Staycation 2009

We weren't quite brave enough to take a trip with a newborn and toddler this summer so we decided to save a little money and a lot of sanity and stay here in Charlotte. Our staycation started on Friday and lasted though Tuesday with having daddy home. Although Dave didn't get much rest, it was super nice for me to have an extra set of hands here! We did venture out Monday to the zoo in Columbia . . . and let me tell you, Mondays are definitely the days to go! The zoo was practically empty and we had a blast. It was so nice not being shoved around and being able to let Savannah walk freely around with us. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Savannah and daddy watching the gorillas being fed. We found it very interesting that they only eat vegetables and fruit. We also learned that they have a type of hierarchy where the "in charge" gorilla is always fed first. It's amazing what you can learn when you aren't rushed around!

Savannah insisted, and I mean insisted, on having a picture taken with daddy on ALL of the metal animals!

Yet another picture on an animal statue!

This is by far my favorite picture. Notice that there isn't another person anywhere close. Savannah loved feeding the giraffe!

Not the greatest picture, but just wanted to remember that Preston and mommy were there too! You can see the stinky elephants in the background.

Check out Savannah's face! Clearly, it was time to go home!

So today we're attempting to get back to some type of routine . . . although Harris Teeter is having triples again this week and the big consignment sales are this weekend so I'm not sure exactly how routine life will be! :)

Our Ballerina

Today was Savannah's first official ballet class!! To say that she was excited was probably quite an underestimation because she was almost bouncing off the walls before we left this morning. She woke up talking about her ballet class and is still talking about it now even as we're back home.

Here she is in the studio, ready to start class. After dropping her off we headed down the hall to watch her on the TV screen. It was so cute to see the little girls (and one boy) all dancing around. While I was busy watching Savannah on the TV, Dave kept our little man busy.

Past, Present, and Future

PAST

This past weekend was yet another example of just how in control God is!! Long story short, we put our car on Craig's list last Sunday afternoon and by Friday it was sold. Although we didn't get exactly what we wanted, it was a done deal, cash in hand by Saturday morning. Our "new" van arrived Monday afternoon so not once did we have to juggle 3 cars or go without enough cars! Woo hoo! So, on Saturday we said good bye to my car. ;( I didn't think it would be such a sad experience, but I really loved that car. After all, it did bring both of my babies home from the hospital for the first time.

Then, I headed off to Burlington, alone, to say goodbye to mom's house. It was a haven for me and my brother for so many years and for lots of our friends as well. I have lots of special memories there that will never go away, but I finally decided it was only healthy for me to go one last time and say good bye.

PRESENT

I am loving life. Okay, well loving my babies and learning to tolerate the mess is a better way to put it. Is Preston cute or what?! He is doing SO much better on his new formula . . . still not sleeping through the night (or even close) but a lot less fussy! Nothing warms my heart more than seeing him laugh and smile, which he does frequently.

It's also Dave's birthday today!!! Happy Birthday baby! I am so thankful for a husband that has stuck by my side through the craziness of life. I couldn't have made it through these past few months without him. Although I won't disclose his age, let's just say he's now closer to 40 than 30. We're planning to have a "nice" birthday dinner at the ever-so-kid-friendly Red Robin and then will open some presents later tonight.

FUTURE

Hallelujah, school started for Savannah today!! Our future is looking much brighter and better for everyone now that school is back in session. No more downtown for this little girl, she in the "upstairs school" now! Savannah had a great day with her new teachers and friends.

A Snake in the Air

I have to say that I think we were due to have a great day today. After several days of a non-stop screaming, non-napping infant I finally have had a day to enjoy!! Thank you Lord! Maybe it's because there was NOTHING on the calendar, maybe it's because the weather is so beautiful, maybe it's because Preston is just too exhausted to cry anymore, or just maybe it's because I know Dave will be here in less than 3 hours to help me, but whatever the cause today has been almost perfect! Although I haven't stopped working I feel renewed and ready to tackle the afternoon.

I have to share a quick story from this morning. We were out on a walk (yes, no running today, Dave said I need to let my legs rest at least twice a week) and I was trying to get Preston to keep the pacifier in his mouth when the following conversation took place with Savannah:

S - Mommy there's a snake.
Me - WHERE??
S - Over there, in the air
Me - What? WHERE??
S - I TOLD YOU (very sassy like), over there, in the air
Me (now a little panicked) - Savannah, I don't see a snake, where is it? In the tree?
S (now pointing up) - Noooo! Up there mommy, a snake in the air
Me - you mean the smoke from the plane?
S - yes, I told you, a snake in the air

I'm not sure whether she just thought it looked like a snake or if she thought that smoke was called snake, either way, I laughed the rest of the way home!

Saturday Stuff

Savannah playing with Preston during tummy time!

Today has been a fun-filled, super busy day! We started off the morning with a family run. It was awfully hot, but fun to run all together, mostly because I let Dave "experience" our new jogging stroller! :) Then, Dad and Deborah, Maddie and Dillon, and my grandmother came up for the day. The kids had a blast playing and we had cake for Dave and my Dad's birthdays. I hate that the picture I took of them with the cake was all blurry, but believe me we all enjoyed the yummy cake. After they left, we spent the afternoon completing a few household projects. I finally got our wall gallery hung, gave Dave a haircut, and did dishes. We are now just getting the kids to bed. Whew! So, although I still can't see the top of my desk to even find the to-do list, we had a productive day!!

An aside, I'm FINALLY back in my contacts as of this morning. Praise the Lord!!!

My Two New Favorites

Well, after Preston's appointment last week where Dr. Baker assured me it was okay to put him in the jogging stroller I've been itching to get out and run with the two kids! I know, I'm crazy, but ever since last October when my doctor discovered the cyst and I was told that I couldn't run, I've been envious of people out running, especially ones jogging with children. So, today I got out the awesome new stroller (my first new favorite thing) that my dad gave us as a baby gift, loaded up the two kids, grabbed my new muzzle mace, a pacifier, burp rag, house key, and cell phone and off we went! I was amazed at how far I actually made it jogging with 2 kids, but this stroller is incredible! I actually think that it's easier to push than our single jogger was with one kid. I only made it a little shy of 18 minutes because these hills are going to take some getting used to again, but I was excited to be able to make it that far. Preston LOVED riding not being so strapped down and of course Savannah loved being right beside of Preston. Christy, Laura, and Elizabeth get out those strollers because I'm ready for some nice runs once it's cooler out!

Since now I officially have no excuse to avoid exercise, I've decided to start my diet back. I have felt just awful lately and really want to get this baby weight plus a good extra 25 pounds off so today is the day. It's going to be hard to be good with Dave's birthday coming up, but I have to remember that moderation is the key! Above is a picture of my second favorite thing, Nestle Pure Life Water with a splash of fruit. I only bought it because is was B1G1 at Harris Teeter a few weeks ago and I had a .75 coupon that tripled, but it is super delicious. Every diet goes much better with lots of water, so this will be a regular in our house from now on!

No More Travelling

We have officially decided that the Bachmann Four are staying put until we have a new, bigger van! For two weekends in a row we've made day trips to visit family and they have been nightmare trips home on the road. Today we ended up stuck in traffic on 85 and what should have been a 1 1/2 hour trip ended up being 2 hours and 15 minutes . . . 45 extra minutes with two tired children is too much! So, the hunt has begun for a new car. We did have fun visiting Dave's family though. We enjoyed a nice lunch out, and then had delicious cookies with Brusters Ice cream to celebrate the August and September birthdays. Fun times!