Dear Avery,
You are really coming into your own these days. Although you are small, even somewhat small for your age, your personality really packs a punch. You have always had a strong, lithe body even as a newborn. Your neck strength was there really early. And, I was always struck by the way you did not relax into my chest but would crane your head outward looking from side to side as to not miss a thing.
Now that strength is being used for many more purposes. You are always, always on the go. Scooting around from object to object, room to room, and even playing games of chase with your brother, squealing and giggling. Shortly after you mastered crawling you started to pull yourself up from standing. You do this any chance you have and will hold on swaying your butt and cooing, or talking to the Gods, whatever it may be. Sometimes you will lift one arm up and look upward while swaying your arm. You delight in movement and sound. And, you match the energy and tenor of an almost three year old.
When the two of you are taking a bath together, swimming in a baby pool, or "playing silly kids" on the bed as Zealand calls it, you hold your own and do not get overwhelmed by bigger kid energy. You holler, make noise, splash, and throw your body around sometimes louder and bigger than your brother. So much so that you will often lead the play between the two of you. Zealand will get down on the floor and crawl with you and imitate gestures and sounds you make.
I should say now that any worries about the two of you getting along have dissipated - although I know that there are always stages and phases. Zealand has been a wonderful with you. The two of you make each other laugh and egg each other on with sounds and gestures.
Occasionally, Zealand will get upset when you reach for his trains or tracks and we are working on teaching him to not forcibly grab things back. You don't seem to mind though. The other day you pushed him right back, which I think surprised and humored Zealand at the same time.
You are a scrappy little thing, to be sure. And, you get into absolutely everything. You will put anything and everything into your mouth. The upside is that you love food, that stuff that should be in your mouth, as well. So far there is nothing you have refused. You love to eat and will sit in your highchair with bits of this and that spread before you with a very serious air about you, as if you have an important job to do. And, with great focus and purpose will begin to clear your tray. Actually, as I am writing this I am realizing that you may have inherited the Kubischta gene of clearing the plate with meticulous care.
You are very verbal, and like your brother, are able to say what you need with great clarity, even if it is just a shout. Your favorite sound was dadadada and now you are saying mamamama. A few nights ago you were trying to sound out ZZ. And, you can almost say Kitty.
You love, love, love animals. Elliot, Ami and Papa's cat, was your real first love, which you expressed by grabbing fistfuls of fur. You now crawl after him with great speed as the poor thing grumpily slides under chairs trying to avoid you. When you see an animal (dogs, cats, goats, chickens) your whole face lights up and you practically jump out of my arms. The other day at the park I couldn't keep you away from a very sweet older golden retriever resting in the shade. You kept crawling over to, again, grab chunks of fur. You can't get enough.
Speaking of jumping out of arms, I should say you prefer to be moving rather than held. In the morning after bottle you don't waste a minute and squirm out of my arms to begin your explorations. You don't have much patience for the Ergo (baby carrier) anymore and will squirm and cry to be LET OUT! I feel like you are at the awkward stage where you don't want to be carried but you also can't crawl wherever we are so it can be frustrating for you and for me. Soon enough though. We all predict that walking is just around the corner, and then look out!
The five percent of the day when you are in my arms your sweet cuddly side shines. You are now officially a thumb sucker and you will have one hand in the mouth while the other hand cradles the thumb sucking hand. Your body relaxes and you recharge. I love sitting in the rocking chair with you as you suck your thumb and lean against my chest perfectly relaxed. You also lean in for "kissies" by moving your face very near to ours. And, just the other day you cupped your hand open and closed for "bye."
You are a sweet, soft, tough, strong spirited, curious, exuberant, lively, silly, and dramatic almost one year old. We are all enjoying getting to know more and more who you are. I admire your determination to find what you need in this family that came before you. You most definitely hold your own. And, when your mind is made up you are unstoppable, must reach that toy, must grab that water bottle, see that dog, or whatever it might be. I can see already that your will is a powerful one.
We love you Baby waves!
-Mama
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