Let's Play Dress-Up!

Ava got a magical treasure chest filled with girly things like tutu's and pearls and princess dresses. She also got some incredibly cute plastic high heels and she has been playing dress up every day since Christmas.
Spanky & Nemo have been forced to get involved.

The Magic Of Christmas!

This year we were so excited for Christmas because Ava is getting older and aware of all things"Christmas". While roaming the aisles of target, when passing the section marked with lit up Christmas trees and wrapping paper she would scream " IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!"

Needless to say, we decided that this year we would make Christmas Day morning as magical as we could and with the help of our wonderful families (both near and far) we were able to do just that.
Here is the amazing footage of the morning...

Radio City Christmas Show 2010!!!

Yesterday we took Ava to the Radio City Christmas show! I was nervous that she might be too young but we know a wonderful Rockette named Jacey Lambros who was kind enough to get us amazing seats in the front and take us all backstage after the performance and give us an incredible tour of radio city!  Ava got to wear red cheek circles, try on the rockettes amazing jewels and I GOT TO WEAR A REAL ROCKETTE'S HAT! Jacey showed Ava the stage and what it was like to look out at the audience. She met and pet the enormous camels that were in the show, played with the toys the ensemble uses and we all had an incredible magical time.
I can't wait to go again next year!!! Here are some photos from the day I thought I should share. If you haven't seen the XMAS show in years like me, you should know that it is modernized and awesome. There is no intermission which is GREAT and it is just about an hour and a half which is doable. The Rockette's and Santa himself are the biggest part of the show. There is a 3D section guided by Santa where you wear glasses and everything!

 Jacey turns Ava into a baby Rockette with the red rosy cheeks!

 Ava tries on the famous, gorgeous jewels worn by the girls!

 

A dream fulfilled.... haha... I got to try on a REAL hat worn in the Toy Soldiers Routine!

 Ava in mid - air as she jumps off a step outside Rockefeller Center

 Oh how I love this photo!

 On the Radio City stage after looking out at the Audience! That was SO COOL!

 With a posing Camel. They literally SMILED in the photos and were magnificent!

Toddler Sings The Beatles " When I'm Sixty-Four"

While celebrating Thanksgiving with my family in FL, my father in law turned 64. My mom kept singing it to Ava during bedtime and it has quickly become a bedtime favorite. I knew Ava had the words down pat but was having trouble catching her on video singing it. Finally last night during dinner she serandaded us in her highest pitch! haha too cute!!

NO MORE MONKEY'S JUMPING ON THE BED!!!

I didn't even know Ava KNEW this song which is why I was shocked at the way she sang the lyrics so clearly. Hope you enjoy!

Two & A Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 10!

So during dinner last night Ava was pretty tired from our long day at the Christmas Show at Radio City and she started to get the "crazies". I snuck the camera onto the table and filmed my weekly clip here among some other funny clips of her seeing which will be posted tomorrow as well.
Enjoy!

Toddler Singing Song " Santa Claus is Coming to Town!"

Toddler Sings " Santa Claus is coming to town" from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Two & a Half Minute with Ava - Episode 9

Ava tells me whether she has been naughty or nice this holiday season.


Two Minutes With Ava - Episode 9a from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Paging DR. Ava

Ava came into the bedroom when I was sick in bed carrying her "dr" kit and insisted on checking my ears, heart, nose etc. Later in the afternoon she continued to play Dr only this time the Dogs were her patients. Spanky and Nemo were GREAT sports!

Paging Dr. Ava! from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Two & A Half Minute with Ava - Episode 8

Ava teaches me all about the ipad. She loves this thing! I honestly think she uses it more then anyone.
It has so many educational apps!! I love that I watch her actively doing puzzles rather then starring blankly at a TV! It is interactive and hands on and I can't say enough about this device.
ENJOY!

Two Minutes with Ava - Episode 8 from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Two & A Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 7

This one is a late post so there will be another Episode Sunday!
Ava at the Original Pancake House in FL last week.


Two & a Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 7 from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

The Pie Smuggler

Ava tries pumpkin pie for the first time and LOVES it. She double fists with 2 forks, steals my brothers piece and then dances to the music in the background while eating.

Pie Smuggler from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

BIG Sand Castles

Ava didn't like the beach when she was a little baby and though she likes it more now, she still doesn't LOVE the sand. It is shocking to me but super funny as she doesn't want to step off the towel and onto the sand.

