Elba's 6 Month Update

6 Months Old



I am going to just continue to say how much I enjoy every new month since Elba has become our third wheel. She is so much more giggly this month and excited. She is interactive and aware. She cuddles and also pushes away. When she wants something, we are going to hear about it, when she doesn't want something...she lets us know. She is becoming her own person every single day. She is incredibly aggressive and tough, if she bumps her head Zack and I are always cringing waiting for the meltdown but it never happens...she hardly every cries if she bumps her head or hurts herself, she is so tough! She will however cry if she is not being held by either Zack or myself if she is having a rough teething day. She will cry because her teeth that have been coming in since she was 3 months old have yet to break through. Teething has NOT been our favorite! I have loved the face grabbing and the affection though. She is so much  more aware of us and we grow more important to her each day. It is endearing when she reaches for us, when her cry changes to a giggle, when she makes her high pitched squeaks/shouts, and when she just wants to cuddle. I am loving this age. Not to say that it doesn't come with its battles, but aside from the craziness this has really been such a rewarding age. I never knew how much I could love someone else. It is a different kind of love & it is amazing!

Mama's Favorite Things

Watching her experience new things

Her little gasps when the wind blows

How she grabs my face and kisses me

When she attacks my face and giggles

When she grabs my hair and screams with excitement

When she hears Zack on the phone and reaches for the phone

I love when we are FaceTiming with Zack and she gets super excited

Watching her experience new foods

I love when she kicks, reaches, and giggles when she watches me put on the ergo

I love her high pitched squeaks

When she laughs at Zack and I

How she could be content all day if she was just outside

I love how she attacks my hands to teeth like a little monster

I love her smiles

Everything

Every month is more rewarding

Every single day is more exciting

I love everything about this girl

Elba's Quirks

Scratches

Growls...full on monster growls

Grabs faces for kisses

Grabs faces for attacking 

Always wants to be outside

Does not like being set down too much recently

Loves to be scared (she's dark)

Loves when we hide and pop out at her

Loves when we blow on her belly or neck

Attacks our limbs for teething purposes

Makes high pitched squeaking noises

Makes gasping noises when she is excited

Makes gasping noises to be funny and then continues to do it if we copy her

Loves the ergo carrier, she would prefer to be carried in it all day

Starting to get upset if we take something from her that she wanted

All sorts of aggressive

Throws things

Wants everything- reaches, grabs and steals

Super giggly- when she wants to be

Doesn't like when I have a towel on my head--scares her but cracks me up

Loves gnawing on leather, she has petrified one of her FP moccasins from sucking on it to death. She keeps trying to get her hands on my Lily Jade Diaper bag...not gonna happen!

Has decided she doesn't like to bottle feed anymore. KILLING ME. We are getting her back into it though!

Loves watching videos of herself...Elba loves Elba.

Loving sitting up on her own

Wants everything in her mouth

Loves looking around on our walks

She will kick, fling her arms around, and smiles when she sees the ergo carrier come out, she knows we are going for a walk outside! Her favorite.

Likes pulling leaves off of trees and bushes

When she doesn't want to be in the car seat she starts scratching and doing sit ups as if she is going to claw her way out

Starting to learn how to manipulate, we will be changing that haha

Loves FaceTiming with Daddy, makes her smile immediately

When she hears Daddy on the phone she tries grabbing the phone from me

Size (Diapers, Onesies, Etc.): Diapers size 3; Onesies 6-9 months; Shirts 6-12 months; Leggings 6-12 months & some 3 month ones; 3-6 month, 6 month and 9 month jammies!

Eyes: Olive green & gray/ hazel

Hair: Her hair is getting much longer! Especially on top and in the back! Her new hair is coming in much thicker too! It has lightened up so much since she was born. When she was born it was pitch black and now it is the same color as Zack's and mine.

Sleeping: Getting better. When she started teething she back tracked completely on our great sleep schedule. But things are looking up again, slowly but surely!

Eating: She isn't too into purees. She loves eating whatever I am eating off of my finger. She doesn't like avocado unless it is on my finger. I made sweet potato in my Vitamix and she seems to like that much better than bananas. She loves blueberry things. She loves experimenting with foods, but no purees that she continues to open her mouth for in excitement. We are getting there though. This past week has shown more promise!

