When the Maddos Came (Wednesday)

Wednesday was Zachary's birthday!  We spent the morning at the park so he could try out his new set of wheels.  While at the park, Raquel and I were walking around the pond with Zach and Emma.  We were enjoying the turtles when a rough-looking teenager walked up with a bag.  He started dumping something out of bag.  Those "somethings" were tiny baby turtles.  When he heard Emma and Zach adoring the turtles, he turned to me and said, "I don't want these anymore.  Do you want one before I dump them all into the pond?"  I felt so bad for the little guys.  I hope they survived! 

Later that day, we went back down to the pool.  And THEN we headed off for a birthday dinner surprise called, Chuck E. Cheese.  Everything about the place I thought was a rip-off, but the kids were in H.E.A.V.E.N!

Even the grown-ups got in on the action.

Raquelita was MESMORIZED by the lights.

And so was her daddy.

It really made our night when the restaurant mascot stopped by for a photo op.  It was Raquel's first picture with a giant animal.



When the Maddos Came (Tues)

What do you do when you're on vacay in SoCal?  Go to the beach, of course!  I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't anxious about the long drive down with Raquel in my car, but luckily, I had a babysitter in the backseat to keep "baby Ra Ra" company.  Raquel and Emma had such fun together!

We went to Seal Beach and started out by checking out the pier.  Zachary and I had to keep a careful eye out for scalywag pirates.  And look, Zachary found their pirate house right at the end of the pier.  Those scalywags!

 This was Raquelita's first experience with beach bum life.  She liked it!

Raquel couldn't contain herself and had an absolute ball.  (Like how we spread out over a one mile radius?)

 Like all moms, I wondered how my baby woman would take to the sand.  She liked it, aka she didn't cry.

 She also liked el agua de the ocean, despite it's frigid temperature.

Raquel and I left before the Maddo's, so Raquel had no back seat buddy.  I think it was one of THE WORST drives of my life.  Traffic was like a garbage can, Raquel was crying, I had a headache.  It was miserable.

When the Maddos Came (Sun-Mon)

My twin sister, Amber, and her family came to visit us for a whole week!  Raquel was finally able to meet more of her cousins, which was pretty exciting.

 Raquel was a little bashful about everyone holding her, and made her sentiments known.

 We all got and gave big hugs all around.  Ps...check out Luis's frilly apron.

On Monday, we headed to a nearby park, followed by "pizza & pool," a Ferguson family vacation staple.

By the end of the day, we were so tired we fell asleep in our pizza...

...or wherever.

Dia de Madres

Luis has been busy with school.  And I mean B.U.S.Y.  So, honestly, I thought he would probably forget about Mother's Day.  But, the boy came through!

First, when Raquel wanted to be up before the roosters, he took care of her.  Then, he made me "Grandpa's Breakfast."  Eggs, pancakes, sausage.  YUM!

He continued bathing, dressing, and playing with Raquelita so I could get ready for church, which was AMAZING since he's usually gone to meetings and I have to try getting ready when and if she naps.

He couldn't wait to give me my gifts.  (That made two of us.)  This is how he brought them to me because he said, "Presentation is everything."  (No, that Bumbo chair is not one of my gifts.)

Jewelry...of course!

AND he thoughtfully bought me an apothecary jar so I could finally make the Christmas advent calendar I've been wanting to make for two years!

 

It was a great day to be celebrated as a new mommy and to celebrate our own mommies.

Cuatro Meses

Another month has come and gone.  Raquel has grown up so much this month - especially this past week.  I think having some of her cousins around all week long taught her some new tricks.  She's always known how to cry, but seriously, she woke up last Saturday and I'm telling you, she had an all new cry.  It was so cute!  She has a different talking voice too.

Raquel at 4 Months

• 12 lbs 9 oz and 24 1/2 in.
• She is full of stories and especially likes to tell the sad ones.
• She laughs when we bounce her up and down in the air.
• She is sleeping through the night more often though not consistently.
• She is fascinated by water and is now starting to really enjoy water bottles (looking at them...not drinking out of them).
• She likes the feel of sand.
• She does not like to be in the car for long periods of time unless she has a back seat buddy.
• She doesn't mind being held by strangers.
• She likes being held facing outwards.
• She's starting to learn how to grab the sides of the crib to move herself around. 

Homies

Cinco de Mayo Swimmin' and Cookin'

Cinco de Mayo!  A day for my people...although, in case you're not in the know, May 5th is NOT the Mexican Independence Day some think it is.  That day belongs to September 16th.  I know.  I really am that smart.

This Cinco de Mayo turned out to be a big adventure for little missy.  It was her FIRST,

yes FIRST

pool day!

It started off a bit rocky when we lathered on the sunscreen and stuck goggles on her head.  "Hello Mom and Dad!  How's a girl supposed to suntan?  And don't get me started on those silly glasses!"

Quick story: there were these two "California girls" suntanning right by us and Raquel was screaming.  I was certain they were thinking, "Oh boy, could you please quiet your child!"  Hoping to soften them up, I apologized for Raquel's cries.  Immediately, they popped up and over to us, talking "baby talk" to Raquel like she was their niece.  Raquel stopped her complaints right away and just sat watching the girls as they adored her.  They were so nice...and I had been so judgemental.  I guess I just assume people will be annoyed with me if Raquel cries, but the more I talk to people about this, the more I realize I've just got to take care of my baby and not worry about what other's think; especially because there are probably more kind-thoughted people than mean-thoughted ones.

On with the swimming! 

Once Raquel finally made it into the water, she was very focused.

So, you may remember these outfits from last Halloween, but we vowed then that we would wear them every Cinco de Mayo.  We're so dorky.

I know I know, Raquel needs traditional wear too.  I'm on it... someday.

In case you're wondering, for dinner we made gorditas and for dessert we made oven-baked churros.  The gorditas were YUMMY but the churros, well, how can oven-baked even come close to fried?