6 months today

Hard to believe but Avery is already 6 months old.  Time goes so fast.  She is still toothless but teething like crazy.  She is also up on hands and knees.  Rocking like crazy and pretty good at going backwards.  She has found herself stuck under the couch several times already.  Not too good at going forward yet although sometimes she kind of just jousts herself forward.  She is turning and rolling everywhere.  She also loves her jumper.  She hasn't been sleeping the best since our trip home but I am hopeful it will improve.  She is also not a huge fan of baby food, especially the fruits.  I think they are too tart for her.  She is also pretty good at sitting up.  Almost well enough for her 6 month pictures.  She absolutely knows her name and loves to hear it.  She adores her sisters.  Daddy too!  She is still somewhat perplexed by her reflection but likes to look at it.  She loves her thumb!!   Today Jerry took her for her well visit.  The nurses were so impressed that he was there with her by himself.  He is such a great dad.  I told him if this job in Birmingham doesn't work out he has become one heck of a good house wife.  She weighed in at 17 lbs 11 ounces (80% percentile) and was 25.5 inches long (50%)  She has the shortest chubbiest hands and fingers.  It's so cute.  She took her shots like a champ.  As soon as she saw Jerry he said she just laughed.  She gets so excited she just gets both her arms and legs going at the same time.  Her laugh, like Ansley's, is totally contagious.  She is a happy happy kid!

New Year brings New Blessings

So I had the pleasure of working New Years weekend again.  Jerry is such a trooper and had the kiddos for 3 straight days and nights.  During that time I was able to reflect on what was probably one of the hardest but most blessed years for us as a family.  Financially it was a tight one.  In all of our married years we have never made so little, yet somehow neither of us could think of one thing we felt like we did without.  Ally has had the most difficult start of the school year thus far but we are finally making progress in the fact that she is being tested and we should have some answers soon.  My third pregnancy was definitely a hard one physically but I was blessed with the birth I have always wanted, natural and quick.  The best part, a beautiful baby girl who we couldn't imagine living without.  A lot of fighting between the girls lately but also some of those sweet tender moments that make it all worth it.  The blessing of a husband worthy to baptize a child of God, and a daughter faithful enough to desire it.  A husband who after much struggle and defeat finally passed his comps.  An adjunct position at the University of Hartford to help pay for some extra expenses.  A crazy year of weather, 70 plus inches of snow over the winter, an earthquake, a tornado, a hurricane and then a freak winter storm in October.  A total of 12 days without power but a stronger testimony of the blessings of preparedness and heeding the words of the prophet.  It has truly been an amazing year.  And if all of that wasn't enough in what was almost the final hour of the year we received one of the biggest blessing we have EVER received.  A job offer better than any we could ever imagine.  So with that we look forward to our next big adventure in Birmingham Alabama!  We are sad to see this chapter of our lives coming to an end.  We will miss so much about Ct but we are thrilled to see what the future hold for us.  I truly believe that the Lord works in ways we will never fully comprehend.  He loves us and wants to bless us.  I am grateful and humbled by the trials and blessings of this past year and look forward to 2012.  Happy New Year!!!!