Sienna June 3 months

three months

Sienna June is 3 months old! She has changed so much this month and I love how she is becoming more alert. She is still in size 1 diapers and wearing 0-3 month clothes, although we are growing out of those slowly but surely.

Weight: I am guessing almost 12lbs now, but not sure!

Height: 23.5 inches @ 2 months
Sienna is still wearing her hip braces, although when we do take them off we notice a difference in her legs so we are hoping that means they are healing! She has a few more weeks left in the brace until we go in for a follow up. Crossing our fingers we don't need additional treatment.

LOVES
smiling at people talking to her, her wubby binky, her caterpillar, facing out when holding her, sitting up more, waking up to mom and dad with hueg smiles, and getting her diaper changed. 

HATES

being gassy, being tired but not asleep, and apparently her 3 month photo shoot which had to be rescheduled because she screamed the whole time.

EAT

I am still exclusively pumping and she is bottle fed with breast milk. She takes 3-4 ounces depending on how long she slept before the feeding.  She needs a few burps each feeding. When she sleeps through the night she will wake up and take 5-6 ounces!

SLEEP

Sienna is such a good little sleeper.  Typically she goes to sleep at 7:30 and wakes up around 3 or 4AM for a bottle and back to bed. This month she has slept through the night 3 times! She is sleeping in her crib now, I cannot even believe it. She is doing so good! We still keep the snuggle nest in the crib but are working on phasing that out as well. When she takes naps at her babysitters she sleeps in her bassinet without being swaddled. We still swaddle her at night though and keep her sound machine on. 

PLAY

She likes tummy time, but only for short amounts of time. She likes to sit in her bouncy chair and swing and is starting to look at that animals hanging from it.  She is grabbing her toy caterpillar and likes to move it around. She is doing lots of activities with our awesome babysitter as well. 

Sienna June

This month was so special and so hard. I went back to work and was so sad to not be with you every day, but I am so happy to know you are in the best hands and getting loves from other sweet babies and your babysitter. You've done so good there and it has made my mommy heart so happy. I love the awake time with you, the smiles when I come get you in the morning, and the coos and noises you make. I cannot believe how big you have gotten, it is breaking my heart! You are such a sweet and easy baby. You are strong and so beautiful. I am so glad to be your mommy and can't wait for more adventures with you. 

 I love you forever and always, no matter what. 

Jesus is good enough

I love her so much. 

This is hard. 

She is perfect. 

Am I doing this right?

I wish I was breastfeeding. 

I am so glad we have found something that works for her and our family. 

Am I holding her enough?

I'm not good at being a stay at home mom. 

All I do is pump. 

I'm so glad she's getting my milk. 

Yes Netflix, I'm still watching. 

Is she going to be okay?

I miss my job. 

I'm so sad I miss my job. 

Am I taking this time for granted? 

I wish my husband was here. 

I never want to forget these moments. 

Do I have hobbies?

I can't wait to see her grow. 

Will she know how much I love her? 

I love being a mommy. 

Am I doing good enough? 

So many thoughts, so many feelings and questions with one very overwhelming thought. 

I need more Jesus. 

This season is so good. It is so good for me to be challenged by these thoughts and find out how much I truly NEED Jesus. This is tough and eye opening and I pray that through this last month of being home with my sweet angel baby that I soak in all these snuggles and moments that I'll never get back and that ultimately I draw closer to God. 

It is so easy for the devil to attack new moms and make them feel like they aren't good enough. And some days it is hard to not believe those lies, but I am. I am good enough, I am loved, I am made to be right here where I am right now. This season of growth and learning more about myself as a woman, wife, friend, and mother. 

Jesus I want more of you. I need more of you.  Thank you for this beautiful life.




written at 7 weeks postpartum

sienna june-- 2 months

two months

My girl is 2 months old! She has changed so much this month and I love how she is becoming more alert. She is still in size 1 diapers and wearing 0-3 month clothes. Her newborn clothes are officially too small.

