Sanchez Stories

2010-12-16T15:06:00.000-08:00

Colter and Avery
Avery is quite the little artist, she loves to color and draw, and can do what some 3rd graders can do. I love watching her get so excited about her work.

Waylon and Avery really have an neat relationship, they play together, and create games together. I never had a brother or a sister, so watching them get along and resolve issues is fascinating!

Waylon is doing very well in his class, and appears to be quite social. He has a group of friends who he hangs out with and enjoys learning to read. He loves to play with games and is sooooo funny, he is so witty!

Colter and Conway are almost a year old and they are so similar and so different! Colter is really a mommy's boy and can't stand for me to leave the room these days. Conway, is a daddy's boy, he is constantly saying dada, dada, dada! He just appears happier when Justin is around. They recently started fighting over the same toy, and at first I tried to keep it fair, but now I let them figure it out and they do! There may be some crying, but for the most part one of them lets it go, and they seem to take turns, it's not just one of them that lets it go all the time! Colter really loves balls, he holds plastic size golf balls all around the house and even slept a week or so with a golf ball! The boys eat EVERY THING they are allowed to eat!

Conway/Colter

Our family at the Balloon Fiesta 2010!

Waylon and His Brothers

2010-08-12T09:39:00.001-07:00

The boys hanging out in the Nap Nannies!

Waylon and Colter on the floor in the kitchen!

Waylon and Conway.

Conway, Waylon and Colter ~ Waylon is playing with them ~ they would grab him and pull him, like he's their toy. He makes them laugh and it's really cute!

Avery Bella ~ ALMOST 3 (3 more months)

2010-08-11T14:26:00.001-07:00

These two love like I have never seen, it's so cute and I am thankful! She is such a girl!

Look how cute she is!

Twins

2010-08-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

7 months 2 weeks ~ They are eating LOTS of food, sleeping through the night, and are on 2-3 naps a day. They are a bit fussy ~ teething I'm sure, and are such good boys! We are very blessed! 6 months

Waylon's 5th Birday Party!

2010-08-11T14:10:00.001-07:00

We had Waylon's 5th Birthday at home w/a BIG slide pool, several of his friends and all of his family. He had an amazing cake that Nana made (Yoda). Avery is crying because Conway pulled her hair, Waylon is concerned, he doesn't like when his sister is upset.

Waylon, your mommy and daddy love you and are so proud of the boy you are going up to be. You are caring, thoughtful, you make your bed w/out being told, and you come up with the funniest movie quotes!

Grandpa and Waylon eating cake!

What a neat cake!

Waylon and Bri

Waylon's cousins

Waylon's friends and cousins

It was a great day w/out any rain, and lots of friends, family and good food.

TIME

2010-07-26T14:33:00.001-07:00

Avery is becoming quite the artist, this is her version of a cat on the right!

Colter, Avery, Conway, Waylon (June 2010)

I just don't seem to have enough of it these days, I know how important it is to keep up with the blog, I want my kids to be able to look back and read about the cool things they did. For example Waylon had a dream about Matthew (his cousin), it was his FIRST dream that he woke up and said "mommy I had a really weird dream", I asked him what it was and he said that he was at the reunion with Matthew and Matthew took the trash underneath the house we stay at because it was so stinky! I asked him if that was it and, yes, that was it!

Avery is talking more and more each day and when Justin had to work the other night, I laid in bed w/her and she told me some stories and I just let her talk, my mom had Waylon at her house. I am looking forward to having more time w/her alone once Waylon starts kinder in fall.

Colter is the best boy, he hardly ever complains, and he went through teething w/such easy! He is a mommy's boy.

Conway, he has the cutest mad cry I have ever heard come from a baby! He likes to be held and he is totally daddy's boy!

Our family is sleeping through the night, the twins recently went to two naps, instead of 3, which is really nice for me, those short 3 naps a day made it really hard to get ANY thing done!
Justin has been working A TON, and plans to reconnect w/his family after July is over!
I am so excited about fall, this will be the first fall I won't be pregnant, or sad from losing a baby! This year, it's about enjoying all the blessings that I am so thankful for! God has really taken care of us!

Funerals

2010-04-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Our family on Easter 2010!Grandma Helen (my mom's mom)

The Girls!

The Boys!

Avery Bell and Grandma Helen

I went to a funeral for a friend on Saturday, and it had left a hole in my heart for her kids. It makes me think blogging is even more important because should you be gone one day, it's here for them to read, your thoughts, some feelings, and milestones you wouldn't be able to tell them about yourself. Heck with my memory I might not be able to remember w/out blogging anyway!

Colter rolled over for the first time last week, he's only done it once, but he still did it, we were so proud of him! The boys don't like to do tummy time much, but I don't think babies really do! Avery is still amazing, she is so emotional right now, she cries and cries for no reason lately, I sure hope that stops soon, it's driving me crazy! Waylon is still funny and is getting old enough where he is REALLY testing his limits. He thinks he can talk back and be disrespectful, so he tries and waits for one of us to say some thing, I think he'll learn quickly that it's not ok and things will fall into place again. I believe it's just another stage!

Justin and I TRY and get a date night in at least once a month now, if that, the new dynamic has challenged our relationship lately, but I'm sure we'll get back on track as soon as we get the twins out of our room. I think that is one step to moving forward. Conway and Colter "Fisher" are sleeping from 9:00 to 4:30 right now, and go back to sleep from 5:00 to 7:30 ish..... So we are getting plenty of sleep with some bad nights in-between! We are well aware that things only get better from here! I can't wait to start solids with the boys, that will be fun!

I love my family so much ~ we put the highchairs on the seats at the table and we are complete, and it feels good! Our family is complete!

Easter this year was spent with the Sanchez family (Bea came and stayed with us), and with my mom at her house (my Grandma Helen came down and stayed with her).

OK Don't have a lot of time (New Pics to Share 2010)

2010-03-25T15:11:00.001-07:00

Mommy and Avery BellaConway/Colter "Fisher"

Colter/Waylon/Avery/Conway

Colter Fisher

Conway Archer

My babies!

How awsome are these pics.... More to share when I have some time, now that I joined FB, I can't clean my house!

OH MY GOSH, taking pictures of twins is so much fun!

2010-03-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Conway and Colter are now 11 weeks old, and are doing great. We are shocked that we ended up with not only twins, but with these two wonderful boys! It's fun to see their personalities emerging and we are enjoying watching Waylon and Avery interact with them more and more. Awake time is fun in our home, never a dull moment!
Enjoy the updated pics. our neighbor Erica did them for us!

The foot shot!

Colter (left), Conway (right)

Look at that smile on Conway, Great shot Erica!

Melts my Heart

Conway Archer

Colter Fisher

How handsome are these boys.....

What a Life!

2010-03-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

Justin and Colter

Justin, Conway and Colter

Avery wrapped like a "tiny baby"!

I can't believe that these babies have been lent to me by God to raise. He must of thought that I could do it because he has given me 4 wonderful gifts. There are days I don't think that raising twins is easy and then they finally go down for a nap, smile, or just look at you and you just know that you will make it through. There are so many people that will never get to experience the bond that these children will experience, because they are close in age and because there are twins in this group.

The support we have received has been amazing, THANK YOU FAMILY and FRIENDS, and Church Group (SAGE BRUSHERS)! I don't even know how God does such amazing things and I am struck in awe as I watch what he had done in our lives the past 2 years with the 3 losses, and now the birth of Conway and Colter, and the support through the journey. I am so excited to enjoy my family, to watch not only my marriage grow, but also the kiddos, this is going to be so much fun. I had no idea that God would bless me with so much and that I would be able to enjoy each and every day as much as I do. How can this get any better!

Update: Today Justin and I went to pick up breakfast and today was the first day that Conway and Colter didn't cry in their car seats! Parents that remember the screaming know what a joy this is to drive with out all the crying! I hope this new stage lasts! They are sleeping from 9:30ish to 4:00, and then go back down from about 4:45 to 7:00ish..... We are getting enough sleep and the boys are starting to fall into a small schedule of about 4-5 naps a day. They eat 7 times a day on the boob, and they get one bottle at night. Currently. Conway is 10lbs and 6.5oz, and Colter is 10lbs 3oz, so they are staying close in their weight. They are amazing, Colter is VERY head-strong and when he gets mad, you know it. Conway is much more calm, although he can get mad too if he wants some thing. They don't usually cry at the same time (don't get me wrong it does happen), but they seem to cry and then realize that some one else is crying too, and they listen for a second and then cry again to see if they hear what may seem like their echo! Everyone asks me if I can tell their cries, and for the most part NO, I'm usually wrong, but Colter does snort when he's really mad, so I know it's him if he's very upset!

