A renewed spirit

Hi there,
It's been a while...is anyone out there?  Ha!  Life sure gets busy...and with our busy schedule I have chosen to take some time away from writing.  I actually needed it.  Quite frankly, the last two years have been a crazy, exciting, scary, amazing ride for us as a family.  I will say that I am so very thankful for the place God has us now, but for a while I wasn't really sure.  So here I am, sitting here, wanting to write again and feel like I have so much to say in my head, but not really sure where to begin.

This year has been a huge year for me.  As you may know from my last post (dated back last year in July) we moved back down to Southern California after spending almost 12 amazing years in the Sacramento area.  We made great friends up there and it was very difficult to leave, but we were excited to be back home with family.  As exciting as it was, we were also very nervous.  We didn't have a home lined up, I was beginning a new job in a new district, and Rick was at a different school.  "Ch-cha-cha-changes..."  My parents were amazing and opened their home for a few months and we absolutely loved our time with them.  As much as we were blessed to have our family time, and were so thrilled with how much Will thrived with his grandparents, it was still difficult.  I won't speak for Rick, but with all of these changes, I was scared...I was homesick for my friends up north...and I was a little "stuck."

Things started to change a little bit when we found a home.  It is a very small, cute, little house almost a 1/3 of the size of our home up North.  Yikes!  Rick's dad, uncle, and my dad were amazing and helped so much before we moved in.  They put in new electric, laid tile, painted, etc.  We were so grateful for making our home safe and beautiful.  Moving in was difficult...we had SO MUCH STUFF...it was a relief that we were one step closer to being settled but my anxiety level went way up with all of the boxes and so little storage.  It was during this time when I really took the time to re-evaluate what I really NEEDED in life.  I got on Pinterest and typed in different titles including: "how to organize your house," "purging tips," "how to fit 2600 sq feet of stuff into 1000 sq feet."  :)  I also opened my bible and prayed.  This was HUGE for me.  Honestly, it had been a long time where I full heartedly looked to God to guide me and show me how to simplify my life.  I was desperate to get rid of what I didn't need, and to start fresh both physically and spiritually.  With each box that was unpacked and put away or given to GoodWill, my anxiety level went down.  It was also during that time when I read this verse:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalms 51:10-12

I have read this verse so many times in my life, but during this time of change it brought me so much peace and encouragement.  This verse has been my prayer every morning and has sustained me through times of confusion, anxiety, and questioning where God wants me to be.  I am thankful for family and friends that have surrounded us to pray for us and support us in this transition.  These people are what I truly NEED in my life.

I want to encourage anyone reading this post to take a look at your own life and evaluate what is truly important and also what items/feelings you can ask God to let go of.  This can be for physical things (for me it was extra boxes and items that I did not need) or feelings/opinions (for me this was anxiety about future and sadness for what I left behind.)   God is so good and is renewing me everyday...he has never left my side.  He has sustained me...and for That, I am so grateful.  

Crazy Changes!!! Our Move to Southern California

Having a child changes a lot in life...
It's crazy...
There is no way else to say it...
It's crazy...
Crazy good, crazy busy, crazy emotional, crazy "what the heck are we doing?"

Rick and I have learned a lot about each other and a lot about ourselves in this "crazy" adventure in parenting, and like I said before, there have  been many changes.

In December, Rick approached me with a crazy idea...he wanted to go back to school to finish his degree and even possibly change direction.  He had been thinking about it for a while and had developed the goal to finish well.  I was proud of this decision and supported it, but had a few hesitations...primarily in the financial side of things.  When we came together and crunched the numbers it was so refreshing to see that we ABSOLUTELY COULD do this with a few changes to the budget.  So in January, Rick quit his career of 11 years and enrolled in college.  An extra perk to this decision is that we were able to stop daycare as Rick was able to stay at home with Will.

Let me brag a bit and tell you that the past 7 months have been amazing!  Rick is so organized and neat and had a schedule going within the first week he was home.  He not only kept the house going and took care of Will, he also managed to receive straight 'As' in his first semester.  He also found out that he is an excellent writer and even enjoys doing it!

This was a big change for us, but in April/May, we made an even bigger decision.  We decided to move back to our hometown in San Diego!  This was a bittersweet decision as we would be leaving the friends that we love...they have really become our family in the last 11 years.  Our goal has always been to come back down, and our desire was for Will to have a close relationship with his Grandparents and other family members.

