Dear Avery-
Happy 1st birthday! On this day, it’s almost impossible for me to imagine that the beautiful blue-eyed blonde you have grown into is the same baby girl that weighed a slight 6 lbs. 3 oz. one year ago, and arrived with a full head of dark hair! At one year old, you have a wonderful disposition, are very sociable and quite intelligent. You’ve just learned and grown so much in one year it’s amazing. You have taken your first steps, but so far, have only showed Mommy and Daddy your capabilities. For now, you get everywhere you want to go by crawling, knee walking or using a toy as a crutch. You make us laugh every day with your antics, such as the knee walking, or any number of the silly sounds you make with your voice and your mouth. You mimic any sound we make but do know a few words like doggie, mama, dada, hi and uh-oh. One of your favorite games is to throw your sippy cup on the floor at meal time and exclaim, “uh-oh!” Speaking of games, you love a good round of peek-a-boo; your favorite time to play is while in your high chair with food on your hands. You dislike being told no already, and you often choose to ignore it even though you know quite well what it means!
You adore animals, especially our doggies. Though Maggey was your pal from the beginning, it’s taken Chase a whole year to warm up to you. Bath time has always been a favorite of yours, and you delight in sticking your face in the water and looking back at me to see if I saw you. I did, sweetie, and am so proud of you for being adventurous. Now excuse me for a moment while I daydream about you being the next Dara Torres or Amanda Beard!
You get a huge thrill out of any kind of music, and love dancing. One of your favorite toys is a fridge farm magnet set that plays banjo music. Every night you go to bed with Giraffe, and have always been a good sleeper. Eating on the other hand, has been a challenge for us. You ate baby food for a few months and then refused it around 10 months old, preferring what Mommy and Daddy ate over jarred meat or chicken entrees. Based on the aroma of those foods, I can’t say that I blame you. Your favorite foods are cheese, spinach and pizza, and especially all three of those together. And while you eat your fruits and veggies well at school (peer pressure?), they are hit or miss at home. Your changing food preferences sure keep me on my toes!
When you were very little, I thought you’d never stay awake for a walk in the park. Now, you are an avid-people watcher and sit up straight in your stroller, your little fingers clutching the tray, so that you can observe everything going on around you. You don’t miss a thing, baby girl.
Avery, each day with you with a gift, and each day, I am so thankful that you are healthy and happy. Experiencing the world through your eyes has brought me so much joy, and I just can’t wait to see what fun this next year will bring to our family. Happy 1st Birthday, Munchie, your Dad and I love you so much!
Avery was very busy this weekend helping Mommy in the kitchen. I undertook quite the task by making a pot pie from scratch, inlcuding the crust. While I was out shopping for supplies, I spied this mini rolling pin, just perfect for my pint-sized helper!
To accompany the chicken pot pie, I made Caesar salad. Avery helped dry the lettuce after I washed it.
Avery has been taking steps for about two weeks now. To date, she hasn't been able to get more than a few steps in before her giggling and excitement distract her and cause her to fall down. But she practiced a lot this weekend and now can string 5-6 steps together before landing on her Pampered butt. I got a couple action shots and then a short video of Daddy's Walking Boot Camp! 
Before I share my letter to the birthday girl, I think a quick trip down photo memory lane is in order. Above, Avery making friends with Maggey at 5 days old. Below, Avery and Maggey just a few days ago! 
Above, Avery at 2 days old. Below, one year old and "helping" mommy with the housework.
My baby girl turns 1 on Tuesday, so to celebrate, we invited a small group of friends and family over on Saturday for a puppy-themed birthday party. 
Avery makes having just two teeth look good in her special birthday dress, handmade by Polka Dot Designs by Jen. 
The Birthday Girl couldn't wait for the adults to finish eating Greg's delicious pulled pork to open presents, so, she just crawled over and started opening gifts on her own!
Violet was definitely Avery's favorite birthday gift (though a 3rd Busy Ball Popper is right up there) . Avery could not wait for Auntie Danielle to get her out of the box, then wouldn't put Violet down all night!
The puppy theme wouldn't have been complete without plates, napkins, balloons, and puppy cupcakes!
The puppy cupcakes were a big hit. If Meme hadn't helped decorate though, I think I'd still be making puppy cupcakes...or I would have gone to Publix to purchase an emergency 1/4 sheet cake!
Avery didn't want to put down Violet to eat her birthday cupcake!
Once she put Violet down, Avery couldn't wait to get her hands on (in) her cupcake!
The Birthday Girl seemed to enjoy playing with her cupcake more than eating it. I guess she hasn't cut her sweet tooth yet!
Well, the meterologists were right and we got snow in Atlanta yesterday. It started falling mid-afternoon when the temps were above freezing, then melted, then froze when it got into the teens last night. So the roads are icy, Avery's school closed, and we are at home staying warm and enjoying a snow day! We certainly aren't venturing out any time soon!
We hung out in our pjs this morning for as long as possible, because that's what you do on a snow day of course! 
