Friday, April 25, 2014

Confessional Friday

I am linking up for the first time in a long time.

  • I confess I am still sick. This stupid cold/allergies/cough/wheezing has been going on for 3+ weeks now. I am running out of antibiotic and my steroid is done, yet I am still having breathing problems. To be young and get over things easily…I just want to stop wheezing the rest I can deal with.
  • I am excited to be going out of town for work tomorrow. I am going to Seattle. I am excited to get to see my old boss. I am excited to get out of Arkansas Pollen Hell!! I am not excited about 3 hour flight with head congestion.
  • I have a picture that I won’t and have not shared this week, mainly because Michael does not want me to share. Mason ended up sitting on the potty this week with both feet in the water splashing around. He is FAST and he CLIMBS and he will be TROUBLE. I see heart problems in my future.
  • My little Elton John baby. He loves these sunglasses and each and every time he puts them on, I feel like he looks just like Elton John and it makes me smile.20140423_071950
  • These two make my daily life so much better. They keep me going when I am down and they make me happier each day. Mason got up around 6am the other morning and Michael went to get him. When I got out of the shower, they were snuggled together in such a great way. Makes me feel blessed!20140424_070156 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Spring Project

Now that we are in our new house for the first Spring, I have been dying to plant stuff. I wanted to wait and see what came up this Spring and I have been thinking for months and months on what I am going to plant around the pool area. I like easy, I like tropical, and I love pretty. So, for the last few nights I have been working very hard to get all my planters looking good and figuring out what to plant.

I had tons of pots from the old house. They were mismatch and did not look very good. The first step I decided to take was to paint all the planters the same color. At first, I thought of doing a red or teal blue, but then decided I would match my newly painted patio furniture.

Before20140421_120933

After20140421_122259

Once they were painted, I wanted to try and figure out the plants that could go into them. I do NOT have a green thumb. So I used Pinterest and Google. The one plant I knew I wanted was some cannas. I love them and they are tropical. Other than that I had no clue. I really don’t know how this is all going to look once everything starts really growing but here goes.

This one has creeping jenny, begonias and the cannas will hopefully appear in the middle of the container. 20140422_17574720140422_175807These have coleus in them. I have four of these smaller containers. I am hoping to keep them alive all summer, but that will require a little help from my husband on my first long work trip. He has a tendency to forget to water my plants. Thinking positively for this summer that since they are by the pool he wouldn’t forget. 20140422_175818

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Baby Snuggles are the BEST!

I am so in love with some baby snuggles, especially when they come from my own baby.  We rarely snuggle together, but on Sunday when Mason woke up from his nap, I could tell he was not quite ready to really be up. My allergies were bugging me, so I snatched him out of his little bed and brought him to my bed, where we snuggled for another 30 minutes. He just laid on me being extra sweet. He is definitely my kid and loves to sleep. I just wish sometimes that we could do this more often. I always swore to myself that we were not going to co-sleep and we have not.

Now Mason cannot even get comfortable sleeping in my bed. I have tried. I try each time Michael goes out of town. I keep trying because I hate him sleeping upstairs with me down alone. But from time to time I am blessed with baby snuggles like this. A quick nap after school on me or similar to Sunday, still sleepy after a nap. I want to remember these days the most. I want to remember the feeling. I know there will come a time in the not so distant future where he will want nothing to do with my snuggles, so until that day comes, I will cherish these moments. 20140420_150642I especially love a group/family snuggle time. Gabby, Mason and I snuggling in bed. Mason was trying so hard to go back to sleep.  20140420_151302

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Mason and Papaw

Growing up I feel like I was really close to my grandparents. Maybe it was because I was the youngest on one side of the family and the only girl on the other side, but I always felt a special bond with my grandparents. Even my aunts and uncles and great aunts and great uncles. I always knew when I had kids they would be close to there family.

Over Easter weekend, we spent the day with my parents. We were all exhausted but Mason was going strong. He went and grabbed his blanket and proceeded to try and climb up on the couch with Papaw. Papaw helped and he just laid there for a long time until my Mom took him and placed him in his crib. I am sure this just makes Papaw’s day, but it also makes this Mama the happiest Mama EVER.

