pushing with grandma, chihuahua petting/torturing, making music with daddy and getting her swim on with mommy. Not pictured: Ava slurping tofu at her grandparents' favorite sushi restaurant and Ava refusing to sleep on the plane, to and from Texas.

Oooooooh yeah!

2009-02-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

Boom boom ba-kaaaaa! Boom boom ba-kaaaaaa-kaaaaaa!
Hey crazy cats! Free your minds and check out these groooooovy pix of Ava Quinn growing up right before your very eyes. The winter is cold but the grooves are hottttttt!
Reading books about red fuzzy monsters. Far out man!
Why choose one toy when you can have it all baby!
Ava Quinn Van Hefner hanging in the Grotto! Liberate your craniums squares!

Making mischief!

2009-02-10T17:18:00.000-08:00

It isn't easy keeping up with AQVD these days. When she isn't pushing her baby doll stroller all around town, she's playing peekaboo with her peas, making interesting fashion choices and generally running mommy and daddy ragged. (Next time you're up at 5 a.m., give us a call - so are we...)

Playing Catch Up...

2009-01-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

AQVD has been a little too busy to blog since the holidays. She's been learning to swim on Saturday mornings, hitting Upper East Side dinner parties at Auntie Christie's and Uncle Manuel's and picking up all kinds of new words. (woof, moo, baa and eye) Here's the recap:

Christmas in the Caymans

2009-01-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

After an early holiday celebration in New York with the Fasheks, Ava Quinn headed to the Caymans for fun in the sun with Grandma, Granddad and Uncle Nicholas. Sadly, AQVD wasn't quite ready to play in the water or sand, or voluntarily go near either. But we're hoping future trips will help change her mind.

Holiday Montage

2008-12-19T17:05:00.000-08:00

A few highlights from December with the Van Dusens.... Enjoy!

Ticklish Turkey

2008-12-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

Ava Quinn had her first taste of Thanksgiving turkey last week, thanks to a yummy dinner cooked up by great auntie Anna - and a lot of gravy. There were also a few tickle fights, monster truck rallies and tupperware parties...

Flower Girl Extraordinaire

2008-11-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

Mommy and Daddy's pictures of auntie Christiane and uncle Manuel's wedding are somewhat limited. They were busy - matron-of-honoring, emceeing, finding a way to feed me without soiling my beaut-i-ful flower girl dress. But here's a glimpse of what a lovely day it was...

The happy couple. Awwwww.Mommy and daddy get a night off!

Halloween Diva

2008-11-02T11:57:00.001-08:00

AQVD fans will be happy to know that Halloween did not go unnoticed by our little pumpkin this year. In fact, thanks to the generosity of Grammy Christine and family friend, Debbie Royder, Ava had three costumes to wear, including a pink leopard,

Minnie Mouse,

and everyone's favorite, Tinkerbell.

We're already working on next year's costume: Billy Idol.

Memory Lane

2008-11-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

Impromptu vacation! With mommy between jobs the family packed up and hit Halifax, home to daddy's university days. Besides checking out the quad, sipping coffee from Felicity-sized mugs and seeing the outside of most of daddy's old apartments, we ate lots of salmon and explored leaf piles. We also supported Nova Scotia's tourism industry by visiting Point Pleasant Park -- where an undergrad daddy used to run...

the Maritime Museum, where we sat in a Titanic deck chair replica...

and drove to scenic Lunenburg, home port to the Bluenose II, aka the schooner on the back of the Canadian dime.
The airport was pretty fun too.

An Apple A Day

2008-10-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

Remember when my head was just the size of an apple? (If not, check the archives from last October.) Me and the fam made our second annual trip to Masker's apple orchard last weekend, where I picked, horded ( see below) and chomped on lots of apples. Yum!

It's My Party!

2008-10-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

Thursday was a big day in the Van Dusen household. Ava Quinn, surrounded by many adoring followers, celebrated her 365th day of cuteness, cuddliness and occasional crankiness.
Here I am with my first present of the day from nanny Lolita, whose own little girls picked it out.
Later in the day mommy and daddy happily got in on the act, giving me my first taste of New York pizza. (Sadly, the wine and curry didn't make it to my tray.)
And here I am wrapping things up by mashing and mushing my first cupcake. Maybe next year I will actually taste some of it.

