Carton full of Bartons

2011-11-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

Kellan listened to the Office in the womb, on his first day of life and a lot of days since then. It makes sense that he would like it so much it would be his first dancing song! Watch that stomach ladies, it will be too much for you to handle! I had no idea babies could dance.

2011-09-29T04:34:00.000-07:00

I finally made something that I've pinned on Pinterest!!

I absolutely love pinterest, because there is no commitment. I can like someone else's diy idea or their interior decorating skills and not have to run off and hurry to copy it before I forget. Sure, there are these things a called bookmarks, but it's all words. With pinterest you can see what you've bookmarked! It was brilliantly planned and laid out.

Step 1) Establish an account on http://www.pinterest.com
Step 2) Follow their directions. IT's that easy.

I've set up pin boards for DIY around the house, Kellan, FOOD, clothes and a whole lot more!

Well, on to what I've made...Fingerprint Jewelry
Here is the post in which I found the idea.

This picture is a lovely version of what was made.

I on the other hand have a rambunctious, nearly 8 month old. So, getting my fancy camera out and setting up my necklace was NOT an option.

Here is my not-so-fancy shot-

It's cute right, well not the picture but the outcome is really sweet.

I know two grandma's that are going to love their new fingerprint necklaces.

7 Months Old

2011-09-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

Our chunky boy has hit the 7 month mark with stride. He is officially crawling, pulling up and into everything. I think my posts will be more infrequent now that he's so mobile.

Through the past couple of weeks, Kellan has experienced several new things including his first earthquake! We were sitting at home, just returning from a play date. Kellan was in his exersaucer and I was sitting on the floor beside him. At first I thought "earthquake", then thought to myself "no, we live on the east coast, can't be an earthquake", then "okay, this HAS to be an earthquake" as I scooped him up and headed for the door frame covering my baby boy with my own body. Once it was over we headed outside and all of the neighbors popped out of their houses like little prairie dogs on the range.

Thank God for our safety through Hurricane Irene and our first Earthquake. Moments like those make you thankful for being so blessed.

Shower Reveal

2011-08-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

David and I have gained some pep in our step! We're so proud of ourselves for tackling our shower floor. After a week and a half of arguing ( we were not meant for home improvement as a team ), working and sweating here is our final result!!

Our only complaint is that we have a spot that was pressed down which collects a tid bit of water and you cannot buy caulk to match anything other than almond or white. BOOO!! Good thing I'm a new found pro at caulk lines!!

Learning to Drum

2011-08-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

Kellan went to VA Beach a couple of weeks ago to hear his Grandpa, Mike, play the drums in his new band. Go Grandpa Mike!!! While Kellan was there, Mike used Kellan in his warm ups and look what this little guy learned. I think Kellan's first words may be "more cowbell"

Kellan Stands...

2011-08-13T15:33:00.001-07:00

Growing boy...

2011-08-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

Happy 6 months & Baptism to our sweet baby boy.
In half of a year you've changed out lives. You've accomplished so much and made us appreciate life in a new way.

Just a few things you've accomplished in your short time here...

You can now bang a hammer

You attract people EVERYWHERE we go

You've eaten vegetables & fruits and even tried a little gatorade thanks to uncle boogie boogie

You rock out everything from a casual onsie to the fancy church going outfit (and mom's favorite=overalls)

You crawl backwards like a maniac

You've been underwater at least twenty times
You sleep through the night (most nights) in your own room

You've been to the North Carolina Mountains, Virginia Beach, Wilmington & DC

You cackle around three times a day at minimum!

We love you our sweet boy <3

Chore & Shower Follow Up...

2011-07-27T18:07:00.000-07:00

I'm doing pretty well with the chores. It helps that my Mother-in-law is here! She did pick up the sweeping yesterday and I had to move the vacuuming to today since Kellan was asleep when it was convenient!

We're still trying to decide if we'll hire someone to redo the shower or if we'll DIY. If we could get a confident answer on how to DIY, we would have already started, but there are 100 opinions and each one is different!! The only thing is Kellan's baptism is next week and we are expecting 4 house guests for the weekend and 28 people for lunch on Sunday post Baptism. I DO NOT want a mess of tile and mortar everywhere.

Only time will tell...but I would like our shower to look like this in a couple of days!

Nap Time.

