Happy First Birthday Avery!

Today Avery turns 1 year old. While it's true what they say that it goes by so fast, it also gets better and better with each new stage of her life. I remember that day at the hospital a year ago very vividly - thinking I was in labor, then being told I wasn't, then seeing her heart rate keep dropping on the monitor and finally accepting the decision that we needed a C-Section. We'll never know what caused the heart rate to fluctuate but she came out screaming and healthy and perfect. I remember those early weeks where she was so tiny and just wanted to be nursed and snuggled and held. Then she was the alert baby who never really liked to sleep or nap but preferred to nurse and lay on her playmat and reach for the ladybugs. Around Christmas, she became our smiling and rolling baby - never wanting to be still she loved to roll around the room from object to object and explore her world. After the start of daycare, she learned to be comforted by others better and play on her own. Crawling, and solid foods soon followed - If she wasn't eating and trying new foods, she was moving! She then learned how to go crazy in the Jumparoo. And she continued to explore and grow and not be afraid of anything - the waves at the beach, the stairs, new people, smoked whitefish and aged cheeses, taking steps - you name it and she was willing to give it a try. We now have a true toddler who just discovered that ALL the cabinets and drawers in the house open and we never have a dull moment. In her first year, Avery has been an active, smart, busy, inquisitive, funny, sometimes demanding, strong, sweet, and beautiful baby girl. We struggled with sleep (and still sometimes do!) and had a couple ear infections, colds and illnesses, busy work schedules, long car trips, etc. - But the year has mostly been filled with joy, love and pride as we got to watch Avery grow. How lucky we have been.

We will officially celebrate Avery's birthday with a small family party in a couple weeks and visit the Doctor to get her a official stats. But here is an update on what we are seeing as the 1 year mark passes:

• Fully walking and balance is getting  very good - can bend down to pick something up and stand back up and can steady herself
• Bag of Tricks: Waves hi and bye, Claps, Blows kisses (sometimes from her forehead?), Tells you what the doggy says (basically looks like she is blowing with no sounds - Woo Woo Woo), Tells you what the Kitty Cat says ("Mow Mow"), Shakes her head "no" when she is finished, and Dances to music
• LOVES Books - Can't get enough. We read pretty much all the time. She typically gets bored after the 2nd page and hands you a new one so we rarely get to finish a story
• Favorite toy is her new wagon from Uncle Du - She likes to just sit in it and climb in and out.
• She is nursing less and less and really enjoying her solid foods. Her favorites are any grilled meats, watermelon and blueberries, cheeses, yogurt, nutrigrain bars and any kind of bread, and yogurt bites
• Sleeping well and mostly through the night. Goes down very easily and usually makes it through until 6:30 or 7 (but not all the time....)
• Super inquisitive and curious - staring at people when we are at restaurants, wanting to look at anything that anyone else is holding, fascinated by everything! 
• Very vocal and will get her point across about what she wants and doesn't want (open this, read me this book, walk me here, show me that, etc.)
• Playing with her hair is her way of comforting herself and one of the main signs that she is tried
• Likes to be held when she's tired or sick but basically wants to be on her own and exploring. And loves to play hide-n-seek.
• Has a great giggle that is one of my favorite sounds ever

Avery - We love you so very much and are thankful for the amazing 1st year we have had with you. Can't wait for all that's to come. Happy Birthday J-Bird.