Mah-wedge!!!

2008-09-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

Ava Quinn is a glamourpuss, but she will happily cede the feature pic to a happy couple on their big day. To wit: her Auntie Erin and Uncle Chris were joined in wedded deadlock (ha!) at Niagara-on-the-Lake outside Toronto on Sept. 20. Here they are moments after exchanging vows at the oldest church in Upper Canada (a centuries old name for Southern Ontario, which lay closer to the headwaters of the St. Lawrence River. Now you know.)
Back to Ava Quinn!!! What a stunner. Blue eyes like a late-autumn sky and feathered blonde hair like Farrah Fawcett.
The trolls emerge from under their respective bridges for a troll family portrait. Ava's Uncle Matt, Cousin Alexandra, Uncle Dan, Auntie Meggy and Cousin Turner along with mumsy and poppa (pronounced pah-pah).
Father with sleeping daughter (No.1), or Sunrise, Sunset (note the headstones).
Father with sleeping daughter (No.2), or, The Shadow People Approach but Ava Quinn Appears Unconcerned

Shower Crasher

2008-09-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

Life has gotten more interesting since I started walking. First off, daddy and I crashed the end of Auntie Christiane's bridal shower a couple of weekends ago. Luckily, she needed an assistant to help open and drool on her gifts.
At home I've taken up some new hobbies, including cruising around in the laundry basket...
hanging out with the vacuum cleaner...
and generally making a mess of things.
The good times are aplenty.

Who likes walking? I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Funny story: I told my brother, Daniel, that Ava had started walking. He paused for a moment, then responded, "I had always pegged her as a walker." Whatever. We're very proud of our little baby. When you raise them from the time they're baked potatoes, every little bit of progress is a miracle. A MIRACLE!!! Put that in your pipe and smoke it, DAN!

What a set!!!

2008-08-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

Ava Quinn loves her fans but sometimes she just wants to go out for coffee and not be recognized. I think we can all understand that. On this particular day, a stray paparazzo caught her out in her fashionable sunglasses. What a glamourpuss!!!A rare family portrait. What a bunch of cuties!!!Wake up and entertain me Daddy. What a lazy poppa!!!At a farm north of the city visiting the chik-chik-chik-chik-chickens. What an animal lover!!!
Ava Quinn with her top assistant. What a mommy!!!

Family Ties

2008-07-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Check out this panorama of cousins, including baby Ava, Alex, Ethan, Turner and Lucy, during their visit a few weeks ago. (This was BP- before the popsicles.) Thanks for bringing the fun Aunties Meg and Emily.

Hanging with Daddy and Grandpa Mike last weekend - it's all good.
Post-bath time with Grandpa Chris.
And a few other silly moments, including my first encounter with a balloon.

Walk In The Park

2008-07-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, so we haven't posted to the blog in a while. Big apologies to the AQVD fans. Here are some pics from a day out not too long ago, which involved caffeination at our new local coffee shop...
sharing some talking points...
exploring new benches...
and, of course, swings!

Cute As It Gets

2008-06-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

Party in my crib.
Raspberries in the car.
Smiling en route.

Two dorks, lotsa teeth

2008-06-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

My childhood in Canada was cruel. Pa would disappear into the May blizzards and we wouldn't hear tell of him for well on 5 weeks. He'd reappear during the mid-June thaw, throw deer meat on the table and say, "Vittles." We asked no questions, lest a whippin' come to us.
Flash forward 30 years, and see how Ava Quinn is living: trips to Texas for bridal parties, new dresses for every occasion and a team of new assistants brought in from Bavaria. OMG!!!
The doggies were coy. They would come up and sniff Ava and, by the time she reacted, they would be scampering out of there, knowing fully that Ava does not yet understand the concept of "nice touch."
Damen und herr, der zukunftige Herr und Mrs. Schmidt. (Run it through your online translators).The Robb-Fashek-Van Dusen-soon-to-be Schmidt women.
Someone thinks Grandpa is pretty darn funny. He is. He really is.

Hiiiiiii-Ya!

