4 Months Old: Rolled over

Did another month fly by already?! You are 4 months old today.  You are growing up and discovering new things daily.  It makes me eager to see what else you will learn and I am excited that you are reaching many milestones and trying so hard to hit others.

This month has been busy.  March will always be a busy month.  First of all, almost all your cousins' birthdays are this month but on top of it we have been invited to bridal showers,  we had your welcome to the world shower this shower and you met more and more people.  Aunt Lil came by again on March 2, she just loves you.  You were talking and laughing with her that day as we waited on lunch.  We saw Aunt Nicole and we met her family on March 7 for her Bridal shower.  Uncle Josh and Nicole will be getting married in less than 2 months!! You did good that day meeting everyone.  Although you did cry the moment Aunt Nicole held you.  You are still very much a mommy/daddy baby.  You dont mind meeting and saying Hi to people as long as you are in one of our arms.  You tend to fuss when someone new holds you.  I love that you are our baby girl but other people want to hold you and love you too.  March 8, we celebrated Santiago and Lucia's birthday at chuck e cheese.  Santiago turned 4 and Lucia turn 2 this year.  We went up there to say Happy birthday.  Maga, papa and your aunties can't get enough of you.  They love you so much and just love spending time with you.  While we were there, Uncle Manny wanted to put your hair up in a bow.  He made you look all so cute with a black and white "Hello Kitty" bow.  While we were up there, we stop by Graham and Amy's house on March 9th.  Daddy knew them since High School and Amy just loved you.  Later that week, We went to Brittany Foltz's Wedding shower.  Mommy knew Brittany Foltz since she was in elementary school. Actually, Uncle Josh and Brittany are actually the same age and were in the same grade growing up.  You met more people there.  A lot of the people we didn't know but everyone commented on how cute you are and your hair.  On March 15, Grandma thew your "Welcome to our World Shower" all of our family came out to see and meet you.  They showered you with clothes, gifts and toys.  We are so blessed to have so many people who love us.  We received a lot of bigger clothes for you: clothes from 6 months to 18 and 24 months.   We also ended the month with Easter.  March 29th, Palm Sunday, grandma, grandpa, Crystal, Jace and us went to Olive Garden for dinner.

We went to Maga and Papa's house on Easter.  You actually turned 4 months on Easter.  We had fun, we had an easter egg hunt.  Although you are still too little to go and find the eggs but we watched all of our cousins find the eggs.  It was on Easter that you rolled over from back to front!!! Mommy and Daddy were so proud of you.  Mommy actually noticed that you rolled over when I went to check on you during your naps.  I almost couldnt believe it, after you woke up you spend the whole night just rolling over one way and then back!! You were so proud of yourself.

Along with our busy month, We have been hitting milestones.  The big milestone this month was ROLLING OVER.  You rolled over from you stomach to your back at Graham and Amy's house.  We were just sitting there talking, and daddy put you on the floor and.... poof you rolled over, that fast.  We really didn't know what just happened!! Daddy and I scream: "Yay baby!"  We told Amy and Graham that was the first time you rolled over.  Amy was so happy that you decided to do it at their house.  After that you have been rolling over from front to back all the time now (when you want to now).  When mommy places you in your crib for nap you will roll over on to your back and wake up.  You are also talking more and you are just starting to giggle.  We have to work for those laugh but it is the cutest thing!! You love looking at your self in the mirror too: you laugh, wave your hands, and want to kiss it/suck on it.

Also, this month you have been testing mommy with your sleeping schedule.  You were sleeping 6 to 7 hours at night and mommy was getting so excited about you sleeping longer.  Mommy was waking up refreshed and wake!  You were also taking 3 naps about 1-2 hours long.  You were a very happy baby and mommy was a happy mommy!!! On March 9th you slept around 11-12 hours that night.  Daddy and I were SHOCKED!!! You had a busy weekend and was tired.  Mommy expected the same the next night but you decided other wise.  I think you thought you were a newborn again and thought you could wake up every two hours at night and wanted food.  During the day you were eating every hours in a half: before nap and right after nap.  You did that for about 2 or so weeks.  You still like to eat right before naps and right after naps. We also trying to sleep train you so you can learn to put yourself to sleep.  You are having a hard time falling asleep at night by yourself.  You break mommy and daddy's heart at night when you scream.  Some nights you fall asleep faster than other nights.  You are pretty good at putting yourself to sleep for naps.  You are ending the month by sleeping about 4-5 hours at a time a night.  Mommy is still trying to stick to the 3 naps a day: morning, afternoon, early evening naps.

