Isla June Bug

Happy Halloween!!

Black and Orange Dinner

If you haven't picked up on it already, holidays (and holiday traditions) were very important in my family. Growing up, we used to celebrate Halloween by enjoying a Black and Orange dinner. My Grandma Wilson started this tradition with her kids and passed to on to us grandkids whenever we had the opportunity to celebrate the holiday with her. Basically, the premise is to come up with a menu that consists entirely (or mostly) of black and orange foods.

As a kid, I remember her serving us random foods like mac n' cheese, milk dyed orange with food coloring, carrots, raisins, oranges, olives, grape and orange jello. I used to love, love, LOVE this tradition and so have adopted it for our family. Of course I've tried to come up with slightly more sophisticated menu for our adult palates but there are only so many orange and black foods!

Tomorrow night we will be enjoying the following with a few good friends:

-Baked brie with apricot blackberry chutney
-Orange jello jigglers (just for fun :o))
-Peach and blackberry fruit salad
-Homemade pumpkin pasta with brown butter sauce and hazelnuts
-Pumpkin focaccia with walnuts and gruyere
-Brownie baked alaska (the meringue will be colored orange)

We will also have a tasty beverage and side veg brought by our guests to compliment the meal. What are your Halloween traditions?

Smiles!

I was finally able to capture a picture of Isla smiling today! Unfortunately, it happened before my eye could get to the viewfinder so it's not the best shot but at least I got it. It was one of her biggest grins yet (I'd just yelled "BOO!") The rest of the pics are other fun shots showing off her super cute outfit and very first pair of blue jeans!

9 weeks

Isla was super cranky for today's photo shoot. I find it almost comical how frownie she was, like she was really trying to drive home the point that she wanted to EAT, not have photos taken of her. Oh and the screaming one is what happened when I tried to take her binkie out...bad idea!

• We started playing peek-a-boo with Isla this week. If you cover her face with her burp cloth and then yell "peek-a-boo" when you pull it away, she smiles and coos. It is adorable! She gets camera shy every time I try to get a video of it but with patience, I'm sure we'll catch it eventually.
• There were a couple days this week where Isla really found her fingers. Even though she prefers her binkie, at times her fingers can soothe her for a brief moment or two.
• Speaking of fingers, her fingernails are SHARP and I have yet to figure out how to protect her poor little face which seems suffers a daily mutilation. I try cutting them, filing them, covering them with the mitts at the ends of her sleeves etc and nothing keeps her from clawing around her nose and eyes. Last night, she scratched herself so hard that she bled (see the cut by her eyebrow)! Poor thing!
• Today marks the halfway point of the 18 week maternity leave I am taking from work. Whether I will go back part time or on call (for vacation coverage) is proving to be the hardest decision I've ever faced. I am completely torn but am trusting that God will make it clear to me by Thanksgiving (I have promised to let them know my plans by then). Pray for clarity!
• Isla's acne is gone but now her cradle cap has hit with full force! She is getting olive oil "spa" treatments to the scalp 2-3 times a week which really helps.
• Isla sleeping through the night last week was apparently just a tease. She's back to waking regularly at 3 AM and 6 AM again. Oh well, my two nights of extended sleep were glorious! Oh and I've quit drinking caffeine which is quite depressing. :o( Of course her sleep improved about 5-7 days later (which times perfectly with when the caffeine would have left her system). Coincidence? I think yes! I want my coffee back! :o)
• Isla had her final shower this past Thursday. Graham's coworkers threw us a wonderful gathering at Overlake. It was great to meet many of the staff he talks about and of course they all loved Isla and thought she looked just like her Dad. Isla received tons of diapers, some CUTE outfits, her first Christmas ornament, a large soft blanket, plates and spoons and the baby food cookbook that goes along with my Babycook baby food maker! And, if all that weren't enough, they gave us $$$ to use towards the jogger I've been eyeing: the BOB. I'm hopeful I will be able to find it on craigslist or at a consignment store because it's not cheap!
• Isla is still a real cuddler. She loves being held (particularly during dinner). As challenging as that can be at times, I must admit that I like it. She gives me a great reason to just sit down, rest and snuggle.
• Last week, my coworker gave me a whole car load of her daughter's clothes, toys and misc baby items-such a blessing. I cannot believe how many stylish shoes and outfits she passed on, all the way up to 2T!! Earlier this week, my mom came down to help me sort and organize all the clothes by size. All the clothes up to size 3-6 months are either hanging in Isla's closet or in her dresser. All the rest are waiting here:

For Uncle Scotty

Happy 21st Birthday! We love and miss you!