2011-07-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

I love nap time. From the start to the finish! Since we've officially "ferberized" Kellan, he takes two naps totaling in a good 3 hours per day. Which means I finally have my hands free to do things like chores, pump in quiet, and house projects.

Speaking of house projects... The base of our shower was looking a little less than attractive. The prior owners DIY'd the shower, and the tiles on the walls were great, but the base was atrocious. The grout was peeling up and the tiles would move when you stepped on them. So I decided to buy a dremmel tool yesterday and pull up all of the tile. Come to find out all of the mortar below the tiles were SOAKED! I'm glad we pulled them up, but what do we do now????

We're trying to DIY, but I don't want to repeat the prior mistakes. Any suggestions? Besides hiring someone? Or maybe we should...

Scheduled Chores

2011-07-25T06:16:00.001-07:00

This week in the Barton household we are trying a new chore routine. I'm normally the type to let the house go and then as my husband calls it "tornado" out of control into a cleaning frenzy. I am good with keeping laundry and the kitchen clean, but when it comes to sweeping and bathrooms I am a slacker. And with two hairy dogs & a new crawling baby sweeping at least two times a week is a must.

So here's our new routine...

Monday- Laundry and wash sheets on the beds.

Tuesday- Sweep, Mop & Vacuum

Wednesday- Errands/Grocery shopping & Dusting House

Thursday- Bathrooms

Friday- Kitchen Deep Clean

Saturday- Sweep, Mop & Vacuum again.. (BOOOOOO)

Sunday- Prepare meals for Kellan

Everyday I will do a minor straightening of the entire house, which means picking up things that David and I leave lying around. I would say his stuff, but I'm way worse about leaving my things lying around especially in strange places!

I thought if I posted this here I would be more likely to stick to the plan. So, today....LAUNDRY & sheets!! Just in time for Grandmomma Betsy's visit tomorrow night

So glad I have this little guy to keep me company in during my chores.

Maymont with Grandmomma

2011-07-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

If you're ever in Richmond, I suggest hitting up Maymont Park. They have something for all ages. A historic house for preservation and history lovers, gardens for the botanical fans, and animals for the kiddies. We had a blast with Kellan's Grandmomma at Maymont and hope she will come back to visit again before school starts back.

Traveling Kel

2011-07-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

Kellan loves to travel. The getting there part is less than perfect, but once we're there he is in heaven! Lots of hands to hold him and smiles to laugh with. Here he is on our trip to Wilmington last month.

2011-07-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

How did this happen? Our little man has gone from a tiny sweet sleeping boy to a big pudgy out of control 5 month old! I say that with great love, he is still as sweet as they come. I know those of you from far away can tell how large he really is from this video, but it's just 100 times cuter in person.

Kellan is a busy bee. He can official scoot backwards and is attempting to crawl. He has placed his knee forward, while in the plank/pushup position. So, I say he's crawling!! Also, we've added oatmeal to his diet, which makes diapering a little less than pleasant. More videos to come!

Four Months???

2011-06-03T18:23:00.001-07:00

Our sweet boy is getting older and fatter.

A trip to the beach!!

2011-05-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

Happy 3 Months Kel! Spit up warning ahead!!

2011-05-03T12:05:00.001-07:00

2 Months Young!!

2011-04-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

A visit to Grandma and Grandpa's!

2011-04-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Lawn Mower Ride

2011-03-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

SWEET NIBBLETS, we went to the country! Look at what Kellan got to do!

Our 1st Family Trip

2011-03-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

So, as you can see we went on our first family trip! Here we are on the first long distance car ride. The car ride was a success. It took four hours, we had two dogs, two parents and one handsome baby. Check us out...

1 Month Old!!

2011-03-02T16:17:00.000-08:00

Kellan is one month old! Check him out in his incredibly adorable outfit.

Kellan rolls over!

2011-03-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

First of all, I can't believe this boy is 1 month old! Secondly, the child rolled over this morning TWICE on CAMERA. This boy is not shy nor is he weak. Check him out...

3 Weeks Old Already?

2011-02-23T17:25:00.001-08:00

You heard us correctly, Kellan is three weeks old today!

This week he had his three week check up and is already a heavy 9lbs 6oz and the doctor said he was a very alert 20 day old, which made his mother smile. We're enjoying lots of company this week, Ashley's Grandma Betty is here for the week and Leah, our close friend, is staying this weekend. Kellan is more than loved.

