Because of Brighton's milk allergy, his diet has been very limited. We put him on soy milk when he was a few weeks old. I had to learn through experience that when he would eat anything with milk in it , it would come right back up and violently! We had a few bad days and nights because of milk intake issues. It was not fun or pretty. Poor thing, he got so sick. I have tried to imagine a life with no cheese, and I just cannot! For his birthday last year I had to call over 10 bakeries to find him a cake not made with milk. I found one and when he got into it, it looked like a big sponge. Sometimes at dinnertime at our house I feel like a short order cook as I am always making Brighton a different dinner than us. Also, I believe that his limitations have caused him to be a picky eater. I am not thrilled about that part. Anyway, as his 2nd birthday approaches, the thought of me having to get him another one of those spongy cakes is not appealing and even less so is the thought of having his blood drawn again at his doctor's appointment. I have decided to take things into my own hands and experiment with foods that have some milk in them. I have found that he can eat real butter. Also, he can seemingly eat cheese without a problem (Big YAY!!). I think as he grows he will outgrow it. The problem is that he is so picky that it is hard for me to get him to try these new things. We are certainly working on it though and hard! I don't think I will be serving him a straight up glass of milk anytime soon, but the way things are going, it is looks like he can eat a normal cake at his birthday party this year! Wish us luck please!!

We had a nice weekend. Saturday Jason helped me clean the house in the morning which was nice. Then, he started another project outside. He is defining Brighton's play area with some logs that he has cut down from trees in the backyard. It looks like quite the project by the looks of the giant stakes I saw him pounding into the ground! I will have to take a picture when he is finished.


On Sunday we went to Fort Mill to Donnie's granddaughter Rebecca's 20th birthday party, and then to visit Jason's grandparents.

Weekend

This weekend was Mickey's birthday. Lacey had the family over for brunch on Saturday morning. The kids played and we had delicious french toast and birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Mickey!

A few friends met up for dinner that night and then the Flowe's and the Antley's hit up a local dive for an after party. Fun times!!

Can't quite figure out these cowboy boots!

Last week was a long one. Jason was out of town most of the week for work, so it was just Brighton and I. Luckily Jason does not have to travel to much. I was not really looking forward to him being gone, but it turned out that we were just fine. Brighton and I had a fun little bonding time of just the two of us and he was extra sweet! We had our own little snuggle time each night before bed. I normally can't get this when Jason is around because Brighton wants to play more rambunctiously with Jason than he does with me.

Nothing much to report around our house. It is that time of the year when everything is sort of still and quiet as you realize the holidays are over, and you are now just waiting for spring. At least that is how I feel any way. Brighton's birthday is coming up but if it were up to me I would just freeze him at this exact age forever!!

Roll Tide!

Yay another championship won by Alabama! Roll Tide!

Happy New Year, welcome 2012!!

I was just thinking about the year that we have had. The day after Christmas of last year Jason and I got an offer on our house. We had less than a month to move out. We were VERY fortunate to sell our home so quickly in this terrible house market so we could not complain, but we didn't expect it to happen so quickly so we were scrambling. We packed up and put it all into storage and moved in with my parents. Nope, I never thought I would see the day. Neither did they!! Jason moved his Erie office into the Impact Sales office, starting the beginning of us working together and living together! A lot to get used to. Around mid February they started construction on our new home. We celebrated Brighton's 1st birthday as well. We experienced the ups/downs and STRESS of building a home. Eight, eh maybe 9 months later our new home was complete and we moved in. I think all of the stress and sacrifice were worth it. Seems like we were decorating it for Christmas right after we moved in! What a year. I am so thankful for my family. ALL OF THEM! It is a joy to share my home with Jason and Brighton and anyone else who wants to come and visit us! We have had a crazy year! I look forward to what is to come in 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

New Year's Eve

My cousin Patrick, Stephanie and their two boys Cooper and Carter came to stay with Lacey for the weekend. It was so good to see them. Mickey decided to roast some oysters, so they made a little party of it. It was a GREAT time and perfect weather for it. The only bad thing about the day was that Brighton got very sick. Other than that it was great to see everyone and then to ring in 2012!!

later that night...

A few of us stuck around to wait up for midnight. Mickey made a fire and it was a great time!

Sick little boy

On New Years Eve as I mentioned earlier, Brighton got sick. He was acting so strange at Lacey's oyster roast. He would not have anything to do with the other kids and was acting very "off". I put him down for a nap and when he got up he had a bad fever. I stayed with him in Aunt Lacey's bed for a few hours until he was ready to go to sleep. He slept for a few hours but woke up a few times not feeling well. The next day, he seemed much better but again, after he got up from a nap he had a raging fever. I called the after hours nurse as his temperature was 103.5!! She said not to take him to ER unless it was 104 or 105. He slept with me that night so that I could be there for him if he woke up, which he did a few times. Took him to the doctor the next day and said his throat was swollen but he should be fine. Two days later he broke out in a rash. After speaking to two nurses they decided that he had Roseola, or Sixth Disease. This causes 103 degree fevers, loss of appetite, swollen throat glands, then the fever disappears and is replaced by a rash, which is the tail end of the sickness. His rash is gone today. He seems much better. He has never been this sick before so it was really scary when he had the high fevers. Glad he is better.

Christmas 2011

Brighton asked for a Choo Choo this year from Santa. Santa delivered. This Christmas was so much fun as Brighton had lots of excitement and surprises.

Michael looking out the window.

I thought this was cute.

Here are some pics of various Christmas activities. We went to Kelly and Craig's house and had visits from the grandparents and visited grandparents over the course of 3 days. Everyone is with in 40 miles from us so it works out well.

Ring Toss

Lacey and Mickey got pretty creative this year. When we go to the beach there is this dive that we go to called Bimini's and they have a ring toss game. Jason loves it, and loves to play. Mickey built him one for the new house! What a great surprise and he did a GREAT job!

I had so many pictures, so I just had to choose a few. We had a very Merry Christmas! Our living room still looks like a tornado of toys hit it, but that is okay!





We are so blessed to have Brighton and our little family and to have all of our wonderful parents and brothers and sisters, and cousins! Christmas was so much fun this year!

Stephanie, Patrick, Cooper and Carter are coming for a visit next weekend. That will be a lot of fun. Looking forward to ringing in the new year!

Last day of school for the year

Brighton's last day of school Christmas party. This was the best shot I could get! He has three other classmates. Two boy's and a girl. I found out that he is the youngest of the group. The only one who has not turned two yet.

Thanks to Jason who helped me wrap the remainder of my gifts last Sunday I am 99.5% ready! Now I am making my grocery list for food for the weekend. I have decided not to get on the scale until after the new year!

Cousins Sleepover

We had a little cousins sleepover last weekend.

Christmas is almost here!!

I cannot believe this month has flown by. Actually I can. It always does! I am almost ready but there are a few last minute things that I have to do. I had a problem with my Christmas cards this year. They arrived early last week but were not quite what I had ordered. I was frustrated and the company was supposed to have overnighted the corrected cards and I still do not have, so my cards are super late this year. I LOVE getting Christmas cards from everyone each year and have gotten more than a few great ones this year! Sorry that mine have not arrived!

Looking forward to this weekend. I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!