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

You! Lingerie Giveaway

You! Lingerie Giveaway

[CLOSED]

Another giveaway! This will be my second giveaway with You! Lingerie. The first one was so fun and everyone really seemed to love it, so why not have another go at it? 

Check out the shop!

You! Lingerie

If you are a nursing mommy or pregnant, check out You! Lingerie, go see what catches your eye! They have a gorgeous selection of yummy colored bras...from candy colored lace to pastel pretties! They also have the coziest nursing tanks for moms (like in the first picture above). The one I am wearing is called the Sydney Tank! You can find that exact one here! 

I am also wearing the Anastasia Maternity & Nursing Bra! Nice thing about these bras? They have a huge selection of sizes. Mommas know about jumping a few hundred cup sizes! Plus, they're pretty gorgeous, right? 

All bras, tanks and chemises have the signature pink bow!

Winner will receive a $60 gift card to pick out any products from their website.

How to Enter:

[+] Follow both Instagram accounts @sydneysedillo and @You_Lingerie

[+] Follow my blog

 (right hand side of my blog---enter your email or follow along with Google+, Blogger, or Bloglovin')

[+] Tag your favorite mommas or mommas-to-be who would also love to win!

Want to increase your chances?

[+] Repost image on my instagram for an extra entry and tag #SydneyYLgiveaway or comment on my blog at the bottom of this post saying why you would love to win!

Good luck you lovely ladies!

Giveaway will end Tuesday night!!!

WINNER

@happygirl_alli

Check out the shop!

You! Lingerie

XO Sydney 

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

Elba's 3 Month Update

3 Months Old

This month has been the most fun I have had with her. She is getting her little personality now and it is funny to watch it develop. She is super stubborn and she knows what she wants when she wants it. She is very demanding and controlling for a mini person. She has been super needy these past 2 weeks because she is teething (poor lil girl).

Momma's Favorite Things 

Ummm besides everything?!?

Still love bringing her into bed with me in the morning

I love that she smiles in response to people talking to her

I love her mini giggles

I love how cuddly she is

I love that she mimics my faces now, if I stick out my tongue a bunch she starts doing it

I love going on walks and watching her look at everything 

I love how chatty she is after the bath

Everything...there is way too much to list, she is my best little mini friend and I love every single second with her

I love her gray eyes right now, I am sure they are still in the process of changing, but they are so pretty and fun to look at

Elba's Quirks

Still loving her bath time as always, it can calm her down immediately

She has preferred breastfeeding to the bottle this past week because she is in pain from teething and just wants to be close

She has rolled over on her own multiple times 

My mom introduced her to Barney, I suppose it was about time since I loved Barney when I was a baby, sadly, Barney was the first to make her giggle multiple times in a row. I've gotta get me a giant purple costume...

She is so CHATTY

When she is being stubborn she tries not to smile and does this half smile half scowl face, gets me every time

She has finally started to tolerate her little swing seat, which frees up my hands for a few minutes during the day

She is so observant on our walks, she just turns her head back and forth to see everything

She has figured out how to avoid motrin and gas drops...just hold mouth shut super tight and shake head back and forth (I can tell her teenage years are gonna be a dream)

My poor girl has two little teeth coming in, she cut a tooth on the bottom and has one about to break through the gums on the top off to the side a bit...breaks my heart

Loves shoving her hands in her mouth (alleviates teething pain) 

Hands in mouth means lots of drool!

Her favorite teething tool is when I wrap my finger in a burp rag and let her suck on my finger

We had multiple bouts of projectile spitting up this month, she kinda goes through phases with this

She is wearing her 3M clothes & slowly transitioning into her 3-6MO jammies (breaks my heart!)

She sleeps through the night and has been doing so for over a month and a half I would say, she goes to bed anywhere between 9:30-12 (depending on the night), but usually around 10:30-11PM and sleeps in until about 5-7AM...it ranges, she has been slowly going to bed closer to 10PM so we are just transitioning her slowly!

Loves lights still

Wants to be held facing out most of the time unless she is tired

She loves her Daddy!

Would rather be outside than inside

Loves stroller walks and baby carrier walks

She hasn't really needed a bottle of pumped milk after breastfeeding anymore, instead I am just producing like a crazy person and way more than she needs

She makes a fish face and starts making sucking sounds when she is hungry

There are so many things she has started doing and she is growing so quickly. Every day is more fun and I love every second I have with her, I just wish it wasn't going by so quickly!!!

If anyone was curious her romper was sent to us by Katie, owner of Bert&Bear for a bit of a trial run! She is adding these rompers to her shop in March, the best for chunky babes ;)

Her etsy shop here

Little Elba, Mommy and Daddy love you so much and love every second of watching you grow. You have made our lives so perfect. I am so lucky I get to be your Momma!

