To my Avery, on your 4th birthday

Dear Avery,

Four. You're four. When did this happen? They laid you on my chest in the delivery room and I blinked...and now you're four. Can I still call you my baby? You're not a baby anymore, not a toddler. You're my little girl. And with every passing day, I realize how much you're growing up and maturing. From your ever-growing vocabulary to your ridiculously sharp logic and reasoning skills when you're trying to get your way, you're growing up right in front of me. And there's nothing I can do to stop it. I want to hold on to you and beg you to stay this age forever. You're so much fun. I say that every stage is my favorite, but this one is certainly a front runner. You're at the age where I can have a conversation with you. It's no longer one-sided talking dominated by me. You tell me about your day, your school, your friends, your favorite things. You're getting an imagination and are FINALLY starting to play by yourself. I'm sure having a new brother in the house has helped with that. I'm sorry I haven't been able to give you as much attention since your baby brother arrived, but that's all part of having a new baby! You don't act the least bit jealous over it...you are the absolute best big sister. I'm so proud of you and how much you love on your brother. Please remember that I'll never be too busy to snuggle or hug you. I don't care how old you are. I worried that, at this age, you'd be at the phase where you were "too cool" for Mommy. But you're more affectionate and snuggly than ever. You tell me, "I love you, Mama" often. I love that you call me Mama. 

You're still the spitting image of your Daddy--looks and personality. Although you do finally say that you "like the Go Cards and the Go Cats." I can live with that....for now. I'll still continue to try to get that blood bleeding blue. 

You are the girliest girl I've ever met. There's no such thing as "too much pink" in Avery's world. Pink, glitter and princesses dominate your bedroom, wardrobe and list of favorite things. I don't know where you get it, but I adore your independence and how you like what you like...no matter what anyone else thinks. If you want to walk out in a glittery unicorn shirt with pink ruffled pants and pink cowgirl boots, there is no convincing you that it isn't a proper outfit. I think you're going to be a leader, like your Daddy. I certainly hope so, at least. 

I'm so proud of you, my Avery. People comment on how well-behaved you are. We're still working on using our manners often, but any time we're in public, I'm thrilled with how good you are. That makes me so proud...and you LOVE to hear that Daddy and I are proud of you. 

Today is your fourth birthday, my Avery. We may not be spending it the way you planned (you're currently asleep on the couch after being awake since the early morning hours, throwing up), but this is still one of my very favorite days. It's the day you were born and made me a mother. Happy birthday, Avery Leigh. I don't have enough words to tell you how very loved you are. 

Pondering Birthdays. Yes, Already.

Is it too early to start thinking about Avery's 4th birthday party?  Yes, it's not until July, but here's how I'm justifying it:

1.  If I start talking about it now, Avery will go with whatever theme we pick now instead of changing her mind a month before the party day.

2.  I'm having a baby (God willing) 4-ish weeks before Avery's party.  When I had Avery, at 4 weeks after her birth, I was just barely up and walking around.  I figure if I plan it now, I can slowly pick up the pieces to make her party happen and then hopefully, I can bribe beg my sister Dayna and my mom to help me pull it all together for Avery's birthday.

Whatever the reasons, I have started to glance at ideas for Avery's 4th birthday.  Darn you, Pinterest on my phone when I'm laying in bed at night wide awake from heartburn.

I'm kind of loving these ideas:

Sleeping Beauty Party

Right now, Avery is realllllly into Sleeping Beauty.  Which I kind of dig, because she's a fairly under appreciated and under requested Princess option in my opinion.  It makes it hard to find Sleeping Beauty stuff when my kid asks for it (read: try to find JUST Sleeping Beauty panties (as in, no other Princesses in the mix) when your three year old wants them for Christmas.  Good luck), but it makes it unique when we're talking a Sleeping Beauty birthday party.  These are just a few of my favorite ideas for an Aurora Party:

Sleeping Beauty Photo Booth Props (link here)
Personalized Sleep Masks (link here)
SB Replica Cake (link here)
Meriweather Favors (link here)
Tiara Shaped Pizzas (link here)

THAT CAKE, YOU GUYS.  I want it for my 30th birthday.  Is that acceptable??  Say yes.


Frozen Birthday Party

*sigh*  My child, just like every other red-blooded child on this planet right now, is so ridiculously in to Frozen.  I don't get it.  What made this one movie so special?  Why didn't people go insane over Tangled the way they're doing Frozen?  I digress.  Point is, my kid loves this movie and these characters.  Reluctantly, I looked at ideas....even more reluctantly, I'm admitting that some of them are cute.

