On Being Ava

I want to take a moment to write down some funny things you say and do, so that I can remember my little 2 year old Ava!

You really love your baby sister, Bailey. You hug her all the time which is more like a head butt! Haha...but she doesn't seem to mind and it will toughen her up! You say "I love Bailey," which just melts my heart. We all call her Bailer and you have taken to shortening it up and referring to her as Bail. You are very affectionate lately and tell us you love us and randomly give us hugs...we love it! You ask if you can lay on us on the couch, meaning you want to snuggle...which we are all too happy to do with you.

You are very motherly, I think it comes with the role of oldest child. You love playing babies and are always carrying around a baby. You love to help out with Bailey too and will put her pacifier back in her mouth when she drops it 50 times or turn her around when she gets all tangled up on the playmat. You will bring Reese her juice or snack cup if you are getting yours. If you want a toy, you always look for the matching/coordinating toy for Reese...you are always thinking of her.

You are so smart that I think people are surprised you and Reese are only 2 years old. Your vocabulary is very big and you use words in the right context most of the time. Last week when we were playing on the deck, I asked you to stop dumping the sand on the deck and your exact words were "Mom, you're ridiculous." I just looked at you dumb founded...I couldn't believe you knew the word ridiculous, let alone how to use it correctly. (Although, I don't think that was a ridiculous request!)

You love reading and that makes Mommy very happy! You really like story books, particularly, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Three Little Pigs, and Little Red Riding Hood. You want to take a book with you everywhere we go and like to read your version of the story, which is quite accurate. I've also noticed that you are picking up on the lessons in the book. The other day, while playing outside, you told me "you don't talk to strangers," which was the lesson from Little Red Riding Hood, giving the perfect segway into the discussion of not talking to strangers and who strangers are.

You have a deep seeded repulsion for bugs and if there is one in a 2 inch radius of you, you will scream bloody murder. Sometimes I will come running because I think something terrible has happened, like a broken bone or a 5 inch laceraton, but no it's a fly. But when it comes to things like swimming or playing at the park, you get a little too brave and we have to reign you in. For example, when we go to the park you think you can just run up and down the stairs/ladders by yourself and Mom just about has a heart attack watching you on the playground. We have to remind you to slow down and stay away from the edges.

Ava, you are the sweetest, most fun-loving little girl. I thank God for you everyday and cannot imagine my life without my little Bayba. Everything you do amazes me and I'm so proud that you are mine.

Love, Brandi