16 Months Old

Hi all,


Another month has gone rushing by....we are in the midst of Avalon's 16th Month! Life has been going well and we are staying busy, as always.


First of all, Happy 4th of July everyone! We spent the afternoon at a party in Manhattan Beach and everyone, including Avalon (but especially John!), had a great time. That day was also Liz's birthday (technically July 5th, but a day earlier in Australia)...congrats on reaching the big 3-0!

We've been busy with lots of activities lately....Avalon is still taking private swimming lessons that are geared towards life saving. She's been learning to float on her back, which isn't her favorite thing to do, and so she lets her swim instructor know by yelling at her when she flips her onto her back! A new Mommy and Me summer session started up recently also, and in this class Avalon is starting to do some art projects and has a new set of toddler friends to hang out with.

When we go for walks now, Avalon wants to always be holding onto Bronte's leash. She gets very upset if John or I hold the dog's leash! In this picture, Avalon is holding Bronte's leash, even though Bronte has decided to get into the cargo hold below and go for a ride!

Avalon is almost big enough to drive her Barbie Jeep around. Her feet can't quite touch the pedals yet, which is probably a good thing since I don't think she grasps the way to start and stop yet! She sure likes sitting in it though, and loves to play the radio in it.

Sometimes Avalon will wear her sunglasses, and othertimes she just takes them off. Last weekend she tossed this pair of sunglasses out of her stroller while we were walking and we never did find them....



Avalon has had a few doctor's appointments lately. First of all, at her 15 month pediatrician check up, we learned that Avalon was 29 pounds and 10 ounces. She was 33.5 inches also. Of course, now that almost 2 months has passed, she is surely much bigger...

Avalon had her first case of strep throat this month and then went on an antibiotic to get rid of it. It appeared that the antibiotic gave her a full-body rash, so the doctor thinks that Avalon may be allergic to the penacilin family of antibiotics. We will do some blood work around 18 months to check that out for sure. However, Avalon is all healthy now...

Avalon has also been to a few birthday parties lately....Sienna, Zoey, and Alexis...and will go to Carly's next week. It's funny to see invitations with Avalon's name coming in the mail! :) She has alot of baby/toddler friends. :)

Two friends from Sydney visited us in Redondo Beach this month, too. We saw Troy O'Hearn, who is in the midst of an around-the-world trip, and Sonia Baillie, who was in the US on a work trip. It was great to see both of them, and Avalon loved the extra attention! Troy stayed with us for a few days, and Avalon developed her first crush! She looked all over the house for him after he left. :)

One of the coolest developments this month is Avalon's speaking ability. Each day it seems like she is experimenting with new words. Some of her main words now are: fish, more, nice, morning, night-night, mine, me, no!, bye-bye, apple, banana, bubble, mama, dada, woof woof, neigh (the sound a horse makes), baaaa (she sound a sheep makes), wawa (for water), and yum yum.

She loves to take toys from other kids now! Mommy and Me class and playdates are quite as relaxing anymore! A few times she has pulled another baby's hair! Yikes...sorry baby. :) She also loves to yell "NO!!!".

Our neighbors moved the other day. Avalon is going to miss their daughter, Zoey. Zoey gave Avalon her goldfish in a little tank. Avalon has been saying "fish" alot and points over at the tank. She especially likes it when the fish is getting it's "yum yums". :)


And, last but not least, our good friends Dan and Sarah had their baby a few days ago! Congratulations Mom and Dad and welcome to the world, Lachlan James! We are so happy for the three of you and can't wait to see you together in person in November.

All our love, xo

J, J + A