Lara's Christmas Portrait/Sibling Look-A-Likes

I snapped a few shots of just Lara with a little music box train. I took the same pictures of Isaac last year and thought it would be fun to compare...see the comparison in the second group of pictures. I have a feeling it won't be hard to identify them as siblings as they grow up.

Our Merry Munchkins - Getting Ready for Christmas

Isaac wore this little Winnie the Pooh Christmas suit and now it is Lara's turn. Isn't he a sweet big brother?...here he helps her sit up, and of course a kiss on the cheak.

Here is the monstrous Arredondo Christmas tree...it looked large in the store and ginormous in the house, but very pretty in burgundy, silver and lots of twinkly lights. Isaac was enthralled when we first turned it on.

Monkeying Around

As the little creatures on Isaac's top suggest, here he is "monkeying" around with Lara. She seems a little skeptical of her brother's behavior. -early Dec. 2008

Lara at One Month

We can hardly believe Lara is one month old! Here is our darling girl...we couldn't decide on one picture...so here are the best of the best. We love her so much! (Note: Beautiful hand-made blanket courtesy of Liz Castaneda...Thanks again Liz!)

Catching Up With Isaac

Here are a few shots of our little man...he had fun sticking up some Christmas Pooh window stickers that Grandma Garner sent, and he often stops his playing long enough to give his sister some love and attention.



Isaac's old baby chair is only big enough for his stuffed Tigger, but he decided he could climb in front ways and sit on the tray...which of course he did...fun, fun! We were getting ready for a trip to town and I hung his jacket on his head by the hood. He ran around like that for a while...cute!

...And of course...Isaac and his good pal Max spend plenty of time being rowdy together...Isaac even tries to share his dog bed!!...crazy kid!

The Whole Story - Lara - Hospital to Home

Things have been pretty busy in the Arredondo household but I finally got a minute to post a slide show...this is the whole sequence...pre-surgery to home and back to regular life...or at least our new regular life. We are all happy and healthy and very thankful for all the loving support from family and friends!! Again, roll mouse over the slide show to pause and read captions. --Katie

Introducing Lara Arredondo

Here are the first pictures straight from the hospital of the new addition to the Arredondo Family, baby Lara.

Hope you enjoy

-Gilbert

Isaac's Birthday Celebration Part II

Here's the little video Daddy shot during Isaac's party. Momma had to help Isaac blow out the candle of course, but as you can see he did his share by making a few cute little finger prints in the bright yellow icing border before the singing was over. Grandpa Gilbert and Grandma Julia sent a box which arrived today(Nov.3) ...some very useful clothing items, a barnyard "see and say", and a big bright shiny blue piggy bank...Thank you so much!!

Isaac's Birthday Celebration Part 1

On Saturday, November 1st we hosted Isaac's first birthday party. It was just a small casual get together. We invited some family friends and neighbors...some with children Isaac's age and others who have been his babysitters. Grandma Maria sent a gift box with some useful clothing items for both Isaac and Lara along with sippy cups and a party tablecloth that arrived just in time to use for the party (Thanks Grandma Maria!).
If you slide the mouse over the pictures they will pause and show captions. I'm just figuring out this slide show thing so please forgive any errors/typos.
Gilbert shot a quick video of everyone singing "Happy Birthday" and Isaac blowing out his candle. We'll post this soon as "Part 2" --Katie

Trunk or Treat!

So here are the Arredondos at Halloween...or at least the day before 10-30-08. (Although the day is actually Isaac's birthday, we will be having his cake and ice cream with some family friends on Saturday, Nov. 1.)

Our ward (church group) hosted a chili/cornbread dinner followed by "Trunk or Treat" where everyone decorates their trunks and passes out candy in the parking lot. Isaac dressed as a lion "Raaar!", Momma as a bowling ball (thus the spots on the big belly), and Daddy...well, we'll say he went as a Notre Dame fan :). Gilbert took charge of passing out candy from our car while Momma and Isaac strolled around checking out all the other costumes and collecting our share of candy too. Isaac had a blast, jabbering away and whipping his little mane this way and that as he tried not to miss a single thing!

Lara Bump - One Week Left!!

