Three-Week Update

Happy Family

Everett is growing so fast and it seems impossible to believe that he is already over three weeks old!  How did so much time pass so quickly!?!?! 

On Sunday, April 3rd, my mom left and headed back to Abbeville.  It was a really hard day for me, but thankfully, we had something fun to look forward to!  Well, it was fun for me.  I'm not sure how fun it was for Brad and Everett.  We had Becca Price over to take some pictures of Everett.  It seems that Everett is a bit like his daddy (not a ham like his mommy) and doesn't particularly care for having his picture taken.  Thankfully, Becca was able to get some great shots of him, despite his lack of enthusiasm.  The photos are beautiful!  To preview Everett's photos, visit Becca's website  ( http://www.beccapricephotography.blogspot.com/ ), click on Clients and enter the password, everett.

Grams and Everett

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we had a visit from my friend Jane, who drove all the way from Indiana to hang out with us.  Aunt Jane was such a big help!  She picked up lunch for me and did our laundry and even cleaned before she left on Wednesday morning.  Unfortunately, Monday and Tuesday were really rough days for Everett.  He cried and fussed and was inconsolable for the majority of the day both days. 

Everett and Aunt Jane

We went to the pediatrician on Wednesday morning for Everett's two-week check-up.  We explained what we'd experienced on Monday and Tuesday and were told, "it could be reflux, it could be colic, or it could just be his personality."  Well, at that point, I naturally broke down right there in the exam room.  After two days of my baby being totally and utterly inconsolable, I felt like such a failure as a mother.  I honestly don't know that I've ever felt so helpless.  I mean if there is something wrong with my baby, shouldn't I be able to fix it!?!?  The pediatrician gave us a prescription for Zantac and sent us on our way.  I left feeling completely discouraged and frustrated.  We started Everett on Zantac that day and just hoped for the best.


8 pounds, 12 ounces

On Wednesday afternoon, Brad's parents arrived and I was so incredibly thankful to have them here.  While they were here, they did everything from helping me with Everett, to walking Hank, to yard work, to cooking and cleaning and doing the grocery shopping.  We couldn't have gotten through this difficult time without them!

Grandma Mary, Grandpa Oscar, and Everett

The Fleckners

Over the past week, we've had a lot of crying on Everett's part and mine, but nothing like what we experienced last Monday and Tuesday.  This Tuesday, just when we were beginning to think that either the Zantac was not working or that maybe it isn't reflux after all, we had our first really good day.  Everett still had some fussy times, like all three-week old babies do, but he also had some quiet time and he actually took three naps, which is way more than I can say for any other day so far!  We went back to the pediatrician for a weight check and found out that Everett is already up to 9 pounds, 3 ounces.  So, it turns out that my little piggy is actually over-eating!  The nurse I spoke with said that his over-eating could actually be causing or at least contributing to his reflux.  Everett is now on both Zantac and Mylanta and I am trying to limit his feedings a little more.  As of yesterday, it seems like he is finally getting some relief.  He is still spitting up and is still fussy after meals and throughout parts of the day, but that is still a major improvement over what we were dealing with a week ago.  I'm hopeful that we will soon get to a point when the good days will out-number the bad.  Brad and I are both eagerly awaiting the days when our sweet baby isn't suffering so much all day long.  It seems like we may be on our way there!  The great news is that we are really getting to know our little guy more and more everyday and we are getting to know even more about each other in the process.

A few more fun pictures:

This is Everett's first pic with our neighbors, Ellen and Brian.  Since this picture was taken, Ellen and Brian have had their very own sweet baby boy, Carter.  We can't wait to me him!



A visit from cousin Susan

Everett's first visit with Aunt Sarah

A visit from the Halls.  They brought us Chick-fil-a!



Little E's first stroll



Two weeks old!  (For some reason, I can't figure out how to flip this photo)



Three weeks old!  (I've really got to figure out how to rotate these pictures!)

 In addition to those pictured above, we've had lots of other visitors during the past couple of weeks, including our friends, Mandy and Katelyn Monk, Leigh Jackson, Mike and Leslie Edelson, Tony Giordano, Katie McQuiston, Stephanie Stinn, Stephanie Bialek, Tom and Marty Larkin, Deborah and Savannah, Paul and Hannah Zey, and Laura Cavataio.  Thankfully, so many of our gracious friends have come with gifts and/or dinner.  Unfortunately, we keep forgetting to get pictures with all of our visitors.  Thanks to everyone for making Everett and his mommy and daddy feel so loved!