9 months old...already?

Oh my little peanut pie is growing WAY too fast. When I was pregnant everyone always told me to enjoy them while they're little because time goes so quickly. I didn't understand this fully until Avery actually arrived. Where have the last 9 months gone? Where did my 6lb. newborn go?? Each time she reaches a new stage or milestone, I think "This is my favorite time." But I've said that about ten times now so apparently I'll be saying it for the rest of her life.

Avery has accomplished so many things in the last month it seems. Where to begin... Avery LOVES to clap. She claps when you enter the room, when she is praised, when the dogs give her a kiss, when cartoons come on the TV- so pretty much for a whole lotta stuff. Avery also gives kisses on the cheek. They're open-mouthed with a swish of the tongue and a smearing of drool, but we love them! Avery has also learned how to be bashful. When someone new approaches and talks to her, she tucks her head under our chin or lays her head down on our shoulder. I'm pretty sure I melted the first time she did that. What else? Avery crawls EVERYWHERE and gets into EVERYTHING. She particularly likes the dogs' water bowl. Figures. She prefers to stand so she pulls up on everything and can now cruise around furniture. Avery likes to read books and can actually turn the pages like she's been doing it for years. Her latest accomplishment is turning the light switch on and off. It might take her a few swipes but that's her job when we go in and out of her room. She's constantly babbling- I just wish I knew what she was saying. I do understand the words "ma ma" though! She's been saying "dada" for months and now I finally get my turn. It's slightly clumsy but Avery knows when to wave and depending on her mood, you could get a one-hand or two-handed wave. Avery goes to childcare 3 times a week and she has a great time. Honestly, I think sometimes she's a little sad to have to come back to her boring house with her boring parents. Lastly, and I hope I'm not forgetting anything, Avery has gotten her first tooth! One of her bottom, middle teeth came in about 1.5 weeks ago.

Avery had her 9 month check up this week and the doctor said she's tracking like she should. She weighs 18lb. 14oz. and is 28 inches long. She's 75% for height and 50% for weight. I was excited and told the doctor, "Hey look! Avery got her first tooth!" She replied with "Hey look! She's got 5 more!" I think I almost fell out of my chair. She pointed them out with a little flashlight and sure enough, there's one more on the bottom (which we actually did know about) but then all 4 of her top middle teeth are almost ready to push through too! She guessed in the next 3 weeks or so. How different will she look with a mouth full of teeth?! She also told us that Avery can now start eating whatever we eat! Avery eating anything but Gerber products? Surely not. The doctor recommended that we introduce texture to her but keep her on baby food too.
Well, I'm sure you're as tired of reading this by now as much as I'm tired of typing, but she's accomplished so much! See what I was saying earlier? This month was a big month!

Avery loves to toss around the dogs' bowls. Gunner's not so sure...


She discovered the air vent for the first time.


Avery feeding herself for the first time- and it shows!


So the only way to get a shot of the tooth was to make her cry apparently. She didn't like me yanking on her mouth too much.


I love this little girl!