Happy 1st Birthday!

Avery Claire, at 12 months, you: - are such a happy, happy, beautiful, precious girl! - love to play chase and be tickled. You run screaming when you hear us say "I'm gonna get you." And you love for us to say "You can't get me!" so that you can turn around and chase us. - will wear a bow for a little bit. When you realize it's there, you jerk it out and keep checking to make sure it's not back in. We practice wearing them at home sometimes. - love your babies. You kiss them and pat them and take such good care of them. You still won't take them for a ride in the stroller - you pull them out immediately. Your favorite is Baby Alive - maybe because she makes cooing and giggling noises. You nap with Baby, which is absolutely precious! You like to hand us your baby to kiss and pat, but you want it right back! - have started falling asleep at night with your Sleep Sheep. We unearthed the Sleep Sheep from the toy bin a couple of weeks ago, and you are in love. Daddy says the heartbeat sounds like a well rig...you both seem to find the sound comforting! - like to eat mac-n-cheese, any kind of bread, pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit baby food, green beans, chicken (sometimes), and applesauce. You don't love carrots or peas. You don't like plain noodles - they must have cheese. You're a threat to swipe your sticky hands through your hair while you're eating! - have a serious face. You give it to us a lot when we're eating dinner and you start whining because you want to hold the bowl/get down/pull all of the wipes out of the bag, and we give you a stern "no." I've got to get a good picture of it!

- are working on teeth #s 9, 10, 11, & 12. All four of your 1 year molars are breaking through at the same time. That cannot feel good, but you really haven't acted like it bothers you. When we see this face, we just blame those teeth!

- like being the center of attention, which you always are. I think you'll dig your birthday party!

- laugh along with a group of people like you just understood what they were laughing about. It's very cute.

- enjoy being outside and do not want to go back inside. When you can't be outside, you stand at the door looking out there.

- enjoy making loud noises. Anything that you do that results in a loud noise you do repeatedly.

- have started to snuggle with us. You will lay your head down on us, and we wouldn't move for any amount of money. You haven't always been a snuggler, so we enjoy every chance we get. The chances may not last long, since you're so busy. Two nights ago, you laid your head on Mommy's shoulder and fell asleep - no bouncing involved. That's a first. You usually bounce your little legs until I start bouncing you! - are such a busy girl. You give life 100% from the time you open your eyes until the time you close them. Maybe that's why you're such a good sleeper - you are absolutely worn out. Sometimes you just lay down in the floor for a second...I guess to gather your energy.

- are fearless - not afraid to go anywhere, touch anything, or try anything. Like last week when you stuck your entire face into the bubbles/water in the bathtub. You popped up, looked a little shocked, and just smiled - and tried to do it again!! Not scared of anything, I tell ya! (except men with dark beards, maybe? Right, Russ? That's the only thing she's ever been scared of!!) Papa thought you might be scared of the lawn mower...ummmm, no, not you!!

- sleep 10-11 hours every night. We've cut your morning nap, so your afternoon nap is a 2-3 hour one. Last night, you were up at 3:30. I don't know if you had a tummy ache or if your gums are bothering you, or if you were hungry. You cried big crocodile tears. You felt better after awhile and went back to sleep. (We hope this isn't a sign of year 2.)

- enjoy snack time. You and Daddy have a daily Cap'n Crunch snack ritual. You know the box is in there and you point to it. You also open up the cabinet and point to your box of mini Vanilla Wafers.

- think your Daddy is so funny. He's wrapped around your little finger and will give you anything you want.

- love your big girl car seat. We have not, however, figured out the most comfortable sleeping position.

- look for Win all of the time. When we want to distract you, we say "Where's Win?" You always look toward the window.

- are a genius, really...all of the time, Mommy & Daddy say to each other "that's really smart, isn't it?" You don't forget anything....like every flap in your "goodnight book" or your Elmo book, or where we keep the phone in case of a 911 emergency, or the cabinet with the pans in it that we try to tell you is locked, or where you left your baby. How smart is it to try to pour your bottle into the bowl?! - are deeply in love with your paci.

- can empty a cabinet or drawer of all contents in 2.6 seconds. You are all about emptying something or filling something up. You carry around boxes, bags, and bowls with something in them, like a paci, all of the time.

- probably enjoy bath time more than any other time of the day. - are getting your first chance at cake tonight. What will you think of that? I know you'll like the taste - I hope you dig in and enjoy every second of it!

- have brought more joy to our family than you could ever imagine. We are so in love with you. We are so proud of you, sweet girl, and cannot imagine life without you in it. You have the best little personality and bring countless smiles to our faces on a daily basis. The first year of your life has, hands down, been the best one of ours so far. We look forward to many more birthdays and many more years of watching you learn and grow. We pray God will guide you and that you will have a passion for Jesus. We pray you have the courage to always be yourself and the wisdom to make your own decisions. We thank God for letting us be your parents. We love you so very, very much, Avery Claire!