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.

My Birth Story...

I know I am going to be in the minority (only one?) when I say I wanted to have a C-Section. As a matter of fact, I mentioned this to my doctor very early on in my pregnancy and she thought I was crazy. We continued to visit this topic as the weeks went on, but I could tell she was politely steering me away from this "birth plan." So at about 28-30 weeks I accepted the fact that I would be having this baby the regular way. Part of my negotiation for no c-section was that we could induce. I'm a major planner and I just needed to have this mapped out contrary to everyone telling me there's no way you can plan it out, I was determined.

Fast Forward. July 12th. Pre-Induction Day. My mom and dad drove down for Sydney Kate's big day! We met them at our favorite Babe's Chicken House for dinner and then came home to get our bags. We checked into the hospital around 8:00pm. We didn't waste anytime getting started. I was at a one when I arrived, so we went ahead and started a medicine that would soften my cervix so that we could start Pitocin in the morning. Coincidently, Knocked Up was one the TV, so we watched that and waited. :)

We were only about 2 hours into this process when it got fun. Apparently, my little girl wasn't a fan of the medicine. (I'd like to argue, she wasn't a fan of me laying on my side aka ribs she dislocated!) Here I thought our super nice nurse just loved us (or Seymore's jokes) and that's why she kept coming in. It really didn't hit me anything was wrong until the head nurse would rush in while my nurse was tending to me. Long story short...I spent the next 9 hours flipping from side to side to my back, with oxygen/ without oxygen ALL. NIGHT. LONG! Somewhere in there they started the Pitocin (I think around 4:00am) but same story. Her little heart rate would drop when I had a contraction. Not every one, but every few- which of course was concerning. My doctor came in at 7:00am to break my water. Funny. (not really) She broke it, and nothing really came out. Secretly, I was excited to feel this sensation, but I was robbed of the gush of water. They said maybe she was blocking it. (Come to find out there was hardly any amniotic fluid left. Miracle #178 that she made it safely) Around 9:00am, they checked me and I was at a 4. Whoo hoo! The nurse asked me the usual rate my pain level question..so I let her know I'm the kind of girl who takes 4 Advil the night before I start my period so that I don't have to feel cramps. Ever. So this was definitely a 12. It wasn't screaming, pulling my husbands arm off painful...just really bad cramps. So naturally, I said I want the epidural! The Anesthesiologist was in surgery so I had to wait on him...45 minutes. That didn't hurt either. I remember sitting on the side of the bed, the nurse standing in front of me and Seymore's head peeking around to see my face. It was a little poke and a cold sensation running through my back. Again, nothing like what I expected from watching 325 episodes of The Baby Story. That man was my hero, because after that I got so sleepy and wasn't feeling the contractions anymore. I rested my eyes, assuming we'd have some down time for a while since I was only at a 4. My dad went to get his oil changed, Seymore went to quadruple check that the car seat was installed properly and my mom was hanging out, updating everyone on her phone. And then my doctor walked in like 10 minutes later. I forget all the small talk...until she said these magically words "Looks like you're going to get your wish, I think it might be best to do the C- Section" It took me a second to make sure I heard her right, I'm pretty sure my mom thought she was joking by the look on her face. I was so relieved! 1. I could get this over with ASAP  2. I could eat again soon  3. (and most importantly) we could get my baby out safely! I asked her when and she said now. So...my mom called my husband who had just made it to the parking garage and my dad who had just gotten to the dealership and said its time. Seymore got into his fancy outfit and they rolled me down around 11:00am. I wasn't the slightest bit nervous or scared, I'm not really sure why since this was major surgery, but I never was. My doctor even joked that Seymore was more nervous than me...sure enough he was- when he came behind the curtain his hands were a sweaty mess! I never felt a pull, tug or anything uncomfortable the entire time. I watched the digital clock on the wall when I could hear they were close and it was totally 11:11 (which I thought we would be so cool...11:11, make a wish??) 11:11 and 52 seconds to be exact when I heard her scream but they said 11:12am, so that's her official time of birth.

Sydney Kate

11:12am

7lbs 4 oz

18 1/2 inches

Seymore got to cut the cord which was really cool. He stayed with her and took pictures while they put me back together. 20 minutes later, I had her on my chest and we were being wheeled back to our room.

Time seemed to fly by from here. I fed her and let her lay on my chest for a while...my mom, dad and Seymore held her some more and then they took her to the nursery to be cleaned up. I (of course) was starving and asked if I could eat. They brought me some Jello, Chicken Broth and Apple Juice...you would've thought that was my favorite meal! I was SO hungry. While she was getting cleaned up, I was taken to our new room where we'd stay the rest of the time. I was already requesting to get up and walk around. Pretty sure that nurse thought I was crazy too. She laughed and asked if I could even feel my legs...to which I responded that I could. :) But she said I had to wait 12 hours before they'd even attempt it. Lame. Sydney came back to the room around 2:00pm and we all just admired her beauty for the next few hours.

