We Bought a House!

Toward the beginning of this year we were wondering what was going to happen to our housing situation as our landlord expressed either selling the house or moving back in after a year. We never really touched base with him, but it was Sam who said, let's buy a house! I was surprised, it came out of no where, but we weighed our options and felt good about it. Within that week we called our realtor from a year ago and we were set to look at houses. 

Last year we didn't have a lot of luck with houses. Even when we got an offer accepted, the house turned out having major foundation issues (something no one really wants to buy into), so we ended up renting since we ran out of time. We looked on the west side this time round, as well as the north. One house stood out a little bit, but it had its quirks that couldn't be fixed (being near a busy street, flood risks, small backyard). We looked at so many houses it wasn't fun anymore and I decided we may need to put an offer on this home that stood out. But one day a home popped up really nearby that looked really nice, nice enough that the realtor and I didn't wait until Sam was free to see it.

You know how pictures stage the house so it always looks better in the pictures than in person? This home managed to do the opposite! I walked in and knew we needed to put in an offer as soon as possible. All the things that we were unsure of with the other house was not an issue. And the price was not that much more. A winner if you ask me! So, with a video tour, I showed Sam and we arranged for our first offer on a house (this time round).

And it was accepted! We ran into a few hiccups with the process, things that our realtor never had to deal with before and lots of little weird quirks and issues that made it hard to get through. For example, the house had a lien on it, so that had to get squared away. Luckily it worked out in the end and we got to call this place our home! What's more is that it is really good condition for a 20 year-old home (no foundation issues whatsoever). Here are the pictures from when it was listed: 

Mature trees! Brick! A deck!

A fireplace! New flooring!

Granite countertops! Beautiful lighting!

Garden tub! Two walk-in Master closets (that aren't pictured)! 

Covered patio! Shed! 

 A shout out to our realtor, Catalina Garcia in San Antonio. I full-heartedly recommend her to anyone who reads this blog that is considering moving to San Antonio ;)

Catalina gave this to us as a house-warming gift! I happened to know the artist as well, haha.

 We still have our rental, so we are moving in slowly and we only have one month where we are paying double rent. Not too bad, so it allows us time to fix things up how we like it before moving in. We so far added a water softener, appliances, blinds, and are waiting for our new garage doors. Since we used a VA loan we had the money to buy these things upfront instead of putting a down payment down. Not the best picture, but here is our fridge and blinds that were installed:

We are so in love! If anyone wants to come and stay with us, SeaWorld is just down the road from us ;)

Baby Number Three

As I stated in the last post, we are expecting baby number three! We were unsure when to start trying again, and I totally did not feel ready to add another baby. Sam was talking to a resident a year ahead of him and was told the next year would be really difficult, so after some talking, we thought we needed to have that baby as soon as we could before he started. I was hesitant, but really there was no good time to have a baby while Sam was in residency so come what may. Now, with the other two pregnancies, I got pregnant before or when I wanted to. However, it took four months this time round, something I was not accustomed to. Very blessed, but still. There was one point my period was days late but no positive test was coming up. I dug up an old pregnancy test and I thought it said positive! I  even made matching baby and daddy shirts to announce to Sam. Then my period came and I realized I read the test wrong. My period was never a week late before, and there were times when I was early. I finally got an ovulation kit to help and it did the trick! (Sorry if this was TMI).

My due date is August 1st, and although we didn't get pregnant before Sam starts his ophthalmology residency, we feel it worked out alright! 

A real positive! Get ready!

Four weeks, pretty fresh.

I recommend not being newly pregnant during the Holidays. I mentioned this last post, but it was awful. In fact, even though I am past the nausea and dizziness, the thought of Christmas brings a wave back! I can't tell you the worst pregnancy, but I think I did the best with Joey, the least nauseous with Eli (although I got pretty sick with non pregnancy things), and the most tired, nauseous, and dizzy with this one. So glad I got past that!

My first ultrasound was by myself. As much as it is nice we get free healthcare through the military, I miss the easiness, choice, and the bells and whistles with Medicaid. The ultrasound clinic, for example, did not have a screen for me to see the baby, just the technician's screen (which she wouldn't let me look at until she was done). I got like three pictures and two were unclear. But I got this little gem and that was all I needed:

There's a baby!

Our announcement to Facebook.

Growing quick! Can't hide anymore.

