Giving Thanks

I really did have every intention of writing in my blog more often, but wow...my life is so busy! Reflecting back a year ago today, I was around nine weeks pregnant and Cory and I were going to the doctor for our second ultrasound. I am going to share what I wrote in my pregnancy diary to Savannah...

"We are now nine weeks pregnant and wow have you grown!!! Mommy started her new job today at the elementary school (Nov. 24). Everyone at work is excited to meet you because I can’t stop talking about you! I’m still going to bed early every night, which daddy is really enjoying! I told him we better enjoy all the sleep we can before you get here because I have a feeling that everything will change soon after your arrival!

We had our second sonogram today (Nov. 27th) and you have gotten so much bigger. We could actually see your body this time. We saw your head and arms and legs! The doctor told us you were very active. You were moving around side to side. You stretched out and curled back into a ball, which made all of us smile (even the doctor). Daddy teared up when he saw you, but didn’t tell me about that until later in the day. I don’t know how to put into words how awesome it is to you see you and see you moving around. It is hard to explain how you can love someone you have never even meet so much! Daddy & I couldn’t stop smiling after the sonogram. We talked about you and your arrival a lot today. We are wondering who you are and what characteristics of ours you will have. I will have to say that this was the best Thanksgiving ever! After our appointment we stopped by Aunt Kasey and Uncle Brady’s to show them your picture. They were really excited for us and amazed at how much you had grown. After stopping over there, mommy & daddy went home to start cooking Thanksgiving dinner. We are having a bunch of people over today for a late lunch/dinner. Mommy cooked green bean casserole, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, and rolls. Daddy fried the turkey and it was so delicious. He was so excited to use his new turkey fryer that mommy bought him. Aunt Kasey and Uncle Brady made homemade mac’ n cheese, sweet potato casserole, a ham, and lots of yummy desserts. We had a great time and enjoyed everyone’s company. We e-mailed everyone your newest pictures and they were also amazed at how much you had grown. Grandy (OMA) told me that I hadn’t seen anything yet…there was a lot of growing to come!"

Looking back...it's crazy how much has changed over the past year. Savannah has entered our lives and we couldn't be happier. Being her mom and dad has been the best blessing Cory and I have ever received. She brings so much joy and happiness into our lives every day with her beautiful smile and cute little giggle. She really makes every day worth living. If there is anyone in this world I want to really make proud it is my daughter. She LOVES to talk and share her ideas with mom and dad...and well, anyone that will listen for that matter. She is eating more and growing every day! We are going to start her on baby food in the coming weeks. We are having about fifteen to twenty people over for Thanksgiving this year and are so excited that Savannah and her best friend/boyfriend Owen get to join in the fun! They have matching outfits and we can't wait to take pictures and post them for everyone to see! We are wondering if Savannah is going to crawl or just bi-pass it completely like I did...she is rolling EVERYWHERE. It's getting to the point where I really have to keep my eye on her. Today she was on her play-mat one second and the next second she had rolled all the way across the rug...mind you, it's not a small rug! LOL It was too cute and she was so proud of herself...she was just talking and smiling and laughing when I caught her. She is definitely going to keep us on our toes in the months and years to come.

We will be traveling in two weeks back to the states and we are SO excited...we will get 20 days at home with family and friends. Our friend Ashley will be taking our pictures on December 12th and we are so excited! We had family pictures done when Savannah was six weeks old and the photographer just fell of the face of the earth and decided she wasn't going to respond to my messages or send us our pictures. I was very disappointed because that is a time we will never be able to re-capture. We are so thankful to Ashley for doing our pictures & we can't wait to see her, her little girls, and the results of the pics! Thanks girl :)

If anyone has any advice on traveling with an infant, it is definitely welcomed! We have a ten to eleven hour flight on the way home and to be honest I'm VERY nervous. I'm still breastfeeding but I mostly pump and give bottles so I'm hoping Savannah just breastfeeds on the plane to make things easier...not to mention, I have an industrial pump so it only plugs in, meaning I won't be able to use it on the plane. Again...I'm very nervous! lol Luckily we bought her a ticket so she would have her own seat and space, making it a little easier on ourselves (I HOPE) I really hope she adjusts okay to the time change...especially when we make our trip back to Germany! I've heard many horror stories!

Anyways...to my family and friends Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!! :)