Emma started doing this at 3 months, but at 5 months, she's got it down! Haha.

Happy New Years!

Today is the first day of 2009 and our precious little girl is 5 months old today. How amazing it is to see how fast time passes. As I reflect on what God has done in 2008, I am amazed and in awe. Christmas Day a Year ago we found out we were expecting, just a year later we have a precious five month old. So that is how 2008 started for us with the knowledge that we might have a baby... the year met us with hardship, trials, and triumph. All to the glory of our God. My difficult pregnancy had me home on bed rest for most of the year. Many of our friends got married. Many of our friends became pregnant. We moved in April to our current 2 bedroom heaven on Earth. Paola celebrated her 29th birthday. She also celebrated 5 years at Grace to You in June. Our little Emma came into the world one month earlier than expected on August 1st. Paola stopped working for Grace to You to be a full-time wife and mommy. Jon lost his job a week later. Come October, we took our first family vacation in Cabo San Lucas. We celebrated our two year anniversary. Jon celebrated his 32nd birthday. Jon got a job in Woodland Hills. He got another job 2 weeks later at Grace Community Church. Emma celebrated her 1st Thanksgiving and Christmas, now New Year.

Christmas Eve and Christmas day marked Emma doing new things we have never seen before. Christmas Eve her Tito Mike noticed that she was signing "milk", and sure enough she was hungry. No more crying when she wants to be fed, now she asks us for milk with her little hand. If we don't realize it then she'll scream. Christmas Day I heard her via her monitor as she baby talked and seemed to grumble. I went to check on her to find her attempting to turn from her tummy to her back, as she tried and I encouraged her, she would look at me and smile then go back to pushing and wiggling. She did that until she accomplished it. Later that day I heard her laugh for the first time. It's a joy to watch Emma grow and learn new skills. We're still trying to teach her to say Mama or Dada on demand, but all we get is "Aaaaaah" with the occasional "mama" when she cries.

We are looking forward to all that 2009 brings. Wishing you the very best. Thank you for your friendship, prayers, and love.

The Perdido's