I am realizing that the more kids I have, the less time I will have to keep up with things like recording their memories and stats-I hope that they don't feel gypped as a result, but they have the fun of siblings to play with and a more confident mother, so I suppose it will all balance out, right? Let's hope. I do want to attempt to record some of these memories though, so this is another Isla post.

Isla will be turned 6 months on the 18th. She is such a different child now then when she first started out. She has filled out quite a bit, and her thighs are so chunky squeezing them is like kneading  cinnamon roll dough. She has an intense grasp to go with her intense feelings, and is both a solid sitter and grabber. She is interested in all things food, although she doesn't quite know what to do when she gets some haha. She is very vocal, and seems to want to either be a part of, or at very least, observing everything. She spits and furrows her brow often like she is really serious about whatever she is saying, and if I sing she goes along in a high pitched little coo. She is still a Momma's girl, and loves to be held and cuddled, or at least have me near by if at all possible. However she is getting better at going to other people-she loves Luke for example and her Lolo seems to have a calming effect on her. She gets excited when her very affectionate sister tries to include her in everything, from dancing, hugging, all the way to hair salon play. She can roll over to both sides, push her way up and down to move herself. She sits by herself, and can stand when holding onto stuff. She drools like there is no tomorrow and likes to hold onto and play with her pacifier, but then gets frustrated when she realizes that it is in her hand it is not in her mouth. She has the most endearing, bright eyes smile and sincere laugh. She likes to have her cotton blankets with her if we go anywhere at all, and is an all around sweet, fun little girl.










She is extremely strong willed, and at times this can be both wonderful and difficult. For example, she will do whatever she has to [for as long as she has to] to reach something she wants. While it is tempting to go get it for her at times, I think it is important for her to learn to handle some things on her own, and the joy and happiness she exudes when she succeeds is priceless. So for the most part this has been fine, but lately sleep has been our beast. She wakes up to eat, which I think is pretty typical at least once, and at times 2-3 times a night to eat. For the most part I don't mind this. I find I can function pretty well on very little sleep. But now she has taken to waking up to be held or cuddled much more often-at times hourly. She will throw huge, intense, determined fits all night long if she has to in order to get what she wants. On the one hand, I think if she needs to be held, why not  hold her? What's so wrong with that? But I also feel like it isn't selfish or unreasonable of me to need some sleep to..and if this is just a bad habit, for her sake and mine I want to break it. Of course, every one always has opinions on how to do things-but I am finding that it is harder then before to figure out how to succor her while still being realistic about my and the rest of the families needs. I have heard that if I stick with it, it can be a few solid nights of torture and her screaming her head off, making me feel like I've betrayed her. But after that it should be good and she will be better off. But that is just so much easier said then done and it breaks my heart to hear her so upset, and I know it affects everyone else's sleep as well. Like I said-strong willed, and intense emotions haha. I look forward to figuring this one out and reporting back hopefully successful results.









Anyways, a friend got her and Addy some adorable outfits, and they were both perfectly suited to their different personalities-when I mentioned this she said that is why she got them, and that Isla seemed [for lack of a better term] softer. I liked that-when I think of the word soft I think of the feeling of your favorite, most familiar blanket or the smell of honey or homemade cookies, or the constant, peaceful sound of the ocean in the background. Isla is soft. She is definitely a lot of work, and sometimes overwhelming in how much she needs-but I wouldn't go back for even a second-she is another missing piece to our family puzzle. It is nice to be needed, and to feel the softness, and sweetness she brings. I think it is something we needed in our little family.

So this is our sweet Isla Jane now. We love belonging to her, and her to us. I love this family of mine.