DIY Frozen Tshirts (link here)
Melted Olaf (link here)
Kristoff Kisses Favors (link here)
Snowflake Decor (link here)
Anna Themed party (link here)

Considering Avery's birthday is in July, a lot of the winter themed activities I found are obviously out. You know, since we're going to be "IN SUMMER" and all.  See what I did there?  If not, you haven't watched Frozen on repeat yet.  I'll let you borrow Avery sometime so you can have an excuse.


Painting Party

This has been a personal favorite of mine since I saw it on Pinterest a bazillion years ago.  A painting party!  Avery loves to paint like her momma and, even though she'd probably pick the Sleeping Beauty party, I may try to lobby hard for this one.

Canvases & Aprons (link here)
Paint Swatch Silverware Holders (link here)
Cookie Canvases (link here)
Rice Krispie Paintbrushes (link here)
Marshmallow Paint Sticks (link here)

I. Am. Dying.  Is this not the cutest party idea you've ever seen??!  Thankfully, this isn't an age-specific idea, so if Avery turns it down at 4, I can try again at 5.  And 6.  And 7. And 16.  Whatever it takes.

What about you?  Any fabulous party planning on the horizon?  Any party theme you want to brag about?  Share!!

To my Avery, on your 3rd birthday.

My Avery girl:

1095 days.  It sounds funny when you break it down like that.  1095 days ago, I was laying in a hospital bed, willing my contractions to speed up so I could finally meet you  After all, I'd spent the last 7 months dreaming about this moment and what it would be like.  Would you look like me?  Would you have much hair?  Will I know what to do?  Will you grow up and be shy like me?  Before I knew it, you were here.  All 8 pounds of you.  They laid you on my chest and I loved you from the first moment I met you.  I never knew a human heart could contain the amount of joy I felt.  You were mine.  They were actually going to let me take this beautiful baby home with me to keep.

And here we are.  1095 days later.  Some days have been easy.  Your first steps.  Your first words.  Your first giggles.  The days where you play all day and tell me you love being here and love all your toys and your Mommy and Daddy.  But some days....they're not so fun.  The days where we fight.  I tell you that you have to be a good girl and you push back and assert your independence.  The days where we butt heads from morning to sundown and I go to bed feeling like I've failed you because I don't know that I made you feel loved that day.  Give me the bad days with the good days too, because they're all worth it.  Good days with you and you make me laugh and feel beaming pride and so much joy I think that there's no one in the world that is happier than I am in that moment.  I would take 10 bad days with you in exchange for one good one.  That's how good our good days are.

For 1095 days, I've watched you grow.  Not so very long ago, your little fingers couldn't reach the top of the bathroom counter.  Now, I watch those same little fingers get out your toothbrush and paste and get your stool to go brush your teeth by yourself.  In the recent past, I watched your little feet struggle to fit into even the tiniest of shoes.  Now, your feet are bedazzled with Dora and Minnie kicks that sparkle and shine and I marvel at your fashion sense because you picked them out yourself.  Just a few years ago, I watched your little mouth struggle to form words, learning the language that the big people around you all spoke.  So we developed a language, you and I.  You could say a few words and I would know exactly what you needed.  Now, I marvel at your ability to carry on a conversation with me.  You're constantly amazing me with the new words that you've learned and how well I think you talk.

1095 days.  Three years.  Seems like a fairly short period of time when you put it into numbers.  But for me, it's been a lifetime.  I can't remember what life was like before you arrived and turned the Gaddie household upside down.  What was life like before Disney Jr, Dora, potty training and giggles at the silliest things?  I can't remember.  These last 1095 days have been the happiest, most stressful, most fulfilling days I've ever experienced.  I hope God blesses me with many, many, many more days exactly like these.

Happy 3rd birthday my sweet girl.

Love, Mommy.

Dirty on the Cheek Minnie.

I saw this on Sunday in my kitchen floor.

I picked her up.  I saw the telltale signs of a well-loved friend.  Ground-in dirt on the back of her ears.  A flattened tail from much rubbing and chewing.  A faded dress.  A mark on the cheek.

This isn't just any Minnie Mouse doll.  This is "Dirty on the Cheek" Minnie.  I picked her up.....and I cried.

You see, I was home alone.  Avery and Marty were having some "daddy-daughter bonding time" while I put my house back in order from a weekend furniture rearranging party (more on that in another post).  Avery left the house....without her Minnie.

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that Avery is very rarely seen without Dirty on the Cheek Minnie.  She needs her for sleeping at night.  She needs her when she's upset or scared.  She told me once that "Minnie isn't real, Mom.  But she's my best friend.  She talks just to me."  If Avery went somewhere, Minnie was right there with her.  Once upon a time, Avery couldn't pee without Minnie sitting in her lap.

