White Sheet Pics

Peek-a-boo!

The other day, Gabi was hiding in Mama and Papa's bed. Papa took some pictures. Tita Chrissie likes the picture above, while Mama likes the pictures below. Not much else to say... except that our baby sure is cute!


Gabi and her Bunny


Gabi with her Bunny (with different lighting and a tasty hand)

A Trip to Gonzaga

Hello again! I'm still being cute!
(5/5/05)
Our (extremely cute) little baby has been travelling all over the country as of late. You've seen pictures from her road trip out to Brenham, Texas for a wedding, as well as two trips out to Atlanta to go house-hunting with her parents. Most recently, she traveled with her parents and much of Papa's family up to Gonzaga to watch Tita Chrissie graduate... and to meet Tita Chrissie for the first time. We had such a fun time in Spokane playing with all our family.

First off, we have some pictures with the rightful star of the weekend, who probably had some of her deserved attention stolen by our little one. I don't think she really minded, mostly because our baby was being so sweet to her only aunt. We're all super proud of Tita Chrissie for graduating from college. Go Zags!

Gabi meets Tita Chrissie (5/5/05)

Gabi with Papa and Tita Chrissie (5/8/05)

During this trip, Gabi and her parents stayed in a hotel room which adjoined Lolo and Lola's room. This meant that her adoring grandparents got to spend a large amount of time holding and playing with their only granddaughter. There were some (such as Lola Gigit) who warned that she'd get spoiled with all this attention. But really, you can't spoil babies this age with too much attention. At any rate, she certainly enjoyed all the extra holding-time. Here are some cute examples of Lolo's extended time holding Gabi.

Gabi on Lolo's shoulder (5/6/05)

Gabi napping on Lolo (5/6/05)

In addition to all the extra holding, there was extra playtime, during which Gabi showed off all her tricks (tracking, talking, and occasionally smiling). She also showed everyone how strong she is by kicking her legs and wiggling her arms. She can even stand for a little while if you support her--she has the strength, but not the balance or the stamina. See?


Gabi standing up for Mama and her audience
(5/6/05)
We would be remiss if we didn't mention who made up this audience of admirers. Making the trip up from San Mateo were Lola Gigit and Lolo Ruben. Also, we saw a great deal of Tita Chrissie's beau, Jordan, and his family who drove in from Yakima and Prosser for the graduation. And also traveling out of Little Rock were Ninong Edward, Ninang Sylvia, and Cousin Steven, who are always more than happy to spend time with little Gabi.


Gabi with Ninang and Steven
(5/6/05)
Finally, in a twist of fate which probably interests Mama and Papa more than it did Gabi, we ran into an old friend from Notre Dame, the lovely and talented Danielle Rose (nee Skorich). Danielle's younger brother was graduating as well. Tita Chrissie assures us that Notre Dame-Gonzaga connections are highly common, but it was still uncanny to run into the young lady who lived next door to Mama in her dorm back at ND.


Gabi with her parents and Danielle Rose Skorich
(5/7/05)

More Baptismal Pictures

Gabriella Christine's baptism was such a momentous event, we figure that more photos are appropriate. Unfortunately, as you will see in some of these pictures, Gabi did not particularly enjoy her baptism ceremony because she was hungry at the time and did not appreciate the delay in being fed. The priest gave a fantastic homily, though, and Gabi did stop crying during the actual pouring of the water on her head (I think because she was confused as to what was going on).

Gabi borrowed Steven's gorgeous Filipino baptismal gown.

The priest annoints Gabi just as Samuel annointed David.

Gabriella pauses from her "I'm hungry" cry to watch the priest.

Gabriella is called to be a light for the world.

Monsignor Hebert, Ninong Edward, Mama, Papa, and Ninang Sylvia with the newly-baptized Gabriella.

Gabriella (still hungry) with her parents and grandparents after her baptism.

Claimed for Christ

Gabriella Christine was baptized on Saturday, April 23, 2005. Due to some camera difficulties, we were unable to obtain pictures until now. We are very happy to welcome our little Gabi into the Church, as we promise to raise her in the faith so that she may grow to know and love the Lord.


Ninong (Godfather) Edward, Ninang (Godmother) Sylvia,
Mama, Papa, and Monsignor Hebert
celebrate Gabriella's baptism.


Gabriella Christine,
baptized in the name of the Father,
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.


Grampa holding the newly-baptized
Gabriella Christine
(4/23/05)

Many thanks to Grampa for the fabulous pictures of this special occasion in our daughter's life.

Vaccinations

Gabriella had three shots today at the Pediatrician's office, which included five immunizations: Prevnar, DTaP, eIPV, Hib, and Hep B. The Pediarix shot includes the DTaP, eIPV, and HepB vaccinations, which helped cut down on the number of shots Gabi received. Gabi has definitely needed extra love and cuddles today, as well as a little Infant Tylenol.

Today, Gabriella weighed an even 12 pounds (a gain of 1 lb 11 oz in the past month) and measured up to 23 inches (2 inches longer than one month ago). She is such a big girl now! She is also impressivly good at holding up her head, which now has a circumference of 15 and 7/8 inches (7/8 of an inch more than last time). It is so fun to watch our Gabriella grow.


Gabriella is such a big girl! (5/1/05)


Gabi holds her head up. (5/2/05)

A hint of Gabi's smile (4/22/05)

Gabi sits up and watches her Papa. (5/3/05)

Visiting Atlanta

In the past few weeks, Gabriella traveled to Atlanta twice, meeting many new friends as Mama and Papa found a house. Everyone loved the opportunity to play with our sweet baby. Gabi spent a great deal of time with Peggy Tim, who accompanied Mama on many house-hunting explorations during the first trip since Papa was back in Little Rock.

While Mama and Gabi were staying with the Tims, Gabriella talked herself to sleep for the first time. It is nice that Gabi can now lie down in her crib and talk to herself until she falls asleep on her own, because even fun activities (such as walking around holding a baby until she falls asleep) can be exhausting in the middle of the night. It is also incredibly cute to listen to Gabi talking happily until she is too tired to stay awake. Gabriella repeated this nighttime activity on the second trip, when we stayed with the Cowdens. Gabi sure does like her little travel play pen!

Gabi meets Dr. Mike Tim (4/19/05)

Gabi smiles at Peggy Tim (4/20/05)

Tom Apker holding Gabriella (4/21/05)

Papa and John Cowden pretend Gabi is playing the drums (4/28/05)

Gabriella visits Stone Mountain with her family (4/30/05)

Gabriella plays with Lisa Cowden (5/2/05)

I must say that the picture of Gabi and Lisa is exceptionally adorable. Gabi was being so cute that day, just talking and laughing! I was glad to have the time to pay attention to her as well, since traveling and house-hunting was probably very boring for our little girl. Gabi does travel well, though, which made the trips easier for us.