Here are the pictures I promised:

Another rough night combined with a rough weekend had us at the pediatrician again today. I am so thankful Kevin was home with me for three days. Carter was rather cranky through all of it, spitting up, explosive diapers, etc. She came to the conclusion that it is reflux combined with colic. I could have guessed that. We are going to try soy formula for a 2 days and see if things get better. If they don't, we will switch reflux medications. I will continue to pump just so I can still nurse if nursing isn't the problem. She also told me just to comfort him when he is crying. It looks like I will be holding him quite a bit for the next few months. I absolutely love my pediatrician. She is so understanding and seems to truly care. I will probably get a call from them tomorrow just to check on Carter. Also, I called at 9:30, got a 10:30 appointment, the doctor spent as much time with as as needed without rushing, and was out of there by 11:15. I wish this was the case with all doctors! He weighs 13 pounds 3.5 oz. He is definitely a big boy!

I do have pictures to post but have not had time to upload them.

Pictures from Saturday:

In one of mom's favorite outfits. He always manages to pee on it before we can get out the house. It must be because Dad thinks the outfit is too preppy.

After his bath:
Pictures from Monday:

When I put Carter in his swing he actually fell asleep (he usually screams). This lasted until after I took his picture.

Today:

Sleeping peacefully in his bouncy seat while Mom got on the treadmill for the first time in ages.

Wild man hair!

Hanging out with Dad.

Thank you for not commenting on the lack of posting. Carter was 6 weeks old on Monday. I could not even fathom how moms go back to work after taking only 6 weeks off. Yes, it has gotten a little easier, but I am still exhausted. Going back to milk products didn't not work very well. Within 24 hours of eating them, Carter was spitting up like a champ.

This week has been slow so far. Ran a few errands on Monday. Mom had to go to the doctor on Tuesday, and today, we did absolutely nothing.

My Mother's Day flowers. Now, they are nearly dead.

Two random pictures of Carter in his bouncy seat while I cleaned bottles.

He didn't like the new pacifier I was trying.

I know I haven't posted since Sunday, Mom and Alana. Can you forgive me? Hmm, this week.

Monday - Got new reflux medicine for Carter. He will actually swallow this one. Also went by work to help my substitute find some tests. After, we stopped by Mama Wanda's classroom where Carter gave himself a hickey on his arm while she held him.

Tuesday - Went for a walk then to Kohl's and bought some big girl clothes for me. I'm tired of maternity clothes but am still quite a bit large for my regular clothes. Went to Target and bought a baby bathtub. I figured it would be easier than leaning over my tub like we have been doing.

Wednesday - Can't remember. It must have not been too exciting. I think we went to Wal-Mart

Thursday - Went by work again to look up some names for awards and went to the library.

Today - Went to work to celebrate Mrs. Freeman's and Miss Erica's birthdays. We hung out with some other coworkers for awhile before our appointment at Belk to pick up some pictures. I think I have given up on the lactose free diet. I haven't seen much of a change, and I am miserable with it. Surviving without cheese or chocolate for over a week has been pure torture. I know Kevin won't mind if I start cooking real food again.

BIG NEWS: Carter smiled at me today! It wasn't a typical"gas smile."

Hanging out in his bouncy seat. He spends most of his time here if he isn't being held.

Playing with Dad during tummy time.

Looking at his giraffe.






Tiger watching closely. He doesn't like to miss much.

Things are looking up here. Since Carter started taking the Maalox, he can go 5 hours between feedings! We can't get him to take the Zantac. It smells horrible, so I imagine it tastes even worse. The first time we gave it to him, he spit it out and gagged. Mom almost cried with him. The doctor wanted me to continue trying to give it to him over the weekend, so I brought it back to the pharmacy to have them flavor it. That didn't work either. The pharmacist offered to call the doctor tomorrow to change the medicine to some that tastes a little better. I think I will call the pharmacist first thing. I don't enjoy wearing the medicine.

I enjoyed my first mother's day. I received flowers on Thursday. Today, I got money to have a massage. I think that is much needed! We thought we were going to have bad weather, so we didn't make any plans. I had wanted to go out to lunch or dinner, but with my new diet, I have no idea what I could actually order. We went shopping and bought Carter some more books. Kevin also grilled for dinner. Overall, we had a great day.

Carter and Mom in their favorite resting/napping/feeding location.

After a very rough night, I decided to call the doctor. Last evening, Carter was very unsettled. During the night, he didn't want to sleep very much. After I got less than an hour of sleep between feedings, I figured I should take him in to help my sanity.

First, he weighs 11 lbs 7 oz! The doctor thinks he has acid reflux. For this, she prescribed Zantac, I can give him Maalox, can't put his diapers on too tight, and he needs to sleep sitting up. She thinks he may also be lactose intolerant or milk products are bothering him, so I need to steer clear of milk products. I'm thinking this is a blessing in disguise because that eliminates most foods and almost everything I cook. Hopefully, this will help me lose weight faster.

He also has cradle cap. We have to use Selsun Blue in his hair for 10 minutes every other day.

At least I know that a more peaceful life may be on the horizon.

Taken on Monday

Taken Tuesday in an outfit from Kevin's coworkers

Taken today in Zachary's former Clemson outfit

We can't believe Carter is already a month old today! In some ways, it seems like we have had him forever and in other ways, we can't believe it has been that long.

Carter seems to have gained tons of weight over night. On Monday, I decided to weigh him on the scale with me. If my estimates are correct, he weighs over 10 pounds already! Sometimes, I think I will never be able to keep him fed.

Mom and Carter haven't been doing too much. Yesterday, Carter did go with me to get my hair cut. Later in the afternoon, we went to school for my students' field day. The kids were really excited to see him. I guess they liked seeing what made me such a grumpy teacher for the year. A few kids actually begged me to come back and teach them.

Tonight, Kevin took Carter to Petsmart. This is the first time I have been home without him. I was able to clean the floors, take a quiet bath, put laundry aways, and update my blog. It's weird.

We don't have many plans for the rest of the week. We are supposed to have bad weather, and I haven't quite figured out how I am supposed to take a baby out in the rain without him getting wet.

Gosh! You can see the mess in this picture. I feel like our life is totally chaotic and wonder when we will get things under control. I actually got up this morning, mopped, cleaned the kitchen, and did some laundry. That may have to do with the fact a friend is bringing lunch today. Also, Carter woke up earlier than I expected and was ready to eat. I don't know how to keep him full.

We are exhausted and like to get naps in during our free time. I was never a person to enjoy napping. I always felt lazy and thought I should be productive instead.

Carter and I ran a few errands yesterday. Yesterday evening, we took a stroll around the yard and met up with a few neighbors who were happy to see him. Today, we don't have any plans to go out. I thought about taking him for a walk later. I will see how tired we are.

Kevin really wants to go see Cowboy Mouth at a crawfish festival tomorrow, but the logistics terrify me. Will we be there during a feeding time? What if he needs his diaper changed? I don't think port - a - potties are appropriate or comfortable for either. I would like to see Cowboy Mouth as much as Kevin, but I just don't think we will be able to do it.