Dear Isabella,
I can't believe you are two months old today. In fact, you are growing so fast, each moment I just wait for you to ask to borrow the car keys or tell me you are going on a date Saturday night. I was looking at photos we took of you just a few weeks ago as a newborn and it's amazing how much you have grown and changed already in just this short amount of time.
This month the smiles have become bigger, the cooes are even cuter, and you are discovering playtime. My favorite times with you have become mornings when you first wake up and see mommy and daddy; the recognition in your smile is magical. Truly, there is no better way to start the day.
I believe the key to saving the world is a smiling baby. Let me explain... when I first fell in love with your father, the feeling of love was so euphoric that my wish for the world was that everyone could experience this magical feeling. I now feel the same way about your smile.
I believe that if we could bottle this feeling and feed it to the world, there would be no hate, violence or war. Instead kisses, hugs and silly fun songs about sunshine sparkles and lilac lilypads would ensue. Baby smiles are that powerful.
This month you were introduced to Grandma and Grandpa de la Rosa, your Aunt Dianna and your Uncle Federico who flew in from Texas to meet you. It was instant love. You were just as taken with them as they were with you. In fact, every time you got a bit fussy Grandma de la Rosa would hold you and you would instantly calm down and fall asleep in her arms. You couldn't stop smiling at your Grandpa de la Rosa and you spent hours of playtime with him.
We were all sad when they had to leave but it made us realize that we will be taking you to Texas as often as we can so you may bond with your family and become familiar with your southern Texas roots.
This past week we discovered the powers of babywearing. When I used to dream about being a mother, I always envisioned myself as the hip earth momma always carrying her baby around in a sling. However, sometimes things don't always appear as we envision them and once you were here and I tried to put you in one, I worried as I felt you were too little and not getting enough head support, air, etc. To sum it up, you cried, I freaked out and that was that. In a word, I was afraid. Of a sling.
The last few days, however, you were showing signs of colic ~ distended belly, intestinal distress, and the crying... oh the crying. I tried chamomile tea, gripe water, massaging, the 5 s's ~ nothing worked. The only thing that would comfort you was if I carried you every waking minute that you weren't eating and sing to you softly while I rocked you back and forth. Which would be all fine and good if you didn't weigh almost 13 lbs and breaking mama's back in the process.
Relief came through the encouragement of your Auntie Boho who gently persuaded me to please, once again, try the sling. Knowing I had to do something I put you down and finally figured out how to wrap my Moby sling and get you in it comfortably. Within five minutes you were sound asleep all peaceful and comforted your warm body all snuggled against mama, not to mention leaving me hands free. You have been a happy baby since with no colicky symptoms. I heart my Moby sling.
I am no longer afraid of the sling and have been wearing you everywhere in it. We are both a lot happier. I now am free to be the earth mama I once envisioned.
Little girl, you show me happiness in every moment of everyday. You teach me great patience and how to be present in each moment. It seems through you, I learn something new about myself each day as well. You have taught me that pure bliss is found in a smile. Each day I discover something new about you and you discover something new about your world. I miss you being a newborn already but am so excited to watch you continue to grow and discover the world around you. I love waking up each morning to your sweet smile.
I love you sunshine sparkle toes, thank you for being here and sharing your smiles with us.
Love,
Mama
Yay! You have conquered the sling- I would totally have the same concerns which is what makes you a great mama!! I'm glad you can be the earth mama you envisioned with your sweet smiling girl.
Posted by: Eileen Weigand | May 24, 2008 at 07:54 AM
oh.so.sweet.babyness....you are so blessed and so is she...love to you, me
Posted by: jessica | May 24, 2008 at 08:37 AM
o that smile...
what a beautiful letter to your beautiful daughter!
Posted by: dreamergirl | May 24, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Happy 2 months old Isabella! She is getting so big so fast!
What a wonderful letter to her and how wonderful that she got to meet more of her wonderful family!!
I'm so glad you were able to get the sling figured out and that it works so well for you. Such a precious wonderful time this is for both of you!
Posted by: Tina | May 24, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I can really see her Grandma de la Rosa in her.