Milestones: 

• Army crawling/ kinda crawling
• Getting up on all 4's to crawl
• Rolls like crazy
• Experimenting with solids every day
• Laughing
• Copying/mimicking
• Sitting up on her own
• Walking around like a crazy when I hold her hands
• Standing on her own if she is holding on to the couch or something else for a few moments
• Dropped the swaddle cold turkey around 5 months when she kept working her way out

XO Sydney

Hello Friends

Hello friends and awesome blog readers, I just wanted to take a moment to write a quick post for you guys. I have recently received a lot of emails with requests for certain kinds of posts. While I love posting about daily life, my baby girl, my family, beauty and all of that fun stuff I also love posting things that you are all really interested in seeing more of. Obviously I am not gonna start posting about things that do not interest me, but the fun part about having a blog is interacting with you all and building relationships with everyone. I have had so much fun connecting with other moms and moms-to-be that I also want you guys to introduce yourselves to one another. So here is what I want to do:

1. I have so many mommy followers that I thought it could be fun to come up with our own hashtag for instagram, that way we can all stalk each other and connect with one another. Let's start tagging #zdotsmoms. Take pictures of your littles, yourself, your daily routine, whatever it may be and tag the picture (remember I can only see it if your profile is public)! That way we can all connect with one another!

2. I want to HEAR from you. I have been LOVING the emails I have been getting. I am getting emails asking for advice, emails just to chat, and emails from moms sharing a bit about themselves with me. I love it! Have at it! I enjoy hearing from you. 

3. I want your requests. What do you want to see more of? Makeup, hair, fashion, every day life, videos, fitness, health, baby products, anything, you name it! I have gotten tons of requests recently for many of the above listed ideas so if you haven't let me know yet, I would love to hear from you!

4. Since starting my blog it has grown considerably and I often get questions through email from people who have been following along forever, but have yet to subscribe. I can't reach out to you lovely followers if I can't find ya! So do me a favor and if you have been following for a while or are a new follower! Subscribe! 

5. I have tons of posts planned guys. Things have been hectic but are slowly settling down. I have a whole list for you!

Talk to me in the comments below or even through instagram!

Instagram: Find me here!

XO Sydney

Things I Have Learned as a New Mom

Things I Have Learned as a New Mom:

Doing some reflecting before Mother's Day! I just wanted to talk about a few things that were on my mind. I haven't really had a chance to do so since my girl was born and I always feel like I am pushing all of my blog post ideas aside lately and thinking I will get around to it and never do. I have so many blog posts planned, just haven't found the right time to post them. I also really want to know what you guys love to read on here. I love incorporating my ideas with some requests every now and then, so if you have any requests, let me know! I have a few emails requesting more mommy things, more beauty things and even videos. How do you all feel about that? What are some fun things you guys prefer? Let me know in the comments below or in an email! You know that I always get back to all of you and love to chat with you all! 

Also, I've realized my google+ views are over 1 million views so I would love to know all of my followers. If you aren't already, do me a favor and follow along with email or any of the other options on the right hand side of my blog. I love seeing all of you guys pop-up on there! Makes interacting, writing, and blogging in general more fun when I can connect with you all! Moving on...

1. There is no right way to do anything.
 Do what feels right, I intentionally didn't over research during my pregnancy because I did not want to feel inadequate. Sometimes I feel like when you get too many opinions from a bunch of different people you stop trusting your instincts and don't go with your gut on anything. You start re-thinking all of those articles you read when you were pregnant. No mom needs to feel inadequate, trust your gut!

2. I am now ambidextrous.
Guys, I swear. Being a mom is pretty cool sometimes. You figure out you have all these super powers you didn't know you were capable of doing, like buttering toast with your left hand while holding your babe in your right arm.

3. Life does not revolve around me anymore.
Not saying this in an obnoxious way, but seriously, things change big time. It is a major adjustment being a mom. Oh, you have to pee? TOUGH. Baby needs to eat. Oh, you're hungry? BUMMER. Baby just had a major diaper blow out. Something as simple as showering requires a baby swing/jumper, a few good toys, some music and a clear shower curtain. Not even a shower can be relaxing with a new baby because you are busy shaving your legs and singing songs to keep little one occupied long enough to rinse out your conditioner.

4. I have become VERY forgetful. 
I have a great memory. I can remember dates and birthdays and I am great at memorizing things. Someone please explain to me why I can't find my phone half the time or where I put my keys. I have found it is most likely because I am more concerned about Sophie the Giraffe making it into the diaper bag and because I am wondering if I grabbed enough diapers before heading out the door. Shortly after my girl was born I started finding my phone in weird places. Zack found it in the fridge one time and another time in my mom's dresser drawer at her house...you just lose it. Every mom will tell you there is no hope, forget you ever had a memory. If I am the only one than you guys are impressive and I bow down to you.

