LIFE AS A LANKFORD: 22 Months

Dear Avery,

You are 22 months old today! It just can't be possible that in two short months you will be two years old! Each month just gets better and better, and I can never seem to decide if I want to keep you this age forever or see what fun things we have coming up. I do love a cuddly baby, but I must say, this age tops the newborn/infant stage hands down.

In some ways, not much changed this month. You're sleep habits are the same, although we have had some early waking days. You point to your crib at naptime and a night and even want to cut our rocking short. You seem to love your crib and are usually content to stay in it for awhile after you wake up.

You are still in 12-18 and 18 months clothes. I have pulled out the things from last summer that are 12-18 months, and many fit. You have definitely done your growing in height this year. You certainly feel heavier than last summer, though. You haven't been to the doctor so we don't have an official weight. Shoe size is a 5, inching toward 5.5. You have now moved to a size 4 diaper in both Pampers and up & up.

Your eating habits continue to be about the same. I won't say you eat everything, and I won't say you're picky. We are all ready for fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmer's market this summer. You have already been enjoying asparagus and strawberries. Just last night you had your first juice box, although it was only a few sips. I assume it was your first, and you seemed to really enjoy juice that isn't diluted. I was relieved when you didn't want to suck down the whole thing. Maybe we'll throw in a few juice boxes this summer when mean Mama is making you have only water. Jen-Jen informed Daddy that you weren't interested in popsicles, and I assumed that's because you'd never had one. We're really not trying to deprive you little girl, we're just not really popsicle people. I did see you holding the plastic from a freeze pop just the other day when I arrived to pick you up, so I'm guessing you've embraced those frozen treats.

Avery, we could both end up sweaty messes this summer at the rate you want to be outside. You love outside more than anything, whether it's playing in your car, swinging, sliding, or taking a stroll. You also love to simply move, inside and out. We need to add some fun toys for outside, and I'm thinking a playhouse or water table. Your little legs are in motion all day long, usually stopping only to eat or read. You still have no interest in TV which is fine with us. You have only 1 Disney DVD, and you've never seen it. You still don't know that Daddy's truck will play a movie. I wonder how long we can keep that up? I am busy trying to think of some fun activities we can do this summer other than the pool and library. This month you went to your first playdate, and I think we're both looking forward to doing it again.

Your vocabulary continues to expand, although there are still some things only Mama can translate. You talk constantly, though, and love to call our names and then proceed to chatter away in your own little language. The more we respond, the longer you continue. You are picking up new words and learning the names of your friends. Your favorite phrase continues to be "What's that?" and you are interested in everything. You have quite a love for transportation items and all things farm-related. I can't keep up with all the things you're learning and saying, but I must include that your cows say "Boo!" You do the m sound just fine, so evidently you know some scary cows.

You remain mostly even-tempered and show that you're upset by crying. Usually there isn't too much of that. I've only seen you swat at a toy once in frustration, and we've never had any fall-out fits. We know this is simply luck and also know that it may change tomorrow, although we hope it won't. You do sometimes want to test your boundaries and limits but manage to do it more sweetly than defiantly. We pray that we deal with your testing and smiling, and any other issues that arise, in a way that will help you learn and grow.

You had some milestone events in your little life this month. The first major one was our move to a new house. You handled it like a pro and were only upset a few times at bedtime. You have a big room upstairs which Mama loves because I don't have to tiptoe around at naptime. Your room isn't quite as pretty as your sweet green nursery, but we're already thinking about what we can do in your new big girl room. We hope you will do just as well when we move to our new house. The only other adjustment you've had to make is learning that Dixie now lives down the road at Mimi and Grandaddy's, but you're still asking for him 500 times a day.

The other big event was probably only big to Mama, but you took a little trip and rode with Jen-Jen this month. You've only ever ridden with Mama, Daddy, Lolli, and Poppa, so this was a big step for me. You went to the park just a short ways away from Jen-Jen's to celebrate one of your buddy's birthdays. Jen-Jen said out of everyone, you had the best time. I was so glad I let you go. That may seem silly to some, but you are all I've ever wanted, and I have no problem being a crazy Mama if it's what's best for you.

Daddy and I consider it our greatest privilege to be your parents. There are moments where we think we've failed miserably, but always know we are ready to do better the next time. You teach us so much and fill our days with love and laughter. We are so proud to call you our Avery.

Love,
Mama and Daddy

We continue to remind you that chairs are for sitting.