Dear Avey

Happy late birthday, my sweet Avery Clare!  You came into our lives at a busy and crazy time and fell right into step.  You've always been relaxed, easy going and cheerful (unless you're hungry, then it's an entirely different story).  In your first year of life, we opened a business and built a new home, resulting in you either being dragged along or left with your Nana (where would we be without her?).  I'm not sure you even had a regular napping schedule until quite recently.  But through it all, you've been sweet and silly, yet feisty when you needed to get my attention.
You have always loved food and eating, and until recently have never been picky.  You were drinking 6oz when you were only two weeks old (I definitely couldn't keep up with you) and when you started eating baby food, it was always two jars.  It took you a while to grace us with your laugh, but you've always been a happy babbler.  You have the cutest little baby language.  Right now you can say about four words...Mama, Dada, baby (said Ba-bay) and phone (said pho).  You didn't learn to crawl until the week before your first birthday (which was a tender mercy since we were building our home until then), but now you're a cruiser!  You are super speedy and love to be chased by all of us.  Thank goodness you haven't figured out how to go up the stairs yet, but I'm sure that's next on your list.  You have a big heart and love everyone, even strangers.  You have a way of making people feel good about themselves because you go to them.  You even went to our new next door neighbor, who has Tourettes and usually makes other kids nervous.  I set you on the ground and you made a b-line for him and wouldn't move until he picked you up.  I think it made him feel pretty special.  You especially love your big sister Chloe.  You love watching her and playing with her.  And then there's the feisty side of you, my girl!  You tend to bottle things up, but when you've had it, you better watch out, because you come out with both hands swinging!  When you get really mad and no one is understanding you, you whack yourself in the face or start to rub and pull your hair (yikes).  If Chloe pushes you the wrong way, you give her a slap or scratch in the face, but you're always good to say sorry and gives hugs.  One especially vivid memory for me was a trip to Costco.  I love Costco because they have two seats in the front of the cart, so you and Chloe can sit together.  Well, this particular trip, that totally backfired.  I don't know what your deal was that day, but you would not stop hitting, slapping, scratching and screaming at Chloe.  Of course that resulted in her trying to hit you back and screaming and crying and me trying to get both of you to stop.  It was quite the episode and had strangers looking at me with a mix of amusement, sympathy and disgust.  You and your sister...you play well and you fight well.  I think your teenage years together will be interesting!
When you were a tiny baby, you never liked to snuggle.  You would eat and fall asleep on me, but then you would get restless until I put you in your bed.  You have always loved your bed and been a great sleeper.  You would never let me rock or sing you to sleep, you just wanted your bed, your thumb and a blanket.  You've never had a favorite blanky, just anything soft.  The downside to that, is you only sleep in your bed.  I think you've fallen asleep on me maybe 3 or 4 times.  Church is almost always a nightmare, because you wont konk out on my shoulder or a carseat.  You just get so tired, you're almost delirious and super grumpy.  That was the one hard part about taking you to work on the house.  Luckily I thought to bring the pack n' play and then all was good.
One last story about you Avey, and maybe you wont appreciate it until you're older.  You were our April Fool's Day baby.  Your Dad and I had decided that we weren't going to start trying to have another baby until July, so I was very surprised to find out that I was pregnant with you on April Fool's Day.  I sent your Daddy a picture of the test on his phone that said "April Fool's Day, courtesy of Heavenly Father".  He got a good laugh and thinking it was a joke, didn't text me back.  I had to call him and tell him it was true, and it was quite the shock for him.  Even though you were a couple months early, we were SOOOO happy to find out you were coming!  You have brought so much joy and laughter with you.  You have continued to be our April Fool's girl and love making people laugh and do silly tricks, followed by a sing songy "He, he!"

We love you sweet Avey-baby!  Happy first birthday!