My big girl...

Isla really started sitting up better over the weekend. Joel and I still stay close by for extra support should she need it, but she is doing so well!  

She is so funny. She knows she is doing something special when she is sitting up. She’ll look up at me with a big grin and it’s as if she’s saying, “Look at me, mommy! Aren’t I something?”   Yes, you are baby girl! You are something… something wonderful. 

She is growing and changing so quickly. Sitting up now and I’m sure she will be walking soon. She already loves to stand. Now I know how my parents felt when they used to tell me that I was growing up too fast. 

Slow down baby girl! Let mommy have time to take it all in. :)

 

Scripture for Isla: Philippians 4:4

Bible verses to teach your children. Philippians 4:4

MMM MMM GOOOOD...

Isla started her first solid foods today. I was expecting lots of facial expressions and yummy sounds, but to my surprise she was not impressed. The food of choice today was sweet potatoes. We baked enough for the week and plan to continue letting her try them each day this week. Next up...avacados. Maybe they will please her palate a little more.

Regardless of her lack of enthusiasm, it was so fun to watch her feeding herself and taking her first bites. I look forward to many more messy meals to come.

A mother's love...

My love for my mom has grown even greater since Isla was born. Having a daughter has made me see and feel a true mother's love. I love her so deeply and it has made me realize how much my own mother loves, cares and worries for me.

I've always felt my mother's love, but something happens after you have a baby of your own...you realize how great that love is, you understand your mother's sleepless nights, tireless dedication and endless love.

My mom and I have grown so close. We talk everyday. She comes and visits often and she has been such an amazing help to our family. Anytime we have been in a bind, she has come to our rescue to care for Isla. I love having her here and miss her so much when she leaves.

We feel so grateful to have such loving parents and hope that we can be as wonderful of parents to Isla as our own parents have been to us. 

• A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled. - Emily Dickinson
• All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. - Abraham Lincoln
• I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine. She helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights. - Terri Guillemets
• Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. - Marion C. Garretty
• Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... Since the payment is pure love. - Mildred B. Vermont
• A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to our hearts. - Washington Irving

Scripture for Isla: Deut. 6:5

Bible verses to teach your children.Deuteronomy 6:5

Happy half birthday Isla Rae!

Today you are officially 6 months old! What a big girl you are! Time flies when you're having fun, and we've been having lots of fun!

At your last doctor's appointment you weighed just over 18lbs. You have the chunkiest little legs! Lately, you have started sitting up for longer periods of time by yourself. Your dad and I sit with you to catch you when you topple over, but you are getting better at sitting up every day. It won't be long until you won't need us there for extra support.

You laugh a lot...no tickling is even required. You think your cousin Macie is hilarious. She loves to make you laugh too.

You have stated riding in the car better. You still have your days when you are not feeling it at all, but for the most part you are doing better.

You're still not sleeping through the night. Normally, you go to bed around 7:30ish and sleep until midnight. I usually wake up to you playing with my face or yelling...you like to yell. After we get you settled back down and fed, you sleep until 5:30 or 6. We've come along ways from your colicy months.

This weekend we plan to start your first solids! It's a toss up between avocados or sweet potatoes. I know you're ready for it though. You watch me so attentively when I'm eating. I'm really looking forward to watching you eat your first foods and seeing all your little expressions.

As far as features go... You are healthy, you have the sweetest chubby cheeks, and poochy lips. Your hair is growing. It is a lot lighter than it was when you were born, but it's still brown. Your eyes are still blue, but they are changing. I can see green and brown streaks so only time will tell. Regardless of the color, you have the prettiest eyes. Your eyelashes are so long! You are in size 6-9 months, size 2 shoe and size 3 diapers.

You are very smiley. It doesn't take much effort to get your face to light up and when you really smile big, you have a little dimple on your chin just like me! You are very social. You will let almost any one hold you and you love other babies and kids.

I can't believe it's been half a year since I held you in my arms for the first time. I'm so thankful I can hold you in my arms every day and tell you how much I love you. I'm looking forward to the adventures we will have during the next 6 months!

I love you.
Momma

Mama! Isla's first word!

My heart melted yesterday when I heard Isla say Ma-ma for the first time! I was giving her a bath and she said it to me twice after my mom and I got her out of the tub and wrapped her up. I thought to myself… well, maybe she is just jabbering and doesn’t realize what she is saying. Then, this morning when I walked into the kitchen, she looked at me and yelled, “mmmmma-ma!”  I screamed out in excitement and probably startled her out of saying it again, but I just couldn’t contain myself.

She has been jabbering a lot lately and working on her B and M sounds. Next up will be Dada! It’s so sweet to watch the excitement in her eyes as she learns her voice. I love talking to her and then pausing and waiting for her little responses. She is so eager to talk! I’m looking forward to hearing all of her other first words, but so happy “mama” was her very first!