Portrait a Week: Weeks 1-9

I read several blogs where the writers post weekly portraits of their children, and I find myself ooh-ing and ah-ing at how their little ones grow and change throughout the year. I then had the sudden (duh!) realization that I should do this for Isla. In this first installment, I am catching up for the first 9 weeks of 2015. While narrowing down the options to ONE portrait has already proved challenging, I will try and select the image that best represents Isla’s life and development of that particular week, whether it be a carefully composed portrait or a quick iphone snapshot. I am planning to compile these weekly images and descriptions into a book for Isla.

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Our first beach walk of the year. We took a break from the bowl games to stroll down onto the sand. The salty breeze was so refreshing and everything blushed with a rosy glow of sunset. It was absolutely stunning.

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Isla with her best friend, Sue. This was one of their final days together before Sue received her cancer diagnosis and began treatment. We love and miss her so much! Never far from her mind, Isla still talks about her beloved ayi regularly. She smiles and says, “Sue,” as she affectionately pats her arm.

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Isla’s first piggies! Like her new hair style, Isla was feeling extra spunky.

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Brrrrr! Braving the below-freezing temperatures of northern China to explore the snow and ice sculptures in Harbin.

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Isla joyfully chasing a runaway basketball for the gazillionth time during the ACAMIS Basketball Tournament in Beijing. Besides cheering for her Daddy as he coached, carrying basketballs around was Isla’s favorite past-time.

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Enjoying a cold, but sunny walk with our baby bear. Isla was practicing the hand movements that accompany the Chinese New Year song, Gong Xi.

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The 3 Sleep-migos: Isla, Rat, and Piggy.

These plush pals were immensely helpful in Isla’s sleep training. In just a few days Isla began to fall asleep on her own and sleep through the night- and ALL of the crazy fireworks booming right outside our house! Thinking back, Chinese New Year may have not been the most logical time to start sleep training… thank goodness it worked!

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Cichlid-watching at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. This was Isla’s first trip to the aquarium and she was absolutely captivated by the exhibits… that is, until she discovered that the little ledges lining each tank made the perfect toddler-sized seats. Then she made made perching herself on each and every one of these ledges her main mission in life.9 of 52

The best part of birthday parties? Cupcakes with chocolate frosting, of course.