The  move was a bit crazy.  We definitely had WAY too  much stuff!  For the month of June we had 2 garage sales, I sold multiple items on Lincoln Yard sale (a Facebook group), and made about 10 runs to Good Will.  We got rid of a lot, yet still once we loaded everything into the moving truck it would not all fit!!!!  Yikes, slight heart attack when Rick told me.  No big deal...it only meant that we needed another truck and thankfully, Rick's parents came up to help so we had another driver.  We left our home (old home) on the 26th of June...3 vehicles (22 ft truck, 16ft truck, and our CRV in back) on the 5 freeway headed south.  It was difficult saying good-bye...really difficult.  Even as I sit here, 2 weeks past, my heart aches thinking of the friends we left behind.

We are hopeful that we will make new relationships down here and develop stronger bonds with the family that we have been away from for too long.  It has been a fun time so far down here and we are quickly realizing that the weather is MUCH better in San Diego.  Of course there are the disappointing features, i.e. the Costco's are much better in Northern California (ridiculous that I even wrote that, right?) and the housing is more expensive.  But we are holding on to the greatest thing about living down here...FAMILY!!!!!

Sticky, Sweaty, Sad, Excited and Exhausted...our last day in Lincoln, CA.  Ready for the journey ahead!  Here is to an AMAZING "new" beginning for the Medina's in Southern California!

Happy 12 Months Will!

My sweet, precious, full of sunshine baby boy...
You are 12 months old!  One whole year has passed since your sweet, pink, little body was placed in my arms.  My whole world changed when I held you.  You were so tiny, and now you are growing so big!  This year, you brought a whole new light to our home.  You radiate happiness and you are a thrill to be around.  This month was your last month of being a baby...and boy, are you ready to be a toddler!  Your dad and I are shocked that you are not walking yet, but we know it is just around the corner.  You crawl so fast to things, and crawl around on the furniture.  You reach out to things and take a few steps every once in a while, but you are pretty much happy crawling.  You LOVE to laugh and we love to hear your sweet, contagious giggles.  I could tickle you for hours!  You are still sleeping really well!  You go to bed between 6:30 and 7pm and wake up bright and early at 6:30am!  We cover your crib with pacifiers so they are easy to find at night.  You are definitely a mover while you sleep.  We love having a video to watch you in your crib...it is just so amazing how we will look at you in one position and then just 10 minutes later you will be on the opposite side of the crib!  You are active, THAT IS FOR SURE!
You are still on the tiny side!  You are now 19.5 pounds and 30 inches.  Still in 12 month clothing and size 3 diaper.  You take 2 really good naps during the day.  One in the morning from 8:30-10 and another in the afternoon from 12:30-3.  You are doing well at daycare and enjoy being with all of your sweet little friends.  This month was your last month in full time daycare because Daddy will be taking care of you now during the day!  I know you two will have a blast!
This month you celebrated your first Christmas!  We were ecstatic to have you as a part of our past traditions and start some new ones with you!  We went to look at lights together at Dovewood Court.  Your were wide eyed looking at the displays!  You loved the lights and we loved watching you take it all in!  You saw and felt snow for the first time when we went to pick our Christmas tree.  You enjoyed squeezing it in your fingers and eating it.Christmas Day was so special for the entire family!  You loved opening presents and would hand us the paper after you tore it off.  You clapped your hands after opening each one!
William, your first year went by in a flash and I know your second will go by just as quickly.  Your daddy and I are so blessed to have you in our lives and we treasure each day with you!  We love you so much!

Happy 11 Months Will!!!

