spring break eleven...

It's been no work and all play for us Bachman's this week! Originally, we had thought of taking a couple of short trips over the break, but being the procrastinators that we are, were unable to book rooms at the last minute. Now, I'm happy that those plans didn't work out. We've had a really fun-filled week and have been able to take advantage of some neat places around home. We started out the week at Ray's Splash Planet, which neither of us had visited before. We went not really knowing what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised! They had lots of water fun for both little and big kids (including Jesse and I). Eli had a blast! From the brochure that I picked up, it looks like they offer all kinds of fun activities, including Mom & Tot stuff. So...I think we'll be spending a lot more time there this summer : )

On Tuesday, we spent the morning playing with Eli's bubble mower outside. He loves to pretend to mow and water the lawn like his Daddy. In the afternoon, we took Eli to watch planes at the airport. We also ate some yummy tacos and cheese muffins at Jim and Nick's BBQ. We had been there several times before, but not on Taco Tuesday. It was great and cheap, which makes it even better : )

On Wednesday morning, we headed to Huntersville to Discovery Place Kids. I can't say enough good things about that place...they thought of everything! From the farm section where kids can pretend to milk the cow, to the market section where they can pretend to ring up groceries, to the cafe section where they can pretend to serve their parents food...it was all really cool! They, too, had lots of activities for little and big kids. For lunch, we went across the street to a little cafe, Cafe 100, I think. It was a really cute place, with nice outside seating and great food. Jesse loved that they serve breakfast all day. This is another place that we will definitely visit again soon : )

sisters & tables

Interesting combination, huh? Actually, it's the make-up of my favorite Sister-to-Sister event that our ladies' group at church holds each year...our table decorating contest! We call it a contest, but everyone wins some category for their table. It's really our excuse to get together for some good girl talk, food and worship. This year was probably the most fun yet and I think everyone did a really great job on their tables! My table was filled with some of my most favorite people who are very dear to me. Here are some pics!

How Sweet It is To Be Loved By You~ Margo B.

There's No Place Like Home~ Jean H.

Sweet Jesus~ Paige & Teika

Citrus Breeze~ Terry R.

Mardi Gras~ Pat R.

"Down to Earth" was the name of my table this year. I was really happy with the finished product considering that I purchased almost all of my supplies at the Dollar Tree, tie-dyed the table cloth myself, and gathered odds & ends from around the house to create it.

Ken & I

Sweet Maw-Maw, Debbie & Ken

Marjorie & Annie~ My Priceless Great-Aunts

Angie & Melinda

where do i begin?

There's entirely too much ground to cover from the last year and a half, so I'm going to sum it up. For 30 years I listened to people talk about how children change your life. Never, in a million years would I have imagined that things would change as much as they have. And, most importantly, I had never, ever imagined that I could have a love as great as this for my child.

I went through pregnancy trying to set no expectations for the little boy inside of me, but let's face it...it's nearly impossible. Eli has by far exceeded my expectations for how I envisioned him to be.

Don't get me wrong, he's not perfect. In fact, we're spending a good bit of our time right now working on hitting and throwing toys...and let me tell you, it's no fun at all. But, Eli's excitement for life and bold spirit make me smile. With his strong-willed nature, I can foresee many battles in the days to come, but I am fully trusting in the Lord's protection and guidance for Eli. My greatest desire for him is to become a man after God's own heart who will boldly proclaim His great name! The second part should be no problem at all considering he is quite possibly the loudest little boy I know.

Anyway...I'm hoping that I'll do better at keeping everyone updated on happenings in the Bachman family. Here are a few pics we've taken along our journey as parents thus far...

First picture...

Winter 2011...

We've come a long way BABY!

stay tuned...

I'm gonna try really hard to get back in the habit of blogging! It's only been over a year and a half since I posted last : ) Much has happened in the Bachman family since then!

e's place

I'm so excited about this post! Eli's nursery is finally finished, with the exception of Mammaw Browne's chair. It's still with the upholsterer (is that a word?) but should be ready soon. This room has quickly become my favorite room in the house. I love to go in and picture little man in his crib. I also love to open his closet and smell the clothes and blankies! Thanks to Mammaw for helping me wash them all last week...what a job! Before even starting on the nursery, I wrote in E's baby book about what I wanted it to be like. I wanted it to be comfortable, filled with items that hold memories, and home-made as much as possible. Although I still have a few small things I want to do, I feel like it has become all that I had hoped. I have been so blessed to have a husband who was just as involved in the nursery decorating as I and many others who have added in some way. I am also very thankful that I have been blessed with a healthy pregnancy that allowed me to do a lot myself. Here are some pics of my new favorite place...



I used embroidery hoops to make these...
curtains by Sarah and I...
moo cow mobile...wish I could have made these myself...

this is a basket that Jesse's grandma Lil has had for years. She gave it to us when we were at her house for Christmas...I love it...

I used more embroidery hoops to make these...elephant, cow, duck

I also decided to make a valance for his bathroom...
our friend Michelle's sister handed down this rocking horse to us...Jesse stained and painted it to match the room...I love him too...
this is a poem written by my precious friend Gwen...
it's entitled "Eli's Prayer"...I have to share it with you...

Baby boy conceived in love, designed by God's own hand
Entrusted to this earthly home, to guide and understand
The wonders of our gracious Lord, His mercy and His grace
And taught each day to walk with Him, His wonders to embrace
Listen, Little Eli, as we talk about His name
And teach you how we call on Him, so you can do the same
When we sit at home, or walk along the road
We'll teach you how our Savior will carry every load
Keep His name in your heart when you lie down and when you wake
And a noble man of God one day you shall make
- Gwen Whisnant

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:7

nesting...

Okay...I now understand what people are talking about when they say that they "nested" before their baby arrived. For me, this has been going on for the last couple of months. I can't seem to get my kitchen counters quite clean enough, pick up every tiny piece of lint on the dark hardwood floors, and straighten the pillows on the couch at least 10 times a day. For those of you who know me well, you know I was already pretty particular about these things, but, this is crazy! It's funny, though, I still can't quite get OCD over the laundry and toilets. I hate those chores! Anyway...one of the things I've really enjoyed during the nesting phase has been sewing. I really haven't ever sewn before, but there has been an overwhelming desire to do so now. It's been a lot of fun. One of the things I really wanted to do was to make Eli's curtains. My friend Sarah was so sweet to spend a whole day helping me with them. I love them and can't say enough "thanks" to her for our fun day of sewing! I've attached some pics of our sewing day and some of my projects thus far...I've also attached a pic of a onesie that Sarah made for E. It is hands-down one of my favs :)

my dad's cradle that we're going to use in our room for a while...it was made by my great-grandpa...the bumper was one of my first projects...
I decided to make a basket-liner to match...a good way to use up left-over material from our kitchen curtains...
the ole' Singer...my grandma has had this sewing machine forever and let me borrow it for a while...it still works well...
a carseat arm roll to protect my wimpy arms...they charge way too much for these things at the store!
burpcloths and red pillow...other projects
a bike bib and burpcloth...this one is for daddy the biker...guess I'll need to make a Harley one too :)
birdie burpcloth...
elephant bib and burpcloth...
onesie by Sarah...how cute is that?
overwhelmed but still smiling...
sweet friend...