Nana has left our house hold, only to come back and stay every once in awhile. We will miss her dearly and we really appreciated her help. I really do think the fact the twins were so big (6lbs 15oz, and 6lbs 11oz) is because she fed us all healthy foods, cooked for our family and helped me rest when I needed to rest. I was very emotional when she left because she made a difference in all of our lives. My children got to live with their "Nana" for 5 months and that is a gift in itself. There are so many memories, like when Avery ate the Elmo cake that Nana made for her and then she realized that Elmo's face was half gone, and she got sad, and mad at Elmo! There was the time that Waylon said that he wanted to start "collecting Nana's", we sure got a huge laugh out of that comment! We've had tons of fun with her here and she will be missed dearly.

I guess it's time ~ time to start what will for me be the NEW YEAR ~ this year will be filled with getting our family structure back, and getting out, we have been locked up because of Avery's vasa previa, health concerns (the Swine Flu), and because of a high risk twin pregnancy, so now it's time to get out, time to get in shape, and time to get back to living life to to fullest. When you have the kind of gifts I have in my life why hide!

5 Weeks!

2010-02-04T16:02:00.000-08:00

Below are pictures of SOME of our favorite people holding our babies!

Can't forget the big kids! (Waylon 4, Avery 2)

Big Brother and Big Sister!

The boys are now 5 weeks old, and doing quite well, although it's not an easy task raising twin boys, it's not as hard as everyone told us it would be. How would they know though, it's only 1 in a 1000 that get to experience what we are experiencing. We are pround parents and lovin' it

FINALLY PICTURES TO SHARE!

2010-01-26T15:22:00.000-08:00

Pictures of our boys! Conway Archer Noah Sanchez (2 Weeks Old)

Colter Fisher Thomas Sanchez (2 Weeks Old)

Look at this bonding moment!

On December 31, 2009 our sons Conway Archer (6lbs 15oz) and Colter Fisher 6lbs 11oz) were born via-C-section. They came out screaming their heads off, unlike Avery who had the smallest litter whimper of a cry, and Waylon who hardly ever cried. These boys showed me that some moms really do have to love their children in order to love their cries! It also might be that they cry in stereo, meaning at the same exact time and the same exact cry!

We were hoping to skip the jaundice lights, but they did have to do about 48 hours of the lights. We also did supplemental feedings for the first week because they wanted food right away, which didn't surprise me, they ate every 2 hours when I was pregnant why change their behavior now!

They continue to eat like crazy and I continue to breastfeed, not too sure how long that will continue feeding two isn't exactly the sweet picture of bonding that it is with one, but I have help through February so I vow to feed them through February!

We are enjoying having our family home, safe and most of all healthy! We also are looking forward to un-interrupted sleep and lots of fun family moments ahead!

Again thank you for following along in our journey and for checking in on us!

Dre

TIME!

2010-01-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

I would love to have the time to add all the pictures I want to show off to this old computer I am using, however, I am getting a new computer soon and will post pictures of the boys ASAP.

We feel so happy and complete with our new family and have been blessed with lots of help and support.

I will share our birth story when I post the pictures, but did want to let you all know that the boys are doing GREAT and came home with us from the hospital 1/4/09!
Waylon and Avery love their brothers, and are adjusting well.
Thank you for checking in on us!
Dre

Quick update from a tired prego!

2009-12-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

Well we will be 36 weeks tomorrow, and we are super excited about that! We finally have our C-section scheduled for 37 weeks ~ our date is New Year's Eve 12/31/09! I am so huge that I won't post a belly picture and scare you all! The babies weighed in at 6lbs LAST WEEK and they put on about a half pound a week, so if you can imagine carrying around 12+lbs of baby + placenta and fluid..... Yes like I said, I am huge!

I am starting to retain water and starting to get small headaches which they thought might be signs of pre-eclampsia, but I got the call today that I tested negative so that's great news.... I don't get common things that happen in pregnancy so I knew it would be negative, it's the rare things I need to worry about.

I wouldn't say we are ready for the boys ~ but who can really prepare for 2 babies.... we'll take it as it comes. Yes, we know we will be tired, but we know it will be worth it and we are up for the task!

Thank you all for your continued support, prayers and e-mails!
Love,
Dre

Update at ALMOST 32 Weeks!

2009-11-21T15:23:00.000-08:00

Look how much space he seems to have poor baby!

I have still been cooking the twins. "Nana" moved in (Justin's mom) to help out and boy it's been a huge help! I didn't realize how hard it would be to be in the kitchen. You have to bend to cut things, wash things, put things in the dish washer, cook..... my back starts to kill me about 2 minutes after I start to try and do anything, and then Nana kicks me out anyway!

Gloma, and my mom fill in on some days as well so Nana can be with her mom, so things have worked out well with the "helping out schedule". THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HELP FAMILY!!!!

I often wonder if it's better to have help now, or after the boys are here, but I am so thankful that we have the help so we'll just continue to be thankful!

The boys are doing well, they are just a little under 4lbs, but they feel like they are HUGE in my tummy because I am being stretched so far, and my poor skin. With Avery I had NO stretch marks, but with these boys I am paying my dues now, they better be GREAT sleep through the night babies for this!

Dr. Gordon (our OBGYN) got a new machine and wanted to show it off, so we got some great 3D pics. Unfortunately Conway was hiding and we couldn't see him. So here are our updated pics of Colter "Fisher".

In this picture Fisher has his eyes open, which is really hard to capture during a US.

Waylon and Avery are doing well, they don't quite understand why mommy is so tired and not able to bend down, but that's OK, it's better than being in the hospital. I at least get to be around for all meals and some play-time! Justin is the best husband ever, he has stepped up to doing what needs to be done, and is so attentive to feeding me and making sure I'm drinking plenty of water (speaking of, I need some water).

I haven't blogged much, but will try and keep the updates coming!

24 Weeks, our biggest concern so far is Swine Flu!

2009-10-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

So we had our 24 week apt. and things look great, Conway is 1lb 8oz, and Fisher (Colter) is 1lb 10oz.
I have gained 5lbs in 2 weeks, YIKES, I am the biggest I have and will ever be (hee-hee). The boys are doing great, fluid levels look good, and the FFN test (that tests for pre-term labor) is negative. We will do these tests every 2 weeks.

So are we still afraid of twin to twin transfusion? Yes, it can still happen at any time, but after 28 weeks we have a 1% chance of getting it, so at least we can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Below are finally some pictures of my "Fisher" (Colter) ~ He finally let us get a good one, and Conway, was face down, so no good pics of him...... sigh!
Our biggest fear now is ~ THE SWINE FLU, with stats like this, we plan to hide out for the most part to ensure the health of the boys and most of all me, as it would mean delivery of the boys and the possibility of death for me, those are high risks.

28 Pregnant Women Dead From H1N1 Swine Flu in U.S.
CDC: 'Striking' Swine Flu Severity Seen in Pregnant Women
By Daniel J. DeNoonWebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Oct. 1, 2009 -- H1N1 swine flu has killed 28 pregnant women in the U.S., raising the level of concern among obstetricians and CDC investigators.
The 28 women who died were among about 100 pregnant women who required intensive care because of severe H1N1 swine flu disease.

if you would like to read more ~

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20091001/28-pregnant-women-dead-from-h1n1-swine-flu-in-us

Difference between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms
Symptom
Cold
Swine Flu
Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

NAMES & Meanings

2009-09-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

The birth of twins was regarded as a special blessing from God (Genesis 25:24)
We are happy to announce that we have finalized names and are ready to share.

Baby A = Conway Archer Sanchez (so far he has been calm and sweet)
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Hound of the plain

Baby B = Colter Fisher Sanchez (he's the fiesty one in the womb and likes to punch and kick the most)
Origin: English
Meaning: Young horse

22 Weeks During a Twin Pregnancy w/two other little ones at home!

2009-09-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

Avery Bella 22 months
Waylon Boss early 4

All seems to be progressing well.

