Time Flies when You're Getting Old

Savanna turned two this week. 2. TWO!!!!

I cannot believe she is already 2 years old. It seems like just yesterday we brought our tiny little bundle home from the hospital. I'll never forget the car ride home. A drive that should only take about 45 minutes took us a little under two hours. Joshua was driving, and I sat in the back next to our 4 lb 6 oz peanut. He was so careful, every curve, every bump - actually there weren't any bumps. He avoided every one and drove around pot holes. It was the smoothest car ride I've ever been on. Oh, and she was bundled up, covered in several blankets, her little face peaking out from underneath her pink hat from Uncle Ben and Aunt Duah-bwa (as Savanna now says it). It was freezing that day, almost zero, and the wind was frigid. Josh warmed up the car for about 30 minutes, so our trip home was about 85 degrees. Being cold is one of the primary reasons premature babies don't gain weight. She looked so fragile, and really she was. She had spent 32 days in the Geisinger NICU trying to gain weight, fighting for every ounce. The thrill of walking through our front door with her - such satisfaction, to finally have the family home.

When I look back at where she started - the obstacles that she had to overcome so young and so new at life - and then I look at where she is now - WOW. She is a sweet, capable, smart, beautiful, creative, imaginative, and friendly 2 year old. She knows her alphabet, can count to 10, knows most of her colors (when she really thinks about it and doesn't just say everything is red), she loves to read, to sing, dance and play the piano, she can name songs by hearing just their melody. She is so grown up. And I am so proud.

We have a bedtime routine. Every night, Mommy sings Jesus Loves Me (or Jesus Yuvs Me) and then she lays her head on my shoulder and asks me to pray. We pray for her to have sweet dreams, to wake up in perfect health, and that God's presence would fill her room and her heart with peace. She loves to pray. Then she says, "Daddy's coming" and giggles, because she absolutely adores her Daddy. He comes and picks her up, and walks down the hallway singing Jesus Loves Me again, and then he lays her down and prays over her as well. Every night. We love putting her to bed, and she loves our routine.

Well I have succeeded in making myself cry. God has been so faithful to my family of three. I cannot thank Jesus enough for His provision, His healing and His grace. Savanna Jaye is a testament of how great my God is.