Raquel in White

You've seen Raquel. 

You've seen the dress. 

You've seen Raquel in the dress. 

But you haven't seen Raquel in the dress like this.  Thanks again to my very talented friend, Jen, for yet another photo shoot.  (And now we will leave you alone for awhile.)



Date Night

Luis and I do things together all the time, but never call them actual "dates."  So, I decided to let Luis plan an official date this month, and Raquel got to tag along.  (Speaking of dates, I would love to hear your very cheap/free date night ideas.)

We started out with a "coupon date."  Anywhere we went that night (dinner, dessert, activity) had to either be free or coupon inspired.  We got Chik-Fil-A.

Then, we headed to the local park to eat and enjoy the weather.

As usual, Raquel was thrilled to be with us.  (Is it just me, or does my daughter make this face a lot?)

After a quick siesta, Raquel was ready to play.

Next, we went to feed the ducks...and then changed our minds.

As our night at the park progressed, we noticed limos and teens in wearing formal wear arriving.  Curious, we finally asked and found out that one of the local high schools were having prom at the park.  Lame.  There wasn't anywhere to dance.  Also, it was windy and there were many short short dresses in attendance.  Poor girls.  I bet their night was lousy.

We decided to leave and ended the date with a movie at our apartment.  Simple date, but so much fun.  I especially loved having that to look forward to all week long!



Tres Meses

Is Raquel only just NOW three months?  It seems like she's been this old for a while now since I've been pulling out all the 3-6 month clothing.  Although, looking at her pictures from a month ago, I can't believe how much she's changed.

Raquel at three months:

• She is 12 pounds heavy and 24 inches long.
• She can hold her head up, though it's still a bit wobbly...especially when she's tired.
• Lately, she's stopped bending in the middle and prefers to stand.
• She can grasp material and can be found with her onesie or blanket in her mouth all day long.
• Raquel can fit her entire fist in her mouth...almost.
• She can roll over from her tummy to her back.
• My reverent girl is already folding her arms.
• She's been doing this strange lip puckering lately; perhaps she's trying to copy the fishy faces I've been making at her lately.

blanket in mouth

about to roll over...and really happy about it too 

folding her arms

lip puckering

Honors and Adoration

Last Thursday was Honors Day at Luis's school.  Raquel and I went so we could cheer for daddy when he was honored for his committee work.

This would be Raquel's first ceremony, so she definately wanted to be dressed up for the occassion.  She was so happy and excited to go that I couldn't stop taking her picture.  (Will the time ever come when I don't take pictures of my child every day?)

 (Why is blogger turning my pictures sideways?  Obnoxious.)

I wasn't expecting so many people to be there.  The auditorium was full of PharmD students.  As soon as it began, Raquel started to make a few peeps, and since there were no other children in the room and we were in the front, all eyes flipped over to us.  The president of the university was also in attendance, so I felt extra pressure to keep Raquel quite.  Thankfully, she likes to keep my life easy, and fell asleep shortly thereafter.

 I was holding a sleeping Raquel when Luis was called up, so the sweet Pharmacy students behind me offered to take pictures.  They are a bit blurry, but I think that's because I hit a button when passing the camera back.

The ceremony was 1 1/2 hours long!  Raquel woke up in the last half hour and decided she wanted some attention.  After all, She HAD gotten all dolled up.  Commence fussing.  I think Luis was pleased as punch to stand up with her so all his classmates could see him holding his adorable baby.  Remember that the PharmD program seems to consist mostly of young, single, women, so naturally Raquel was showered with adoration.  Mission accomplished.

Way to go Lu!  We're so proud of all you do!!!



Hippity Hoppity

It's a universal fact of life, holidays are unvelievably more cute and magical with kids...even miniature ones.

On Saturday, Raquel and I woke up early to surprise daddy with some Pinterest Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins.  Find the scrumptious recipe here: http://www.thibeaultstable.com/2010/05/glazed-lemon-poppy-seed-muffins.html

As always, Raquel was thrilled to help mommy.

 There was an egg run planned in our neighborhood, but since Raquel had such a HARD day on Friday, we decided she needed to stay home and rest.  So, we once again had our egg hunt inside.  First, I hid eggs for Luis and Raquel.  Then he hid eggs for Raquel and I.  Since Missy was sleeping, Luis and I started hunting first.

The BEST part of our hunt, was when we had both found 4/5 eggs.  Luis gave me clues and I finally found my last egg.

Then I gave Luis hints and he found his last egg IN THE SAME SPOT.  (I'm not sure how he didn't see his egg there when he put mine right in front of it, but it gave us some good laughs.)

 

 Finally Raquel woke up happy and anxious to start her hunt.

 She found all her eggs AND the special presents Grandma Ferguson sent down.

On Sunday, Raquel was happy to finally get to wear her Easter dress (a "happy birth" present from Grandma Ferguson that was perfect for Easter) and flower that Mommy made.  Have I said how much I L.O.V.E making flowers for her hair?

Church was fabulous, as I always love the messages shared on Easter Sunday.  I especially love being in Primary where I get to hear the beautiful stories of Christ and the simple testimonies of the kiddos.

After church, Raquel got to see her Easter loot.

She got some hand puppets, though I'm not sure what she thought about them.

 She got some clothes.  Baby rompers...CUTE!

AND she got Goodnight Moon (en espanol) and a Spanish Songs CD.

Aren't these so precious?  They melt my heart.

 For Sunday dinner we had the most YUMMY potatoes I have ever tasted.  And yes, we did have to stick forks in the potatoes.  And YES, I took them out before putting the papas in the oven.  (Side note:  did you know that the word "papa" in Spanish means potato, food, and the Pope?  Now you know.)

Happy Easter!

Sad:(

Being 2 months old means going to your 2 month appointment which means...

IMMUNIZATIONS.

Having a car means it can sometimes break down, and having a broken car means...

TAKING LUIS TO SCHOOL.

Taking Luis to and from school means getting in and out of the car, and getting in and out of the car means...

WAKING A SLEEPING BABY.

It was a hard, hard, hard day for my Raquel.

Mommy actually didn't cry at the doctor's office, but coming home and seeing her baby girl cry and cry and cry, was too much!  It was heartbreaking to see my happy girl so sad.  Thank goodness for daddies.  As soon as Lu picked her up, she calmed down.  Sometimes a girl just needs her dad's strong arms and reassuring words.

According to the doctor's checkup, Raquel is in the 65th (or 75th...I don't quite remember) percentile for weight and the 95th percentile for height.

She is 10 lbs. 10 oz (my cheap-o scale says otherwise) and 23 1/2 in. long.

Best of all, she's healthy!

Dos Meses

Here's our baby girl at 2 months old!

Raquel at 2 Months

• She smiles every day and has even laughed a few times.
• She is 11 1/2 lbs and 24 in. long.
• Her favorite food is milk.
• She likes the Primary Song, "Popcorn Popping."
• She loves shopping and is especially well behaved in Target when Mommy is in the baby section.
•  She has a strange facination with our ceiling fans, whether or not they are going.
•  She has a great right-leg kick.
• She must be having a growth spurt because she wakes up hungry every 1-2 hours.