But lately, Minnie has been replaced.  By a baby doll.  It's not that this baby doll is new, either.  We've had her for awhile.  Avery has just recently "rediscovered" this baby, I guess.  Now baby is the one that goes everywhere Avery goes.  Sits in the floor while Avery goes potty.

And I don't know why this bothers me......but it does.  A lot.  

I'd be lying if I didn't say that a small part of it is because I had hoped my child would love Disney like I do.  With her Dora obsession though, I'd say I'm losing that battle.  But the bigger part of me sees as Avery's waning interest in Dirty on the Cheek Minnie as kind of symbolic that I'm losing my baby.

Minnie has been right by Avery's side since six months old.  And it was BFFs at first sight.

Look through any of my pictures of Avery and in 95% of them, Minnie's there.  She's been along for the ride for some pretty big moments.

(clockwise from top left:  At my cousin's wedding on her 1st birthday; getting her 1st haircut at Disney World; meeting Mickey and Minnie for the first time.)

Minnie's been on some big trips with us.

(cftl:  With Avery on her first plane ride; on her first car ride; in Aruba.)

In general, Minnie has always been a part of the picture.

There's been times in the past that Avery's found a new friend.  There was her fleeting obsession with Jake, Cubby, Izzy and Skully.  There was that week that she wanted her miniature Minnie all the time.  There was that very brief fling with Mike and Sulley.  But through all of those moments, Dirty on the Cheek Minnie has always been front and center.

But this last week, I've found myself saying things like "Avery, don't you want to go back and get your Minnie?"  and "Do you want to take Minnie in the store with us instead of Baby?"  I'm almost ashamed to admit that I've said things like "Well Avery, if you're not going to play with Minnie anymore, we're going to give her to someone that will love her and play with her."  

I'm actually shaming my child into playing with her Minnie again. 

It's just a stuffed animal.  I don't know why it bothers me this much. It shouldn't bother me this much. 

But it does.

I feel like the loss of Minnie means the loss of my baby-ish Avery.  Minnie has been such a huge part of Avery's baby and toddlerhood days.  Most of my memories of Avery include Minnie by her side.  Her growing out of Minnie makes me worried that she's growing out of being my baby.  Attitude is replacing that sweet snuggly baby that loved her Mama.  There are days that I look at my Avery and I wonder where my sweet girl has gone.  I have a moody toddler.  One that whines and cries and throws temper tantrums at the drop of a hat.  It's like I don't even know who she is anymore.  Where's my baby?   Where's the Avery that gets a tiny bit sleepy and wants her Minnie so she can mindlessly rub on her tail until she falls asleep?  Where's the Avery that grabs her Minnie and climbs up in my lap just to snuggle...instead of this almost-3 year old that wants nothing to do with me?

It's like she's grown tired of Minnie.  

What if she grows tired of me?

I tell myself I'm being ridiculous.  Just because she's grown tired of a toy doesn't mean that she's going to be the same way with me.  But Minnie has been a huge part of her life up until this point.  To me, Minnie symbolizes that baby Avery that loved being with me and was happy all the time. 

On Sunday, I saw Dirty on the Cheek Minnie sitting in my kitchen.  And I cried.

Obviously, I'm the one that's not ready to let go yet.

Invitations Undecided

It's now time for the 3rd edition of "Avery's Birthday Party: Mommy Stresses Over Invitations!"  Welcome back!

Avery, for like 6 months, talked incessantly about having a "Sheriff Callie" 3rd birthday party.  I Pinterested (can we just make that a verb, spell check?  I'm tired of seeing the red line under Pinterest.  Let's just recognize that I talk about Pinterest, Pinterest-ing and Pinterested....A LOT....and move on, please?), I pinned, I got excited.  And then Avery is suddenly very over Sheriff Callie and now wants a Doc McStuffins party.  Then a Jake and the Neverland Pirates party.  Which kind of threw me into a tizzy.  Who wants to go through planning a party down to the details, only for it to be changed a week later?  (Note:  I realize that party planning is not everyone's "thing."  It most definitely is mine.  I love every second of picking out the perfect decor, the themed menu, the outfit that Avery will wear.  I LOVE birthdays.  I love parties.  I love party planning.  So, if it's not your cup of tea and you don't understand why I obsess over what invitations I will send to our party guests, just skip these posts.  The rest of you that stay, thanks for indulging me. :) )

So, instead of planning something that might be changed in the very near future, my brilliant friend Sarah suggested that we just do a "Disney Jr." themed party.  DUH.  Incorporate all the characters that she so dearly loves into one party!  When I presented the idea to Avery, the child lost her mind.  

