Dear Avery,

Dear Avery Grace,

 

Will you ever forgive your momma for being so late with your birthday letter?!?

 

On October 17th, 2010 at 9:11pm, a beautiful baby girl entered this world.  We named her Avery Grace, and that same little girl celebrated her 4th birthday just a few weeks ago.  Oh my goodness, little one, how are you 4 already!?! 

 

You are your OWN little person, so independent and so strong willed.  Nobody will get in your way and you will do what you want when you want to do it.  I hate to say it, but I think that you wear the pants in our house.  Mommy and Daddy often don't know what to do with our stubborn, ornery and determined little girl.  Big sister, Lily, is often in tears because she is too sweet to fight back with you.  Even though you own all of these traits, you also have some pretty sweet characteristics about you too.  You are my sweet, lovey and cuddly little girl.  You sleep with mommy most nights and you nap with me everyday.  You snuggle right up to me, and you occasionally check to see if I'm still next to you.  You always tell mommy, daddy and Lily that you love us and you insist many kisses before any of us leave.  You get upset if we don't wave goodbye to you from the car as you stand in the window.  When mommy's alarm clock goes off in the mornings, you are already in the hallway ready to cuddle with me on the couch.  I drink my coffee and you watch Mickey Mouse.  This is OUR time together before we have to wake up Lily for school. 

 

Avery, you have amazed mommy and daddy in so many ways this year.  You are so smart and you are doing so well in preschool.  You know how to count to 20 and backwards from 12.  You know all of your letters and you even know most of Lily's kindergarten sight words.  You know most shapes, including an octagon and you even got trapezoid right the other day.  You tell me you are going to be an artist because you color so well, and yes you do baby girl.  You have met new friends at school this year including, Lizzy and Ella.  You are also friends with Leni and Blake from daycare.  You may be a little bit naughty at home, but you are well behaved and liked very much at school. 

 

Meal times are still our biggest struggle with you.  Breakfast is still your best meal, but you are the most pickiest eater I have ever met.  I still believe that this is out of pure stubbornness more than anything!  Dr. Shidler says you are growing so not to worry too much.  You go to bed around 9:00pm and you wake up at 6:30am, and you take a nap most days.  If we skip your nap, mommy and daddy pay for it later!  You are still attending daycare two days a week, preschool two days a week and you go to Church on Wednesday nights.  You are excited to start swimming lessons again and to play basketball this winter. 

 

What I love most about you is your big heart.  I can't believe how ornery a little person can be, but also so loving and caring.  You tell us 100 times a day that you love us and you always say please and thank you.  Just when I'm about to pull my hair out and want to give you away, you bust out an "I love you momma."  You check on my when I'm sleeping and you kiss my cheek.  You are the only one who sits patiently and waits to feel the baby kick and move.  You always kiss and hug my belly and tell your baby brother that you love him.  Mommy has really enjoyed having some 1:1 time with just you while Lily is at school.  You are my little buddy and I love having you around.  Don't ever let anyone or anything get in your way, Little One.  You have it in you to do big things in this world. 

 

Happy 4th Birthday, my sweet Avery Grace.

Love,

Mommy