Also, I think you are teething, you have no teeth yet and I dont see or feel anything coming up soon; but you are sucking your fingers and drooling all the time.  One day, you were crying and fussing for over two hours and I couldnt make you happy no matter what I did.  I gave you Tylenol and you settled down.  Poor Baby!  I dont want you to go through the pain of teething.  I'll try my best to comfort you.

At the doctors, you measured 25 inches long and 15lbs.  You are in the 75th percentile.  We also got another round of shots. You did much better while we were at the doctors office.  Mommy gave you medicine and nursed you in the room however, about 30 minutes later, the shots kicked in.  We had to go to Grandma house to calm you down a little bit.  You are mommy's big girl.  


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Christmas at God's House

On Friday, December 15, 2012, the whole nation stopped to grieved what had happened in Connecticut  at Sandy Hook Elementary.  The whole weekend I purposely did not watch the news, nor did I want to really hear or talk about.  However, it was hard not seeing it on facebook or hearing the whispers around the school or at the dinner table.  My mind continue to think, "Wow, Christmas is just around the corner though."  I thought of the parents of those children who passed away and how they would feel as they finished up their Christmas preparations.  Would they try to have Christmas go on as normal?  Would they stop everything?  What about those gifts they already bought for their son or daughters--How hard would it be seeing those toys?  Gosh, as most people in the nation I grieved for the families.  Then I thought of those children who passed away and I thought they wont have another Christmas.

Then something said inside me........ "Says who?"

I started to think, "OMG, they are going to have the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!"  They are in Heaven for Christmas!!! Think about your best Christmas gift as a kid.  Think about your memories, the smells, the gifts.  I am sure you have the biggest smile on your face thinking about that special Christmas.  What great parents you had.  I know I had some fun Christmases growing up.  

Now think about what Heaven's Christmas would be like.....

I went into work thinking about this and trying to get my head in a positive mindset as we have a staff meeting and go over the new safety procedures.  When a coworker of my came in to my classroom and handed me a sheet of paper.  I proceeded to read it and chills went up my spine.  Its been what I was thinking about the whole weekend.  I wanted to share it with you today.  Think about great it would be to celebrate CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN!!!

CHRISTMAS AT GOD'S HOUSE

'Twas 11 days before Christmas around 9:38

When 20 beautiful children stormed through the Heaven's gates.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air,

They could hardly believe all of the beauty they saw there. 

They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say,

They remembered nothing of what happened earlier that day.  

"Where are we?" whispered a girl as quiet as a mouse,

"This is heaven," declared a small boy, "we're spending Christmas at God's House.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear,

But Jesus, their savior.  The children gathered near. 

He look at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.   

They he opened his arms, and he called them by name. 

And in that moment was joy that only heaven can bring.

Those children flew into the arms of their King.  

And as they lingered in the warmth of his embrace, 

One small girl turned and looked at Jesus's face. 

And as if he could read all the questions she had, 

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad."

Then he looked down on early, the world far below. 

He saw all the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.  

Then he closed his eyes and he stretched out his hand, 

"Let my power and presence reenter this land!

"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools!

I'm taking by back my nation.  I'm taking back my schools!"

Then he and the children stood up without a sound.

"Come now, my children, let me show you around."

Excitement filled the space.  Some skipped and some ran,

All displaying enthusiasm only a small child can

And I heard him proclaim as he walked out of sight, 

"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

So, I encourage you this holiday season as you remember these families, finish preparing for Christmas.  Lets focus the on the LIGHT instead of the darkness.  

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California Thanksgiving!