2008-05-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

Our chubby little baby has got four (count 'em 1...2...3...4) teeth now, which is muy exciting. She's also been crawling all over the apartment; up the stairs, into the kitchen. She's a crazy baby but we love her sooooo much.
Some days we can't really get it together to get dressed. Some days it's just pants, no shirts. This was one of those days.

Food can be so disgusting.
Who likes duckies? (I do!!!!!!!!)

B Sides And Rarities

2008-05-10T18:20:00.001-07:00

Celebrities really are just like you. They commute...
they pig out...
and they've got great handlers.

Get Into My Car! (Yes You)

2008-05-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

Grammy Christine and Grandpa Chris really shouldn't have. Check out my new 2008 Mercedes! Daddy is already teaching me the rules of the road - apparently six inches is a perfectly safe following distance.

For those of you who heard that I was having trouble getting into this whole "eating food" thing, you'll be happy to know I broke my fast about two weeks ago with this orange slice. This past week I started opening my mouth to carrot baby food. (Orange looks good on me.)
Me, drawing a crowd of Fasheks.
Grandma Sheelagh and Grandpa Bill came from London for a visit. Thanks for the beautiful bracelet and sweater!
Me and my nanny Lolita. We're best friends.

Spring Recap

2008-05-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy spring! To recap for the AQVD fans, Grandpa Mike visited, I've been drooling and babbling up a storm, and I've really come to enjoy a solid game of peek-a-boo. Too bad I'm so pleasant during the day and frequently a holy terror in the middle of the night....

Ava Quinn and a furry friend blowing raspberries

2008-04-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Ava Quinn has been all-raspberry-all-the time for the past few weeks. She looks like an orangutan when she does it. Unfortunately, the YouTube video we had in this post expired so it's just Ava Quinn,

Who doesn't like a good laugh?

2008-04-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

Our baby loves to giggle.

A weekend with my assistants

2008-04-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Daddy always looks like a hosebag in these pix.
I'm miffed because Fox decided to cut off the baseball game after the rain delay. Why God why?
Say again? (Keen observers, take note of the big ole diamond ring).
Cousin Blair and I were hanging out on Sunday.

Our first viddy!!!!!!!!

2008-04-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Ava@work.
Thanks to Grampa for the new camera. The blog is going to take an exciting new turn!!!!!!!!

Yucky Day

2008-04-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

Last week was another toughie. Not only did we return from a long and lovely vacation, but daddy sadly went back to work. (Nanny Lolita has big shoes to fill but I like her a lot.) He still took some time out to (finally) put together my high chair, setting the stage for Monday's big event -- my first taste of food!
This picture doesn't quite show how much I dislike rice cereal. It actually appears to make me gag. Baby steps, I guess.

Fashion show (with friends)

2008-03-25T18:20:00.001-07:00

Ava Quinn had the fashion world at her feet during our recent trip to the Cayman Islands. She dazzled in this pink, strappy number with heaps of meringue and a gimongous sunflower on the front. (Daddy looks like a big hosebag).
Sunsets are best shared with mommy and a wonderful A-line dress with silkscreened watermelons.
What could be cuter than a sleeping baby in blue vertical stripes with pretty flowers on the bust.

Aunty Bridgie dazzled with her smile and perpetually high spirits -- also, thanks for letting us stay at your swank pad Bridgie! -- and Ava dazzled in this patchwork dress from Ralph Lauren (which, admittedly, is difficult to see.)
Uncle Jules coordinated his outfits with Ava. He looks good with babies.

No baby is an island, entire of herself

2008-03-24T13:56:00.001-07:00

Beep-beep, beep-beep-beep... This just in, Ava Quinn has returned to New York after a week on the paradisical (real word?) Cayman Islands. Mommy and Daddy went crazy with the camera so expect a few posts on this visit. Whilst there, she experienced a variety of firsts, including, but not limited to... sitting in sand.
Going swimming in the ocean (and man, what a beautiful blue ocean it was).
Visiting the famed tortoises of the Caymans (and not really enjoying it that much).
Wearing funny hats that didn't really fit but who cares at least she's protected from the sun
- yes but honey it keeps falling over her eyes
- I just don't want her to get any sun, she's too small
- fine. fine.

