The Puppy's Water

I managed to wrestle my dog Chloe away from my grandpa for a bit (we have a joint custody situation). It is nice having her home although she doesn't quite receive the pampered care at our house since she is second banana to Avery.

I was tired of constantly setting Chloe's water and food dishes on the counter and out of Avery's reach so I left the water bowl on the floor all day on Sunday. I told Avery over and over that it was the puppy's water and to leave it alone. Well, I guess it finally sunk in because this is what Avery did. This is not staged - I promise!

15 Months Old

Long time, no update! Avery is now 15 months and had a check-up today. All is well. Here are her new measurements: weight is 23 lbs (65%), 32 inches tall (90%) and 18.5 inch head (80%). So once again, she is tall and in good shape!

Avery's gone from walking to trying to run. She certainly doesn't sit still much so I get my exercise as well. Her language development is amazing. She is saying so much now and seems to learn a new word every few days. In her continued efforts to win the "Most Polite Toddler" award she's saying "please" almost as often as "thank you." But we get a lot of "No!" now too! Other new words are blanket, cheese, out and again.

We're working on learning body parts and animals. She knows how to find nose, ear, belly and sometimes mouth. Avery loves animals! She can imitate the sounds made by a sheep, kitty, puppy, cow, and duck. She seems to think horses also say "moo" and pigs say "pig pig" so we'll keep at it. She's really into a Farm Animals book at the moment.

Avery's still eating well but her preferences are starting to show. She's not fond of broccoli, cauliflower, hamburgers or carrots which often end up on the floor. She loves most fruit especially bananas, grapes and of course, blueberries. She can really put on a show when she eats but given her weight, she apparently burns it off somehow.

Avery constantly keeps us busy but we're having a blast with her. She usually sleeps through the night now which makes me ecstatic. Please enjoy a few more photos.

At Daddy's softball game

Showing off her pretty necklace

Playing in our backyard - she loves the slide

Relaxing in the pool

14 Months Old

Avery is a really busy 14 month old. She is walking and talking (sometimes in her own language) and has plenty to do. She does not have time for boring things like diaper changes. Her vocabulary grows constantly. I'm guessing she's up to 25 words/phrases that she uses regularly if not more; however she also tries to repeat everything she hears. Watch out, Daddy!

Avery knows how to find her nose and also knows what a sheep says. She can sign "all done" and is getting good at "more." Favorite activities include eating, playing hide and seek especially with pillows, eating more, rocking chairs and pushing the laundry basket around the house. Easter eggs are still a lot of fun.

She loves dogs especially our dog Chloe. Her love of "dogs" extends to cats and other four legged animals. Avery is what some call a climber. This is not good news for Mom and Dad. She tries to climb furniture, climb up the fireplace/mantle (toys are way more fun when you sit up there), climb on top of toys, etc.

In the last few weeks Avery has picked blueberries (her favorite food!) at the berry patch, attended her friend Max's first birthday party, and attended a Royals game. All were lots of fun!

Aunt Sarah's old rocking chair

Avery and Cooper

Daddy and Avery at a wedding

Picking and eating blueberries

Product Review

Suggestion: Do not buy these outlet plugs. If they are easy for adults to remove, well...

13 Months Old

Avery was 13 months on May 29, but we have been so busy that I'm a little behind. In her 13th month, Avery got much better at walking. She will still result to crawling when in a hurry but her balance is very good now so that she can walk across the room....if she wants to!

She is also quite the little talker. Her vocabulary is probably around 20 words right now and she also tries to repeat the sounds she hears. She says "Hi!" to everyone including strangers. Especially strangers. She constantly babbles and makes me wish I knew what she was saying because it seems to be pretty important.

Avery is still eating like a champ. Blueberries, mandarin oranges and pancakes are still favorites as well as goldfish, breads, sausage, Italian and anything from mom or dad's plate. She doesn't care for broccoli (possibly a texture thing) and cantaloupe isn't well received either.

I am incredibly happy to report that Avery started sleeping through the night when she turned a year old. WHO-HOOOOO!!! This is such a relief. She still wakes occasionally but overall it has been much better. Also Avery is usually cooperative for naps and bedtime.

