Sure. I was only doing protein after workouts, but then I got from Berardi (again!) that you need the carbs to up the insulin to transport the protein, hence the carbs increase.
At our age mate, esp as a newb I certainly feel that every session's tearing some ****! Don't get DOMS (yet - with these weights) at all much though, feel good generally, and am lifting more each session as I said.
Might change - watch this space when I hit the hypertrophy and strength parts of the periodization!