Avery: "YOU MEAN I DIT TO HAVE ALL OF THEM AT MY PARTY?!"
Me:  "Yes, Avery.  Won't that be fun?"
Avery:  "MOM! That'll be SO FUN.  My friends are dunna be so happy at my party!"
Me: "I hope so, buddy!"
Avery:  "I tan't believe dis.  Mickey and Jake and Sofia and Callie AND Doc all at my party?"
Me:  "Yes, Avery."
Avery: [runs away squealing]

So, I think we have a winner.  I'm themeing each section of the party to a specific character.  For example, food may be Jake themed.  The favors may be Callie themed.  The game may be Mickey themed.  I haven't lined up all the details, but I know each character will be given a specific place.

Jake themed hot dogs

Sofia themed cupcakes (via)

But I'm running into two problems:

1.  The invites.  I can't find any general "Disney Jr." invitation ideas.  Everything is very character specific.

2.  Avery's outfit.  How do I represent all 5 characters in a single outfit without it looking like a messy jumble?

I'm pretty darn creative, if I do say so myself.  But this one has me stumped.

Photo Dump.

I'm really self aware of one fact about myself.  I'm an oversharer.  I tell more of a story than probably needs to be told.  I post to Facebook too much.  I share more about my life than probably most people care about.  And I share more pictures of my child than most people want to see in their lifetime.

I just cannot help myself.  She's so darn cute.  And even though people think I post a ton of pictures of her, I still have just as many pictures on my phone that I've never posted.  I know I drive people crazy with my over sharing.  But I know there are people out there that love Avery pictures and stories and encourage me to share as many of them as I can.  For those people, this post is for you.  A photo dump!!

1.  I am blessed to have a little girl that looks just like her daddy.  Except for the fact that she MAKES looks that are just like her daddy's.  This, ladies and gentlemen, is known around the house as the "Gaddie Scowl."  

It's most definitely two against one in our house.  Feel sorry for me yet?

2.  Avery's Aunt Kristen bought her a Disney Princess hair styling kit.  Avery insists that her blow dryer and her "snapper" (aka straightener) sit right next to mommy's.  And when mommy fixes her hair, so does Avery. 

3.  Unlike her momma, Avery doesn't really mind winter.  JUST like her momma, Avery loves her accessories. 

4.  Speaking of accessories, Avery's Aunt Day Day bought her a Dora the Explorer toboggan.  When worn correctly, the bottom part of the hat folds up.  This is how Avery likes to wear it: 

I cannot. stop. laughing. 

5.  Avery and her Granddaddy, when together, are pretty much the epitome of silliness.  My dad basically turns into a big kid whenever she's around.  A couple of weeks ago, they slipped out of Cheddars and ran to Granddaddy's car....to draw in the dirt.  

If you can't read it, it says "Granddaddy -n-Avery." 

6.  Avery loves the Danimals yogurt that comes in a little bottle.  She calls it "baby milk."  She was drinking one the other day and got it all over her hands and face.  Surprisingly, instead of doing her normal "I'm dirty!!" freak out, she thought it was hilarious. 

"I has baby milk on my nose!!" 

7.  When it's bright outside and you don't have sunglasses, improvise. 

8.  She's going to kill me for this one.

9.  My girl and I in our matching Mickey Mouse ear hat shirts.  Stupid blurry iPhone.

I could literally take pictures of her every single day.  She never ceases to do something funny.  Unfortunately, my phone storage wouldn't like that very much and I'm afraid I'd drive you all insane.  :) 

Avery's Pooh Party!

So, I know you're just dying to see and hear the details of Avery's 2nd birthday, right?  Okay guys.  Humor me.  Just pretend you're dying to see it all :)

The "Pooh Party" that Avery had been talking incessantly about for over a month went off without a hitch. It was a vast improvement over how I felt after her first birthday party.  That was a disaster.  This time, I was relaxed, not stressed.  If my floor didn't get mopped or my tables didn't get dusted, oh well.  My house was going to be a wreck after people came pouring in anyway.  I didn't obsess over decorations or food or details.  I just worked hard on everything and then didn't stress the day of.  It made for a VERY enjoyable day.

Details!

Food:  I did Winnie the Pooh themed foods.

Bar-BEE-Que sandwiches as the entree.

P-BEE-and J sandwiches for the littles, if they weren't partial to BBQ.

Veggies, straight out of Rabbit's garden.

Rolls and "hunny."  This was a special request from the birthday girl herself.  We were eating at a local steakhouse that gives you complimentary honey with your dinner rolls.  While Avery was dipping her rolls in honey, she asked me "At my Pooh party??"  So, we HAD to have rolls and hunny.

Side note:  check out these honey bottles I found at Walmart.  I was just going to get the regular jars of clover honey that are in the shape of a bear.  Then, this jar caught my eye.....

