Merry Christmas!!!

I totally dropped the ball on posting these pictures. And, they're some of my favorites. So, Merry Christmas to you all! Oh, and the one at the end, is one of my top favorites. (And, as far as Abbey and Ryan's relationship...don't ask. They hardly see each other, yet they make it work).

All the babies love Joe!

Just the Three of Us

I have no idea why, but we're horrible about getting a picture of the three of us. Thanks to Grandma Millie, it finally happened. Here are a few pics we took after our brunch at Sonterra. (not sure I've ever seen this smile on me before)

The Tootle Men

Old Man Behaviors

I think this is the longest I've gone without posting. Sorry grandparents. I thought I'd blog while in Vegas, but at the end of my days there, I was wiped out.

Here are some pics taken in February. This past month has been our most fun with Ryan. Ryan is truly taking on the resemblence of your typical male. It's just precious. :)

Ryan LOVES T.V. He watches it as though he knows what's going on.

Aunt Tallie and Uncle Chris just bought him a Vtech learning video game. It's so neat. And, it has baby sign language on it. THANK YOU!!!

Grandma Millie and Grandpa Russell bought Ryan a walker for Christmas. He walks behind it like an old man behind his walker. (Or, how Rod walked when he had his walker after he had surgery on both feet).

Ryan loves to show off in front of other males. He pulled out all his tricks in front of Holden. Oh, and they both loved the Red Carpet on E!

He loves the pretty ladies. Luckily, his Auntie is a hotty!

Ryan loves to sratch his rear. Big fan of the eczema. He knows that diaper is coming off soon. Scratch away big boy. This habit will stick with you the rest of your life.

Rod and I were cracking up how this picture came out. Here he really looks like Linus from behind. (His sagging (and, VERY WET) diaper makes his legs look even shorter)

Mom's trip in Vegas...

This was my bathroom in Vegas that I used for SIX LONG DAYS. I spy a t.v. Do you? This t.v. made my trip worthwhile. :)

My very retro-chic bed I slept in for five nights.

Toward the end of my trip, I was missing both my boys sooooo much. I actually did better than I thought. Thank you to all who prayed for me while I was gone. They helped b/c I was able to focus during the classes, get lots of sleep, and relax. And, I felt safe the entire time. Yes, I gambled. And, yes I lost money. Dad went out there with me for the first three days. I have to say...he outlasted me both nights he was there.

Forgot to tell y'all...I took a private jet to Italy. Unfortunately, I only snapped one picture while I was there. Is the Bellagio an Italian place?!?! Actually, I took this picture in hopes to blow it up to an 8x10 or bigger for our dining room. (with some cropping and enhancing in mind).

9 MONTHS

I turned 9 months old on my first Valentine's day. Nine months...what the heck?! Hands down the fastest nine months of my life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH.

Nine things on Ryan's 9-month birthday (that was yesterday):

1. Ryan had his nine-month wellness check-up. Yes, we went to the doctor WELL. It was wonderful. The front desk lady even commented on how Ryan looked "so much better"...and, then called him Linus (from Peanuts). hmmm.... Oh, and then after the visit, we were walking out of the office and a lady said to me "Is he okay" with such a concerned-"questioning my parent skills" look on her face....ROAR momma bear!!! Quickly, God started shoving grace down my throat. I politely said back "he's hungry". For which she replied, "Are you sure?" OH no she didn't!

2. Two teeth are starting to break through!! Ever tried to take a picture of a baby's mouth, opened, in perfect angle to catch a glimpse of the teeth??? Not easy.

3. Ryan got his first box of Valentine's chocolates from his teachers. You know who the real winner is here! Nama Dotty gave Ryan his first Valentine's day card. He loved it. Even swallowed his first bite of paper.

4. Ryan still has fluid in his ears. So, looks like Rod will be making a trip back to the doc's office sometime next week for more antibiotics. (He's not infected right now, and I'll be in Vegas for an entire week).

5. Ryan LOVES toys. The kid can PA-LAY!

6. Remember Glo-worm??? Ryan's got one. I believe from Pam Gray! THANK YOU! It's Ryan's new little bed-time/nap-time buddy. He gets the biggest grin on his face when I "glow the worm".