IMG_20140419_151105This boy sure does love his Papaw and he now says, Papaw all the time. I got a video below to remember. I was talking to my Dad on the phone and Mason started saying Papaw. It was a whisper but clear as day. I got off the phone and recorded it so that my Dad could see it, just in case it did not happen again. Of course, when we went to Nana and Papaw’s this weekend he was saying it to him. A-DOR-ABLE! He has said Papa a few times in the past, but we were not really sure if he was trying to say Papaw or making papa noises or even trying to say his sitter’s name. No denying what he is saying now. My little talker. MasonAllen_Nov_12_24_2013_3835.NEF

Ignore the snotty nose please, we are still recovering.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter 2014

We had a great Easter weekend. Everyone is still recovering, especially me with my death cough, but I was bound and determined to ensure Mason had a good Easter. It started on Friday at school. They had an egg hunt and party. It was so fun! Seeing all the kids his age running around the playground trying to get the eggs was cute. Mason was perfectly happy just holding 3 eggs in his hands. He did not understand there is a treat in that egg or to put it in his basket. Oh well. Next year he will totally get the put inside your basket.  Are you ready for adorable picture overload?

I should add it was PJ day at school, so that’s why Mason is wearing PJs. 20140418_15092320140418_151035Saturday, we went and did an Easter egg hunt with Nana and Papaw at church. Mason just loves playing at Nana and Papaw’s house. Maybe it is their dog Callie, maybe it is just Papaw. He got to play hard and get in some more egg hunting. Easter_04_19_2014_4663

Easter_04_19_2014_4689This look on Mason’s face is priceless. Easter_04_19_2014_4719.NEF

Easter_04_19_2014_4754Got his two eggs and he is done.Easter_04_19_2014_4757Strollers can be great seats for parents. Easter_04_19_2014_4765.NEFOn Sunday, we spent the day with Michael’s family. All the cousins together for some lunch and more egg hunting. Mason was so over egg hunting at this point and just wanted to play with the bubbles and on the play set. In the morning, Mason woke up to find that the Easter bunny stopped by his house and brought him some fun stuff. Bubbles, books, a lion and a baseball glove (too young?).

20140420_091805

Easter_04_20_2014_4796.NEFEaster_04_20_2014_4797.NEFMason loves my hat. Easter_04_20_2014_4820.NEFCousins hunting eggs. Easter_04_20_2014_4865Jumping on the trampoline. Easter_04_20_2014_4896.NEFMy beautiful niece…I feel like this picture makes her look about 10. Easter_04_20_2014_4905.NEFMason loved jumping with cousin Hadley. Easter_04_20_2014_4912.NEF

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Sick Baby Bounces Back

We had a sick baby this week. On Monday, Mason woke up early. Like 5:30AM early. This is different from his usual 7:00AM or later wake ups. Michael went to get him and tried to get him to go back to sleep but the poor baby just kept fussing. He put him in bed with us and poor baby just could not get comfortable.

We got up and started getting ready for work and school and he would not let us put him down. He would cry huge tears if we set him down for even a second. So, Michael and I took turns holding him. I thought he is just really sleepy since he has been up since 5:30. I checked his temperature to make sure he was not sick and we were normal. We loaded Mason up and took him to school. He started crying about halfway to school (10 minute drive) and I kept trying to give him stuff to calm him down. Nothing was working. As soon as I got him out of his car seat at school he threw up everywhere. It was crazy. I stood there in shock for a few minutes. The majority was on the concrete but I got a good coverage. Mason on the other hand had nothing on him. I didn’t know if I should load him back up in the car and go home or clean up first. I stood there too long shocked. This was Mason’s first vomit. I went inside and asked if someone would hold him while I washed my hands at least. I called Michael to have him come and get Mason, I had a doctor’s appointment in the morning and had to go.

Michael was there in no time and took the poor baby home. He said he fell asleep in the car and when they got home he was fairly happy just sitting with him on the couch. By the time I got home at 9:30 Mason was asleep on Michael sitting up on the couch. Pathetic. IMG_20140414_125818 I put him to bed and he slept until 1:00. Michael kept saying, maybe we should get him up. I said no way. Sick baby needs sleep. Once Mason woke up and ate some lunch he was in the best mood. I called the doctor because Mason has had a bad cough and since he threw up I wanted to make sure we didn’t need to bring him in. She thought he probably threw up from the drainage. You could tell Mason still was 100% the rest of the day, but he is doing much better.

