One Year Comparisons

Miss Kayla turned one last week...I can't believe it.  I feel like this past year since Kayla was born went exponentially faster than Avery's first year.  Perhaps it might have to do with the fact that this time around, I am working part-time consistently and, oh yeah....I have TWO children to run around with and do things for!!  While Phil and I stay super busy, we wouldn't have it any other way.  My words can not explain the soul-lifting joy of having two children, especially when they are this close in age and interact so well with each other.  Initially, we had an "Avery" and then when Kayla was born, we found ourselves with a "family".  From Kayla and Avery's first introduction, Avery has proved himself to be the sweetest big brother, always so gentle, thoughful, and kind.  Everyone at his school has commented in the past year how sweet Avery always is to his little sister.  In the beginning, he would introduce Kayla to his friends at school as "My Taco" and kiss all over her; now when Kayla and I enter his classroom, all the kids yell "Kayla!" and Avery quickly jumps up to tell everyone that she is "MY sister".  Kayla also has always been smitten with her big brother Avery.  Even at an early age, you could see Kayla's face light up whenever Avery came around to give her "tisses".  Now that Kayla is older, there is still so much sibling love and affection, combined with the expected smattering of sibling rivalry: they have been known to duke it out for a spot on Mommy's lap or as Daddy's train partner.  I know all parents are biased, but dang, our family kicks a*s!

Here are a few comparisons of Avery and Kayla when they were/are one year old:

AVERY DAVID:

Stats at one year checkup:

Height:  32 inches, 75th percentile

Weight:  24 lbs 10 oz, 50th percentile

Head Circumference:  19 inches, 95th percentile!! (My boy still sports a huge noggin!!)

Shoe size: 4 or 5

Hair status:  Bald.

Color of eyes: Hazel, like his Daddy's.

Number of teeth: 8

First word: Dada

Age of walking: Avery took his first steps a couple of days after he turned 9 months old, and was walking as his primary mode of locomotion before he turned 10 months.

Number of visits to the ER by age 1:  One: He fell down our stairs at 11 months of age before we had our gates installed.  Worst mother ever, I know.  He had a concussion and one laceration on his face.  I have never been so scared in my life and I attribute this incidence to the initial grey hairs sprouting on my head.

Personality: Avery was (is) a social butterfly but was always a little cautious with new activities.  He didn't (and still doesn't) like to do new things until he masters them.  He is pretty independent and does things on his own timetable, in his own comfort zone...the boy can't be rushed.  Avery also tends to internalize his feelings, so sometimes it was hard to tell when he was upset....he was known to give the cold shoulder from time to time, as opposed to throwing tantrums or crying.  Avery was/is very organized and methodical. He is definitely Daddy's Little Man.

Favorite activities:  Playing with/tormenting the dogs, taking walks in his stroller, and playing with Daddy.

Special "talents":  Avery demonstrated compassion and empathy at an early age, as was demonstrated whenever he visited the nursing home I worked at and he would spend his time walking up to the dementia patients in their wheelchairs and trying to make eye contact, smile at them, and "talk" to them. Avery also has enjoyed dancing to rap songs (and other genres of music, with the exception of country...good boy!!), singing along with music, and playing all of the instruments in the house from an early age.

Funny things they will want to hear about when they get older: Avery had some tactile issues with his hands...he was very particular about what he touched.  I think that's why he learned to use a spoon so early!  He was at least 18 months before he would pick himself up off of the grass after he had fallen because he didn't like how grass felt on his skin! Avery was also a master traveler by the age of one, as he had been to Kentucky, Ohio, and North Carolina nearly 10 times in one year (due to many weddings and bridal showers in the same year)!  He was also extremely well-behaved during our trip to Puerto Rico for Uncle Jon-Jon and Aunt Luz's wedding.

KAYLA ELIZABETH:

Stats at one year checkup:

Height:  30.75 inches, 90th percentile  

Weight:  22 lbs, 75th percentile

Head Circumference:  18 inches, 75th percentile

Shoe size: 5

Number of teeth: 2

Color of eyes: Piercing blue.

Hair status: Getting long and curly! There is also a tint of red in her hair.

First word: Mama

Age of walking: Kayla took her first steps a couple of days before she turned 9 months old, and was walking as her primary mode of locomotion by 10.5 months.

Number of trips to the ER by the age of 1:  One: Kayla had a fever of 103 degrees at 7 weeks of age. We sat in a hospital in Fayetteville, NC for five days over Easter weekend waiting for test results. While Kayla was obviously fine after a day or two, I still attribute this visit to more grey hairs and stomach ulcers.

Personality: Kayla is determined and confident with a serving of sweetness on the side. She can be very emotional and wears her heart on her sleeve...you never have to guess when she is upset about something, as she has no problem letting you know!  Kayla also tends to be a bit shy around new people and is definitely a Mama's Girl.

Favorite activities: Playing with her older brother. She will NOT be left behind.

Special "talents": For several months, Kayla has been trying to put her own shoes on, own pants, own socks, hats, etc. She seems to know where all of her clothes (and ours!) need to go...she just doesn't have the motor coordination to do it yet.  Kayla can also throw back some food; girlfriend has an appetite!!  Kayla is also a very "physical" and coordinated child and we anticipate her participation in many different sports.

Funny things they will want to hear about when they get older: When Kayla gets mad (usually at Avery), she will scream at the top of her lungs and bite him. Ummm, we are trying to prevent this activity before it happens, but it takes a lot of willpower on the parents' part to keep a straight face. Avery just takes it like an awesome big brother and does not strike back.

So, that is a brief summary of my children.  Same gene pool but so very different.  They are both so incredibly special in their own ways but together, they just gel.  :)