I am so blessed to have two families that love and care for me.  I am so thankful for each member of those family.  However, at this time, I miss being home.  There are things I just love about waking up on Thanksgiving in California.  This is what I enjoy and what I think about Thanksgiving.  


I love the way Thanksgiving is set up in our house.  First thing that happens that I wake up to the sounds and the smells of my parents in the kitchen preparing the turkey.  I actually lie awake in my bed just listening to my mom and dad talk about what they are doing.  After that I wake up and I get myself ready.  Mom and Dad by this time are also getting ready too.  Then we all kind of meet in the kitchen and eat breakfast.  My mom always has the table set all nice for the dinner later.  We eat cranberry bread!  OH MAN!! It is very yummy, we only have it once a year so it makes it that much special.  Then the day continues as my parents check on the turkey and cook other side dishes.  I just love the way the house smells.  It makes me hungry all day knowing what is for dinner.  Then usually around 2:00 or 3:00, people start to come over. We usually have my sister and her husband, and a few of my cousins. I love just listening to the hustle and bustle of people coming over and trying to help out.  Then we sit down and enjoy the great Thanksgiving dinner that has been teasing me all day.  After dinner and dessert, we usually all sit on the couch stuffed.  Ah, It is so much fun and I cant believe that Thanksgiving is just days away!! I can't wait!! 

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Thankfulness

Its November!  It is that time to stop and give Thanks.  You see it on facebook and you'll hear it around most dinner tables on Thanksgiving: People giving thanks.  It is important to give thanks, to appreciate the big and the small things around you.

I always had a problem expressing my Thanks.  I remember when I was younger dreading the "Lets go around the table and give 3 things you are thankful for" conversations.  I never really enjoyed doing that, who knows why.  I always thought it was because I wasnt good with words or maybe it seemed forced or maybe I didnt like that everyone was listening and their eyes were on me.  Whatever, the reason is I didnt like that activity.

I am now 26 years old and although I am not jumping on the bandwagon and posting a thankful status every day; I am stopping and blogging today.  It is here on my blog that I can be open and honest.  It is my way of telling you what is on my mind.

THANKFULNESS

It wasn't until recently that the real meaning of Thankfulness hit me, and being thankful of what really matters.  

• I am thankful for my parents for raising me up in a household that LOVE God; for loving me no matter what, for teaching me what is right and what is wrong; for their high expectations; for not lowering them because we fail a few times at getting them right; for putting us in christian schools and making a way for us to go to college.  
• For my mom for teaching me how to raise my future children; for instilling that teacher mindset in me, and for always giving me the words
• For my dad for showing me what a Man of God looks like; what a father looks like; for what a husband looks like; for working 6 days a week; for providing for us
• I am thankful for my siblings for loving me, for putting up with my quiet temper tantrums, for supporting me; for being on my side; for sticking up for me; for being protective of anyone who looks at me wrong.  
• I am thankful for my friends for being an ear to talk to; for being a person where I can let my hair down and be free; for having fun with me; for being a shoulder to cry on; for not judging me; for being real and honest to me; for smacking me and telling me to WAKE UP; for all those late nights where we sat up and giggled and talked about boys. 

• I am thankful for mostly for God for his love.  I am just awed and overwhelmed by how much he loves us.  I mean have you looked at the world lately?! We are messing up left and right yet he still looks down with love in his eyes.  You know if it was us we would of given up a long time ago.  If I just look at myself, there are things I see that I even roll my eyes and think, "Oh man Rachel! You are MESSED UP!"  Yet I hear that still small voice that says, "Yes, you didn't make the best decision but do you remember the cross?  I died for that sin, I don't see you that way.  You are my daughter and I love you!  Just come back to me, and I will wrap my arms around you.  It's okay."  I see God as a combination of all the people above:  A father, who will always love me.  He is always teaching me, correcting me, giving me the examples to live by. A sibling, who is always putting up with my tantrums, and he is protective of me.  A friend, who I can be real with, cry with, there are times when he smacks me too and he knows my thoughts before I think them.  

