Izzy On The Go!

Isobel has been very active in the last month. She crawls easily and frequently now, getting into mischief, taunting her cats and parents alike. She continues to be active out of the house as well, day tripping about the city and taking it all in.

Thanksgiving Adventures

Isobel had a very involved Thanksgiving Holiday. She feasted on little pieces of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, and pie at her Goma and Papa's house. So far she is not a fussy eater and will try most everything (except baby food!). Izzy visited her Great Aunt Carol's on the weekend following Thanksgiving, where she feasted yet again, and had the privilege of seeing her Auntie-Cousin Heather and her Noni and Grandad. Following this lovely visit, Noni and Grandad followed Izzy up to San Gabriel and spent three wonderful days with her. Trips to numerous restaurants, the LA Arboretum, and the Mount Wilson Observatory followed.

First Halloween

Isobel hed a great first Halloween. She dressed in a little skeleton suit during the day, then changed into her monkey costume for trick or treating. She went house to house with her cousins, appearing to be very analytical of the whole thing, silently judging the people as they complimented her and gave her candy.

Goma's Birthday

Isobel hosted a party for her Goma Anderson's birthday. She delighted the guests with her antics as she was passed from person to person and was, as always, the life of the party.

The Harvest Festival

Steph's work hosts an annual fall festival, complete with a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and other activities. Izzy enjoyed them all! She selected pumpkins, touched some farm animals, even petted a snake. Fun!

Isobel Goes North

Isobel went to a wedding in Palo Alto in September. It was her first road trip and she loved it. It was also her first trip to Noni and Granddad's house in Carmel. The busy weekend included the wedding (and reception), a stop in Santa Cruz, a visit to crazy Tania and Rob and Danila's house, and a walk on windy Carmel Beach.

Izzy's New House (Finally!)

Isobel and her family moved in mid-August to San Gabriel. Seems like a long time ago because it was a long time ago (apologies to those who have been waiting patiently for blog updates). Isobel enjoys her spacious new living quarters, especially the cleanliness of the carpet on which she frequently rolls. In time she will have her own bedroom!

Feet!

Isobel has been fascinated with her feet for the last several weeks. Tonight she got them into her mouth for the first time while sitting in the bath. She chewed her toes and heels, looked up, and licked her lips!

Little Baby Bumbo

Isobel is now able to hold her head up independently for several minute intervals. This means she is big enough to sit in her Bumbo Seat! The seat is an Australian invention and was given to Isobel by her Uncle Gabriel and Aunt Darlene. Her parents prop her up and call her Little Baby Bumbo.

A quiet 4th

Isobel had a quiet first Independence Day. She enjoyed a visit from Steph's childhood friend Shannon, now living in Pennsylvania. Izzy, Steph, and Auntie Shannon spent the day roaming around Pasadena and Sierra Madre, visiting old haunts and whooping it up. It turns out Auntie Shannon is pregnant, so Izzy will have a little cousin sometime in December!

Little lady of leisure

Isobel has taken to various leisure activities, including swaying in her swing, playing her drum, and, of course, napping. She also loves to watch the Best of Bowie video collection with her father!

Progress!

Isobel started to try some rice cereal this week! She is intrigued by the spoon, and her little tongue darts in and out as she smacks her lips. She also is able to roll from her back to stomach and back to her back on her own now. Amazing!

Pretty Izzy

Isobel is growing at an unbelievably rapid rate! She has become very "healthy" (chubby) in the last month, as well as taller and more coordinated. She has maintained her gentle disposition, red hair, and big blue eyes. What a striking kid!

3 Months!!!

Isobel turned three months old in mid-May. Her parents ordered her a nice ice-cream cake with a little monkey on it. Then they ate it!

Papa's Birthday

Izzy enjoyed her Papa's (Steph's Dad) birthday on a beautiful May weekend. The event featured the new fully-working tiki bar in the Anderson backyard, barbequed shishkabobs, and a flock of flamingos hiding in the foliage. Izzy played the part of the "tiny tiki waitress" and charmed the guests with her giggles and funny faces. Good times for all!

Izzy's second beach trip

Yesterday Isobel went to Aliso Beach with her parents and Uncle Matty. She enjoyed the clean air, new smells, and the sounds of the crashing surf. Soon she will fit into her first swimsuit!

Izzy's Friends

Isobel has a growing collection of plush toy novelty companions. Her mother and father enjoy these beasts as well, assigning them names and laughing hysterically while Izzy rolls her little eyes. Luckily Isobel is very kind and tolerates her parents' childish behavior. Thus far she has acquired a dugong (from her cousin Abby) named Fresco, a rhinocerous named Albert, an old Stott family purple bunny named Rabbit, a rabbit named Gustavo Conejo, a cat named Petra, a racoon named Boris, a monkey named Checkov, a dinosaur named Seymour, a carrot named Egon, a monkey named Crockett, a rhinocerous named Tubbs, and a lamb named Abigail. Good times!

Fun with visiting family!

Last weekend Isobel met her Uncle Will, Aunt Lynette, and Cousin Abby on their brief yet action packed four day romp through Los Angeles. Cousin Abby loved feeding and holding her little cousin, and Izzy loved the food and attention. Barbeque, beach trip, museum visit, and lots of good eating made the extended weekend fun for all!

St. Patrick's Day

Isobel celebrated her first St. Patrick's Day on Saturday. Steph and I don't usually do anything special for the holiday. This year, however, we have more to celebrate: a daughter that looks like a leprechaun! So we did as the Irish do: dropped Isobel at Grandma's and went out for Mexican food and drinks. We had fun, but missed Izzy and soon returned home to spend the rest of the evening with her. Isobel is growing rapidly, bigger every day, and remains tolerant of our antics, i.e. me moving her mouth up and down and saying "always after me lucky charms!"

3 weeks on Wednesday!

Isobel Marie Stott is almost three weeks old! Born Valentine's Day 2007, weighing in at 7lbs10oz, with a full head of deep-red hair and big blue eyes, she is quite an attractive kid. She has her mother's energy and strength, as well as her father's many peculiar expressions and tendency to cry when not receiving attention.
Isobel's name (the spelling has thrown many for a loop) is Scottish, or Irish, or perhaps Gaelic. You see we didn't really research it, but we love the spelling so we went with it. Marie is Izzy's great grandmother on her father's side. She was a strong, independent, gentle woman; we hope Isobel will inherit some of these traits.
Enjoy the photos from Isobel's first several weeks. There will be thousands more to come.