Dear Avery at 13 months:

This was the month when you mastered walking.  Shortly after turning one you took a few tentative steps and from that point on each and every moment represented an opportunity to practice steps.  Like your brother, you are a first rate explorer.  And, movement and curiosity are your closest friends. 

As I write this, a week after your 14 month milestone, you are now a confident and fast walker moving about with mostly ease.  It is hard to remember otherwise.  I had to look back at videos and pictures to recall the wobbly, wide leg drunken sailor stance that characterized those early walking days.  Or, it was the Frankenstein walk, or hands high at your chest to help you with balance – and always falling on your bottom many, many times throughout the day.  But, you never stopped.  Always, always, trying to walk.  Trying to keep up with your brother, to stay where the action is.

You are such a scrappy little thing.  You dive headfirst into your days without hesitation.  If Zealand slips out the screen door into the backyard there you are walking unsteadily on the bench that wraps around the house and is a good few feet above a cement patio. 

Somehow it seems that Zealand had a few more tablespoons of caution in his disposition.  Or, maybe it was the environment, or circumstances.  But, whatever it is I feel like you are apt to head straight into danger with a huge smile on your face.  I turn my head for a minute and there you are on the verge of digesting something inedible or ready to fall three feet. 

As I have mentioned before, you will put anything and everything into your mouth.  Sticks, mud, sand, anything and everything. 

 When you aren’t forging ahead conquering your 3 foot environment you crave cuddles and will often put your arms up to be held.  There are times when you seem really needy but I think it is more the fact that your brother can take his feelings out on you, grabbing toys and slight pushes, and you at times feel lost in the whirlwind of a mama and her boisterous three year old and a mama in the midst of packing lunches, washing oatmeal from a bowl, etc..

You demand that I slow down so I can hold you while you elegantly place your thumb in your mouth and regain your bearings so that you can again wildly explore and move about.   On the whole, this is probably a very positive thing.  You are demanding that your needs get met – and, they should be met.   Dirty dishes and the bottomless pit of attention that a three year old demands requires limits and boundaries. 

You roll through the day with mostly a smile on your face and loud vocalizations to express your enthusiasm.  Your sleep is regular and your appetite is fierce.  Switching to whole milk was not a problem and really the both of us have this mama/baby routine pretty well mastered by now. 

You are a big sweetie pie with lots of heart, gusto, and beautiful blue eyes to boot.  We are all very lucky to know and have you in our lives.  You line it it with smiles and enthusiasm all around.

I love you baby Aby.  We all do.

Love,

Mama.