Gifts of Time

I am a firm believer in that there are no coincidences, that God is in complete control of every. single. thing! Today proved to be no exception. Over Christmas we discovered a "bump" in Savannah's scalp that we thought was a mole. After a quick trip to our pediatrician we were referred to a dermatologist with a diagnosis of a small hemangioma, not an emergency, but definitely something we needed to get checked out. Long story short, today was the appointment and I planned to pick her up from school, run 2 errands and then head to Ft. Mill with Preston in tow for Savannah's appointment. However, in my rush to gather everything I needed for the errands, school, etc I managed to forget Preston's milk . . . which I realized once we were in SC and Preston was screaming his head off! Thank God that today just happened to be the day that Aunt Cherry wanted to come and visit. She called this morning and wanted to stop by to visit the kids. After a little thought she decided to tag along to the appointment, which was a huge gift of her time to give up the entire afternoon for us. I honestly could not have made it without her. She kept a very hungry Preston occupied in the lobby while I sat with Savannah getting her bump removed. (As a side not, she did awesome and didn't even cry!) There is no doubt that God knew I couldn't possibly handle what I had planned, trying to hold a hungry infant and nurture a toddler getting shots to the scalp, so He sent us a helper who just happened to be willing to lend a hand today.

Anyway, Cherry and I talked today about gifts and how some of the best gifts are simply gifts of time. (She was actually talking about the labor intensive making ravioli by hand, but I'm talking about just plain time!) Now I'm not saying the gifts we received weren't awesome, because honestly I'm ADDICTED to our new Wii fit, but how thankful I am for her willingness to give us such a special gift today, her time!

A Moment in Time

I realized yesterday that I am loving this stage of life with Preston and Savannah! It's only taken 6 months, but I feel like we are finally to a phase of contentedness with sweet Preston. He is on a decent schedule, is sleeping well at night and is just too cute to watch! If I could freeze time I would . . . well, minus the spitting. We had his 6 month pictures done this week and if you click this link and scroll down you'll find Preston on the photographer's blog. It was too cute not to share! http://www.sproutsbyheather.blogspot.com/

Then there's Savannah. She is seriously a sponge and is absorbing every word that is said around here. She told Dave all about how "if you leave people in the car then you go to jail". We had a conversation previously about why she couldn't just wait in the car while I went into Harris Teeter. Then the funniest thing had to be when a girl scout came selling cookies and Savannah yells "mommy, it's the police lady again". Anyway, she is so smart and genuine. If she thinks it, she says it. There was a new student in WEE school this week and according to Savannah "she fussed A LOT". So this morning she made her a card before school and even "called" her on the way to school to make sure she wasn't fussing. What a heart she has!

Dear Lord, thank you so much for these amazing gifts you have blessed us with. I am so thankful to be called mommy by such wonderful children!

Christmas with the Bachmanns

Our little family

A big family picture

The kids!

Preston is now sitting solo!! Here he is enjoying his favorite thing, the wrapping paper.

This weekend Dave's family came to Charlotte to celebrate Christmas. We had so much fun with Grammy and Papa! Savannah loved having books read to her, Preston loved having so much attention and Dave and I enjoyed being able to play quadruple solitaire!! We also loved meeting baby Ashley who came with her family on Saturday. As usual, we opened a lot of gifts, ate way to much, and had a blast! I guess the Christmas season is officially over for the Bachmann household . . . welcome 2010!

Farewell 2009

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance . . .

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4

A year ago I never could have imagined what the year ahead would hold for our family. We've rejoiced and celebrated God's amazing gifts with the birth of Preston and in watching Savannah grow and develop into a beautiful, smart little lady. However, we've also experienced our saddest days watching my mom die. This side of heaven I'll probably never understand what we've been through and why it happened as it did, but I do know that it was all part of God's perfect plan for us. Although I am anxious to leave this year behind and begin a brand new one, I think it's important to remember the lessons learned, the friends who have walked with us, and above all how faithful the Lord has been to us. We've made more decisions that I care to recall, from surgery options while pregnant to when to go visit mom at Hospice, but each time He led the way. He has truly led us through the fiery furnace. Now here I sit with a healthy, happy family ready to begin a new year, a new decade even . . . and oh how ready we are to laugh and dance through some happier seasons of life!

