John, Johanna and Baby Adventures: Avalon

Hi all,

Avalon's 12th month is cruising along....she has changed SO much since turning one. It's almost like an avalanche of change.....

Avalon has a new tooth (one of her first year molars) and several more on the way. We've had lots of teething fun over here! Also, she is vocalizing much more these days and has mastered some new words, including "woof woof", "meow", "baby", "yum yum", "bye bye" and once she repeated me and said "good girl"! She waves and claps all the time...AND she has started to throw tantrums sometimes! Yes, my little baby girl has thrown herself on the floor and kicked her legs!! Semi hillarious and semi terrifying...what will the "terrible twos" bring?! But mainly, she is still happy, silly, funny, smiley, and sooo hugable. :)

My parents were in town for Avalon's birthday party and she had such fun with them! She took her first steps towards my dad and Bronte. My parents and I all saw....quite amazing! Since that time, her walking has developed quickly. She started walking all over the livingroom while holding on to her rolling toys, then walking while holding my hand. Then, taking steps if I held my arms out to her. And finally yesterday, she has started taking steps by herself without any encouragement from John or me. Yes, our girl is officially a toddler and she will be running marathons soon!

Avalon is also giving kisses now! I love it... If she is in the mood and I say "give mommy a kiss" she will put her face right in front of mine and give me a big open mouth kiss. Yes, it's a wet drool-y kiss, but so adorable that I don't mind. Ha! - being a mother makes you much less bothered by drool and the like.

In terms of filling our days, Avalon is still attending Mommy and Me class, swim lessons, playdates, and other adventures with mommy and daddy.

Here are some photographs from Avalon's 12th Month:

#1 Avalon holdidng onto my leg.

#2 Some of Avalon's new birthday toys...this is one of her favorites...a drum filled with instruments that she can play! We have music time every day now and use the instruments to make lots of noise. :)

#3 Avalon got this cool 'walk and sit' toy from the Nestman's (thank you!). It's so cool...she uses it to walk all around the livingroom...

#4 Avalon taking her toy for a spin around the livingroom...

#5 Another one of Avalon's birthday presents that she is really enjoying....the "ball popper" from the Swenor's (thank you thank you)....it makes LOUD crazy noise and sends little balls flying everywhere - but of course, Avalon loves it!

#6 Avalon in her high chair. She's wearing a big bow headband (thanks Mom)....but I think she ripped it off the second after I took this picture. :)

#7 John and I got Avalon a cool riding car for her birthday. She loves to sit in it and go for a walk on the Strand. This was our first time taking it out for a spin...