Happy Birthday, Avery!

Where did this year go?!? Last year at this time I was so completely frustrated at being almost two weeks past my due date because we were BEYOND ready to meet our sweet girl! After being induced, getting an epidural, having nothing go according to "the plan," and spending almost 19 hours in labor, you finally made it to my arms at 3:03 am on July 3. All of the frustration and stress of a traumatic delivery melted away when we saw your gorgeous face. I'm not even just being biased; all the nurses kept saying, "She is just such a pretty baby! We haven't had a pretty one in awhile!" But pretty is as pretty does, and there is so much more to you than an adorable face! Here's what your up to at the ONE YEAR mark:

You're still a big girl! Well, tall anyway. We'll get your stats at your check-up on Monday, but you're still wearing size 3 diapers and size 12-18 month clothes.

I haven't bought baby food in a few weeks now because you just eat whatever we're having for dinner. And you really do eat anything. You scarf down your fruit and vegetables, but you like meat and bread too. And we can't forget those Cheerios! You also started drinking cow's milk this past week, and you love it! We just quit the formula cold turkey, and it's been a seamless transition. You drink three 8 oz bottles of it a day, and now we just need to think about moving past the bottle. You do love your sippy cups though, and you use those to drink water during the day.

You talk a lot. You know what sounds cows, puppies, and pirates make. You say uh-oh whenever anything falls, and you call your puppies "baboo." (We thought it was just a random word until we realized that every time you said it you were pointing to Nutmeg or Sadie.) You can show us your belly button and how big you are.You know that I'm "Mama," and you say "Dada" but don't seem to recognize that as Daddy's name yet. You love music and dance all. the. time. You love cell phones and getting into bags, and you get angry when you don't get what you want! I have no idea where that temper came from! (Oops...)

You love to walk holding our hands and cruising on the furniture. The only solo "steps" you've taken so far are to fall toward us, but you're getting there! You are a super-fast crawler though. It's hard to keep up with you these days!

You have four teeth now, one on the top and three on the bottom. Hehe, it's so cute! Your hair's getting longer too, but you just hate bows now. I'm lucky if I get one in your hair but even luckier if it stays there longer than two minutes.

We finally got you a big girl car seat! It just came in today, so you'll have to test it out later. It looks stinkin' comfortable though! You've been pretty fussy in the car lately, so I'm hoping this solves the problem.

This past year has been the best year ever. You bring so much joy to our lives, and we can't imagine our lives without you. Happy birthday, Avery Grace!