Family Moments and Memories

Now that Avery is three years old, his physical development is visibly moving at a slower rate compared to when he was a baby. However, his cognitive development seems to be taking off.

The most notable difference is his budding imagination. He loves to make up words and songs. He is also developing new fears since he likes to give inanimate objects names and personalities. For example, he asks us to hide his stuffed animals in his closet at night because he is afraid of them coming to life (like they do in the movie "Toy Story"). The scariest animal of all to him is a really sweet and innocent looking caterpillar (which kind of makes us laugh since it is the most friendly-looking animal he has). We figured out the fear probably comes from his "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" book, in which the caterpillar eats many things. I suppose he doesn't want to get eaten by his caterpillar.

Avery bought his caterpillar book with birthday money he received from his grandparents. He has been talking to his grandparents on the phone about every weekend every since he could mumble a few words. Now, he is speaking full sentences to them and can carry a conversation for several minutes. Avery can voice his opinions and interests about things pretty well.

Since he can voice his opinions much easier, it is funny to listen to his preferences on things. One example is telling us what cereal he wants to eat. We've been buying Fruit Loops (sometimes used as "targets" in our potty training process). He will let us know that he wants to eat his "hula hoops" (fruit loops) instead of oatmeal. Another example is during the mornings when he will suggest "Let's wear pajamas all day!". He often wants us to take off his church clothes (sometimes dress up clothes are uncomfortable) so he can snuggle in his "Mickey jamas".

The Mickey jamas are his favorite. Possibly because he can now unbutton and button them. For some reason he does much better with smaller buttons than larger ones. The remaining items he still has trouble with are putting on and removing shirts and coats. Other than that, he is able to dress and undress himself.

We are enjoying Avery even more as he begins to get older and is able to do more things.