Mason loving on Gabby. He really loves her and was hugging her and kissing her and I think Gabby knew it was making this sick baby happy because she just laid there and took it. 20140414_132000This is how I could tell he still felt bad. He just wanted to sit on my lap and snuggle.20140414_164138I love how quickly baby’s seem to bounce back. I am now sick and I cannot shake this crud. Yuck. My cough is killing me, but Mason, he is great! Minus the cough and running nose that is continuing. photo

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Weekend Wrap up

We had a very busy weekend. Saturday we had the Heart Walk, a kid birthday party, and dinner with friends. Mix that in with a long nap for Mason and I and yard work for Michael. It was a nonstop day. Sunday, should have been a day to relax but we worked in the yard and cleaned the house.

Michael’s company was a sponsor at the Heart Walk and the Bimbo Bear Osito was there. Mason actually liked the bear. He would give him high fives and wanted to touch him. He kept wanting me to take him over to him, but you could tell he was a little nervous about him. The bear did talk and I think that helped.20140412_090900Future soccer player? Mason loved the balls. Michael’s company had a little competition for the kids and Mason kept trying to steal the ball and run away. 20140412_091244Constantly with the ball. 20140412_091248At our friend’s birthday party they had this swing set and Mason loved it! I think we are just going to have to go find Mason a play set. 20140412_121611Mason with his rocking chair. He wanted to move it around the room. It was funny to watch him pick it up and move it. 20140413_183357He moved it over to us and decided standing in the chair was a great idea. Uh no. At least he decided to stand in it by me so I could hold onto his arm while Daddy tried to get him to sit on his bottom. It was a great weekend. We are looking forward to Easter weekend.20140413_183448

Friday, April 11, 2014

15 Months Mason

20140411_072901My Little Elvis20140411_072935

Weight: My little chunk-a-monk is 25lbs 6oz the 84th Percentile. 

Height: He is so tall 32.75” in the 94th percentile. I used to look at him and think he is getting so tall so fast and now he has slowed down. After our trip last weekend I thought he looked taller. His pants were just a little shorter.

Eats: Mason has not been wanting to venture out on foods as much as before. Things he was loving before, he pushes away. Most of the time he will taste something and then take it out of his mouth. He then usually asks for another bite.

What he is enjoying: He is such a happy baby. The weather has been a lot nicer and we have been spending a lot more time outside. He loves to wander the yard and pick up Gabby’s toys and throw them for her.

Teeth: 12 teeth total. Now when he smiles it is a mouth full of teeth. We have even started to brush his teeth daily. This started a few months ago but now it is getting more and more important.

Talking: We have a serious talked now. He is jibber jabbering tons now and it sounds like he is trying to make sentences. He will point and just talk and talk. I have no idea what he is saying or what is so interesting but I usually try to talk about whatever he is pointing at at the time. Everything round right now is a bubble unless it is a ball then it is a ball. He loves making a fish face and roaring!

What’s new this month? Mason is running and exploring! Gabby and him are really starting to become more and more of a pair. Every morning Gabby goes upstairs with me to get Mason. She sticks her nose in the crib and gives him a kiss. Mason gives her a huge smile and says Gabby! I can’t wait until he is in a toddler bed or big boy bed. Gabby will probably want to sleep with him. Mason is loving laying on Gabby and throwing balls for her. He has a tball set and he loves to hit the ball with the bat. We are I am working hard on his baseball skills. He will be a pro at 5 years!!