Dear Will,
You are 11 months!!!  What a funny baby you are!  You are smiling, laughing, blowing raspberries, and cracking yourself up all the time!  We think you are hilarious.
This month you learned how to hold up a blanket over your face to play peek-a-boo.  You LOVE playing!  You also started clapping your hands together when you like something or when you do something you are proud of.
You LOVE playing with your fishing pole, books, playhouse, walker, and basketball hoop.  When you make a basket, music plays.  You enjoy dancing and moving your head and shoulders to the music...such a ham!  You are wearing size 3 diapers, 12 month clothing, and size 3 shoes.  You are 19.5 pounds.
This month you have stopped nursing completely and taking formula very well with no tummy issues.  You take 4 bottles a day (8oz) of Earths Best Organic formula.  I thought I would be a little sad about moving you to bottles exclusively, but I actually am enjoying the extra time I have to play and cuddle with you.  I also am enjoying the 11-12 hours of sleep that you have...:)  Typically you go to bed between 6:30 and 7 and wake up around 6:30am.  It is early,  but works well for us because we are out the door to daycare by 7:15am.  You enjoy your daycare very much, especially "Grandma" who takes care of you most of the time.  When we walk through the door you give her a BIG smile and reach for her.  That makes your mommy feel good that you are comfortable.  I usually pick you up between 3:30 and 4pm.  While you are there you take a morning nap (8:45am-10am) and an afternoon nap (12:30-3). You take a morning bottle before leaving for school, two during (10am and 3pm) and one before bed.
You eat great!  You continue to eat pureed foods (apple, pear, veggie mixes, chicken/turkey, etc.) but you are starting to be more independent during meals and enjoy feeding yourself.  Some of your favorites are: ground beef, black beans, cut up apples, sweet potato, cucumber, and cheese.
You had your first major sickness this month during Thanksgiving Break in Southern California.  We came home after eating at Terri Cafe and you had a HUGE welt on your left thigh.  I thought that you had been bitten by something and immediately called the nurses hotline.  They suspected that you had eaten something and were having an allergic reaction.  We gave you benadryl and watched you over night.  The welts spread all over your body including your little face...you didn't seem bothered by it at all!  The next evening, you came down with a 103 temperature and we were on the phone again.  The nurse suggested that it may not be a allergic reaction, but a virus that was going around with the same symptoms.   Thankfully, your rash went away within a few days but your fever lasted throughout the next week even after getting home.  We took you to your Dr. and she didn't seemed concerned, just gave us recommendations to give you extra fluids and rest.  Thankfully after almost 8 days, your fever went away.  I felt awful the entire time you were sick...even though you did not show that you were uncomfortable the ENTIRE time, I was so worried about you.  You are a big trooper.
Aside from you being sick, your first Thanksgiving was very special and fun.  We had dinner at Auntie Mandy and Uncle Josh's house.  In the morning, we all hiked up at Griffith Park.  It was a beautiful day!  We all were thankful for family...especially you!
This month you said your first word!!!  Of course, it was not "mommy" or "daddy."  Instead it was your other favorite thing: "PUPPY."  You say it with such amazing articulation too!  (Makes mommy happy).  You say it when you wake up until Riley walks into the room, you say it looking at pictures of dogs (and sometimes cats), and you reach out to Riley when sitting and yell it out!  So cute!  You have a strong liking for all animals (just like your daddy.)
Baby Will, you are getting so big!  Your personality is adorable!  You are so full of life!  You are either our "Chill Will" or "Will the Thrill!"  We
love that about you!

Happy 10 Months Will!

Dear Will,
You are 10 months old!  Double digits!  I will say it again, this has been the shortest 10 months of my life!  You are growing so fast!
You are starting to get into EVERYTHING!  You are a curious boy for sure!  Unfortunately, you had your first fall this month.  You were standing up on your safety gate and fell down to the floor scratching the corner of your left eye on the way down.  You cried only for a moment and then did not seem bothered by it at all.  You crawl at rapid speeds and are cruising the furniture.  EVERYTHING goes in your mouth, causing us to be extra cautious at what is around you.
This month we took our first trip to the pumpkin farm!  You had pieces of straw in your mouth the entire time!  You enjoyed our hayride and the petting zoo.  You napped through the rest of the experience...I am always so amazed how babies can sleep in such loud environments...the train whistle blew at least 5 times during your nap and you didn't even flinch.
You are napping very well.  About 1 to 1.5 hours in the morning (8:30-10:00) and 2-2.5 hours in the afternoon (12:30-3).  You still nurse in the morning and take 4 more bottles through out the day: 10am, 12:30pm, 3pm, and right before bed.  Your bottles are usually around 6 ounces.  You eat solids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  You are LOVING tiny bits of finger foods.  We have given you bits of cheese, pears, and black beans to eat.   At the beginning of the month you were still grabbing with a full hand, but near the end your pincer grasp developed....it is so cute watching you pick up food with your teeny fingers.
This month you and mommy flew down to see Auntie Mandy and Uncle Josh in Los Angeles.  You had a good flight, however this time you did not want to sleep.  Instead you played peek a boo with the passenger behind us and laughed with the people in our row.  You also enjoyed looking out and banging on the window.  While we were in Los Angeles, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit.  We all went to Griffith Park to ride the train.  You had NO idea what was going on, but we all had a blast being with you.  :)
Your vocalizations are amazing!  You say: mama, dada, baba, papa, and other funny sounds.  You still haven't had your first "real" word, but we are waiting for the day you say something "meaninfully."  I think it will be "mommy" and your dad thinks it will be "daddy."
You are still in a size 3 diaper and 9 month clothing although they are getting tighter.  You are about 18.5 pounds and wearing a size 3 shoe.
This month was our first Halloween together!  You were the cutest little elephant in the world!  The weekend before Halloween we took you to our church's Harvest Festival.  Mommy and Daddy dressed up in safari gear and rolled you around.  Everyone thought you were so sweet.  It was a very fun time.
Little guy, you are so precious and sweet.  Thank you for being such a good baby...we love every moment with you and are so excited to watch you grow!  Just not too fast!
Love you!!!!