Avery is amazing with the babies, she lifts my shirt and says "babies", and I ask her how many and she says "TWO", but she says two to every thing these days, two, No, and No WAY are her favorite words these days!

Waylon is excited and wants to call the babies "Waylon's", I think that is so darn cute!

Nana will be moving in with us soon and I can't wait, it's really hard taking care of two toddlers, and myself! The lack of energy some days makes me feel bad for not playing more with the kiddos. Plus the bonding time for Nana, Waylon and Avery will be amazing and worth it all in the end!

Here is a belly Shot at I think it was 20 weeks?

I also have pictures from the Perinates on CD so here are some of the twins at 22 weeks...... Colter Fisher

Colter on left, Conway on Rt.

Conway and Colter didn't want any pictures taken, they tried to turn around!

Seeing these twins together is so cute and amazing, it's no wonder twins are close look at those two. If they are closer than Avery and Waylon I will be in awe every day of my life, those two love each other so much and I love watching it grow!

Avery and Waylon before a fishing trip with Daddy!

21 WEEKS with twins!

2009-09-10T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well I have had a TON going on lately, mostly because I feel like I might go into the hospital at 25 weeks (I only feel this way because Avery was in the hospital at 25 weeks), so my brain thinks I need to get all sorts of stuff done before then. I know it's a bit crazy, but it's how I feel.

I have taken 2, 1 hour gestational diabetes tests in the last 2 weeks. Anyone who has had one knows how horrible they taste! After failing both of those I had to take the 3 hour test on Wednesday, THANK YOU GLOMA for watching the kiddos. I PASSED THE TEST ~ I still will need to re-take the test again at 28 weeks though, BUMMER!
I had an apt. with my OB, and things continue to look good as far as the twins are concerned.

I haven't updated so much other family stuff ~
*Waylon's Birthday being the most important, but I will do that soon!

I plan to post names once we finalize~
Thank you for checking in on us!

18 Weeks

2009-08-20T16:17:00.000-07:00

We had our appointment today to check on the twins. They both look great, they still continue to show no signs of Twin to Twin Transfusion (but again this can happen at ANY TIME). Today they checked that the babies can pee, that they have a bladder, a stomach, and that fluid levels are plentiful for the babies.
The tech finished early and got some 4D pics of the babies. It's time for the diabetes check, and another full blood panel work up on my nutrition. I was lacking iron and protein which is no surprise, I am having a hard time eating meat! I am trying to get protein in other ways, drinks, eggs ~ you know.
We plan on sharing names soon so stay tuned!

Negative Test results ~

2009-08-13T14:43:00.001-07:00

OH MY GOSH ~ I finally tested NEGATIVE on a test that was rare! We don't have SSA or SSB issues that could of caused heart block in our babies!!!!!!
I am over joyed and thrilled that so far we are almost like a regular pregnancy, except for the fact I am growing two brains in there!

So thank you for your thoughts and prayers and thank you GOD for allowing things to be some what normal!

Nana came and stayed with us and helped us out a ton this week. She cooked yummy dinners and made me sit a lot! We had tons of fun with her.

Those of you who wonder why Avery has those BLUE eyes ~

Well you can't see their eyes, I thought I had a better picture!

More on the twins after our next apt. but I am happy to report that there is no drama on my end!

16 Weeks and Counting!

2009-08-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

Remember we have two in there:

Your pregnancy: 16 weeks
See the big picture
How your baby's growing:Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

We had an apt. on Thursday and we found out the sex...... If you haven't voted yet, you shouldn't read this post....
We are having BOYS! We are excited that Avery will be our little girl and that Waylon gets to be the "big boy"!
Things look good so far and their growth is till on track. We have some tests coming up that we hope will be negative, and we would love your continued prayers that these little ones continue to thrive and come into this world healthy and safe with no NICU time.
"Trust in the lord with all your heart".............

Avery Love 20 Months/2009

2009-07-21T11:58:00.001-07:00

Avery love! Just some pics to share, Avery likes to take pictures more than Waylon ever did, so it's fun to capture moments like this! Snuggles w/Dylan at the 2009 reunion.

Her brother is her world, as is she his!

Girl cousins are the best.

Gramie always makes her day.

Avery and her best friend Emery.

Bum-pa is her favorite

Move ahead a week! From 11.5 to 12.1 weeks

2009-07-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

Update:
So we had our first Perinatal apt. today ~ I have been so excited for this apt. because not only do they have the BEST machines to look at the babies, but my favorite doctor is there. She said she wouldn't see me until after 11 weeks so the fact I got here was a big deal to me. The ultra sound tech that diagnosed Avery's Vasa Previa was there and did the ultrasound, she is an amazing person and remembered every detail of that day (just like we do).
Our Doc told us that according to their Pregnancy Wheel she feels like we are more like 12 weeks one day as of today's date. That means we are one week further, we'll take that, I personally would love to sleep until about 37 weeks of pregnancy and wake up for the C-section with all babies healthy, and safe!

Anyway, there were two things we were hoping for:
1.) They are in their own sacs ~ THEY ARE
2.) They have their own placentas ~ THEY DON'T

So this puts us in the NOT HIGHEST RISK category, and not low risk, but MEDIUM HIGH risk. However this particular risk does not take into account the fact that I have APS. So who knows where that really places me.

What's the risk?
TWIN TO TWIN TRANSFUSION: What are our chances of getting this 1 in 1000
Remember we were 1 in 3000 for the Vasa Previa!
TTTS; Fetal transfusion syndrome

Definition of Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome:
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare condition that occurs only in identical twins while they are in the womb.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
1.) occurs when blood moves from one twin to the other. The twin that loses the blood is called the donor twin. The twin that receives the blood is called the recipient twin.

Both infants may have problems depending on the severity of the transfusion. The donor twin may have too little blood, and the other may have too much blood. The donor twin may need a blood transfusion, while the recipient twin may need to have the amount of blood in his or her body reduced.

2.) TTTS is a pregnancy complication that affects identical twins. Specifically, TTTS affects the placenta, preventing proper circulation of blood and nutrients between the two twins. This can lead to severe developmental deficits and health complications.

TTTS only affects twins that have a monochorionic placenta. This occurs when twins develop a shared placenta in the uterus, instead of two separate placentas. If a fertilized egg takes longer than four days to split, only one placenta develops instead of two. Typically, this placenta is able to balance nutrients and blood flow to both babies.

The type of twins we have are called:
Diamnionic Monochorionic(MC) Twins: Twinning four or more days after conception will lead to a shared or monochorionic (MC) placenta. Between four to eight days the MC twins will have separate sacs of water (diamnionic) despite a shared placenta.

Couples with monochorionic twins are at high risk and should be examined often by their physician, have frequent ultrasound scans (The TTTS Foundation advocates weekly ultrasounds from 16 weeks through delivery), and plan to have careful placental examination after delivery.

If you would like more info: http://www.tttsfoundation.org/index.php

So Justin, I and the babies will be monitored closely, I say Justin too because he needs the reassurance that things are going well, and our Docs. know that he is a key player in this!

So far the twins show NO sign of TTTS BOTH are growing ahead of schedule so that makes us feel really positive, but we need to keep an eye on them often.
Please keep us in your prayers.

THANK YOU!

Family Vacation, San Diego 2009

2009-06-25T19:30:00.000-07:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Blessings & Loss

2009-06-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

Our family has had some tough times this past year, although we are still blessed beyond belief. We have some amazing times together as you can tell from the blog. I think there are few parents out there that cherish their children as we do ours, but I am biased!
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In Aug. 2008 we suffered our first miscarraige (MC). I knew it would be a difficult thing to have to go through, I had always told myself if there's one thing I didn't want to have to go through it's a MC, but we did, and it was very hard. We grieved, and decided through the struggles of getting over our fears and disappointment that we wanted another child, and so we continued to try again.

In Feb. 2009 we found out we were expecting fraternal twins and we were not only shocked, but over the moon! In early March we again suffered another MC.

At this point our doctors sent us for lots of testing and it was a scary time. We thought perhaps our journey and dream of more children was finished. It was frustrating to think about moving forward and again suffering another loss. It was some thing I couldn't imagine not only for myself but for Justin as well, not to mention Waylon as we told him all about it and there's nothing more sad than for a 3 year to not be able to understand what happened to the baby. Especially when you can't explain it to yourself.