Hanging Out

2008-03-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

Another hard day at the office. Rolling over both ways, crawling (well, sort of) backwards and constantly finding new things to put in my mouth isn't easy.
Here are some pics of me playing with some of my favorite people - Uncle Manuel, Great Uncle Don and Grammy Christine. Rest assured, I drooled on all of them.

Everybody loves a happy baby!

2008-03-05T11:44:00.001-08:00

And what a happy baby Ava Quinn is. She's got a cold and she's teething right now, so she's not always in the best of spirits but, as this photo set proves, she loves to smile for the camera.
Who wouldn't be happy playing with a mommy that beautiful.
Monster baby mission control to flying monster baby, do you read? Over.
So many awesome toys to explore now that we can almost sit up.
Ava Quinn was writing a column on New York fashion week for the International Herald-Tribune and she put on this cute collared shirt for the big Marc Jacobs show. Just off the pillow, out of sight, is Posh Spice.

...and pretend that he is Parson Brown

2008-02-22T12:55:00.000-08:00

In the meadow Daddy and I built a snowman (full disclosure: someone else actually built the snowman and we just happened upon it). Anyway, we were so excited about our first big snow day that I donned my Nanook of the North outfit -- from Grandma Sheelagh -- and ventured into the blizzard.
Preparations for the snow were extensive. It takes just short of forever to put this outfit on.
Not quite ready for snow angels.
I have a feeling a big mound of snow is going to fall on me (don't worry, it didn't).

The Places We Have Gone

2008-02-21T18:18:00.001-08:00

Three-day weekends are the best. We spent ours at Joey Ax's "cabin" in the Berkshires. I hung out with mom by the fire while dad went skiing. Check out the view dude.
Me and my new friend, Megan.
Fun times. (Not pictured: dad dancing like a monkey.)

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T19:09:00.001-08:00

Ava made a card for mommy with fingerpaints. Yayyyyyyy! (Also, it's been a while since we posted so we probably haven't told you that Ava is rolling over onto her stomach now, a real mobility breakthrough.)
She's got a little bit of Jackson Pollock and a little bit of Michael Jackson (before the baby dangling incident).
Mommy with her little Valentine.

Sooooooo, what's new?

2008-02-05T16:54:00.000-08:00

I'll tell you what's new. This new couch that I'm sitting on, that's what's new. We just got it last week and, man, is it great for sitting up. Many thanks to Grampa Opa Van Dusen for the fancy threads. The family would also like to thank the old blue couch for its many years of service. We wish it success in its future endeavours.
Here I am settling right into some heavy reading.
I was doing the pensive hand on the chin look but I figured it would look more real if I had it in my mouth.
This manicure took place on the old couch. Such, such were the joys.

Wearied by destruction, giant baby focuses on hobbies instead

2008-01-23T08:14:00.001-08:00

Hobbies like chewing on her feet, which we finally captured on camera. Note the glistening big and index toes.
Anyhoo, this post is just a vehicle for a few leftover pix that don't fit into any theme but are too cute not to display.
Someone loves her mommy! (But what about daddy?)
Mommy thinks it's weird that daddy keeps shaving a tennis ball-sized circle into Ava's head, but some things you're just not supposed to understand. (Kidding! This bald patch comes from sleeping for 15 hours a day.)

Skyscraper-sized baby faces resistance from Canadian people!

2008-01-22T10:03:00.001-08:00

Everywhere Ava Quinn went this weekend, she drew a healthy crowd. To wit: all of daddy's high school buddies got together at Unkie Leon's parents' house for a reunion of sorts, in which babies met babies, newly married couples mingled with soon-to-be married couples and we celebrated the approaching arrival of Doug and Nancy's second baby.
Ava got passed around like a bowl of dill pickle chips and did her best impression of a cute and friendly baby, not a menacing skyscraper-sized baby intent on devouring Canada's largest metropolis.
Colleen looks good with babies. (This pic comes from her Facebook page but she's not getting any of the revenue that it will generate on the AQVD blog. A shout-out is enough.)
So does Kelly.
Chris always looks good. He's an actor, his look is his product. Buy it, casting directors. Buy it. (This pic was also stolen from Colleen's Facebook. Go ahead, sue us.)
Leon is very funny. But if he's so funny, why can't he find a girl who will marry him? His parents love their only granddaughter and they want more babies. Why can't Leon meet that need for his father Biff and mother Karl? (This message paid for by the committee to marry off Matt's friends).