Posted by: Planethalder | May 24, 2008 at 12:05 PM
oh...sweetness all over! And TWO hands free = magic! :-)
Such a beauty...the smile stretch miles and miles across the waters into my heart as well..how lucky are we to share some of Isabella's life...thank you beautiful you xx
Posted by: linni | May 24, 2008 at 02:29 PM
:) sigh ... this post makes me smile and smile ... xox
Posted by: darlene | May 24, 2008 at 09:12 PM
yay for aunty boho!
yay for the sling.
yay for the magic of a smiling baby.
xox
Posted by: frida | May 24, 2008 at 11:34 PM
beauty-full...
Posted by: gem | May 25, 2008 at 04:17 AM
when the tribe steps in to take over for a tired, overwhelmed mama it is one of the most loved feelings in the world...not sure if that makes sense but it's early in the morn here for me still...her smiles, family and friends, her mama and papa...wonderful blessings...
Posted by: patricia | May 25, 2008 at 04:58 AM
Aaah, the wonders of the Moby! Liam lived in his his second month as well. What a beautifully, healthy growing girl. Good job mamma!
Posted by: liza | May 25, 2008 at 10:13 AM
oh how my heart warmed throughout this entire letter to Bella Wish.
her smiles make me melty.
so, so, so glad the wrap/sling is comforting to you both. she looks so darn cute nuzzled against you wrapped in that pretty green.
love youz. xo
Posted by: boho girl | May 25, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Isabella is so beautiful. She is adorable. Glad the wrap-sling worked out this is too painful when a baby cries with colics. Isabella's smilling is magical.
Take care.
Posted by: Celine | May 25, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Thank you for your wonderful letters.
Because we live far away from you all and can't see you very often, I eagerly read your blog almost daily, hoping for more pictures.
Stacie, she is a gorgeous little one and the pictures you have posted are magical. I especially like the one picture at the top of the blog. Her sweet, contented smile is pure sunshine. What a joy and a gift.
Can't wait to see you all in less than six weeks!!!
Posted by: Aunt Denise | May 25, 2008 at 07:49 PM
This is so beautifully written and the photos are gorgeous. Your Isabella is the cutest little girl and your blog is such a treasure and inspiration!
Posted by: Dreamy | May 26, 2008 at 07:22 AM
sunshine sparkle toes....
sigh...
big sigh...
xoxo
Posted by: megan | May 26, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Oh my! Now I feel foolish since I wished her a Happy 3-month Birthday" the other day! Sorry! I didn't mean to rush her growth! They are so completely adorable when they are that young!! Well, they're always adorable to be honest. :)
I'm glad you found a solution to her colic! She looks as happy as a clam in that thing and while I can't see your beautiful face, I'm sure it's just as happy and as radiant as the last time I saw you.
I love you sweetie and I am so happy that you are enjoying motherhood as much as you are. I find that Daniel teaches me the same things that Isabella has taught you although I doubt that I am as cooperative a student as you are!
Much love to you all,
d.
Posted by: d. | May 26, 2008 at 01:02 PM
what a lovely letter for your lovely girl
if only i could figure out my moby sling. i have one from lucky baby, but can't get the wee girl in it on my own just yet. i'm so glad this is working for you.
happy two months, bella. happy two months, mama.
Posted by: nikole | May 26, 2008 at 04:55 PM
What a gorgeous tribute to baby Isabella & gorgeous photos to match! SO happy the sling is no longer an item to be feared & you regain the use of both hands a bit more. :) She's changing SO much just since I last saw her...it's almost surreal. And, I just love her little baby smiles pictured above, so I bet they are even better in person. HAPPY 2 MONTHS to baby Isabella!!! Happy 2 months to the entire DeLaRosa clan! It appears that parenthood suits you well.
Miss you guys & hope to see you all SOON. XOXO "Auntie Sueberry"
Posted by: sueberry | May 27, 2008 at 08:17 AM
what a love muffin!!!!
she is sooooo beautiful!!!!
:)
Posted by: mccabe | May 27, 2008 at 04:12 PM