XO Sydney

Elba's 2 Month Update

2 Months Old 

Momma's Favorite Things

I love falling back asleep with her in the morning

I love watching her smile in her sleep

Holding her close on our walks is my favorite

I love watching her experience new things

Uhh she might really like candy canes...how would I know that...?

Kissing her little baby feet

Watching her leg rolls grow each day

Pulling the lint out of her chubby little neck and between her fingers

I love that she still falls asleep on my chest & prefers to sleep there

If we fall asleep together she knows when I get up and wakes up immediately to give me a dirty look

I love her little sneezes

I love how she coos and smiles at Zack and I

Elba's Quirks 

She loves her bath time and tries to completely submerge herself

She now grabs my boob when she is eating and angrily

Her favorite time to chat it up is when she is laying on the bed on her back

She started coo-ing shortly after her 1 month update

When I kiss her little mouth she opens up really wide and coos

She completely turns her neck around like an owl to see Zack when she hears his voice

She stares at Zack when he comes home from work

She is super snacky at night and just wants to be close to momma

She loves being outside, we go on a walk every day and she just looks at everything (I make sure to tell her what she is looking at, even if she doesn't understand right now)

She doesn't like when I don't hold her

She enjoys laying on her back

After a bottle she is sometimes still not satisfied and just wants to be close to momma and wants to breast feed even if just for a second

She loves car rides (even 4 hour long ones!)

She loves her stroller & prefers to go on really bumpy stroller rides

She loves the mirror and is so entertained watching our faces 

She stares at lights, loves them!

She is in her 0-3MO clothing with some newborn clothes still incorporated

When Zack calls and he is on speaker phone her eyes get really wide and she looks around for him

She loves to suck on her hand and fingers leaving mommy with tons of drool on her shirt

She turns her head all around to who she wants to see and is very aware of who is talking

She loves being outside

She is sleeping 5-7 hours through the night, yay for mom!

Mommy and Daddy love you baby girl!

XOXO Sydney 

Postpartum Must Haves

A Few Postpartum Must Haves

Here are a very FEW of my postpartum must haves. I will do a more extensive post for what mom needs postpartum soon, I am still experimenting with things and finding my favorites that I want to share with you all. For starters, here are a few items that will save both mom and babe!

Bibs: I use Aden & Anais bibs and Tommee Tippee bibs. I have a very spit-up prone babe and by spit up I mean projectile vomit...If you have a baby that easily gets an upset stomach, I suggest using bibs even before the solid food stage. It has saved me numerous outfit changes, you can only change a onesie so many times within 15 minutes before loosing your mind.

Bottles: I use the Tommee Tippee bottles for my little one. I researched bottles before giving birth to her and found these ones work really well for babies with sensitive tummies. I did not know if my baby was going to have a sensitive tummy or not, but I would have hated to experiment and have to make the switch so I just started her off with these ones and for now they do the trick!

Pacifiers: More specifically, Wubbanub pacifiers...these things will save you from spending hours looking under the couch and under the bed for your baby's pacifier. When my brother was born the hospital would give you the blue pacifier and I can't tell you how many of those things my mom had to stock up on. The little stuffed animal attached to the pacifier on the Wubbanub pacifiers prevents the need for stocking up. However, I did stock up anyway because the different animals are just too cute. They stay put on baby too and allow them to hold onto them and even put the pacifier back in their mouth.

Diaper Rash Cream: Those diaper rashes sneak up on you! You don't want your babe to suffer when they have one so it is best to always have it on hand. I use Bourdeaux's Butt Paste and The Honest Company diaper rash cream.

Burp rags:  I have an assortment of burp rags...and a lot of them, yet I still feel like I never have enough. My favorite ones to use are the muslin plain white burp rags, the Aden & Anais burp rags that convert into a bib and the cloth diaper squares, not the inserts. I use all of these and love all of them. Use these things like crazy.

Ergobaby: If you are going to get any kind of "wrap" I think I suggest getting the ergobaby. It is the most versatile and your baby can grow with it. Dad also doesn't feel girly using the ergo. The ergo has pockets and zippers and a head cover and can be worn multiple ways. Don't get me wrong, I use the cloth wraps every day also, but if you are only looking to get one baby carrier I would get the ergo. Unless you're like me and have 3 or more wraps and use them all....then get them all!

Lanolin: I use the Medela lanolin, but I have heard good things about the Lansinoh lanolin also! During the first month of breast feeding lather your poor nips in this stuff. I was a changed person after using it and purchased it way too late down the road. I could've saved my bleeding nipples way in advance!