You believe in God, you believe in the plan, and you have to have faith, and we continued even if we didn't sing in church because at times it hurt so bad, we still continued to swim through the pain.

After the testing came results:

Diagnosis: Pregnancy related antiphospholipid antibody also known as APS/Huges Syndrome.

What is it: Hughes Syndrome (APS) is sometimes called 'sticky blood syndrome'. This is because people with it have an increased tendency to form clots in blood vessels (also known as thromboses).

Why is it associated with the losses: One miscarriage is a disaster. Two is worse. Imagine the suffering of women who have 3, 5, 7 or even 12 pregnancy losses, and sometimes as late as the last few weeks of their pregnancy. We now know that Hughes Syndrome is the most common treatable cause of recurrent miscarriage: depending on which study you quote, the figure is up to 1 in 5. Furthermore, late pregnancy loss, fortunately an unusual problem in pregnancy, is very strongly associated with Hughes Syndrome as is pre-eclampsia, placental abruption and intra-uterine growth restriction.For the sake of a simple blood test, patients with miscarriage or late pregnancy loss can be tested for Hughes Syndrome. Treatment of these patients has proved one of the true successes of modern medicine, the successful pregnancy rate rising from a previous low of fewer than 20% to figures now in the region of 75-80% success rate. Treatment is with low-dose aspirin and/or heparin.

If you would like to learn more click on the right corner or here:

http://www.apsfa.org/aps.htm

So we got the results and decided that we were done trying to have children and that we were going to go on a healing, LONG vacation to sunny San Diego. So we made the plans. In mid May, I started getting sick when I would open the fridge, and I told Justin he needed to clean it out because it was so bad, he checked it and couldn't smell anything. This happened 2 days in a row, so he joked and said "you need to take a pee test, aren't you late anyway?" I thought about this later that same day as I was really tired, and checked the calender and sure enough I was about 8 days late, but I had also just had a D&C so why would I assume I would be on time anyway.

I e-mailed him and said ~ Please pick up a pee stick on the way home, just so we could rule out the question. If I was pregnant I knew I needed to start blood thinners ASAP in order to prevent yet another MC.

That night Justin brought the sticks home and he asked me if I was going to go and test, I told him no ~ I wanted to wait for the morning, why test when I knew I wasn't pregnant.

I had a dream that the test was +, woke up took the test and it was just that +, so I went into the room at about 5:30 am, and told Justin...... He looked at me and said, "Dre, go back to bed", I had to get him to wake up a bit in order to grasp what I was saying.

So there went our plans to get our team of doctors on track..... I am now on blood thinners (Heprin), and am currently 10 weeks as of Saturday with TWINS, that's right IDENTICAL TWINS (which by the way were done the natural way, so don't ask if we did IVF). Also Identical twins are not "passed down".

True Identical Twin Definition: Twins derived from the same fertilized ovum that at an early stage of development becomes separated into independently growing cell aggregations, giving rise to two individuals of the same sex, identical genetic makeup, and closely similar appearance.

Each day is just like Avery's pregnancy but much earlier, we are thankful and look forward to the end of the pregnancy while trying to enjoy being pregnant at the same time, which isn't easy. It's filled (like Avery's pregnancy), with lots of fears due to the diagnosis we have. However we do feel like God has a plan and that God is with us ~

As Gloma says, "Let go, let God",

My 4-eyed Friend says "Here is a great scripture to memorize and keep close to your heart---it will help you through all things and give you strength": Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.

We are taking one day at a time as we all should, an we don't really understand why we are constantly put in a situation where we have to be some what fearful if we bring children into the world, but we have faith that there is a wonderful end to this story.

Thank you all for your support and understanding if this past year we haven't been around much. The losses have been hard to recover from and we have been sad a lot, but we are healing slowly and are excited about the future.

Avery's First Kiss!

2009-04-24T13:44:00.001-07:00

Our 4-eyed friend and her dear hubby (Steve) had us over for dinner so we could help them move forward (they are starting their own business), I'll post more so you can check it out when they have more completed.

Anyway ~ Seth had been such a sweet-heart with Avery, and we were saying good-bye when Avery said a loving good-bye with a hair rub for Seth and a kiss...... I didn't get the kiss on camera, this picture below is after the kiss. Seth may be thinking there is more because he doesn't move and goes back in for another sweet kiss when......
WHAM he gets slapped by Avery..... Boys better not mess with my little girl!

I really do love these pictures, it's such a telling case of her personality. Avery is the sweetest thing until she's had enough, when she's done with you, she's done!

I'll post more from our fun night, but had to share these with friends and family!

AVERY NO MORE KISSING.....

Oh when we got home I was telling Waylon, that Seth and gave Avery a kiss, and he said "Seth is a bad boy, next time I will tell him no more kissing", as you can tell we are training Waylon early to be VERY PROTECTIVE!

We had tons of fun 4-Eyes, Thank you!

Easter with Gramie and Bam-pa (Eggs and Dinner)

2009-04-17T08:55:00.001-07:00

Easter at Gramies and Bam-pa's! Avery is so excited about her Easter basket, the grass is her favorite part! Waylon realizes that there is fruit in the eggs, YES, less chocolate!

Oh a little chick is in the egg and it's hoping on Avery!

Avery thinks the chicks are her babies.

Gramie helps take care of Avery's babies, Waylon doesn't understand, those aren't babies, they are fake chicks.

Avery finds a fruit egg too!

We had a Great Easter dinner and lots of fun. Thanks for having us over gramie and bam-pa.

Easter 2009

2009-04-10T20:55:00.001-07:00

Easter 2009 (pre-party)

Izzy and Waylon
Waylon and Elenor
Avery and Emery
The kiddos looking at the eggs!
Hot tub time, I like this picture because it looks like Waylon needs a boy present (lost of girls can do that to a boy)!
More fun!
Avery was ready for a rest.

Our neighbor who we adore and are glad she moved in and I decided to do a huge egg coloring day with the kids, here are some of the pics of that as well as the afternoon hot tub experience.
We had a great time!

Spiritual Disciplines

2009-04-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

As we grow up we begin to understand more and yet understand less, how is that possible.
In a book I'm reading it says that God uses three primary catalysts for changinging us and conforming us to Christlikeness:
1. He uses people ~ "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17)
My husband and I met this way, we were some what lost ~ we wanted a relationship with God, yet had no "remote control" of how to get there.... The bible and a good pastor/preist can give you this gift, but finding a GREAT pastor/preist is hard to do.
He uses our Enemies:
How many of us have felt hurtful things from people we didn't like, but thought about it a second and realized that perhaps changes did need to be made here and there.
Parents, children, spouses, coworkers, customers, theachers, neighbors, pastors - God changes us through people.
Some may call these people angels, and perhaps we won't know that they acted like one untill we are gone.
Do we become more open as we age, or more closed because of all the circumstances ~ Are we soupose to learn more as we grow older, or do we just finally realize the whole time we didn't really know a thing.
2.) Another change is circumstances
3.) Placing OURSELVES before God for him to work in us

All relationships take work, and this one is going to be much harder than I orginally thought!
Meanwhile as I work on my relationships ~
Here are some worthy pictures to look at.

Remember: (a quote)

2009-04-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

myspace layouts

2009-03-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

I am forever grateful.

It's funny, as you get older there are more and more lessons you just get. It is true that old saying "if I only knew then what I know now", imagine what you could do, or what you might not do ~

I know I don't ever want to look back and wish I would have done this, or wish I would have done that.

I know that I love my family dearly and truly feel blessed that I have them in my life.

I know that my journey on this earth, in this life has been full of twists and turns that I never ever believed I would endure, but each day I feel stronger yet weaker.

I know that I am not in control as we each like to believe that we are. Why is this so important to us....

Why do bad things happen to good people?

*What is twitter and is this similar to what it is? Random thoughts that some how fit...

Isn't that how life is!

As I have said before 2009 has not been the year we thought it would be, but we have each other and that's really all that matters.

Life

2009-03-05T17:06:00.000-08:00

Life has been teaching us a few things the past 4 months, and we only hope for some good things to come in 2009. So far this year has brought some heart-break to our family as well as lots of testing of our faith.

Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.