Skyscraper-sized baby eats Toronto! (Part I)

2008-01-21T16:45:00.001-08:00

Catchy headlines bring in the readers. But seriously, we took the Ava Quinn show on the road this weekend and greeted our Canadian cousins, Turner, he of the suspicious look on the left, and Alexandra, she of the full cheeks and charming inability to say a hard "c" -- thus "Ava Quinn" became "Ava Tin."
It was a weekend of non-stop visiting that included:
A giggle-fest with Auntie Meggy that was tragically cut short by a poo-splosion.
A first visit with great-grandma Van Dusen and great uncles and aunts.
Dinner at Grandma Mary and Grandpa Opa's place (the Opa moniker is a Greek thing, if you have to ask you can't afford to know). Ava gave advice to Auntie Erin about planning her wedding.

It was all muy exhausting, but Ava found time for naps on floors all around the Greater Toronto Area.

A new sheriff in town

2008-01-10T16:38:00.000-08:00

Daddy's wearing the gold star on his chest around these parts now. He was swept into office promising better relations with Canada -- including an official visit next week. Unfortunately the latest statistics show some alarming trends since he took over.
Among them:
A 52 percent increase in foot grabbing and attempts to put feet in mouth;

An 100 percent increase in the number of toys that encourage babies to be vain and overly self-regarding.
At least two new games that seem like a good idea at first but usually result in spit-up going everywhere. Pictured is the "Row, row, row your boat, belly bouncing game."
Thankfully, Sheriff emeritus Mommy drops by every night to restore order. Thanks Mommy, we love you!

Best mommy... ever?

2008-01-02T17:14:00.001-08:00

Mommy returned to work today, exactly three months after giving birth. It was a tough day. But one look at this friendly little baby and it's apparent, even to the common shnook, that mommy did a great job with raising her little pumpkin.
Let's do a quick recap:
Birth.
An alternate story of Ava's birth: mommy and daddy went to the baby section of the apple orchard and snuck Ava out in a $20 bag of Macintoshes.Mommy lavishes attention on her baby and allows daddy to dress her in silly Toronto Maple Leafs gear.

Christmas Is Over...

2007-12-30T16:13:00.000-08:00

And boy are we pooped. We spent the week in San Antonio at Grammy Christine's and Grampa Chris' house eating, playing and drooling. I had my first pierogies -sort of- and heavily expanded my wardrobe thanks to a generous Santy Claus. Now it's back to my ho-hum life in New York City. Sigh.
I thought this outfit would make me look gangster but it kind of backfired.
Yeah, those are matching boots.
Auntie Christie looks good with babies.
That tree in the background is, like, 20 feet high. Dude!

WARNING! Don't read this post without tissue.

2007-12-23T11:32:00.001-08:00

Ava and mommy only left for Texas on Friday and daddy is already as dirty as a Frenchman. Christmas without family is like pudding without figgy. Or whatever.
Here are two pix that represent daddy's unhappy life since he was abandoned.
Oh, Charlie Brown... your zigzag mouth tells a thousand tales of woe.

Sweet Cheeks

2007-12-17T12:28:00.001-08:00

Enough said.

Do I have milk on my chin? Why is everybody staring at me...

2007-12-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

Our little celeb baby is cuter than Suri Cruise, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and both of the Federline boys put together. And, as this post proves, her fan base is just as strong.

Here she is, hiding from the paparazzi under the jacket of one of her bodyguards.

This picture does not require a caption...
Our little baby loves to laugh. It's the cutest sound in the world.

Baptism by flashbulb -- updated

2007-12-09T19:50:00.001-08:00

The paparazzi were out in force on Sunday as Ava, wearing four layers of white gown, was baptized. The water was cold but Ava was a chilled-out little baby -- not a peep!
We're appealing to camera-toting family to email your pix of the event -- you'll get credit on the blog.
To the pix...
Mommy, Fr. Joe Farias, Daddy and old whatshername.