Avery's Aunt Sarah is staying with us this summer much to Avery's enjoyment. Sarah must have entered Avery's inner circle based on the crying display when Sarah left the house yesterday. Perhaps it is because Sarah is pretty gullible especially when it comes to Avery finding someone to chase her.

Avery loves her wagon (thanks Aunt Erika!)

At Sarah's graduation party wearing the super cute dress from Kate

Pigtails!!

Party Pics and New Stats

Avery had a fantastic first birthday and here are some pics to prove it. We had a party with family and friends at our house. The theme was jungle animals especially elephants which are her favorite (she told me, really). I made and decorated the elephant cake myself. Avery got tons of cool toys and some adorable new clothes for summer. Also the last two pictures were taken on her birthday at daycare. They had a birthday party for Avery - actually everyone calls her "Avery Grace" there because there is another Avery at daycare.

Avery's 12 month check up went great. Her new stats are 21 pounds, 11 ounces (65%), 30 inches tall (80%) and 18.25 inch head (80%). She is developing right on target. The doctor seemed impressed at Avery's vocabulary. I guessed she said about 10 words, although that was a month ago and she already has several new words. My favorite is "thank you" which she says every time you hand her something. I never get tired of it though because it is so cute!

birthday cake

Ooh, a big slide and swing for outside

Cooper and Avery checking out puzzles

Eating cake. Dainty little thing didn't get messy!


Party animal Evan

Avery with her FOUR great-grandmas and two grandmas


Avery's friends at daycare

Mmm. Cake!

Avery's House Rules, Vol. 1

1. Eating and Sharing: If you are eating then I should be eating. If I see you eating I will look at you with big adorable eyes and say "Mmmm!" That is your cue to share. If you fail to share I will grab the food myself.

2. Bathtime: This is how we do bathtime. After you start the water line my toys up on the side of the tub so I can throw them in the water. I like baths but no need to dilly dally. Let's get this show on the road. If I begin throwing my toys out of the tub that means bathtime is over. By the way if you remove my diaper for any period of time prior to the bath, do so at your own risk. No promises on my part.

3. Eating and High Chair: Simply put, high chair=food. Anytime I am in my hair chair there should be food on my tray. As you know I eat well and I eat fast. If the food is gone or I remove my bib and throw it on the floor, I am done eating and should be immediately removed from my high chair. However, when you remove the tray give me one second to pick up any scraps that fell on my lap.

4. When Daddy Gets Home: One of the most exciting parts of my day is when Daddy gets home from work. He needs to immediately focus on me when he gets home. However he should not pick me up or hug me. He should chase me!

5. Sleep Aids: Why do you keep giving me stuffed animals and special blankets? You know what I want. Pacifier #1 and Pacifier #2. That's TWO pacifiers. One for my mouth and one for me to hold in my hand. I will randomly switch them when I think it's necessary. Good luck trying to break me of this habit.

6. Protesting: If I remove my socks and throw them you have something that does not meet my approval such as putting me in my carseat or crib or taken away something I wanted to play with such as a dirty diaper. And while we're at it, why the socks anyway? So unnecessary!

7. Diaper Changes and the Good Stuff: Remember when you bragged how great I was for diaper and outfit changes. Those days are over. If you want me to lay still don't bother with the usual toys - give me something good, specifically something I normally can't have such as the baby lotion, diaper rash cream, a cell phone or the remote control.

One Year Old - Happy Birthday, Avery!

Avery is one! The three of us will just have a quiet evening at home tonight, but we'll have friends and family over on Saturday for a birthday party.

Her vocabulary is growing constantly. She now says "thank you" and Jared taught her to say "night-night" (doesn't get the t sound out). She imitates everything she hears.

Despite my readiness, Avery is not ready to walk solo. I think she is able but she doesn't seem to be daring enough to take steps. In fact, she rarely falls or tumbles - she is very balanced and graceful. She usually refuses to stand alone and won't walk unless you hold both of her hands. She is, however, one of the fastest crawlers around, especially if you chase her which she loves.