Wow...one week left! Although I don't look too chipper in this picture, I'm very happy and healthy and apparently Lara is doing just fine too :). Part of me can hardly believe 9 months have passed...another part of me feels like I've been pregnant forever. Either way Gilbert and I are very much looking forward to Lara's delivery which is scheduled for Nov. 5th at 7:30am. My Dad, Frank and sister, Bliss are coming down from Idaho/Utah to help out. We're so glad they're coming! I'm sure Isaac doesn't have a clue what's about to happen but he'll enjoy the company and we're all very interested to see what he thinks of his baby sister! 10-29-08

Momma & Isaac Clowning Around

Just Isaac and Momma goofing around. 10-20-08

Isaac at Random

Sometimes when friends are in need they will bring their children over for Momma to watch briefly. Isaac always enjoys these visits. He likes to interact and here he is learning to share his toys with friends Sophie and Scott.

We have a gate set up behind one of the couches to keep Isaac from getting to a ficus tree and Daddy's speakers (which are so much fun to knock over :))...but sometimes the gate itself is just as much fun, especially when Momma plays peek-a-boo with the camera!

Now that it's getting cooler at night we've gotten out the longer warmer PJs. Isaac hopped up mid-change and ran around with the legs and feet of his jammies trailing behind him like the tails of a tux...too funny! 10-13-15-08

Isaac Walking, Etc.

Isaac, our big boy, has been walking since the last week of his 10th month, but we were just recently able to catch it on video. Grandma Maria says that both her boys walked at 10 months so it looks like Isaac is carrying on the family tradition. This clip was shot on Sunday the 12th and includes a quick shot of pregnant Momma (37 wks.) and the "quiet book" project she has been working on for Isaac's first birthday. --Gilbert/Katie

Early B-day Surprise / General Conference

Isaac got an early birthday surprise (actual b-day 10-30) in a package from Grandma & Grandpa Garner. Here he carefully inspects some darling Winnie the Pooh plastic figures. Then, with Momma's help, and after tasting a few pieces, of course, he put together his first puzzle. We were watching the LDS General Conference when the package arrived and although I don't think Isaac fully appreciated the spiritual messages, he seemed attracted by the musical numbers...especially when the Primary Children sang. Here he bounces on his knees and waves his new little Eeyore at the screen as the children sing "Teach me to Walk in the Light". Perhaps the music can speak to his spirit while words are still beyond his grasp. --Katie

Texas State Fair

Gilbert's company gave us tickets to the Texas State Fair, so we took Friday afternoon off and made it a family outing. It was a warm day but not too uncomfortable and Isaac was very good in his stroller...he likes to kick back with his feet on the tray or slung over the side as you can see here. We didn't have to carry him once...which was lovely because it's like packing around a hefty little heater these days. Although I'm too pregnant and Isaac is too small for us to enjoy any of the rides we still have fun just getting out, eating funny foods, watching people and checking out a variety of exhibits. Then since we were already half way to Ennis, we drove a little further south to finish our outing with an evening at the Galaxy Drive-Inn. (Isaac is in his bib because we had dinner in the car) -- Katie -- Sept. 26, 2008

Painting Up a Storm!

Hurricane Ike has been churning in the Gulf of Mexico and affecting Texas weather all the way up into the Dallas area. So, on a very windy, rainy Saturday, while Isaac was napping; I talked Gilbert into helping me paint some wooden letters spelling out the kids names to hang in the nursery. And guess what?...he really got into it :) ...while watching his Notre Dame football, of course! (The beat Michigan 35-17). I was going to entitle this entry "Pretty in Pink" since he chose to paint Lara's letters, but Gilbert suggested the final title in honor of the weather. --Katie - Sept. 13, 2008

The Toy Basket

1 - Nevermind all these other more convenient toys, I want the one at the bottom of the basket. Reeeeaaach!

2 - Woah!...now I'm in the basket too.

3 - Oh, here it is...that little squeaky, plush moon that I love to chew.

4 - Oh wait, now that big yellow thing looks interesting...

5 - and out we go again!

6 - Now if that wasn't enough fun let me see if I can get stuck in that narrow space between the TV and cabinet ...ummm...Daddy?....help!

