Fun With A Bubble Gun

Spring Is Here - Time for Outdoor Play

Taking a Ride

Emily and Avery love riding in their Jeep and Emily has now gotten used to leaving her foot on the accelerator.  So instead of the stop and go movement that was giving Avery whip lash, although she didn't seem to mind, they can go for long periods of time without stopping, that is until something comes into their path.  Emily hasn't quite yet figured out how to steer, so as you will see with the next clips they run into many things and get frustrated when they don't go the direction they want to go.

Avery at 19 Months Old

We are now at the stage in Avery's life where she has discovered how to climb on furniture and objects and loves to do so.  A couple of months ago I noticed she was starting to try and climb on the couches in the living room but could not quite get her legs up high enough.  With a little help from Emily she was able to get up on the couch and jump with her sister, which always gets me to yell at them to sit down.  Going through Emily's accident last year when she fell off the couch I always try and keep my eyes on them.  It is getting harder now and they get older and especially with Avery because she is so quiet and has no problem walking off by herself and getting into things.  Now it is even worse as she is now climbing on chairs and jumping up and down once she conquers her goal.

When I was pregnant with Avery everyone I came across that had children told me that she would learn faster because she had an older sister.  This is true on most parts but is not all true when you have a child who is stubborn and does things at their own pace.  Avery has knowledge of many words but does not use them as needed.  Her favorite words are "this" while she points at an object.  She knows that the object she wants has a name but seldom uses that name.  Recently she has also acquired the phrase "what's this?" from her older sister but it sounds like one word.  We have a book called "Baby's First 100 Words" that has pictures of objects and animals with their names printed below.  Avery loves bringing me this book to read to her and she can tell me what each and every object is that I point to in the book.  So I know she knows what objects are called but she just doesn't feel like using them.

Some time ago Avery learned how to move her body a bit more in her dancing techniques.  She recognizes some songs on Nick Jr. and will dance to them.  She also has a teapot that sings a little tune and she loves to press the button over and over and dance to the song.  Avery is a somewhat serious little girl most of the time but her silly side is finally starting to emerge.  Avery sure catches us by surprise by some of her actions and can make all of us laugh.  She and big sister Emily have their own way of playing with each other which I love to watch.  They are so amazing to watch and their friendship and sisterhood is slowly developing into something bigger.

Mommy and Avery

Avery plays with her Thomas

Bunny Avery at 19 Months Old

Bunny Avery at 4 Months Old

Emily's Friend and Playmate Brody

Despite the look on her face she had a great time playing with Brody at the playground

Emily and Avery go to the Aquarium

Nonna and Alyssa took the girls to the Texas State Aquarium and they both had a great time.  Last time Emily visited the aquarium she had a good time but was hesitant when some of the fish swam up to the glass.  She especially didn't like the sharks.  Now that she is a little older she enjoyed every bit of it, although it may have helped that she is more familiar with the fish and other sea creatures because of her love of Finding Nemo.  This trip to the aquarium was the first for Avery and unlike her sister she was loving every minute of it and wasn't hesitant about any of the sea animals.  We will definitely be taking both girls there often during the summer months.

Alyssa and Avery

Nonna and Avery

Emily loving the fish

Emily sharing her corn dog with Aunt Alyssa

"More Fish"

Emily Sings ABC's

Emily Sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Watch What You Say and Do

Emily is at the stage in her toddler development where she can pick up on phrases and remember how to use them in the right context.  I was aware that she started to pick on words and repeat them but only recently surprised when she used a phrase she had heard earlier on in the day and used it later that afternoon and in the right terms.  What this all means is we have to really watch what we say around her which is difficult at times.  Last week I heard her call her sister "stinky butt Avery" and wondered where in the world she had learned that term.  Well later that evening while changing Avery's diaper I told her, "Avery you have a stinky butt, let's change you."  So I was the culprit who placed those words in Emily's head.  She also calls her sister"booger butt" which I don't ever use.  Some of Emily's other phrases include: awesome, oh my gosh, oh my goodness, I told you, and cool.  We find it hilarious and we never know what she is going to say next.

Not only is she listening intently to what people say but she is also watching what people do and mimicking it later at home.  Recently she has been obsessed with putting Avery night-night.  She bosses her younger sister to lay on the floor, places a blanket over her and then proceeds to pat her back.  Emily learned this behavior at school during nap time helping her teacher put the younger students to sleep.  At night her baby dolls get the same treatment before she goes to bed.  As most schooled children do, Emily picks up many quirks and sayings from her school peers.  I recently heard her mention that her belly hurt but after examining her I could never find any problem.  This is one of those quirks she has picked up just like her pacifier usage, which I have not been able to break her habit.

These past couple of months Emily has been really into Cinderella and Lady and the Tramp and just recently she discovered Jungle Book.  Emily has an excellent memory and she likes to sing some of the songs she remembers from these movies.

Potty training is going great.  I have realized that I can get Emily to sit and go on the potty as soon as she wakes up in the morning or from her nap.  Aside from those times she really doesn't want to sit on the potty.  She has been going every day at school but mostly only after nap time, but I am pleased she has some sort of routine established.

Love from Avery