16 weeks

Sophia has turned four months as of the 22nd. The pediatrician says her numbers look good as far as her weight and height. Her skin looked a little dry so we need to make an effort to keep her skin lotioned up and in good shape. Amanda went and got some better products for her today and has been coaching me on more appropriate techniques. Ability-wise Sophia is doing more and more all the time. She can turn to either side, but not quite roll over yet. She can grasp things and give them a good shake for a little bit of time. She is trying to put her hands and whatever they have in them to her mouth all the time. She usually has some bi of a drool, and spits up her diet from time to time. She can stand with assistance really well, but can't sit up straight yet on her own. If we put her on her tummy, she can hold her head up for a while but gets tired and fussy after a moment or so. At night she has really settled into a routine of feeding until full, getting the pacifier and then falling asleep and being swaddled into her bassinet until the morning. The only real issue we are having is getting a decent nap during the day. Amanda says she can't really get her to take more than a twenty minute nap when I am away and as a result she is unable to do as much as she would like during the day.  I get to spend time with her when I am home, but during this time of the year I have to be out when I can.

We have been able to take Sophia out on a couple of occasions in public without incident. She usually falls asleep during the ride over and stays asleep while we eat also. Amanda can't help but be anxious during that time.

The farming is going really well this year. We brought in a ton of money, have paid most of the bills and are stocking up on things we need. I have just as much money coming in the first of the year, but need to do as much planning as I can. The last time I grossed over six figures, my tax bill was nearly twenty thousand. I can do some things to reduce that figure but will likely have just as big a tax bill this spring. Amanda is happy that we are paying off some of the debts, and are able to plan some nice things to do in the future. All in all, this is just a good year and we can easily have a bad year and struggle heavily. The bosses and myself have become frustrated with raising tobacco and are going to cut back for the 2013 crop. I am going to cut back to zero acres and pounds and need to consider ways to produce income. I want to do some training and get a CDL so I can drive a truck for some more income regardless of any other work I can find. We can haul grain to a better paying elevator and make more money right away doing that. However we only grow so many crops and need more to really justify our own costly rig. I think I would be able to haul and drive some for my relatives once we get out of season. Amanda hasn't said so but she is concerned about my sleepiness when driving and being able to afford a truck and any associated costs. I understand her concerns but farming works best when supplementary income is present.

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