Horton House Daily: Week 4

Well January is flying right by.  Here you have our 4th week of 2015.

Day 22:  He fussed and fussed.  I finally as a last resort put him in this box with an iPad.  He was so happy and say there for a while just watching Mickey.   Day 23:  Was supposed to be a date night but Barrett got sick so Patrick had to stay home with him while I went to my friend Jessica's surprise 30th birthday dinner.  It was a lot of fun, I was sad Patrick didn't get to come too. Day 24:  We stayed home all day.  Barrett was still running a fever but he did play a lot.  He drug this doggy with the pull string everywhere.  It was so cute.   Day 25:  More cuddling and watching movies.  He loves for me to snuggle with him under a blanket on the couch so that's what we did pretty much all day.   Day 26:  Another sick day for Barrett but I had so many orders to fill this week I had to go to the office for a couple of hours when Patrick got home from work. 
Day 27:  We had my favorite...Breakfast for dinner!   Day 28:  Barrett didn't want me to take his picture.  He just wanted to play with my phone.  I'm sad he wont just pose and smile for me anymore.  

Weekend Review

Our weekend was a little different than we originally planned.  Barrett has had a terrible cough for a couple weeks and I didn't think anything of it.  He had no other symptoms so I was just keeping an hear on it.  Well he woke up Friday morning with a fever of 102.9 and a very snotty face.

So we headed to the doctors office.  Barrett was so pitiful.  His flu test and RSV test both came back negative so we were told just to treat the fever.  That's what we've done...all weekend long.  He was supposed to spend the night with my parents Friday night so Patrick and I could go to my friend Jessica's Surprise 30th birthday dinner.  But that didn't happen. Patrick ended up staying home with Barrett and I went with some girlfriends.  I was so sad that he didn't get to go but I guess that's just part of being a parent.  We had a fun night celebrating Jessica.
I was really looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday but that didn't happen.  My sick boy was up early.  He was super sweet all day though.  I felt so bad for him.  We watched a lot of Mickey Mouse and movies. He drug this doggy around every where Saturday.  It was pretty cute.  I went ahead and went to Mass Saturday night because Patrick had to work Sunday and I knew I didn't want to take Barrett with me.  After Mass Patrick wanted me to pick up Cracker Barrel for dinner.  I love Cracker Barrel but Patrick says he doesn't like it so we never get to eat there.  Well thankfully some guys at work told him that the chicken and dumplins were delicious (even though I'd been telling him this for years, I guess it isn't true unless the guys from work agree).  I got there and it took 10 minutes for someone to take my order and then I had to wait another 20 minutes for my food.  There was a 45 minute wait for a table...at Cracker Barrel.  I thought that was so crazy.  I had no idea they were that busy.  the good news is Patrick is a fan and when he saw how cheap it was he was sold.  I think we'll be eating there more and I'm really excited about it. He apparently wasn't interested in what we were watching on tv.  He got his iPad and watched Mickey. This was what our Sunday looked like.  Lots of cuddling and and tv.  My parents came to see him Sunday afternoon and I know he was excited to see them.  Patrick went to his parents for a birthday dinner and we hated to miss but the sick boy needed to stay home.   Barrett slept late this morning and he woke up without a fever.  So hopefully we're on the mend.  I've got to go into the office at some point today.  I'll probably wait until Patrick gets home so Barrett can have one more day to rest.  Hopefully he'll be 100% tomorrow. There's our weekend.  I hope everyone is staying well.

Friday Favorites

Oh today's not Friday...well lets just pretend like I got this posted yesterday....K? Thanks!
In an effort to blog more I'm sharing some of my favorite things this week.

Norvell Spray Tan

Obviously, this isn't me but I love the results from this product.  I know I've mentioned a good friend of mine owns a local salon and I'm hooked on the spray tan.  Its such an easy and effective process.  It really is that dramatic in minutes.  We've been going in groups for a fun girls night.  I love being sprayed by a person versus a booth (although I've never done the booth so that's probably not a fair statement).  And maybe I'm shallow but I just love having a little color on my skin.  
Talenti Gelato I picked this up on a whim the other day at the store.  I love sea salt and caramel and this did not disappoint.  I'm going to try some different flavors because Patrick really liked it but he's not a huge fan of sea salt and caramel.
Kindle Paperwhite I've been holding out on getting an electronic reader for a while now because I'm a big fan of an actual book.  But while we were in Mexico a couple girls had kindles and I loved that they could bring several books for the same weight in their luggage (which is a big deal when traveling as a woman).  I've already ready 3 or 4 books this year since I got this thing for Christmas.  It's so easy to throw in my purse and read on the go.  
Clarisonic Mia This was another of my Christmas presents (Patrick did so good this year).  Again while we were in Mexico a couple girls had one and they raved about them.  I've been using mine for almost a month and I think my skin looks better and it definitely feels better.  It's also made me wash my face more because it's so fun.  I've always taken my makeup off every night but I didn't always wash my face.  Now that I do I can can really tell a difference.  Now I need to find a miracle product for these wrinkles that are creeping up.
Blanket Scarves and Booties I've posted these before but I'm still loving them so much.  I love how warm and fluffy the blanket scarves are and those booties are so comfortable and versatile.  I wear them with everything,  My uniform this season is jeans, a tunic, a blanket scarf  and booties.  I love that it's still comfortable when I'm chasing a two year old but I still look put together.
So there you have it.  My current Friday Favorites, posted on Saturday.  Better late than never I guess.  Now to snuggle my sick boy.  I'm ready for sunshine and warm weather.

