A Full Heart

Ok, so having a newborn baby is nice, and a 6 month old is cute and cuddly, but I have to say that I've never had more fun than I'm having with this one year old little girl. All of a sudden I find myself, not with a baby anymore, but with a child who is curious, affectionate, mischievous, and who amazes me pretty much every minute of the day. You can see the wheels turning in this kid's brain.  She can effectively communicate what she wants to do and what she does NOT want to do. She can organize/sort her farm animals, puzzle pieces, tupperware, blocks, q-tips, stuffed animals, bottle parts, baby dolls, clean laundry, etc. for seemingly hours on end. I will turn on her video monitor at night after we've put her to bed to see her reading her books aloud, patiently, enthusiastically in the dark. To see her jiggle her shoulders and shake her booty to music, whether it be from the stereo, the Happy Monster Band, or her Fisher Price Ipod, will inspire joy and laughter even after the longest, most tiresome day at work. How can she pick out Dora the Explorer so quickly on coupons, Blockbuster display racks, and Yoplait yogurt? She can find your nose, blow a kiss, sign a "touchdown", and even tickle you under your neck just when you think she's falling asleep. A hug or a kiss (she gives both) from Avery fills my heart with love so far up to the very brim that nothing else matters in the world. I feel blessed to have her in my life and just wanted to post about how I am so simultaneously filled with love and worry about her that, when not working, I spend my days either playing, cuddling, or shielding from danger. I'll keep you all updated, don't worry, but with this super fun, attention seeking, trouble finding, non-consistent napper, I don't have as much time to blog anymore =) 

Not much new to report this week. Today is Dave's Birthday!! Happy 31st! He's in Chicago at a conference and hopefully having a wonderful evening. Here are some pictures of Avery from today:

She could literally stay outside 24/7, running, exploring, and finding leaves. 

I love this picture even though it's fuzzy.

Here she found some leaves and is bringing them to me. 

"Here Mom, more leaves!!" I have a hundred pictures like this. 

Ok, so I hate to spoil the surprise, but Avery's Halloween costume came in the mail today- she's going to be Dawkins and she's the cutest darn kitty I've even seen. She wasn't too keen on the hat until she looked in the mirror and exclaimed "Kitty!!"