Happy Birthday AVERY!

I can't believe that my Avery is 11 today. In so many ways, it seems like yesterday that Avery was born and we became parents. I think so often with Avery, I feel the same way I did the day we brought him home from the hospital--"what on earth do I do now!"

Although I love all my kids (obviously) they each bring a little something different to the role of being a mother. Part of Avery's uniqueness is that everything he does is a first for me too. I've never had an eleven year old before, so he seems so old. Yet, when Zoe is 11, Avery will be 17 and the perspective will be different. I'm so grateful for Avery's sweet tenderness. I know when I step back and look as a third party, he is so accepting of me and still has never even once acted embarassed by me or the family or acted like he didn't want us around. When I go to his classroom, he immediatly comes up and gives me the biggest hug, not even paying attention to who is around. And he is so genuine about who he is, I don't think anybody bugs him about it.

I remember the first night home from the hospital with him, we got him all settled in his pack n' play (or so we thought). No crib or even bassinet-- we were still in school, Reed was finishish his MOB, so we didnt' have money or space in our condo for a nursery. Anyway, we got him settled (again, we thought !) and decided that we would get our favorite pizza dinner (2 individual pizzas, breadsticks, 2 large drinks and a video at Sounds Easy for $5). No kidding, we called and ordered then looked at each other like how do we get it, then Reed said--"Can we leave him here?" Now--I know he didn't really think that, but it was the beginning of the divide and conquer portion of our lives. And nothing has ever been the same since. This photo is Avery with Reed at about 4 months. They became great buddies as I went back to work when he was about 6 weeks old. I worked nights at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in ICU/CCU. They would sit up at night and Reed would snuggle Avery while they watched basketball--Avery still loves BB!

Then, when Avery was only 8 months old, we found out we were expecting another baby. We were both so protective of AVery, we didn't tell anybody for 16 weeks so it would detract from all of Avery's attention. It's weird how it works out, cause I never would have chosen to have Avery and Easton so close together, but I feel like it was a blessing I may never fully understand. Even lately, I've had some impressions that as different as they are from each other--they are so good for each other! I went looking for a picture of the two of them the summer Easton was born, and I found this and remember this day so vividly. I wanted to take their picture together cause my mom bought them matching shirts and I was trying to get AVery to sit by Easton and all he would do was sit on top of him!

I don't have digital photos again till about 2002, this is Avery with our first cousin Carson. Avery has always had a sweet and special relationship with Reed's sister Jill. Carson is her son and it was so cute to see Avery learn what it meant to have a cousin. Even though Jill still has made special efforts to maintain her relationship with AVery, it did change when she became a mom too--totally out of necessity. But Avery never was jealous or anything. He just loved Carson--and still does. He is such a great cousin. (this was also during the very long I love frogs and amphibians phase)

Avery's first lost tooth. I remember when he seemed so big because he was in Kindergarten.

Tonight at dinner I asked everybody to share two things: 1--one thing they loved about AVery and 2--their favorite memory with Avery. I'll try to recall what they all said.

Easton said that Avery is always able to cheer him up, which I though was so insightful and sweet. And his favorite memory was the first year we went to Lagoon and going on Wild Mouse and the Spider.

Collin said that Avery is good at video games and his favorite memory is playing the Wii at Jake & michelle's with Avery. (I know this isn't the most heartfelt, but I'm glad he said something at all--this was with no prodding!)

Zoe said that she likes how AVery plays with her and her favorite memory is when Avery played Pretty Pretty Princess with her.

Avery was so gracious as we shared our thoughts with him. Then he wanted to share some of his favorite memories too. It was a great time. I told him that some of my favorite traits he has are: How is is very slow to truly offend. He doesn't keep track and compare and compete over things and is generally grateful for whatever he gets. , I love how Avery has stayed true to who he is. As his friends have started to grow up and want distance from family (already) he is open about his love for his family and proud of them. and Avery always has had and still does have the best smile!

And one of my favorite memories is the Rascal Flatts concert that AVery and I went to together last fall. He was pretty quiet about it for the first 15 minutes or so, then he turned to me with the biggest smile ever and said "This is the funnest thing I have ever done in my life". This is the photo of us before we left for the concert!

I'm so grateful for Avery! I love you little wicket.