Jan. 2009

2009-01-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

I just knew that it was going to be the year of the invites! So far we have been invited to 8 parties, and we have attended 5 w/3 more to come! How fun! So what if most of them Waylon and Avery were invited and we just get to tag along! January has been a great month for family time and good health (knock on wood)!

I don't have any updated pics, but will get some soon! It's almost V-Day!

Hugs and Kisses!

Lost Dogs 1/2/09

2009-01-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

Our dogs are back at home with their family. What a way to start the New Year!

Well we had an appraiser come yesterday morning and he, Justin and I left the gate open (notice no blame from me), so when the dogs were sent out to go pee, it was an open invitation for Copper and Swade to go for a joy walk. They went out about 1:00 and Justin found them missing around 3:30. Both us and two of our neighbors were out looking for our dogs. Apparently there are others on our block that love our chocolate labs, who knew!

So we made signs at Kinko's (@ $1.00 a page, can you imagine, we made 50 pages to post), Justin went to the shelter and they weren't there, so he finally came home about 6:15, and went to check the site one last time for the night. THERE WERE OUR DOGS IN DOGGIE JAIL! I have to try and post the picture, it's really funny now that we know they are safe!

So this post is for the LOVE we hold for Copper and Swade our labs and the best dogs in the world!

Now I'm beginning to wonder why God trusted me with two babies too!

2008 is ALMOST OVER!

2008-12-30T11:19:00.000-08:00

Avery in her Santa hat
Waylon opens a gift from Gloma (thank you)
Kisses (too sweet)

Daddy, I want to be just like you

More Waylon Boss kisses!

She was once so small!

Look at our son last year, boy how time changes them both so quickly

Although we are excited for the New Year 2009, we will recap some of my favorite moments of the year (with some pictures above).

* 2008 has been the year of hopes and dreams being both fulfilled and changed, and we have both been faced with learning how to role with the punches in life when God decides he wants a different plan than we thought was "THE PLAN". This year has both challenged our relationship with him and we hope to gain an even stronger connection with God in 2009.

We think 2009 will be two-fold:

1.) The year of "Fruit of the Spirit": When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

2.) The year of the invites ~ we hosted so many things this year, I think that we will be invited to some great get-togethers next year! (hee-hee)

We are thankful for our health, or beautiful little ones (Waylon and Avery), our adorable pets (Swade, Copper, Kale, and Shiner). We are grateful that we have a strong marriage and the type of relationship that we consider ourselves friends first, our financial situation in this difficult economy. If you are our friends and family, we are glad that you have come on this journey of life with us. Thank you for your friendship, love, and support.

Mantra:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as he did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to his will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with him forever in the next.

Happy New Year to all!

Santa Came Already?

2008-12-22T15:50:00.000-08:00

We were very blessed to have Santa come and visit our family (Thank you Santa)!

The BEST Things in Life ARE Free!

2008-11-17T14:35:00.000-08:00

There are moments throughout the day that I don't want to forget as the kiddos get older, and I often think ~ I need to blog that, but don't, so here are a few.

Two of my favorite moments:

When Avery lays back (to get her bottle), there is a moment where she breaths just before she gets her bottle, and it reminds me that there are things in life that are worth that small breath. You take the small breath to get ready for some thing you enjoy!

EVERY morning Waylon climbs in bed with us, and I can hear his little feet coming down the hall on mornings where I am kind of awake. He climbs in bed and rubs his lips with Egg Head. There are times I wish he would sleep in, but mostly I'm glad he's there.

Then he says, mommy will you warm my milk, his warm milk is like coffee in the morning for most!

I think the best things in life are free because it's these moments in my life that make me happy that I am here to enjoy them with my children.

We won't talk about the moments that I wish I was working (hee-hee)!

2008-10-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

OCT. 2008

Cousin Ana and Avery

Waylon and Cousin Benna

Connor's B-day Party

Walon tired after B-day Party!

We got to stay with Nana at her house!

How cute is this picture with Nana and 4 of her babies!

This is in Raton at Nana's with the sunset in the background.

This is after we got home from Raton, we relaxed and hung out at home before Justin had to go back to work.

Copper and Swade LOVED RATON, their back yard seemed so small when we got home!

The Pumpkin Fairy and Batman with their daddy!

Avery's Cake that Nana made, Tinker Bell is sitting on the pumpkin!

Avery at her party

Mommy, Avery and Daddy

This is Avery's first gift card, she is very excited to go buy a new outfit!

Grandpa and Avery

Waylon at home with mommy taking silly pics!

See!

What a fun month we had!

If you were part of it ~ Thanks, if not, you should see us more often!

Halloween is coming! Guess who's turning 1......

2008-09-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

Avery and Gramie
Here are some pics of Avery's costume, it's not quite finished yet; it's going to be even more super duper-cuter when it's done. Thank you Gramie for making it.

NO MORE NAPS, Waylon Rebels

Well, he is still napping, but is trying to talk me out of it, I think each kid should nap for as long as possible for mommy sanity time, but that's just my point of view!

Some Updated Pictures of Sept. 2008

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Our family ~

Mommy and Avery

Daddy and Waylon

Waylon Boss ~ 3 years old

He loves to go hunting with the boys, and loves to make forts, he is going through a growing phase and seems hungry all the time these days! He likes to eat meat, veggies, and fruits if you can believe that! He helps daddy in the yard, and is a big helper with cleaning up and with his little sister. He is such a good boy and is extremely funny. He keeps us laughing all the time with movie quotes. Right now his favorite movie is "Madagascar", so we will be seeing the sequel when it comes out!

Avery Bella Faith ~ 10 months old

She loves to suck her thumb, and loves when her big brother is silly and runs up to her. She likes to sleep and enjoys her baths. I think she is a perfectionist because she won't crawl, and when she tries to, she falls on her face and gets so mad that it didn't work the first time! So she hesitates to do it again!

Both of our children don't appear to be risk takers, as they both take things slow and cautious! We believe this is a good thing!

Daddy Reads to Us

2008-09-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Daddy Time!

Justin is such a loving father, and Avery at just 10 months is really enjoying books. Waylon has his favorites

~ one of them being "PJ Funny Bunny", Thank you Aunt Leslie!

Grandma Helen (my grandma) from Denver came to visit as well, and hadn't been in Albuquerque for over 20 years ~

Here are some pics from her visit:

4 Generations of girls!

Waylon's First Hunting Trip

2008-08-16T09:09:00.001-07:00

Waylon's first Hunting Trip:
3 years old, Uncle Juaq got a antelope, and Waylon had a BLAST With the "Boys"!

He keeps asking me when he can go again!

HUNTING, He's only 3 years old!

Well the boys are on Waylon's first hunting trip. Justin took the camera so I will post some pics when they get back. For now I just want the boys to know that Avery and I miss them!

What a month July was!

2008-08-06T09:59:00.001-07:00

AUGUST IS HERE!

We are very happy that August is here, July has proven to be a stressful month in 2008! However, we still feel that God is good, and that we are blessed. We are checking in on Avery and Waylon a bit more these days, and are overjoyed with the family God has allowed us to create.

Waylon had a fever the other night, but has powered through and is fine today. Avery usually is up by now from her 2nd nap, and it figures the day I want to go to lunch with her daddy, she sleeps in, come on baby girl, mommy needs to eat!

Justin and I are beginning to plan our family vacation, and Waylon leaves for his first hunting trip EVER in two weeks! I don't quite know how I feel about that, so we just won't talk too much about it!

Avery is growing really fast and is in 12 month clothes. She has so many pretty dress and can actually wear them because she isn't crawling just yet! She will anytime now, but we aren't rushing it, just enjoying every stage!

Carlie Rose Conley 9 1/2 months

2008-07-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Carlie Rose
TINY ANGEL
Tiny Angel rest your wings sit with me for awhile.How I long to hold your hand,And see your tender smile.

Tiny Angel, look at me,I want this image clear....That I will forget your precious face Is my biggest fear.

Tiny Angel can you tell me,Why you have gone away?You weren't here for very long....Why is it, you couldn't stay?

Tiny Angel shook her head,"These things I do not know....But I do know that you love me,And that I love you so".

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom 8.16-18)

Carlie Rose Passed Away peacefully from SIDS on Satuday July 26, 2008. She will be missed, especially by her mommy and brother Troy, Rose you are a wonderful mommy.