There was an actual point to the washcloth on the head -- her head was covered in oil.

Chew on this

2007-12-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

Admit it. You've always wondered what a frozen, wet washcloth would taste like. Ava, who appears to have begun teething, highly recommends them. Still hungry? Here's a pic of our chubby baby a few seconds after she smiled...

Bring us some figgy pudding

2007-12-03T18:08:00.001-08:00

You there, boy. What day is it?
It's Christmas day, sir.
Good, I haven't missed it. Run down to the butchers and procure the fattest goose. Bring it to the Van Dusen household. And keep a tuppence for yourself.
It is indeed a Merry Christmas, sir.
Indeed. It is.

Wiggle It

2007-11-29T13:55:00.001-08:00

Thought all of the AQVD freaks deserved an action shot. Here I am, getting down. Also, get a load of me hanging out with Grammy Christine and my buds, Pooh Bear and Tigger. Can you believe I'm just about two months old? Where does the time go? Seriously. Where?

Lookalikes

2007-11-21T10:12:00.000-08:00

We finally figured out which one of us the baby looks like...

Harvard v. Shmarvard

2007-11-20T17:27:00.000-08:00

Our first vacation in, like, forever took us to Cambridge, Mass., and Harvard, which Ava is considering as a safety school if she doesn't get into her first choice, Shmarvard. Shmarvard is a less expensive, though less prestigious, school.
Anyhoo, our peregrinations took us to the home of Allison's good chum, Taryn.
Here they are enjoying each other's company.
Unfortunately, our little pumpkin got her first cold, which left her a bit sniffly. All and all, she was a trouper, though.
Here's another gratuitous shot of our baby looking cute and chubby.
And a final shot of Ava looking like a latter-day member of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Vacation, all I ever wanted...

2007-11-12T05:42:00.001-08:00

We're off to Boston and then Vermont for a week, but we couldn't leave the AQVD freaks hanging. Here are some pix of our cuddly little baby with her Grandma Whittaker and also having a snuggly morning with mommy and daddy.
Back in a few days.

Die Glückwünsche!

2007-11-03T13:11:00.002-07:00

Ava's smiling because Auntie Christiane (Allison's sister) just got engaged to her boyfriend Manuel (aka The German). Welcome to the family Herr Schmidt!!!
More on Ava's smiles: she's had gassy grins in the past few weeks but now she smiles in response to other people laughing. It's cuter than a litter of puppies snuggling with newborn kittens.
Anyhoo...
Here's the happy couple last Christmas at Rockefeller Center.

Our Little Pumpkin

2007-10-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Ava's first Halloween we took a stroll Saturday night along a creatively decorated street in New Jersey. (For the full story, check out dad's piece here) Ava also wore the adorable onesie made specially for her by her Aunt Christiane, though it was a little tight. Someone has been drinking too much.

What is she like?

2007-10-28T18:58:00.001-07:00

When we're feeling particularly honest, we admit to ourselves that we're not very good photographers. But Ava's beauty still shines through the poor composition and overexposure. Just imagine how pretty she'd be in pictures if there was a professional photographer to grab the snaps... wonder no longer. Uncle Parky came by and brought some heavy duty photo gear and captured Ava at her cutest.
Enjoy.

Mommy holds her little package very carefully.
Her favorite expression.
Daddy vanity shot.
Baby's a little smushed but mommy and daddy look great.
Mommy looks beautiful -- didn't you just have a baby a few weeks ago? (Ignore the ugly foot in the background.)

What I Do Best

2007-10-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

Mom's buddies Laura and Alisa came by for a visit yesterday. We talked about the old times and heard the dish on Laura's daughter Caroline. Then I got down to business and fell asleep.

Fashion Show

2007-10-24T13:02:00.001-07:00

It may look like I'm screaming but really I'm yawning after another big afternoon in the park. Who knew autumn in New York could be this nice? Later on I had my first tub bath. It was a great excuse to wear another one of my cute robes. Check me out!

Juicy Jaunt

2007-10-21T08:31:00.001-07:00

Saturday was apple picking day! We took a drive upstate to Masker's orchard, where there were plenty of ripe fruit, babies and, of course, apple cider donuts. Daddy also tested out the Bjorn for about five minutes and mommy - she just really enjoyed getting out of the apartment.

