Valentine's Day - Carter at 9.5 Months

My little "Love Muffin"

Wheat Allergy - First 3 Days of Gluten Free

Our little Carter is now a whopping 9.5 months old.  30 1/4" long and 20 lbs. 8oz.

9.5 Months Old

He's a happy baby... during the day.  He's not such a happy baby most nights.  

We thought we had it figured out when he started reflux medicine about 2 months ago.  He slept better and the spit up had stopped 90% of the way.  

Then he got a low grade fever, started cutting his first teeth, and we started all over again.

We blamed a lot on the teething.  Then he spiked a HUGE fever of 102.4 and off to the doctor we went.  A virus.  No big deal, just keep him hydrated (as we had very few wet diapers that day as well).  

The thing that just kept me bothered about him were - his bright red cheeks.  They would come and go.  He'd take a nap and wake up and be fine.  On and off most days.  I figured a food allergy, and thought it was blueberries (from the baby yogurt).  So talked to the doctor about that.  She said, yeah, probably a food allergy - just keep a watch out for things that might be causing a reaction.

Finally, one night, his cheeks were so bad...

At the height of his allergy reaction

The next day, I told myself, I'm writing down EVERYTHING he eats and noting when he got the reaction.

I fed him his usual oatmeal and fruit breakfast - red cheeks, right away...

I jumped on the computer - oatmeal?  Is there a chance he could be allergic to his cereal.  

Yep, sure enough, there was a huge chance he could be allergic to his oatmeal - WHEAT - in particular.

I researched the day away.  Reactions lined right up with him.  What do I do?  What can he NOT have?  What CAN he have?  I got on the phone and called people I thought could help.  I got lots of support and advice, guidance.  

The even bigger thing - I'm still nursing this little guy and therefore, momma has to watch it too.  So not only was I researching everything I could for him, I was trying to come to terms with the huge change in diet I myself was going to have to under go as well.

Day one - I ate things around the house I knew were safe.  Carter's cabinet was cleaned out of all his oatmeal, puffs, cheerios, and snacks that were not gluten free.  We both went on a cold turkey gluten free day of eating.

I ran to Babies R Us to get him a gluten free cereal (quinoa and brown rice) and a couple snacks that were safe for him. (Mum-Mums and dehydrated fruits)

Carter the end of Day 1 

Day 2
The next day - he had slept ALL NIGHT.  10 straight hours.  That compared to the 3-4 hour (at best) stretches he had been sleeping at night.  SUCH A HUGE THING WAS STARTING TO HAPPEN!

We hit Target and checked out their gluten free options.  I appreciate that they had an entire end cap of all gluten free options.  It was wonderful, since I wasn't even sure where to start!  I also found gluten free "Happy Puffs" for Carter in the baby section!

Then it was off to Schnucks.  I'd never have paid attention before, but they have shelf flags that indicate that a product is gluten free.  Another great thing for this beginner.  My husband was wonderful at checking labels and being patient as we went down every aisle.  

All in all I bought bread, pastas, crackers, popcorn, and snacks for Carter to get me started.

Pasta
(I can't live without pasta)

Broths, Quinoa, oatmeal, "bread crumbs", bread, cream of chicken soup, coconut oil

Crochers and popcorn
(SO YUMMY!)

At this point I also realized that his lotion AND baby wash has oatmeal in it - so now that is also something we are replacing with a more natural option.

Day 3:

We are now on Day 3.  Carter slept 8 hours last night, still a great stretch for him.  His cheeks are clearing up.  He still has a little congestion, but we are all dealing with colds right now (never ending winter).  But his nose is much better then it has been.

Cheeks on day 3
He has the orange nose going from all his veggies - that's not unusual for him

More updates to come :)

5 Month Update

Today is actually Carter's SIX Month birthday!  But here is his 5 Month video I finished this weekend finally.  Time to start working on month 6 :)

4 Month Update

WOW, this baby has done some serious growing!

Photo at one month and at 4 months

He had a doctor's appointment on Friday, August 16th (his 4 month birthday) and weighed 17 lbs 1oz (95%) and was 27" long (100% +)!!!

Also at his appointment we found out a few things that are going on with Carter right now that we weren't expecting.

First, he is having some neck trouble.  It's called Torticallis.  Basically either from his delivery or how he was in the womb, his neck muscles on his right side, are very tight.  He looks to the right much more then to the left.  We were given exercises to do with him as well as massage to help to loose it up.  If at his 6 month appointment it is not getting better he is looking at having to go to a physical therapist.

