The Caped Crusader

Batman, Batman, Batman.

Next to her baby dolls, Batman has become the most-coveted friend of the moment. Avery received a plush Batman toy from her Daddy and to say she loves him is an understatement.

And Avery's newfound love of Batman means Jeff is currently winning the battle of "do we or don't we" get rid of his comic books. She throws open the box and yells "Where Batman?"

So, when I saw these PJ's at Old Navy I couldn't resist... and we can't wash them fast enough before Ave's asking for them again.

Our little Caped Crusader.

Making faces

Oh, that tongue!

I feel like she is going to bite it off one day (and believe me, she's bitten it more than several times as she goes running across the room in full-on sticking-tongue-out mode). Avery uses the side tongue swipe to concentrate on a task at hand, charm us, or even while she is just playing intently. Here she displays it while she walks her baby around the neighborhood:

She refuses to look at the camera any more (frustrating!) unless you trick her. Here, we were highly unsuccessful at getting her to look, but we captured the tongue again!:

We usually just get the pouty lip when she's really mad, sad or frustrated. Dealing with Avery when she is angry is not exactly fun (well, sometimes it funny, but we have to suppress smiles and tell her to be nice). She is independent and opinionated. She has started saying "stop it, Mommy" and "stop it, Daddy." She even points her little finger at the cats and says "stop it, kitty cat." Avery has no problem telling you when you are annoying or upsetting her.

And the only way I get the kid to look at the camera? When she is showing me something she found that she's not supposed to be getting into. This is one very serious request for some biscuits:

A likely situation in my future?

Considering that Avery loves coloring so much, when I saw this picture I had a horrifying feeling that this was a very likely situation come, say, next fall/winter in the White household... Please note the look of pride seen on this little girl's face - so proud of her "artwork."

The picture makes me laugh now, but I wonder what I would feel if I walked around the corner and saw this scene in my own home? I've never really had to reprimand Avery to the extent of a "time out" or something similar, so it makes me a little nervous to think that I will have to do that one day.

And then the next horrifying thought is the labor and rigor that it would take to scrub this poor little baby. I am throwing out every last permanaent marker in my house tonight.

Hugs, Kisses and cupcakes

In honor of Valentine's Day, here are our favorite lovey-dovey quotes from Avery, who is (gasp!) 20 months old:

"Hugs, the BEST!"

"1...2...3...HUG!"

"I give kisses!"

"I love you!"

Avery is a huge fan of group hugs, and takes almost every opportunity to snuggle with Jeff and I. If I ask her for a hug, sometimes she looks for Daddy, because she doesn't want him to miss out on the fabulous hug. We are so glad she is still such a cuddley gal. Makes my heart so HAPPY to get her hugs and kisses! :)

Mwaaah!

Happy hearts need cupcakes... lots of cupcakes.

Some with strawberries, some without.

(All with ooey gooey homemade buttercream frosting dripping off of them because I couldn't wait until they were cool to put it on...)

Mmm... Happy Valentine's Day!