Swaddle Blankets: I have the swaddle wrap things that are basically made ready like an easy pre-swaddle, but I prefer the old fashioned way...the way my mom always did it with my brothers and the way they do it in the hospital. I like to use 'receiving blankets' with a little bit of stretch in them and swaddle her super tight. They startle easily when they are so young and like to feel secure. My little girly loves to be swaddled and the tighter I swaddle her the longer she sleeps! I have the Aden & Anais swaddle blankets, but they are almost too thin and don't keep her warm. We use those for other things instead, but a lot of people love them so that is another option if you like the muslin material.

Baby Gas Relief: Just get it in advance because you are going to need it at some point. My girl was gassy immediately after coming home from the hospital and it took about a week for me to figure that out. She would get angry and fussy after eating. A lot of that is due to the fact that she would suck in a bunch of air when she was having trouble sucking because of clogged ducts and infections. She still gets gassy and I use the drops multiple times a day. Imagine how painful it is for us as adults to have bad gas pains and then imagine how difficult and painful it must be for such a little human...I try to give her them before eating sometimes too as well as after feeding...especially if she is having an upset tummy day.

Breast Milk Storage Bags: Once you start pumping these things will save you room in your freezer. They are also easy to grab and take on the go. They are not too big of bags that they take forever to defrost either. They are worth the money and it is easy to number and date the bags to know which ones to use and when. I love having bags of breast milk stored away for baby girl. Some weeks she has a growth spurt and is especially hungry and it may take a day for my supply to catch up with her so having breast milk on back up is always a plus for her and I!

These are just a very few items among a very long list of what mom and baby need postpartum, but if I was going to start a mom off I would say this is a good place to start!

Feel free to let me know some of your favorite baby items. I always love hearing about other products!

XOXO Sydney 

Our Baby Girl is Here!

Okay, so I know that I didn't do pregnancy updates for weeks 39 and 40, but I can't really do an update for week 40 since I went into labor on her exact due date and was only 40 weeks pregnant for less than 24 hours. The 39 week pregnant update will not be happening, mostly because I just was not in the mood. I was so over being pregnant by week 39 that the bump updates were almost starting to get depressing haha.

My Birth Story

When I first got pregnant I was going on blog stalking rampages reading all about other people's pregnancy and how their birth went. I really liked reading the labor and delivery stories because I really had no idea what to expect. I really loved reading the posts all about how some women were in labor for days and didn't know it or just the opposite, their water breaks and they rush off to the hospital. Everyone's pregnancy and delivery experiences are different. I thought I would share mine with everyone, for myself and for my family to remember and for anyone interested! 

Okay, so I had been super upset since week 37 that my little love had yet to arrive! My mom went into labor early with all of her pregnancies so I just assumed that the same would likely happen to me...not the case. I know that she was still baking and staying healthy inside her cozy little home, but the impatient side of me wanted to meet my baby girl. I felt like I had been pregnant my entire life and by the end of pregnancy, every day begins to feel like the longest day of your life. You are anxious and excited and just want to meet the little human you have been growing for over 9 months. Everyone started having their babies and I was discouraged and bummed that I had not yet met mine because I thought I would have to be induced. I had read tons of first time mommies needing to be induced and my pregnancy hormones took charge every day that she didn't come and I would cry thinking I wouldn't go into labor on my own. I wanted to experience the Oh my gosh this is it moment when you realize you are just hours away from meeting your little baby. Well, each week passed and eventually I began to accept she would come when she is ready. Despite many efforts to try and get her here on my own. PS...castor oil is a lie. Everyone told me it wouldn't work, so naturally I took nobody's advice and tried it anyway. It didn't work and I spent a great deal of time in the bathroom. Of course, I am the most brilliant person on the planet and chose to drink castor oil hours after having Zack make me a Cayenne Pepper water bottle drink. So I downed the spicy cayenne pepper drink & then thought, oh hey, let's go get some castor oil? I am an idiot. This castor oil fiasco was all during week 38 I believe. I gave up all efforts during week 39 except sex and walking & even those things didn't work. By the end of week 39 I was over it and just excited for Thanksgiving. 

My mom's boyfriend is an amazing cook and had planned our Thanksgiving dinner weeks in advance. I was excited to spend time with family and just eat and be around people I loved. Zack's parents were planning on coming over and sharing the holiday with my family and we were all going to stuff our faces. So the night before Thanksgiving, the 26th, my mom and I went and got our nails done after Zack and I helped her at her store for most of the afternoon...we went to get our nails done pretty late in the evening, around 6:30PM and Zack went over to my mom's to hang out with my brother and my mom's boyfriend while my mom and I did our nails and some last minute Thanksgiving shopping. The man who did my nails was a complete asshole & thought I was going to go into labor right then and there. He was disgusted by the fact that I was basically 40 weeks pregnant and getting my nails done. I think he thought my water was going to break right there haha. So we finished our nails, ran to pier 1, and then ran back to my mom's house to set the table for Thanksgiving. Zack and I finished up helping my mom set the table while her boyfriend started on the food. Zack and I went home and went to bed immediately. 