Weight: 10lbs 12oz

Height: 23.5 inches
We had to follow up with an orthopedic pediatrician because Sienna's hip ultrasound came back with abnormalities on the right side. Turns out she had mild hip dysplasia in both hips caused from being breech. Her hips are underdeveloped and shallow. She is in hip braces for 7 weeks, 23 hours a day. She doesn't seem phased by them at all! We follow up in May to hopefully see great results.

LOVES

moving!!! family walks, her wubanub binky even if not in her mouth she likes it by her face, being swaddled, sleeping with her sound machine, smiling at mommy and daddy, her new swing. 

HATES

being overstimulated, she has cried a few times and we couldn't figure out why until we laid her down and she passed out. She likes to nap in her bassinet and needs that time apparently!

EAT

I am still exclusively pumping and she is bottle fed with breast milk. She takes 3-4 ounces depending on how long she slept before the feeding.  She needs a few burps each feeding. She gets gassy and needs gripe water every now and then. It soothes her right away.  She wants instant gratification and has a quick temper if the bottle isn't warmed up as fast as she likes it. 

SLEEP

Sienna is such a good little sleeper. This month she has gone 7 hours a few times and two 8 hour spans after being held all day! She typically eats every 3 to 4 hours, or even longer stretches at night. She is awake for a little bit and then back to bed. During the day she has about 30 minutes to an hour awake time after each bottle and then back to sleep. She is still sleeping in her rock and play bassinet with the snuggle nest inside it. She sleeps swaddled and with her sound machine on.
  She loves to be walked before bed and we lay her in her bassinet awake and she falls asleep. 

PLAY

She likes tummy time, but only for short amounts of time. She likes to sit in her bouncy chair and swing and is starting to look at that animals hanging from it. 

Sienna June

I have absolutely adored this month with you. The awake time, the smiles, sweet giggles, and alert eyes are making my days with you so much fun. I love seeing you grow and change, yet I want you to stay little forever. It broke my heart seeing you in your leg braces, but you handled it like a little stud. I am so proud of you already and know you're going to be a tough little girl. Seeing you smile when you see me and hear my voice melts my whole world, I am so lucky to be your mommy. I love you forever and always, no matter what. 

PICTURE OVERLOAD

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sienna june-- 1 month

ONE MONTH

It has gone by so fast and I cannot believe my sweet baby is one month old already! I have loved how she has softened our hearts and filled us with even more love. She is still too small for size 1 diapers, but a little too big for newborn diapers. She is just now able to start wearing her 0-3 month clothes and just barely fits in newborn clothes. 

Weight: 8lbs 6oz, back above birth weight!

Height: 20 inches

She has to go get a hip ultrasound at six weeks old since she was breech to just check her hips and make sure they are developing okay, although the doctor thought they looked fine. 

LOVES

bath time, snuggles with daddy, sitting in her boppy, doesn't mind the stroller at all, her wubanub binky, halo sleep sack, and sleeping in her car seat. 

HATES

when we don't get the bottle heated up fast enough and getting dressed! 

EAT

I feel like this section deserves its own blog post, for it has been SUCH a journey. I am currently exclusively pumping and she is bottle fed with breast milk and that works so well for her and us. She takes 3-4.5 ounces depending on how long she slept before the feeding.  She is a big loud burper and it makes her daddy and I laugh. She wants instant gratification and has a quick temper if the bottle isn't warmed up as fast as she likes it. 

SLEEP

Sienna is such a good little sleeper. She eats every 3 to 4 hours, or even longer stretches at night. She is awake for a little bit and then back to bed. During the day she has about 30 minutes to an hour awake time after each bottle and then back to sleep. She is currently sleeping in her rock and play bassinet with the snuggle nest inside it. We just started swaddling this week more and she sleeps better and longer because her busy arms and legs aren't waking her up. She is a LOUD sleeper, she grunts and makes noises all night, even if the binky is in her mouth. We try and use the binky as a last resort during sleep time, otherwise every time it falls out she thinks she needs it put back in and that can get exhausting. We lay her in her bassinet awake and rock it a bit to soothe her and she goes to sleep. She is able to lay on her back and sleep now, when she first came home she immediately rolled on her sides because her straight breech legs would pull her over but as her legs are settling down she is sleeping more on her back. 