Horton House Daily: Week 3

I didn't intend for this to be my only post each week but we haven't been doing anything terribly exciting lately.  Hopefully that'll change.

Day 15:  I found Barrett with a spoon in hand devouring what was left of Steven's brownie after lunch.  That boy loves sweets
Day 16:  This was a fun one.  We went to "Toddler Time" at the library.  It was cray cray.  There were so many kids.  Barrett was a little overwhelmed.  After Barrett went to bed I met some friends at Jessica's salon for another spray tan party.  I'm an addict.  Patrick is checking into 12 step programs for my spray tan addiction.  When I got home Sam and Gracie were cuddled up together in the basement.  They are so sweet.   Day 17:  We finally had a pretty, warm day so we headed to the park with the rest of Gardendale.  Barrett had a blast and went down the big slides.  He's growing way to fast.
Day 18:  We celebrated a birthday at the Horton's.  I caught this sweet moment between Barrett and his cousin Tripp (who is 12 and just the sweetest to play with Barrett). 
Day 19:  I almost forgot and quickly posted this selfie of Barrett before I went to bed.
Day 20:  We went on a random trip to Tuscaloosa and drove through campus.  It's just beautiful.  I loved seeing all the students heading to and from class.  Sometimes I wish my time there hadn't passed so quickly.   Day 21:  We went to visit my grandmother.  She and Barrett enjoyed playing on their toys out in the driveway.  My uncle got my grandmother that cart for her to use when she's working in the yard.  Barrett was terrified of it.  But he loved pushing his car all over the yard.   So there's a look at week three of 2015.  I'm excited for this year!  Barrett is at a really fun age.  I was talking to another mom friend yesterday and we were talking about all the things we wanted to do with the boys this summer.  It made me so excited for warm weather to be here to stay!

Horton House Daily 2015: Week 2

We've had a week of dealing with cold weather and the flu at the Horton House.  As you can imagine, it's been delightful. ;)

Day 8:  The high this day was about 30 degrees.  It was not fun.  Barrett bundled up.  We don't have any hats that fit him so I had to make do with one of mine.  ( I also broke my phone this day.  I was so mad.  I couldn't text and could only use siri to call people.  I couldn't even answer a call.)
Day 9:  I posed for an awkward selfie.  I love this leopard tunic from Two Chicks on a Clothesline.
Day 10:  I took down the Christmas decorations.  It's always sad to me when they come down.  I do enjoy less clutter though.  I just need to come up with a better way to contain the toys.
Day 11:  Barrett got a "Flat Stanley" in his happy meal.  I want to start taking him places.  I think it'll be fun. Day 12:  Not gonna lie, it was a rough one.  Patrick finally went to the doctor after being sick all weekend and he has the flu and microplasma.  So I settled in with some sugar cookies and reese's spread during naptime.  It was every bit as good as it looks.  (Patrick fixed my phone this day, so it wasn't all bad) Day 13:  Barrett's new lovie arrived.  We weren't going to give it to him because he'd been doing well without it but he saw it when we opened the box and he got so excited that we had to let him have it.  It was so cute!  I also finally started writing in my new journal.  I love writing.  I love having this blog but I also want my kids to have my thoughts in my handwriting.  (Maybe that sounds narcissistic but I don't mean it that way.)  Day 14:  We spent yesterday catching up on all the things we'd been neglecting all week due to everyone not feeling well.  You know it's been a boring day when all I have to show is a basket of clean laundry.   Until next week...

2 year check up and the lost lovie

On Tuesday, Barrett had his 1 year check-up.  I had been dreading it all day.  It was in the middle of naptime and we had to ride two elevators so I knew it was going to be less than pleasant.  We parked and as we were getting out of the car I was throwing a few diapers in my purse and a car for him to play with.  Barrett insisted on taking his lovie bear blanket thing.  Normally I'd make him leave it in the car but I knew we were riding the elevator (which he hates) and that he was going to get shots so I figured I'd let him take it.  That proved to be a mistake...

