9mo5Yesterday, Isla celebrated her nine month-iversary, which means she has now been outside of the womb as long as she was inside. I’m struck with mixed sentiments on the passing of time: Did it fly by? Yes, absolutely. Where did my baby go? But does it feel like Isla has been a part of my life forever? Without a doubt. I cannot imagine life without her.

While every day gets more and more fun, taking non-blurry photographs has gotten more and more difficult. She is constantly on the move, making these monthly pictures a bit of a challenge!

Isla now has one tooth (you can see it popping through above), and another about to break through the gums. She says, “Dadadadada” all day long, and even a few “Papapapa” but no sign of “Mamamama” (go figure!). Her tongue is always, always, always sticking out of her mouth.

Isla’s favorite foods are Plum Organics Puffs, oatmeal, Special K Protein Plus, black beans, avocado, fusili pasta, sweet potato and all Plum Organics puree pouches. She tends to eat naked, as she is a hot mess!

It is now impossible to change Isla’s diaper, as she will flip over mid-change, getting diaper-contents everywhere. Fun times, right? She is wearing 6-12 month clothes, and mostly 9 month outfits (if they exist), except for pajamas, as she’s very tall (or long?). Bows don’t last very long anymore, because she pulls them out and (you guessed it) eats them.

She is mega, mega ticklish (video here) and starts to giggle when I get anywhere near her underarms. She loves peek-a-boo, but mainly when she’s the one hiding her face and revealing it (here and here). Isla loves playing with crayons and her xylophone. She loves bike rides (pulled by Tata) and walking with her Hape Walker. Isla’s most recent tricks include waving and clapping (as of this morning!). She gets so excited when she does it.

Isla sleeps from 6:30pm to 7:30am, and I love it. Our night time routine is dinner at 5:40ish, then bath at 6:00, then breastfeeding and two books: “I Love You Through and Through” and “Good Night, I Love You.” We say a prayer out loud, then Isla goes into her crib to sleep with her hundreds of friends.

She is in the 98% percentile for height (huge) at 29.5 inches, and in the 71st percentile for weight at 19 pounds and 6 oz. Her head is also massive (92%), but she had no hope for that because Sasha and I also have big noggins.

Her hair is unruly, her laugh is contagious, her ability to remain still is limited, and while her diapers now stink, we still love that little baby to pieces. Sweet girl, you are my greatest joy.

9mo39mo290m49moMonthly onesies from Wedding Chicks // Playroom rug from West Elm // Hape Walker // Hape Bike


March 4 was a day mixed with many emotions. I was excited to celebrate our sweet girl, but received news early in the day that Sasha’s uncle had passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was our favorite, and so we are both very upset, but mainly mourning for his sweet family who has lost their cornerstone. Losing someone close to you makes you realize the fragility of life, as if it were just like a morning fog – here today, gone tomorrow (James 4:14 reference). We will miss Tom so much.

9 Comments

  1. Can you say tennis scholarship! At 98% height that will be a huge first serve 🙂

  2. Those 9 month pic melt my heart…she is so cute. I can’t wait to see her tonight.

  3. I am so sorry for your loss Ailee and Sasha – thinking of your family today.
    I love Isla – these pictures slay me.
    I can’t believe they are 9 months old!!!!
    Sending hugs.
    xx.

  4. Emotions close to the surface, today, just burst into tears reading this post. The cycle of life, birth, growth, death – joy and sadness, all mixed together. Sending love from Dallas.

  5. First off, I am so sorry for the passing of Sasha’s uncle….losing loved ones reminds us of how tenuous, fragile and special life is. So much love and light coming to you and the family.

    Secondly…I just love reading what you write about miss Isla…it’s like getting to experience Chloe growing up all over again…I so remember those milestones, the flipping over during diaper changes, the clapping and waving and how proud they are when they figure out something new. She is such a light, such a blessing. You are an amazing mother, and I adore you.

    Lots and lots of love, mama.

    xox, Maya Beth

  6. I’m so sorry for your loss. What a special joy to be able to spend the first 9 months with Isla. We need to catch up soon! x

  7. I am so sorry to hear about Sasha’s uncle. In other news though, I loved this post. You will be so glad to be able to look back on Isla’s early days with such great detail!

    Annnnnd, I don’t know how I didn’t realize this before, but Isla and I share a birthday! How fun is that?

  8. THAT BABYYYY (heart eyes). She is so so precious! She kind of reminds me of Caroline with all that hair! And so sorry about Sasha’s uncle.

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