This little cutie turned ten months last week. Crazy! I am really in awe that in less than two months we will have a one year old. Ten months has gone by so fast and then crawled all at the same time. Strange how that works.
Having three in terms of actually taking care of three little people has been great. It has had its challenges, but overall, we have had a great transition. Having three for me, mentally and emotionally, has been tough. It has been a very isolating season for me, and some of that comes from my own choices and some does not. It has been a weary season for me, because my days are a constant state of cleaning, fixing, mending, talking, caring, disciplining, learning, playing. So the combination of weary + isolating has been hard for me. There have been many tearful days, and honestly there have been many forced-smile days when I nod and say yes everything is SO good! But in my head I'm still crying. I pray that things will get back to "normal" after a year and there are no longer the demands of having a baby. (Because she'll be a toddler, right?) Winter can also be a pretty isolating season, and John's job has been pretty consuming as well. So let's write out that equation again, shall we? Weary + isolating + winter + John working a LOT = HARD. Squared. I know, and you thought I was bad at math.
I guess what I am saying is that I am in need of encouragement. And also some sweet tea.
And isn't this post supposed to be about Avery?
I'll take the emotional lows in a heartbeat for this little peanut. She is SO adorable and happy and sweet. Even though more of my tears have fallen on her sweet little face than with any other baby, she is so adored in this family.
The Ten Month Update:
You are crawling! Even though it took you longer than your siblings you are so proud, and enjoy your new-found freedom. You aren't obsessed with it, you just kinda crawl here and there, but no major all over the house exploring just yet. You get to your toys, crawl after me if I leave the room, and crawl to Ansley and Christian. It's so cute!
You have three teeth, two on the bottom and one poking through on top.
You are a good eater, and eat a lot! You hardly ever eat baby food anymore - you are on to bigger and better things. And you prefer to feed yourself.
You have become a better napper (most days). MOST days, you will take a one and a half to two hour nap in the afternoon. You have decided to drop your morning nap, much to your Mama's dismay (this makes school for the other two much more difficult).
You are becoming more content to play. You enjoy examining toys and chewing on everything.
You still sleep great at night.
You have had four ear infections so far this fall/winter season. And they have been hard for you. You are very grumpy and don't like to be put down when you aren't feeling well.
You laugh a lot, and it seems that once you start laughing at something, it just gets you going and then everything is funny.
You laugh most often at Ansley, but everyone in the family has made you laugh at one point or another.
Your crib is all the way down, we removed your bumper pads, and you now sleep with a blanket (the magic quilt), stuffed animals and a pillow.
You seem happiest when we are out and about and you can look around and smile at people.
You love to clap. We can just say "Yay!" and you will start clapping.
You sign more, and for the first time you signed more in your play and not just for food.
You love to dance to music.
You are starting to wave bye bye, which is absolutely precious.
You still have curls. I am oh so hopeful.
You have a bruise on your forehead in the pictures because you crawled under the end table and then whacked your head on the iron foot. Bad table.
You have a very distinct "I'm hurt" cry. I can differentiate it from all your other cries.
You are working on a sippy cup. You have never had a bottle. It's almost cow milk time!
You are super sweet and we love you, our sweet Avery!