6 Months of Strength

August 25, 2014

Happy 6 month birthday to the cutest little preemie out there.  Just in the past week he has started eating Neosure cereal from a spoon and getting better and better at it.  He is getting stronger by the day sitting up and is more and more focused on his surroundings.  He is a pro at his Bumbo seat and is starting to enjoy being in his swing, he's even fallen asleep in it.  He has a number of appointments coming up in the next two weeks including his pediatrician, his pulmonologist, his gastroenterologist and his ophthalmologist.  He is looking forward to good news all the way around.  Enjoy some of Carter's 6 month photos below and I have included some his blooper shots this time.  Thank you all for your continued love and support.  Remember that no matter how strong preemies look they are always fighting their battles.  Love and pray for them all, they are the poster children for strength.

"Mr. August"

"Excuse me please can someone give me a hand?"

"um, HURRY!!!"

"Yum, satin, haven't tasted this before"

"I can hold my own sticker now, thank you very much!"

"This is tiring stuff"

"Ah, my Mickey"

August 23rd, 2014

Rice Rice Baby

8/23/14

First I have to take a moment to say Happy Birthday to my Dad.  Although you are in heaven looking down I take this day to remember the memorable birthdays.  As a kid, last night would have been reserved for decorating with paper streamers and balloons.  The smell of Sauerbraten would fill the kitchen and German chocolate cake would be getting the finishing touches for you to later blow out your candles.  I would have probably gotten you another wallet, pair of socks or hand game but to you it was like you got gold.  That was what you did as a Dad, and now I totally get it.  Love you Dad!

Below you will see hot off the press picture of Rice Rice Baby.  Baby Carter is getting his trial runs of rice cereal as part of our treatment plan from the Pediatric GI doctor to prevent/improve his food aversion.  We have also started him on Prevacid which from what we have heard can make some pretty impressive ground in his reflux symptoms.  After a couple rough eating days for Carter he drank 20 ounces yesterday so all three of us were quite excited.  We know that he will get through this as well and am looking forward to him jumping this hurdle.  I would continue however little Carter is gumming off his hands in hunger so it is time for a bottle.  Stay tuned for Carter's 6 month birthday on Monday!!!!!!

 

Happy Saturday

August 16, 2014

Happy Saturday everyone.  Carter wanted to give you all a little update on his progress.  He is doing well and getting bigger.  He is now a tad over 12 pounds and has held steady there for a few weeks now.  Last week he had an appointment with the Pediatric Gastroenterologist for some feeding issues that he has been experiencing.  They are trying to get some better control over his reflux issues that have begun to create some food aversion.  His medication was switched to Pepsid and in a couple weeks we will start introducing cereal mixed with his Neosure then if that goes well, baby food.  We follow-up in 3 weeks with the gastroenterologist so he can make changes here and there in an effort to prevent Carter from developing a food aversion.  He is sleeping well and most nights sleep 5-6 hours, wahoo, especially for Katie who has been waking up for his middle of the night feeds, she is an amazing mommy.  He is smiling a lot more now and still loves to stare at blinds, fans and palm trees.  Here is a picture from this morning for your enjoyment.

  

Happy 5 Months Old Baby Carter

Friday, 7/25/14

Today Baby Carter turned 5 months old.  He had a good day.  He woke up at 4:30 am for his early morning feed then saw Daddy off to work at 7 a.m. then went back to sleep.  It was a stormy day in Ormond so Mommy and Carter had a indoor play day keeping busy with tummy time and naming animals on the walls of his bedroom. We weighed him tonight and he is 11 pounds 9 ounces.  He loves the blinds and palm trees and any flashing lights.  He also loves to suck on his fist and has not realized that his thumbs are opposable and suckable.  He is a very active baby and moves his legs continuously (he is getting them ready for soccer).  He is a joy to be around and his smiles will melt your heart.  Although I didn't get any smiles out of him for his 5 month old pics, I promise to share when I get some.  In the meantime enjoy!

The Supermoon has nothing on Super Carter

Saturday, 7/12/14

It has been a little while since my last post because I have been busy enjoying our amazing little boy.  He is doing very well.  He now weighs 10 and a half pounds and is 21 inches long.  He is quickly realizing what he likes and what he doesn't like.  He is a very content little man and a lot of fun to watch.  He makes many adorable faces.  He does not socially smile yet (we are working on it) but he does what I call facial progressions.  He will smile, frown, smirk and make other faces all back to back within a couple of seconds like he is doing a system check to make sure it all still works.  It is very cute to watch.  He is still rolling over from belly to back and is now also starting to teethe.  I have learned quite a bit being a new parent as well.  In no particular order here is my Top 10 List:

#10.  Let a sleeping baby sleep

#9.  Being a heavy sleeper will forever be a thing of the past.

#8.  Babies have an unbelievable ability to know when you are eating

#7.  Keep dirty diapers further than a legs length

#6.  If you know #2 has just happened give at least 2 minutes before removing the dirty diaper

#5.  I never realized how many ways there are to burp a baby, and that no one way works every time

#4.  It is almost impossible to put on a shirt when the baby will not bend his arm

#3.  I have never been so tempted to run red lights just to keep the car moving

#2.  Never change a diaper after filling the baby belly

#1.  There are no words to describe the feeling of holding a miracle

Now enjoy some pictures of Carter!!!!

"This Bumbo chair is pretty neat"

10 seconds later.........."Get me outta here"

"Ribbit"

"Yum, mouse ears!"

Happy Summer

Monday, 6/23/14

Carter wishes everyone a Happy Summer.  He started summer off on the longest day of the year last Friday hanging out at the beach during sunset to enjoy the breeze and scenes.  He had a good time in his little baby bubble.  Today Carter had a well baby visit and wanted to announce that he has surpassed the 10 pound mark.  He was really good at his visit and everyone was impressed with his progress.  He is still on Neosure and eating every 4 hours.  On Saturday night Carter slept for 6 hours during the night for the first time.  It was wonderful and hasn't happened since lol.

A special day

Sunday, 6/15/14

I could have never expected Father's Day to mean so much until Carter came into my life.  I have had a perfect day thanks to this little miracle and my amazing wife, Katie.  Carter spent a lot of the day resting and then woke up around 5 p.m. with a lot of energy so we decided to do some tummy time when the most amazing thing happened.....Carter rolled over for the first time.  He actually did it 4 times.  His own little gift to me on Father's Day!  I have a feeling he will always achieve anything he wants regardless of how little, how young or how soon it may seem.  Break down the boundaries little man, I am SO PROUD!