For those of you in Northwestern NC- We are planning on driving to Wilkes on Saturday, March 5th and David is going to leave Ashley and Kellan there for the whole week picking them up the following Sunday (March 12). So, let's plan to get together!

Well, we love you all each and every one and look forward to seeing you very soon!

Here's your weekly video-

Until next week!

Kellan @ 2 Weeks Old

2011-02-23T17:12:00.000-08:00

Another good weekly report from Kellan Brooks. We are all adjusting to our new lives and truly enjoying each other (well, at least we hope he's enjoying us!). He's doing really well sleeping about 3-4 hours at a time per night and usually snaps right back to sleep. Although he has had some nights that weren't so wonderful. In during the day time it's pretty much the same schedule, but

Dad (David) is back to work these days and loving coming home to the afternoons to such a handsome boy. Mom (Ashley) is still out of work and plans on returning back late March-Early April. Grandma (Betsy) is here this week to help, as you'll see in the video below.

Our plan is to video every week until he's a month and then monthly!

Kellan @ 1 Week Old

2011-02-23T17:08:00.000-08:00

Things went well in Petersburg in the first week with our wonderful bundle of joy Kellan. We are such proud (and tired) parents. We are slowly adjusting to the huge change that's come to us. He's been worth every minute of the work and loss of sleep. We have been so blessed to have Angela (Ashley's mom) here for the past week and when she leaves we're gaining Betsy (David's mom) for lots of help! We can't wait to see you all and please stop by if you're every passing through VA on 85 or 95, we love visitors!

we'd love for you to see Kellanat 1 week old.

Sunroom

2010-09-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

I know these are at different angles, but they're the only pictures we have. We love this room, it's one of the only that actually get good natural light.

Baby Room the beginning!

2010-09-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

I am loving the beginnings of this room! IT's going to be Awesome!!

Bedroom Envy!

2010-09-08T16:57:00.001-07:00

This is one of my favorite redos we've done and all it was is a can of paint and new furniture!

Hallway Love

2010-09-08T16:55:00.001-07:00

If it weren't for this ridiculous wallpaper the previous owners put up, we'd probably be completely finished with all restorations.

Living Room Redo

2010-09-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

In this room we're still planning on painting the maids closet and we're currently refinishing a coffee table.

Kitchen Redo

2010-09-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

We still have a ton of things to do in this room- New floors, countertops and much more!

BABY BABY BABY!

2010-05-19T16:42:00.001-07:00

Soooo.... big drum roll pleasssee.........

We're going to have a BABY!!!

Due January 25th!

PINANER

2010-04-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

David and I both LOVE music. We inherited this old upright piano with our house, so occasionally we meddle around together =).

Spring is just around the corner.

2010-03-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

We are begining to welcome spring with our FIRST flower in our lawn. It popped up Saturday bearing bright purple petals and a beautiful yellow stamen.

I think this is one of the first FIRSTs around here. We are really enjoying each day of living in our own home.

The photo was taken with my blackberry, please forgive the quality...

Master Bedroom...

2010-03-04T06:49:00.001-08:00

This was the darkest room of the house, with the worst paint job. I think the people that lived in the house before had children and were very limited with the time they could spend with details. We however care greatly about details and have spent a lot of extra time fixing their mistakes.

Major closet space here...Thank the Lord!

Living Room

2010-03-04T06:35:00.000-08:00

Our living room (David continues to call this room the "den", but I have assured him we are not lions) before we inhabited the house. The room is a long rectangular room. It has taken us quiet a while to get the room set up the way we want it.

Kitchen Before....

2010-03-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

Here's our kitchen, BEFORE. Can you make a guess to what we did to update?

Welcome to your new house. Love, The Snow

2010-02-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

We were welcomed to the new house with lots of fluffy white snow on our first night of owning our new home.

Over a two day period we recieved around 8 inches of snow. We were neck and neck with the snow storm that was headed our way, but we won by two hours! That's right, two hours after we unloaded our last truck the flakes started pouring. Weren't we lucky. (LUCKY to have awesome friends)

It's Official!

2010-02-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

It's official: We are Home Owners

Join us by seeing what we do to add our touches to this 1940s Colonial home in Petersburg, VA.