Speaking of being fast, you should see her inhale a bottle. We've even timed her a few times and it is less than 2 minutes for a full bottle. 4 ounces can go down possibly in one minute. Avery is eating primarily table food now and eats that quickly too. I continue to be amazed that she'll eat anything I give her (except puffs). Some of her favorites are pancakes and mandarin oranges.

We just got her 12 month pictures back and they are adorable as always. Here are a few of my favorites.

11 Months Old

Even though we are way past the 11 month mark here is that update (since I just filled out that page in Avery's baby book).

Words: mama, dada, baby, ball, dog, uh oh, boo, book. Avery is quite a talker and imitates very well.

Foods: Still a great eater and eating a lot of table food. Seems to really love various beans and pancakes among many other things. We are so over puffs. Puffs are boring and for little babies. Cheerios are okay but goldfish are better. Loves drinking out of a sippy cup - that is really exciting sometimes!

Talents/Favorite activities: dropping things (especially pacifier) and saying "uh oh", throwing things down the stairs (again pacifier works great for this), pulling all the tupperware out of the drawer, growling, riding in shopping cart, waving hello and bye-bye, dancing, pushing buttons on toys especially when they make music and sounds.

Some fun things we did this month were go to the Shawnee St. Patricks Day Parade and our friend Jace's 2nd birthday party at Gage Park Carousel. We also went to her friend Kate's first birthday party last weekend. I can't believe the girls are turning one already!

Avery gets really excited when Jared gets home and also when she sees her grandmas and aunts. She LOVES Chloe, our dog, who endures torture from small children very well.

Avery is not interested in walking, at least not if it means letting go of your hands, and usually hates her walking push toys. Crawling is way better and way faster! She also loves being chased and tends to head toward the bathroom. And then stand up on the bathtub looking in, ready for a bath.

Overall she is such a happy, fun baby!

Avery and Chloe. If you've been around Avery for 5 minutes you've probably seen her make this face and expect you to do it back.

I'm ready to go out. I have my boots on.

1st time playing in the snow

I love Chloe!

St. Patrick's Day

Avery had a fun first St. Patrick's Day. She brought home some fun projects from daycare - a paddle game, a bracelet, brownies with green frosting and shamrock stickers. Busy day! On the Sunday before St. Pat's we all went to the Shawnee St. Patrick's Day parade. Avery really enjoyed watching all the people and floats. She even got some candy and green beads. The candy was confiscated by Dad but the beads were fun!

10 Months Old

Double digits now! Avery rang in her ten month birthday with a new carseat and a new tooth. She is up to four teeth now - all on the bottom. She's also in her toddler carseats.

Avery's latest accomplishments include cruising the furniture and climbing anything or anyone she can and saying "uh oh" and "baby." Throwing her pacifier on the ground and saying "uh oh" is so much fun that it can be repeated ten times in a row! She is also clapping her hands and waving bye bye, but we're still perfecting these. Her favorite thing these days is being chased - I can really get her giggling! We've pretty much given up on socks as they only last a few seconds before being ripped off. Avery also really loves being outside and doesn't mind the cold weather.

Avery remains a good little eater. So far she eats everything we give her although nothing too exotic yet. She can really scarf food down quickly now! She also gets excited when she sees a sippy cup and is getting pretty good at drinking from one. She also loves to drink water from Mom or Dad's cup. If one sip is not enough she will let us know!

Here are some things Avery does not like: being put in her high chair and not immediately given food, having her face wiped off after eating (seriously this borders on child abuse in her mind) and putting on shirts, pajamas or her jacket. I was always amazed at how she didn't mind getting dressed unlike many other babies. Those days are over! She is usually fine until I put her arms in the sleeves and that really sets her off.

A Lovely Day in February

It was beautiful out a few weekends ago, and Avery got to enjoy the nice weather with her cousins. We had a family outing in Shunga Park where I went countless times as a kid. Avery got to ride in Evan's wagon (her first wagon ride) and then got to swing at the park (her first time in a real swing).

So tired!

Playing with Cooper