To our family and friends who've journeyed with us, we couldn't have made it without you. We are forever grateful for your love, support, and encouragement through 2009.

Happy New Year!!

Savannah's Artwork

I just had to share Savannah's latest art pictures. Normally coloring for her lasts about 2 minutes and it's nothing but scribble ALL over the page. However, today she received a super cool gift from one of my nearest and dearest friends and let me tell you I couldn't drag her away from coloring! She chose to color instead of having lunch and that is saying something for this princess. Anyway, when she finished I sat in amazement at how much her coloring has improved. I guess when she's really into something she puts forth a lot of effort because for the most part she actually colored in the lines! In the pink picture she even thought to color Tinkerbell's hair yellow. I sure am proud of my little girl!

Merry Christmas 2009

We started our Christmas festivities early this year and will end them later than normal too. What fun to be able to celebrate Christ's birth for almost two weeks!! Here is a little peek into our fun so far:

Tuesday 12/22: Jamen and his parents came for a visit. It was fun visiting with them, opening gifts, and having lunch out at Chick fil A. I didn't even think to take a picture, but I assure you with Earl (Jamen's dad) here there wasn't a dull moment!

Wednesday 12/23: Denny, Madison, and Dillon came to visit for the morning. Kristin had to work and we missed having her here for sure. It was fun seeing Savannah play with her cousins. They have SO much fun together . . . which makes me sad that they don't get to see each other more often. Anyway, we exchanged gifts and headed to Chick fil A for lunch again. (Now I guess it makes sense why Savannah says "my pleasure" instead of you're welcome)

Me with Maddie, Savannah, and Dillon

Thursday 12/24: This year we had our Christmas with my side of the family here in Charlotte. It was SO nice not to have to pack up two kids and all of their equipment along with the gifts and head out of town. We enjoyed having grandma, dad, Deborah, Mark and Carol here for a late lunch. The food was plentiful and so were the gifts! After Dad and Deborah get through giving gifts, there really is nothing left for Santa to bring. Even Savannah agreed that Santa didn't need to come! What fun it is to experience Christmas through the eyes of a child!

Matching Christmas sweaters!

Preston loves his new sock monkey . . . and Pawpaw too!

Savannah, the rock star!

A family shot (Preston was sleeping)

Pawpaw helping Savannah learn to play her pink Dora guitar. "Now I can be in a big parade!"

Pure joy! She got this hair cut set from Grandma!

Pawpaw, our crazy kids, and Deborah

Friday 12/25: Our little family celebrated Christmas here, in our own house! It was quite a bit different not waking up in mom's house with the smell of a delicious breakfast, but we did it. After opening Santa's gifts I attempted to make mom's french toast (it didn't even come close to hers) and we exchanged our presents. We stayed in our pajamas most of the day and just enjoyed being with our family here at home.

Savannah and Preston with their emptied stockings

Savannah with her new hair cut station! Enough pictures mom, let me play!!

The annual stocking picture

Preston enjoying a gift from Pawpaw and Deborah

We are excited about celebrating Christmas with Dave's side of the family this coming weekend. Now if I can just get all of these toys put away in time! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed precious time with family and friends. If there's one thing I've learned over the past year it's to NEVER EVER take a second with family for granted. It sure was different without mom, but what an incredible Christmas she must have had celebrating Jesus' birth with Him!! She probably even helped bake him a cake and some of her famous maple cream candies. :)

Growing Fast

WOW! It seem like just a few days ago I was updating the blog about Preston's 4 month appointment and here we are at 6 months already! He was a trooper this morning and got a good "check out" as Savannah's calls it. He's still in the 75th percentile weighing 18 pounds, 4 ounces and is 27 inches long! I checked Savannah's baby book and 7 months was a huge development month for her so I'm expecting a similar pattern with Preston this month. We'll see, but I'm hoping he starts saying a word or two and steadys the sitting up. We're enjoying each day with him now, especially since he's spitting a little less and laughing a lot more! What a sweet, happy baby he is most of the time . . . if only he'd sleep a little more. :)