PLAY

She likes tummy time, but only for short amounts of time. She likes to sit in her bouncy chair as well and is starting to look at that animals hanging from it. 

Sienna June

I still look at you and wonder how we got so blessed with a sweet angel baby like you. You are perfect in every way and fill my heart with overwhelming love. I can't believe I get to be your mommy, it has been such a beautiful journey so far. I love watching your big eyes look around and move when you hear our voices. I love seeing your daddy hold you and talk to you. I love how you pee all over the changing table when we take your diaper off and how you constantly keep us laughing. You are such a blessing in our lives and I am so glad to be your mom. I want to forever cherish this time home with you and how small and beautiful you are. I love you forever and always, no matter what. 

PICTURE OVERLOAD

First picture of our family of three.

My favorite baby feet 

side sleeping

sweet breech baby legs

snuggs

Add caption

so wide awake

first bath!

just relaxing

smiles

first time babywearing at the basketball game

sleeping on dad at the basketball game

riding grigs, you were hungry and just finished tummy time and were MAD the bottle wasn't ready.

swaddle bug

sweet baby

wide awake eyes

sweet smiles

first time outside in the nice weather

I have been following this blog for years now, since Amber was pregnant with her twin girls. The sign above Sienna's crib came from her, the weekly pregnancy tracker sign came from her, the idea of monthly blog updates came from her. So although she does not know who I am, I wanted to mention her on here considering how many ideas I get from her!

http://themasseyspot.blogspot.com/?m=1#.VtM3wUVOKnM

Birth Story

--Sienna June's Story--

January 21st (35 weeks 6 days):
We went in for our routine 36 week ultrasound. As soon as the ultrasound wand hit my tummy our doctor immediately said, "that little stinker is breech." I had thought Sienna was breech early on in pregnancy and the doctor thought so too, but as time went on I had really thought she flipped. This hit me like a ton of bricks. I was so sad to know the possibility of going through labor and delivery how I had expected was so low. When I look back I am so thankful I had time to think about a c section birth and what that would look like. I had questions written out and am so glad that I had time to 'prepare' for a c section.

January 26th (36 weeks 4 days):
We went to the hospital for a growth scan ultrasound. They wanted to check how big she was, fluid levels, and cord placement before deciding if they were going to try a ECV and attempt to manually flip her. The ultrasound tech at the appointment let us know that her head was measuring 39 weeks, 6 days and her estimated weight was 7lbs 12oz. We were in shock, she was HUGE and we still had three weeks left. We found out that fluid looked a little low, but the cord was not around her neck. We were going to follow up with our doctor Wednesday afternoon in the hopes that we could attempt an ECV on Thursday. It could only be done on Thursdays because it was an inpatient procedure at the hospital.

January 27th (36 weeks 5 days):
We left school to head to our follow up appointment around 3:30. I got a call on the way there that our doctor had been called into emergency c section and therefore our appointment would be cancelled for the day. Tears. so many tears. I had to see our doctor to know if we were going to try an ECV the next day. That was not something I wanted to head into blind. They said there was nothing they could do, but I could come in at 9:30 the next morning. I was so upset with all the unknowns. Conrad and I got McDonals and I had a fish filet and mcnuggets, which should show how upset I was haha. I ate both meals and went to sleep from 5-7. Looking back at our last night together before Sienna came makes me laugh so hard. If I would have known she was coming the next day I would have done a few things differently.

January 28th (36 weeks 6 days): BABY GIRL'S BIRTHDAY
I never want to forget one moment about this incredible day.
Conrad had not missed an appointment yet, but since his sick days are limited we decided he would go to school since it was just a follow up with our doctor and I would keep him updated. If they weren't going to attempt an ECV I would just come back to school for the last half of the day.  I dropped him off at school and went inside planning on making a few copies before the day started to keep my mind busy- which didn't happen because I work with the best people in the world and I spent all morning talking to various co workers and friends about our appointment and how we were feeling. Conrad was going around telling everyone that today was the day, he just felt it. Which is so Conrad, and I should know by now to start trusting him when he says such things. The morning was chaotic, my substitute was late and I ended up taking my students down to my classroom to get the morning started, which I am so so thankful for because I got to see them and spend a few minutes with them before I went to my appointment, and started my maternity leave.

