Week One: She has a favorite hand position! When she was born in the amniotic sac, one of her hands was fisted and right next to her face, same position as in her 20 & 26 week ultrasounds- and this is continuing outside the uterus. She almost always has a hand or two near her face: in a thoughtful pose (under her chin), next to her ear (like she is chatting on a cell phone), fingertips pressed to forehead (as if she is stressed), you get the picture. She certainly uses her hands when she "talks"- takes after her mama. Her name may be Scottish, but let's not forget she is also Italian! Sometimes she looks as if she is conducting an orchestra, speaking in sign language, or throwing gang signs, as our friend, Uncle Alex proposed. She has long, long fingers (like her mama) and seriously sturdy palms (like her dad). Her skin is oh, so beautiful. Uncle Wade came from NYC to visit her in the hospital, and Heather happened to be in town from Vermont & so met her there too! Lily, Chris, Marina, Bern & Todd- also visited the little bean in the hospital. She spent her first week with her Nonna & Papa, even going for coffee a few times- a family favorite outing. Papa thinks she is very serene- and we agree. The pediatrician's office, which is walking distance from home, & Nica's Market were her first outing. In this first week, Isla attended Hilary & Fabian's beautiful wedding in Edgerton Park. Let us not forget the crazy moving day, just a day after we returned from the hospital, when Isla met many of our amazingly loyal & strong, local friends for a full day of moving fun. The dogs are fascinated with her! Isla loves her daddy's dance, it helps her calm down when she is feeling overwhelmed with this new & exciting world.
Week Two: There is a lovely sprout of hair that sticks up, Alfalfa style, on the top of her head. Nonna stayed on for week two and gave Isla her first sponge bath- very cute. She is growing like a weed! At week 2's pediatrician visit, Isla weighed in at 7 lbs, 8 oz, almost gaining a pound from her birth weight. She loves to eat, like her mom & dad. She went to a Fourth of July Party at Josh's-a beautiful day! Her parents have enjoyed amazing meals delivered with love, by some fabulously generous friends. Isla loves the sling! When in it, she curls up like she is back in her mommy's uterus. She loves laying chest to chest with her little legs bent underneath her, frog-like. She Moro's (the startle reflex) all over the place- loves to be swaddled, but always works her two hands out of there, no matter how tight the burrito is wrapped!
Week Three: Mom cannot stop with the nickname, Isla Bean. Surada & Grandpa are here for a visit! Grandpa plays the guitar & sings for her, and she loves it. Isla loves music, especially jazz & opera. She is not so in to "back to sleep," but rather prefers sleeping swaddled, and on her side- or chest to chest!! She is beginning to make cute little noises, and she is constantly laughing and smiling in her sleep. Dad thinks her amazingly diverse range of sleep time expressions are occasionally those of a sceptic. Her oh-so cute stretches & yawns continue. When stretching she sometimes dramatically raises two arms with fisted hands into the air, as if in celebration of exciting news. Her cord fell off this week, so she is practically a big girl now, and she is still growing like a weed. At an unnecessary (new parents) pediatrician visit this week we found out that Isla now weighs 8 lbs, 9 oz, growing over a pound in a week! Impressive. She loves going dancing with dad & grandpa- and mommy thinks it helps her sleep at night. She had her first trip to the Farmer's Market, attended a going away lunch for Marina, and even a cookout in the yard. So fun!
I enjoyed your thoughts and am looking forward to more. It will help me feel closer to my granddaughter and to you and Taylor.
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