All About Isla

It is time to give our second-born a little blog time. Isla is a wonderful baby. I don't know that words or pictures could even come close to doing justice to her personality. She could very appropriately be renamed "smiley" as she is ALWAYS smiling. She rarely cries and when she does it indicates a true need. I often say I am glad she was not my first baby because I wouldn't appreciate how truly good-natured and easy she really is!

Isla in July (4 months old). Our little "peanut"

Isla in September (6 months old)

Going for a family walk to the park. Isla is always up for going with the flow...no matter what we are doing!

Booties and sweater made by Great Aunt Cindy...I love those little feet.

Isla's first rice cereal. She did great this first time but ever since then she has shown off her uber-sensitive gag reflex. When the food hits her tongue (not even the back of the throat) she starts gaging until a) we stop feeding her or b) she throws up. This has been a bit of a frustration as she acts super interested in our food and the doctor insists she is ready and should be eating baby food. For now, it is a work in progress.

Until really recently, Isla was content to just hang out and roll around on the floor playing with her toys. In the last couple of weeks she really wants to get going and is super close to crawling (she can go one to two paces before doing the face-plant then scoot).

First time feeding herself.

Isla's favorite toy is Mr. Jangles! She absolutely loves him and he has been a favorite since about 3 months old.

Isla loves her pacifier and her thumb. It is super cute having a thumb-sucker :) She always wakes up happy. Usually we wake to her talking in the morning, very rarely to a cry. Recently, she just rolls around and plays in her crib until someone comes in the room. She then greets us with huge smiles and gets so excited she starts scooting and rolling all over her crib.

October (7 months old). Isla loves to lay on the floor and join her big brother in watching morning cartoons. It's a little disturbing to me how much she loves watching t.v. From a very early age she would crane her neck and wiggle her body around when she heard the t.v. in order to get into a position where she could watch.

First cross-country meet - watching Uncle Alemu run (and of course come in first). Alemu has yet to even meet any competition!

Cuddling with mama in the Moby at the Fall Festival! Isla loves to snuggle - just as much as Elias does. I really do spend about half of my day cuddling with the kids as they both love their one-on-one snuggle time!

At 7 months old Isla is about to get her two front bottom teeth. She is super drooly and I imagine her first teeth will make their appearance in the next month or so. Isla is also very close to being able to sit up on her own and to crawling. The next few weeks are bound to be exciting and bring lots of changes. Isla loves interaction and touch! All it takes is saying her name and making eye contact and you will be rewarded with wonderful baby smiles. She absolutely loves kisses, especially on the mouth. Recently she has started grabbing my face to pull me to her if I stop kissing her. Also, if I kiss her on the cheek she will turn her head to make sure she gets smooches on the lips! Isla is a complete joy and a wonderful blessing to our lives. We love you, Isla!