For Uncle Scotty

Happy 21st Birthday! We love and miss you!

So Excited for Christmas

Here are two of the reasons why:

These adorable Christmas outfits were compliments of a couple of Graham's coworkers at his work shower last week. They even came with gingerbread pants and socks!

I realize we have not yet reached Halloween but this weather really makes me start anticipating Christmas. I cannot wait to celebrate with Isla! Even though she will not yet be old enough to appreciate what is going on around her, it'll still be so wonderful to have her presence as we gather with family. She is such a joy!

In the next month or so, I hope to pull out my needle and thread and prepare to add a third handmade stocking to the mantle for our sweet daughter. What fun! And come the day after Thanksgiving, you can count on me pulling out my super fun Christmas mugs that Graham let me buy last year.

But for this week, I'm thinking thoughts of black, orange and pumpkin....details to follow!

2 months today!

October

Life's been busy and somewhat of a roller coaster the last couple weeks. I'm actually comparing where we are right now somewhat to being a newlywed. It feels almost like we're just getting to know one another again, figuring each other out and figuring out how we fit together. Last week this idea of going back to being newlyweds was completely freaking me out. It felt just that--like we were going backwards. It probably didn't help that I was down and out with the flu, AND that I didn't have a computer (and therefore no internet) while we were trying to get our video camera memory card fixed (which failed by the way....looks like I'll be getting a trip to Europe....when I'm 50). But this week it feels more exciting and fun as I anticipate what is ahead and realize I have so much still to learn about my dear husband.

It is different not being able to make it through even a short 15 minute dinner without pausing to pick up and hold a crying baby. It is an adjustment never knowing quite when you will be able to lay down and go to bed at night. It is a new thing for us to not be able to plan (or even predict!) when we will have a chunk of time to sit alone together and talk. Things are different over here but there are so many blessings in each and every change we are experiencing.

Graham is incredibly busy working full time, attending special classes at work for a new program they are rolling out, training a new nurse while preparing to train to become a charge nurse. And then on top of that he has grad school and worship leader responsibilities at church. Oh yeah. And he's a new dad. And a husband. He is doing a phenomenal job at all this!

Meanwhile, with Graham so busy, I've picked up pretty much all of the responsibilities at home to take some of the load off. This has been another reason why I'm feeling like a newlywed: I was thinking back to our honeymoon. We were sitting in the airport on our way home when I pulled out a paper and pen and we made a list of all the household chores we could think of and who would be responsible for each (who does that on a honeymoon is besides the point....) We still have that list. Actually, it's posted on the side of our fridge. Now that all the chores are MY chores, we don't really even need a list, but I think I'll be keeping the paper for memory's sake.

Anyway, this week, we are focusing on the hundreds of reasons we have to be joyful in these changes. We're figuring out some degree of balance by planning work days, homework days, family play days, date nights, social times with friends and quiet times at home. And it's really working out well for me (this first week that we've tried it)... Having our expectations laid out for one another has been oh so helpful. I'm sure there are many more adjustments ahead but I'm so thankful for our life right now and hopefully for the next 3 years to come!

8 weeks

• Isla has had a big week! On Friday night, she only woke up once (at 4 AM) the whole night! Last night, she finally went down at around 11:30 PM but didn't wake up until 6:40 AM!!!! Does that count as sleeping through the night?? Whatever the case, I'm thrilled! It's funny though. On the days we try so hard to do everything "right" so she'll sleep well, it never works. And then on the days when we aren't even thinking about it--wah-lah--she goes and does this. Go figure!
• I had the flu this week which was HORRIBLE. I don't ever want to do that again (but I know I will have to....) It is SO hard to feel icky, try to take care of your baby while not cuddling her too much to keep her from getting your germs. I'm must say that I'm so thankful she managed to scrape by without getting the bug!
• Isla is "talking" a lot to herself now. She makes the most adorable noises while she kicks her legs and waves her arms. My favorite is her "Woooo" (sounds like an owl).
• She is much more content to lay on her blanket and look at her toys for longer periods of time now (maybe 15 minutes as opposed to 2?).
• On a depressing note, our entire (full) video camera memory card was accidentally deleted this weekend. Meaning we lost all videos of Isla since she was about a week old. Many tears have been shed. Repeatedly. I'm supposed to be thinking of a special treat that I want to "make up" for this blunder. Any ideas? I suggested a trip to Europe. :o)
• This is probably TMI for a lot of you readers, but I suppose it's noteworthy in the arena of baby milestones. Isla seems to recognize the boob and knows what's coming when she sees it. Now if only I could get her to look that excited when she sees my face.....
• Isla SMILED her first real smile on Saturday!!! Graham and I both just happened to be looking at her so we both were witnesses!
• Isla attended her first wedding this weekend where she got to dance with Daddy.

