Milestones

So I have reached many milestones recently. I am walking really well. I definitely have opinions on things and I am talking a lot

These are my words (that I can remember right now):

Mama
Dada (for Daddy)
E-le-na (my mom thinks this is the cutest thing!)
hi (favorite word)
dye-dye for bye bye
oh oh
wow
no
nona
ba (for ball)
buh (for book)
gaga for Gracias (thank you in Spanish)
Papo for zapatos (shoes in Spanish...I love shoes)
Um when I am hungry
Du-n when I am done eating, playing, etc
qwa-ka for crackers...or really anything like a cracker, like bread, rice cakes, etc

I also have many animal sounds:

baa--for sheep and goats
hahaha (panting) for dog
snorting for pig
quack for duck
arf arf...coupled with clapping for sea lions
oo-oo for monkeys
fish kiss sounds for fish
bzzz for a bee
elephant sound coupled with trunk motion

I understand a lot more than I can speak. I am also very free with hugs and kisses. And I am constantly smiling.

And lastly this week, I have discovered that my finger fits perfectly in my nostrils, so I store my finger there frequently. My parents are very proud.

But so that is not your last (mental) image of me, here are some photos taken since my birthday party:

Taking a bath in a sink:

Building the Taj Mahal
Showing off the t-shirt that Tio Tom and Tia Kristen sent me from Spain
Just cute:
I really love those red blocks
Get me out of here
Oh, that's better. hey mom, leaves and dirt are delicious
Kissing and hugging good friend Daniela
Reading the paper.
Happily walking
Practicing with mom
More cute:
Cuteness abounds
Here mom, take this elephant
Playing with 2 cans of Mandarin oranges with dad's good friend Matt Nerney