The Gomez's: September 2008

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Mason is 6 months!!

Everyday I look at him and think of what a little miracle he is! He is 6 months now and has so

much fire and personality. He surprises us almost everyday with something new he has discovered and all the different things he does. Only 6 months and he has transformed so much...

it's crazy to think that not too long ago he wasn't here. I can't imagine life without him.

In the beginning it seemed like all he did was cry and eat and then cry some more with not too much sleep in between. Being the rookie parents we were I'm sure didn't help the situation.

He took us through a roller coaster of sleepless nights and lots of doubt to teach us what unconditional love is really about. And at that first smile it was all worth it.

He first smiled the day he was blessed, at three weeks.

He was a tough baby until 3 months. This was when the smiles came freely and he started to

giggle and coo. First it was syllables then it went to motorboat bubbles only (for some reason), and now he says, dada, mama and babba... and lots of other babble. His giggles change and the latest sounds like a goat, and when he gets really excited he shrieks and screams. If we are not careful he'll grab an eye or anything he can get his hands on and not let go.

He's strong.

He is learning how to sit up and crawl. He's really good at scooting backwards to get to where he ne

eds to go.

When we go out we often get stopped by the ladies and he doesn't hold back... he is such a flirt!
At birth he weighed 9lbs 5oz and was 22 inches. He now weighs 19lbs 7oz and is 27 in long, they say he's in the 90% in everything.

This is his game face. He's a USC fan, just like Daddy.

Some of his favorite things are; going for walks, watching his kitty Keke and maybe getting a hold of some fur, playing with Daddy, being read to (but only for a max of 2 minutes), bottles, solid foods (anything that involves eating), hanging with family, getting entertained by his cousin Lilian, being held by mommy, and jumping in his jumper.

He brings so much joy to our lives.

Everyday we look at him and know that we are blessed.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Our Summer in a Nutshell

This is my first blog...

Summer is almost over... It has been a whirl of changes, and firsts; first summer with a little one, first rented house, first move out of state with two rented trucks, a dog, a cat, and a 2 month old baby (thank you Lindy for coming a long- you were a life saver!!). First time sneaking into a nice hotel with animals under blankets. First summer in Sacramento and it is really HOT!! Mike and I love it though.

Leaving family and friends in Utah was so hard... the first few weeks in our new home I was completely homesick! I still miss friends and family but it is getting easier. This will be our 3rd move in under two years of marriage. We are (I am) hoping this is where we will put our roots down. I think Mike secretly wants to move back to Southern Cal, back to the ocean. I like the idea, but I don't want to even think about packing up again!!

Mike's family is out here (his Grandma Rodgers, (his Dad & step mom, Suz, his sister Kim- her husband Rob and their 4 yr old Lilian). They have been so welcoming and generous. I feel very grateful and blessed to have them so close. Mike's dad was awesome at helping us unload the Penske in triple digit weather -especially when the moving team was just him and Mike (Lindy, Kim and I helped a little). Suz has made us delicious dinners and lunches at their place which was a much needed break from unpacking. Grandma Rodgers is always there to show her love and support. Kim who thankfully lives only a mile away has been the greatest help!! She would have unpacked my whole house if I let her! I never would have found my way around without her and it seemed like every time we stopped by her house she unexpectedly had a meal waiting for us. Rob has also been a huge help with the handy work around our new place. And they have all shown our little Mas so much love. It has been great to see his family regularly.

Mike's mom and step dad (Rod) also came into town from Temecula to see Mason and shower us with gifts. They are very loving grandparents.

Mike's dad and Grandma with Mason (left) Mike's sister, Jordan, with Mas (right)

Our little house. It is just over 900 sf and fits us perfectly. 3 bedrooms 1 bath. It sits on half an acre with two big shade trees and a garden patch (I'm excited to start growing next season). It

has wood floors and a nice kitchen. Lots of windows!! Which I love! I could use another bathroom but honestly I wouldn't ask for more. We are lucky that the house is as nice as it is, since we never even saw a picture of it before we moved in, and when so many around us are losing their homes.

Summer started for us early June when I finally had the Anasazi trailwalker reunion. Held at my Grandparents cabin in Kamas, it was the perfect environment up in the beautiful Uinta mountians. It was so great to see everyone and their growing families (tons of new babies!!). Like Sara Barclay said, it was a bit sad to see things could never be as it was the summer of 02 to 03. At the same time it was cool to see this new chapter in everyone's life- starting families, new careers, travel, school...etc. There are definitely amazing people who have gravitated to Anasazi. I'm grateful to know so many of them. For me Anasazi was the launching pad for a better life and where I found my adventurous side again. I hope that this reunion is the start of an annual tradition.

Next was the Bowerbank family reunion. The Johnson family (Bekie and Marcus) and my parents pulled it all together and got really nice condos in St George UT for everyone. We lived it up... hanging by the pool every chance we got, hiking in Zion, staying up late catching up. It was bitter sweet for us because it would be awhile before we would all be together again. Before it was over we went back up to SLC to celebrate my Papa's 80th birthday. What an amazing life he has had and I can only hope I am in as good of shape when I am his age. My Nana is looking so beautiful and vibrant as well.

The day after the reunion we packed our house in the rentals with the help of many from our

ward and family. They did it all so fast! The following day we were off to our new life in CA. There were a few times I thought Mike was going to crash and end our journey. His truck was loaded from top to bottom and he was pulling a trailer with his car on it. The truck fish tailed and rocked so badly at one point it was pretty much on two wheels. Lindy and I were following and all we could do is watch this happen. My heart stopped a few times. It was a relief when we finally made it through the Seirra's and into Orangevale safe and sound. Notice my comfortable travel clothes and need for a little California sun.

Since we have been here we have explored the American River which is so big and beautiful and is only a few miles from our house!! We've hung out with Corinne in Tahoe which is also absolutely amazing and is only an hour and a half away. We hung out with family in the Sierra's by Donner Pass (did some scary off roading in the Tacoma to get to a cool little lake). And we visited our family and friends in Thousand Oaks for a weekend and realized how much we missed it there.

It has been a pretty chill summer. Now we are looking forward to it cooling down and can't wait to see what the rest of the season's we be like.