AHHHH!  Winnie the Pooh shaped honey jars!!  I may have bought four of them. 

Next, a "Pooh" tato bar.  Baked potatoes that you could load up with your choice of toppings--cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, broccoli, sauteed mushrooms, butter.

I didn't get a picture of them, but the baked potatoes were as big as your head.  Seriously.  I got them at Sam's Club and they were the biggest things I'd ever seen.  My sister told me that she felt like she deserved a t-shirt if she finished the entire thing.  Monstrous.

If you weren't feeling like a baked potato, you could also indulge in some "Pooh" tato chips. 

Finally, dessert. I didn't do a cake this year, but instead opted for cupcakes.  In my mind, I wanted to make something like this....

via

But this involved cutting apart yellow and black jellybeans and squeezing them together.  I'm too lazy for that.  Instead, I took Whoppers candies and drizzled them with yellow icing.  Lazy woman's version.  Sliced almonds for the wings.  Did they look as good as the above version?  Nope.  Don't care. 

Also, Tigger Tails!  Shout out to my sister-in-law for making these adorable orange colored chocolate dipped pretzels, drizzled in chocolate.  Marty can't stop eating them, three days later.

I bought a glass terrarium at Michael's and filled it with a yellow tablecloth to mimic honey.  Also to make the pretzel stand a little higher for easy accessibility. 

Avery's Outfit:  Many of you know that I stressed over what my little "hunny" was going to wear to her party.  Shoot, I wrote a whole blog post about it.  A Facebook friend sent me over to JossyBelle Bows on Facebook and she created exactly what I was picturing in my mind.  I didn't want a single Winnie the Pooh anywhere on it.  I just wanted it to be "Pooh-inspired."  This is what she made: 

And this is what it looked like on Avery: 

Decorations:  I honestly didn't do many.  My sister-in-law let me borrow some of the Pooh character stuffed animals, which I scattered around the house.  I bought red and Pooh-yellow tablecloths and put them on the food and present tables.  The only crafty thing I did was make a Pooh-inspired wreath that hung on the front door and that will be hung in her playroom later.  (inspired by this wreath on etsy).

Party favors:  I ordered some teddy bears online that the little girls could stuff themselves.  I also bought some Winnie the Pooh puzzles and some bug catchers at the Dollar Tree. Provided all the kids with a brown bag that they could keep their favors in.  I really hope the kids enjoyed them. 

Favorite picture of the day:  

*sigh*  Does it even need words?  It makes my heart smile so, so much.  She loves her Aunt Day-Day. 

Giggle of the day:  My sister-in-law had her son's Halloween costume from a couple of years ago.  Of course we had to try it on. 

Cuteness overload.  I can't handle. 

Favorite moment of the day:  There were lots of great moments, but by far my favorite moment happened when Avery opened a very special gift.  Marty's mom passed away in November of last year.  For Christmas, she had already purchased the kid's Christmas gifts before she passed, so they had something to open from her on Christmas Eve.  But a couple of weeks ago, my sister-in-law found some presents in her old bedroom.  And one of them had Avery's name on it.  Inside, was a Winnie the Pooh doll and sticker book.  When Arlene passed away, we hadn't planned Avery's party.  We didn't know it would be Pooh themed.  Heck, back in November, Avery wasn't even into Winnie the Pooh at that point. I still can't wrap my head around it. 

She's slept with it every night since.  Thanks Gaga.

The party was literally perfect.  I wouldn't change a single thing.  Happy birthday, my little "hunny."  

To My Avery, On Your Second Birthday

Oh my Avery.  My loud, spunky, giggly, attitude-y, rambunctious Avery.  How did we get here?  How did we get to the point that we're celebrating your SECOND birthday??  You should still be my cuddly infant.  The one that coos at the bugs on her carseat and is allergic to every fruit known to man.  Instead, you're a two year old.  A two year old that tells me when she's happy with something.  Or unhappy with something (mostly the latter).  I feel like I spend the majority of our waking hours together scolding you.  I feel like I'm constantly getting after you to share your toys, use your manners, not throw temper tantrums, use the potty, don't pee in your pants, don't empty mommy's makeup on the clean bedsheets....but I do it because I love you.  I love you and I want you to be a polite, fun to be around little girl.  I discipline because I want to know that someday, when I send you off to spend all day with a teacher or a babysitter, that I can rest easy knowing that I've taught you how to behave.  You're constantly pushing my buttons and testing your limits, but we make it through the day okay, right?  We have our moments where you come running up to me out of nowhere and hug my leg and say "Hold you please."  Then I pick you up and you squeeze my neck and say "I yuv you mommy."  And that's when I think my heart is going to explode right there.  My purpose in life is to be your mommy.  To kiss your boo-boos and find your lost Minnie Mouse doll.  To wipe your butt and wipe your tears.  There's nothing else I would rather be doing.  Because you make life worthwhile.  There's nothing like sitting with you for a couple of minutes and then listen to you talk and marvel at all the new words you've learned.  You are SO incredibly smart.  You pick up on things so quickly.  You can hold your own with the older kids in a room, which makes me so proud.  You're just like your daddy.  You're outgoing and not afraid to talk to anyone.  You make friends in the checkout line and tell them all about your fishy swimming at home in his bowl.  I honestly believe there's nothing you can't do.  I'm so proud of the little girl you're becoming.  Sure, we have our moments where I yell too much or you throw things in the floor just because you didn't get your way.  But we love each other and that's all that really matters. 