And her first friend Avery Bella ~

Rose you are in my prayers, we will never forget your beautiful baby girl.

Some Cute Pics!

2008-06-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

God Mothers

Thank you Nana for having Waylon over!

Waylon had tons of fun with cousin Ana

Happy Fathers Day

2008-06-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

My husband is the best father below is the reason why:

His family is his priority

He makes sure that he is a part of their routine both at night (taking turns for each child) and on weekends

He is patient and takes the time to teach his children

He is a good role model

He shows his son and daughter how to love by being the best husband to his wife, and with kisses and hugs for both his babies

We love you daddy!
Happy Father's
Day!

A Funny Story to Share

2008-06-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

My side of the story!

Avery's first friend Carley came over for a visit (most of you know this is the daughter of my neighbor in the hospital, Rose). This is my version of the story!

Carley hasn't seen Avery for over 2 months or so. This is them:

How cute are they (this is at 7 months old and Carley is 2 weeks older).

Well Carley looks at Avery and says "where did you get that hair"

Oh wait let me show you the story instead of tell you!

Play-by-play ~ Carley eyes the hair, reaches for the hair, gets in trouble (see how mad Avery is), she eyes the hair again, and scores!

Family Fun from Denver

2008-06-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

My cousin Christine and her family came for a visit, we had fun in the sun with a little assistance from a train, the baby pool, and the outdoor fire place! I know I didn't get any pictures of the adults, why does that always happen!

A happy family is but an earlier heaven.-- John Bowring

7 months

2008-05-27T20:30:00.000-07:00

Wow Avery Bella is now 7 months old! She's getting so big and growing so fast. Waylon is an amazing big brother and will have a birthday in August.

I believe the theme may be Thomas this year, despite the fact I don't really like Thomas and his friends, why ~ I just don't get this phase, I get Disney, I get Mickey, I get Star Wars, but Thomas????

Anyway, not much to blog on, but wanted to update, it's been a while! More pics. soon!

Family Vacation 2008

2008-05-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

Family Vacation, FINALLY! What a step up from the hospital!

There are few "FAMILY" Pictures, with a toddler who doesn't like to take pictures, and two busy parents, it's often hard to remember to take the camera out!

This is our family playing on the beach!

Father daughter time!

We headed out to our family vacation ~ To Mexico

Here are some of my favorite pics of our vacation. Waylon is just shy of 3 years, and Avery turned 6 months on our trip (it's where she had her first rice cereal)! Waylon got to swim everyday, and got to see the ocean for the first time.

This is where we got the message that my grandfather passed away, so after the trip we headed from here....... The beach

To here..... SNOW!!!

Waylon looked out and said, "is this our winter vacation mommy", where he had heard that term I have NO idea, but it was very cute!

Here is the Martin Family!

Back to family, some of us got together and had a BLAST, we had great food, and built more memories of each other. Here below are some of my favorite pictures. We plan on getting a yearly family reunion soon.

Deaths can change people in many different ways, but the most important lesson is that time does not last forever.

Grandpa would be proud of us. Keep smiling family!

Choices

2008-05-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Ray ~

We all have choices to make in our lives. Each day begins with it the choice to wake up or stay in bed, and after finally getting up we have to decide what kind of day we want the day to be. We also have many choices to make through out the day. I am always amazed when people think that life rules them, because I am a strong believer that the choices we make, make up our lives.

I believe God has a plan for us, but the choices we make, make us who we are and help us create the life we WANT.

I made the decision to go up and see my grandfather, this decision was mine alone, but after talking with my husband who said "YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT", and after talking to my mom who said "YOU REALLY SHOULD COME NOW, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH LONGER HE WILL HOLD ON", I looked at my daughter who had never met her great grandfather, and started to pack.

It makes me tear up just to write this because you never really know how long any of us have on this earth, and still we make decisions and choices through the day like we have FOREVER, but we don't. Why do we do this?

Anyway, Avery Bella and I packed up and headed out at about 7:PM and had a LONG 6 hour drive to go. Avery fell right asleep and I put on the IPOD, turned up the music and thought about life and how quickly time goes by.

My grandfather had been in the hospital for a little while, and had made the decision he wasn't going home his physical home I mean. I believe that he told himself he was ready to go (to heaven), and that was the path he choose. I had his last meal with him, he ate some tomato soup (which those of you who know me, is my favorite) as well as a hard boiled egg. My mom fed him the egg with just a little bit of salt and he almost took her hand off! It was funny at the time and I don't want to forget it, so I type it here. If I ever get Alzheimer's this post will be funny to read because it's about my life and I'll be forgetting my life (off the topic thought)!

OK, back to that day, I spent 5 hours at the hospital and I never really said GOODBYE, my husband tells me that it's really hard for any of us to say GOODBYE because we all want to have hope that the person will hold on and that made me feel better about not saying goodbye. I really did think he would hold on even though the signs where there that he wanted to go home to be with God.

These things always make you think about family and how you are close with this family member and not with that family member.... BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.... (MORE ON THIS LATER), but the point is really it doen't matter, we all wish we would have done more when we are here, so do more.

The things I remember most about my grandfather are the memories I have as a little girl, the way he would keep us in line (those of you who were also grand children will laugh at that), his belt was scary!!!!

I also remember when I lived with him, he would go out and defrost my car every morning (it was winter), he would scrape my windshield and I was ready to head out to school! He fed me breakfast, lunch and dinner and I was no longer under weight when I was in high school! I loved his food, and I mostly loved these potato cake things he would cook, along with the home-made mac and cheese he made! I didn't live in Denver so I don't have as many memories as some of the other grand children, but the memories I have are special. I will miss you grandpa.

I am so happy that I have pictures of grandpa and Avery Bella. I have pictures of Waylon w/grandpa as well I need to find.

So the point of this post is this. We all make choices and I am so happy that I made the decision to see my grandpa, I hope I continue to make the choice to be with family over other things I could do (who will miss the game, or watching that TV show).... Again, I don't think I will ever regret it...

2008-04-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

THIS IS WAYLON AT 7 MONTHS (ON LEFT), AND THIS IS WAY NOW.

March 2008 ~ Fishing Trip Pics

2008-04-10T09:20:00.001-07:00

Copper watching her dad catch some BIG fish!

"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Justin fishing in the wind!

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Morning Nap

2008-04-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

I was trying to clean Waylon's room and I looked over and Avery Bella was asleep! It's been 2 hours now, and she is just so darn cute!

SEE!

April 2008 ~ Our family

2008-04-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

Mommy and me "Show us your medal"

I love my husband "smile"

What a GREAT DAD, he's getting milk for Waylon

Play-date ~ Action Jackson and Connor's House

2008-04-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful play-date, THANK YOU JEN for hosting! She made the most amazing mac and cheese and chicken nuggets! I just don't know how she gets those dino shapes! (hee-hee)

Waylon and Connor watched that "Bee" movie, and Avery, Jackson and us moms hung out, talked and figured out that high school is over rated!

Yes, Jen and I go way back and it's really funny how you think high school is EVERY THING At the time and when you look back it was really just a moment in time. I told Jen to listen to that song "Letters to me", I hope she did, I love that song right now!

Anyway.... we had tons of fun and we plan on going to see baby goats in the near future!

Here are some pics from our day:

Avery Bella's Nap

2008-04-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

Oh my.... I thought that I would mess up Avery's naps because I always let her sleep in her swing, but she is actually sleeping in her crib and I am so excited. I want to take a picture, but I don't want to wake her up.

The swing was great because I have a toddler to hang out with and after breast feeding for 45 minutes, and rocking for 10, poor Waylon would get NO mommy time, so I wouldn't rock her and just put her in the swing and out she would go.

I started to feel guilty that eventually she wouldn't go to sleep in her crib, because she would want constant rocking; I WAS WRONG!

I'll get a picture when she wakes up to remember this special moment! We are going on vacation soon and we won't have to take the swing with us YEAH...
I love you swing, you got us through this far (5 months), but it's time for Avery Bella to sleep in her bed now! This picture above (wasn't taken today) is Avery Bella sleeping in her swing, her head is down, poor baby (how do babies sleep like this, they do this in their car seat too)!

This one is of Avery in her bed! Too cute!

Today Justin and I have a meeting with Waylon's teacher to see how he's doing. I will update with all the rave reviews he will get! See how confident I am as a parent!

