Aubrey found her toes...

A couple days ago, Aubrey found her toes...but it wasn't until today that the toes went in her mouth. It's funny how I thought she would never put her toes in her mouth, but I guess babies surprise us everyday! Sometimes I feel useless because she is so good at entertaining herself. She even has gotten upset when I try to play with her when she is perfectly content playing alone. She is getting more character each day and I am loving it!

5 months old and very intentional

Aubrey is 5 months old today and I was just chatting with my friend about how I have loved ages 3-5 months. Everything in this stage is so intentional. She smiles because she has a reason, she makes silly noises to get people's attention, she grabs for things of interest to her, she giggles when she finds something to be funny, and she moves all around to get something out of reach. We were talking about how once you get used to a certain stage, they have another milestone waiting around the corner. This makes time fly by too fast! I can't believe she can sit tripod style and is in the beginning stages of crawling (butt in the air, pushing off with feet and knees).

I am really trying to cherish the little stages and every minute I have with her as a baby because before long, she will be all grown up. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time for a little bit. Here are a couple pictures of her at 5 months. We walked to the park today...

Riding the big girl way in the stroller.

Swinging the big girl way in the swing.

Concentrated on the sound of the ice cream truck.

Her signature Zoolander face.

Sitting up on the couch the big girl way.

Aubrey's Halloween Photos...

I realized I never posted Aubrey's Halloween JC Penny photos because I wanted to wait until everyone got their Halloween cards. Here they are...

Friends, food, fellowship...

Tonight we had two couples from our small group (Matt and Adriana and Paul and Amy) and some friends from college (Shaun and Erica) over for dinner. We made hamburgers, fruit salad, and roasted shrimp orzo salad. The best part was the dessert...coffee cake and special coffee drinks that I love making for everyone. I got the salad recipe from the Food Network (Barefoot Contessa) and I thought I would try it. It was a big hit so I am going to share the recipe...Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Kosher salt
Good olive oil
3/4 pound orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
Freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds (16 to 18 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts
1 cup chopped fresh dill
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
1/2 cup small-diced red onion
3/4 pound good feta cheese, large diced

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.

Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through. Don't overcook!

Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.

Trunk or Treat...

Last night our church had Trunk or Treat. Basically, members of the church decorate their cars and pass out candy to kids who walk from car to car. They had a big blow up slide and some snacks. Although Aubrey couldn't enjoy the treats, we took her to show her costume off to all of our friends. It was fun seeing all of the little kids and families in costume. I was afraid to take her because she missed her afternoon nap, but she actually did really well. It wasn't until around 7:00 that she was really ready to leave.

Smiling at Mommy when we first got there.

Over it...

Just the family...

Aubs and Daddy...

Aubrey finally has a little more coordination with her hands. Here is a silly video of her shaking her favorite little lady bug rattle.

Rice cereal video...