One Month With Isla!

Oh sweet Isla, You couldn't be more perfect it you tried!

 I am writing this as you are snuggled up to my chest in the baby wrap. You won't let me put you down so this is life now. This has been a whirlwind of a month and I can't believe it has gone by so fast! You are the sweetest baby in the world and I am so grateful you are here! We are navigating our days of running your siblings around while we care for you, but we are starting to get it all down! Yesterday you had your 1 month checkup and we got the happy news that you are finally almost jaundice free! You still have a level of 7 but it is no longer in the dangerous range! I was sooooo happy for this news because taking you in to get your blood checked every couple days was really frustrating while we all had the flu and I could barely walk since my C-section. But somehow we did it all! You are becoming much more alert and wide eyed. You spend the morning with me hanging out and watching everything around you. I finally got the thrush taken care of on my nipples but it has come back, so yesterday your Pediatrician ordered oral Nystatin for you just in case it is you giving it to me. I'm already doing much better so I think you had it all along and it was just invisible to the eye! However, the medicine is upsetting your tummy so we have been dealing with that.... Nothing has been easy since you were born and it has been so hard! None of it is your fault of course, but sometimes I look at the universe and want to scream, "REALLY?!!!! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!!!" Your siblings love you and you are slightly scared of them. Evie gets right in your face and you try to escape her by looking away. But you are warming up to everyone slowly. Austin is also warming up to you but keeps his distance. This is typical of him and has nothing to do with you. He's just always been that way. But once he does decide you are safe and he has you figured out, you will never be rid of him. You will have two of the best older siblings you could ever ask for. This I promise you. You have spent most of your time with me while your Dad runs the older kids around and keeps them entertained for me. But he too loves to hold you and you love staring at up at him while he walks you around the house. It is so sweet :).

Your first bath at 2 weeks old! We were so grateful your umbilial cord finally fell off because you had such a horrible diaper rash that we figured was from yeast.

You were calm and happy in the water until we started washing you :).

Evie was there every step of the way to help!

Daddy trying to calm you down after your first bath had you all freaked out :).

Days and days of snuggles! You are the best baby!

Every morning we sit like this and I talk to you while you stare at me :). I can't wait for you to start cooing back at me!

As my body has started healing, I've tried taking walks with you each day and Evie likes to come with us sometimes.

You hang out with me and Austin while we do his homework together each afternoon.

On this particular walk, I made it 3 miles away from the house and then you woke up and started screaming because I wasn't holding you so I had to carry you the whole way back home one handed while I pushed the stroller with the other hand. It was definitely a workout!

You get baths regularly now and your sister likes to join you!

You two look like twins and it blows my mind!

The weather has been so beautiful lately, so once we were all healthy again, we started going outside a lot as a family! Fresh air is good for the soul!

Your sweet Daddy does the grocery shopping and brings home surprises for me to brighten my day like these roses and chocolates. I sure married a good one!

For our special time, Evie and I had a tea party! We invited Austin too but he declined. Not before he took some cookies with him though!

It was a great time and Austin said he wants to join next time ;)

We have played  a lot of baseball outside while you sleep in the stroller or I carry you around in the baby wrap.

You hung out in the wrap while Evie and I made some Superbowl treats!

We had a fun Superbowl party, even though our team lost :(.

We all cooked treats together for our Superbowl party and Austin chose to make baked glazed pineapple. It was the hit of the party and it tasted great with Dad's bacon wrapped chicken wings!

Watching the game with Dad before they got bored and asked to go upstairs and play video games....

One month old photo! I just want to cherish every moment and never let you grow up!

Evie helped me take some one month photos and wanted to be in some of them with you! She is seriously the best big sister! You are one lucky girl!

My girls :). I don't know how I got so lucky but I'll take it!

Sweet dreams baby girl.... you are loved beyond words.

 I have been struggling with my work giving me maternity leave due to stupid little things that got messed up by management when I applied for it. This has caused some serious stress because it reminds me that my time with you like this is limited. There will come a day when your Dad goes back to work and I am left home alone with all of you and I will have to be everywhere all at once. This means I won't be able to just sit and sleep with you or slowly wake up with you as we stare at each other every morning. And then there's the fact that I will be working too, which makes everything so much more stressful! Your Dad and I have been debating on what to do about all of this because it all feels so daunting and have been praying for guidance. We both  want to be home as much as possible for you and your siblings and are trying to find a way to do it all. But for now, we are enjoying every moment just as it is. The future will take care of itself. I love you Isla. I love you so much....