Piano

Allison has continued piano lesson's through out the summer.  During the piano recital she and one other student did not receive any awards.  Allison was super bummed and asked her teacher how she could earn an award.  Well after a couple of months of hard work Allison received her award this past Tuesday.  Allison had to memorize three songs and complete half of her work book.  I am so proud of her!!  Everyday she practices and plays music for us.  I am so thankful for her love of the piano.

Father's Day 2013

Growing up Father's Day wasn't an important day.  Not that I don't love my dad, I owe my very existence to him but he wasn't to crazy about holiday's.  I miss him and think about him often, it blows my mind that he passed nearly 7 years ago.  But since I became a mommy I have a reason to celebrate Father's Day because know I can spoil my children's daddy.  Richard is definitely a hands on dad, waking up in the middle of the night or changing diapers.  I have always described Richard as an amazing newborn daddy, he has a way with our infant children like I've never seen.  Richard is there for doctor appointment, school activity, soccer games, piano recitals etc etc,  On top of normal fatherly duties Richard is there for the ugly stuff to the broken nose, ER trips, hospital stays, frustrated homework melt downs, time outs etc etc.  Not only the ugly moments but Richard also has a special relationship with each child.  We have always been a partnership, a team when it comes to our parenting.  Richard and I have very different personalities but our goals and future plans our the same, and our love for each other is strong.  I couldn't have imagined a better father for our children.  I don't give him enough credit, he is amazing and I am so so thankful!  Happy Father's Day sweetheart!!

Cooper's Dental apt and other things

Shortly after we moved to Hobbs I had taken the kids back to Midland to there regular pediatric dentist for there 6 month cleanings.  During my pregnancy with Beckett I missed both kids 6 month cleaning apt.   Later I was able to find a dentist here for Allison who would work on children 8 and up but no pediatric dentist for Cooper.  The dentist that we normal use in Midland moved his practice across state to be closer to family.  I eventually was able to find Cooper a new dentist in Midland and after his check up we found out he had a few cavities and no enamel on his teeth.  I took the kids into Midland Sunday afternoon to spend time with my in laws and for Cooper to get some dental work done Monday morning.  With all my family dispersed from Midland its so reassuring to have Richard's family still there.  Spending time with them is such a treat.  I am thankful my children still get to see family on a semi regular basis.  I am also thankful that my in laws help watch my kids while I take one to the doctor.  I was a little nervous how Cooper would handle his dental work, but I felt such peace about that I didn't worry about it which is unlike me.  Cooper did wonderfully especially to the doctors surprise, he didn't cry, flinch, or move a muscle!  The Dr even stated that he had never worked on such cooperative child.  After his appointment we were able to go toy shopping and to grab milkshakes together.  Its interesting to me to go on outings with only one child, because its such a rarity. 

Some times I am taken back by how much Cooper has grown.  Its hard for me to believe he is about to be five.  Allison was such an easy newborn/infant/toddler that the time I had with her before Cooper seems like such a short time span.  My Cooper James on the other hand was the newborn that NEVER slept, the Tasmania devil two year old, the hard to break of the pacifier child, and the never ending potty training kid.  I am happy to say that Cooper has mellowed out to a degree.  Not to say that he doesn't have a temper still because he does, and can be a little hotheaded some times.  But I have really grown to adore all that Cooper is.  Each child has a different personality and there are definitely a few character traits that I adore about Cooper.  Cooper is very aware of my feelings, there is no doubt that he is a mamas boy.  When I am limping around because my back hurts he instantly notices.  When I get angry over something Cooper has done when he misbehaves he is the first to ask for forgiveness.  I know that I struggled with some depression after Cooper was born and I wasn't able to enjoy him like I did my other two kids, I regret feeling that way I really do.  But I believe that Cooper was worth the wait, I enjoy that little guy so much and I try to never miss a moment with him.

Summer

This exact moment last year I was very pregnant with Beckett desperately trying to make the summer fun for the kids.  What a difference a year makes, especially since I am not pregnant anymore!  Now we have an extra person tagging along with us this summer.  We have been filling our days swimming, going to the park, having play dates, going to the splash park, playing with the neighbor kids, and baking.  We literally have one or more activity everyday.  I am still walking my three miles everyday too, just at night instead of the mornings.  I am thankful we have so many friends to keep us busy with activities.  I am not in love with the town of Hobbs, but the people here are awesome!  I've made so many friends here and so have my kids.  If you haven't notice the Sanchez crew have already gotten pretty tan thanks to those Hispanic genes and many days spent out in the sun.  Beckett is enjoying having his siblings home, he follows them constantly and thinks he is such a big boy!  The summer has really just begun and I plan to enjoy all of these sleeping in late mornings, long days, and sunshine!

Rainy Day

 

 

One of the days we were in FW it was very overcast and eventually rained.  Richard had taken the kids to the park while B napped and it rained!!  We had a few outdoor activities planned throughout the day so we tried to come up with some indoor things to do.  We went out for lunch with my mom, did some shopping, and stopped by great outdoors bass pro shop.  The kids had fun looking around the store.  Allison and I left the boys looking at guns while we explored the store.  It was a very easy going day.  Probably my favorite part of the day was touring the model home in my moms new neighborhood.  It was so fun to see what we could build in a housing market that is more affordable. We toured this 5 bedroom home with a study, movie room, and game room.  Seeing this home made me really hopeful that we will get out of our little rental this summer, fingers crossed!

Hurricane Harbor

 

While we were in FW we decided to take the kids to Hurricane Harbor, we got a sweet deal on the tickets buying in advance.  We also left Beckett with my mom for the day, we thought we would be able to do more rides with the big kids without him.  My review on the place is we probably wont go back until or kids are bigger or we get season pass and split the cost with one of my sisters.  There were many rides Allison couldn't ride on and even fewer rides Cooper couldn't ride on.  The water park did have an entire kids area, a wave pool, and a lazy river.  As a family we rode one ride together called the raging rapids, basically a lazy rive but more rapid water and way longer.  Mostly Cooper and I hung out at the wave pool while Allison and Richard rode rides.  A side note we all got sunburned!  We applied sunscreen right when we got there but didn't reapply.  It was a long hot day, but we enjoyed it together.

11 months old

Today Beckett is 11 months old.  I will hold on to every last day of this last month before my baby turns 1!  I feel like every month gives me an oprtunity to reflect on the new things Beckett has accomplished and a time to relish the memories we've made together throughout the month.  I am not sure I post about how B had two more teeth come in, four on top and two on bottom.  Beckett has also started to stand on his own and falls immediately after he takes a step.  Although B loves to push around his walker and is becoming an expert.  A lot of things have stayed the same like Beckett's food/nap schedule.  One interesting thing about B is that he has a voice, the kid doesn't say much but man he can squeal at his brother and sister when he wants there attention!  People around me continue to say what a good easy going baby Beckett is, probably the most go with the flow kid you will meet!  At the pool, park, or other peoples home B will just sits by me and chill.  Beckett gives the absolute best hugs!  Every time B wakes up he will hug me and lay on me, its our time and I cherish it.  There are so many things I love about this kid, he just lights up my life on another level, he enhances our family.

I realized Monday that I need to get going on planning B's first birthday.  I choose a theme like MONTHS ago, and I've gotten a few things ready.  Because Richard isn't going to be off on Beckett's actually birthday we decided to plan his party exactly a week early.  This has been the plan for months, well my sister and her boyfriend have decided to get married and are having a reception in Midland on the day of B's party.  I guess its going to be a full day to celebrate wonderful things!!