Animal sounds and words - flashback

By the end of November 2009 (age 16 months), Avalon could communicate using about 10 signs and say about 15 words. Here is a video capturing some of those words:


By 18 months old, Avalon could say more than 50 words and also said several two to three word phrases including "I got this", "I like this", "push this", and "up high." She continues to learn new words on a daily basis and is constantly talking even though we still don't always know what she is saying.

Avalon could also make several cute animal sounds. Check out the video below.


And one more video from that same night where we sing "if you're happy and you know it" and Avalon does many of the actions.

Basketball

Over the last couple of weeks, Avalon has become very interested in playing basketball. She likes to go into the basketball court and throw any ball that she can find.






She also brings the ball up to the basket and says "up high" and asks us to throw it up towards the hoop.




We just purchased a new "Avalon" sized basketball for her this week, so here are some pics with her new basketball. She is really excited about it and can even say the word "basketball" now.

Reindeer hat

Avalon jsut found this reindeer hat again and decided she wanted to wear it. She can now say the word "hat" so that made it even more exciting to wear.




Here are some pictures from the original party that were taken in December 2009. While the other (slightly older) kids were frosting cookies, Avalon was busy coloring in her hat.

31 weeks and counting

For those of you that we don't get to see very often, here is a picture of Camille at 31 weeks pregnant (taken March 14). Our due date for baby boy Niemi is May 19, so it's only two months away and fast approaching. It's amazing how much faster the second pregnancy seems to go compared to the first.

T-Ball

Avalon is getting an early start at T-ball. Check out the video of her hitting the ball below.


In this one, she is ready to cheer and start running the bases too.

Tricycles

Avalon likes to try out every tricycle that she sees at the park. And since we live in Family Student Housing there are always kids with different tricycles. Here some pics of the trikes she has tried. Most of them are still way too big...








Until we finally found one her size.


And with a little help from daddy she could even pedal this one a little bit.


And lastly, her new-used balance bike (that we bought on craigslist). It might be a few more months before she grows into this one, but she already wanted to try it out.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

We celebrated Camille's birthday a week early while her parents were in town. Jarad bought a huge cake with lots of frosting that was really yummy and we ate every night for a week! Then we went up to Lake Cachuma (about a 45 minute drive) for a hike and a picnic. The weather was beautiful and we had a really good time!



Avalon spent the hike in the stroller...



but, she did really enjoy playing around after the hike while we had a picnic.