Life After 1 Month!

Tomorrow my little Avery will be 1 month old! I can't believe it! This last month has been so chaotic that I don't know where it has gone! We have been so busy with appointments, visits with family, errands to accomplish, and of course 2 kiddos under the age of 2!

My "to do" list is finally shortening it seems, but my "to do" on my house seems it will always be growing! Whenever I clean the kitchen or pick up the living room or do the laundry it just needs to be done again within a few hours it seems!

Anyways, things have been a bit rough the past month, especially the last few weeks, but I have hope that they will be getting better shortly. Avery has been very fussy the last 2 weeks and acting as if she is in a lot of pain. So, we took her to the doctor and he thinks she might have Acid Reflux so she has been on medication for a few days and it does seem to be helping a bit. I also switched her formula to Similac Sensitive for Fussiness and Gas, and that seems to be helping a bit as well. Today has actually been her best day so far. So, I am hopeful that she is getting better and that God is healing her!

Caden is starting to adjust more to Avery being a part of our family. He still has moments where he gets upset if he thinks I am paying too much attention to her, which has been difficult since she has needed extra attention the past few weeks. But for the most part he gives her her space and just gives her little doses of affection here and there.

I am just waiting for the Spring and the warm weather. I am so excited to get outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. I think Caden is ready for that as well! But, I am also trying to enjoy everyday. God is good and has blessed me abundantly!

Welcome to the World AVERY!

She's here!

Avery Renee Sanchez was born January 23, 2012 at 11:12 AM. She was 6lbs 8oz and 19 inches long. Just perfect!

I was scheduled to be induced on Monday (the 23rd) morning at 7am. It was so weird having your labor "scheduled." Going in to the hospital not in labor, but knowing that I would leave with a baby. Anyways, we got all checked into the hospital and by about 8am the induction process began. They first broke my water and then started me on pitocin. The contractions came on quickly and got very strong very fast. I walked around a bit and sat on the "labor" ball for awhile and then I just couldn't take the pain anymore- I wanted an epidural! About 20 minutes after I got the epidural only half of my body was numb. I could still feel the contractions very strongly on my right side. They called the anesthesiologist to come back and see if he could fix it, but it was too late- all of the sudden out of nowhere I had to push and knew that she was coming! They checked me and I was already at a 10. They

had me give one push and she was right there, so they told me to stop while they rushed around frantically getting everything ready and calling the doctor to come in. A few minutes later after only 2 more pushed Avery was here! They laid her on my chest immediately and I just stared at how beautiful she was. I was only in labor for 3 hours! She was definitely easier than Caden, who I was in labor with for 14 hours and pushed for 3 hours. I was so thankful!

We only spent one night in the hospital and came home Tuesday evening. Caden was unsure at first and it has been a big adjustment, but things are getting better each day. Caden is now smiling at and interested in his little sister and even shared some of his toys with her today. After days of hormonal breakdowns and feeling totally overwhelmed I am now feeling more like myself again and am getting into the swing of things. Everything is falling into place and I am so thankful that I get to be Caden and Avery's mom! I am very blessed!

Ah, Finally...

I am so pleased to report some good news! It has been a very rough few months for me and my family and we have gone through trial after trial. I finally feel like some peace is headed our way! I just want to thank God for answered prayers and for always giving me the grace and strength to get through every situation.

Anyways, on to the good news circling my life lately. First of all, the baby is looking healthy and is head down! I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and she thinks that Avery is still under 7 lbss (thankfully!). I am now 2 1/2 cm dilated, so I progressed by 1/2cm. At least it is something! :) My due date is the 28th, but if I do not go into labor within the next week or so my doctor is going to induce me on the 23rd. It feels good to have a date set just in case and see the end in sight. I am really ready for her to be here!

I can now confidently say that I am ready for her arrival because some of my big "to-dos" are now done. I had most of the work done on my tooth a few days ago to totally finish up my root canal work. Now, in a month or so I will go back in just to have the permanent crown put in place, which should be very quick and easy.

