Still Congested . . .

This is week FOUR of Preston's congestion! I thought things were getting better and had partly convinced myself that the off and on cough was just reflux, but today things have definitely gotten worse. He has spit up more than ever (actually thrown up would be a better description), and now the spit up is coming out of his mouth and nose. He has completely filled his laundry basket in one day. So off we go again tomorrow to the doctor for the fourth time in four weeks. Please pray that we get some answers and can find something to help this congestion go away.

Thankful

I cannot believe Thanksgiving has come and gone already! Is it really almost December?! We've done a lot of travelling since Thursday, but have enjoyed spending time with almost all of our family. On Thursday we travelled to Greenville and had Thanksgiving with Dave's family. We had a feast and enjoyed spending time with the Weningers (Dave's brother in law's family). I was busy keeping up with Savannah and trying to keep Preston happy so I totally forgot to take the annual family picture! :( Then today we ventured to Burlington to have Thanksgiving with my side of the family. Of course there was yet another feast, which Deborah cooked all herself! YUMMY! Here are a few pictures from today..

Reflecting back over this year has made me realize just how much we have to be thankful for. Yes, it's been hard, but I'm so thankful for the journey. It's amazing to see how God has changed me and has really drawn me closer to Him throughout the year. That in itself is plenty to be thankful for, but we have oh so much more to give thanks for this Thanksgiving. I'll be the first to say that it's been different and definitely sad at times, but I could never express how thankful I am for all of the blessings . . . for an amazing husband who has walked me through this past year, two happy and healthy children, a loving family both near and far, my sitting shivah friends from Bible study, friends from high school and college that still stay in touch, a church home, great neighbors and the list could go on and on.

I also have to say that I'm thankful to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that my mom is healthy, happy, and loving life at the feet of Jesus. Thank you Lord for the assurance that one day soon I'll see her again and be able to live with her forever. Oh what a reminder it is not to take one single day for granted here on earth . . . and to be ever so thankful for each day!

Christmas Decorating

Well, yesterday was the day. I've been doing quite a bit of holiday shopping and listening to a ridiculous amount of Christmas music on the radio so I decided that it was time to break out the Christmas decorations. I knew that we have a lot of travelling ahead of us, that Dave has to work both Wednesday and Friday, then there's month end, again, and another trip to FL for Dave so we decided to go ahead and start decorating for Christmas. We're a loooooong way from being finished, but it has begun.

Parent's Preview Day at Ballet

Today was the day that parents were finally allowed to be in the room for ballet lessons! Usually Dave takes Savannah and enjoys watching her on the TV from the lobby, but today parents were invited to preview their song for the showcase that is coming up in December. It was so cute and although it threw sweet Preston's "schedule" way off, it was fun to go as a family!

5 Months Already??

It seems like just yesterday that we were bring sweet Preston home from the hospital, and now here we are, 5 months later! He has changed so much in these past few weeks and is really developing his own little personality. So far his favorites include:

• ATTENTION! He loves to have your undivided attention and will make sure he has it.



• Milk (the expensive kind, and lots of it)



• Pulling Hair (especially his sister's)



• The jumparoo



• His exersaucer



• Slobbering on his sister's stuffed animals



• Squealing



• His blue lovey blanket



• Musical giraffe



• Green Soothie Pacifiers (for teething mostly)

He doesn't particularly care for tummy time or naps, but we're working on both of those! As of this past week we finally have a routine. I'm hesitant to call it a schedule because those always change, but we are definitely getting into a regular pattern of sleeping and eating that seems to work for us all!

Turkey Cookies

My friend Kristin invited us over for a play date and some cookie making yesterday. Needless to say Savannah was up before the crack of dawn ready to go to Anna Kate's house and play! After we got there the girls played together for quite awhile before we starting making our turkey cookies. Miss Kristin had two different types of cookies and the girls loved making turkeys . . . and eating them too! Here are a few pictures from our morning.

The princesses heading to the ball!

Savannah's with her turkey cookies

Squealing

Today is the day that Preston chose to perfect his squealing. I have been a little worried that he hasn't done it yet because apparently that is something that happens before 5 months. I haven't quite figured out if he does it to hear himself, out of joy, or because he's frustrated, but never the less he is doing it A LOT!

We have enjoyed the beautiful weather over the weekend and today. Yesterday we made raking the leaves a family affair and spent lots of time outside. Today Savannah had a friend over and they too did lots of squealing . . . only I know they were having a blast! I should have taken pictures of them blowing bubbles, riding the Barbie jeep (which Savannah crashed into the mailbox), and playing on the playset. Savannah was FILTHY when she came in!

Tomorrow is a WEE school day (woo hoo) and Family night at WEE school. Savannah and her class will be performing "God Loves You and Me" on stage for all of the parents. It should be interesting, not to mention funny!

Savannah's Funnies

I wish I kept better track of the hilarious things Savannah says . . . it's amazing how her little mind works these days and all of the things she can remember! Here are a couple of things that made me smile:

The first happened Friday night while we were saying our prayers. Now we're still working with Savannah on how to pray, but tonight her prayer was exactly what I was thinking, " Dear Jesus, please help the telephone to stop ringing." I love it!

Tonight we had family movie night and Savannah got to watch her first movie EVER!! We watched Tinkerbell and when the movie was over she says, "Mommy, when I grow up I want to be a Tinkerbell."

So, although my house is again a disaster, I rocked Preston to sleep tonight thinking how blessed I am to have such an incredible and healthy family.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

Well Preston finally learned to roll from his stomach to his back!! He's been rolling back to stomach for several weeks now, but much to our dismay, he couldn't figure out how to roll back onto his back. I thought he had figured it out last night when I found him on his back a ways away from where I put him down . . . but it was confirmed this morning when he took a huge roll right off of Savannah's bed. That's right, he rolled off of her bed, hit the nightstand and ended face up on the floor. I have been a mess all morning, but thankfully we saw the doctor and she said he was just fine. Whew! It all happened so fast and I know it's my fault for putting him on the bed, but it didn't help that I had a helpless 3 year old who couldn't put her panties on by herself either!