Leah Hope Sanchez

Goodbye Summer!

As summer is winding down I think about all the fun we have had the last couple of months. A lot of playing at parks, going on walks, going to the zoo, birthday parties, visiting family, staying up late, and swimming! Now as fall approaches we are bracing ourselves for a lot of change- good change, but big change as we welcome a new baby! Only 8 more weeks until my due date! 

We look forward to welcoming this little baby, cooler weather, long walks with the changing leaves, football games, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Fall is my favorite time of year and I am ready for the new season.

Summer was great, but good things are ahead too. 

We were so busy the last few months I really didn't take the time to photograph anything- so here are only 2 pictures from this summer:

 Daddy and Caden enjoying a popsicle on a hot day after dinner.

Cuddling with my babies and watching a movie before bed.

Caden's 3rd Birthday and Mother's Day

        Birthday Party Time!!

 

 Our Fam on Caden's bday
 

 On Caden's bday

 Pretty in her dress
 

 My boy!

 

 My baby girl
 

 Avery had enough taking photos :)
 

16 weeks pregnant

1st Birthday Blast!

1 yEaR oLd!!

My baby girl is officially a one year old. I can't believe it. It has gone by quickly, but at the same time it feels like she has been apart of me forever. She adds so much life to our family!
It has been such a blessing to watch her grow and develop this past year. She is already so independent and WANTS to be. :)
She is so close to walking on her own and does all the time with the help of her walker toy. She loves to  feed herself and generally just loves food! Her favorites right now are chicken nuggets and goldfish crackers :).
I have never met a baby with so much personality or one that is so stubborn! She definitely knows what she wants and goes after it- that means she also knows what she DOESN'T like and gets mad if you try to make her do it, eat it, or wear it!
She loves to laugh and to make other people laugh. I call her a "little ham" because she loves to be the center of attention. One thing hasn't changed since the day she was born...she is always making noise! I know that once she gets a grasp on words she will be a little chatterbox talking mommy's ear off. Hehe. :)
I just can't say enough about my little angel: From her gorgeous curly hair and big blue eyes to her lively personality to her love of baths and of opening the refrigerator to her cuddles and her loud squeals she is special, unique, one in a million.
I love you Avery Renee, Happy 1st Birthday!

(Had to put one of my amazing boy in there too! He is an awesome big brother!)

2012

As I sit here at my laptop I am heavy with exhaustion. It has been a long 5 days. The day after Christmas Caden came down with the flu and he has been totally miserable, which makes me as his mother totally miserable! Now Garrett has come down with it too.
On top of all the sickness, a couple of days before Christmas we found out that Garrett's job is having to cut his work hours back from 40 a week to 28. That is not enough to support our family.
So, I am emotionally drained right now. I am trying to trust God, but I must say that doubt has been creeping into my mind. I want to lay it all at His feet and just praise Him through it, but all I can seem to focus on right now is my stress and worry.
With New Year's Eve being tomorrow, I thought it would help bring my heart back to the right place if I made a list of the blessings from this last year. 2012 has definitely been a year of hills and valleys, but through the bad God always brought some good.
1. Of course, the best blessing I received this year was my daughter, Avery! She has been a little firecracker and makes our life a little more exciting and interesting. :) She always knows how to make me laugh and is the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I can't believe that January 23rd she will be a year old! Can't wait to see her grow and develop this next year!
2. God providing us a job a week after Garrett was let go from his previous job. An answer to prayer!
3. Bringing us to a church body where we have really plugged in and have reconnected with old friends and made a lot of new friends.
4. Getting back into a community group and women's Bible study this year have been a big encouragement to me.
5. Taking Caden trick or treating for the first time was something I will always remember.
6. Celebrating Avery's first Christmas and Caden loving EVERYTHING this Christmas season.
7. Some other little things are seeing Caden and Avery grow closer together, getting numerous date nights with Garrett, and seeing Caden grow so much with his separation anxiety- he now loves to play with friends and go to his Sunday school class!
We have been so blessed this year and every year. No matter what our circumstances I can truly say that God has been so good to me.
Happy 2013 everybody!