Sydney Kate || 4 Months

Happy 4 Months, Sydney Kate! This has been such a fun month watching you grow! And man, have you grown!!! We just fall more and more in love with you each day.

We had a lot of fun this month! We took a quick weekend trip to Oklahoma so we could go to the Pumpkin Patch with the family. We picked a cute little pumpkin out for you and took tons of pictures. We had tons of fun with the family. You have been so happy this month. You hardly ever cry. I think your (silent) reflux is just about completely gone, which helps with your happiness. :) Your first Halloween and you were the cutest flamingo ever! We got you dressed up, went to Chipotle for dinner than came back and handed out candy. Everyone who came over couldn't stop talking about how cute you were! 

Sydney Kate  ||  4 Months

This month...
* you really developed an interest in books. You love looking at the pictures and being read to
* you're still talking to us. We have "conversations" in the car all the time and you make the funniest sounds...like you're really trying to tell me something. I love it!
* we dressed alike for the first time. We wore our Mama/ Little shirts and I loved it...I'm sure you did too!
* you got sick for the first time. Not really sick, but you definitely had your first runny nose and were congested! Nothing a little saline spray, the nose frieda, and some RC in the diffuser couldn't handle.
* you rolled over from your back to your stomach in your pack n play. You only did this one night and probably because I swaddled you with one arm out, but regardless, you did it!
*you're still loving your activity mat! Daddy just put together your bouncer and you LOVE that too!
* you're still drooling a lot...but the doctor says no teeth anytime soon!
* you survived your first time change. I tried to keep you up later the week before to help with the transition, so either that worked or it didn't phase you one bit.

You are 13 lbs 9 oz (37th percentile) and 24 1/4 inches long (38th percentile) You still comfortably fit into your 0-3 month clothing but I am transitioning you into 3-6 months even though they are still a little big...mainly because its getting cooler and it's time to put the summer clothes away. It made me really sad to put away you're NB and 0-3 month clothes in the rubbermaid. You're growing so fast! You are still wearing size 1 diapers, but probably only for a few more days. We've decided when this pack is done, you're starting size 2. You are still drinking breastmilk during the day and formula at night. The formula seems to keep you full a little longer. This month brought on the 4 month sleep regression. Pretty much this entire month you've decided sleeping 10-11 hours at night wasn't your thing. You're waking up in the night sometime between 1-3am and eating, then you'll sleep until my alarm goes off. You love to stand and bounce. People tell us all the time they just can't believe how strong you are! You can sit assisted or leaning against something. You've even held a front leaning sit for 45 seconds all on your own (Gigi witnessed this on FaceTime) 

A Day in the Life of Sydney (at 4 months)

You wake up between 5:30-6:30 each morning (depending on when you got up in the night) and eat. You lay with your daddy for a little bit while I get ready. You've started falling asleep on his chest and you really love that...so much I think that's why you're not wanting to stay in your pack n play in the mornings. :/  After I'm done, I get you dressed for the day and we head out to school. You are usually eating around 12 oz while you're at day care and taking two 2-3 hour naps. I try to pick you up as soon as I can leave school around 4:00 and we come home. We love to cuddle not he couch and then you're hungry again around 4:30-5:00. After eating, you play on your Activity Mat or in the Jumper and cuddle some more. You'll usually fall asleep while we hold you for a short cat nap in the evening. You eat again between 7:00-7:30, then we just relax before bedtime. Our 8:00 bedtime routine is still going strong. You fall asleep pretty quickly and are out until that middle of the night wake up. :)

You are seriously the best thing ever. For real...You're everything I never knew I always wanted. Everything. Love you, sweet girl!

Sydney Kate || 3 Months

My baby girl! You are THREE months old! How is that even possible?! I feel like just yesterday I was sitting in the nursery anxiously awaiting your arrival. There's no way I could even fathom how much love you've brought to my life. 

This month brought on a lot of firsts for you. Starting out with our first road trip. Just me and you! (and Tyson) We got to spend a week in Oklahoma staying with Gigi and Papa. On our way there we stopped so you could meet your Aunt Seyanna and all your cousins. You did great the whole time we were there, although this was the week I realized you totally know who your mama is and you want me near by. :) According to the Wonder Weeks app, you were going into your 3rd leap so maybe that had something to do with it. While we were in Oklahoma, you got to visit so many people. We had our big family dinner and saw the whole gang at once, then we spent the week making visits to your great grandma and grandpa and all your aunts and uncles. On the way home we met daddy and got to meet your grandma and pops. You were a perfect angel the whole time we were there and they just loved you to pieces! You also met your Uncle Fred this last weekend. He couldn't get enough of you while he was in town. 

