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.

Playing with Dad on Sunday night

On Sunday, we went to Lowe's to buy more flowers for Dad to plant. Of course, we are supposed to have a frost tonight! Mom and Dad collected sheets from around the house to cover the new flowers and our cherished hydrangeas that look like they are full of buds.

Last night, Mom left Carter with Dad to meet friends for dinner in Rock Hill. It was a rough day. Carter was restless. He wanted to be held nonstop and was eating more often than usual. Carter's umbilical cord finally fell off during the night on Saturday. He got his first real bath last night.

Today was a lazy day. Dad was appalled when he got home to see Mom had left Carter in his pajamas from last night. We didn't do much other than nap and eat today.

We know our posts aren't as entertaining as Aunt Alana's, but we figure people are only looking at the pictures. Mom is also more sleep deprived than Aunt Alana.

I have been informed that I am not updating this as quickly as some people would like. (You know who you are!)

Sleeping very well in his swing:

Showing off his growing belly:

Yesterday, Carter experienced his first trip to Home Depot to buy plants. We decided to go ahead with our spring planting because we are having pine straw put down next Friday. Tonight, were really bad parents and took Carter grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. Both trips were rather uneventful.

Carter in his dinner time seat. You can't really see the tummy hanging out of his shirt.

Mom and Carter have been trying to take it easy this week. Yesterday, we ran a few errands. Mom felt guilty for taking Carter out in public. Yesterday afternoon, we met Dad at work, so his coworkers could meet Carter.

Last night was a rough night. Carter couldn't get enough to eat and seemed rather unsettled until 2 am. Unfortunately for Dad, Mom was sleeping so hard, she was oblivious to what was going on.

Today has been quiet too. We went to the post office to mail some stuff but did not get out of the car. After dinner, Mom escaped and went to Wal-Mart. She needed to replace the can of formula Tiger ate his way through. Tiger has been behaving rather badly. If animal control would have come by today, Mom would have thrown him outside. He has been banished to the laundry room.

Nothing too exciting here. We have noticed that Carter is starting to stretch a lot more than he did before. He grunts a lot too.

Carter went to the doctor this morning for his 2 week check up. He weighs 8 lb 12 1/2 oz and is now 21 1/2 inches long. He is in the 90th percentile for height and 60th for weight. He is probably in a growth spurt right now too.

This was Mom and Carter's first outing without extra help. It was hard to juggle the diaper bag, a purse, a baby carrier and the clip board of papers to complete for the doctor, but we managed.

Gammy left this morning. We were very sad to see her go. We got up early to take her to the airport. On the way home, we had to stop by one of Dad's neighborhoods to meet someone who never showed up.

We guess this will be the real test without any extra help.

Mrs. Connie made dinner for Mom and Dad tonight. It is nice when we don't have to do the cooking. Carter likes to be awake and alert around dinner time and barely gives Mom and Dad a chance to eat. We are noticing more routines with Carter. He is eating every 2-4 hours, usually every 3. He has an awake period in the morning and 2 in the evenings. He is starting to be fussy between 9-10 at night, but usually sleeps for 4 hours for his first stretch at night. Of course, Mom and Dad are in the habit of waking up every three hours no matter what.

Carter got another sponge bath tonight and didn't cry nearly as much as he usually does. We are ready for his umbilical cord to fall off, so he can have real baths.

Carter continues to grow. We had a nice quiet weekend. On Saturday, we made a run to Babies R Us. Gammy and Carter waited in the car while Dad and Mom went in to buy all the items we never thought we would need. It is amazing that we were able to register, but not able to predict our needs. It is so much easier to figure it out once the baby is actually here.
Last night, Carter had nice little vomiting episode that ended with the side of Dad's head and the side of Carter's covered in spit up. Dad hopped in the shower while Mom gave Carter a sponge bath around 3:00 am.

This morning, Carter went back to the doctor to have his bilirubin checked. His levels decreased enough that we do not need to be concerned. He is also right back at his birth weight.

We had a rough night last night. Carter was restless and didn't want to sleep. When he gets this way, he wants to suck on his fingers or his pacifier. After a little time, he still is not satisfied and gets rather grumpy.

Poppa left this morning to make the drive home to Louisiana. We hated to see him go. Poppa didn't get much time with Carter because he was not feeling well. He will probably be back before long. We are glad Gammy didn't leave with Poppa.

Today would have been Mom's due date if she weren't induced. With Carter's size, we are glad we didn't wait! We went to the doctor again this morning to have Carter's bilirubin level checked. The doctor was not very concerned, but we do need to go back on Monday to have it checked again. Carter had his first bath at home tonight. He only likes having his head washed. He screamed through the rest of it.

Carter and Mom

Carter with his cousin Zoe.

Carter with Aunt Alana

We survived our first night at home. Dad was taking Grandma Patsy home to Raleigh today. Mom let him sleep on the sofa, so he would be well-rested for his drive. We did have to get him once during the night to help us.

Aunt Alana and Mom took Carter to the pediatrician early this morning to have his bilirubin level checked. He weighed in just below 8 lbs. The doctor wants us to go back tomorrow to have his level checked again. The good news is no light for right now! After leaving the doctor, we drove by Mom's work and had her coworkers meet us in the parking lot, so they could meet Carter. No, Mom did not allow Carter to go into the school!

Mom had an appointment this afternoon, so Gammy and Carter waited in the waiting room. Aunt Alana and Zoe were leaving today, so we wanted to make it back home to tell the "goodbye" before Poppa took them to the airport. We barely made it home.

We waited all day to be released from the hospital. The pediatrician released Carter around 11:00. My doctor didn't come in until after 2:00. We were home around 4:00. All our family was still at our house, but we were happy to be home with Carter. We also new that the reality of having a baby at home was going to set in. It was great to have the help.

We moved to our own room around 3:00 am. Today was a nice, quiet day. Grandma Patsy and Poppa came to visit Carter for the first time and went to buy us lunch. Daddy went home for a little while, and Grandma Patsy stayed with Mom. We were quiet and rested. Jacquelyn visited us in the evening along with Gammy and Aunt Alana. The pediatrician also came by to examine Carter.