Carter Update

Statistically speaking, Carter reached 20 lbs 4 ozs last Monday at the dr office.  He is crawling and pulling himself up to the kneeling and standing position.  He can go from his back, to belly to crawling to sitting up and then go back down to crawling and so on...but the coolest is his personality!  He is so sweet; he loves to give hugs and kisses.  You rarely see him without a smile.  He is really into exploring his toys, but it's funny to watch him when he's sick of a toy!  He pushes it away or throws it to the side...if I pick it up and re-offer it, he pushes it away again...including the use of his feet to get something away from himself.  It is hilarious!  He enjoys things that make sound...See & Say is still his favorite I'd say...but he loves this car that he kifed from Grandma's house!

Kalahari vacation...and a sick boy

This is the only part of a our vacation location that Carter really got into:)

We returned early from our Kalahari vacation due to Carter running a fever and me suffering from either the flu or food poisoning...ugh. 

I couldnt figure out why our boy was feeling so cranky and the smiles had to be coaxed out of him...we were on vacation!  However, when the fever set in the 2nd night and the sleepless night began the answer became clear.  Carter was sick.  Of course I learned from this experience: a. bring the thermometer so daddy doesnt have to run to Wal-mart at 2:00AM, b. praise the Lord that Hope Pediatrics has an "on-call" service that resulted in professional advice at 3:00AM c. I am in NO HURRY to vacation while Carter is young. After speaking with the dr, I got really sick to my stomach, which I thought was just as a result of being worried about our boy.  Josh even yelled at me to "get it together, we dont have time to get sick, we need to take care of Carter." haha...we can laugh about that now!  I completely agreed...nonetheless, my body had other plans AND during the very few times we got Carter to get some sleep, I'd go running to throw up again and even with the door shut, my barking and bowing to the porcelain god FREAKED Carter out and he would begin to scream (and obviously wake...yet again).  That continued through the night, so we decided to pack up and head home...I use the word WE loosely as I was so nauseated and weak that I couldn't do anything...I could barely hold Carter to allow him to nurse.  It was quite possibly the sickest I've been in my life...not to mention our boy was still running a fever (alleviated by baby acetaminophen throughout the morning).  TO make a LONG story a little shorter...Carter was diagnosed with Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, which we found out that morning that his cousin, who we had over for a play date three days prior, had been diagnosed with as well.  I have a feeling our little boys are going to share many illnesses over the years:)  After two days, Carter and I were both feeling much better...Josh also had an night of tossing his cookies two nights later...so I think it was the flu.  Guess we'll never know!

Vacationing...going anywhere overnight...is just difficult.  I had a hard time actually relaxing like I used to on a vacation...I find our beautiful home far more pleasing and relaxing.  I dont mind little day trips while Carter's young, but I'd rather wait to do vacations when he's older and can truly enjoy it.

4th of July Pix