We started daycare this month and I went back to work. This is you on your first day...all smiles and 11 weeks old! The first day was the stereotypical drop off...you cried (because you wanted out of your carseat) and I just wanted to hold you, but Ms Patsy sent me on to work and I cried the whole way. You did great and since that first day have either been so happy at drop off or sound asleep. Daycare has really gotten you on a great schedule. You really only take a day or two to get used to a new routine and then you have it down pat. You're such a great baby. 

Sydney Kate  ||  3 Months

This month you've...

*started smiling all the time. You started last month, but this month you are consistently smiling at us all the time

*started talking to us. (baby talk, that is) We just have full out conversations and you act like you totally understand us. 

*rolled over! From your tummy to your back. You don't do it all the time just yet but you've done it 10 times or so. 

*started drooling a lot! I'm not sure what's going on in that mouth of yours, but somethings started. Aunt Natalie sent you a teething necklace, its still a little too big but you'll be wearing it in no time and hopefully it will slow down all the drooling. :)

*had your first trip to the State Fair of Texas. You did great! I ended up putting you in the Moby wrap and you loved looking around. 

*seen your first baseball game. Lucky us, it was the game the Rangers won the West Division. You must be their good luck charm

*worn your first pair of shoes. You're little feet are so narrow, a lot of shoes don't fit you...but we've fallen in love with SweetNSwag moccasins, they fit you just right.

*started grabbing at toys and playing with them. You love playing on your activity map and your pink elephant. You also love staring at yourself in the mirror. :)

I'm guessing, but you are probably around 12 lbs. We didn't go to the doctor this month so we're having to get creative on how to weigh you. Although, according to Gap, you should be able to wear 3-6 months at 12lbs and they are still really big on you so maybe you're a little smaller. You are still fitting perfectly in your 0-3 month clothing and size one diapers. We really love Honest diapers...not only because they're so cute, but they seem to fit you the best and hold everything in. :) You are drinking breastmilk all day and then we give you formula at night and first thing in the morning. I'm really only nursing you when we get home from school and before bedtime. (and on the weekends of course) You do such a great job of going back and forth. You are still sleeping in the pack n play in our room. I originally thought we'd transition you by now, but with your silent reflux, I've liked having you near by. Speaking of, your reflux really seems to be getting better. You really are only coughing when you get upset these days. You have really gotten a lot better about your carseat. You still may cry a little when we put you in, but as soon as the car starts moving you are content (or asleep) You still may let out a little cry if we're sitting at a red light but it doesn't last long. You are SO strong, Sydney Kate! You've had amazing neck/head strength since day one. You can sit up with something propping you up. You'll stay put for a second and then slowly fall over. You love standing up on our lap and bouncing. We should really get your bouncer set up so you can play in that too. 

A Day in the Life of Sydney (at three months)

You wake up anywhere between 5:30-6:30 and eat 4 oz of formula. (although this last week, you've been waking up around 4:30 and sleeping until its time to go around 6:45) You love to talk and smile with us in the mornings. We get dressed and head out around 7:00am. We get to daycare around 7:30 each morning. If you are asleep when we get there you'll usually sleep until 9:30am or so...but if you're awake you'll take a nap around 8:30-9:30. You wake up and eat, then play until 11:00-11:30. You'll go to sleep for about an hour, wake up and eat again around 12:30. You're usually sleeping from 1:30-3:30 each day. You eat again at 3:30 and play until I get there around 4:30. You smiled at me on Monday when you saw me...I hope its a new thing now, that you recognize your mama's there to pick you up. We get home around 5:00 and you'll eat again soon after we get home. You stay up and play most of the evening. You may drift off after you eat around 7:00, but usually we just play. Our bedtime routine is still in full effect. 8:00 on the dot, we start your bath, then lotion you up. I'll put you in your pjs and swaddle you up for the night. You're only nursing until you fall asleep which has turned into like 5-10 min. Then you're out for the night. I seriously lucked out with a great sleeper. If I get up in the night, its for Tyson...not Sydney. :)

I am so in love with your face. Seriously, I kiss it all the time. I just can't get enough of you Sydney Kate! I'm still in awe that you are mine. You're everything and so much more I ever dreamed of having!