5. I respect and appreciate all moms.
There are a BAJILLION other things that I have learned as a new mom and continue to learn as a mom every single day. However, the most important thing I think I have learned is moms are amazing. All moms. I respect and love all moms. Their love for their babies is unconditional and raw. A mother's love is so real and beautiful. I am grateful that I get to experience a love like this. As exhausting as it is to have all of my thoughts consumed by thoughts of my baby girl...I am so in love with her I wouldn't want to think about anything else. I never really realized how much I put myself first until I had a baby, but it feels so natural to give up that selfish side. Some days being a mom is easy other days it is difficult and you break down crying, but every single second is so worth it. I have a deep respect for other moms and think we all need a pat on the back, or a really really long massage because my back is jacked up from breast feeding and I can't move when I wake up in the morning, anyone else with me?

Happy Mother's Day to all of you gorgeous mommies out there. Whether you are reading this and are pregnant, a new mom or a mom to many little munchkins, you are all doing your best and you are all superheroes. 

XO Sydney 

4 Months Postpartum Update

4 Months Postpartum 

So this is just a really quick postpartum update! I am not dieting, just eating how I normally do, choosing healthy options but still eating pastas and carb-y things like that. I have tried cutting out those things before, but I just ended up with a decreased milk supply and felt hungry all the time. Breastfeeding is no joke...you turn into this like starving crazy person. We have started Elba on some oatmeal cereal. I gave it to her for the second time yesterday and she really seemed to like it. I think once she starts up on more solids I can start weaning her a little bit so I can have a little more time during the day to do anything instead of needing to pump or breastfeed a million times a day. Don't get me wrong, I love that I was able to breastfeed, some moms don't get that bonding experience and I am so grateful that I stuck with it through the mastitis. It is a learning curve for both baby and mom, but once you get the hang of it you really enjoy those times where it is just you and babe. However, I can't wait to get like 3 hours of my day back that is often spent pumping. I have no food in my freezer...it is filled with stored bags of milk so she will be set for the next 20 years. 

As for the way my body is looking and feeling...I am definitely seeing more progress and I think I will see more progress when I don't have to sit and feed her all of the time. Once she is more mobile and getting around on her own...I know I am going to miss hanging out on the couch and just spending time with her. I am still wider and still thicker through my hip area which I don't like, but like everyone says, it took you 9 months to grow a baby give yourself 9 months to get back to where you were. I think I am within like 3 pounds or something of where I was when I got pregnant, but it isn't the same weight distribution. I was leaner and more muscular before getting pregnant and weighed close to what I do now. I am still hanging onto some fat which is expected with breastfeeding so I am just being patient and working out when I can and choosing healthy options. I can't wait to get my diet back on track though. I usually prefer a lot of veggies in my diet, but she gets gassy with most vegetables...I have tried everything and she just has a sensitive tummy with a lot of the veggies I usually eat so for now just trying to maintain a well balanced diet, but not driving myself crazy about it!

Let me know if any of you guys are on a postpartum fitness journey! We can motivate each other! I would love to hear about how everyone is doing with their postpartum experience! Feel free to chat with me below...always love to hear from you.

XO Sydney

Modern Wrap: Mother of the Week

Modern Wrap 

Mother of the Week

Hello everyone! I was chosen to be Mother of the Week with Modern Wrap. This company chose 12 moms to model each of their wraps. I was chosen to model the "wine" colored wrap. As a "Mother of the Week" I was sent a wrap to model and a few questions to choose from and answer.

[[MWMotheroftheWeek]] Question 1: How have things changed between you and your husband/partner since you became a mother?

--Truthfully, a newborn puts a lot of stress on a marriage initially. Sleep deprivation is ugly on anyone! But then one day, we all just 'got' each other. It felt like overnight all three of us had it figured out...as much as any new parents could at least. Our relationship has changed for the better, we get to raise a baby together and watch her experience life. There is nothing better than watching him love our daughter & that father-daughter relationship is going to be amazing to watch develop. Having a daughter has made him a softer man with a bigger heart. Our relationship will always be different now because the way we love each other matters to someone else. Our relationship is deeper and tied together by our little babe. 

[[MWMotheroftheWeek]] Question 2: What has been the biggest surprise about motherhood?

--I think just how hard it is being a mother. I know all mothers will tell you it's the hardest job in the world, but you don't know it until you live it yourself. I think for the first few weeks I believed I was babysitting and someone was going to come and relieve me of this new 24/7 job. Given, I had mastitis for 6 weeks after birth and complications like that just add to the difficulty of a newborn, but still, being a mom is no joke! And then out of nowhere you get the hang of it and it's like you've been caring for this person all your life and you just get each other, that was another surprise of motherhood. Just out of nowhere clicking with my baby and even surprising myself with how much I love her. When someone else is holding her and she's crying and they ask, "what do you think she wants?" and I can respond immediately with, "she's tired", "she's gassy", "she's hungry", "she just wants to be close to me", or "she's trying to poop." I surprise myself! We can communicate through cries and coos. No words. Pretty crazy when you think about it. 

