Diary of Miss Avalee Apryl

Goodness, I guess it's been awhile since I've written in my diary! I've just been so busy lately, with Summer and all, I just haven't had much extra time!
So, let's see...where should I start? Well, how about that I'm a big girl now, like really big! When I had my last checkup in June, I weighed over 26lbs and was 33 ½” tall (they say that's 92% for height and 82% for weight...whatever all that means!). I'm tall enough to reach on the counters and on the dining room table now. And, when I use the kitchen stool, it's even better, 'cause I can reach the back of the counter! Mommy doesn't seem to happy about this, but it's really opened up some doors for me!
I'm also big enough now that I can really hold my own against my big brother! He tries to push me around sometimes, but I'm pretty tough and don't let him get away with much. I can even wrestle and play 'Tackle, Tackle' with my daddy and Z. I've gotten really good at my signature flying off the couch onto Daddy tackle!
I also love helping Mommy do chores. When she does the dishes, I try to help by rearranging the plates around or licking the extra yogurt off the spoons she forgot to rinse (silly Mommy!). Sometimes she gets frustrated (I'm not sure at who...or why...) so I shut the dishwasher door for her, to try to give her a little break. I even put away my own dishes after I'm done eating, just like my big brother!
I also like helping Mommy do the laundry. I hand her the clothes to put in the washer and she hands me the clothes to put in the dryer. Mommy always says I'm a really good helper and that she's proud of me (sometimes I try even extra hard to help and put extra fun stuff in the dryer when Mommy is distracted...)!
I really like doing everything on my own, and would rather not have anyone help me. From feeding myself to reading books to putting on my socks; I just like doing it all by myself! Mommy says I'm still little and need help, but she does let me feed myself now with my own spoon or fork! Sometimes I get a little messy, but Mommy usually cleans me up pretty quickly. Otherwise, I usually just wipe my face on my brother's shirt or the couch cushions.
I am really into reading now! I've gotten a few new books, but I also like going in my brother's room and raiding his cool library! I get special reading time at naps and bedtime, but Mommy and Daddy (and even Z) will always take time to ready to me anytime I want too. Sometimes, I just look through the book on my own, and even have a couple of my favorite books memorized.
I know probably about 30 signs now too (Mom and Dad teach me ASL, just like they taught Z)...maybe more. Some of the signs I regularly use are; Eat, Milk, Baby, Please, Thank You, Sorry and Book. I usually say these and sign them together. I have started to string some of the signs together now, and Mom and Dad even taught me to sign “May I please be excused (we have to ask to be excused from the table when we're done eating)?” At first, I could only sign “be excused” but now I can do all of it, and I'm just so proud of me (Mom and Dad say they're proud of me too!)!
I have lots of words I can say too, and people comment on my big vocabulary all the time. I just love to talk all the time, and to whomever will listen!
I also really like to use good manners, and try to always remember to say “Please” Thank You” and “You're Welcome.” I really like saying “Bless You” too when someone sneezes. Mommy says she's proud of my good manners and that sure makes me happy!
And, the most exciting news...I'm learning how to swim! I've been taking lessons for a couple months now with my daddy and I have learned so much. I can go underwater, jump off the wall, hold onto the wall by myself and kick, kick kick! I just love being in the pool and hearing Mommy, Grandma and Z all cheer me on (I just really love water of any kind, and love it when Mommy and Daddy takes me to the splash park or the pool!)! Mommy and Daddy say that next year I get to be ion a class on my own. I really love being in the pool with my daddy, but to be able to swim on my own, just like Z would be SO awesome!
And, of course, I still love being happy and you'll often find me laughing or smiling about something. I hear the work 'ornery' a lot around me, and I do try really hard to be good, but I just get so curious about things and want to just experience everything! I mean how should I know that putting my shoe in the toilet or coloring the back of the dining room chairs or trying to eat an ant are bad things?? So, I'm living and learning and doing it my own way. :o)
So, I think that catches you up with me and I promise to try to update you more often!
I gotta go...the bath is calling my name! :0)

~Avalee