Happy 2nd birthday, my one and only Avery. 

Oh, Pooh.

This Winnie the Pooh party will be the death of me.  They'll write on my tombstone:  "The Pooh did her in."

I had a mini-crisis earlier over Avery's birthday outfit.  That's been solved.

Now I've moved on to the invitations.  I'm seeing a lot of this kind of stuff....

via etsy

via etsy

Just kind of basic.  Easy (I really wish I knew what my aversion was to easy things...it'd make my life much simpler).

I know you're making fun of me.  And that's okay.  I love party planning.  I want everything to scream Pooh (without being cheesy overboard style) and I want everything to show that I worked hard on this.  That I cared enough to sit down and work on these invitations and didn't take the easy route.  I mean, did you SEE the invitations for Avery's first birthday party??  SUPER time consuming.  But so worth it.  I'm still getting compliments over those invites. 

So then I found stuff like this. And I die.

via etsy

At $55 for 8 invitations, this is not even an option.

via etsy

Again.  $44 for 8 invites?  Not gonna happen. 

I could make these myself.  But I have a Silhouette machine, which, unfortunately, doesn't have licensed character shapes for purchase yet.  So I would be hand-drawing all of the pots and Poohs and everything.  Doable....but very, time consuming.  

Sigh.  I need someone to make creative invites...and sell them for really, really cheap.  Is that too much to ask?

Terrible Twos or Bratty Kid?

I've had a magic trick happen in my home.  One day, I had a happy baby that laughed often, snuggled with mommy and daddy, willingly gave kisses and hugs and was polite.  Then *poof*!  I wake up the next morning to a whiny, clingy, demanding little 17 month old.  Could this honestly be the dreaded "Terrible Twos" already?!?

What's happened to my sweet baby girl?  We are deep in the throes of Temper Tantrum Land.  Squealing or growling or just plain "pitching a fit" when she doesn't get her way.  Perfect example:  last night, we were driving home in my car.  Avery wanted to listen to her Mickey Mouse CD (isn't it funny how you know what they want without using any words?).  After a little while of listening, she was still grunting and growling at me, so I turned Mickey off.  When she threw a fit to listen to him again, I told her that if she wanted something she needed to say please.  Cue terrible tantrum.  Cue the pouty lip and the waving of fists.  Which made me insist: "Avery, we don't act like that to get what we want.  If you want to listen to Mickey, you have to say please."  You see, this line ALWAYS worked before.  Want a banana? to watch TV? to wear a bow in your hair?  You must say please.  And she would.  Until recently.  Now she'll throw a fit to get what she wants...saying please is an absolute thing of the past.  I would like to say that I don't give into those embarrassing temper tantrums, but sometimes you're caught in public when one comes on.  What do you do?  You leave your cart full of groceries in the aisle and walk back to your vehicle because your child just HAS to have that rubber ducky she spotted on the shelf?  Sometimes, it's just easier to give her the rubber ducky that will keep her entertained the rest of the time we're in the store.  I know that's not the best thing to do.  So sue me.  It's hard disciplining a 17 month old.  She doesn't fully understand everything I'm trying to tell her.  I say "We don't pull mommy's hair.  That's not a nice thing to do Avery."  Who knows what she's hearing?  Probably: pull mommy's hair! 

Let's move on to dinner time.  Eating out at a sit down restaurant is going to have to be retired for the time being.  Avery wants to throw her cup, throw her toys, throw her food, get out of the chair, pretend to choke because she thinks it's funny (yeah....that really happens).  I understand that she's still a baby, leaning towards being a toddler and that she isn't always going to sit still whenever we're in public or eat all her vegetables.  I'm not naive.  But I definitely don't want to be embarrassed any time Marty and I decide to go eat dinner at Cheddars. 