We get to the elevator and as soon as the doors open Barrett starts crying and holding on to me as tight as he can.  We get off that elevator and then have to get on another one to take us to the ped's office.  We were waiting for the second elevator and he was crying and pushing trying to get away from me.  He was pitiful on the ride up and was fine once we got off.  We walked in and got signed in and waited for our name to be called.  It didn't take long and we headed back.  Barrett had been playing with a car in the waiting room that I'd brought and he insisted on walking back to the exam room.  I never thought about the lovie once we got out of the car.  They quickly get his height and weight and the doctor comes in.  Everything looks good.  He's pleased with his progress especially in his speech and communication.  He gets two shots and we're sent on our merry way. He cried because of the shots and then he started crying again while we were walking down the hall towards the elevator.  He cried all the way to the car.  It was pitiful.  It was when I got to the car that I realized we didn't have the lovie.  I quickly called up to the doctors office to see if they'd found one but they were closed for the day.  I sat in the car and debated dragging him back up the terrifying elevators to see if I could find it.  I couldn't remember him having it at all at the doctors office.  We were with people in each elevator and I think they would notice if he dropped it.  I was so upset.  Barrett was upset.  It was not a fun ride home.  Patrick got on amazon and ordered another one.  We were both dreading bedtime.  We have another little lovie that's an elephant that he liked okay but he preferred the bear.  Thankfully, Tuesday night he got the elephant and never acted like he missed the bear.    It hasn't been as bad as I thought.  He's adopted the elephant and seems happy with it.  At this point I think I'm more upset than he is.  That lovie was something I planned on keeping forever.  The new one should be here today but I haven't decided if I'm going to let Barrett have it or not.  I may keep it all to myself.

Horton House Daily: Week 1

I few years ago I challenged myself to post a picture on my blog everyday.  I was exhausting.  I completed it but I decided I'd never do it again.  When I went to have my blog book printed that year it wouldn't all fit in one book so I've never had it printed and I haven't had one printed since.  (I'm really behind).  I loved the idea but my blog was not the place to post it everyday so I decided I would try it again this year and post them on instagram.  I'm using the hasttag #hortonhousedaily2015 if you want to follow along.  I'm going to post them here one a week.

Day 1:  We watched the Sugar Bowl at Matt's house.  We lost but Barrett didn't mind.  He was so good and so cute. Day 2:  I got to visit Olivia, Lorie, Joseph and Elise.  I hadn't seen the baby since she was born.  She was so sweet. Day 3:  We celebrated Eli's 1st birthday at a "Monster Bash".  It was such a cute theme.  The first time I tried to get Barrett's picture with the prop he tried to climb through it.  It was hilarious. Day 4:  Barrett dressed like a big boy for church.  He and daddy matched.  He looked so cute but I'm not ready for him to look like a teenager everyday. Day 5:  Barrett went back to school.  His teacher said he fell while he was dancing on top of a wedge mat.  I thought it was hilarious and wish I could have seen him dancing.  I also started the week of leopard. It's freezing here so I'm trying to cheer myself up by wearing leopard everyday. Day 6:  We were busy this day.  A friend came to play at the office, I wore one of my favorite leopard tunics, a friend brought me some coffee and we had Barrett's 2 year check up. (where we lost his lovie but that is getting its own post) Day 7:  Another day, another leopard selfie.  We worked all day on samples for Signs of Sophie.  It was a fun day.

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.

January Goals

I'm back to setting my monthly goals.  I didn't set any for December.  I tried to focus on celebrating the true meaning of the season with my family.  At times I failed miserably but overall I think we had a good month.  As much as I've loved the holidays, I'm ready for things to get back to normal around here.  I crave routine.  I just function more efficiently with a routine. January Goals 1)  Pray more intentionally; be more intentional. I really want to start some sort of devotional and be more intentional with my time with the Lord.  I waste so much time it's embarrassing.  I want to use my time wisely.  I want to be a good wife, mom and friend. 2)  Cook More. I think this has been a goal every month.  Now that Patrick is back on day shift and we are getting back to a routine I want to cook 4-5 nights a week.  I plan to cook at least one new recipe each week to hopefully add some new things to the rotation. 3)  Clean out my closet. If I haven't worn it in the last year, it needs to go.  This is going to be hard because I am a clothes hoarder.  I have tons of shoes and clothes that just don't work for me now that I need to donate. 4)  Be more patient with Barrett and the "Terrible Twos". This is probably going to be a yearly goal.  I'm hoping getting back to a routine helps him a little too.  I know he's just becoming more aware and independent.  I want to mother him in a way that builds him up.  I want to be firm but loving.  I want him to know I am in charge but I'm also here for him that he can talk to me about anything. 5) Take down the Christmas decorations & organize. Don't laugh.  I realize most of you already have yours down.  I always struggle to take down my stuff in a timely manner.  I just love all the little lights so much.  It's been so cold and dreary here lately that I just want to sit a look at the lights.  I should be ashamed to admit that there have been several years I might not have gotten my tree down before February.  I also need to better organize everything and try to come up with a better storage system for all the seasonal decorations I have. So there you have it.  My goals for January.