Aubree - 7 1/2 months old. height: 25" (10%), weight: 16.5 lbs (25%), head circ. (75%). She takes after her sisters...(and her Daddy) :) She's getting so big so quickly, time just keeps going faster and faster for me. She'll be crawling pretty soon, but it seems like she should only be 3 months old. I can't even describe how much joy she brings into our home! I think the more kids you have the more you enjoy the baby stage. Preschoolers can sometimes be such a handful and kinda' sassy sometimes, but I never have to worry about Aubree throwing a tantrum (on purpose) or hitting me (to be mean) or saying she'll never play with me again. The worst a baby can do is nothing compared to a 5- or 3-year old!
Ellise - 3 1/2 years. And she is very aware of how she looks too - she brushes her long, beautiful, blonde hair about six times a day and is very picky about what she wears (which is usually a dress or a skirt). I think it's hard for her to be the second child (especially since her big sister has such a dominant personality). So, we have a lot of crying and whining from her, which drives me crazy, but my Mom keeps telling me that she's just trying to figure out how to be seen and heard. We still try to have her take a nap every day (but it usually only happens about 4 days a week). I asked Ellie what she wanted me to say about her on our blog and she said "I love you" - she is a very sensitive and loving person.
Carly - 5 years. People ask us all the time if Carly and Ellie are twins (Carly is only 1 1/2 inches taller than Ellie), which used to really bug Carly, but now she thinks it's funny that they always trick people! Her and Ellie have been getting along pretty well lately (only fighting 30% of the time instead of 60%), I just love to see them playing well together and make-believing with each other - they are so creative! Carly is definitely a leader - she is very good at directing all the other kids (neighbors and friends) when they play house (even if she is supposed to be the baby in the game). I asked Carly what she wanted me to say about her on our blog - "That I'm really nice" - well, she gets an "E" for effort. She really does try, but she takes after her Mom...(not a whole lot of natural patience). I've said this before, but she is just a very passionate girl. Aaron hopes that when she's older she gets called as the R.S. "Passionate" service leader (his version of compassionate service leader I guess) - ha ha!! She asks some of the most interesting questions - she is so curious and eager to learn.
hair-brushing train
Me - I'm not one of those superwomen who can keep up on a blog and be a good mother, wife, housekeeper, enrichment leader, etc. all at the same time. I'm really trying to work on my organizational skills! So, I've been blogging less and watching movies less and going to bed earlier and waking up at 6am (a few days a week) to go walking and read my scriptures (I realized that I need to start my days off better). The biggest reason I decided to start walking is because I usually go through every day feeling tired and in a fog. And I'm sick of feeling so worn out and having to miss out on motherhood because of it. I want my girls to have memories of me playing with them and being cheerful and excited about life. (As I said earlier
"I'm trying".) Most people I talk to who do exercise say they can tell a difference in their energy level, so I'm hoping it works for me. Another reason I've started walking is because I've been blessed with a healthy body, and up to this point I've just taken that for granted, so I want to do something to show that I'm grateful to have a healthy body. I know walking isn't a big deal, but it's a starting point.
Aaron - Still has a job which is seriously a blessing (and a miracle considering how slow things are at his firm and how many landscape architects are out of jobs right now). But, it's still likely that he could lose his job at any time. I just wonder when things will pick back up again. It's interesting to think about where the future might take us! Aaron's been studying for the last two tests in the licensing exam and he takes the tests this weekend. I'm thinking he'll pass and then he will be official! He's also been getting really excited for his big hunt in two weeks with his cousin Terrance. Right now Aaron is carrying Aubree on his shoulders and supervising the other kids outside - such a good Daddy. (Sorry, no picture of Aaron - I just realized that Aaron and I need to actually include ourselves in some of the pictures.)
p.s. Another movie recommendation that I forgot about: BBC's
Little Dorrit (based on the novel by Charles Dickens). Very highly recommend it - both Aaron and I really liked it! Sometimes BBC movies aren't very good with the acting and look low budget, but not this one. Seriously, WAY good acting, awesome story, very well made.
Our little cheerleader