As far as gender, I was pretty sure it was another boy. "It's a boy" almost immediately popped in my head after taking the first test. This was followed by dreams of a boy and prayers where I could not help but pray to accept having another boy. Sam was able to come to the next ultrasound, so to make it fun, I looked away during the scan "down there" while Sam looked on. Next, he filled a piñata that would be filled with either pink or blue things. When Joey got home from school, we headed to the park and busted that baby open. Here is the video:

                                                    

                                           


 It's a girl! I was very surprised after all my intuition pointed to a boy. But I am so excited! She is healthy active, and very loved. It makes the thought of having three kids less daunting but more exciting. Of course it will be the most difficult thing I will be doing up to this point in my life. But we have faith that everything will be fine, even with Sam's crazy schedule, being away from family, and having more kids than hands. Hopefully having Joey in school full time will help the craziness (or it might make it worse, haha). We love you baby girl!

Best birthday gift!

Nothing there ;)

Realizing I will only get bigger from here on out (sigh).

The Holidays

I knew it had been a while since the last update, but Halloween?? Of course, there are the birthday letters, but as far as for our family, there has been a lot that has happened since the beginning of November. To start off a long string of posts, I will go all the way back to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I told Sam I was going to Albuquerque with or without him for Thanksgiving, but luck would have it he was on an easy rotation (Burn unit? it's hard to keep track what he does each month). He got the okay to leave and headed to Albuquerque for a week. Before we left, I made sure to finish my advent calendar before December. Not perfect, but pretty close to what I envisioned:

Jessica and her family were leaving really soon after we arrived, so we caught them before they left for California that day. We met at McDonald's and enjoyed cousins and a fast food breakfast.

Missing the photographer.

Attempt to get the cousins.

We made it in time to see Mason's baptism. It was a really cold day but we managed to get a family photo (Zach was photoshopped in since he wasn't there, the stinker).

The week before Thanksgiving included seeing some friends, movie watching, visiting family, and probably a visit to the zoo (I don't have pictures of that, so I can't be sure).

Our BFFamily the Boyacks. Impossible to replace them. :'(

Don't remember the movie, but it obviously been out for a while
since we were the only ones in there.

Of course it's been a while since Thanksgiving and there are no pictures, so I don't remember the day itself. I do remember going to play the cello for my Grandpa with Sam (we had our instruments to practice for a musical number that coming Sunday). It was a sweet moment as that would be the last time I would play for him before he passed away in March.

Sam's mom always always has presents ready for any occasion at least one month beforehand, and this year was no different. We celebrated Eli's birthday a month early, and he loved it.

Still loves and carries those cars around.

We had a fun time with Sam's parents along with Jacob and Shauna's family one day. We enjoyed a nice day at the park followed by lunch at Azumas (?)

He got big really fast!

Grandma's always prepared with sippy cups.

Don't know what's happening in this pic but you're welcome.

Lastly, we opened all our Christmas gifts from Sam's parents before we left. Joey got this awesome Paw Patrol boat.

We got home safely and it became full Christmas mode! Or that was the plan...

Baby Number Three!

 After a couple months of trying for baby number three, I found out I was pregnant shortly before getting home and within the week morning sickness kicked in, along with spells of dizziness. I still tried my best to make this a magical time for the family (even if Sam started working nights -insert puking emoji-). San Antonio helped us by having its first real snow in twenty something years!

Joey exclaimed "It's Christmas!"

Of course it was almost gone in the morning.
We tried to build a snowman.

Other activities for Christmas included the Ward's Christmas party, Joey's school's breakfast with Santa,  friends' Christmas White Elephant exchange, lights in Windcrest, and SeaWorld on Christmas itself.

Let's start with the school breakfast. It was a fundraiser, so I paid $25 for a pancake breakfast and a picture with Santa...which we never received. I don't know if the teacher was supposed to get it for us, if we were supposed to pick it up, but I was never told and it never showed.

Luckily the Ward's Christmas party had the exact same Santa show up and I got a picture anyway. I'm not mad, just wondered what happened. Sam couldn't come, but we enjoyed ugly sweaters, a potluck, and fun little Christmas crafts.  Joey and Eli didn't mind Santa, and this was the first year Joey totally got the idea of Santa. He kept asking me "Santa coming on this day?" That's why I made the advent calendar, kid. We implanted the idea that he wanted a play house, because that was what we were going to get him, so that's what he asked Santa for.