"A love so undeniable, I can hardly speak

A peace so unexplainable, I can hardly think.."

Thank you, Jesus, for calling me deeper into love. :)

Sydney Kate || 2 Months

Sydney Kate, you are already TWO months old! I have enjoyed every second staying home with you and wish we could do it forever! Two more weeks of maternity leave and I plan on cherishing every moment. :)

You had a lot of visitors again this month! Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Brian and your cousin Harper came down and stayed the weekend with us. Harper was so in love with you and just wanted to hold, feed and kiss on you the entire time. You guys were so cute together and I can't wait to watch you grow up with your cousins. You and Ella Kate have started "The Kate Club" and love to FaceTime and stare at each other. She loves singing to you. I cannot wait for the day I can see you two together :) I had to go back to work the week before school started so your Great Aunt Carol came down to love on you while I was at school. You guys had the best time together. Gigi and Papa came down for your dedication day at church. What a special ceremony where we got to commit before the Lord to raise you according to God's will. I'm so happy Gigi and Papa were able to be there with us! I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of them in Texas ;)

Sydney Kate || two months old

This month you've...

* Started sleeping through the night! Thank you, Jesus! You go down between 8:30 and 9:00pm and wake up between 5:30 and 6:00am (which is perfect when going back to school comes around)

*Started smiling when we talk to you. You have the most adorable smile ever...but you never let the camera capture it! Ha!

*Graduated from the sling to taking baths in your bathtub. You now love taking baths...and by love I mean you don't cry. You kind of just look at me crazy, but I have seen you kick your feet in the water- so it's safe to say you're liking it! :)

*Started watching TV and the computer screen. It captures your attention and you just can't stop focusing in on whatever is on.

* You love to play on your activity mat. We play on your tummy until you start crying and then we flip to your back where you're most happy.

*Twice this month you rolled from your tummy to your back. (Aunt Natalie witnessed this) 

*Started sitting in your Bumbo. You're not too sure about it yet, but you've been sitting in our laps and can balance for a few seconds so I think you're getting ready for it. Practice makes perfect!

*You also got to meet the singers behind your favorite song (that we still listen to 56 times a day) Uncle David and Leslie! Uncle David was just in awe of your beauty and held/ fed you before the show. You lasted about an hour and a half of the concert and then got sleepy so we left early.

*We had a few game days this month. You're so fun to play dress up with. We were decked out for our Cowboys and Steelers! You love to sit with your daddy and watch football.

You are 10 lbs 6 oz and 21 3/4 inches long. That's the 26th percentile for weight and 15th for height. Your doctor says your weight to height ratio is in the 49th percentile...so basically you're perfect and will be able to wear your 0-3 month clothes a little longer. We moved you to size one diapers this month and then you had your first two accidents in the night. So I went out and bought another small pack of newborn diapers and we were all good again. Pampers and Target diapers are still a little big for you so we are currently using Honest Diapers and they fit you just right. (and are absolutely adorable!) You are still nursing during the day and taking a bottle in the night (which is now morning) or when we are out and about. You've been extra clingy this month. You'd rather be held to sleep during the day than in your crib. We don't mind one bit and enjoy the extra snuggles. Your carseat is still hit or miss. Most days you hate getting into your carseat and scream until we're done (so we're getting really fast at buckling you up) other days you barely make squeak. But I will say, if you are in that car seat, you want to be moving. You hate stopping at stop lights, being stuck in traffic or when I stop your stroller when I'm shopping. Great Are You Lord is still your jam...and guess what? Other people think it's a pretty awesome song too. It was nominated as Worship Song of the Year at the Dove Awards! You've started napping in your crib some during the day. (when you'll let us) I love watching you on the monitor. You sleep like an angel and make the cutest little sounds. I get absolutely nothing accomplished during your naps!

A day in the life of Sydney (at two months)

You wake up for the day anywhere between 5:30-6:30am. We eat, smile at each other, cuddle and then go to the living room to play on your activity mat. You are usually tired and back asleep about an hour later. (so am I!) You wake up again around 9:30am. We eat, play, get dressed and play some more. This is the optimal time to take your cute pictures. You are always so happy in the morning. Your naps have gotten shorter and shorter in the mornings. Probably due to the fact you just want me to hold you, so if I move you wake up. But you usually take a cat nap around 11:00 and 2:00. Around 3:00-4:00, you are HUN-GRY! This is usually you're biggest feeding next to your first one of the day.   After this feeding, you take a long nap too. About 2-3 hours. You wake up around 6:00 and eat, then play. You are still loving your bedtime routine. You take a bath around 8:00, get in your PJ's, eat and I rock you until you fall asleep. This is my most favorite time of day with you. I love gazing into your eyes as you eat...and you've started holding my finger, which of course melts my heart too. I'm pretty sure you're still loving all the original songs I keep making up. I'm pretty impressed how great I am at this...I've got some great ones. lol. You are usually sound asleep by 9:00pm each night.


