Alabama Homecoming

Barrett and I have a little tradition that he really is clueless about but will hopefully one day appreciate.  We've been going to Alabama's homecoming game together every year since he was 9 months old.  Yes, I'm aware I'm crazy.  I usually have a team of people helping me and it's really not that big of deal taking a kid to the game.  This year my parents had a wedding to go to and we're going to be able to make the trip to Tuscaloosa to help.  I knew we would hang out at my cousins house but I wasn't sure what the parking situation would be.  I was 5 months pregnant and really nervous about attempting this whole thing by myself.  Then it turned out to be 6:00 kickoff so I knew I'd be driving back late and I started to just bail on the whole idea.  I knew Patrick had no interest in going to Tuscaloosa much less the game but I couldn't let this tradition pass.  So I begged him to go.  I assured him he didn't have to go to the game.  He could hang out at my cousins house and watch it on tv.  I really just needed him there for moral support and getting us to and from the car safely.  He reluctantly agreed so we set off mid-morning in hopes of catching the parade and enjoying all the festivities.

We arrived in plenty of time for the parade.  We unloaded the car and a spot opened on the street right by my cousins house.  We were happy about that.  Barrett and I headed to the parade with the group.  Luckily it was just at the end of their street because he was not excited about it at all.  We watched a few floats and the band but he hated the loud engines and noises so we headed back to the house.  Plus all the big boys stayed back and he knew he was missing out. 

They played football and basketball and he was right in the middle of it all. 

The boys were so sweet to let him play.  They would throw him the ball and let him run before they all collapsed in a laughing heap.  It seriously made my heart melt.  He thought he was big stuff.  These are actually my cousins kids.  Number 42 right there started coming to tailgate around Barrett's age to my house while I was in college.  It makes me feel so old seeing him so big.

Before we knew it, it was time to head to the stadium.  All week we'd been talking about going to the football game.  He was so excited.  I'd ask him what he was going to say at the game and he almost always replied "touchdown Auburn", the response I was looking for was "roll tide" but nice try buddy. 

We got there way to early.  Thankfully my cousin Bullet (not his given name) let us use his lower level seats and he and his son took the upper level seats.  I'm not sure either of us would have made it to the top.  He said "touchdown Auburn" about 3 times before the game started.  He didn't really care for the band that much and he got a little startled when everyone would cheer.  But other than that he did great.  He shook his shaker and eventually said "Roll Tide" a lot. 

He got restless right before halftime.  I hated to leave because we were losing but I knew if we didn't leave soon I was going to end up carrying him back to the house and that was not going to be good so we left at halftime. 

He's so funny because in the moment you can't really tell if he's enjoying it or not but the whole next week he told everyone he saw he went to the football game and showed them the pictures on my phone.  It made all the worry and planning and work worth it.  I hope this is a tradition we can continue for years to come.

I couldn't get the picture of the first year to upload.

New Years Eve & New Years Day

We had a fun New Years Eve.  We both worked and when Barrett woke up from his nap we went to my brother's house for my niece's birthday.  Unfortunately we missed the party but we did enjoy hanging out with them for a bit.  Around 7:30 we left there to head to the big New Year's eve celebration at Buffalo Wild Wings.  They had a great area set up for kids and it was all free.  They had hot chocolate and you could roast marshmallows.  The had a few inflatables and a photo booth too.  Barrett was still a little young to enjoy it.  It was freezing too and I didn't dress him warm enough.

The had fireworks at 9:00.  We got in the car to watch them because I was afraid Barrett would be scared, which he was.

Jessica and Jackson sat in the truck with us so the boys could watch together.  They were sweet.

We headed home after the fireworks.

I love this little ham.  (also I'm still obsessed with the spray tan!)

Family NYE photo. 

Three NYE with our little guy.  I can't believe how tiny he was.  He was just 6 days old in 2012.
New Year's Day we got up and went to Mass and then to Publix.  (Have I mentioned how much I love Publix? Because I love it!)  We came home and watched football.  Then we headed to Matt's house to watch the Sugar Bowl.  Our Tide hasn't done well in the Sugar Bowl in recent years so I was a little nervous.  We had to win to advance to the National Championship game.  

We lost.  It was sad.  But I keep telling myself we have had way worse seasons.  It's sad that for the first time since 2005 there won't be an SEC team playing for the title.  