Beach Bum Baby from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Two & a Half Minutes With Ava - Episode 6

From Sunny South Fla, here is 2 & and a half minutes with Ava Episode 6.
We talk about our Thanksgiving plans and who is flying down from NY for the big event!

Two & A Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 6 from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Two & A Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 5

This weekend Ava shocked me with her use of proper pro-nouns. She is talking in full sentences and walked over with a box of tissues and said " Mommy, do you need to blow your nose?". I said no thank you. Then she said "Does daddy need to blow his nose?". I was amazed. I hope you enjoy this weeks episode!


Two & a Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 5 from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

The big 30 is coming around the bend...

It feels like yesterday that I sat at the end of my 21st birthday party thinking, the next time I will have a birthday I am really excited about will be in 9 years. That felt like a lifetime away! AND NOW ITS HERE! In celebration of the fact that I have always been kinda quirky, here is one of my personal favorite childhood photos.

Thanks mom.

Me, age 4 shoving corn up my nose.

Two & A Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 4

Week 4 of this project and I am really enjoying the process. I am eager to really see how her verbal skills change from week to week!
Enjoy!


Two & A Half Minutes With Ava - Episode 4 from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Toddler Mimics her Idol :)

Ava's obsession is her cousin, our beautiful niece who couldn't be any "cooler" if she tried. She was teaching Ava some dance moves last week and we caught it on film. It warms my heart every time they are together because she simply adores this child!

Cool Kid teaching toddler how to dance from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Urban Baby Banter

Ava and her pal Lucy are what you would call "urban babies". They know elevators, Starbucks, Duane Reade and trains! They are city babies and while playing when asked where they are going in their "car" I was not shocked to hear Ava respond with "duane reade". too funny!

Going to Duane Reade, A Toddler Story... from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Double Rainbow at the World Trade Center

My husband caught photos of this INCREDIBLE Double rainbow from our terrace.
The base of the rainbow is actually touching Ground Zero.
Pretty amazing stuff right? I mean how often do you see a full blown rainbow that literally starts and ends in plain sight!

Two & A Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 3

I hope you are enjoying the unedited footage thus far. Coming off of a MAJOR sugar high from trick or treating I was forced to give my toddler a promised cupcake from her grandma known as Abita.
I filmed her enjoying the icing and sugar rush.

Two & A Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 3 from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

NONNI'S MEATBALLS!!! YUUUUUMMMMMM

My incredible mom is known for her delicious meatballs. She decides whether or not people are " ball worthy" before actually making them from scratch for all to enjoy. Her granddaughter has been approved!
She not only made them, but froze them and shipped us a surprise box in dry ice so we could have her meatballs and sauce as a family. WHAT A GIFT! Ava LOVED them and we caught her on tape enjoying her third meatball after having eaten an entire bowl of pasta. Ava gets it... there is always room for ONE more meatball. I also threw in a really gross burp.. sorry about that.


Nonni's Meatballs! What a treat! from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Potty Training? If you can call it that.

Ava's interest in the potty has grown. Every day she wants to sit on the potty and I like to satisfy her curiosity by allowing her time to sit and ponder life. I also supply her with a water bottle to help her " piddle" but she has discovered other ways to get her "surprise" for going potty.

Baby water fountain! from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

My little Piggy!

I tried on my Halloween Costume last night and Ava got SO excited she begged to try on her costume. I was hesitant to let her see it or try it on her until the big day but against my better judgement and out of sheer curiosity I went ahead and put it on her. We dressed her in the living room and then steered her towards the mirror where she got her first glance at herself on video. Enjoy!

This Little Piggy went to the Mirror! from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Two & a Half Minutes with Ava - Episode 2

For this weeks episode I chose to film Ava in a position where she wouldn't be moving around alot. :) Despite the way this looks, Ava is not yet potty trained. Over the weekend she watched her step-cousin "piddle on the potty" and suddenly expressed an interest in trying it out. So we finally got her to sit on the actual potty rather then on the small baby bjorn one. Since she turned 2, her speech has picked up even more. I have noticed since she now responds to Portuguese (her incredible care taker speaks to her in Portuguese) she sometimes will speak in her own "language" and sort of make up words. I find it hilarious and for those of you who know how much Ava talks, you know first hand that there is no cause for concern with her back peddling in her speech or anything.

Enjoy!

Two & a Half minutes with Ava - Episode 2 from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

Ava Singing Songs

Ava was cracking me up last night with her singing. I whipped out the video camera and she went to town. hahaha This made my grueling week so much better. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
:)

Thank you Carolyn!!

