Avery is Three!

Actually, she's been three for nearly two months now. I haven't blogged in forever (hoping to change that soon!), but this space as served as her baby book in many ways, so here are some tidbits about what life is like at three for Aves.

-The emotions. Ohhhh, the emotions. There's a reason they're affectionately known as threenagers at this stage. Every feeling is SO big. Happy, angry, silly, sad, you name it and the feelings are so strong. As a parent this can be a roller coaster but it's also incredible when you get to see such excitement through a little's eyes. For example, the other night CP was showing Avery a lightning bug and the squeal that she let out when it lit up is a timeless memory.

-Avery has always been off the charts in height and weight and has shown no signs of slowing down! People are often shocked when they find out that she is only three because she's the size of a five year old. She definitely has the Pike height in her blood. Seeing Aves in the midst of her classmates is always fun and also a little comical since she towers above almost ALL of them and when I brought her in to school one day this Spring, she fit riiiiight in. :) 

-Reserved is still one of the first words that comes to mind when I think about Avery but she is coming out of her shell bit by bit. It still takes quite a while for Avery to warm up to strangers but once she's warmed up, there is no stopping her. This is definitely one of the biggest ways that she has changed in the last year.

-Some of you will remember that Avery's speech was slow to take off this time last year. Well, enter preschool (Hi, Jane!!) and wow. Just wow. Putting Aves in a two year old class this year is the best decision that we have made in so many ways and her speech development is one of them. Her vocabulary growth has been remarkable and there's no doubt that her continued socialization in the preschool setting has been a huge contributor.

-The one liners and conversations at this age are just too much. Two examples:

Avery, while driving with me down Kirby Road: "MOMMY. You are going WAY too fast. This is dangerous!!!" (I was, in fact, not speeding at all- perhaps it was the windy road?).

While CP and I were out and Ma (aka my mom) was with Aves. Avery to her walkie- talkie: "Hello?  Mommy, Daddy? You there?  How are you? You having any problems? We are alllll good over here." 

-Being a big sister to Harper is a role that Avery takes very seriously. I know that I can't always expect Avery and Harper to have a bond sealed with a kiss, but the love and affection that they show for one another right now is just so, so sweet. Avery loves to make Harper laugh and show her new things and Harper clearly looks up to Aves already as a big sister. These two have so much fun in store for them over the years.

-I'm so excited to see what the next year brings for Avery. Her serious, silly, shy, and loving personality is truly a gift and being her mama is the most rewarding (aaaand scariest!) job in the world. 

(photo by Laura Lou Photography!)