Love & Tears...

Little Miss Isla Rae,

Today, you are 10 days old and you’ve already had so many milestones. I did not think I could love you anymore than the first moment I held you in my arms, but with each passing day my love for you continues to grow to be an unfathomable love.  I couldn’t imagine a more perfect baby than you. Of course I am a little biased because I am your Momma, but to me you are perfect in every way.

We haven’t had much rest since we’ve been home. The 36+ hours of labor and delivery did me in… and at first you had your days and nights confused. It’s been a hard journey for both of us. I started physical therapy this week to help manage the recovery and you have had multiple doctor visits. We first had a scare that your biliruben levels were going up and jaundice was a possibility, but thankfully they decreased and you seem to be doing just fine! The doctor says you are a “robust little girl” and I couldn’t be happier. I love your chubby cheeks and the softness of all your little rolls forming, making you even more snugly. Today, you surpassed your birth weight of 8lbs 3ozs by nearly 3ozs. You weighted in at nearly 8lbs 6ozs! This is quite an accomplishment given on average it takes two weeks to get back to birth weight for newborns, and you have been at a disadvantage with developing Thrush. Poor little baby, we knew something had been bothering you the past couple days and expected it was gas pains, but come to find out you have Thrush. You shed your first tear today, and it melted my heart because I wanted to take away all your pain. Hopefully, your medications paired with our organic remedies of vinegar and water and also virgin coconut oil will help cure you and take away all your soreness. Even with everything going on, you are such a good baby. You've been sleeping better and better. We even got in 6 hours straight the other night and we've also had nights with 4 and 5 hours straight of sleep. We will be praying for you and ask friends and family to remember you us as well.

I also shed some tears today. Just the thought of your Dad returning to work on Monday made me cry. He has been the greatest supporter and never complained once. I’m sure I’ve been demanding too… but he’s always there for us. He has such a natural way with you. Whenever you are upset, your Daddy puts you over his shoulder, gently hums, bounces and almost immediately calms you down. He is the best diaper changer and I never even have to ask him to change you... he's changed more of your diapers than me so far! His patience is so admirable. I feel like I will be lost without him next week and during the days ahead, but we will have lots of love and fun waiting for him when he comes home every day. 

Since you were born 10 days ago we’ve noticed, your cheeks have become even chubbier, your eyelashes seem longer, you have the prettiest skin, you have the sweetest crocked smile that you shoot our way at just the right moments, you are the best snuggle bug when we sleep at night, you are more alert than I would have ever imagined a newborn being and your hair is getting longer in the back than the front… I think your Dad is secretly hoping you rock the mullet just for a little while, but don’t worry… I’ll find a way to put a bow on it and you will be a trend setter.

With each and every day our adoration for you grows immensely and we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. 

We love you more than anything!

My cuddle bug..

Love,

Momma

Happy 1 Week Birthday Isla Rae!

Dear Isla Rae,

Happy 1 week old birthday!

This week has been the fastest week of my life. I literally feel like I’ve only had a day with you, let alone a whole week. 

Your Dad and I are taking in every single moment with you. Breathing in your sweet baby scent, snuggling you close to our hearts, rocking you to sleep, touching your silky soft skin and kissing your chubby cheeks hundreds of times because we know pretty soon you will become stingy with your kisses. But doing this every minute for the last week does not seem enough. 

Time is already going by so fast and we can see you changing and developing every day. Growing, becoming more alert, learning what your different cries mean, the things you love…the things you hate and Daddy can tell by the increase in all the diaper changes every day. Your Dad has become a pro diaper changer and burper! I've been so proud. You already have him wrapped around your little finger.

You are already a Daddy’s girl. You love it when Daddy bounces you and holds you over his shoulder with your tiny hands dangling down. You look up to us with such love and vulnerability. It melts my heart. You are the most precious thing that I have ever experienced and I thank God every day for blessing me with the opportunity to be your mother.

You have forever changed our lives and this first week is just the beginning. We know with each day, week, month and year our lives will continue to grow and be centered on you...Miss Isla Rae, the love of our lives.

  

Thanks to God for blessing us with such a precious little being that has made such a profound impact.

We love you to the moon and back,

Momma

Baby Milestones: Week 1

Nursery Reveal

I'm so excited to finally be able to reveal Isla Rae's nursery! I love projects and anything personalized in the nursery! You can also view our nursery reveal on Project Nursery along with many more great nursery and party ideas!

We turned our sitting room into the nursery. We knew we wanted our baby as close to us as possible and on the same floor, so we ended up redoing our sitting room to become our new nursery. We utilized every inch of the space for storage and  functionality. Our base colors are cream, brown, and yellow with a pop of raspberry pink. All the wall decor was handmade by daddy-to-be and me. The changing table was repurporsed and I used wall decals to add more excitement to the piece.  We also managed to finish the entire space for under $350, and that's including the major furniture pieces as well!

The lovely McChillin Photography captured all of our pictures for us!

My inspiration for the nursery space was to keep it functional, some what gender neutral for future children and to personalize the decor as much as possible. I also used non conventional things, like wind-chimes above the curtains verses the traditional mobile.

I combed the internet for DIY projects for babies, wall decor and furniture. I decided early on that I wanted to make special keepsake items for my baby girl to be able to use in future rooms as well.

I also knew I wanted to do more sophisticated colors so I chose brown, raspberry pink with a butter cream yellow as the base wall color.

My decorating style is very eclectic. I love shabby chic, rustic and even contemporary designs, but I have a soft spot for anything DIY. There is something so special and fulfilling about making something yourself.

My favorite items in the nursery are the DIY items and most were very easy to make!

I got the personalized name sign above the crib from a deal on Pick Your Plum and once it arrived I decided I wanted to add a pop of color so I painted it raspberry pink.

The two flower art pieces hanging beside the name sign I made from canvas, fabric, quilt bunting and rosettes. You can view the entire project here.

The nursery plaque was an inspirational item I saw on Shanty 2 Chic. You can see my post here. 

I also made the toy box on wheels. Originally, I saw the post on Running with Scissors.
We already had an old fruit crate, so the easiest thing for me to do was to take the one we have and repurpose it. I sanded, stained and attached wheels to the bottom. You can view my how to here.

We got the repurposed changing table on craigslist.com for only $35. I then painted it white. I found hydrangea wall decals at Joanns and applied these to the front of the table. I was originally planning on stenciling the piece, but found this to be way easier and less time consuming.

Hope you like all the DIY pieces. Please feel free to share any of yours with me. 

The love of my life...

Another special moment holding our sweet baby! Worth all the missed sleep in the world.

Baby Milestones: Week 1

Welcome Baby

The world will never be the same! We can't express the joy and love that has filled our hearts with the arrival of our sweet baby girl. My cup runneth over...

Time of Birth:
Monday, June 4th, 2012 6:50am

Weight:
8lbs 3oz

Inches:
20inches long

Pictures coming soon! I promise!

Happy Birthday Isla Rae!

So in love!

Daddy & Mommy