My insanely talented friend Carolyn decided to start her a blog tonight. I AM SO GLAD SHE DID! She  showed me all about vimeo.com tonight and I was super excited to try it out! I selected a random video from my desktop to test it out. The video is in HD so the quality is so much better then youtube.

THANKS CARO!

Toddler reading take out menu from Audrey Breheney on Vimeo.

The Woes of a working mom...

As a working mom I would imagine it is impossible to not question how this affects your child. I am thrilled to have read an article that shows that 50 years of research says it's good for children to have working mothers! You can read the article HERE. My mom was a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) and I thank her for that but she has always encouraged me to do the opposite because she felt that I would be happier having some independence both mentally and financially in my family life. Having had a nice length of maternity leave, I definitely agree with her. This doesn't mean it is right for everyone. I get SAHM envy all the time! Especially on the gorgeous days where I wish I was picnicking in the park with my daughter. But, for me the balance works best with me having a job other then being a full time mom.

.I am proud of the fact that I work because I want to be a positive role model for my growing daughter. I want her to be whatever she wants to be and work if she wants to and be a stay at home mom if she wants to! Anything goes! Personally, I feel like the time I have with Ava is precious to me because I only get 3 full days a week with her by myself, so I do my very best to make every day count. When I was on maternity leave I cherished my time of course, but I also had many a day where I felt like the night couldn't come quick enough or I prayed for a long nap so I could just do something or read something not having to do with poop or baby food.
To all you Stay at home Moms, I think your fabulous and pass no judgements upon you! But for me, work is the right move. :) 

Monday's are the hardest though after having come off of a great weekend with my family, and on those days I just look at this picture and remember how blessed I am and who I have waiting for me at home.

Two & a Half Minutes with Ava - Episode One

I have a favorite blog. It's www.pacingthepanicroom.com. In fact, it inspired me to finally start my own. The writer is a dad and a photographer and a clear family man. The reason I love this blog so much is because it's real. It is a real life family with artistic edge who seems to be falling in love with the world around them through their children's eyes. Every day I find myself bewildered at some point during the day by my beautiful child. Everything is so new, exciting & uncharted to her. Her excitement and zest for life have given me a renewed sense of who I am and has also ignited an excitement in me for what's to come. In fact, I don't think I have felt this imaginative in years and I am balancing parenthood, marriage, a demanding full time job, a photography career, a band not to mention every day matters of life and friends. She inspires me, period. That being said, I have decided to be a copy cat and film Ava for 2 and a half minutes once a week for a year and document it here on this blog. My mother always told me copying is the best form of flattery and I just think it is a brilliant way to document year 2. So thank you again pacingthepanicroom!!  Interacting with Ava is so much fun that I am choosing to talk with her through the recording time. Those of you who have been along on this journey with me since Ava's birth know that I sent a tack board once a month with a photo of her in a white onsie  in the same chair. From year 1 - year 2 I sent out more video footage and a tack board every three months. Ava fans get ready!

"P is for Play!" - Happiest Toddler on the Block

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines what we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create" - Albert Einstein.
This is just another reason to sit down with your toddler and draw, doodle, bake a cake or play with blocks! I am amazed at how much Ava learns and parrots things during our playtime together. I am currently reading "The Happiest Toddler on the Block"... it kinda fell into my lap on accident but boy am I glad that it did! My toddler is not really unruly, BUT I don't pretend to know everything and it certainly can't hurt to gain a new perspective on all things parenting. The book talks about a toddlers brain in comparison to a grown adult and it goes on to show why/how you can't communicate in the same way. It offers suggestions and solid ideas on how to control tantrums and end them before then erupt into disasters. I found this video on youtube and people sure do have a lot to say. In the book, the issues listed in the comments are actually addressed. I am going to give FFR and Toddler-ese a shot! WHY NOT!?

Baby Bites Bulldog

Hmm... So I got an email this weekend from a producer at Yahoo inquiring about a video clip I have on my youtube channel titled Baby Bites Bulldog.
It has over 122,000 views shockingly enough! It is of Ava at 6mths old discovering Spanky our bulldog pup's ear. I haven't  made a decision to say yes or no just yet as I am waiting to get some answers to my questions from Yahoo but I think its kinda cool and I thought I would share the news. I think its kind of interesting when you just post something for the fun of being able to send it to your family and other random folks find it funny or interesting too regardless of being related to you. haha I mean what mother doesn't think her kid is cute?
Right?

Happy Birthday Ava Blake!

