Time flies when you are learning to crawl!

I started this post two weeks ago, but things have been very busy, so I'm finally getting around to publishing it now...
September started off with a bang! Isla has been standing with support since about two and a half months, but on Wednesday (9/2) she pulled up on a cardboard box from a sitting position. For the past month she's become increasingly mobile - rolling to get things, sliding backwards, grabbing an adult near her and pulling herself to them, etc. On Thursday (9/3) she began creeping on her belly and also got up on hands and knees in a crawling position. Now she gets up on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth, rolls all over the place with intent, holds her self up in a standing position and enjoys climbing all over her mommy & daddy.

Another funny thing she has been doing is launching herself at us when we walk by or sit near her. If she is sitting up and we walk or sit near her she reaches out her arms towards our legs and lunges at us. Unfortunately we are not always aware that she is going to "blast off" and she has done a few face plants.

Isla also has become very needy and doesn't like having Mommy out of her sight. I feel very loved, but it is a little difficult to get things done when she whines whenever I walk out of the room. The upside of this development is her new understanding of object permanence. I have literally been able to watch it develop over two days time. When a favorite toy was hidden she initially acted like it has disappeared and moved on to something else. Now she lifts the cover to find it. I'll post a video soon.

In the fine motor department, Isla is learning the pincer grasp. She still prefers to rake objects, but occasionally she will isolate her index and thumb and go for it. Her favorite thing to grasp is my diamond on my engagement ring. We tried giving her tiny bits of banana to finger feed, but they were too slippery and she is not a banana fan. Isla is also feeding herself with a loaded spoon and drinking out of a held cup and a sippy cup. This morning Isla's mesh feeder arrived. She enjoyed eating frozen applesauce out of it, but got a little frustrated with the slow delivery.

Isla is now eating avocados. (By far her least preferred food.) She has already eaten (in order of introduction) rice cereal, mangoes, peas, bananas, sweet potato, applesauce, and carrots. Next up is oatmeal, then pears. Applesauce is her favorite by a long shot. She cries when the dish is empty! I've made all the baby food myself with the help of a little food mill (Great tip Carol!) and some covered ice cube trays. I can't believe how fast and simple it is to make the food!Last but not at all least, Isla is quite the "talker." She went through a brief raspberry phase (3 days?) a few months ago and then moved on to high pitched squeals made by inhaling air. That progressed to the monster growl (well, roar), and then to babbling. Her first and favorite babble is "Dada." It has led to lots of conversations about where Daddy is and what he's doing. Sometimes she gives long orations on the virtues of Daddy; "Dadada. Da. Dadadadadada. Da-daaa." Sometimes she speaks Russian; "Da!" We hear, "Mamaaaaa" when she is upset, and we've also heard "Na," "Ga," "Ba," "Pa," etc. Sometimes she changes it up and uses, "ehhh" or "oh" as the vowel. Lately she's been pursing her lips a lot lately - Her first look! - so maybe "ooo" is on its way. My favorite was a 12 hour period of, "whoa." I felt like I had a tiny stoner companion..."Whoaaaa. Whoooa! Whoa Whoa Whoa..." (What babies are probably thinking!)

On Friday (9/4) Isla helped me babysit Charlotte. We sang happy birthday to Charlotte for her 3 month birthday and then played and read books. Isla tried to crawl on Charlotte while I was changing her, but otherwise they were both angels. Isla napped for about half of the baby sitting which gave me lots of time to cuddle with little Charlilly!

Last but not at all least, Godmama Stacy & Godfather Jason visited for the weekend! Isla loved seeing them, learning the clapping game from Godfather Jason, and getting lots of cuddles and bum squeezes from Godmama Stacy.

Mommy, Daddy, Jason and Stacy had a (kid free) blast celebrating our friends, Geoff & Morgan's wedding. Isla enjoyed visiting her special friends Gretchen & Bryan and little Charlotte. Isla got to play with all of Charlotte's cool toys and practice standing with Bryan. Apparently it was too fun at for Isla to sleep! Gretchen had to sit in the dark with Isla in a swing until our little munchkin could calm down and sleep.

We spent Labor Day with Grandma A and Dan & Barb & their girls. Isla is having more and more fun with Malia. Right now we are treasuring every moment of cool weather (very uncharacteristic in September!) and looking forward to a visit from Gramma and Grandpa and Grauntie Carol.Isla drying off after her first bath in the bathtub.

Nighty Night!