Improvement? Wha????

Picture me and Sean, walking through First Colony Mall, out on a date, holding hands, talking about what a beautiful baby we have when we pass by.... Victoria's Secret.  Would I like to go in?  No, Sean, I'm still at least 12 pounds away from my pre-baby weight, thank you very much.

"I'm actually feeling pretty fat today.  I'm still wearing maternity pants and the scale seems to be stuck for the last two weeks."

"Are you kidding?  Look around!  You look great!"

"Really, Sean?  I mean, I guess I could look a lot worse.  Thanks!  I guess I really look pretty good!"

"Yeah!  You do!  But, I'm not trying to discourage improvement."

Thanks.

(I told Sean I was going to blog about this, and he was so embarrassed.  He's worried that he'll sound like a terrible husband.  I told him not to worry, if anything would make him seem like a terrible husband, it's what I'm about to discuss next...)

Flash forward about a week, when the UPS guy stops by.  We get a huge package from Beachbody.com and I proceed to open it- expecting to see the after-workout drink mix that Sean ordered.  You see, he's been working out everyday and is quite determined to be more fit than his buddy, John, who he has started this crazy workout competition with.  Ever see the infomercial for P90X?  It's insane, and these two have decided to compete to see who is more fit at the end of 90 days.  They did the fit test together, and even took before pictures.  I'm getting a huge kick out of it, and have been teasing Sean pretty much nonstop.  Although, as I've reminded him... I'm not trying to discourage improvement. Haha!

There was definitely some after-workout drink mix in the box, but there was also this...

I was pretty sure Sean wasn't interested  in lifting and firming his butt... so I can only assume he bought this for me.  I laughed SO HARD, and then called my sweet husband.  

"So, Sean, is this your way of encouraging me?  Or, did you just buy it for the pictures on the box?"

"I thought it was worth a laugh!  If you don't want to use it, it's not a big deal."

"OK, I can take a hint!"

That night I gave the Brazil Butt Lift a try.  (The instructor- cheeseball.  The workout- pretty good!)  My butt may have a long way to go, but as I was able to laugh my way through this experience with Sean, I think my marriage is rock solid!

Two Firsts

Our first visit with the Sims twins!

These cuties are 9 months old now, but looking at the picture of Caroline and Carson, he is going to out grow them pretty darn quick!  Caroline is just about 15 pounds, and as of yesterday, Carson is 11.8 pounds!!!  Both Caroline and Chloe were interested in Carson and me.  They were talking and crawling all over the place!  Carson really liked them and he played on the floor for quite a while; cooing and smiling!  Both mommies enjoyed some tea and conversation- even if it was mostly about the babies!  I don't know how Barb does it with twins... WOW.  I'm exhausted just watching her!

Our first FuzziBunz diaper!

The last few weeks we have been using disposables that we received from friends while we waited for Carson to fit in his fuzzibunz cloth diapers.  Today I decided to try one of the washable diapers on Carson, and it fit great!  Carson seems to like it... who wouldn't?  The inside is the softest fleece.  It's got to feel great on his tush!  

I've received many mixed opinions on our decision to try cloth diapers, so I thought I'd post an update later to let you know how it's going.  So far, after just one diaper change, I have nothing bad to say!  It held everything in, and was very easy to change.  I have a waterproof travel bag that I was able to put it in while we were out, and now that I'm home I just rinsed it and put it in the big waterproof and washable bag that I've got hanging in our laundry room.  One thing I did notice is that the washable diaper is quite a bit bulkier than the disposable ones, so I had to put a larger size outfit on him.  He still looked very cute!

I'm not married to the idea of cloth diapering, so if it doesn't go well we may switch back to disposables.  And most likely, when we travel we'll use disposables for convenience.  I'm pretty curious to see how well we like using the cloth diapers, and if we think it's worth it to continue or not.  I'll let you know!

Six Weeks

The past six weeks have been such a learning experience... and I still feel clueless!  On the day we brought Carson home I remember telling Sean that "I've never been more in love with or more afraid of anything in my life."

The fear is starting to subside (slowly), but the love is growing everyday!

At six weeks, Carson is 10 lb. 8 oz.  I wish I could say he is sleeping longer at night, but he's still pretty much waking up every 3 hours to eat.  He's a good eater! Here's what I like to call "milk coma."

He is perfecting the art of the "blow out."  Poor Caitlin... Carson decided her shirt was as good as his to poop on!

Nasty.

Carson has also decided that after six weeks, bath time isn't so bad after all.  The first few baths were a little rough.

