Time flies when you're turning ONE!

The day has come that I officially have two toddlers in the house. Avery turned one on Saturday the 9th. We had a fun day hanging out with just our family and then cake and a few presents at my in-laws that night. We are having a rather large family party on Sunday which will be lots of fun.

My little girl has grown so much (okay, not really) this past year. She is still on the tiny side for being one, but she was a peanut at 6 pounds 9 ounces, 19" when she was born. She was an extremely easy labor too, which carried over into her entire personality. I can still remember going into labor last year a day before my due date while dancing around to Backyardigans with Asher sick on the couch. It was 11:00 at night and the dancing made my water break. I never went into labor with Asher, just had my water break, so it was expected that I would be put on pitocin with Avery since the same thing happened again. She was a quick five hour labor with only ONE push! Daddy barely made it into the room because she came so quickly!

Naming her was a whole other story. Mike and I each had our own names picked out. I wanted Lillian (Lilly) and Mike wanted Lauren or Callie. We knew that her middle name was going to be Jane after Mike's Mom. Asher's middle name is David after my Dad, so it was Mike's turn for a family name. Plus, I always have liked the name. We were told she had to be named by 1:00 on Saturday for it to be on the birth certificate, so we were under a deadline. The same thing happened with Asher. He was so many different names in three days! Adrienne helped us read down through the baby books and websites trying to find one. All three of the names Mike and I had picked just did not look like her. We liked several names, but the meanings just did not fit. Avery was a name my sister and I had discussed and liked. We found that it meant elf-like warrior, which was not what I wanted a little girl's name to be. However, at the last second Adge found that it means Noble for a girl. Thank goodness!

I am so glad that we had our little ones so close together after all. They are great buddies at times, and Asher is learning how to be compassionate to others. Avery is so easy going and loving. She is always smiling, which is what everyone comments about when they see her. Her entire face lights up. She is a mommy's girl, which makes me happy after having a daddy's boy! I am very grateful of the gift of a little girl that God has entrusted in me. Watching her grow and learn so many things brings such a joy to my life.

As of today...Avery can say:
Mama, Dada, Ash, Asher, Baba, Dat (that), Mo (More), Hi, and yes...not bad!

We can't walk yet! Oh well, I've learned not to push that because then I have to chase her!

She's grown too. Currently, she is 16 pounds, 6 ounces (1% average), 28 inches (13%). We are tiny, but that is okay. She's growing which is all that matters. Here are a few of my favorite Avery pictures from her first year.

Right after she was born on August 9th, 2007


First time meeting Lolli (my mom).


Quality Auntie time.


EVERYTHING ends up in this child's mouth. It is a true test of babyproofing!


Chilling on vacation.


First Birthday Fun...