Isla Rose, 3 years old

Big Girl, Big Sister Isla

All the baby is gone, Isla is officially a little girl now.  Isla is very proud to be a big sister.  Her conversation opener at the moment is "I a big sister, have baby brother."  One of the funnest moments as a new family of 4 was one morning when Jason was about to carry August downstairs.  Isla reached arms out to him at the top step and asked to be carried too.  The he shifted Augie over to make room on the other side and scooped up Isla.  Isla said to him, "You have two," pointed to August then herself, "Two animals."  Sometimes she introduces August to people, "This is baby August.  He was born."  She is protective of him and when other kids get too close, she gets upset and yells "He's Mine!"

Too much is not enough

One peculiar aspect of Isla's personality is a lack of moderation- or as I like to say "Everything to the nth degree."  When she is excited about something she has to use it up, pile it high, and often plays with it until it is broken.  For example, I bought mickey mouse foam hand soap to encourage after toilet hand-washing.  Isla was in the bathroom washing her hands for a long time, leaving her hands chapped for several days.  After watching me tape her picture to the wall, she was excited about the tape, and created a vertical tape mound on the wall.  Here's a picture of Isla's valentine box.  I feel this box is a physical representation of my daughter.

3 is the new 2

For Isla's 3rd birthday we went to the Magik Theater and saw the children's play "Rapunzel."  And then played on the Hemisfair playground.  And, for her party later that week, we had our friends, plus Gma and Gpa Lontai to our house for a skunk-themed birthday party.  My strong-willed girl has been putting me to the test.  Isla loves non-stop activity and excitement.  With the full attention of one adult, Isla is perfectly happy.  Without (even for just 10 minutes), she often turns to "very naughty deeds." VND's.  VND's to date: dispensing all the wipes onto the floor, emptying baby powder bottle in her bedroom, smearing Desitin all over upholstered rocking chair and rug in her bedroom, pulling tape out of a cassette (vintage 1980's Disney book on tape cassette meant for Isla to have "quiet time" as napping has ceased), taking a permanent marker to furniture, and cutting the strap of the doorway baby bouncer.  While her stubborn personality sometimes has me banging my head against the wall, I have been told that she will grow to be a very successful adult.  And, I remind myself that Isla was born into the right family.  A family with the time, resources, and patience to deal with a little girl who demands a lot.  Isla will tell you exactly what she wants and how she wants it.  Sometimes she is sneaky.  After being told "no more cookies" she said, "I'm thirsty, can I have some water and some cookies?"  I am glad to see in social situations Isla stands up for herself and uses her words- ie: "I don't like pushing, it's not nice!"  She said to the girl who pushed her in the bouncy castle.  You're right Isla, pushing is not nice.

 *37 month update*  Isla has dropped that nap.  But will still fall asleep in the car in the late afternoon.  After a month of being very cranky and unreasonable, we have adjusted to an earlier bedtime... and things are better!  Turns out the little girl just needed a bit more beauty sleep.  VND's have ceased.  Also, after several months of potty training regression regression (waiting to poop in diaper at bedtime) she decided it was time to poop in the potty again- yay!

August Gabriel- 4 months old

Mr. Personality!  August's sweet personality is starting to show.  He is a sensitive guy and wears his heart on his sleeve.  You can read every little emotion as he is experiencing- Proud to be standing, Determined to get that toy in his mouth, Hey look! It's Daddy... I like that guy, Oh sad... Daddy walked away, You're silly mommy, Big sister is a little to close for comfort... I'm scared.

August is a drool-bug and soaks bibs and the front of his shirt.  He is trying to roll, but can't quiet make it over yet.  He is getting less fussy than he was in the beginning, and can stay happy in his stroller while I teach Stroller Strides classes.  But, he still doesn't like car rides and usually cries the whole way.  He plays with toys.  We can make him giggle.  He is sitting up better, but just needs a bit more head control and neck strength before we try solids.  He talks and sings baby songs.  

August Gabriel, 2 months old

Baby August is growing!  Now 11 lbs 15 oz and 23 inches long at his 2 month appointment.  Apparently that mommy milk is doing the trick.  He now likes to interact with us, and smile, coo, and have little conversations saying "agoo."  He sometimes has a little smirk, like he is holding in a funny joke.

He is sensitive, and doesn't like it when I sneeze when he is nursing.  He likes a moving car, but cries at the stop lights.  August has moved on from binkies, and acts like they are an assault to his mouth.  But, if he's tired, we swaddle him up and stick him in the swing, and that usually does the trick.

Around 2 weeks, he began a ritual of crying throughout the evening.  That has now subsided.  Gassy Gus!  This little guy farts and burbs like a sailor.

He often has a gassy tummy, and will not let you put him down for a couple of hours when that is the case.  After hours of holding this 12 lb bowling ball my arms, shoulders, and neck get sore.  But, then he makes up for it with a sweet smile and sometimes a chuckle.  His ginger hair is thinning, will he be a red-head, or something else?
  

Welcome Baby August!

Baby August Gabriel arrived on Tuesday November 20th at 11:59 pm.  My mom had been in town for 5 days, and we had time to do some grocery shopping and get the house all stocked up with food.  My water broke around 4 pm on Tuesday the 20th, and I summoned Jason to come home.  We had our baby in arms before the day was through, just barely.  Timing was perfect, and we returned home with our new son on Thanksgiving Day to enjoy a nice feast prepared by mom.

August is a well-cooked butterball turkey ringing in at 8 lbs 3 ounces and 19 inches long.  He has a nice head of strawberry blond hair, and looks like he got a crew cut at the barbershop just before he was born.  So far, he's been a little cuddly bug.  Thankful!  We have our pair- 2 beautiful children; a little girl, and our sweet baby son.

Augie or Gus:  It seems there are lot of "Gus" fans out there.  I get it- it's pretty cute to call a chubby little baby "Gus."  I myself, will call him Augie, with one "g."

Isla:  Has been very sweet with August.  She tries to help by bringing him binkies.  And likes to hold her baby brother and comment on all his tiny parts.

The 1st 2 photos are from day 1; next are the professional photos taken by Nikki Loehr; Lastly, August at 1 month old- a smile I caught on Christmas Day.