I poop, therefore I am.

We remain binky free.  That was way too easy.  I feel like I say this often with Avery.

She is also telling us "I poo".  Usually it is announced after she's gone, but she even told me in advance one day.  This is definitely the first step towards potty training.  So I went ahead and bought the potty I was planning to get for her.  We won't be trying to train any time soon, but I want her to get okay with it being around and even sitting on it fully clothed for the time being.

I've been hearing the above phrase a lot the last few days.  She's been a bit loose and diaper rashed.  Is it from incisors starting to push down?  I can't tell.  But I know her rear has been quite sore.

She had a few rough night's of sleep in a row too.  The first night she woke with a squealing cry, the one that tells me to get up directly, not to wait it out.  I found her feet through the slats fairly far.  I was able to get her back down within a reasonably short amount of time, prolonged only by my attempts to get a blanket on her after I put her down (if she starts to cry and stands it comes back off, obviously).  The next night we were in the midst of the loose stool.  She woke crying and I decided to go in to check to see if she went, rather than leaving her to fall back asleep with a poopy diaper.  Sure enough she needed changed.  From there she didn't want to go back down as easily.... at least not until she pooed again less than an hour later.  Then the third night, shortly before bedtime the power kicked out.  Her room is shockingly dark without her clock or sleep machine glowing, so it wasn't the easiest put down.

Tonight we head to the doctor for her 18 month appointment!

Daycare is going well at drop off now, but she continues to come home with report cards that say she's not eating much there other than bread and fruits.

More leaps towards toddlerhood

The latest things I have to report on Avery's progress towards becoming a big girl include both her first independent attempt at a somersault (which I caught on video by accident) and the removal of her binky or at least so far.

School had reported that she only used the binky at nap time for a few days after joining them.  Once I learned this I decided to try taking it away at nap times, which went well, so tonight is now the third night without her binky.  Avery is fussing a bit after going down, but settling mostly on her own.  I wonder if I will be officially able to call the binky a thing of the past by the 18 month mark.

What's your name?

I am telling you, every day... every day there is something new. Avery is definitely trying to say her name in response to the inquiry "what is your name?" It sounds more like A-ree, but it's very consistent.

She is also trying to say Aunt Jackie and even Barry for our friend Mr. Barry.

Today I also caught her on film doing two other things.  First "going fast" (sticking her arms out nehind her and trotting away).  I guess it is from some old cartoon.  Ask her Dad.  The second was her first attempt to complete a forward roll on her own!  She went off to the side but it was a good try.

Everything changing

The smile evolved into actually reaching for a teacher in the morning.  Today I only got one quick hug before the turn away from me happened.  I'll blame it on the yummy smelling breakfast, but I think Avery is feeling okay with her new daycare.

Today I got her out of the seat in the lot and carried her to the sidewalk.  From there she walked into the building herself.  I was going to march her straight to the classroom, but she stopped at her hook and started working to get her jacket off.  How big is my girl?!  At this point she would not walk any further, so I gladly picked her up for a hug as we took the last few steps down the hall.

On the way out I held her little hand as she walked down the hall and up all of the stairs to the door.  Since it was rainy and gross I carried her from there.

She still isn't loving all of their food however, so she was ready to eat when we got home.  She ate a cutie all by herself, save one slice I tried, and then she grabbed the spoon and proceeded to make good progress on the fruit and cereal and yogurt.  She was even willing to try a couple of little bits of my steak!

Avery's vocabulary continues to expand every day.  I counted over 30 words and 12 signs, but I know I am missing some in my list.  When she can understand is beyond all of that for sure as she seems to really grasp a lot of concepts.