Dear Sydney

 Dearest Sydney,
What a month this has been for you! A couple of weeks ago you performed in your very first "show" at school called "Swamped!" I was not surprised in the least when, from the list of twenty or more characters to dress as, you chose the butterfly. One Wednesday, your early release day, we had fun painting the little styrofoam balls and twisting and curling pipe cleaners for your antennae. We could spot you from the back of the gymnasium with your bobbing antennae! All week long, you sang your songs for us and you sang them with pride. I hope you always do this! Be confident and find joy in what you do and share it with others. You brought us much needed joy these past few weeks.

Our proud performer!

Another momentous occasion took place just last night.You've been wiggling a loose tooth for about a month now and we were faced with a pretty tough choice yesterday. Keep wiggling it or just pull it! Yesterday at supper your top teeth kept bumping it as you were chewing (because it was SO loose!) and it hurt and stung and you got upset. So finally, Dad just made the executive decision to pull it. I wasn't there-I was upstairs with Avery, but we heard the whole thing. ;) You were so nervous and worried it was going to hurt. You even tried to run away and talk Dad out of it! However, your dad stood firm, wrapped some floss around it and pulled it out. (The following is what you told me just this morning about what Dad said to you...)
once it was out...
Dad: so, did it hurt?
Sydney: no!
Dad: *lifting the floss with the tooth dangling from it* you just lost your first tooth.
Sydney: "then the happiness started!"

You were the proudest little person I have ever seen with that lost tooth and gaping hole in your mouth. Of course, the happy times were soon to be accompanied with some worry and sadness. You took your tooth in to the bathroom to brush it and clean it for the tooth fairy (unbeknownst to us) and it ended up going down the drain. (Sidenote: This is the kind of scenario that proves that you are truly my daughter in every way. I am sorry to have passed this gene on to you! To devise a plan with the best of intentions and then have it backfire completely, is exactly something that would happen to me too.) You were truly devastated and heartbroken and so were we! However, your amazing dad set to work and literally disassembled the bathroom pipes to search for the tooth. Many tears, pajamas, hugs, and one letter of explanation to the Tooth Fairy later, your dad called you in to the bathroom to say he had found your tooth! (You told me a bit later "I have the most amazing dad in the whole world." Yes, you do-and he would do it for you all over again in a heartbeat!) Then we all had tears of happiness because we saw how relieved and ecstatic you were, Sydney! Finally, all was right in your world again and we could settle in for the night and you could dream about the Tooth Fairy's arrival. I think we learned a lesson or two, so hopefully future tooth losses aren't fraught with so much excitement. How many more teeth to go?....

The proud 6 year old: lost tooth bagged and her new tooth peeking through!

Love you so much Sydney. You make us so proud and you bring us smiles and heartwarming moments, every day!
Love,
Mom

Dear Avery,

We are approaching the end of your eleventh month and you have been so busy (and keeping US busy!) You have done a lot of growing this past month and it has been exciting to be a part of!

• Just within the last few weeks you have found your voice
• started moving more (from army crawling to regular crawling, to pulling yourself up, to cruising, to just wanting to stand on your own!) 
• If there is a crumb, or a fuzzy, or a piece of bark from firewood, or a small toy, or a piece of paper, or a seed (happened today!)...you will find it. You'll crawl right past the most interesting toy in the house to get that little piece of something. :) 
• You are shaking your head when you say "dada"
• make cheesy, funny grins
• shriek when you want more of something or are just unhappy
• have thrown a couple of mini-tantrums already when I have taken something away
• have shut your fingers in a drawer a couple of times already
• you are tired of the exersaucer and you want to be in the middle of everything all of the time (much to Gavin's dismay!)
• Dad lowered your crib mattress because this weekend, I woke to you saying "dada" and peeking at us over the crib railing! 
• You have decided you don't want baby food anymore-flat out refused it! Bananas are your most favorite food and you fussed last night when you saw that Sydney and Gavin were getting one--so guess who also got a banana?
• clapping, blowing kisses, and giving kisses are some new tricks of yours!

I cannot believe we are a few short weeks away from celebrating your first birthday. This has been the fastest year of my life, but one of the most amazing. Avery Jordann, you complete our family in every way and I am so thankful that we can call you our very own!
Love you...Mom