We woke up on Thanksgiving morning hanky pankied and hung out in bed before getting up and getting ready for the day (sorry I have to be honest for memories sake haha, who knows if that helped jump start labor). We got up, Zack let our dog out to go to the bathroom and while he was taking him out I slowly started feeling like I had period cramps. I ignored them and figured it was just braxton hicks which happens after sex and walking and tried ignoring it...I mean who really goes into labor on their due date...? I tried making coffee and would have to stop every five minutes and hold my stomach for about 30 seconds because the cramping was so bad. I was still in denial, but after this happened for about 25 minutes I texted my mom. She said, I think you're going into labor. I was in denial, I had big plans to eat that day and definitely didn't think she would show up on her due date. So my mom texted my doctor as I went on a walk with Zack and our pup to see if the contractions subsided. They didn't and they were about 2-3 minutes apart lasting about 45 seconds. I had showered before the walk, came back to the house...put on a little make-up to try and buy time and see if they subsided and they didn't. My doctor suggested we go to the hospital. Zack and I brought our dog over to my moms and by this point I was not even able to breathe during the contractions and I felt terrible back pain. We drove up to the hospital and I was checked for dilation. I was still only 2-3 cm, which was no different from my last doctor's visit that Monday. They gave me a gown to walk around the hospital for a bit to get thing progressing. Well I didn't do any high speed walking and even walking slowly was too painful so I ate in the cafeteria really quickly, as much as I could stomach and walked around a bit more with Zack and my mom and then went to get checked for dilation again. At this point, I almost felt my contractions were coming on less frequent and I felt I would be sent home. Turned out I was still only 2-3 cm dilated and so I was sent home. There was some traffic because it was Thanksgiving so it took us around 20-25 minutes to get home. I was home for 5 minutes and in the downward dog position on the couch to try to get her to flip her back away from my back. I was having back labor because she was posterior and every contraction made me feel like throwing up. After about 5 minutes in this position and sitting on the couch with Zack...we heard a pop and then I felt like I started my period. MY WATER BROKE! Then the pain got serious. I felt like my tailbone was going to fall off. I was bawling! Zack ran upstairs to grab my mom and we got ready to go back to the hospital. I was so bummed because I thought I would definitely go into labor within the next 24 hours, but I thought I'd get some Thanksgving dinner first haha! 

We got to the hospital and I was crying. My contractions were much stronger and the back labor was MURDERING me. I was bummed about that because I spent my entire pregnancy getting her into the correct position to avoid back labor, looks like it didn't work! They admitted me again, saw I was in pain and put me straight into the labor and delivery room. They tested to see if the fluid was my water that broke and it had been. I was in a trance at this stage. My eyes were closed for the next two hours as I was trying to get in a position that didn't hurt. This was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. For anyone who said they are like bad period cramps must've not had back labor. I finally chose a rocking chair to sit in and would rock back and forth and I didn't scream or freeze up during my contractions I would just breathe super heavily and try to think about breathing instead. I took Bradley classes so I did not get the breathing training that some moms get, but it came naturally at the time...so I don't think you really need breathing training! 

Throughout my entire pregnancy I always said whatever happens, happens. Of course I had certain concerns like, obviously I didn't want an Internal fetal monitor and like many moms I wanted to make sure I could avoid a C-section. I know life happens and I didn't want to be too dead set on anything. I knew I wanted a vaginal birth and I wanted to experience labor, but I was more than open to getting an epidural throughout my whole pregnancy. 

After about 2-2.5 hours of laboring in pain in the rocking chair I couldn't do it anymore. I was exhausted and crying and in so much pain. I wanted an epidural. I got the epidural and felt like a new person. I was still able to move my legs and I had a button to push with the option of adding more pain killers to the medication. I never touched the button because I didn't want to be drugged out, I just wanted some back relief. I was still able to feel contractions and knew when I was having them...I just wasn't in excruciating pain anymore. I wouldn't trade the decision I made to get an epidural for anything. I was able to move my legs, feel contractions, everything. I was so happy I chose to do it. 

During labor I had been checked pretty early on and had dilated to 4cm. They checked me late at night, I don't remember what time and I remember them saying okay you're 10cm. I was like WHAT?!?! Really?!?! Shortly after we got everything set up to start pushing and I only pushed for about 20-25 minutes and she was here. I was looking at the clock in between every push trying to make it before midnight...if I was gonna go into labor on my due date I wanted to have her on my due date! 

Elba Rose Sedillo

Born November 27, 2014

at 11:52PM

weighing 6 pounds 7 ounces

measuring 18 1/2 inches long

Our perfect daughter