Articles

Happy One Month, Isla

7/8/2017

And just like that, Isla is one month old. It has been a whirlwind here, yet I feel like she's been with us much longer. For the first two weeks, she was in that dreamy newborn state that made me think she had a peaceful, easy-going demeanor, but she's added a little spiciness to the mix recently.

The first week of Isla's life went pretty smoothly. My mom was here to help with the kids and the house, allowing me to focus on Isla and recovering from her delivery. We had a few days to practice the life of five on our own and then Tim's parents arrived to help us for ten days. After that, Tim returned to work and it was all me for the first time. There were moments when God allowed me to gain some serious confidence--like when I took all three kids to Walmart. Adeline and Lincoln sat perfectly in the cart and Isla was fast asleep in my wrap for over an hour. At the end of our shopping trip, the kids (on their own) began serenading the other shoppers by sweetly singing "There is power in the name of Jesus," all while I pushed a full cart and carried a sleeping baby. Part of me felt like SuperMom, but in reality, I knew that was all God! Then, there was the other kind of day. The one where Isla fought sleep all afternoon and just as I placed her in her bed, Lincoln barged in the bedroom announcing "I pooped on the stairs." Of course, his statement woke her, and while she cried I cleaned poop off of several, white carpeted stairs--ugh! While I cleaned the stairs, Adeline informed me that Lincoln was walking around with a knife. Let me just say, there was no patience left at the end of that day. As soon as Tim walked in the door, I handed off the children and went to cry in our bedroom. As my best friend so wisely said, "Sometimes you just lose." Then, it was time for some winning again. After a week on our own, Tim's brother's family came to town. Isla's first month was fittingly spent meeting so many of her loved ones. Thank you to everyone for making the trek from Arizona!

Adeline and Lincoln have both welcomed Isla fabulously into our family, Lincoln especially. Both kids are quick to comfort her the instant she cries and enjoy entertaining her on her playmat or swing. Lincoln is experiencing some regression in behavior, but that was to be expected, although extremely trying. Otherwise, I couldn't have imagined the sibling aspect going any smoother. Tim and I are also adjusting, realizing the challenges of having barely any quality quiet time together, or for ourselves. Although we are in the messy phase of figuring out how to make this new life work, Isla fits perfectly here.

As for Isla, she is such a lovely blessing. The girl wants to be held ALL the time. Between feedings and riding around in my wrap, she's pretty much attached to me all day. She may let me set her down for five minutes here or there, but that's a rare happening. And don't think about sitting down while she's awake--she needs to be walked constantly. Adeline and Lincoln would like to hold her more than she allows, same for her daddy. In the last three weeks, she spends most of her awake time crying. I think the reason for this may be discomfort from food allergies. She meets every symptom for the diagnosis--vomiting, rash, diarrhea, gas, mucous in her stool, and fussiness. Adeline and Lincoln both struggled with food allergies, so we're back at it again. Last week I took dairy and wheat out of my diet to begin the food allergen elimination process. Since then, she has not vomited once, and her fussiness subsided a little, but her facial rash is still severe after each feeding. Thankfully, the allergies have not affected her sleep. Isla is a phenomenal sleeper and I pray this continues!! It has been an unparalleled blessing as I feel much more functional in the day than I did when our other kids were infants. At five weeks, she has been going for five to seven hour stretches at night without waking--amazing!! Thank you, God. Other details: she despises the car seat, started cooing, enjoys being outside, successfully took her first bottle, will not take a pacifier, and loves bathtime.