Polywog

Lately we've been picnicing under the plum tree in the front yard. This video shows what is happening most around here: Avery teething on anything within reach (in this case Dylan's kleen kanteen) and Dylan asking "why" whenever possible.
News of late:
1) Avery is actually not eatting anything. That momentary interest in bananas must have been a figment of my imagination. That or she decided that oral finger painting with mushed fruit isn't as fun as that with fingers. Not a bite of anything since.
2) Avery got teeth #5 and #6 today. Congratulations baby!
3) Dylan starts almost every sentence with "Did you know that...(fill in what he knows but you probably don't)" This is a vast improvement on 'why', because often I did not know that. And while I try very hard to honestly an thoroughly answer every 'why', it does become difficult to answer questions like....Why is that a dog? or Why is it late? or Why is it Saturday?
4) Dylan is once again eatting foods previously not on his 'short list'. Yeah! He is also no longer making me eat all of the seeds and grains that he picks off his sandwich bread Yeah!
5) Avery is almost walking. She only needs one adult finger to make her way on two feet. She's quite proud AND quite determined NOT to release said finger once she gets hold of it.
6) Avery's favorite appliance is the dishwasher. It's a good thing you must be 18 to marry in oregon without parental consent. Otherwise, Avery may have married the dishwasher. Dylan's favorite appliance is the freezer. Sometimes it magically produces frozen treats. Oddly, I think Greg and my favorite appliance may also be the freezer. Probably for the same reason.

Dylan is already an attentive and over protective older brother. He really is sweet when it comes to keeping Avery safe and happy.
"MMMMOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM, Avery's awake!"
"MMMMOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM, Avery wants milkies!"
"MMMMOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM, Avery has plastic!!!!"
"MMMMOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM, Avery is going to bonk her head...Avery bonked her head!!!!"

Dylan is also well aware that I don't eat dairy products. They make Avery's tummy cramp and keep her awake at night. Dylan is very considerate in reminding me when to use cow milk (for him) and when to use rice milk (for me). Tonight I made pizza for dinner. After I make a pizza for the boys, I usually save a little bit of dough to fold over some veggies and sauce (sans cheese) resulting in something that resembles, though tastes nothing like, a calzone.

Tonight Dylan watches this whole process from his stool. As I'm serving myself, Dylan says: I really don't think you should eat that, Mama. It will make Avery's tummy hurt. It really is called a COW-zone!

While Avery does still spend alot of time observing from the safety of my sling or backpack, she's increasingly making her mark on our outtings. To this end, Dylan is beginning to see Avery as a winning playmate.