Note to viewers... click on the picture to see larger version. --Katie - Early Sept. 2008

Where's the Camera? / Isaac & the Lara Bump

"Look at the camera, Sweety...nope, that's the wall...look at Daddy...there you go :)!" Lara's Baby-Bump has become Isaac's personal patting ball. It's usually the first part of Momma he can reach when I go to get him out of his crib and so, of course, it gets lots of love pats and attention...Lara's so lucky! Pregnancy - 32 weeks - 7.5 months. --Katie Sept. 11, 2008

Isaac and the Alligator

This quick clip was taken Sunday, August 31, 2008 (I incorrectly said the 30th on the video). Anyhow, it is of Isaac with one of his favorite toys...a little plastic alligator which has sadly been deprived of it's tail, but due to this loss now makes a funny whistling noise when blown....Neato!! --Gilbert/Katie

Big Boy Things

Isaac, at 10 months old, is getting used to some Big-Boy-Things. His fluffy curls were getting a little out of hand, so although he's already had a couple of trims, Momma sat him in the bathroom sink for a very thorough cut with Daddy's clippers (note the surprising quantity of curls left on the counter!). Now he's gone from cute and fluffy, to handsome, neat and dapper :). Also, since the advent of his little sister, Lara is only two months away, we've started to familiarize him with the larger car seat and the toddler bed he will eventually move into. As you can see, he thinks all these new things are pretty great! --Katie Aug. 31, 2008

Tub Time

Although Isaac usually gets his "baths" in the shower with his Dad, when Dad is away on business we pull out the rubber ducks and have some fun slipping and splashing around the big tub in our master bathroom. Isaac loves to play with the water as it runs from the tap, but his favorite floaty toy is actually one of Momma's hair combs...silly kid!...and once again he is determined to pull himself to a standing position, regardless of how slippery or precarious the perch! --Katie

Isaac Bump vs. Lara Bump

This was an interesting comparison. Here I am at just about the same time during each of my pregnancies (about 28 weeks/a little over 6 months). Besides the glasses, the hairstyle, and the fact that we painted the dining room wall, my Lara Bump is pretty similar to my Isaac Bump. Hmmm, perhaps the combination of work and being a Mom has kept me indoors too much...I'm looking a little pale :P --Katie

Crawling to Standing

Perhaps it was the examples of all his very mobile cousins, but Isaac (8.5 months) moved very quickly from the stomach crawl, to coordinated hands & knees crawling and then straight to pulling himself up on furniture and anything else he could get a hold of. Here he decides it might be interesting to try crawing between the two levels of our coffee table. After bumping his head a couple of times he decided it was much more fun to stand up and pull things off the top. I can see we will have lots of mobile adventures ahead! Fun! Fun! --Mid July --Katie

Bliss' Wedding

July 12th was the wedding day itself. Some formal family pictures were taken the evening before...Top Left, Arredondo Family in their coordinating yellow duds (each family picked a color...Bottom Left, Frank & Bonnie Garner with children, spouses and grandchildren...Top Right, the handsome and obviously happy couple, Mr. & Mrs. Matthew and Bliss Blackburn on their wedding day...Bottom Right, Katie & Isaac relaxing at the reception afterwards. Overall I think it was a wonderful and rewarding event/visit for all involved! --Katie

Isaac w/ Some of His Cousins

As mentioned, Isaac had a blast getting to know his cousins! Here he is sharing a toy with Brielle Yeck, making goofy faces with Matthew Yeck, playing with shiny rocks at Grandma Garner's house, and mugging for the camera with Matt Yeck, McKenna Yeck, Adrean Garner & Brinley Yeck. It was so much fun watching them all having such a good time together. --Katie

Katie & LeAnne

I traveled to Idaho ahead of Gilbert. This gave me a chance to spend some time with my wonderful high school friend LeAnne Black. She was good enough to pick Isaac and I up from the airport in Salt Lake and then Dad drove down to her house in Kaysville, Utah to collect us and take us back up to Rexburg, Idaho. We got my Dad to take this picture for kicks and also because we are both expecting our first daughters. She has two other boys and is due in September. --Katie

Isaac playing on the Trampoline at Aunt Jenny's

During the second week of July we traveled up to Idaho to participate in Bliss Garner's (Katie's Sister) wedding to Matthew Blackburn. While there we had a great time visiting with family and Isaac especially had a blast getting to know his multitude of cousins on his Mom's side. Here he is with me on the trampoline at Aunt Jenny's house. He's just getting a grip on the whole crawling thing and it is so fun to watch him. This video clip also shows some of the other family member outside enjoying the wonderful Idaho weather. --Gilbert

King of the BK

Isaac was watching several children run around in cardboard Burger King crowns and we snagged one for him to play with. At first it was much too big and he pulled it right off. Then after Daddy adjusted it he wore it proudly...goofy kid! June 2008 --Katie

It's a Girl!