Complete with Mrs. Claus!

On Christmas eve we had the boys open their Christmas pajamas after a wonderful Christmas Eve Sacrament meeting. After that we headed to the neighboring town of Windcrest to check out lights. I didn't get pictures, but that neighborhood is lit (literally). They even had horse carriage rides! It was too cold for me to consider, but I recommend seeing this neighborhood in San Antonio if you are around here Christmas time.

The boys opening their Christmas pajamas.

I couldn't find the video of Joey and Eli seeing the house or opening presents, but we decided to head to SeaWorld for the rest of the day. Unlike DisneyLand at Christmas time, SeaWorld wasn't that packed and had some wonderful things going on.

The Orca Show was different from all the other shows we seen in the past, complete with live singers! The Sea Lion Stadium had a different show, and the lights and decorations were really beautiful. The problem was that it was really cold, so we didn't stay too long. That, and my dad flew into town that evening to drive to Albuquerque the next day!

Look closely at the snowflakes and you can see they are orcas.

Joey enjoying the decorations.

 My dad was so kind to fly out because Sam couldn't come down to Albuquerque until January 1st and I wanted to have a little more time than that with family. We both were feeling pretty crappy, so we tried to make it to Clovis on the 26th. If you ever drive between Albuquerque and San Antonio, the drive to Lubbock (almost exactly halfway) is the longest 5 1/2 hours. Somehow, once when you get past Lubbock, there is a second wind. My dad and I still felt we could go farther and we ended up in Albuquerque late that night. My dad said that if I told him we were driving all the way through that day he wouldn't believe me (we were both feeling yuck).

The rest of the trip was not as packed as Thanksgiving. I wasn't feeling good (mainly dizzy) so I took advantage of the extra help and just laid down the majority of the time. But I did do things! We celebrated Christmas with my family and exchanged gifts.

Joey with Max, Heidi's new puppy.

I also went to the zoo with my family, and had to get the classic BioPark chair shot.

We met Jessica at the aquarium another day. Everyone had to go back to school a week earlier than we had to so this trip was a lot more low key. I think we got sick too? Sam and I also went to the theater a few times to watch the Greatest Showman and Star Wars. I decided Christmas and Thanksgiving back to back is not the best way to spread our vacation days. Sorry family!

That, and these poor boys spend a lot of time in the car, haha. But we don't regret it. It is always fun to see family and friends and Joey still talks about Albuquerque and everyone there. Until next year.

Dear Joseph,

You are officially five. This one has been probably the hardest to swallow since you turned one. You have made some wonderful progress in life and I couldn't be prouder of you. Now that you are five Kindergarten is just around the corner and you will be going to school full time. I'm excited to see the new adventures you will have, as long as you are willing to tell me about them!

                              

You learned how to write your name, every letter (capital and lower case), most letter sounds, numbers, simple addition, to use scissors (no expert yet), and to recognize a few words among other things. I think you will be ready for Kindergarten academically, but we are hoping to work on other skills, like fine motor, potty-training, and social skills. Luckily you have an amazing preschool teacher (that I adore) who has helped you along the way. I cannot thank Mrs. Mitchell enough for her hard work and genuine care for you. You have made some friends at preschool and tell me all about Ian and DJ being your best friends.

                             

The fact that you can tell me about your friends is amazing. You still receive speech therapy at school, but we cut back on physical and occupational therapy. Sure you still seem careful or behind on some things (like potty-training), but you are making good progress, and that's what we care about! Beginning of last year I couldn't have many conversations with you, and that made it hard sometimes. Now we talk about a lot of things, mainly things you find interesting, but it's a good start. We talk about school, animals, and your latest obsession is baby sister! 

That's right, you are getting a baby sister! You talk about her all the time, asking if she's coming yet, telling me the things "he" likes (anything pink), and you carry a baby doll you dubbed "Pink Whale" (I just figured out you named the doll that because of the tiny pink whales all over the outfit). You are excited, and I'm excited. You are playing a lot better with Eli than a year ago. You still fight all the time, but you play all the time too and Eli loves following you and likes whatever you like. You guys are my world, and hopefully baby sister won't rock our world too much, but make it bigger and more adventurous.

