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