There are many things a person can be thankful for but for me it's the last point that drove it home recently.  So, this thanksgiving, just stop and think about what you are truly thankful.  You don't have to post it on facebook, blog it or even say out loud.  God knows where your heart is; just be sincere and truthful and take the time to reflect it.  

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Christmas 2010 and New Years 2011

The holidays are one of my favorites! I just love Christmas time from Christ's birth to putting the lights up and buying gifts for loved ones. I love the magic that fills the air at this time.

This year, I decided to do something new and not go home for both Christmas and new years! It was a big decisions because it meant that I had to give up all of our Canty Traditions: decorating our christmas tree, the annual christmas parties, the Christmas Eve Service, Enchiladas, Blueberry muffins, and just the look of our house at christmas! I decided to stay here in Missouri and experience a new tradition the Lopez way: the fish dinner, getting their christmas tree, going to our saddlebrooke cookie exchange, going over to Brain's and Dana's house for a big Christmas breakfast, opening gifts for 5 hours, having a house full of people. I enjoyed my new Christmas tradition. I feel so blessed being here and having a 2nd family in Missouri. I just loved being in the mix of the hustle and bustle of the Lopez family. I cant describe how special I feel when we have the family over!

This is what the living room looked like before we started opening gifts and there were more gifts in the office.

Of course, I missed everyone at home during this time but we did ichat as they were opening gifts, so I did get to see them which was fun to do. I truly love being here during the holidays!! I just appreciate everyone here so much. They make me smile. I don't think Mom and Dad would let me stay here another christmas here! I know they will want their daughter back from now on. ;)

Margie, Don and I

Papa, Margie and Don

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Spring Time is just around the corner

Spring is just around the corner and just that is worth celebrating and blogging about!! I am so excited for spring, it has been a long cold winter for this California girl!

School is still in full swing! We just had a midterm meetings and I am so happy that this semster is almost half way done!! It has been a roller coster, filled of smiles and tears! I was so uneasy heading into our midterm meetings. I was just unsure where I sat in the class. I had some really strong area and some really weak area and you never know how hard the teacher will grade on your weak areas. Good News!! I am doing great!! I cant lie, I was pretty relieved when I heard that! School is on its way and we have about 8 weeks left!!

Last week was spring break and I was able to go back home to california! Oh man! It was nice to be back! Nothing, as usual, stops at our house! Mom thought her kids were growing up too fast and decided that she was gonna get two corgi puppies!! OMG!! They are so cute! Bella is 9 months and Mia is 3 months! When I went home, I was able to play with them and spend time with them. This involved a photo shoot. I love those little puppies! They are the cutest little puppies that I have never seen. Here are some photos!

The puppies met me at the airport!

Holding Mia for the first time

Daddy and his NEW baby girl

This is Mia

Sisters!

Mia is the one with the white strip down her face and

Bella is the dark one!

This is Bella!

Shh... Its nap time!

Play Time.. They love playing with thier daddy!

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Home for Christmas

Well its been a while since I wrote a blog.. so let me catch you up!

I finished my first semester of grad school! It was exciting and crazy all at the same time! I cant wait for next semester where we will be in the clinic so much more! I was in the clinic this semester for a few hours once a week and I was BLOW AWAY by these little children just signing away just as typical children talk! I was so impressed! I cant wait till I have my own classroom!!!

As much fun as the semester was, the holiday break was extremely welcomed! I flew home to LA and was greeted by three people screaming: RACHEL'S HOME!!! This would be my sister, brother and my brother's friend philip! What a great greeting, a little loud but I would expect anything else. LOL. There is no stopping at the Canty's.. The next day we were getting ready to our family Christmas party. It was nice to see everyone else: cousins on both sides, aunts, friends and of course it all revolved around a massive amounts of food and desserts!! Then Sunday was filled with church, the nutcracker, and another party filled with friends!! Monday started the last week before christmas and since I was all done with my christmas shopping that meant I could stay home right?! LOL.. nope.. It was another busy day filled with lunch out with a friend and helping my sister, crystal with her last minute gifts. Tuesday, started out with a "girl's day" with getting our hair and makeup done. We had a makeup trail for Crystal's wedding, and we made sure our hair is nice and healthy. Then it finished as helping my brother, josh finish his shopping!! Wednesday was filled with more catching up with friends! Who knew I had so many friends that wanted to see me?! I guess I should go away more often ;)

