Avery is 2!

 Happy Birthday Avery-Girl!

 

The day this little girl joined our zoo, I got a quick glimpse of her spirit and personality as she gazed around at all the rest of the monkeys jumping around her in the hospital room. She was SO excited to be here and could not wait to join in all the fun!  The past two years she has been doing just that.  From the first months of her life when she screamed (a LOT) and hated being on her back but loved being upright watching everyone, to now being a completely self-sufficient toddler (really she is, just ask HER!), Avery has proven what a bubbly, social, and independent soul she is.

Avery loves to be a part of things. Whether it is joining Mia in her artistic endeavors and coloring pictures at the table (or on herself, or on the wall, or the couch...), teaming up with Jameson and playing trains for hours, or pushing a chair to the kitchen counter and being my sidekick as I prepare dinner, Avery is never one to miss out on the action.  She is becoming very independent.  She insists upon buckling her own seat belt, putting on her own shoes, and zipping her own pajamas.  Beware the tantrum that will ensue if you dare to do things for her!

Avery talks a lot. Most of what she says is indecipherable, but she can go on and on telling me something like she's all grown up and we're just having a conversation. She also loves to sing and picks up on songs she hears quickly. I have one kid CD that we listen to in the car a lot that Avery can sing along with to every song. She also loves the Primary songs that she learns in nursery and sings them a lot.  She loves to be read to and her recent favorites are the Froggy books.  She'll say, "Frooooggyyyyy . . . Whaaaatt?" 

I can't believe my pint-sized little girl is 2! (Avery is my smallest munchkin - a full clothing size behind where the other girls were at, meaning all my nicely preserved hand-me-downs are way too big on her! ARGH!)  I am so glad to have this spunky ray of sunshine in our family.  She is probably in for an "adjustment period" when baby brother arrives.  I know we'll have some work to do there, as Avery is not a fan of sharing the spotlight, but she will also be cute with the baby.  She carries her own "babies" around with her a lot, and she will often pat my belly and say, "baby in tummy!"  So we'll see how it goes.  For now we'll enjoy 2 more months of "baby" Avery!

P.S. Here's a shout-out to my brother Brady who was nice enough to share a birthday with my girl. Happy Birthday Brother!