 Around 6:00pm her pediatrician came through to check her out. She was perfect. Minus the fact that he wanted to retest her Bilirubin levels. He thought it had to be a mistake because they were at a 19. He thought maybe they missed the decimal and it was 1.9. I wasn't worried. Pretty much every baby I knew had jaundice and we'd probably just have to put her in front of the window. Well, not so fast...the retest came back around 10:00 and they were at a 17. The nurses came in and took her down to the NICU to go under the lights. Immediately following the Neonatal Doctor came in with papers I needed to sign. She said that they need consent to do a blood transfusion on our little girl and we didn't have a lot of time. If she didn't get this done asap, she would more than likely be brain damaged for the rest of her life. I think I was in complete shock. As was Seymore. I kept looking over at him and we just stared at each other trying to process what she was saying. I quickly signed the papers and she took off. Thank goodness our nurse stayed with us for a little while longer and explained the process a little more in-depth. Our blood types are different. She got her daddy's blood type which I guess caused my red blood cells to actually kill off her red blood cells. This was the only way to stop it. I still don't understand if this was a separate issue or if its what caused her Bilirubin levels to escalade. To be honest, I was trying so hard to hold back the tears and all I wanted was to call my mom..so I just needed this nurse to leave. Finally, I got a hold of my mom and explained the situation. We immediately started praying and started the chain to have people all over praying for Sydney as well. I was determined to get up and walk around because I knew as soon as the transfusion was over, we could see her and I was not going to be pinned down to a bed! Around 7:00am, the nurse came and got us and we went down to see our baby. It was tough to see her like this, but we knew she needed us to be there with her as much as possible. 

She wasn't able to get the full transfusion because her platelet levels dropped form 150,000 to 32,000! This caused us to have to do a brain scan to make sure that didn't cause bleeding on her brain. (Did I mention, this isn't the best case scenario for her worry wart mama!) Praise the Lord, her brain was fine! We ended up having to do a big fancy word that meant bond her new blood to her old blood so the red blood cells and platelets could start multiplying. It wasn't until about day 2 that we knew she would be ok. No talks of brain damage or other life long problems. It was just a game of "fighting fires" as her nurse called it, until we were in the clear with her Bilirubin levels. The doctors and nurses in the NICU were amazing! They did a great job of keeping us up to date on every step of the process. 

Each day my brave little girl made more and more progress! She was such a little fighter. She spent 8 days in NICU before finally getting to come home. We got to room in with her the night before just to make sure everything was A-Ok before having her at home. Ever since leaving the hospital, she's been great! Bilirubin levels were never an issue again and there were no complications with her new blood. We finally got a clean bill of health at her one month appointment! What a rough way to enter a new world, but she's been completely unfazed by it all! It's like it never happened! (Well, until you see the hospital claims coming in, then it brings back all the memories. lol. I play, I play.) We love you baby girl!!!

39 Weeks

How far along? 39 weeks. 3 Days

Baby size: Watermelon  (21-22 inches long and 7 1/2 pounds)

Weight gain: Final weight gain recorded, 24 pounds! I'm pretty happy about that. :)

Maternity clothes: Tanks and shorts all week...and swimsuits 

Stretch marks: After thorough inspection, I still don't see any. We'll see about this AFTER this baby comes out.

Exercise: Swimming count?

Sleep: Sleeping great! Napping daily

Gender: Girl

Movement: Yes

Wedding Ring: Real one off, Fake one on

Looking forward to:  Meeting YOU, Sydney Kate! 

What I miss: I'm pretty content with life this week...just soaking it all in

Food cravings: None. 

Best moment this week: I'm going to go ahead and say the moment we see you will be the best moment ever this week! We are so excited to see your little face. Both sides of the family are taking bets on who's genes will win. Both sides are VERY dominant. Until then...me and Sey are just enjoying every single second of it just being the two of us. :)

38 Weeks

How far along? 38 weeks. 1 Day

Baby size: Pumpkin  (21-22 inches long and 7 pounds)

Weight gain: 23 pounds

Maternity clothes: Yes...with some of my regular clothes mixed in

Stretch marks: No...but I've heard they come AFTER the baby. Ugh.

Exercise: Ha!

Sleep: We're still slumbering on the couch. I tried my bed one night and didn't sleep well...so back to the living room we go. 

Gender: Girl

Movement: Yes, but she's running out of room I guess because not feeling her as much anymore

Wedding Ring: Real one off, Fake one on

Looking forward to:  Summer Vacation. Starts at 3:00 today! 

What I miss: Laying out at the pool all day instead of working. 

Food cravings: Pretty much stuck to my regular food this whole pregnancy. 

Best moment this week: Well let's see...we've picked a Daycare for SK, I found out yesterday that she will either be here July 9th or 13th (we'll decide for sure on Tuesday!) 4th of July weekend, did I mention I'm officially on maternity leave until October at 3:00 today???

37 weeks

How far along? 37 weeks

Baby size: Winter Melon  (21-22 inches long and 6 1/2 - 7 pounds)

Weight gain: 23 pounds

Maternity clothes: Yes...with some of my regular clothes mixed in

Stretch marks: No

Exercise: Ha!

Sleep: I've slept great the last week...me and the hubs have been having slumber parties every night

Gender: Girl

Movement: Oh yeah....just need her to move DOWN now

Wedding Ring: Real one off, Fake one on

Looking forward to:  3:20...Monday-Friday :)

What I miss: Laying out at the pool all day instead of working

Food cravings: I've been craving some Dr Pepper like no ones business

Best moment this week: Late birthday dinner last night at Pappasito's with all my people! We always have the best time!