Makin' Friends

2007-10-21T08:22:00.001-07:00

This week I got to spend some quality time with Dr. Kate and Uncle Parky. They were impressed that I was so pleasant and sleepy - I tend to save my fussiness for around 2 a.m. Also, here are my cousins, Alexandra and Turner Scott. Some day I hope to be as cute as they are.
Warmest regards, AQVD

Pretty in pink

2007-10-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

A haiku for Ava:
Smushy baby faces

Sometimes a prelude to yawns

Let us drink deeply.

Ava's big day out...

2007-10-12T12:38:00.001-07:00

Ava was feeling antsy after being cooped up in the apartment so we took her down to Inwood Hill Park. She slept through the whole experience but we enjoyed the foliage and the duckies. Also, here are a couple of glam shots of our little superstar. Love to all the AQVD freaks!!!

A treat for the freaks...

2007-10-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

Now the baby's been born and is almost a week old, I trust the only readers still checking the blog are hardcore Ava Quinn fans. So here's a little treat for all you AQVD freaks -- a picture of my little flower wrapped in a towel after her first bath; my little girl in a milk-drunk stupor and; posing with family, first with Grandma Christine, Joann Martin and Auntie Christie, then with Great Grandma Fashek. Enjoy...

Coming home...

2007-10-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

Manhunt!!! Ava began the day by setting off the hospital's baby-stealing alarm by banging her probation anklet against her crib.
After that was settled we got permission to leave so we dressed our little baked potato in a onesie with pink lace -- this is the Upper East Side, not, like, Wyoming -- rode on an elevator and took a car ride home. It was an exciting day that, natch, involved lots of sleeping, but this time, she slept in her own crib.

Hott baby pixxx!!!

2007-10-03T11:01:00.001-07:00

Jazz hands for the baby.

She's a real cutie. The best one they've ever had at the hospital.

And then it happened...

2007-10-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

The hurlyburly's done.
It's been a night and day full of emotion -- I got a call from Allison at about 5 p.m. yesterday saying the doc wanted to induce and (with a quick stop to get my emissions inspection sticker updated so I didn't get another $65 ticket) I was at the hospital by 7 p.m.
Things moved fast and the baby was screaming at 3:16 a.m. She's a 7 pound 12 ounce beauty -- a tiny bow mouth, nice pink complexion and long, piano-playing fingers like her mommy. After a busy morning changing rooms, eating a well-deserved bagel and first visits with Grandma and Grampa Fashek and Aunt Christiane we had a little down time this afternoon.
Allison is trying to get some rest and I'm blogging on chocolate milkshake and adrenaline.
Hott baby pixxx to follow tomorrow!
Respect and love to all the well wishes and even, for a limited time, the haters.
Matt, Allison and Ava Quinn Van Dusen

No baby yet...

2007-10-01T13:00:00.001-07:00

What can you do? If she's not ready, she's not ready. But when she is, you'll read it here first.

Just to be clear, this is not a picture of my baby.

2007-09-28T09:17:00.001-07:00

An open letter to Ava Quinn Van Dusen

Dear Ava,

Your due date is a day away and your mother and are wondering, will you please join us? You're all the buzz in the greater New York media scene and, over on the left coast, friends such as Samuel Soccorsy are waiting to fete your arrival. Here's a pic of Samuel looking like a real charming stud. Call us or, better yet, drop by for face-to-face meeting.

Respectfully,
Your Father

Tummy Watch 2007!!!

2007-09-25T19:09:00.001-07:00

Everybody's calling and asking if the baby has been born and we, you know, neglected to tell them. Well here's proof that that it hasn't happened yet.
We report on the tummies, you decide!!!

OMG! Dad is such a He-Man!

2007-09-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

He totally installed this dimmer switch and put the Tiddlywinks switchplate on! All the while wearing the Berkeley t-shirt that Mom won't let him wear when she's around.

2007-09-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

Mom and dad in the nursery two-and-a-half weeks before the due date.
The mobile behind us on the crib plays rock-a-bye baby. It's all too cute for words.