Isla Marie- 19 months

They say around 18-19 months toddlers generally have a vocabulary splurge, and man are they right! Isla's vocabulary has taken off and she is loving all the new words that are flowing from her mouth! She is really having fun trying to repeat what you say and you can tell she is so proud of herself when the words come out nice and clear! She is a funny little thing that is known for being super sweet with a little side of naughty! She uses this to her full advantage too. She will flash one of those innocent smiles right before she does something she knows she isn't suppose to do! She is just so darn cute its hard to get mad! She is a dancing queen, an eating machine, and a major daddy's girl! She has her Momma's curls but looks like her daddy when he was her age. Her current favorites include the book "Thank You Prayer", broccoli, bunny, ice cream (she downs it like Uncle Kevin downs cereal (if you ever witnessed Kev eat cereal you know what I mean!), unloading the dishwasher, feeding Lupa, and of course playing with Mackenzie! We just love our little Isla Bean! 

Isla Cardiologist Update

Yesterday was Isla's cardiologist appointment and we wanted to update you on her heart...

As a recap, when Isla was still in the womb a fetal arrhythmia was detected which lead her and I to be monitored on a weekly basis. Around 38 weeks the doctor decided it was best to monitor her heart outside the womb and  induced my labor. It was during our hospital stay that it was confirmed by the cardiologist that Isla has Premature Atrial Contractions (PAC) occurring in the upper chamber of her heart. We also learned that she had a small leak in her mitral valve. She was monitored by the cardiologist at 3 months and 6 months of age where her status remained the same. The doctor at the time was confident that she would grow out of the arrhythmia by 12 months and wanted to see us back in one year (when Isla was 18 months old).

During our appointment yesterday, we learned that Isla still has Premature Atrial Contractions. What this means is that Isla's heart is beating prematurely resulting in extra fast beats. Pretend like you are tapping your finger on the table in a rhythm (tap...tap...tap...tap, etc.), now randomly add in an extra "tap" in between (tap...tap...taptap...tap...tap...tap...taptap...tap, etc.). This is what her heart is doing. It happens irregularly which means there is no pattern to when her heart skips a beat. Based on yesterday's tests her heart was beating prematurely every 3-4 beats (there was always a premature fast beat every 5 seconds or less). Because Isla is so young she can't vocalize how these extra beats may be effecting her. Older children and adults say that it feels like their heart has paused, skipped a beat, and/or their heart beat has temporarily intensified. Others say they don't feel it at all. The doctor assured us that the functionality of her heart was great and it was tolerating these extra beats well. This is the best type of arrhythmia to have and can be tolerated well throughout ones lifespan (with or without medication). The doctor would like to run one more test to make sure that theses fast beats are not happening consecutively, meaning that she isn't having multiple fast beats in a row (this would not be a good thing and would lead to more testing and treatment). In the next week or two she will wear a 24 hour heart monitor that will monitor the rhythm of her heart. If the results show no consecutive fast beats then treatment will not be necessary at this time and we will see him again in one year. Fingers crossed this will be the case. If you would like more information on what PAC is, you can read about it by going to the following links:

http://www.healthline.com/health/atrial-premature-complexes#Overview 

http://pediatricheartspecialists.com/articles/detail/premature_atrial_contractions_pacs

Ok, now onto the leaky mitral valve. The valve is still leaking but it has not grown in size and is very minimal. The doctor does not feel as though it is a concern at this time and will  monitor it on a yearly basis. Great news!  

In the meantime we have been instructed to buy a pediatric stethoscope and to "check in" on her heart every once and awhile. We will keep you posted once the 24 hour test has been done and the results are back. Prayers for good test results! :-) 

Of course a picture has to go with this post because she is so stickin' cute! 

Monday Smiles :-)

To make you smile on this Monday morning :-) 

(If viewing this in an email, please go to www.mackenzieandisla.blogspot.com to watch the video)

Thank you Great-PopPop and GG for this adorable gift that was given a couple years ago. They still love it! 

Spring!!!!

Happy 1st day of SPRING!!! 

(can you tell we are just a tad bit excited?!)

This was taken a few days ago when we had 6+ inches of snow on the ground! She didn't care! 

1st day of spring and 60 degrees...we'll take it! 

Mackenzie on her new big girl swing! 

Isla Marie- 18 Months

Look who's a year and a half! Miss Isla hit the 18 month mark yesterday and is acting ever bit her age...the age of a TODDLER! She seems to be running everywhere, getting into everything, and her energy is endless! She loves to sing (in her own language of course), dance, "wrestle" with her sister, climb on everything, and can make one mean cup of tea! She has zero interest in watching TV, immediately has to take her shoes off when she gets in the car, and has more clothes then all of us combined (thanks to her older sis and cousin). She is still smiley as ever and laughs just as much!

We also had her 18 month appointment today and our little one is healthy and growing! She is weighing in at 21 lbs. 3 oz (10th percentile), 30 3/4 inches in length (25th percentile), and her head circumference has stayed on its curve of 5-10th percentile. She is also right on with all of her developmental milestones! We were also thankful for the appointment as poor Isla suffers from car sickness. We were eager to talk to the doctor on how we can make car rides a little more comfortable for her. We learned that because of her age there is nothing we can give her at this time but we did learn of some suggestions that we will have to try in hopes to ease up the yucky feelings that come with being in a car. Isla will also be seeing the pediatric cardiologist next week to take a look at the development of her heart. As you know she was born with an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and a small leak in one of her valves. He will be checking to see the status of them both and we will keep you posted.

In the mean time here are some adorable pics and a video of our Isla Bean!

I'm 18 months!!!

Snow bunny!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Kisses for Beckham

Bubbles!

Getting comfy in PopPop's office

Grandkids at Moog

Cheesin with PopPop  :-)

And a cute little video for your viewing pleasure (if reading this in an email go to www.mackenzieandisla.blogspot.com to view video). P.S. I was cleaning out Mackenzie's closest and room so please excuse the mess!

Giggling Fun!

Hope your Wednesday is full of laughs!

*If you're reading this in an email, please go to www.mackenzieandisla.blogspot.com to view the video.

Isla Marie- 17 months

Isla is now 17 months and I seriously can't believe we almost have a one and half year old. Time needs to slow down! Isla has been cracking us up lately with her sweet but sassy personality. Her favorite thing to do right now...tell us no! She thinks its hilarious. She is definitely trying out this new found "freedom". She loves to color and play with stickers, and loves to play with play dough when mommy and daddy allow it (most of the time she is trying to eat it!). She loves feeding herself with a spoon and fork and has gotten really good at using both. She must be quickly catching up to her big sis as I can't go out in public without someone asking me how close in age they are or if they are twins. I have to giggle at the twins question because I just don't see it, Isla to me is still a little baby (I don't think that will ever change). Her sister is her very best friend and the relationship they have with one another is truly remarkable. They seem to have their own secret language and the giggling, wrestling, and chasing each other seems endless. We love it! Happy 17 months, ladybug!

Mommy and her girls enjoying some lolly pops!

Daddy's hat 

Some smooches

This is what they are doing 90% of the day..oy vey!

Valentine's Day <3

Once the snow melted and the temp got a little warmer we ran right down to the playground! 

I could kiss that face a million times! 

Our two princesses at the Children's Museum of Richmond

Playing in the awesome sandbox at the Children's Museum. We are so excited one is coming to Fredericksburg!

Her sister taught her this...

Feeding time 

Isla Bean :-)