Well, I'm now half-way through this pregnancy and on Monday, June 23rd we went in for my regularly scheduled appointment as well as the exciting "gender" ultrasound. Guess what...Isaac is going to have a little sister! We are thrilled and very much looking forward to adding a little pink to our lives. The baby, whom we will likely call Lara, is doing great...measuring right where she should be with a vigorous little heart beat. So far this pregnancy has been very similar to Isaac's which means I've got it pretty easy...feeling comfortable, and loving the regular movement as little Lara bumps around inside. --Katie

Out Shopping

Shopping, of course, is a weekly event which gets us out of the house/away from the work place. Isaac likes to sit up in the front of the cart now rather than being stuck in his car seat. Gil found a funny child-size easy chair on one trip and we had to let Isaac try it out. June 2008 --Katie

Staying Cool at the Pool

Our community has a nice pool/park/play area just a couple of blocks from out home. On hot summer days its nice to stop by to splash around in the kiddie pool and cool off a bit. Isaac gets a little nervous about all that water, but gets braver every time and really enjoys watching other children splash around. June 9, 2008--Katie

Arredondo Day Out

On Saturday, May 17th we decided to take a little outing to the local flea market where local farmers, vendors, book sellers, antique/junk dealers...you name it...all get together once a month for what is called "Third Monday Trade Days". It was just fun to get out on a sunny day to walk around and look at interesting things. Gilbert and Isaac especially enjoyed an area where dog breeders bring in their new puppies for sale. In these pictures Isaac squints at the camera from under his little hat and then on the way home, falls asleep in the back seat (how about those cute little sandals!...Gil calls them "Piggie Holders") and Daddy looks over us from the rear view mirror up front. --Katie

Isaac at 6 Months

Well it's May 1st and our little man is now 6 months old! We stopped by a local park on a beautiful Sunday to snap an informal family picture to mark that Isaac is now half a year old. He is such a lovable little boy! Here is another shot of him playing on one of the blankets Grandma Garner made for him. As you can see he has turned himself around with his back to his toys because he becomes fascinated by the texture, color and feel of his brightly embroidered name at the opposite corner of the blanket. --Katie

Spring in Our Front Yard

Gil and I are really please with how our yard is turning out this year. Especially our robust roses. They blossom in profusion with multiple roses at the end of each stem. Combined with some nice bright greens in our holly and boxwoods, and accenting tulips and marigolds makes a colorful screen of flora for our front porch. --Katie

Sunday Morning

After getting Isaac all dressed for church we set him in his bumbo chair on the bathroom counter where he watches Momma and Daddy finish getting ready ourselves. Isn't he a handsome little bugger! Mid-April 2008 --Katie

Saturday Morning

This picture is a little dark but this is the Arredondo family on a Saturday morning. Isaac has just had his first bottle and then we like to snuggle together for a bit before getting out of bed. Mid-April 2008 --Katie

Bath Time

Isaac loves his "bath time". Gilbert has perfected the skill of showering him very quickly and then handing him out to Momma for a towel-off and lotion rub-down. Here, just fresh from the shower, Isaac checks out the other little boy in the mirror and grins for the camera from under the hood of his darling little bath robe. --Katie

Isaac laughing with Dad

Here is a video of Isaac just laughing away, it is about 6 weeks old, but we love it!

Isaac in his carrier...

Here is a video of Isaac. He likes to ride in his carrier strapped to Momma while she does her chores on Saturdays. --Gilbert

New Baby

Guess what folks? I guess Heavenly Father wants us to make the most of what remains of my childbearing years, because Gilbert, Isaac and I are expecting another addition to our family! I'm about 8 weeks along and the new little guy in the oven is measuring exactly on schedule. My anticipated due date is Nov. 10th although if another c-section is required this little boy or girl will likely come a bit earlier.

Here you can see the little guy as a grey little blob tucked up in the corner of my uterus. The doctor told us the little circle you can see around him/her is the amniotic sack which will eventually grow and fuse to the uterus walls or chorion. In the bottom picture you get a slightly clearer image of the enlarged head on the left, tapering toward what will be tiny feet and a cute little rear to the right.

Isaac, of course, doesn't have a clue about what's going on but Gil and I are very excited! I'm in good health with just a bit of fatigue to remind me I'm pregnant now and then. --Katie