Aubrey at 5 (and a 1/2-oops!) Months

Yeah, I'm waay behind! There are many reasons, mostly just that it's a busy time and Aubrey keeps me on my toes these days. Also, there are a lot of new things happening with our little family. I should start there, I guess . . .

Chad has been really progressing at work. I mentioned previously that he's been getting some side jobs to make extra money and that allows me to stay home with Aubrey. Well, it's going so well that he and his business partner have decided to start their own business together. It's complicated, but basically, they are a one-stop shop for apartment complexes when "turning" their units. Maintenance, cleaning, painting, new fencing, sand volleyball courts, etc. They can do it all and we think that even with the economy struggling, we'll have steady business since the apartments are always hopping around here. We have truly been blessed this year and I thank God every day for that! Also, I've been doing some simple accounting work from home. I was doing this before at the law firm because the lawyers own this other business too, but, since I wanted to stay home with Aubrey, I offered to continue just the bookkeeping from home. It doesn't pay much, but it helps. Well, a few weeks ago, I was contacted by the attorney's daughter who asked if I would also keep the books for her husbands construction company. It's nothing too difficult, so I agreed. Plus, I'll be keeping the books for our new business as well. So, I now have 3 jobs and a baby! Now you can see why I'm so busy!

Back to Aubrey! She is blossoming and growing so much! A few days before her 5-month-birthday, she started laughing at us on her own (as in without being tickled or anything). She is smiling much more at everybody, not just me and Chad. And she is talking more. She makes the funniest noises!! You just never know what she'll do next. Today, she was playing in her walker and yelling/squealing with delight. She is a loud child! But so adorable. A couple of days ago, she started laughing at the dogs! We were just sitting on the couch and she looked at the dogs and started giggling at them. Chad and I were so surprised.

We've had both grandmas visit this past month. She had a blast playing with them and getting all that attention. And it really helped me get more stuff done. She went through a brief phase where she screamed when she saw a stranger, but seems to have overcome that for now. She has a few bumps on her gums where teeth are trying to come in, but nothing yet. We think she will be crawling any day now. She gets up on her arms and even on her knees, but then just ends up rolling over to her back. She hasn't quite figured out yet that she can crawl from that position too. She scoots sometimes, but mostly just rolls wherever she wants to go. She has rolled all over the living room floor exploring all the furniture. She really enjoyed it when I put up the Christmas tree and we took her outside in her walker to watch us put up the lights. She has really done well eating her baby foods. She loves eating everything I've given her, both fruits and veggies! I am very grateful that she can sit up well enough now to sit in the grocery cart or in a high-chair at a restaurant because a) she is too heavy to carry around in her carseat and b)when I do take her in her carseat it takes up too much room.

We have been really blessed with a happy baby. She sleeps well, at least 2 naps a day and all night, she's usually smiling and happy to play and only cries when she really needs something. I am so thankful!

I know this may not make a lot of sense, but it's late and I'm writing as I remember things. I was trying to wait to write this until I'd uploaded her 5 month pictures I took, but I just haven't found the time for that either. Soon, I promise!

Happy Holidays!
--Amy