Love this face

Monday musings

• We went with Matt's family to L'Auberge in Lake Charles this weekend. Baby did so good! I haven't uploaded pics yet so I will blog about the trip later this week.
• Matt was so sick last week.  He actually missed a day of work for the first time in six years.  We never figured out what was wrong with him and his fever came and went all week, so he wasn't able to hold the baby.  Poor thing, I felt so bad for him, both because he was sick and he wanted to hold Carter.  He stayed in the guest room all week and slept when he was home.  It was so hard doing everything by myself and I'm glad he's feeling better now. 
• We have a spoiled rotten baby on our hands.  Boy wants to be held constantly.  While I love this, it has made productivity next to nil.  My house is so neglected and my to do list just gets longer.  I keep reminding myself that one day he will be grown and yelling at me to get out of his room.  As hard as this is, I'm going to miss this.  So we rock and rock and rock.  All day. 
• We visited Dr P and Dr H today.  All the nurses gushed over Carter and he got lots of love.  I could show him off all day!
• Matt is at coaching school this week which means football is officially here! I'm so excited for football season, but it's bittersweet knowing we won't see much of Matt.  We've been spoiled this summer! 
• At night we are starting to get 4-6 hour stretches. It's not consistent, but it's an improvement! 
• I'm dying for this kid to get on a schedule.  I keep reminding myself that although he is 8 weeks from his birthdate, developmentally he is only 3 weeks old.  I can make it, I can make it...
• We have our 2 month check-up on Wednesday and he will get his shots.  I'm crying just thinking about it.
• Cooper hasn't been groomed in months.  I think I'm going to call one of those mobile groomers that will come to your house and wash the dog in their van.  Any recommendations?
• I cleaned out most of my classroom today.  Boy...I'm going to miss working.  I have to advert my eyes at the store when I walk past the school supplies.  The upside, think of all the money I'm going to save!
• I'm debating about subbing next year.  It will get me out of the house and into some real clothes (which is my main motivation!) and give the grandparents some time with Monkey.  We shall see. 
• I saw this on Pinterest this week and shed a little tear.  I blame hormones. 

He really does have something so much better

• I'm loving the Olympics! Especially since I'm sitting in front of the TV all day...you know, rocking that baby.  My favorites are gymnastics, swimming, diving and track.  

Birth Announcement

Announcements have been mailed to I can finally post these PRECIOUS pictures!

Front: 

Back:

It honestly takes my breath away every time I walk by and get a glimpse of his newborn pictures.  I just still cannot believe that this little baby is MINE! I could have never even imagined something this perfect in my wildest dreams.  

And I must give credit to the two ladies who made this possible.  Ally of Little Bears Designs created the card, and Sara of Sara Griffin Photography took the pictures.  I will forever be grateful to these ladies for freezing this moment in time for us to remember forever.    

Smiles

We're starting to see some smiles out of this little guy!

This picture doesn't do this baby's smile justice, but it's the best I could get

So far me, Jeff and Nana have all received one.  Daddy is so jealous!

Sara and Randy's Engagement Party

Two weekends ago we had a B-LAST celebrating two of my fav's...Sara and Randy!  We had fun meeting the wedding party, relaxing with family and showing off the babe.  And...we stayed out until 2am! Can't remember the last time we did that, lol!

Stephanie did so much work putting everything together.  I mean, check out these cookies!  She definitely needs to start a little business baking for people.

 Mr. Sammy and Mrs. Diana's house is so beautiful on it's own that we did minimal decorating.  Just pictures of the lovely couple and some flowers.  And LOTS of food!

Monkey man got to meet and love on so many people!

 Party pics:

Before we know it these two are going to be husband and wife!

Oops...

Well, I guess I took a little unplanned blog break.  My bad.  I really don't want to do that again so I can keep up with everything that's going on with Carter and in the McD house.  Must.Be.Better.

So what have we been up to?