Although this is scary to me as a mom, I'm also realizing that it is a fixable problem and not serious by any means.  We just need to take the steps to have it corrected now and not when he gets older when it could impair him developmentally.

Second, he is apparently tounge tied...

This came as a shock because Carter is an excellent nursing baby boy.  It got him to a heft 17 lbs for goodness sake!  That being said, this must be the main reason why he doesn't (or now can't), take a pacifier.  He also didn't take to his Avent brand bottles and we had to get the Dr. Brown bottles instead for expressed breast milk.  So we are possibly looking at going to Children's Hospital to have it clipped.  We are still on the fence about this though.  It hasn't interrupted his eating.  If the doctor thinks it could mess with his speak then we will talk more about it.

I made a 4 month video and included most of the small clips and photos from the past month to it.  I wish I had done this from the 1st month on, but I guess I can go back and compile it all (I just won't be narrating).  So maybe this is the start to his monthly update vlogs :)

He's quite the little man now.  LOVE him to pieces <3

3 Month Update

Getting much better in his saucer!

I can't believe our baby boy is already 3 1/2 months old!

He is already doing so much!  He's got such a sweet personality.  He wakes up so happy and plays happily all throughout the day.  Nights are another story... he seems to wear himself out and then just wants to eat the night away.

Cute outfit from his Great Aunt Jamie

I'm not sure of his size, he doesn't have another doctor's appointment till he is 4 months.  But he's getting SO BIG!

Look Mom!  I can fit my whole hand in my mouth!

He has found his feet and hands now.  He kicks and kicks like a crazy man.  He loves to kick the toys hanging from his car seat.  He is grabbing things with his hands and bringing them to his mouth.  So toys are now coming into play.  A krinkly plush monkey is is favorite so far.

Carter's 1st Fourth of July

He had his first official holiday - 4th of July!  He just watched the fireworks and jumped at every giant BOOM, but never cried once.  We had a great family day!

He got his first bottle at around 2 months and is now getting one bottle per day (to get him used to the bottle for going to the babysitters house).  However, I am still breastfeeding him and he is only getting breast milk in his bottles, no formula!  Yay!

No longer sleeping in his bouncer but in the co-sleeper next to Mommy

He has had some bumps in the road this month.  Sleeping has not been going so smoothly the last 3 weeks.  Many nights he is up over and over again with hardly any longer stretches of sleep.  So this mama isn't getting much sleep.

He did start having some spit up issues and frustrations while nursing.  He was signalling to me that he just wasn't satisfied with just the breast milk.  He is a big boy after all.  I know he was getting plenty to eat, from pumping I was getting 4-5oz each time - which is plenty - but he would nurse and nurse and spit up.  So that to me was signaling me that it was time to start cereal.  We started with oatmeal.  It has more nutrition then rice cereal, however he wasn't all the good at getting it from the spoon to his belly.  We tried it in a bottle and it just clogged the nipples.  So we are using rice cereal now in bottles and every once in awhile we are spoon feeding in.  My hope is when we hit 4 months, we will do spoon fed oatmeal in the mornings and rice cereal in a bottle at night.

I have to also add, that this has done NOTHING to help with his sleeping.  If anything, it gives him more energy and keeps him up instead.

Today is my last day on "maternity leave."  My first show since March starts tomorrow which means I will be away from Carter for very long stretches of time this weekend.  That also means lots of bottles and I have a feeling he's not going to like it at all.  I will be home around 10pm each night to get him and breastfeed him throughout the night, but there will be 3 straight days of a babysitter and family watching him.  I hope he is not a big mess come Monday!

With all the ups and downs this month I still feel so blessed to have a healthy cuddly baby boy!  He is my pride and joy and I feel so lucky to have been able to stay home with him for 3 1/2 months!  It's been amazing!

1st Trip to the Zoo

Trying out our new Ergo carrier!

2 Month Update

So I am WAY behind on this update!  I'm going to do my best to remember what all happened here...

Carter turned 2 months old on June 16th, 2013

He didn't have a doctor's appointment till he was 2 months and 2 weeks old because his pediatrician was out of town enjoying her own new grandbaby being born.

He was 24.5" (grew 3 1/4"!)

He weighed 14 lbs 10 oz. (gained 6 lbs 2 oz!)

He's in the 80% for height and 90% for weight

He also received FOUR shots and also an oral vaccine.  He did start to run a fever that evening for all the junk going through him.  So he received his first dose of Tylenol that day as well.

He was still 100% breastfed eating about every 2.5-3 hours.

