A Letter

Dear Isla,

You are quickly approaching your eleventh month of life and it seems as though we are running quickly to that milestone of one year of age. How is it that my wee child, my little baby girl, YOU are almost a year old. I feel like this year has gone so slow in some spots but light speed in others. Your body now wraps around me as I nurse, once you fit in only one arm. Your little hands reach up to me and your fingers try to play in my mouth as I feed you. You smile between gulps and so love the conversation we have with our smiles and our eyes. 

On the day you were born I was consumed with such an overwhelming sense of love, I had a hard time believing you were mine, now I look at you and in some many ways it is like a reflection. Not because you look like me, which you do, but because in so many ways your are a deep strong part of me. I can't imagine my life without you. You have consumed my thoughts, my heart and my mind. You are MINE.

You are such a social girl, crawling all over determined to meet others and be the center of attention. You draw people in with your smiling eyes and your infectious giggle. You are a happy girl, most of the time, and love to play! You are BUSY...you like to go! go! go! Except when your sad, or hurt, then your body trembles and big tears build up in your eyes, your arms so quickly reach up for me and you snuggle your head into my chest. My body aches when you cry. Sometimes you are sad because you are hurt, sometimes your are sad because you want something you can't have, or sometimes you are sad because you just need to be held. Thankfully, for the most part you are VERY happy.

My dear girl you still have so much growing to do and so much knowledge to learn and I am sure the years will flash right by, but I want you to know deep down in your heart that you are SO LOVED. In this moment, in this year, at this age, from the moment you were conceived and forever more you are LOVED. 

4/52

Better late than never.

A Portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014

Isla: More and more independent. Crawling away, only turning back to check that I am still there, I can barely keep up. I savor the cuddles and snuggles I get as they are further and further apart.

3/52

A Portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014

Isla: My little social butterfly. When we are out and about, especially at our Friday Ladies and Babies group, she is off! Crawling after other children, chatting up other moms, only ever looking back to make sure I am still around. She loves being around other people and, as long as she isn't getting into trouble, I quite enjoy it too!

2/52

A Portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2014

 Isla: She pulls at the gate as her dad works in the kitchen eager to get his attention. She seeks us out like never before, she is a VERY social little lady.

2013: The Year of Isla.

When I was pregnant with Isla I had all these dreams and idea's of what I would do during my year of maternity leave. I thought I'd be so on top of everything! I was planning to do at least a monthly, if not weekly, blog post. That my humble blog would somehow become a sensation and it would take off. I was planning to become organized, a top notch home-maker, you know one of those pinterest perfect mothers. I know, it is silly. I was pregnant though and I was FULL of all kinds of anticipation.

Then came Isla...

(one week old...or so)

(One Month)

(Two Months)

(Three Months)

(Also, Three Months)

and time flew by and I had little time for things so much less important. You see, my daughter is growing so very fast and I don't want to miss anything. Time with her is invaluable.

(Four Months)

  

(Five Months)

(Six Months)

(Seven Months)

This year, I will try to do better but, I can't make any promises. I am planning on posting at least one portrait of Isla a week, besides that we will see what I have to time do. My wee girl is growing...and time is flying by.

(Eight Months)

(Nine Months)

We can call 2013 the Year of Isla because, in so many ways it was. We are so enjoying watching our girl grow and soaking up each moment we can while she is still so little. May you be blessed this year! I have a feeling 2014 is going to be full of fun too!