It's crazy to think that just two months ago my life was completely different. I can barely even remember what I did with all my spare time. I sit and think sometimes how boring life really was without you. You are for real, so much fun. You complete me Sydney Kate.

Sydney Kate || One Month

Well, if this hasn't been the fastest month EVER?! How is it possible our sweet girl is already one month old? She showed us from day one how much of a fighter she is! We went through a scary first week of life, but thank you, Jesus...she is doing great!

We got to bring Sydney home at 8 days old. One of the benefits of a NICU stay was that her eating and sleep schedule was set...and awesome! She has the sweetest spirit and is so far, an all around perfect baby! (ok, so I'm a little biased) 

Sydney Kate || One Month Old

This month you've...

*Met lots of family who are so in love with you (Gigi, Papa, Aunt Lindsey, Natalie and Beatrice, Great Grandma and Grandpa...am I leaving anyone out?)

*Gone to the doctor 3 times

*Visited your mama's school (and met a lot of teachers!)

*Had your first accident that required a outfit change (but you made it 3 1/2 weeks before this happened)

*Gone out with your mom and your dad alone in public...and we all survived

*Taken your first set of professional pictures 

You are now 8 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long. That's the 27th percentile for weight and 43rd for height.  (and your head is in the 42nd percentile) You are still wearing newborn diapers just fine. We'll move you up to size one just as soon as we finish these last few packages. :) Newborn clothes are just about over with around here...they're getting snug. I've started putting you in all your adorable 0-3 month summer outfits. They're still a little big, but you look SO cute in them! You transition extremely well back and forth from nursing to bottles. (another bonus from NICU) It also allows your daddy to get to feed you too (especially in the night) You love to lay on our chest and snuggle into our neck. Speaking of necks, you have had the strongest neck since day one. You hold it up and have great control already. Paci's are not your thing so far...unless your daddy is giving it to you and then of course you're all for it. You love to be swaddled when you're sleeping...as a matter of fact, it's the only way you'll sleep for longer than 30 minutes. Most mornings we wake up to find your arms out of the swaddle...and above your head. :) You've started smiling at us when we talk to you, which makes my heart melt. Bath time is not you're favorite thing just yet...I know you'll learn to love them. (eventually) You've become very observant and alert. You love to look around you and take the world in. You're not a fan of getting into your car seat...but once you're in and we're carrying you, you're good. One of my most favorite things you do is get completely silent when you here your Uncle David sing Great Are You Lord. (All Sons and Daughters) You can go from an all out fit to tranquil silence at the first beat of the song. It's a pretty amazing thing to witness. 

A day in the life of Sydney (at one month)

You wake up for the day around 6:30 or 7:00am. We eat and cuddle. This is usually when you love to give out smiles when I talk to you. You usually fall back asleep by 8:00am. You wake up again between 10:00-11:00am to eat. This time you usually stay up for an hour or two. By 12:30-1:00pm you're usually eating again and then sleeping. 3:30-4:00ish...we're up and eating again. From here it varies from day to day. Sometimes you're up until our bedtime routine, sometimes you'll go to sleep again around 6:00, other times you take a few 30 minute naps. This is all probably dependent on if we're eating out or at home...or running errands. My greatest scheduling accomplishment this month is your bedtime routine. It's been working for 2 1/2 weeks straight! We usually start between 8:00-9:00pm. You take a bath (and scream) then get a full body massage of Aveeno calming lotion (which totally calms you) then we put your jammies on and eat. If you aren't already asleep at the end of eating, we sing lots of made up songs and rock until you're out. This whole process takes about an hour until you're in the pack n play. You will sleep anywhere from 5-6 hours now, which means we're only getting up with you once in the night. Somewhere around 3:30-4:00am we feed you and you usually always go right back to sleep. And then we start it all over again the next day. :)

I never knew how much my heart could grow by meeting you. I still can't believe I'm a mom, but I am loving every minute of this! You are by far my greatest accomplishment, Sydney Kate! I can't wait to see what all this next month will bring.