Sleeping was going pretty good, still waking up about twice a night.  Some stretches of sleep were up to 4 hours straight!

He started getting pretty strong at 2 months old.  He held his head up pretty good and could bare weight on his legs when held up.

He's just a joy to have.  So far a very sweet and easy baby!

10 Weeks Post Partum

It has been a roller coaster the last 10 weeks.

Emotionally, I do and have felt great.  Thank goodness for that.  No baby blues and honestly I've just really enjoyed this time with my baby boy.  I was kind of scared of those first 6 weeks, remembering how hard they were with my, now 7 year old, daughter.  But maybe it just gets easier the 2nd time around?  I knew more of what to expect, was much more laid back, or maybe more then anything, we just have an easier baby this time around.

Physically, that's where the roller coaster has been.  I went to my 6 week check up and was still very sore.  I was so upset that it was taking me so long to heal, especially after only needing 1 stitch after delivery.  The doctor said I had more "road rash" then tears (he did have a 14" head!!).  Despite being the mom to a newborn and 7 year old I still managed to shower every single day.  I used my medicines and sprays till they were gone, it wasn't that I didn't take care of myself.  The doctor said to use Dove soap, which I was, no personal grooming, and try olive oil to keep things "moisturized."

I tried the olive oil, I put it in my peri bottle and kept it with cotton balls in the bathroom cabinet.  After a few days of that, I had a better idea.  Witch Hazel.  I had been using the Tucks pads in with my pads.  I had stopped using pads when my bleeding had stopped (which was around 4 wks. PP).  I had a bottle of just witch hazel, not on pads, so I started dabbing that on with a cotton ball instead of the olive oil when I used the restroom.  Less then a week later, all was pretty well healed!!

I guess after that I'm still afraid of intercourse.  I'm probably fine to go ahead with that, but I'm just not ready.  The thought of RE-injuring that area, after it is just now finally feeling normal again, scares me.  Hubby is fine with it and there is no pressure there.

And last but not lease, constipation... oh how I hate you.

I have been drinking as much water as I can.  I am breastfeeding and that is reason enough to stay hydrated, but it's also summer, and it's hot.  I still take a stool softener, which helps.  I have to take an iron pill because my hemoglobin has been extra low since I had Carter, so that's not helping the situation.  I hope to get this issue balanced out sooner rather then later.  

I guess I should talk about breastfeeding too.

To some it up, I love it 90% of the time.  I'm producing just enough for him, it doesn't hurt, I love the bonding, and he's great at it.  Not to mention I feel like super mom when all he's ever had in his whole little life is my milk and he's already a huge baby :)  I'm a small 120 lbs. - had a 8lb 6oz baby who is now probably 13 lbs at 10 wks old.  So YAY for my breast milk!!!

Then on to talk about the 10% that I don't like - restrictions when we are out and about.  Having to drop everything, find a chair, and nurse him while we are in the middle of whatever.  I don't mind being the only one that can feed him when it's time to eat - even if it's dinner time and I'm at the table eating left handed because he feels the need to have dinner with us - but I do wish that at some points, like when we are at a store buying groceries, that I could just pop a bottle in his mouth and go on about our shopping.  But I guess that's a small complaint in a big vast world of wonderfulness.

Sleep- I get some of that.

Usually 3-4 hours at the start of the night, then every 2-3 hours he wakes up after that.  He's usually "in bed" for 10-12 hours (plus those intermittent feedings in there).  I really can't wait till I can have a full nights sleep though.  As lucky as I am that he DOES SLEEP and for a newborn, sleeps pretty good, I would like a good 10 hour stretch of sleep without being scared out of a deep sleep by baby cries.

All in all, right now, I am feeling pretty good!

We joined the YMCA when Carter was 6 weeks old and I've been going to the gym there 3 days a week ever since.  I usually do 15-20 min of cardio on the elliptical or upright bike, then I do another 30ish min of weight training.  Currently I'm 122 lbs, I'd like to stay about where I'm at, but I really want to get toned up.  My arms, thighs, and especially my mama belly.  I still have a "mother's line," which I hate looking at in the mirror (you couldn't even see it when I was preggo, just AFTER?!?), but it is fading.  I hope to start seeing some of the belly fat start to disappear too.

I feel like I'm on the upswing.  Time really does go by way too quickly.

I'll do a separate update on Carter in a different post.  He has his 2 month appointment in 2 days.

Backyard Fun

We roasted hot dogs and marshmellos and Alyssa played in the sprinkler

Father's Day

This is my dad and Steve with his babies

At my mom's family reunion