Thursday, CHRISTMAS EVE! That was fun, with wrapping gifts, making gingerbread houses, and getting ready for our formal christmas eve dinner!! What a night! We did the traditional gifts which were PJs. Then since Geoff was working a 24 hour on christmas we exchanged gifts with him! Our mom got us all a framed photo to put in our new house! Crystal and Geoff got a beautiful photo of a boy and a girl playing in the fall leaves. I got a photo of a boy and girl swinging high over the roof tops and my brother got a church cathedral and it was one of his favorite artist.

Then it was FRIDAY, CHRISTMAS DAY!!! I am 23 years old and when it comes to christmas I am like a little kids all over the place. Christmas day is a day that we remember that CHRIST OUR SAVIOR is born, all the carols state it and it is a day that is filled with excitement. It should be!! It has always been filled with that magic since day one! Whether you believe in OUR LORD SAVIOR or Santa almost every one I know see christmas with that same feeling!

Anyways.. Christmas morning! I, or course, got up early.. and was waiting till the rest of the family to wake up! We opened stocking first around 10:30, then it was breakfast, and finally gifts at 12:30. I think we are the ONLY family that opens gift so late! What another great day.. It was filled with a whole lot of gifts from clothes, to electronics, to photo books, to movies. Santa was good to us this year! Then it was dinner and more family came over (the cousins from the Canty's side). It was a little smaller this year because our younger cousin was in the emergency room from a panic attack! Don't worry she is okay, but none the less, it was a great christmas!! I have enjoyed all of my family, friends and the company that continually walks through the door!

My vacation is not yet finished. I go back to January 7, 2010. I am so surprised each year how fast the year goes. In 2009 we had 11 weddings, 1 baby, I went off to missouri for my masters, new friendships were made, old ones grew stronger and now we are here once again staring straight into the year 2010. Next year wont go any slower: The Canty's are looking at: Josh and Dad going to spain in January, Papa is going to Israel, Crystal and Geoff are going to graduate, I'll be in missouri working on my masters, Crystal's wedding shower in August, and then CRYSTAL CANTY becomes CRYSTAL ARAI in November, then thanksgiving, and Christmas again!! WOW!!! Busy, busy busy, but just think we are growing up nice and strong!! 3 adults all heading on their own path.

Thank you for everyone that has crossed path with the Canty's. You guys have all impacted our lives for the better. There are some people that have fell off of our radar and some people that are here constantly and some we see only in the holidays! You guys are all special and I thank you!!

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Thanksgiving!

Yesterday, as you guys all know was thanksgiving!! This year was the first year I wasnt with my blood family for a holiday however, it was okay because I was with my missouri family: the Lopezs! I feel so blessed being here in missouri.. There is so much life here, it is filled with love and great people. Daily, I am look around and I feel so happy to be in the presence of such great people.

Even though I was with the lopezs, I had to bring some of the canty tradition. We had the famous canty's cranberry bread for breakfast...

As we were eating, the turkeys were in the oven.. We had one 15 pounds and other one was 12 pounds... We were gonna have 14 people over for dinner. The Menu consisted of: turkeys, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casarole, salad, rolls, and of coarse the gravy!!! For dessert we had: 2 apple pies, pumkin pie, sweet potato pie, cheesecake, and chocolate chip cookie bars.. YUM!!! We prepared the turkeys, the mashed patatoes, and the apple pies and everyone else brought the rest.

We all sat down and enjoyed everyone's companay... What great company it was!

My Plate: my yummy turkey neck and a little bit of everything
Dinner is over, we are stuffed to the rim.

Time for games, crosswords, and black friday shopping strategy!
Dana put kezzie in the wagon for photos..

This was kezzie's 1st thanksgiving!!!

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