First ER Visit

He wanted to wear his hospital gown this am!

It was bound to happen sooner or later. And, last night was the night of a scary first: Branner's first visit to the Emergency Room. In an ambulance, no less!

It all started about 7:15, when we were eating dinner. I made Barry and I shrimp with a spicy sauce, and I had a few leftover, so I decided to cook them up simply for B. He's been eating shrimp forever now! He loves popcorn shrimp! Well, apparently, it's true what they say about food allergies: they really can develop overnight.

So, even though he did not actually eat a shrimp at dinner (not a surprise), the fork that had shrimp on it did come into contact with his mouth. And, hives and swollen lips shortly ensued. I gave him some Children's Benadryl, and we hopped in the car to go to Urgent Care. As soon as we walked in the door, he vomited three times. They immediately rushed us back into a room, and started getting his vitals. He got an Epi pen and a steroid injection. The doctor said he was slightly wheezing, so he would have to travel to the hospital via ambulance just in case. It all happened so fast, and he was so calm and acting just like his normal self, that I really didn't have time to freak out. He thought riding in an ambulance was cool!

So, we spent 4 hours at the Levine Children's Hospital ER for observation. No further bumps in the road. We watched Nemo and took a wagon ride. The staff was amazing. We got home around 1:30 this morning, and everything is fine. We'll see B's pediatrician for follow-up next week, and he'll have to have the needle test at the allergist.

Luckily all is well. Major prayers were going up from us last night! CRAZY!!!!

Things I'm Loving Thursday

I can't believe it's almost Labor Day weekend. Where did summer go? Actually, where did the whole year go?! Unfortunately, we are not getting out of town for the DNC next week like we should have. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. Here's what I'm loving this week...

...these pants! I bought them to wear to the Panthers game in two weeks with a black top and turquoise jewelry. Can't wait to get them and try them on!

Source: loft.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Buy here}

...this idea. I pinned it over a year ago, and this is how Branner and I are going to start spending our afternoons and the days he's not in school. 

Source: somewhatsimple.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Source}

...this. True story!

Source: someecards.com via Ashley on Pinterest

...this recipe. I'm making it tomorrow night when we have Jen and Trey over for dinner! It's a major departure from what we normally eat (we don't eat red meat often anymore), and I'm excited to try it!

Source: lifetimemoms.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Recipe}

Hope everyone has a great long weekend!

XOXO

Sweet & Spicy Meatloaf

It's no secret that Barry loves meatloaf. It's also no secret that all of my recipe inspiration comes from Pinterest these days. So, once I pinned this, I knew it was only a matter of time before I was going to try it! We loved it!

Sweet & Spicy Meatloaf

Source: mrfood.com via Ashley on Pinterest

1.5-2 lbs ground beef (y'all know we don't really eat red meat, so I used turkey)

1 onion, finely chopped

1 c dry bread crumbs (I like panko)

1 c shredded cheddar

1/2 c sweet & spicy French dressing

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 4 oz can mushrooms, drained

1/2 t salt

1/2 t pepper

1/2 c ketchup

Preheat oven to 375. Coat a 9X5" loaf pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except ketchup. Mix well. Distribute mixture in pan. Spread ketchup evenly over top. Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until juices run clear. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

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Weekend Update

New urns. Terrible pic, but you get the idea.

I. Am. So. Tired. 

We have had a wonderful weekend, but we are all pooped! Case in point: Branner slept until 9:15 today. 9:15!!!!!! All y'all with kiddos know that sleeping past 9 is the mommy equivalent to sleeping until noon. It was so nice!

Friday night, we met Jen, Trey, and Saline at Stonecrest for dinner at Smashburger, live music, a little bit of prosecco from Dean & Deluca, and some ice cream. We had a blast! I need to look up and see how much longer they're doing the live music thing, because I'd love to take Branner again! 

Saturday, we also got to sleep in (8:30!!). We did a few things around the house, then hit the road to Asheboro because last night was Blake and Lindsay's first wedding shower! What a great party! Barry and I even made it downtown for a minute after the shower (probably has something to do with why I'm so sleepy today). It was our first time out in Asheboro, which is crazy, but we always stick close to home on our visits. 

We drove back to Charlotte this afternoon, and I've caught up on a few TV shows and lounged while Barry planted in our new front door urns. I have a black thumb, so I leave all of the gardening to him. They turned out great! 

We'll do a low key dinner and probably go to bed super early tonight. What a fun couple of days! I'm pretty sure we'll be staying put next weekend instead of traveling for Labor Day!

Fashion Friday: Jacket Jubilee

Right now, I am obsessing over jackets. At the moment, I am very hesitant to buy anything for Fall/Winter pants-wise, because I'm hoping to be in maternity pants at some point. But, I figure jackets and cardigans are open game since I can still wear them unbuttoned and unzipped even with a pregnant belly--if I am lucky enough to have one!

I ordered this cutie from Old Navy this morning. They have 25% off right now, so it was less than $30!

Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Buy}

Totally digging this red hot number from Zara!

Source: zara.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Buy}

Houndstooth! And, chains! Love! Also from Zara

Source: zara.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Buy}

Adore this sequined cardi! So fun for a night out and, again, from Zara.

Source: zara.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Buy}

Of course, I must have a leopard jacket. From Asos.

Source: us.asos.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Buy}

Looking forward to cooler weather!
XOXO

Master Bedroom Update

Bailey photo-bombed!

Phase One of our MB update is complete! Our headboard, pillows and dustruffle arrived today along with our drapes (same fabric as the decorative pillows)!!! I am so pleased with the way everything turned out! Curtain installation is in two weeks. I can't wait! Now, on to Phase Two: bedside tables, lamps, and wall decor. Thanks, Lauren, I am so, so, so pleased!

Things I'm Loving Thursday!

I got some work done this morning, the painters are here (our bedroom is already done, and I love it!), I'm catching up on last night's Top Chef Masters and US Weekly from the past two weeks, and I have a BFF date with Jen tonight—today's a good day! It will be the perfect day if I can make it on time to my favorite gym class, Cardio Dance. I'm loving all of these facts, and I'm also loving...

...this lunchbox. I just ordered it for Branner, and I'm looking forward to the more compartmentalized approach to next year's lunches. This lunchbox will last him for years to come, plus it's eco-friendly and BPA/chemical free. Score!

Source: secure.laptoplunches.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Buy here. Use code wastefree for 10% discount)

...these shoes. They've got it all: animal print, studs, cute design, great price!

Source: zara.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Buy here—they'll be back soon}

...essie's Fall collection—Stylenomics. I am going to have the hardest time deciding which color to try first!

Source: body-soulbeauty.com via Ashley on Pinterest

...this. SO TRUE.

Source: annetaintor.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Hope y'all are having a fantastic day!

XOXO