[[MWMotheroftheWeek]] Question 3: How did becoming a mother change you?

--This is a list that will continue to grow as I grow as a mother, but I've noticed I'm not "waiting" anymore. I'm not waiting for life to happen if that makes sense. Before my girl was born I waited for things like waiting to graduate college, waiting to get pregnant, waiting to move, waiting to have my baby... Then she was born and I just started taking things day-by-day and enjoying it. I think about the future and future plans every day, but I'm not waiting for big moments anymore. I'm just excited for them. Everyday has a big moment with our girl. A bigger smile, a giggle in her sleep, a look of happiness when she sees daddy after work. I feel fulfilled and feel like I have a purpose now. She looks at me like I'm just the greatest person in the world. She stares and I stare right back. I feel like I am capable of loving deeper because of her. 

These wraps are the softest, most light weight wraps I have ever used. I have multiple wraps from a few different brands/companies and these are by far the best ones I have ever used. I absolutely love mine. They have the cutest colors and patterns too, definitely worth checking them out!

I use my wraps for getting things done around the house, walking around, holding her close when she is feeling needy, and for some of her naps when I am out and about and don't want her crunched in her car seat all day. Baby wearing helps fussy babies that just want to be close to their momma's. Don't wait until they are are 3 months old either! I used mine the first day I brought her home from the hospital. Newborns cling to their mommas the first month and all they want is skin to skin contact and to feel and hear your heart beat again! If you are a momma-to-be definitely invest in one of their wraps. It is a lifesaver! My baby girl is super observant and loves the wrap because she can see everything and still be close to me.

You can use my personal promo code for my followers: SYDNEY15

Their shop here

Their instagram here 

This promo code will get you 15% off your purchase with Modern Wrap. They don't have just wraps either, take a peek at their nursing covers! This promo code is worth taking advantage of!

XO Sydney 

**I was sent all products free of charge, thank you for supporting the businesses that support our little fam**

Elba's 1 Month Update

1 Month Old

Elba turned one month old on Christmas day. They are right when they say it goes by quickly. This past month has been both the longest and quickest month of my life. Sleep deprivation made the days drag on yet every time I put her in her car seat she fits just a little bit better. The breast infection makes it feel like each day has no end yet I put her in her jammies and I have to shove her little fat thigh in the leg hole. I love watching her grow, but at the same time this miniature human that I grew for 9 months is now getting bigger and more aware. She has become so fun these last two weeks that it makes me sad to see her newborn clothes get more and more snug. I am starting to cherish the newborn cries and the 1AM wake-up calls where it is just the both of us. It is crazy to think that she is my first born and these moments are already going by in the blink of an eye. That being said, she is aware of my presence more than ever. When I speak she looks around for me. When I look at her she looks back at me. She has come to know me as her momma this past month and it is the most rewarding feeling in the world. I love every bit of my baby girl and I can't believe we are already 1 month down. 

Here are some quirks Elba has developed over the past month:

When I kiss her mouth really quickly she opens it really wide with a shocked face

When she needs to poop she makes the cutest little kissy face

Her stretches crack me up

She makes goat sounds in her sleep

She often makes sounds like the minions in 'Despicable Me'

She smiles at Zack and I

She must have the best dreams ever because she is always smiling in her sleep

She hates when I sit down with her, she wants me to be moving 24/7

Even though she hates when I sit, she loves to sleep on my chest

She loves sleeping on Zack's chest

She REFUSES to poop when she is swaddled...but the second I unswaddle her she gets really unclassy with her poops  

She loves her Wubbanub pacifiers and holds on to them tightly and can put them back in her mouth

She loves to projectile spit-up down my cleavage so I have a nice vomit smell to my chest all day

Some nights she wakes every 2 hours and other nights she will sleep between 4-6 hours 

She gets really aggressive when I breast feed her

She had her first bottle at 3 weeks 

She LOVES bath time

She sucks her thumb and index finger when she is in the bath, I think she feels like she is back in the womb

She loves loud noises when she sleeps and cannot sleep in silence 

She is most relaxed when we are having a busy day hopping in and out of the car 

She falls asleep when I am walking around with her in my arms doing things, she knows the difference between swaying back and forth and actually applying myself to my household duties...she likes to see me struggle with household chores and putting her to sleep at the same time