Being a baby burrito

FaceTiming with Brooks

Hanging with Dad

Playing with Brooks

Sleeping

Crying

Getting a mow hawk from Uncle Jeff

Being cute

Visiting Daddy at work

Visiting Mama Jo

Dad has a fever right now (and starts practice today) so please say a little prayer that he feels better soon and Little doesn't get sick.  

Let's talk about...

source

So I finally caved to the 50 Shades of Grey phenomenon and, honestly, I don't understand what the hype is about.  The more I read the more I hated the book, especially the characters, not to mention all the *ahem* activities.  I'm about 1/3 of the way into the second book (why I'm wasting my time, I have no idea) and it hasn't gotten any better.

I'm not a fan of the characters ( I want to punch Christian Grey in the face) and the storyline makes me literally roll my eyes.  I just don't believe any of it...the love story, the personalities, the "hobbies."  It's not believable at all.

What gives? Why does everyone love this book so much?

Monday musings

• I read 50 Shades of Grey this weekend.  Oy!  I'm not sure what else there is to say about that.
• Monkey seems to be doing better with the reflux on his medication.  Next time I'm in the office I am going to ask about something that doesn't come in the dissolving pill form.  Such a pain to administer! 
• My nails are in awful shape from my last shallac.  Ugh!  Nothing drives me crazier than when my nails are long and messy.
• Scratch that...when there's a wrinkle in the sheets...that's what drives me craziest
• I've been doing a lot of thinking on the infertility, pregnancy, motherhood front.  Possibly more to come later if I can get the words collected the way I want them.  
• I love this post from Amy to her daughter, LC.  Ditto.
• I'm getting very good at writing blog posts with one hand.
• I'm thinking we can start on some of our 0-3 month clothes soon!  All of our newborn clothes still fit but he's growing so fast!
• Cooper has adjusted well to Carter. He mainly ignores him but still follows me all over the house.  

Reflux

My poor baby...reflux.  Not what this Momma wanted to hear.

We mentioned to Dr K on Monday that baby was having trouble sleeping in his bassinet at night, but did fine in the cradle, which has a slight incline.  She told us it might be the beginning of reflux and to come back in if we noticed any other symptoms.

I've been watching him closely all week and noticed that he was happy as a clam as long as he wasn't laying flat on his back.  Diaper changes, his activity mat and his bassinet were all unhappy places for my normally sweet, happy baby.  He doesn't spit up (knock on wood) so I was hesitant that he really had reflux.

Well, yesterday he started fighting his feedings and would only eat for a few minutes at a time.  He would always cut himself short and then scream...break my heart.  I knew he was starving but in so much pain that he didn't want to eat.  There is nothing more heartbreaking than knowing your baby is in pain.

 So now we are taking Pre.vacid and raising the head of his bassinet to help my little baby's sensitive tummy.  Matt is also going to need a second job to pay for this prescription!  

 The good news is that baby was 8 pounds 4 ounces today! Up 6 ounces from Monday even with the missed feedings and reflux!

Any other reflux momma's out there?  Any tips?  How long until the reflux was manageable without medication?

Happy Due Date!

(click to enlarge)

Happy due date, sweet Carter! I'm so glad that you made your debut early and HEALTHY! We are so fortunate that, at 35 weeks, you were perfect and didn't have to stay in the NICU for even one second.

These past 5 weeks have absolutely been the most FUN we've ever had, and we can't wait to watch you grow.

We love you, Monkey!

14 years :)

First I want to say Happy Anniversary to Mr. Sammy and Mrs. Diana! They celebrated 34 years of marriage yesterday!

We were overshadowed by a certain someone yesterday, but Matt and I officially started dating 14 years ago yesterday! We definitely have had our ups and downs, time together and time apart since 1998, but I'm so glad I said "yes" when he asked me out so many years ago (and yes, he did say the words "will you go out with me?", lol!)

 Wow! Love you, babe!