Last night we were going over the memory verses with the kids downstairs in the family room. As soon as we started with Jaelyn’s verse Avery darted out of the room and we could hear him going up the stairs. By the time we finished with Jaelyn, Avery made his way back to the family room with his sabbath school book! He handed it to Jayné as if he wanted her to read.

Jayné and I looked at each other and said “Wow”. He just heard us going over a verse looked around and saw something missing an decided to go it from the drawer in our room where we keep the books. What a boy.

Most people would make some statement about this showing his spirituality. I won’t. I will say that this does speak to the pattern and schedule that both Jaelyn and avery have gotten used to thanks to Jayné. Which is a good thing that I hope will turn into more than just an event on the schedule as he grows older.

For the past few weeks we have been taking Jaelyn to a kids skate at a local skating rink. Avery has been watching and running around the rink with his shoes on. Today one of the teachers told us we can try him out and see how he responds to being on skates.

Once he got them on he was a natural! He was comfortable and really enjoyed himself.

Tonight Avery pointed to the letter ‘R’ and kept saying ‘Rrr’. Tried to catch it on video, it took a while but I finally got it. It is great to see him growing & recognizing things.

Avery woke up about 4:45 this morning. He cried at first so I got up thinking something was wrong. But after a while after he kept pulling at my face I figured that he just wanted company. An early wake up call (from crying babies) is something I have gotten out of the habit of and something I did/do not want get back into.

We are waiting in line to get in the parking lot at greenbelt. We left the house a little after 3:40.

Today is a significant day because Barack Obama was elected president one month ago and Avery is 14 months old today.  Both of these gifted brothers are in transition, in different ways of course.  I have my thoughts on Mr. Obama’s but this is not the place for them, so I’ll talk about the one I personally know the best.

Avery turned the corner with his behavior about two weeks ago and is now showing his displeasure by kicking his legs and making moaning noises when he wants to be picked up or put down.  He and his sister have some similar traits but he is his own man.  He does like watching Mr. Rogers and Super Why!

But he is communicating vocally. If you ask ‘What sound does the cow make’?, he will give put his lips together and say “Mmm”.  During the last month’s Sabbath School lesson about the Good Shepherd we would ask him ‘What sound does the sheep make?’ and Avery would blert out a quick “Bah”.  Even as I type right now he is making a high pitched noise and clapping his hands.

And that reminds me of something that happened recently.  Last week while sitting with me in church he thought that the rolled up bulletin in my hand should be a trumpet or some kind of horn and so he began to make the noise as he pulled the bulletin to his mouth. “Doo doo…Doo Doo” was the sound that was heard over and over for around 15 to 40 seconds.  Needless to say that the looks of the people around us suggested that even though the rest of the congregation was silent during the preacher’s sermon they did not want Avery making noises during that time.

I’m gonna try to get some video of him posted soon.

Since yesterday was a work day, we had the birthday party today!  After watching the best football game of the day, (which was the Redskins coming back from 14 points down to beat the Eagles in Philadelphia) there were many friends and family who came to celebrate.  I really think that Avery knew it was his birthday or some special day for him, because every time someone said, “Happy Birthday” to him a big smile would come on his face.   Here are some pictures and video from the day.

Avery enjoying some food.

With Grandma.

Avery looking into the sun.

Today was Avery’s first birthday.  He is such a remarkable guy!!  The only thing that sucked about today is that I had to go to work (outside the house) and we did not have the whole day together.  But…thanks to Jayne’ we had birthday cupcakes when we got home.  This year as usual has gone by like a blur. But I am so glad to be his dad!!

Dad helps Avery blow out his candle.

Avery and Jayne on his 1st birthday.

Avery’s 1st tooth sure does. His second tooth broke through his gums today after he was pretty agitated on Monday. Take a look.

…have a breakthrough! Yep, Avery, has a tooth breaking through. He has been a little agitated over the past few days. Also, if you looked at his lower gums you could see that they were white and a little swollen. This guy is growing up too fast!