She is extremely strong 

She is either smiling during diaper changes or trying to kick the crap out of me

She is still in newborn diapers and newborn clothes

She hates the cold 

She is happiest when being in physical contact with someone else (she likes when my hand is on her face holding her pacifier in her mouth)

She loves sleeping with a "rain sound" app I have on my phone

She melts our hearts

XOXO Sydney 

Postpartum Update + Things I Did and Didn't Expect

Postpartum Update

Okay, so I have been planning on doing a postpartum update for weeks now and I have gotten around to it slowly. Newborns are so distracting ;) 

I knew mommy-hood would be hard, I just didn't realize how hard it would really be. I know what late nights are...my major in college was a bachelor of science in Biology/Chemistry. I thought to myself,  I know late nights...I mean finals week was hell, how much worse can it be? MUCH WORSE. There is nothing like sleep deprivation from taking care of a newborn. It is mentally and physically exhausting. Nothing can prepare you for the exhaustion you feel. Nothing can prepare you for the pain you feel when your milk comes in. Nothing can prepare you for the pain you feel after a vaginal birth. Nothing can prepare you for the pain you feel when you get a breast infection and breast feed through it. Nothing can prepare you for the frustration and sadness you feel when you think you are doing something wrong. NOTHING.

But...nothing could prepare me for the immense amount of love I would feel for this tiny human. She hasn't even had a conversation with me yet and I feel like I know every part of her. I feel like I am the only one that can really give her what she needs at the end of the day. I am who she looks to in order to survive, and although I may only be her food source right now and her comforter I know she will grow to know me as her momma. I cannot wait for the day when she looks at me and says "momma." 

All of this pain is worth it. I know that once I am past the sleep deprivation, the breast infection, the pain that comes with breast feeding in the beginning and the frustrations with thinking I'm doing it all wrong, I know the struggle will all be worth it in the end.

Here are some things I jotted down throughout my recovery process:

Things I DID expect

I knew I would fall in love with her the moment I met her

I planned to breast feed and expected sometimes that comes with complications

I knew I would have at least some recovering to do after a vaginal delivery

I knew I would want at least SOME help the first few weeks

I knew I would be living in granny panties (hate the word panties) and sweat pants for at least a week

I figured I would have at least SOME sleep deprivation

I have been around infants before, I have younger siblings, I thought I knew exactly what to expect

Things I DID NOT expect

I did not expect the amount of pain I would feel in my vagina after a vaginal delivery...yeah

My tailbone felt like someone took a bat to it for a week straight

Showering during that first week hurts everywhere...

I had night sweats...wake up drenched, night sweats

My hormones are all over the place

I did not expect to ice my vagina even after coming home from the hospital

I did not expect to look down at my vag and see stitches from tearing naturally during birth

I was pleased to put heating pads on my engorged boobs, I did not expect to blister from leaving them on for too long...but I did

I didn't think I would need to take a stool softener for weeks after birth

I wasn't aware of the lack of sleep you actually get, not because baby doesn't sleep, but because I am so concerned by every little sound she makes and I am constantly checking to make sure she is still breathing

CONSTIPATION

When I first began breastfeeding I was so engorged she couldn't latch correctly, my nipples bled for a week straight

I didn't expect to need to use a "nipple shield" during my first week of breast feeding

Breast feeding feels like knives and needles in the beginning and I would bawl through every feeding

I did not think I would get a breast infection

I didn't expect the first round of breast infection antibiotics to not work, only for the infection to get worse...

I did not expect to run a fever for days on and off with my infection...increasing my night sweats

I did not realize the size pads you need to wear for the amount of bleeding after birth

I did not think it would hurt to stand, sit, and sleep

Weight loss did not cross my mind after birth and I thought it would

I didn't anticipate just how much I would need my own mom

There are countless more things I did not expect and there is something new every day. This is a crazy journey and nothing can prepare you for it. No advice can prepare you for what you are going to feel and experience.

She is now my primary concern and my needs come after her needs are met. I sit on the couch some days starving because she is on my boob all day, but her needs have to be met before my own and even though it is frustrating when some days I would really just like to eat my breakfast and shower it comes naturally to care for her first and take care of my needs second. For now, I am just trying to soak up her tiny-ness, appreciate her cuddles and try not to hang myself every time she has a huge poop blow-out in her diaper for the third time that day. I love when she sleeps on my chest and when she smiles in her sleep and when she escapes her swaddle. I just want to try my best every day to bask in the newborn stage because I understand it is fleeting. 

I love you my sweet Elba girl.

Momma will always be here for you.

I am going to be doing more detailed postpartum updates once I am closer to being 6 weeks postpartum and can talk about work outs and diet and my 6 week check up, but I will be doing her monthly updates!

XOXO Sydney