And, thanks to our wonderful babysitters, Grandma and Aunt Jenni, Sean and I have enjoyed another date night!  We had sushi and beer... it was awesome!  Two things I was craving from pregnancy, check!

One Long Weekend

I've had friends tell me that just when you think things are going really well with your baby, something happens and it all changes.  I think our weekend pretty much proves this to be true.

I made my last post Friday morning.  Carson was smiling and sweet and absolutely precious!  That very same night at about 8:00 pm, we were on our way to Texas Children's Hospital with a very sick baby.  He was running a fever, which for a 4 week old, was not good.  Our doctor told us to take him to the ER.  (I was surprised.  Did a fever of 101.3 really constitute a visit to the ER?  Apparently, it did.)  We did as we were told, I mean, we're first timers here and when your baby is sick, it's scary!!

At the ER, after 8 hours and after many, many questions about alternatives, the doctors pretty much insisted that we run several tests on my poor, sweet man.  He had blood, urine, and spinal fluid taken.  The cultures needed 48 hours to be complete, so we were admitted to NICU 2 for the next two days.

Carson then received some antibiotics via an IV to his head, and was hooked up to monitors which beeped incessantly.  Luckily, he made quick progress and his fever broke sometime on Saturday.  He was feeling much better by Monday morning, when the doctors said his cultures were negative and he was free to go home.  Apparently, when a very small baby runs a fever, it could be a simple cold (which is what Carson had) or it could be something very serious.  And since a four week old hasn't had any immunizations yet, and since they will take no chances with a precious new life, we spent the most gorgeous weather weekend we've had all year in an insolation room in the NICU. 

I don't know quite how I made it through the experience.  I definitely cried my eyes out all Friday night and all Saturday.  Sean was calmer and held it together for the both of us.  When our family was able to come visit, it made it much easier.  I think Carson had more visitors than any other baby in the NICU!  Our parents came to relieve us which allowed us to nap and to take showers.  Nursing him throughout the hospital stay was a little tricky, but it worked out OK.

Now, we're home and so thankful.  There were so many tiny babies in the hospital who were there for so long, and whose parents couldn't be there all the time.  Our son shared a nurse with several babies, and so sometimes those babies were left to cry all alone.  It absolutely broke my heart.  I am so thankful that Carson was born healthy, that I am able to stay home with him, and that he has a big, loving family that made sure he was never far away from a warm pair of arms during his stay at the NICU.  He is so loved.  I am so, so thankful for that.

I sure hope this was our only hospital stay with Carson... or at least that we don't make another ER trip for a long, long time!!  I'm sure there will be stiches, or broken bones at some point with my little boy, but I pray he gives us a little break!  My heart needs it!

Carson with his Mamo

Melting

Right now, my heart is a big puddle somewhere in my living room.

After feeding Carson this morning, I laid him across my lap while I got his burp cloth ready.  I looked down at him, and saw the most amazing smile spread across his little face.  I spent the next precious minutes playing with him and watching him smile up at me again and again.

Little smiles, big smiles, whole-faced dimpled smiles... I can't get enough.

After the first few (extremely difficult) weeks, I can't say how much I enjoyed this morning with my son.  I know more of these times are ahead, and I am so thankful.

What an amazing blessing.

First Date!

Carson had his very first date today... with the very cute Miss Eloise Betty!

What's cuter than two wiggly babies?

Carson Lane!  You should never hit a lady!  What is your father teaching you?

Tummy Trouble

My poor little baby has been having such tummy problems lately!  He gets really gassy and uncomfortable sometimes once, twice, or even more times a day.  He'll cry and cry and wiggle around, arching his little back.  And, of course, spitting up and burping a bunch!  This doesn't happen every day, nor does it happen after every feeding... so I don't think he's got reflux that needs medicating... or do I?  I don't know! When this happens, I'll get him all calmed down, and then I lay him in his crib- where he sleeps beautifully most of the time.  After 10 minues or less, he's crying again and the only way he'll fall asleep is if I'm holding him.  I'm wondering if I shouldn't just sleep him on his stomach- since that's how he's sleeping on my chest and seems to really like it.  Hmmmm....  Of course, sometimes he's fussy not from tummy bubbles, but because the little man hates pooping!  When he has to pass gas or poop, he can really have a screaming fit!

I wish I knew what to do!  I hate that he's uncomfortable and I really don't have an answer.  I keep thinking that maybe it's something I'm eating... but what?!?!?!  Poor Carson!