The Adventures of Stinky Stein: May 2017

My Dearest Avery,

You are such a full-speed-ahead toddler now! You're talking all the time and your skills are just growing and growing. In the past few months, you've said goodbye to Kansas (who moved in with Uncle Adam), you've said goodbye to Baxter (who had a fast moving cancer), you've visited Colorado Springs with dad while mom was there for work, you've virtually met your new cousin William, you've flown your first kite, you've visited Disneyland for the first time, you've moved up to the next level in swim lessons (the one without mom), and you've turned THREE!

You're such a fireball, keeping dad and me on our toes. Some of the things you like to do now are:

sit in the cart at a store (you didn't like this before)
sit on dad's shoulders
sleep in a big girl bed and get up to come visit mom and dad way too early in the morning
say "go team Stein"
dress up like a princess (every day)
wear your princess shoes
bring toys in the car with you
carry your own bags at the airport
bring your purse where mom brings her purse
play ball in the house
tell people of any age what to do (kids on the playground, teenagers at the park, adults, you name it!)
say "five minutes" when I tell you it's time to go.....like I'm going to wait around 5 minutes for you to finish playing
say "follow me" to mom (and I try to go whenever I can because I know you won't always want me to follow you)
say "it's going to be ok" when we're playing doctor
take care of your baby doll
say "I wove you too mom" when I kiss you 💗
talk about scary monsters and ghosts and go kick them out
play with pretend people and put your toy princesses in time out
"build a house" (go visit our new house while under construction)
"make" with dad (you help him make dinner) - you're his sous chef

You're daytime potty trained but you still "go pee pee in underwear" sometimes - mostly when you're with mom or dad (you're better at daycare). Can't wait for you to be fully there!

You're opinionated, you ask me if I'm ok and you voice if you want to be happy or say "I don't wanna be happy, I just don't". I literally draw an imaginary heart around your head when I see you - I just can't get enough of this little human I'm raising. You never fail to surprise me and you're always learning new things. You can count to 20 (although you often miss numbers) and you love to sing even though you're tune-deaf, like mommy, most of the time.

Here's your life in pictures right now....

Your time at swim and soccer:

You are definitely a leader - you yelled "TRAIN" as a train was passing by the soccer building and started a little toddler riot....thanks! That's my kid :)

We don't even try to get you to go to soccer without a skirt on - it's a must!

Playing as you wait to go in!

It's not often you get to swim with daddy - you love it though!

Trip to Colorado Springs with dad while mom was working up there:

You now make silly faces when your picture is being taken...

Not so sure about the bobsled at the Olympic training center

Checking out the ruins nearby

In a real tepee!

Goofing off after dad took you shopping!

You got a big girl bed:

You said goodbye to Baxter:

Trying to feed him your fake food to help him feel better...

This was at the emergency vet. You were saying goodbye. After this, you stood up, walked to the door and said, "it's time, dad, it's time". You've never talked like that before or since then....

With mommy: