Birthday Girl!

She's 1! Saturday our baby girl turned a year old!

June 21st 2007 Avery Laikyn entered our lives and our little coastie family became even more full of love and joy than we could ever have imagined. She came 4 weeks early on that first day of summer. It was on her own time and in her own terms and that might have been an insight of things to come. It was such a whirlwind birthing experience that threw us for a loop but nonetheless it was perfect in every sense! She was born healthy and beautiful despite the early debut. She started off as a sleepy tiny little being who has blossomed into a vibrant and energetic little thing.We have learned so much about and from her as we have spent the last year watching her grow. We have learned she is a deep thinker with a mind and will of her own and all the while an utterly happy easy going little bundle of smiles and personality! Once again we have found ourselves re discovering the world in all it's freshness through her eyes. Such an amazing thing to experience. We have learned that life would not be the same and our family would not be complete without her in it! We have watched her and Garrett's bond grow stronger with each passing day. That very bond we desire for them to always share! They have a unique relationship that is so heartwarming and perfect. We have learned what a great big brother Garrett is. Just watching them together in action is one of our favorite things as their parents. The most important things that we have re learned many times in the last year and have been reminded of is that GOD is so good, we are blessed beyond our wildest dreams, and that life is indeed very sweet!

Avery is a little girl who loves to give kisses and snuggles. Her favorite phrases as of late are "dog dog", "No No No!", "Hiiiiiiii dadda". She loves to dance and play with her big brother. Avery is cruising along furniture and will let go a lot when she doesn't realize it. Just this morning she was playing peek a boo with her bubba on mommy and daddy's bed and she would pull back the covers and say "BOO!" at Garrett. Very cute! She loves water. In every way shape and form. Loves to swim, loves to take a bath, loves to wash her hands, loves to suck on ice, loves to drink it, and yes, she is even fascinated by the water in the toilet bowl. Avery is a great little eater (I know you must find that hard to believe heehee) We haven't really found anything she won't eat so far. She does not seem to have any food allergies either. She has 4 teeth now. Two on the bottom and she is cutting the two front teeth on the top. Those seem to be giving her some troubles. I guess she is going to be like her brother and never just cut one tooth at a time. They will come in sets. She is mostly sleeping through the nights in her crib these days. Which has been wonderful! (As I sit here typing this she is on the floor telling her brother "no no no no no no!" because he won't let her have the magazine she was having so much fun ripping apart. So funny!) We call Avery our little goat. This is one little girl who puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. Anyways these are just a few things that come to mind as I try to share some of her developments and likes with you. I did a little 1st birthday photo session with her on Friday. Here are a few of my favorites and some cute out takes. I will post pictures from her party later and tell you all about the big bash! Be on the lookout for her cake smash pictures. I will do those this week!

She's 1! She's really 1!

Big Brother and Baby sister! (It was Garrett's idea to have Avery sit on him. I thought that was sweet)