Then there's playing well with others.  To summarize:  it doesn't happen.  Well, let me specify.  Avery plays well with others at a neutral place (i.e. someone else's house).  When those playmates are on "her turf," don't even think about it.  A while back, there were a couple of Avery's friends over at her Gramma's house.  They played with Avery's toys at Gramma's house....and Avery wanted nothing to do with it.  Harper would play with Avery's kitchen...Avery would run over and play with her kitchen.  Delaney would pick up Avery's play vacuum....Avery suddenly wanted to vacuum.  Lots of growling and yelling took place that day.  How do you teach a child that's Avery's age how to share?  I can tell her that she needs to share her toys, but again...what does that mean to her?  I have been blessed to have an amazing family that watches Avery during the week, thus keeping her out of daycare.  Am I doing Avery a disservice by keeping her out of daycare and keeping her away from the chance to learn how to interact with other kids her age?  What's a mom to do??

Someone told me that this could be the result of lack of sleep.  Well, at 17 months old, Avery is still not consistently sleeping through the night.  We may have a week of sleeping through and then a week of being up every night crying it out.  Then she may sleep through two days and cry the next three.  She's also not getting regular naps.  She may go to my Granny's house and take a three hour nap around 11 one day and then go to my Aunt Pam's and sleep 30 minutes at 12 the next.  Without me being with her every single day, it's almost impossible to regulate her naptime schedule.  Could I just have a grumpy baby because she can't figure out a consistent sleeping pattern??

Now that I've ranted, let me explain.  Avery rarely ever acts this way with anyone else (unless all my babysitters are lying when they tell me "She was perfect today!").  It seems to be just when she's with me.  That makes me feel like crap.  And let me clarify something else:  I know I just talked about everything that Avery is doing to misbehave, but my child is no means a terror.  She's still enjoyable to be around (for the most part), ALWAYS says thank you whenever you hand her an item and is so much fun.  Everything I mentioned above is behavior that happens occasionally.  No, she doesn't throw a fit every time we go to Wal-Mart.  No, she doesn't embarrass me every single time we're at a restaurant.  No, she doesn't throw a temper tantrum every single time she doesn't get what she wants.  But these instances are becoming closer and closer together.  And I want to raise a well-behaved and polite child (for the most part...I understand kids aren't perfect). 

I'm a little worried about this new development in Avery's behavior.  I worry that it's my parenting or disciplining style that's made her that way.  Help??
(I leave you with Avery's best "gimme-what-I-want" pouty face, as given to her Gramma)

A Day in the Life

I have something special for you guys today...I have a guest poster!  She's adorable.  She's spoiled.  She's a diva.  Welcome to a "day in the life of.....Avery Leigh."

Hey everybody!  I thought it was time for everyone to meet the baby behind the "Super Messy Supermommy."  Wanna know why my mommy is the way she is (frazzled, messy, crazy at times)?  Follow me on my journey through a single day.  Hope you can keep up!

6:58 am--Stir around in my bed.  Cry out a few times and then be quiet....it throws mommy off.  She thinks she can go back to sleep. 
7:05 am--Decide mommy has slept enough.  Chew on my bed and cry until she comes to get me.  If she waits more than two minutes, I think it's best to throw things to get attention.  Maybe howl a little.
7:08 am--Mommy's here!  Although she doesn't look as awake as I am....

7:10 am--Wiggle around a lot during diaper changing to help mommy wake up.
7:13 am--Run into mommy's office and touch all her paints before she finds me.

7:14 am--She found me.  I smile sweetly so she won't get mad.

7:19 am--Hide the remote.  She'll never find it!  Just like she hasn't found those 5 pairs of shoes I've hidden *evil giggle*

7:30 am--Favorite time of day---breakfast!  NutriGrain bars and Craisins. 

7:45 am--Finish breakfast.  Ask for more.  Mommy says no.  *sigh*
7:46 am--Tell daddy goodbye. 

8:00 am--Mickey Mouse is on!  I love that mouse.

8:17 am--Pretend like I'm getting sleepy.  It throws mommy off.  I even put a pillow in the floor and lay on it for dramatic effect.
8:19 am--Begged mommy to let me lay with her. 

8:20 am--Done pretending!  I think mommy fell for it!  I really just wanted to be up on the couch to play.
8:21 am--Beg for more food.  Craisins appear.  I like it when mommy does magic.
8:25 am--Ask for more Craisins.  Mommy tells me this is my "last snack."  We'll see about that....
8:30 am--Jake and the Neverland Pirates is on--my second favorite show!  Those songs are so darn catchy. 

8:34 am--Give mommy kisses.  I gotta keep up my sweet demeanor every once in awhile.

8:35 am--Find the Craisins mommy was hiding! 

8:50 am--Point to my hairbows and "ask" to wear one. Giggle when mommy puts in it my hair. Gosh, I'm cute.
8:51 am--Time to polish my music skills. I'm a reallllly good singer.