This guy was a trooper.  It was way past his bedtime and he was so good.  He did fall asleep in my lap for a little while.  We left with 2 minutes left to play in the game when we were down by a touchdown and it didn't look like we were going to get another possession.  Well we ended up getting the ball back and had a pretty great drive that I was listening to on the radio.  I thought I was going to have to pull over I was so nervous.  We threw a hail mary and it was intercepted and that was the ball game.  It's still been a great season.  I'm proud of my team.

Thanksgiving, Kickball, Girl's Night and the Iron Bowl

I hate lumping the whole weekend in one post but I'm afraid i'll never get it all posted if I don't! :)

We had a crazy busy, exhaustingly fun long weekend.  

Barrett spent a little time on the ipad before we got the day started.  He looks so big.

For Thanksgiving lunch we went to my Grandmother's house.  They boys worked on building a new deck.  Porter was prepared with his took box and safety glasses.

This is the only picture I took of Barrett all day.  After lunch we picked up Patrick and went to the Horton's for dinner.  As usual I took zero pictures.

On Friday my big brother planned a family kickball game.  It did not disappoint.  Mom and Dad were team captains.  Mom chose both of my brothers and my sister and my dad chose me.  Dad's team dominated the first game.  

I haven't laughed that much in a long time.  It was so much fun!  My little brother set up his GoPro camera and we loved watching the footage.

During the second game I had a couple of memory lapses and made a fool of myself but I survived.

I just love that the whole family played (except my Patrick, he had to work.).  My parents played and ever Barrett toddled around the outfield and kicked the ball a few times.  It was so much fun.  I hope we get to do it again while everyone is around for Christmas.

Friday night Brittany and I hosted a little girls night paint party.  I invited all my "boy mom" friends.  All of our boys are right around the same age.  We painted doorhangers and I thought they turned out so cute.

We had a fun night laughing and painting.
Saturday was the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa.  I was so excited.  Jennifer and I planned on watching the game and my cousin's house but I ended up getting a ticket and we found Jennifer one too so we both got to go.  I loved the night games when i was in school.  Now that I have to travel to the games I don't enjoy them as much.  It makes for such a late night. We ventured to the quad to see what was going on. Meanwhile back home Patrick was trying to corrupt my son.  I can't get over how big he looks here. Last week at Lowe's BB bought him this flashlight.  He's been using it as a headlight on this push toy.  He cracks me up. Ms. Linda picked up this book and I love it.  It is so cute and so sweet
I got to sit with my sister.  The other girl was an Auburn fan we made friends with.  She reminded up so much of our sister-in-law Hope that we had to take her picture.
Then I went to find my other friends.  I'm pretty sure Matt wonders why he's friends with me.  I like to think it's because I'm fun, I think it's because he feels sorry for me. It was a long night.  I was crawling in the bed as Patrick's alarm clock was going off.  I've never felt as old as I did Sunday. Monday I finally got the ornaments on the tree and our halls are officially decked! 'Tis the season!

2014 Homecoming at the Capstone

Saturday was Homecoming in Tuscaloosa.  It was really late this year.  I really wanted to go and take Barrett.  Patrick was supposed to go with us but he ended up having to work.  We left Gardendale around 9:00am and traffic was at a stand still in Fultondale.  Luckily my mom noticed it before we got on the the on ramp.  After our little detour we made it just in time to walk to the end of my cousin's street to watch the parade.

Barrett was a little scared at first but he eventually warmed up and started waving at all the pretty sorority pledges. 

He did not like when the big trucks blew their horns.  I loved getting to do this with him.   

He did great all day.  It was very surreal to see Barrett and Matthew playing.  Matthew came to his first Alabama game when I was in school.  He was just a little older than Barrett.  Now he's as tall as I am.  The kids were so sweet to let Barrett play with them. 

Before long it was time to head to the stadium.  We had to get our picture in front of the sign.

Barrett didn't get take a nap and he started to get fussy during the game.  Luckily the sweet lady behind us shared her popcorn with him and he was happy.

Ava sat with us too.  It wasn't that long ago that I took her to her first Bama game.

He was very interested in the dancers.  He liked the football too.  He cheered and clapped.  

