24 Months Old - Avalon is TWO!

Hi all,


Well, Avalon just turned two! She had been talking about her birthday for 6 weeks(!!) - and had gotten so excited about it. Luckily, despite the big lead up, I think that her big day did not disappoint. She had so much fun and is still talking about it!


February 16 was the big day. One of the things John and I got Avalon was a bookcase to store all of her books. She has so many, and loves reading, but the books were taking over the livingroom!

Avalon was all ready to start her birthday fun! She was sooo excited in her crib! She took her pajamas off even!

She had a special birthday girl shirt to wear...

Avalon loves to get cards, just like her mommy!

Opening a present with Daddy...

The little cake that mommy made for Avalon's birthday. A yummy two layer cake with vanilla filling.



Avalon all ready to blow out her candles!

Yummy!! She is eating her cake with her spoon (and hands)...but a BIG change from last year's birthday where she spread the frosting all over her body! :)

Avalon got a big slice!!

Testing out her new doll house!

We had a birthday party for Avalon on February 19. It was supposed to be in the park in our neighborhood, but the weather didn't cooperate, so we ended up moving it inside, which turned out to be even better.

We had around 18-19 kids and their parents, and a few brave friends without kids who dared to join, as well! We hired Miss Emily, a kids entertainer who sang songs and kept the kids amused. Avalon loved loved loved her performance!


The big cake that mommy made for the party. This one was a 2 tier, 4 layer cake with chocolate fudge filling.

We had overflowing food...here are a few of the party goodies... I think Avalon tried one of pretty much everything!

Avalon with Mary, her Godmother.

Getting ready for Miss Emily to start her show...

Miss Emily

Avalon loved Miss Emily's show!

Cake time!

Blowing out the candles! Daddy taught Avalon how to blow candles out a few days before, and she got both of them out right away.



Yep, the frosting really is good!

Avalon's friends spoiled her with lots of birthday loot!

Testing out her new Dora the Explorer guitar...

Gorgeous doll from Nicky and Lexi - handmade by Nicky!

Avalon's first body board from Rhonda and Jerry...

Our livingroom is overflowing with toys now!

The day after the party...Avalon was still running around, checking out the balloons, talking about the party, and was soooo happy!

Catching her first wave... :)



Posing for a few big girl photos...

Here's to this next year of Avalon's life, and all of the fun and excitement that it is sure to hold. Thanks for continuing to come along on this ride with us.

All our love, xo

J, J + A

23 Months Old!

Hi all,


We've had another great month...Avalon's last month as a one year old! She is getting very excited about her birthday and keeps talking about parties, birthday cake, blowing out candles, and opening presents! She turns two on Wednesday, February 16. Yay!!


Here are some photos from the month:


The first set of pictures show Avalon at home...


She really wanted to wear this gown over on her pajamas. The gown was from the xray clinic were she recently got a chest x-ray.



She has learned how to take her clothes off - especially anything with a zipper - so sometimes we realize that she is suddenly naked!

Dancing around with pieces of mom's banana bread in her hands...yum yum...she ate most of the loaf over the course of a week or so... :)

It's fun to dance with breakfast in your hands...

Wearing the fireman hat from Grandma!






She loves this hat! Sometimes she even takes it into the bathtub!!!

We went to dinner with our friends Chelsea and John, and their son Stone recently. Avalon and Stone held hands on our 4 block walk to the restaurant. Avalon kept talking afterwards about holding hands with "the boy". :)

Avalon and I go to a toddler tumbling/gymnastics class each week now. She especially has fun with the super long tunnels they have in class...

We went to a Valentine's Day party with lots of old friends last week. Avalon had so much fun with the other kids and loved playing with all of the new toys at Mahdi's house.

Trying to smile for the camera with a huge piece of cheese in her mouth (and another one in her hand)!

Playing the bongos - or actually banging on two garbage cans!!

It's hard (practically impossible!!) to get toddlers to sit on the couch and smile at the same time!

More drumming...

And finally, we had some Valentine's pictures taken by Gloria Plunkett recently. Avalon gave some great smiles and we think that she is the most adorable little Valentine ever.

And last but not least, we wanted to also announce that we are working on baby part deux...yes, I'm pregnant again! We are hoping for another healthy and wonderful little person to join our expanding family at the end of August 2011.


We hope that you have a great rest of February and, go ahead, eat a cupcake on Avalon's birthday and celebrate! :)

All our love, xo

J, J, + A