~ This is what Avery Bella is doing right now!

Ain't life sweet!

Thought for the day ~ Toddlers moving fast!

2008-03-31T14:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know why God gave toddlers so much energy and us moms lack of energy.

Have you ever wondered the same thing? This is me trying to get a picture of my toddler!

Children w/Others

2008-03-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love seeing other people that you care about hold your children? I love watching my babies interact with other people because it gives me an incite into their budding personalities! I also like it because I like watching my children smile and sometimes you can't see this when you are holding them. Spring is finally here and we are all enjoying hanging out in the warmer weather! It's almost time for shorts!

Notes ~

Avery slept w/out her sleep sack for the first time two nights ago! What a big girl! I wanted to take a pic. but didn't want to wake her up!

Waylon is currently drinking w/out lids.... How is this happening! Just kidding I know TIME goes by so fast!

Children

2008-03-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

A thought out loud from me:

As far as I know having children can be the most precious gift ever. I know that I love my babies even if my toddler has been difficult (and this morning he has)! Time out hasn't been working today for some reason! Each stage in our children's development offer both rewarding and challenging parental expectations. I love how my toddler plays with me and how he can talk and tell me what he needs or feels (the baby can't), but the attitude can go away! The baby doesn't talk back, but can't really play ball or some of the fun activities that the toddler can. Each stage I know goes fast, as I think each parent wishes they would have savored each moment just a little bit more (ok probably a lot more). I am trying to do that daily (the live in the moment thing), and I really do appreciate my family and life. I'm not really a GOOD SAHM (stay at home mom), but I know that each of my children took hard roads to get to us, so I am wanting to "stay in the moment" as long as I can!

I wonder if other people do this, and if it's easier for some? Back to getting the toddler out of time out!

Oh, he fell asleep, I guess I'll eat his lunch!

Cute Bugs!

2008-03-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

Here is Waylon playing a musical instrument, he is so talented!

Here is Avery ready for Easter in her yellow hat!

Parents ~

2008-03-25T09:30:00.001-07:00

Parents can be so lame sometimes! Look at our parents trying to hang out with us! Gee wiz!

Play-Date, Avery's BFF

2008-03-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

Avery had another play-date with Baby Carley! It is so much fun to watch how fast they are growing and changing. These girls were in our tummies 5 months ago, and now here they are. There was a time Rose and I thought they might not make it, and we had to live with that thought every day, now we can actually hold them!

HOW WONDERFUL it is to have our baby girls in the world!

Thank U, Grammie!

2008-03-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

Grammie came over to help with the kids! Thank you!

Baby Faces

2008-03-17T12:14:00.001-07:00

Don't you just love taking pictures of those you love! I think I need to take more pictures of my husband too, not just the babies! More of those to come! Perhaps I need a blog of JUST JUSTIN, he sure deserves it, THANK YOU FOR BEING A GREAT HUSBAND! Yes, this means you get to leave me for another fishing trip.... That is why you got me an IPOD right? I'm on to you!

And Waylon Says "Come live with me Uncle Danny"

2008-03-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Don't ever let your friends go, even if your best friend is your husband or wife!

We all had a sleep over this weekend, as Uncle Danny, Aunt Jerry, and Tais came over to hang out with us! The mall, some beer, games and Chuck E. Cheese were on the menu for the weekend!

Thanks for coming and hanging out!

Tais showed Way how to play outside and by himself.... for that his (Waylon's) parents are greatful!

Here are the boys playing at Chuck E. and here are Avery Bella and I having a bite to eat!

Avery's Baptism

2008-03-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

Avery's Baptism Cake (WOW NANA)!!!!!!

Avery was baptized at Faith Luthern Church. We regard Holy Baptism along with Holy Communion to be sacraments of our Lord Jesus Christ given to his church. Jesus says: "all Authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Attached are some of my favorite pics from the event!

At the very heart of Baptism is the notion of initation. In Baptism, God unites us with Christ and with his people, the church. In Baptism, God assures us of His loving grace and provides us with newness of spiritual life with and through Jesus Christ.

Thank You Friends, Family and Pres Staff

2008-02-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

There is NO way we can thank all of you for the support and love you have provided us with in 2007. Please watch this and think about how we love you all, this is us giving hugs and kisses.... XXXOOOXXX

The Sanchez Family

Make sure you read it, it will take about 2 min. or so....

V-Day (Sharing the 2007 Video)

2008-02-14T12:06:00.000-08:00

Happy V-Day Family:
I love my family so much. I think about all the things we have been through (a break in, two weeks after we were married, seeing the death of our wonderful Diva Dog, waiting for our son, waiting for our daughter, three months in the hospital, and so much more) and it brings tears to my eyes knowing that these amazing people surround me. My son, my husband, my daughter, are amazing to me in each of their own special ways (So are so many of you that read this, but that's a whole other post). When I was in the hospital people wanted to know what I was doing with my time, here is a little bit of what I did! Each year we create a snap-shot of the past year, some of our favorite pics and videos, we have one from 2005, 2006, and 2007 ~ Grap some tissue!

~Had some technical difficulty.... Will try again soon, I think the file is too large!

Today we are going to attend a V-day party at Waylon's school, so more cute pictures to show off! We are blessed with many Valentine pals, thanks to Nana and Grammie for coming over and bringing gifts.

This picture isn't from today, but I thought all the looks on their faces were priceless!

Potty Training

2008-02-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

"I'm a big kid now"

Waylon Boss is now officially potty trained!

We are going to save SO much money on diapers! We woke up the first morning (this past Saturday) and he just wasn't having it, he cried and screamed for his diaper. I though this is not going to be easy, so we decided not to push it. The next morning his dad got him up and decided to try again, and he was more excited. I think it's a "guy" thing! So on Super-bowl Sunday Waylon Boss learned how to go potty on the potty chair!

What a GREAT dad! Praise the lord no more size 5 diapers!

One down, one more to go!

I hear girls are easier!

When I was putting the dogs out I told them "Go pee in the potty chair", but I usually say, "go pee in the dog run"! (Hee-Hee)!

Foil Time ~ Play-date #3

2008-02-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life."

Big Sis, and the twins, yes one is older but... we think Avery Bella will look like Benna when she gets bigger!

Cousin Ana & Avery Bella

Cousin Lawrence with his God Son

Benna and Foil, how do I flip this, it's too cute!

Justin comes from a big family, I get to reap the rewards from it! We all had a blast! Thanks for the invite Big Sis!

Funny Story #1

2008-02-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

I am nursing Avery Bella, and when I say I am nursing, I mean every 2 hours or so, except at night (yes, she is still sleeping from 10pm to 5am). Anyway, we (our whole family) were having breakfast at the table and Waylon looked over and said "mommy you need a bib like Waylon", I had leaked milk on my shirt.

Justin and I laughed out loud and that was a great way to start a morning! Sorry if this was too much information!

I love my husband, he is such a wonderful man, he is my best friend, if you don't already know him, you want to have more people like him in your life. This picture was taken at the hospital after he made me dinner, remembering this time remindes me that I need to be nicer to my husband.

“We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. And we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh.”

Oh Boy! Play-date #2

2008-02-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

Seth, Sean, and Avery Bella

Oh boy Avery Bella was in heaven when the Harris boys came over!

We had snacks (healthy ones and cookies too), movies, and lots of cars! Waylon had a blast playing with Sean, and Seth followed the boys around,what a cutie!Seth having a snack, Yummy!

We also had nap time as needed! How sweet is this!

Jen, who we lovingly call 4-eyes, and her husband Steve have done a wonderful job raising two well behaved boys!

I've been thinking about this blog and why people do one (I still wish I had one for when I was in the hospital, blogs are great for telling a story to LOTS of people)... I've decided to post as often as possible even if it's stuff that may be boring to most people. I don't have time or the pictures (due to the digital era) to scrapbook, I think this is a great way to keep our extended family updated on the events and growth of the family.

Justin and I like looking at how quickly the children are changing. I also think that we don't tell people enough how much we value their friendship or company and that's just sad.

Jen thank you for being a long time friend, it has been so sweet watching your family grow and you and Steve are adults now (oh my gosh!)... If you are, does that mean we are too? We look forward to a life time of memories, please don't go away again....

