Communication!

Evie has been watching this DVD {Baby Einsteins's "My First Signs"} on a daily basis. Possibly an unhealthy amount of times a day, but she LOVES it!!! I would HIGHLY recommend this DVD to anyone and everyone w/ babies and/or toddlers who are learning to speak. It keeps her attention better than any show she watches! The BEST part of all is that she's learned almost every sign on the video and will tell me and sign what she wants! It's SO COOL! Evie is telling and signing:

• Milk
• Drink
• Cereal
• Eat
• Mommy
• Daddy
• Sleep (which is SO awesome that she can communicate this to us)
• Ball (she is constantly screaming the word ball everytime she see's one!)
• Bath (after breakfast she signs/says 'bath' - COOL!!)
• Play

My favorite are eat and sleep! It's so awesome to me (and her) that she can tell me these things and I understand! It's actually pretty cool that she can tell me all those things period! Even if I can't understand what she is trying to say, I understand what she is signing! YAY! I have to admit, when I first had Evie that was THE hardest thing for me, having a lack of communication! I'm loving that we can communicate so well!

ZERO + 2 PiGgiE tails = Our week{end}

This past week, Braden and I took Evie to another appointment with her audiologist in Salt Lake City. Each time we go, I'm afraid! I am afraid to hear bad news, I'm afraid Evie won't cooperate, I'm afraid I have the appointment time wrong . . . etc! We decided to go out the night before and stay w/ Braden's brother Jed & Abby {thanks guys}, because it's so hard on Evie when we try to turn it into a one day event! Evie got to nap before her appointment and thankfully did AMAZING @ the appointment! {Sigh of relief} Evie mainly spent the appointment in the hearing booth with her daddy, because she was responding and cooperating so well! YAY! She was hearing {w/ hearing aids} things @ ZERO decibels!! So pretty much EVERYTHING :) :) :) It was so encouraging! And we could tell how confident she is w/ her hearing aids on! She's understanding that she hears better with them on and we're so proud of her!!!! The audiologist was tearing up {and possibly Braden?} because Eve was doing so well! It's been a great experience working with our audiologist! She's wonderful! Below is a chart that kind of puts things into perspective . . . (without hearing aids Eve hears @ 45 dB and higher - the Banana shape is where most of the speech sounds are)

On another note . . . Evie is now sporting some adorable piggie tails!!! HER 1st ONES! Her hair has been long enough to do them for a while, but I just never did it. It's a bittersweet thing - she looks totally grown up! But they are So SO sO adorable!

(Intently watching a show from nickjr.com {it's my saving grace})

We wish you a Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!

We had a great Christmas this year! This is Eve's second Christmas - she still doesn't really understand, but she did get excited when we were opening presents! We were probably more excited to open Evie's presents than our own! Evie is LOVING all things BABY lately! She got some really cute babies for Christmas, fun toys, clothes, musical instruments . . . the works. Braden and I got $$$, Kinect, lift tickets to The Canyons, clothes, etc . . . we're spoiled!

We spend all holidays running from my parents, to his parents, to my grandma's, to his parents and over again . . .It's crazy, but we LoVe it! It's so nice to have our families here and be able to spend holidays with them.

Evie spent the holidays brushing up on her walking skills! She's been truckin all over the place! FINALLY! She's been taking steps here and there since Nov 1st, but hasn't really been too interested in walking. So we're VERY proud of her for finally 'taking the plunge'!

On Christmas Eve this year while I was putting presents out, I found myself thinking, I wish I would have got this or that too, and I should have got Braden some more presents. Then I had to FOCUS on why we have Christmas in the first place. One of my goals for next year (especially because Evie will be 'understanding' a little more) is to make sure we, as a family, don't lose sight of why we celebrate Christmas. It's such a beautiful holiday, with such a special meaning. I am so thankful for Christ, my Savior.

2010 was a great year for us! Evie has been so fun! She's CRAZY smart! I love watching her play and discover - she copies what we say and do, it's my favorite!

My ONE resolution for 2011 is to get healthy! Spritually, physically, mentally! Within each area are more goals, but who really wants to know . . .

Love,

The Robinson's