I went into my appointment and our doctor measured the fluid and said it was low and told me an ECV would not be successful and we can't try with the fluids being that low. I knew I was going to have a c section, and at this point had coped with it and prepared as best I could for it, but ultimately God provided me so much peace about having a c section. She asked if I had any questions as she sat down, and I should've known right then that something was weird, because my normally funny doctor because serious. I started asking questions about a gentle c section and what our plans would look like, and a few questions in I asked if they only do c sections on certain days at the hospital. She responded: "Well for you... today or tomorrow." I burst into laughter, until I saw her face and realized she was extremely serious. "In fact, finish up with your questions because we need to get you over to the hospital to start being monitored."
Around 10AM I called Conrad to tell him I was heading to the hospital to start being monitored, but that he didn't need to come because this could mean nothing and I would keep him updated. I called our parents and told them the same. Walking into the OB floor I saw a sweet baby in the nursery and immediately got so excited that we could be meeting our sweet girl today!!! I was trying not to get my hopes up, but yet so ready to meet our baby.
Around 11:30 I was on FaceTime with my best friend Emo when my nurse walked in with a bunch of supplies smiling from ear to ear. I asked what was going on and she said "something is happening at 3 today"  I looked at Emo and we both burst into tears. I was still alone at this point and it was so special that I got to share that moment with my best friend. She said "Honey, you're going to be a mommy today!!" I hung up and called Conrad and told him the plan. His response was "Should I come up around 2:45 then?" Oh Conrad... I maybe not so nicely told him to get his butt to the hospital right away.
I am so thankful for our sweet nurse who told us early of the plan. My parents were able to leave right away and I got to see them before walking back into surgery, and I am so thankful for those calming hugs before we became parents.

Conrad and I got a few hours just us two in the room before surgery where we got to pray and listen to some music and just relax. I can honestly say God was totally at work during this time, I was so calm and so ready to meet our baby girl We called and texted a few of our friends to let them know that it was happening today!

It was finally time to meet our sweet Sienna.
At 3pm on January 28th I walked into the room where I received my spinal. It was such a small slight pain and my left foot got a warm sensation and before I knew it I was flipped over on the table being prepped for surgery. Conrad was still outside waiting, and I remember asking three times when he could come in. One of the doctors kept poking me and discussing with me what was happening until I became numb almost all over. Finally they let Conrad in the room at around 3:20.

At 3:29, Sienna June Schottel made her appearance into this world. We had a clear drape so we were both able to see her being pulled out. She was pooping and peeing all over the place and we were cracking up. She had a head full of hair and was screaming so loud. They took her to the corner of the room to check her vitals and make sure she was stable and then immediately brought her over to us. I first held her at 3:33. It was so surreal, our baby was here! They weighed her and we saw 8lbs 4oz and it made us laugh so hard. She was such a big girl and 3 weeks early! We got to have skin on skin right there in the room and as they wheeled us to our room for recovery. We were in our room by 4pm, and at that point we asked them to take Sienna to get a bath in the nursery, and Conrad went out to tell my parents that we were both doing great.

They never had to take her to the nursery or away from us until we asked them to, we were able to get skin on skin right away, Conrad never had to leave my side, and we were able to see her enter the world. I couldn't have pictured a better 'gentle c section'.

33&34

Weekly update draft!

How far along: 33&34 weeks 

Total weight gain: 37

Maternity clothes? absolutely, and Conrad's big shirts. 

Sleep: definitely began to notice a difference here, less sleep, more leg cramps and pain

Best moment this week: Doctors appointment and knowing everything is looking great! 

Miss Anything? I cannot wait to sleep on my tummy and not having aching hips. 

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing really!

Symptoms: hip and back aches, restless legs, getting up once a night to pee. definitely more uncomfortable than usual and struggling during the school days with my big heavy body! 

Looking forward to: growth scan in the upcoming weeks.