The memories never stop for a parent, that’s a-pparent (bada boom!), but I’ll have to eventually find a stopping point for these posts. Hopefully I’ll make it to 2 years/24 months before figuring something else out.
Anything past 24 is, if not already, pressing the attention span of any readers. Not that I care that much when it comes to this post since it’s about my memories!
Avery, after 17 months, here are some memories you’ve given Mommy and Me so far…
1. This month, you’ve started grabbing on to a blanket draped over the top of the rocking chair in your room when Mommy nurses you to sleep. Every night, as I kiss you goodnight and wait for you and Mommy to get situated before I turn out the light, you instinctly behind you and grab a hold of the blanket. It leaves us with a big grin each night.
2. When we workout in the garage, you like to mimic us with your wooden “barbell” by doing overhead presses. Your form needs some work, but we have plenty of time for that.
3. You’ve had crazy legs and feet for a long time now, but this month you started romping around or kicking the air as you shake your head make some sort of gurgle noise. It’s cute most of the time, but I’ll admit to getting annoyed from it some times. And I know Mommy does NOT appreciate it when you kick the air with her chest “in your way”.
4. We’ve been somewhat sticking to baby-led weaning for you, feed you a lot more with a spoon and fork too. After getting frustrated by not being able to use the spoon yourself, we gave it to you for your first try. You kinda used it, but then cheated to actually eat the food.
5. Britax and our Dallas Dads Group hosted a fun event at the DFW Family Expo where you ran like a wild child around the expo. Even as we held you for a picture with very kind Kate from Britax, you flipped the camera the bird.
6. We bought a pink Radio Flyer tricycle for you several months ago and finally busted it out this month. You quickly took a liking to your trike, and love when Mommy and Daddy push you. Maybe you’ll learn to pedal soon! Until then, keep ringing the bell!
7. I took you to the new Trader Joe’s that just opened nearby for your first visit one Saturday. I remembered how it’s nothing special and probably won’t go there anytime again soon. I even got hit in the parking lot to top it off. But hey, always fun to experience something new with you!
8. We had another Dallas Dads Group meet-up at the same bounce house, Jump For Fun, that we went to before. You were more active than before, but I still had to carry you over plenty of the obstacles. You were, however, quick on your feet in the basketball area.
9. Everyone knows you’re not scared of our vacuum, but I’ve had to pull the little Dust Buster out a few times which sends you in a screaming frenzy. You outright HATE the thing! Even your caterpillar can’t ease your fears.
10. Now that you are fully capable of holding your own bottle, you are becoming quite skilled at setting it down and picking it up without spilling. You don’t even need your hands! Except for when you clap for yourself, which is always.
11. Going to the park/playground/back yard is always fun to watch you explore, but you don’t care so much about the equipment. Instead, you’d rather throw dirt or mulch around, which always gets caught in your hair.
12. Speaking of hair, you have developed some crazy curls it seems like over night. They are in full crazy-curl-mode right after nap time and typically stay that way until your bath. Have to share a front and back view here…
13. Our neighbors, the Dunn’s, have two little girls, Natalie and Zoey, that you have been playing with more often than before. Okay, more like all of you run around in the same area, but it’s great to see you somewhat social. Natalie is only a few months older than you, and Zoey is several years older. You always have fun over there and even tested out their new trampoline. We hope you grow up and become good friends since their parents are great people and their Daddy, Jason, is a fan of scotch just like me.
14. You are still rocking the NuttZo world and gobbling everything up I put it on or cook it into. From the oatmeal I make for you and Mommy to simply on top of banana slices, you easily make it disappear.
15. Turtles are nothing new to you since you were crawling around them a year ago, but we recently found and rescued a baby one together. We called him “Little Leo” like Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles.
16. Your vocabulary has increased to include a simple “Hi” which you know makes you cute. So now, when I have to get on to you, you just look at me, smile, and say “hi”, and madness magically disappears! Damn that cuteness!
17. Last year never happened, but this year we set you in the middle of a bluebonnet patch for the obligatory bluebonnet photo session that every kid in Texas has to endure. You were in a stranger’s front yard, but just be glad it wasn’t the side of the highway like a lot of families use!
I’ve been told by several other parents that 18 months is when it starts to get fun. Judging by the fun we’re already having, I look forward to what she’ll be doing another month from now. It’s all happening so fast, and I’m glad to share it with my two beautiful girls!
Looks like you got the hang of this fathering thing. Here’s a toast of your favorite scotch to another 17 awesome months with Avery, and many more after that!
Cheers to you with your Russian vodka (if Hammy lets you have some) for being a great father as well! Hoping for all awesome months ahead for the both of us and our little girls!