Isla Ann

Born | 8.15.2015 | 12:04 PM | 6 Pounds 13 Ounces | 19.75" long |

At 1 Year You:

have 5 teeth but several more on the way.

were only sick once, but that did result in an ER visit.

 took your first flight from New Orleans to Jacksonville.

have the brightest blue eyes and the craziest blonde hair.

say Isla, hi, what's that, yeah, no, aw, dog, mama, dada, all done, ball.

are still nursing (we made it a full year!).

are becoming quite the champion eater.

give the best hugs, kisses and high fives.

sleep through the night in your crib.

not just walk but run!

love to be chased.

are a social butterfly.

Well the day is finally here. Isla Ann is 1 year old. It's really hard to find the words to describe how amazing this year has been. I am the type of person that thinks of the worst case scenario and will stress myself out because of it. I was terrified about what kind of mother I would be and what kind of baby I would have. I was certain I would be a nervous wreck, unable to figure out the ins and outs of motherhood. I thought almost all babies cry constantly, don't sleep and just create absolute chaos every where they went. "Why decide to have a baby then?" you may ask. Because in spite of all that I knew I would come out of it a better person. I have a loving, supportive husband that wants to be a dad as much as I want to be a mom. We would surely figure it out together.

These thoughts flashed in and out of my head the entire pregnancy. Toward the end I kept saying I was so ready for her to come partly because I was so uncomfortable being 9 months pregnant in the middle of a Florida summer, and partly because I wanted to meet this little human we created. But the moment I realized my water broke I didn't feel ready anymore. When it was time to push I literally started panicking. I was bawling my eyes out. This was it, I was going to always have another person in my life that I am responsible for no matter what. I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN DO THIS. 

But the MOMENT she entered the world everything felt right. My motherly instinct kicked in, and I wasn't afraid anymore. I knew this was exactly what I was made for. I saw her face and couldn't stop saying how beautiful she was. Her cry was the most amazing sound I'd ever heard. She was, and still is, perfect!

Isla exceeds every expectation I had about having a baby. She is the complete opposite of what I thought it could be. I know all babies are different, and the next child I have could be the opposite of Isla, but at least now I have my feet on the ground. I know that I can handle being a mother because I exceed what I thought I would be as a mother. And as conceded as that might sounds, I don't care. It's true. I am a great mother.

Don't get me wrong. Isla does cry, throws tantrums, she refuses the food I put in front of her, doesn't nap sometimes and even bites when nursing on occasion. I have the TV on more than I'd like to admit, gave Isla tastes of sugary treats, let her cry it out, and had a couple of break downs myself. But I still have no doubt that Isla and I rocked the first year of her life. 

But it wouldn't have rocked so much without the best husband and father in the world, Robby. He might just be a better father than I am a mother. He is so patient, fun(ny), loving and just all around awesome. He does bath time every night, never complains about a diaper change, gets up every morning with Isla and makes her breakfast, supports our family in every way imaginable, honestly the list just goes on.

My parents and the rest of our families have been another part of what made this year great. We just have so much support! Not to mention the awesome mommy and baby friends we made this year. Being a stay at home mom can be so isolating, so if it weren't for the friends we made, I don't think I would be in such a good place right now.

I really don't know how I could possibly write about everything Isla is doing at this point. She is right on track developmentally and physically, so I might just leave it at that. I could not be more proud and in aw of this little girl. She brings more joy, love, adventure, laughter into our lives than I ever thought possible. We are truly blessed to call her ours.

Loves: My keys, giving and receiving hugs and kisses, music.

Milestones: Talking more.