Sunday Morning Photoshoot

We are on the verge of outgrowing Carter's 6-month clothing, so I decided to put him in this precious onesie that my co-workers gave me and take a few photos while it still fit!

4-Month Appointment

So, here's the official rundown from our 4-month check up today...

Height: 26.5 inches/97th percentile
Weight: 16.4 pounds/75th percentile
Head: 16.9 inches/75th percentile

So, it appears as though we have a very tall boy on our hands! In other news, we found out that after 4 weeks of antibiotics (2 different types) that we had hoped would cure his poor ears, there is still fluid there. The doctor says the situation can go a few ways...
1) The best case scenario is that he doesn't get another ear infection and the fluid clears up on it's own. No tubes...for now. Likelihood? Slim, but there is a possibility.
2) Second scenario is that the fluid sits there uninfected for the next 2 months, it is still sitting there uninfected at his 6-month appointment, and we go get tubes to drain it since it will interfere with his development to not be hearing well. Likelihood? Better than scenario 1, but still not good.
3) The final scenario is that the fluid gets reinfected at some point in the near future (ahem, cold and flu season), no antibiotics are given because they clearly aren't getting the job done, and we go get tubes to help him asap. Likelihood? Very good.

So, it would appear that we are most likely getting tubes sooner rather than later. Yippee. Let the fun begin...

Developmentally, Carter is right on track. He scored the lowest in the "Communication" category...presumably because he has only recently been able to hear us un-muffled. As you will see in the preceding video, he has really found his voice lately and loves to blow spit bubbles, talk, "crow" as we call it, etc. I think as long as his ears stay healthy, he'll catch back up there very quickly. He is MY son, you know...:)

No picture for this post. I took a picture of him after his shots were over, but it's just too sad to post. He looks SO confused and sad about what had just been done to him. I'd prefer not to remember that face...

A Conversation with Carter

4 Months

As I sit here writing this post, I am still in utter disbelief that you are 1/3 of a year old, little man. TIME. HAS. FLOWN! This month brought lots of changes to you (whom we affectionately call Mr. Button...long story)...you came down with your first AND second ear infections, started day care (probably not a coincidence that those happened the same month), started sleeping through the night (Praise Jesus!), switched bottles and formulas, AND Mommy went back to work. Sad face.

We have our 4 month doctor visit on Thursday, so I'll have the "official" stats then, but according to our scale, you weigh nearly 16 pounds! WOW! It's amazing that in just 4 months, you've gained 10 pounds! Boy do you like to EAT! You eat 6 ounces about every 3 hours now, and as of 2 days ago, we have started enjoying rice cereal. You don't exactly eat a lot of it, but you seem to really enjoy the act of eating. As soon as we get the okay from Dr. Newton on Thursday, we'll start other solids like sweet potatoes and peas. YUM. You are still wearing 3-6 month clothing, but some of it is beginning to get tight. I have a feeling we'll be moving up to 6-9 month in a few pieces before we hit 5 months...

As far as your likes and dislikes go, you are officially obsessed with standing and sitting up. You want to constantly be in Johnny Jump-Up, the exersaucer, or standing on anyone who will hold you's legs. If I lay you on your back on my legs, you immediately start crunching up your head and neck so I'll pull you up to sitting. You are SO over lying down, especially on your back, but you are getting really good at pushing yourself up on your tummy. You usually use your forearms to push up, but I've seen you use your hands a few times and you get your head really high up when you do that. We are SO close to rolling over, and I truly think you could do it if you wanted to. You showed interest for about 2 days, and now seem to be over it.

You absolutely LOVE school...especially Miss Stephanie. She's your favorite teacher, and you absolutely LIGHT UP for her. Mommy wasn't so thrilled at just how much you liked her at first, but I've come to realize it's a really good thing. She calls you her "buddy" and seems to be the one who has really figured out your cues. You smile at her as she gives me the rundown of your day when I pick you up, and you giggle as we leave when she tells you goodbye. It's really sweet and makes Mommy feel so much more comfortable knowing you are in good care.

Sleepwise, you take about 3-4 naps during the day that range anywhere from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours. At night, we try to get you in bed by 7:30 or so, and you usually sleep until 6:30 the next morning. The ear infections have thrown you off a little bit now and then, but unless you are in a LOT of pain, you are never up more than once at night. Perfect timing since Mommy now has to go deal with delinquent 8th graders all day! :) Bless you for your timing on that!

Well, buddy, I guess that kind of sums it up. You have really become FUN and such a JOYFUL little boy this month. Your smile and laugh just make everything right in the world and can make the worst day seem instantly better. We love you little man and can't wait to see you grow and change even more in month 5!

Laughing with Uncle Chase

The most I've ever heard him laugh! We've gotten a giggle before but never a full belly laugh like this. :)

3 Months Old (and a few days...)

Well, baby boy, you are 3 months old! What a month it has been! You love absolutely anything and everything that allows you to sit up...the Bumbo, the doorway jumper (your absolute fave!), the bouncy aquarium chair, the Boppy. You are not a fan of lying down anymore! You have grown so much and look more and more like your daddy every day! I think you definitely got his goofy sense of humor...you crack yourself up over the littlest things! You traveled to North Carolina this month on your first airplane ride and did great! Sleepwise, you've had ups and downs this month. We have had a few rough nights lately since your nose is stuffy, but you have had several 8-hour nights and one fabulous 11-hour night in NC! We are hoping that now that you are home, we can get you back on track with the 7-8 hour stretches you had going for a while. You start daycare on Monday...I am absolutely sick over it, but I know you will be in great hands at Primrose. You are now in 3-6 month clothing and have the BEST rolls on your arms and legs. :) We love our little doughboy! You have started grabbing for things and holding on to them which is fun. You are a smiling and laughing machine as well and love bouncing, raspberries on your tummy, and blowing spit bubbles! It has been such a fun month...we can't wait to see what month 4 will bring!

It was the best of times...it was the worst of times...

While on vacation in North Carolina (post coming later), we had both our absolute BEST night ever with Carter, and our absolute WORST night ever with Carter. The second night we were there, July 31, Carter slept from 10:30-9:15! His longest stretch to date! Here is his reaction to the news...

The next night was pretty average with just one feeding around 3am. But it was the night of my 27th birthday, August 2, Carter woke up at 11 with a stuffy nose that proceeded to wake him again at 1, 2, 4, and finally 7:30. What a beating! After feeding him at 2:30, we finally gave up and just brought him into our bed. Since his nose was runny, we figured he needed to be upright, so he slept between us propped up on a pillow and the Boppy.

We were all completely exhausted for the flight home the next day. Once we finally got home, Carter didn't even make it off the changing table before he fell asleep.

Final Score: Long day of travel - 1; Cartman - 0.