You are getting to be a good, average-sized five year old. After being on the small side for a while, you are officially tall enough to ride certain rides (42 inches) and weigh a healthy 40-pounds. Your appetite has definitely increased and you tell me you are hungry all the time. Your favorite foods are any kid's favorite foods: hamburgers, pizza, yogurt, apples, ice cream, donuts, fries, and other food that isn't too great for you. But you eat a lot more and I'll take it! I mentioned potty training and we are in our third month. You are sooo close! But you still need some guidance and motivation. This time will work (unlike our other two failed attempts) because you take yourself a lot of the time, are a lot better at pulling your pants up and down, understand you are a "big boy", and reach the toilets seats a lot easier, making them less scary. Crossing fingers that you will be fully potty-trained before your sister arrives!

You have a lot of interests at the moment, it's hard to pinpoint your absolute favorite. You currently carry around a red praying mantis, "Pink Whale", your puppy and your dog, the occasional vehicle, and some Paw Patrol toys. Your love for Paw Patrol hasn't faded yet, but you are open to other shows, like Wild Kratts, Octonauts, Cat in the Hat, Dinosaur Train, and other Netflix or PBS shows. You love learning facts and cite them back to me all the time, even if they aren't quite true. Being in Texas, we get to go to Sea World often and you love the Orca whales and the sharks. You tell me all the time, "the blue whale is the biggest animal!" among other animal facts. An animal fact lover just like his mommy.

You are understanding more and more of the gospel, and it is getting easier to teach you scripture stories, primary songs, and how to pray. You still say a "Paw Patrol" prayer every night, but occasionally we will hear a sincere prayer from you as you pray for each of us. I love being in Primary with you and see you blossom in that setting. May you always enjoy church and the lessons being taught. May you always remember that Jesus loves you very much! And we love you too. Happy fifth birthday, Joey!

Love, Mama

Dear Elijah,

Two. Years. Old. My baby! You hardly have baby tendencies left, you are getting so big. I apologize in advance writing this letter so late after your birthday. I was hoping to take some semi-decent photos of you before writing them, but I will just have to add them in later as well. I cannot wait any longer to tell you what an amazing little boy you are!

You haven't gained much weight in a year, but you've gotten taller. People comment on how tall you seem (but really you are right where you should be). You've gone from a decent eater to a bad one! It's not that you refuse different foods, you just refuse to eat in general. There are foods you do not refuse if offered to you, they just tend to not be nutrient dense and sugar-filled. Your favorite foods are chocolate milk (you ask for it every day), cereal, hamburgers, and yogurt. Maybe when you hit a growth spurt your appetite will increase.

You always been a pretty happy guy, and for the most part you still are. Now, however, you know how to throw a mean tantrum when told no or when Joey takes a toy away. I understand, it's hard to communicate when you don't have a lot of words, or when no one understands what you are trying to say. At times, you do get upset over petty things and it's hard to have patience, but I'm trying, little guy! You are starting to say more words and repeat words, but few are discernible to ears outside our home. Words said include car, spaceship, boat, plane, choo-choo (for train), muau (milk), chaw-et (chocolate), bowl, cer-o (cereal), da-ee (daddy), mama, Jo-eh (Joey), shoes, beanbee (binky), dow (dog), Pawtrol (Paw Patrol), poop, show, heh-o (help), hur (hurt), ow, go, nose, and pizza. You can also say cute animal noises.

Some of your favorite things to do include whatever Joey is doing, running around, giving kisses, watching Paw Patrol, and being outside. It has been cold lately in Texas, so we haven't been going out as much. Instead, I just sign you and your brother up for a gymnastics class. You like a lot of it, but since you are in a different age group, you want to follow Joey around but can't. I hope you still share that desire to be with him and play together. I think both of you are getting along better (or I just turn a blind eye more often and let you guys figure things out yourselves). You can hold your own a lot better than a year ago.

You love nursery at church and it's such a shame you turn three right before the New Year this year so that time is cut short. I feel bad that we don't have a lot of time with other kids, but you can get a little rough and randomly hit kids (for fun, not because you are angry). You're brother is your best friend. Maybe that will change because you will become a big brother this year! I hope you learn how to be more gentle with this new baby coming. You have to learn to share your mama at least.

I have a feeling you will grow so much this coming year! I already see the new things you learn each day and the new independence that you try to show. Hopefully we can channel that new independence in more productive things instead of refusing naps. This mama is not ready for that. You are a beautiful son of God and I love your sweet kisses and cuddles. Always be your happy self! I love you so much!

Love, Mama