7 weeks

• Isla is so, SO close to smiling. She loves making eye contact with us while showing off her repertoire of facial expressions.
• Drum roll please.....this week, I successfully put an awake Isla down for bed and she actually fell asleep!!! TWICE!! This feels like such a milestone. And in case you're wondering what happened the other 5 nights, I've only just started trying this new technique.
• As mentioned in a prior post, Isla left the state for the first time this past weekend!
• When most people meet Isla, the first thing they usually comment on is her hair. This week we went to see my OB for the first time since delivery and his comment was "Wow! Look at those cheeks!" Apparently her cheeks are now surpassing her hair in the first impression category.
• Isla has been somewhat consistent (sort of) in her nighttime feeding routine. More often than not, she wakes about 3 AM and 6 AM for feedings. There is also sometimes a midnight feed in there but it all depends on what time we were able to get her down for the night.
• Today marks 50 days since I last slept through the night....uggg, let's not think about that!
• Isla loves to move her arms. She has a number of different "moves." One looks like she raising her hands in worship (perfect for church), another looks like she is raising her hand to ask a question. Sometimes she'll even add a pointed finger to her raised arm--she knows who's number 1.
• On Sunday, we were guests at a church in Pullman. Isla had an incredibly loud blow out, right during the Pastor's closing prayer. I was shaking so hard to hold back the laughter!
• Isla still loves to be held and cuddled. I couldn't ask for a sweeter baby! When you pick her up and put her head on your shoulder, she snuggles up and reaches out her arms around your neck. The girl already knows how to hug! :o)

Other fun (and funny) pictures from the week:

Cougar Country

This past weekend, Isla and I took a road trip with my parents to the thriving metropolis of Pullman, WA. I am ashamed to admit that my brother Josh has been attending WSU for 5 years and this was the first time I'd ever been over to visit. Graham was working 12 hour shifts on Friday and Saturday so couldn't join us but kindly allowed me to take his daughter away for two nights. We had a wonderful weekend and Isla was quite the trooper! It was a 5 hour drive and we only had to stop once each way to let her eat. It was FREEZING over there though (actually, below freezing) so I pretty much packed every article of clothing Isla owns and layered her up to keep her warm in the 20 degree temperatures.

Did you know that there are bears at WSU?? No joke! Here is Isla meeting her first bear.
And since it was hard to see the bear in the above picture, here's another just to prove it. We probably saw about 5 or 6 grizzly bears. Two of them started fighting each other which made for quite the show. Now I understand why you never want to meet a bear while camping....

Isla made her first trip out of state to Idaho! We stayed just across the WA/ID border in a little town called Moscow, ID. Our motel was....well....quaint. I was perfectly comfy but with a crib in the room, there was no extra square footage to spare. And Grandma and Grandpa Wilson got a chance to experience what it is like to sleep with Isla in all her grunting glory. She actually had a couple really good nights. Good is a relative term I suppose. My parents were surprised to learn that her degree of grunting, noise making and waking were classified as "good" by me...

We had tickets to the Cougar football game on Saturday which was really fun. Thankfully, the sun came out and made it feel a lot warmer than it actually was!
It got so warm that we even traded Isla's warm hat in for a "hat" made out of my Moby wrap cover. It worked perfectly! Doesn't she look like a pea in the pod?

Isla's opinion of football...maybe her feelings would be different if the team were playing better this year??

Now, I must say that WSU is something else when it comes to team spirit! I now have a much better understanding of how alumni become and remain such strong Cougar fans. It is insane. I mean, the school blocks off a bunch of parking lots and converts them into RV "campgrounds" where hundreds to die-hard-for-life fans stake out for the game weekend, partying their little hearts out. And we're talking grown, mature (???) adults here. It doesn't even matter if the team is horrible. And, I don't think I've ever seen such a sea of school colors. Look at all the crimson and gray in the crowd!

Thankfully, I just happened to pack a "crimson" sweater so I didn't stick out like a sore thumb.

Thanks for letting us visit and experience Cougar Country Uncle Josh! We miss you and look forward to visiting again for graduation!