You're TWO!

My Dearest Avery,

Have I mentioned that you're my favorite person? I know it sounds cheezy, but I don't know how else to express my love for you. You're just the best and every phase seems to be better than the last one - I honestly don't know how that's possible, but it's true! You're TWO years old now! I can't believe 2 of the years I get with you have gone by - how did that happen? You're 28 lbs and 10 ounces and you're 33.75 inches tall. The doctor expects you to grow to be 5'6", so you just might be taller than me!

If I thought you grew fast before, it's nothing compared to now! You say new words every day, mimic everything dad and I do, and you're very independent. You can say basic words and sentences and you're learning your colors. We have slowly started to introduce you to the potty as well. We started swim lessons and I told the teacher to let me know if I'm holding you back (since you wanted me to let go of you after just 20 minutes). You seem to like going under the water but that sensation still surprises you. I am trying to treasure this time with you, since they kick the parent out of the water at 3 years old. You have also graduated in soccer so now you're going to be a thumper (you were a bunny). We're so proud because you've really come a long way (you used to just lay there and cry the entire time).

Something else you do, which dad and I LOVE, is you sing to songs now! You actually sing "let it go" and you clap to songs and you definitely dance - wow, do you love to dance! You rock out to Katy Perry and Taylor Swift - very much a chart topper fan! I take you running with me and you listen to those songs while I figure out how to run with a stroller :) You also like to swirl around the house with dad or me to Cinderella songs!

You make my heart full - I just can't get enough of you.

Here's your world in pictures right now:

You have been known to put what I pick out back and take out a tutu from time to time :)

Took you to your first movie: Zootopia!

You still love wearing our shoes around the house and you LOVE carrying stuff around in your hands - doesn't matter what it is, as long as your hands are full! 

Loving on Baxter - you might love him a tad more than he loves you but he is so patient with your love :)

Goofing off with your first orange juice popsicle.

This is pretty much every day for us. You come and get ready with me in the morning....at "hair and makeup"! You mimic what I do with each item and you love lining them up and putting them back. You're not too big on getting your hair brushed, although you try to mimic that too!

Picking out new floors - you're not afraid to share your opinion either haha!

Playing around with the mold dog (sniffing for mold in the house after the toilet leaked.

With daddy, on the way to work and daycare! 

I think you look like the "dink dink" guys from Star Wars and Spaceballs with your towels on - ha!

Easter! You got a good loot this year!

Coloring eggs

Egg hunt! Dad let you have your way so your hair was in your face!

All tuckered out!

You loved wearing your new Easter dress!

Silly! Your bunny ears - first time putting them on yourself!

Starting swim lessons! You were tough to get out of the pool the first few times but you're into the routine for now.

Swim lessons! Actually, this was during a family swim night at the pool where you get lessons

You LOVE the water!

And finally, your birthday!

Dad and I took off for your birthday. Again, we put your gifts under the piñata!

You LOVE your gifts, especially the kitchen. I come home from work and eat fake food you made :)

Your big wheel, which is actually too big for you right now but you don't seem to care!

We went to the train park in Scottsdale for your big day, because you love trains so much - this was your first time ever on one! You didn't want to get off. We also took you on a carousel and we had breakfast at the Ritz!

Eating your birthday cupcake at the park! Needless to say, you had a great day!

You are growing into such a great young lady. You like saying "'scuse you" when you mean "excuse me" and you hug and kiss your family lovingly. You care for your dolls a lot, putting them in your stroller, feeding them fake food, putting blankets around them and kissing them on the head. It's really sweet to see you with them and it makes me think of how loving you'd be towards your little brother if he were here.

You're also very spunky - you already have a "mom, you're embarrassing me" face and you have your moments where you insist on doing things the hard way. You get frustrated when something's in your way and if you get hurt on your right side, you also want me to kiss the same spot on the left side. For better or for worse, I think you get most of these traits from me!

I read to you every night before bed. When I get done with the book, you yell "mom.......dad" and we pick you up to hug and kiss goodnight like the cheesiest family ever. You're so cute, we just can't help ourselves :)

Love,
Mom