20140409_093710Such a ham!!20140409_100913

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Las Vegas

I am exhausted, but I guess that is how a weekend in Vegas done right should end. We had so much fun. Everything we did was fun, everywhere we ate was great, and the company was not too bad either. It started out with a late flight to Vegas and a limo ride to the hotel. The limo ride was so fun. We were jamming to music, drinking and cruising the strip. Even though, when we landed it was late and we were tired, we all woke up big time in the ride to the hotel. 20140404_230024The boys and their scotch.20140404_231856The Limo driver stopped and we got several fun shots at the sign. In all the trips I have made out to Vegas this was my first time to stop at the sign. DSC_0421The boys gambled late into the first night/morning and the ladies headed to bed. We decided to grab a big breakfast the next morning at the Paris buffet. It was so good and probably the best buffet on the strip, especially for breakfast. I have only done breakfast there.  20140405_090529After breakfast we walked around and then headed to do some gambling at this bar in Caesar's Palace. It was called the Seahorse or something and they had this aquarium of Seahorses. It was so cool. 20140405_112345We had an early dinner (5:30 early) at Sage in Aria. OMG!!! The food was A-Mazing!! We did the tasting menu with the wine pairing. I think I could eat this meal nightly. IMG_11289607323714I had the Wagyu Beef Tartare, the Maine Dayboat Scallops, Iberico Pork Loin and the chocolate dessert. My favorite of those was the scallops. Melt in your mouth scallops. Michael got the 48 hour Beef Belly and it was oh so good too. Someone else got the Oysters and they were awesome too. The best part was going for 6 people. We just played the plate sharing game. PhotoGrid_1396964982089After dinner, Rachel and I played the Roulette table in the Aria. Rachel was on fire and I was following her picks. We both won big. The boys just watched. We did that for a couple of hours and then headed to the Bellagio to Cirque’s O show. Rachel and I were in awe of the show. The boys on the other hand…were not as impressed as we were. PhotoGrid_1396768632924The next morning we had Hash House at the Quad. It was yummy, but look at these chicken and waffles that Tyler ordered. We enjoyed breakfast and then Rachel and I gambling at the Quad. It was probably out favorite gambling spot. 20140406_105335Sunday was pool day. We all hung out at the pool for a few hours. Beautiful weather for the pool and soaking in the desert sun.20140406_134405

After the pool I went to take a nap while everyone else went to the Stratosphere for some rides. I don’t like heights or rides so I stayed back. Michael purchased the pictures below and I laughed pretty hard each time I look at the pure fear in their faces. Hope they enjoyed because my nap was fabulous. PhotoGrid_1396897080429Sunday night we had dinner at the Bellagio’s Yellowtail. It is a great little sushi spot that overlooks the fountains. Yet again, dinner with 6 equals lots of plate sharing, but sushi is always a plate sharing meal. 20140406_191528The view of the fountains from the restaurant. Oh so fun!20140406_193251Getting a little birthday ice cream.  Notice Rachel was ready for a nap. After the sun and adrenaline rush she was exhausted, but we still had our nightly show. 20140406_212031We went to see Absinthe at Caesar’s Palace. We had great seats in the already smaller venue…second row. We could see every muscle and every…everything. This was my favorite show. It was hilarious. In the first 20 minutes my cheeks hurt so bad from laughing and that was just the start. 20140406_221159This guy stacked the chairs high and climbed up. Let me put it to you this way. If those chairs had fallen we would have gotten hit. The stage is a round small stage 5 feet in front of us. It was awesome!20140406_221912This guys were so good and their strengthen WOW!!! 20140406_231024BEST PART OF THE SHOW!!!! Tyler got picked from the audience as the “nerdy white guy” to go up against the token black guy to give a lap dance to the asian girl. It was crazy! Tyler had no chance. The guy he was up against told us after that he used to be a striper. NO chance Tyler no chance. It was hilarious. The commentary that went with this performance was the best. I have a 5 minute video that I will be uploading to YouTube to send to our new friends. Now just to find out what I did with his business card. 20140406_231844These three were the Frat brothers. Haha. They did was fun stuff too. This picture was before they removed their shirts. :-) It was a good time. After the show we did more gambling but as a group. We found a great blackjack table where we could all sit and played for hours. 20140406_232718Monday was spent shopping. I got Mason some adorable items and I got myself this great floppy hat. I have been looking for one for awhile to wear at our pool this summer. I am so glad I waited for the right hat. I love it. I actually wore it home, so it would not get smashed and I got a lot of compliments at the airport. Overall, this was great trip. I believe we broke even on the tables and we ate great food. It just was a great trip with great friends!20140407_132751

About Us

My photo
Michael and I have been together since 2006. We met in college at the University of Arkansas and began our life together. We bought a house and moved to Fayetteville from the Chicagoland area in November 2009. We were married in 2010 and had our first child, a boy, in 2013. Our favorite thing to do together is travel and we have gotten the opportunity to go to lots of fun places. We are working, breathing, playful parents. Our fur baby and child are the center of our crazy life, but we wouldn't have it any other way.