Friends are a life line ~

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."- Anais Nin

HEY, WHERE'S WAYLON.....

HE WAS TAKING A NAP by the time we started to take pictures, so here's a picture from this morning!

Waylon having a snack and watching baby sister on the baby monitor! He said... "My Baby"!

Thank God for Grandparents

2008-01-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Avery, Waylon and I packed up (and that wasn't easy) for staying one night with Grammie and Gramps. Anyone with two kids knows that packing even for one night isn't the easiest! My parents live in Albuquerque too, but we thought it would be fun to do an over nighter! So away we went. It was so nice outside, the first day since I have been out of the hospital that it was warm enough to take Avery out! The sun felt so good and Grammie made us lunch outside! Spring is near, but not near enough as it snowed just two days ago! Oh well, that is New Mexico weather for you!

The hubby was fishing, and will write more about his trip in a different post! Enjoy the pictures from our weekend with the Grandparents!

Grandpa, can I follow you! You're lots of fun!

Grammie, thanks for the kisses, when can I get some more?

Thank you for taking care of us!

This Guy took my Husband Fishing, PLEASE send him back to help with the kids!

2008-01-26T10:18:00.000-08:00

Our Children

2008-01-26T10:12:00.001-08:00

Big brother is showing little sister how this works ~ Let's pretend we are sleeping ~

Life is Good, God is Great!

Avery's First Friend, Play-date #1

2008-01-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

Playdate On 1/24/08

Avery and I were in the hospital for 3 months (to see why, look to the right hand side of the blog), and our neighbor, Rose and her baby Carley stayed next door. We had lots of time to get to know each other, and now we miss our deep discussions!

Here are pictures from our play date....

A Friend that Remembers

2008-01-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

What a cool day ~ Today I received a gift from a friend ~ a friend that each year remembers that we brought our son home to NM two years ago. She traveled with us to meet him when we fostered for a month in Guatemala, until his adoption became final in the US (who finds friends like that)?

We are so THRILLED that Catherine is in our lives and remembers each year what a journey we went through to get our son home. Her gift serves as a memory each year to Justin and I, the paperwork, the emotions, and the tears of both frustration and joy were all part of this particular journey ~ THANK YOU CATHERINE.

Justin and I laugh because both of our children took the long road to coming home to their mommy and daddy!

~ Waylon Boss, you are the most amazing kid, you sing "ABC's", "Where is Waylon" thanks to Aunt Kimberly, and love Johnny Cash (I've heard this CD way too much), you love to make people laugh, and then turn around and tell them "that's not funny", when it actually is really funny! You love to pray each evening as you say "Bless Gloooooo-ma, and Tito". You love the Cars Movie (he almost has it memorized). You're favorite toys are the play cars from the movie Cars, as well as the tools Aunt Leslie gave you (Thanks Aunt Leslie). You walk around the house pretending to fix things. Everyone that has had the pleasure of taking care of you (he's so much fun), think that you are such a neat person, and you continue to bless us as parents with just watching you grow. We are so glad we could give you a sister, because you will be such a wonderful role model and protector.
I thank you for allowing me to become a first time mother!

Thank you Aunt Catherine for the gift of the memory each year, and the gift of your true friendship.

True Blessings

2008-01-23T11:36:00.000-08:00

As lots of of you know I have been reading about Trisha who has CF and is waiting for a double lung transplant, they have asked for prayers for another family today. I have just read their story and am very moved by their journey.

I'll add it to my links on the right hand side, but for now ~

If you want to read too, so you can pray this is their link: http://thestanfieldjourney.blogspot.com/2008/01/tick-tock.html

They are expecting their baby today, the baby is early and weighs in around 2-3lbs and I'm guessing is about 36 weeks or so.

We pray for baby Maddox's lungs, and a health delivery, please bless us baby Maddox with a long life on this earth, thank you lord.

I am reminded of how scared I was when Avery was diagnosed with the Vasa Previa and how we were scared every day that she may come early, or bleed to death. Every day I woke up and thanked God that she and I made it one more day. To live like this was so tiring, and depressing but we had to have faith, which is why we added that to Avery's name: Avery Bella Faith Sanchez (yes, I know it's long, but it's fitting).
"Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Today we took her to the doctor and she got her first set of shots.... She is right at 50% in height, weight, and head circumference. She now weighs in at 11lbs 8oz! Go Avery!

I forgot to thank all the staff at Presbyterian Hospital in New Mexico. They were amazing, and supportive at my time of need. Without their support I would have gone crazy sitting in that little room. Now I look at my children in a different light, I snuggle a little bit longer, I hold a little bit tighter, and I give even more kisses and I love U's!

I hope you do this too, if you get anything from reading this, that would be my gift to you!

On a last note, the Harris family is home in NM now and Seth got some good test results as well as a plan on getting his health back! GO SETH and the Harris Family! We are happy to have you back!
Read more if you would like at: http://www.sethstriptodenver.blogspot.com/

God's Cowboy

2008-01-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

Lawrence "Boss" Sanchez

June 14, 1918 - January 2, 2008

His hands are a symbol of the strength he has laid upon his family.

The greatest measure of a man is marked by the way he touched the lives of others, and the love he takes on his journey to live again with Christ Our Savior. Boss is out riding in God's Country tonight.

We attended a funeral on January 8, 2008 for Tito "Boss" Sanchez. We named Waylon "Boss" after this astonishing man. Boy does Waylon Boss have a lot to live up to. Lil' Boss

"Boss" was born June 14th 1918 in Ocate, NM to Juan de Jesus Sanchez and Ester Mondragon Sanchez. He lived hhis childhood years on the family farm. He met his "Corazon" Clorinda Armijo, at a dance in Ocate. They were married on November 11, 1940, a union which lasted for 54 years until her death in 1994. (Boy do Justin and I have a lot to live up to, but how exciting to be with your soul-mate)

Cleo and Boss Sanchez (married 54 years)

Boss went to work for Waite Phillips in 1937 at the age of 20. He served as the Horse Foreman for Philmont Scout Ranch for more than 46 years. He hunted, fished and guided on Philmont and holds the NM State Record for American Elk/non-typical, currently ranked 8th in the world. Boss was known for his gentle ways his humility, strong family values and deep abiding faith.

Boss touched the lives of not hundreds, but thousands of people who were fortunate to experience Philmont.

Boss lived a life of highest moral and spiritual standards serving as a role model to not only his family but to all those who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be dearly missed by his family: his children, grand children, and great-grand children all his "corazoncitos."

the end = the beginning

2008-01-19T12:17:00.000-08:00

The only constant is change. The beginning is the end. The end though, always leads to something new. Bringing the girls home has made our entire extended family (you included) breathe a huge sigh of relief. For me, it was the end of a personal hell.

And it was the beginning of the next chapter of our lives.

There was always a part of me, deep down, that never believed Dre and Avery would ever come home. That my life would always be somewhere between doing the best I could at work, picking Waylon up from daycare, and taking some food to the hospital so Dre wouldn't starve.

I thank God for the getting us all through together. Avery is growing like a weed, Waylon is proud to be a new big brother, and I think Dre even craves hospital food sometimes (she's breastfeeding, so if you reach across her plate prepare to pull back a bloody stub).

Life is grand.

Love can, and always will previal. I pray for God to shower us with love for the rest of our lives.

-The Hubby
Title: Flowers for Mommy (Aug. 2007)

We are finally together again

2008-01-16T14:26:00.000-08:00

We have been home for 10 weeks now. Avery Bella was born via-C-section at 5lbs 3oz. She is healthy and is growing FAST! She has her shots next week..... Poor baby!

It has been an adjustment with learning how to take care of an infant again but this time with a toddler! Our friends and family have helped (as always we are so blessed to have all of you). Avery Bella Faith, has had so many prayers and we are blessed to have her with us. I still can't believe she belongs to us, she is so amazing and is already sleeping through the night, can you believe it! Waylon Boss was sick on and off during the holiday season, but with gramies and gramps help we took care of him and we worked together on keeping our little one healthy!
It is about now that I am starting to feel normal again, and we are so happy that we are at home with a blessed outcome, all of us safe!
I can't tell you how much your prayers and help through our time of need helped us. It's a new year and we are excited to watch our children grow. Time is the one thing we never get back, and I plan on making the most of it!
NO MORE HOSPITAL FOOD yeah!!!!!!