7. A new Ryanism of the month....he'll go up to a pile of CLEAN laundry, grab on to a shirt (sock, shorts, whatever), and start sucking his thumb. He'll also do this with our basket of blankets. He'll stand up against the basket, grab on to a blanket, lay his head down, and start sucking his thumb. It's sooo cute. It's a great way of letting me know it's sleep time.



8. Ryan still LOVES his bath. Daddy makes it fun. He takes the time to put the humidifier in the bathroom, and himself in the tub. No women allowed. It's their little make-shift Men's Locker Room. The two of them will just play and play. Me on the other hand....hair washed, face washed, feet washed, hands washed, bottom washed, pour water, bounce the water balls....time to dry off. I'll work on this.
The pic below was taken right after he finished a teething buscuit. Ryan couldn't decide whether to look at the water pouring, or the shadow on the wall.
9. The doc was happy about his growth in length. And, was okay with his lack of weight gain b/c of all his illnesses the past two months. Get this....she wants him in the toddler carseat. This makes me soooooo sad. That back breaking, wrist spraining device will actually be missed.

Kickin' it Old School

These were MY slides when I was in preschool and kindergarten. I remember when they put the swirly slide in. This is one of the playgrounds at Ryan's new school. I teared up when I drove by this playground and saw that they still had my slides.

Kim, Stacy, Brooke, Todd, Chris and I all got to know these slides. I was just telling a friend of mine at work that one day, I wrote my name the best in class, so I got to wear a red ribbon. Since I had the red ribbon on, my friends and I decided that all the boys had to protect me at the top of the slide. Protect me from what?!?!? I have no idea. Nonetheless...I felt like a queen. Probably my favorite day in Kindergarten. Check out my throne.

Play & Wine Date

Megan...watching Ryan. Of course, I'm no where around.

Ryan politely asked me to leave so he could play with the boys.


The moment they first laid eyes on each other.
(No, I don't know if the correct spelling is "laid" or layed").

Of course, there's mom. Front and center for a picture.
Typical.

Child, don't think I won't grab that buscuit from you.

(Look at his poor, little eyes. Makes me sad to see him sick. He's such a sweet, cuddly baby even when he's sick)

On second thought...

This picture CRACKS me up! I should have gotten this on video. One minute he's chompin' down on it, and the next, he's pulling it away to take a look.

Shameless plug for Wortham.

A shout-out to my husband!

Love you.

Two Down, One to Go!

We ended up going the shot route. He's received two so far, and will get his last one tomorrow morning. We noticed a considerable difference after the first one! Everyone can go back to work, and go on with life.

This morning's shot was tough for me. I saw the face of total desparation. His eyes said it all. It was awful. It was as if he was looking at me saying "I CANNOT believe you, Mommy, let this happen to me again."

Can you picture this?!?! Come on, feel with me. It felt as though I had released my son into the wild with no food, shelter or clothes...and there was nothing I could do about it. Total confusion on his face. Okay, okay. My dramatic interpretation is over. Close curtain. Que the music. Applause...sorry, can't stop.

Final Days - Take 2

Looks like our little star decided to play the "sick card" AGAIN! He'll HOPEFULLY start at CHUMS tomorrow.

Here's a run down:
1. Wednesday - developed runny nose
2. Thursday - finished 10-day course of antibiotics (from previous ear infection), and now has a runny nose and puffy eyes.
3. Friday - Runny nose, puffy eyes...but mom made him tough it out for his last day at CH.
4. Saturday - Here we go again....not eating, runny nose, puffy eyes, crusty eyes, and sleepy.
5. Sunday - conditions worsened. (so he claims)
6. Monday - SICK CARD PLAYED. No, takesies-backsies Ryan. So, he stays with Nama. Goes to doctor. New antibiotic, referral for a pediatric ENT doctor, no weight gain (for a while now), stubborn ear infection, one tired mommy. Doctor decided to treat the ear infection and mommy.
7. Monday evening - Nama treated mommy.
8. Tuesday - mom works from home to care for Ryan. Air-conditioner out....we're back at Nama's.
9. Tuesday afternoon - Ryan's jumping in the jumperoo.

In all seriousness, he HAS to get better by Wednesday morning. If he doesn't, he'll have to get a shot once a day, for three days, starting Wednesday afternoon. :( I definitely don't want this for Ryan, nor does the doctor. So, please say a little prayer for my little star. His allergies are getting the best of me... I mean him.