Also, drumroll please....the carpets are fixed and the odor in the house is gone! Yay! I couldn't be happier and more relieved that it was done before Avery's arrival. After 3 weeks of living in those awful conditions we now have new carpet in the living room and dining room. It made a world of difference and I cannot smell the urine odor any longer, Praise The Lord!

So, now I can say that things are settling down and falling into place and I feel ready to meet my baby girl. I know that this "peacefulness" won't last long once she is born. It will be crazy for awhile trying to balance everything, but I know that there will be such joy with it.

I ask for your prayers that God would give me a safe and smooth delivery, that Avery would be born a very healthy baby girl, that Caden would love and accept her, that I wouldn't experience postpartum depression, and that this would be a season of peace in our lives. Thank you for all your love and support. :)

And next time, hopefully, I will be posting pictures of Avery Renee Sanchez.

Another Baby So Soon?! :)

Hello 2012, nice to have you here!

Who knows what to expect this next year. The only that I can really focus on right now is the arrival of my second baby. I can't believe she will be here so soon! I had a doctor's appointment today and I found out that I am already 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. She said that she could also feel the baby's head, which is good that she is head down! I am expected to go early, but if she doesn't come by 39 weeks then my doctor will induce me because of the kidney pain that I have been having. (By the way, Saturday I will be 37 weeks)

I just can't believe it.

I feel a bit in panic mode now, knowing that she could come early. I feel like we haven't even gotten settled into this place yet due to all the things listed in my last post. The carpet and smell still have not been fixed. Garrett called today to see where they were with that and basically we just have to wait. They better hurry, though, because I want everything done before she arrives. We still need to finish hanging our wall decor in the living room and bedroom and still need to unpack the hall closet. That is about all that needs done with the house on our part. I, also, need to finish a few things in her room and get her car seat from my mom's garage and set up in our car. Oh yeah, and then there is that hospital bag that needs packed.

My, my, my it doesn't feel real that I am going through this again and will have another baby! I really pray that Caden does well with the transition and that he loves her immediately. :)

I just have to trust in God and His timing.

Another Year Gone By: 2011

2011 has not been the best year for me. I am actually looking forward to leaving 2011 in the past and moving on to see what 2012 will bring.

We have had some major changes this year and along with those changes has come some hardships.

I just want to go over the year for my own record and to reflect back on what this year has meant to me.

*The first few months of 2011 were pretty easy going. Just enjoying time as a family. In February for Valentine's Day Garrett and I had a special date at the Melting Pot and were able to splurge on a dinner that we normally would never be able to have! :)

*In March I celebrated my 23rd birthday by shopping and going out to eat at Red Robin.

* In April we celebrated Easter with a great outdoor service with the Trademark body of believers. Then we had Easter dinner at my grandma's house. It was Caden's first Easter.

*May was Caden's 1st birthday! We had family come into town and had a party at my grandma's house. We had yummy bbq, he opened gifts, and we played outside. The weather was perfect that day!

*May was also the month that we found out that I was pregnant again! This was so unexpected and we were honestly in shock for some time after finding out.

*June was the month the morning (aka- all day) sickness kicked in. I suffered with, basically, non stop morning sickness for about 3 months. It was difficult to be the mom and wife I wanted to be with this going on, but we made it through.

*July is when Caden really started walking on his own and all around! It was so fun to see him reach this stage and never look back! Now he basically runs everywhere! Haha.

*At the end of July Garrett got a new job at Anser Charter School as the full time custodian. This was an answer to months and months of prayer! We couldn't be more thankful for this job.

*August Garrett and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. We went to the fair which is starting to be a new anniversary tradition. Haha.

*September we found out that we are having a baby girl this time around! We were so thrilled and decided on the name Avery Renee.