Today is my baby's 2nd birthday! We threw her a delicious party yesterday and used the travlin' tumblers for the event. http://www.travelintumblers.com/   They did an incredible job given the fact that the children ranged in ages 2 - 10! Everyone had a good time, especially my birthday girl!!! Here is a cool shot my brother in law captured of her in mid-jump. I highly recommend this company if you are looking to throw a killer baby party that is fun for all!!!

Ava Flava Pics

I have been photographing professionally on the side since 2003. I started out doing children's birthday parties, bridal showers, anniversary parties and moved on to a few weddings. It got increasingly more difficult to keep this up all the while working a full time job. That being said, it has taken a definitive backseat, though not in my heart. I still do "day in the life" type stuff for children here and there but I am very selective on what bookings I choose as my weekends are for my Ava. I think I have gotten my photo fix by photographing the crap out of this child HAHA. Here are just a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

Cake boss Shmake boss

I won't lie, I called the cake boss at Carlo's bakery for a quote on cupcakes/cake for my daughter's 2nd birthday party. The prices were outrageous. Granted he does a beautiful job, it's still just cake.

A friend of mine recommended SWEET in Hoboken http://sweethoboken.com/ and I am very happy I chose them to work with. I phoned a few weeks ahead to explain that I wanted something yo gabba gabba themed and that I bought an assortment of rings with the character's on them. They told me to come in when I received the rings in the mail. Ava and I took a ride there and were greeted by the super friendly staff. We tried a few of their delicious cupcakes including the "fluffernutter". SERIOUSLY? Peanut butter atop a vanilla cupcake with fluff on top! Come on man!!! sooooo goood. The final product was even better then I imagined and the guests loved them! They went like hot cakes and everyone was smiling from those sweet cupcakes! Thanks again!

Happy 2nd Birthday Ava!

I simply can't believe how fast it gone. Most parents get the weepies around the 1st birthday as it marks the end of so many baby-like things, but for me Ava turning 2 seems to be much harder on me. I am so grateful to have been blessed with this little girl as my daughter. I still pinch myself sometimes thinking "I HAVE A GIRL!". I never thought in a million years I would have a little girl. I created a video montage of some of her funnier moments since the beginning of the summer and I thought I would share it here with you.

Enjoy!

This is Where I leave You - I just can't put it down....

Let me start by saying how much I love to read. I was never a book worm in high school or college. In fact, I still have one of the books I defaced from 8th grade English. I was dead set on burrowing a hole through the book leaving the back and front covers in tact so I could "store" something in there.
Since I got my kindle I have been averaging 4 books a month! Most people ask me "where the hell do you find the time". I am not really sure.... I read on the train to and from work which is a nice 40 min in total and before bed I find it helps me to calm down from the day and fall asleep.
A friend recently suggested I read "This is Where I leave You by Jonathon Tropper. He reminds me allot of David Sedaris only his imagery is astounding. The visuals and metaphors he uses make the scene and characters come to life in such an incredible way, I literally feel like I am watching a movie as I read.
I found a particular chapter describing what it feels like to be kicked in the balls as a man, extraordinarily compelling. I mean, as a female it's hard to imagine but man did he make me understand. I actually cringed as I read it and found myself wincing and grabbing at my loins on the train feeling his pain. Now that's good writing.
If you like dark, satirical humor and aren't easily offended, PICK UP THIS BOOK. :)
Check out the reviews on amazon for a more well-rounded view of the novel.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live!!!! 10.3.10

She's BEAMING!

I just love this damn show!

This weekend was such a special one as we took our almost 2 yr old daughter to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live at Radio City Music Hall. The tickets were a gift from her Nonna (lovingly called Nonni Macaroni). If you have never been to Radio City, it is simply magnificent. It is a magical place and having it there made it all the more special. I got super emotional during the show because she was just so happy! I wished so badly I could freeze this moment in time. Sometimes I get so sad that it is all going so fast!

Parenthood is so interesting in that regard. For me at least, I am constantly preparing for the future. Between schooling, clothing, toys, etc that I have to constantly remind myself to enjoy every single second! This age is so much fun. Sure it can get dicey when they burst into tears over bizarre things like when you break a cupcake in half to make it easy for them, or you peel the skin off a banana too far down for their liking. HAHA Truth is, they are little people coping with so much change every day, can you really blame them for being so temperamental?

It's like living with a happy little drunk person all the time! I just love toddler hood!

MOOMAH!

