This post can also be titled "The Best Month of My Life" because that is what it's been.

I still have this out of body experience when I look at her. I can't believe she is my daughter, and I am her mom. I thought a lot about what kind of mom I would be before I got pregnant. And when I was pregnant I couldn't wait for her to be here but feeling like that day would never actually come. Even when I was in labor I knew she was coming, but it still felt so unreal until it was time to push. That is when I was shot back into reality and knew I was about to face the most challenging time of my life.

I was afraid that there may be something medically wrong with her or even me. I was afraid she was going to be an extremely colicy baby. I was afraid that I wouldn't be a good mother. Possibly all of the above.

But as soon as she was here everything felt so right. I cried with joy to finally see my baby girl. I couldn't stop saying how beautiful she was as they wiped her off on my stomach. I felt more complete in a way as I held her for the first time. As I took care of her that first day, and every day since, it felt so natural. My motherly instinct was, and still is, so strong.

The first two weeks of Isla's life were amazing. She rarely cried, slept nonstop and was such an angel baby. I even had to wake her up at night to feed. Robby was off for the first week, so the three of us spent all day together. We took her to her first few appointments together, and the doctor's said she was perfect every time.

She was gaining weight so quickly. I don't think she's lost any weight since birth. She went from 6 pounds 13 ounces at birth to 7 pounds  to 7 pounds 7 ounces. At almost 3 weeks old she weighed 9 pounds 10 ounces. I imagine she is already over 10 pounds now. She is ahead of the curb on this whole weight gain thing. My little chunky butt. I on the other hand still have a few pounds to lose. I gained 30 pounds or so during pregnancy, so I don't mind that I haven't lost in all yet. I am fitting back into most of my pre-pregnancy clothes though.

After the first couple of weeks, she did become a bit fussier. I thought I jinxed myself by telling everyone what an easy baby she was and how she never cried. She woke up more at night and fed constantly. But I remembered when babies go through growth spurts these are the symptoms.

Around the same time is when I had an infection in my breast and had to go to the ER. I had a fever, the chills and a headache, which made it very difficult to get up or pick her up. The infection wasn't harmful to her, but it made me feel like I wasn't able to care for her the best that I could. But after some Tylenol and antibiotics I was feeling better the next day.

She is not the biggest fan of pacifiers but has started taking one more regularly now. She likes the soothie pacifiers. We also gave her a bottle for the first time last Saturday when she turned four weeks old. She took it without issue which surprised me. Robby loved being able to feed her, but it won't be a regular thing just yet. I have a nice stash of breast milk in the freezer right now, so I know she will be fine if I have to leave her for any reason during the day.

One issue we are having with feeding are my overproducing boobs. The milk comes out so fast that she chokes on it during the letdown. I feel awful because she throws her head back and cries. Luckily, I learned feeding her while laying on my back really helps with that or expressing some milk before she feeds. But overproducing is also extremely messy. My clothes are usually soaked with milk that I have to change multiple time during the day. I have gone though almost 300 breast pads this month. But I would rather be overproducing instead of underproducing.

Her sweet baby scent is absolutely intoxicating, kissing her is addicting and staring at her makes me tear up with joy. I am completely obsessed with her. I feel so blessed to be her mom. And I know that Robby feels the same way about being her dad. I love seeing him love her.

Height: She was 20" as of September 4th.

Weight: 9 pounds 10 ounces as of September 4th.

Loves: Being bounced on the exercise ball, sleeping on mom and milk. Milk is her favorite.

Hates: Being put in her carseat, but she will fall asleep once we start driving. She did hate having her diaper changed and being put in clothes the first few weeks, but she is much better about both now.

Milestones: She has lifted her head since birth but has better control now. She started to coo and smile while awake at 4 weeks. I melt every time she smiles. Her smile is by far the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. She started taking her pacifier more regularly and took a bottle for the first time with no issues at 4 weeks. She is currently in size 1 diapers and 3 month clothing.

Looking Forward To: Her smiling more often and hearing her laugh for the first time.