*October is when my health problems started with trips to the ER and Labor and Delivery. Between October and December I had to go in 3 times. Finally in mid-December I had a kidney ultrasound and found out that I have kidney stones.

*In November we took a trip to Oregon to spend Thanksgiving with Garrett's mom's side of the family.

*In Mid-December I needed to have an emergency root canal done on my tooth. The pain came on so suddenly and intensely that when I called at 7pm they had me in the next morning at 11am and in the meantime gave me a prescription for Vicodin.

*In December Caden also faced multiple colds and we took him into the ER one of the times because he had a fever that reached 105! It turned out that he had Roseola. We didn't know this until his fever broke a few days later and he broke out in a rash.

*Also, in December we spent many days packing up our apartment to move into a house rental. We moved the day before Christmas Eve. It was a lot of work and, unfortunately, we are still dealing with the stress. The house was not in the condition that it should have been. So, we have been dealing with people coming over to fix doors, blinds, pick up dog poop in the backyard left from the previous tenants, and now we are waiting for someone to come fix the carpet in the living room. The previous tenants let their dogs pee all over the living room floor right before they moved and did not clean it up. Now after 3 cleanings the floor is still making the whole house smell like urine! It is really unlivable and we have been waiting for days for the property management to fix it. We are still waiting and now with the holidays it won't be fixed until at least this next week. So, this whole ordeal has been very frustrating and stressful...what a way to end the new year. And to top it off Caden and I both have colds!

So, 2012. Please bring me a season of peace and stillness. I pray that we can enjoy time together as a family. I pray that we would all be in good health. And I pray for Avery's safe arrival. I hope that Caden loves her and welcomes her into his life. 2012 please leave the stress back in 2011. Thank you. :)

Angela

Caden's 2nd Christmas!

The Move!

I can not wait until Friday!! I know I still have like 5 days, but I am just so excited to move into our new place! The actual act and process of moving is less than enjoyable, but when you are moving into a place that is much better than where you currently are it is definitely worth it.

Some things that I am looking forward to about living in our new place:

1. Having a garage. Since Garrett and I have been married we have never had a garage. We are always parking our cars on the street or in a parking lot. I am looking forward to the benefit of parking my car in an enclosed structure that will keep my kids safe while trying to load them and keep us warm in the freezing cold.

2. Not having any shared walls or anyone living above us. This is my biggest complaint about apartment living, especially when you have young children. When you share so many walls and live so close together with other people you get to hear a lot of unwanted noises at unwanted times. I don't know how many times Garrett has had to go upstairs or next door and ask them to please be quiet at 2 am because they are keeping us up! I look forward to the peace and quiet that no shared walls will bring.

3. Having a backyard. I have a little boy who LOVES being outside. He would stay out there all day if he could! I am so excited to have a fenced backyard for him to run around and play in. Right now if we want to go outside we have to drive to the park or he plays on the sidewalk by the parking lot...not a good playground. (Bytheway, in our new place we are in walking distance to one of our favorite parks as well).

4. Having a laundry ROOM. Right now my washer and dryer are in a closet in our 1 bathroom. I am looking forward to having a room dedicated to doing laundry and that gives me the space and storage I need.

5. Living in a subdivision. I am happy that we are moving into a quiet neighborhood where I can take my children for peaceful walks. Right now we live off a busy street that doesn't even have a sidewalk. Definitely not the best place to go for bike rides or walks, especially with young kids.

6. Having a master bathroom. Garrett and I have never had more than one bathroom since we have been married. I am excited to have one connected to my bedroom! It means I can blowdry my hair at night without worrying that I will wake up Caden and it means no trips or stumbles down the dark hall in the middle of the night as I make my way to the restroom. :)

7. Having more room for my growing family. There is definitely more space in the new place. Both kids will have their own room and have more room in the living room to run around and spread out their toys. :)

To sum it up, I am so grateful that God has provided such a wonderful place for us to live and I am willing to do all the dirty work of moving in order to get there. :)