8:52 am--Violently rip hairbow out.  Gotta remind that hairbow who's boss.

8:55 am--Push mommy out of the bedroom and shut the door.  Repeat three times.  Giggle a lot. 

8:57 am--Mommy shuts the door and tells me I can't go back in my room.  Rude.
9:10 am--Brush up on some light reading.

9:14 am--Ask for more food.  Don't get any.  Sometimes mommy is mean.
9:15 am--Ask for more food.  Still don't get any.  Mommy says "I've had enough snacks for now."  Is there such a thing?
9:16 am--Realize Mickey is back on.  I'm getting a little sleepy, but I won't let mommy know.
9:25 am--Crawl up into mommy's lap, pretending to be sweet.  Maybe I'll just rest awhile. 

11:00 am--Wake up in my bed......what just happened?

11:11 am--Favorite time of day--lunch! 
11:12 am--Did you know everything is good with ketchup?  Macaroni and cheese, pickles, my fingers.....

11:24 am--Drag half of mommy's shoes out of the closet while she dries her hair.  She loves when I do that.

11:26 am--Find a pretty box in mommy's bathroom cabinet with yellow wrappers in it.  I think it's candy.

11:27 am--Run away with the box and dump the candy on the ground to find the best piece. 

11:28 am--Taste a wrapper.  Not candy.
11:32 am--Weigh myself.  Gained 2 ounces.  Need to lay off those sugar wafers.

11:40 am--Mommy is changing my diaper (again).  To mix things up, I try to help.  Grab my diaper and get brown stuff all over my bed.  Mommy has her angry face on and called me by my hospital name.  Am I in trouble?
11:41 am--Pat mommy on the hand.  She smiles.  Everything is fixed.
11:48 am--Mommy spots leftover ketchup on my face and tries to clean it.  I get mad....maybe I was saving it for later, okay?!
11:50 am--Figure out that if I turn my cup upside down and shake, water comes out.  Do this all over the living room floor. 

11:51 am--Mommy sees.  The angry face comes back.  This might call for two pats on the hand.
11:57 am--I have the urge to rip things.  Napkins sound good. 

11:58 am--Mommy isn't speaking to me.  This is definitely time for a hug.
11:59 am--Hug mommy.  Even pat her back a little.  She smiles and calls me "sweet baby."  She is so easy.
12:00 pm--Mommy is trying to get me to say "Love you."  Again.  I know how.  I just don't feel like it.
12:05 pm--We're in the car....road trip!

12:16 pm--"Party in the USA" comes on the radio.  Mommy dances and wants me to join her.  I'm just going to stare at her blankly and hope she stops.
12:17 pm--She puts in my Jake and the Neverland Pirates CD.  Now THAT'S my jam.  Proceed to rock out.
12:20 pm--Mommy tries to turn off Jake after just two songs.  I scream "Jaaaaake!" until she puts it back.  Success.
12:22 pm--Show mommy my new trick of gagging myself with three fingers.  She doesn't like it.  12:40 pm--Got to my cousin's house....non-stop playtime!!!
2:32 pm--Got a little sleepy.  Shook it off like a champ.
2:55 pm--Mommy keeps feeling my head and saying something about a fever.
3:15 pm--Leaving my cousins.  Sad time.  They have the best toys.
4:10 pm--Got home.  Mommy said something about wanting me to take a nap since I'm not feeling good.  She even turned on my nighttime sound machine.  Yeah, like that's gonna wor.........
5:33 pm--Woke up in my bed AGAIN!  How does this keep happening??
5:34 pm--Mommy used the stick thingy with numbers and said I don't have a fever anymore.  Like I care.
5:35 pm--Favorite time of day--dinner!  Spanish rice and corn.  Tip:  if you don't have half of your food on yourself by the end of the meal, you aren't doing something right.

6:00 pm--Daddy's home!!!  This means playtime, of course.
6:20 pm--Mommy said something about going out and went to go fix her hair.  I better go investigate.
6:22 pm--Found those wrappers in mommy's bathroom again.  I'm still suspicious of them being candy.  Decided to dump them for a double check.

6:23 pm--Still not candy.
6:24 pm--Helped mommy put them back in the box.  Maybe she'll give me real candy for helping.
6:35 pm--Aunt Dayna is here!!  Gosh, I love that redhead. 
6:37 pm--Mommy and Aunt Dayna are talking about leaving for a "girls night out."  I'm not invited?
6:40 pm--I decided to let mommy go to dinner.  Hope she doesn't think this is going to be a regular thing.  Guess I'll spend the rest of the night with daddy!  See you blogging peoples later! 

-Avery