We spent the afternoon with our family at Moomah in Tribeca. www.moomah.com
I read about this spot on mommypoppins.com a while back and boy were they right! What a fabulous spot to take kids of all ages and everything they do has adults in mind. For example, as you sip your coffee, wine, or beer you can watch the kids play in the cool touch room that has a scene of an ocean projected on the wall through a 60 inch plasma that faces all the tables! On the other side of the large scale room there is a chalk board and chalk, markers for those little artists!

The kids outside Moomah after a few hours of play!

They also have unique arts n craft options (not cheap by any means) but super cute! My nephew got the "superhero kit", my niece painted a wooden purse and my 2 yr old made a place-mat by gluing items into a "room" and then they laminated it! She was so excited to eat dinner on it that night. If you are looking for something different and fun to do with the kiddies, I highly suggest you check this place out. There is also a great park around the corner as well. Enjoy!

30 is the Magic Number

Some people get really hung up on age. I am turning 30 in a few months and I feel as though I am on the brink of something new, exciting and chaotic (in a good way). I am ready to take on this next decade and am quite certain that the best is yet to come.

My twenties rocked! My early twenties I don't remember all that much about except it involved alot of learning, experimenting, and mistakes. I met my husband at 23 and from there my life took on a whole new meaning.
I started working for yahoo at 24 and Epic Media Group at 26 and in between that I got married on the popular style network show "Whose Wedding is it Anyway" and got pregnant and gave birth to the most incredible little girl. So yeah, I feel blessed but I also know I am a good person with so much to offer and I have only scratched the surface... LOOK OUT 30'S HERE I COME!
Cheers to those beautiful people who know that age is just a number. Cheers to those people who understand that the 20's is about finding yourself and your 30's is about accepting who you are and loving every inch of it!


I love you Tutta Munda!

To Model or NOT to Model....

Ava on the Playskool Glow Worm box!

Ava booked a PlaySkool campaign and appeared on the box! Boy was that a shocker.
The world of baby modeling is quite interesting. I first became intrigued when I met a casting director at a baby shower while I was pregnant. She saw some pics of Ava on FB and we were friends and suggested I send them to someone at Abrams Artists. Ironically back in the day when I was an "actress" this is the agency that scouted me (nothing came of it sadly.. tear) but also one of the most coveted in NYC! 

We sent in the pics and they called us right away. The following week we were off to our first "go-see". It was a disaster... there were about 300 babies/moms in a long ass line in the rain waiting to be seen. I don't know why I didn't think it would be this big a disaster but somehow in my head I conjured up images of calm moms and babies arriving at their scheduled time. Little did I know they told every parent 10am.

We waited... and waited 1 hour then 2 hours and then BOOM we were in. I called my husband excited at the prospect of finishing out this casting. I waited this long, we weren't going home now! Plus, for Ava it was a giant play date with kids of all shapes and sizes! We get in and to my amazement there is a crazy assembly line of babies being undressed , photographed, dressed in random outfits and re-photographed. We waited another hour before she was seen.
FINALLY after 3 hours Ava was photographed and the child beamed at the photographer. Home we went after about 5 seconds under the lights and I called my husband to tell him that it was an experience I will never do again but I am glad that we had it.


Two weeks later we get a call saying Ava BOOKED the go-see. 2 children booked this gig and I was simply floored. The following week we went for her shoot and it was SO MUCH FUN! It was quick, easy and civilized, (the way I had imagined it basically) and they told us they didn't know what toy she would be on or if the photos would make the print campaign, a catalogue or a box. Well gee THANKS.
So for months I looked through every toy catalogue searching for the PlaySkool Sensory Glowworm and nothing.... about 9 mths later I saw it featured in a toys r us magazine and searched all over the Internet but it wasn't AVA! Come Monday during my lunch hour at work I floored it to the Toys R Us in Times Square and roamed the aisles with a willing co-worker and just when I was about to give up.. the box appeared. This photo is from the moment I saw her beautiful cherub-like face on the box. I cheered and yelled and screamed THAT'S MY KID to every employee. To my amazement they all started jumping and screaming too! It was amazing... Thank you Cher for being with me at this moment and the moral of the story is that some experiences are worth the pain, the wait, and the unknown.

Since that casting Ava was requested by a few photogs for gigs and we never had to wait in a stupid long line ever again! To any moms considering putting your gorgeous little babies into modeling, I say go for it! You have nothing to lose! If you book something, you can put the money away towards schooling ( and damn is that expensive!)

Cheers