It’s hard to believe that Wade is already four months old and that I only have 4 weeks left until I have to go back to school! Where, oh where did the summer go? Like every other teacher on the planet, I had BIG plans.

At this point, I’ve formed a new plan. I’m going to try to go to my room once or twice a week with kids in tow and try to get a good jumpstart on the year. One measly in-service week just isn’t enough time to prepare like I want to. I would love to have all the student’s papers, tests, and quizzes collated, copied and filed for the YEAR! That way I don’t have to stay on top of it as I go. It’s easy for something to sneak up on you that way.

I know it will be a challenge going in with Haylee and especially Wade, but getting some work done is better than none. I recently tried out my front carrier thing, and it seemed to work well for both of us. That is, if you don’t count my aching shoulders. :)
Soooo… if worse comes to worse, I strap that on and work away. (It sounds so easy, doesn’t it?)

He went in for his four month check up yesterday, and things looked well. He is 15 lbs 8 oz , 24.75 inches long, and his head is 16.25 cm. He is around the 50th percentile in height and weight which is always a comfort. He does get comments on how big he is, as well as the usual, “You look just like your daddy!” (Two different people at the dr’s office said that just yesterday!) I think I need to give up hope on him taking after me. :)

This was a different branch of the doctor’s office than we had gone to before, and we really liked it. The doctor was really laid back, down to earth, realistic and practical… which I love. I hate the official “doctor answer” that sometimes just isn’t possible! This branch is in Belmont too which is only a few minutes from our house.

I talked with the doc about switching to a generic brand of formula since I’ve heard from others that it it virtually the same thing at a fraction of the price. She did hesitate, and even said that the brand names would kill her for saying this, but that it would be fine to at least try and see how he did with it. So, we are out of formula today which means today’s the big day for trying it out! Hopefully, it will be a smooth transition since it is $15 for a large can compared to $26 for the Enfamil. If things don’t go well, we will probably wait until he’s about 6 mo’s to try it again.

This checkup also included 3 shots which thankfully Daddy was along to handle. We used the Emla cream again which delayed the shock and pain, and he seemed to calm down fairly quickly after the drama was over. His appointment was at 2 pm, and he was FINE until he woke up from a nap around 7:30 or so. By this time, Chris was already at school for the night, and Haylee had left for Family Camp with Grandma earlier that morning…. so it was just ME and WADE.

I had been waiting for him to wake up so I could run and pick up some dinner, and I was so hungry! After he finished his bottle, he was NOT happy and was basically screaming no matter what I tried to do. I had no tylenol in the house, so we headed out for some Tylenol and Taco Bell. :)

He was not himself at all. It was so obvious that he was not feeling well. I decided this was desperate times so I unbuckled him out of his car seat and just carried him inside the store. I usually can find infant tylenol cheaper at Family Dollar/Dollar General, so that’s where I headed. Unfortunately, they closed at 8 pm. It was a few minutes before eight, and the doors were already locked. That meant next door at Food Lion was our only option. I wish you could see a video of my shopping experience. It was crazy. I’m HOLDING him walking through the store while he screams his little head off. Walking through a store holding a wailing infant is like shouting, “Look at me… look at me… LOOK AT ME!” I grabbed the $9 bottle and hurried to the check out line.

(Yes, I said $9 bottle. This crazy coupon fanatic paid full price (Full Price!) for this medicine. It was the huge bottle, so it seemed fairly comparable to what I think Walmart would be. Plus, really, in the store with a screaming baby, it really didn’t matter!)

I surveyed the two possible lines to get into, and chose the shorter looking one. But… holding a crying baby AND tylenol is a sure-fire way to have others take pity on you and let you in front of them. :) Seriously, I don’t think words can truly describe the experience. Checking out and having everyone staring at you from every direction with looks of pity. It was awful, yet somehow funny.

I gave him some medicine as soon as we got to the car, and he quieted down when we started riding. After picking up my Taco Bell and finally making it home, I rocked him for a bit and he calmed down and slept. He ate again after eleven sometime, but he didn’t have a good night.

He is still not himself today, but hopefully he’ll be feeling all better soon!