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.