seven

Seven years old today. He told me that when he woke up this morning he "felt a little bit bigger"!

A self initiated "time out" with the fingers and woobie!

Happy 7th birthday to my little Bubba Bean! Where in the heck did the last seven years go? As I was looking through old pictures and videos of Avery, I can't believe how fast he has grown. He came impatiently into the world at 34 weeks a screamin and a hollerin. Now today at 40 pounds, he is a magnificent, smart, sensitive, cautious, and funny little boy. Every day I can't wait to hug and talk with him. He is so full of questions and has an opinion about everything. Sometimes I feel like he is older than he really is.

Right now Avery's favorite things to do is play the Wii, DS, and play "army" with his brothers. He loves the Bald Eagle and American Flag. His favorite show on t.v. is Spongebob. If you asked him what his favorite color was he would say power ranger blue and red. His bestfriend is Aidan H. Avery loves to wrestle, play flag football and any type of sport. I think it is funny that he is so little and small, yet so athletic. He hates to wear jeans and dress up. His favorite pants are the "sylvie" ones (fleece pants) which he loves to wear layered with his Nebraska or wrestling t-shirts. Avery's favorite food is pizza or chicken nuggets. He also thinks he is a pretty good dancer- I think he just likes to hear us laugh at him.

After having four boys, it is so fun to sit back and look at each individually and see how different they all are. Avery has so many of my qualities- he is a worrier, always like to know what the "plan" is for the day, and is a very picky eater. He is smart, funny, loses everything, and is athletic (yes Jim was back in the day believe it or not) like his dad. He is definately the leader or "boss" with his brothers. He is the one they ALL look up to and want to be like! Leo would prefer to wear Avery's hand me down clothing and shoes vs. getting new clothes because they "are Avery's" (bless his heart).

Avery always knows how to make me feel good when I am having a bad day or just need a pick me up. He will say- "mom you want to go to Broncos for lunch?" or sneak up behind me and give me a big hug and tell me that I am the greatest mom in the world and that he loves me so much.

As a parent, I know we have to let our children grow up and become into their own and learn by consequences, solve their own problems, etc... Sometimes I find it so hard to let this happen. I want to protect him and keep him next to me always!

The one thing that Avery does that I absolutely LOVE is suck his fingers while holding his "woobie". He has done this since he could put his fingers into his mouth. As he has gotten older, he does not do this as much and will only do it when he has his woobie (at night, when he gets home from school, and when he needs a break from life). He doesn't even take it in the car, in his backpack, or put it in his pocket any more. I know I should be happy about this, but for some reason when I see him doing this, it provides me with comfort as well.

So this post is for Avery my little "bean". I hope you will always find time to snuggle with me and to remind me how much you love me. Please continue to help me grow as a mother and remind me to not always take little things for granted! I love you Bubba!