I just loved getting to take him to the game.  I took him to homecoming last year and I'm hoping we can make it a tradition.  I was so proud I didn't cry at all.  I did get a little teary eyed while we were watching the parade and again when we first got to the stadium.  I just love being a mom and I love getting to share things that I love with my son.  He may or may not like football or Alabama and that's okay but until he decides I'm going to enjoy days like this.  I hope I never take for granted how blessed we are to get to do these things with our baby.  

Week-in-Review

We've had a fun week.  

Last Tuesday my friend Brittany invited me to attend a dinner and live auction to support Just Keep Smiling.  It was so much fun.  We didn't win anything but I loved the auction.  It was very exciting.  They also played "Minute to Win It" type games and our table was called to send up a person.  I volunteered to go and I had to stack ding-dong snack cakes on my forehead.  I didn't win but it was still fun. I thought this was a pretty picture of Brittany and me before we went in. We finally got Barrett a new carseat for Patrick's truck.  He was very excited about his box.  Patrick cut a door and a window in it. They played in it all night.
Saturday I headed to Tuscaloosa.  For an unexpectedly big game.  It was a cold one and we won! So that always makes for a fun day! This is a terrible picture of me but Jennifer and I had so much fun together. I didn't take any pictures because I dropped my phone and shattered the screen.  Luckily it still works but Patrick's got to replace the screen.  After the game we went to the Houndstooth.  It was fun.  Every time I go there I feel older and older.   Sunday, Barrett and I braved the yucky weather to go to church.  After church we went to John and Hope's house so Patrick could help John run all the wires for the TV through the wall.  Barrett was trying to do whatever the boys did.  It was cute.  We enjoyed getting to visit with them.   Now it's about 30 degrees and we're just trying to stay warm.  I'm not usually a Christmas music before Thanksgiving kind of person but this weather has me in the spirit.  Maybe I'll put the trees up this week... Maybe not.

Weekend(s) Review

It's been over a week since I posted.  We've been staying busy.  I keep saying I don't want to be busy but I keep finding fun things to do.  Oh well...

Jackson and his mom and dad came and watched the Auburn/ Ole Miss game (Last week).  These boys are so cute together.  They wanted a front row seat for all the action
Last Sunday we went to Mass on the cemetary where my mom's parents are buried.  I love getting to be with all that side of the family.  Barrett wanted to play football with the big boys in the back yard. 

There were so many times in my childhood that I wanted to play football with the boys in this backyard and they wouldn't let me.  (Sometimes they let me play, well they let me stand around and pretend to play.)

He needs another haircut.

All my parent's grandkids.

Some family pictures.

I love these boys to much!

On Tuesday we had family pictures made. I loved choosing our outfits.  Thankfully my friend Brittany let me borrow something cute to wear!  I can't wait to get all the pictures back.  She's posted a couple sneak peeks on facebook and I'm in love.  (Local people, Lacey Barnwell at LB studios is amazing.  She did our family pictures when Barrett was 6 months old and I'm kicking myself for not booking a newborn session with her when he was a baby.) 

The rest of the week was spent working.  I'm so thankful for the growth of Signs of Sophie this year.  This is typically a slow time but not this year and there are no signs of it slowing down.  I love it!  Barrett had speech last week.  He's doing so great.  I need to do an update on all of his progress.

He's also started climbing.  I routinely find him on top of the table.  I'm pretty sure he would climb on the cabinets if he could get the chair up to them.

Saturday we watched a lot of football.  Barrett cheered his little heart out although i'm not sure who he really wanted to win.  Unfortunately for Patrick Auburn lost.  Barrett and I left to go watch Alabama/LSU play at our friend Matt's house.  Barrett was so good.  He stayed up way past his bedtime and was still so pleasant.  He played with his cars and teased the dog.

Here he is climbing on the cooler to keep Matt company.  It was a nailbiter of a game and I thought Matt was going to have a heart attack.  Somehow we pulled out a victory in overtime.  It was a really good game...and I'm really glad we won!

Sunday we celebrated Cruz's second birthday with Mickey Mouse himself.  Barrett was so upset when Mickey showed up.  He was so scared and cried and cried.  It surprised me because he did fine when we met the mouse this summer.  He was not a fan this time.  Makes me really excited for our visit with Santa this year.  I'm pretty sure it will be a disaster. We're geared up for another busy week at work and another big game this week!  Only four more days until the weekend!