World, meet Isla.

"It sometimes happens, even in the best of families, that a baby is born. This is not necessarily cause for alarm. The important thing is to keep your wits about you and borrow some money."
-Elinor Goulding Smith

At 5:44PM on Monday, August 4 2014, little Isla Lynn said came into a world filled with laughter.  Literally.  When it was time to push, it only took one before Dr. Wood said stop.  Isla was ready.  Instead of pushing again, Dr. Wood asked someone to tell a joke.  We couldn’t think of any jokes, but after some quick banter everyone in the room was laughing.  And there she came, brought into a world filled with, and pushed out by, laughter.  Not a bad way to start your life if you ask me.

We were curious to see how the sisters compared to each other, so we dressed Isla up in Ashlyn’s newborn clothes and did our best to pose them the same.  Newborns are not particularly known for their cooperation in pictures, but we did our best.  You can see the family resemblance for sure.  I don’t think anyone would confuse them as twins, but you can see the family resemblance.

The older kids weren’t phased by Isla and continued their normal play.  For her part, Isla doesn’t seem to mind, she pretty much sleeps through everything as long as she’s been recently fed.  But I suppose it makes sense as this is the only world she’s ever known.  Even when still in the womb she had to have heard the screams and laughter of her siblings.  To Isla, this craziness is normal.

Isla has been welcomed with open arms by her siblings by her new brohter and sister.  Instead of being jealous of, or annoyed by, the new arrival they have gone out of their way to help her.  James brought her a pear, a shoe, and a blanket for reasons known only to him.  Ashlyn helped cover Isla up and even loaned her Kitty, which is saying something if you know how attached Ashlyn is to that stuffed animal.

They’re a bit timid when it comes to holding her, but that doesn’t stop them from asking to.

The first bath went as you would expect.  There was lots of crying during the bath, and lots of sleeping after.

And of course I can’t end this post without bragging on our awesome family.  Isla met more people who love her in the short days she’s been alive than some people meet in their entire lives.  She’s a lucky girl.  Here’s a small excerpt, I wish I had taken more pictures but it’s been a busy week!

So welcome to the world Isla, and welcome to your family.  We love you!

Dirt, dirt, and more dirt…

*CRASH!*
"Uh oh...  I'll fix it."
-James

It turns out the latest addition to our family was not ready meet us this past week, but unless something changes we should see her tomorrow.  James and Ashlyn are both excited to meet her, but I’m not sure if the feeling will be mutual based once the baby sees her new siblings.

Since we had a little unexpected free time we decided to talk a walk down to the pond and visit the turtles.  Technically we went for the ducks but they didn’t want anything to do with us.  The kids didn’t seem to mind, and neither did the turtles for that matter.

Since we had cleared our calendars this weekend and saw some unusually cool weather for summer, we thought it would be a good idea to pick up nearly 4 tons (yes, tons) of dirt and put it in the garden to prepare for fall planting.  It was a ton of work (get it?), but we had a couple of helpers that made it easier.  Not a lot easier of course, they spent more time on play breaks than actual work, but we appreciated what help they were willing to provide.

One more day, we can’t wait to meet the little one.