Skipping Over Christmas to Bring You....

...my date with Ryan!!! We actually went on a double-date with Matthew and his mommy, Courtney. Sea World has Breakfast with Cookie Monster and Friends. I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed our date!! Breakfast was delicious (Ryan's new word), and the company couldn't have been better. Bert and Ernie tried to infringe on our double-date, but Matthew and Ryan stayed true to their dates, and left with us. :)

I found myself in disbelief that I was actually looking at Cookie Monster. He's way bigger than you think. Oh, and Zoie and Abby Caddabie's hair is sooooo cool! Let's talk about Bert's face. Do you remember it having such a scared look????

Abbie-caddabie greeted us at the door. (sorry, out of order)

After we fed ourselves, we decided to feed the dolphins. The boys loved it as us moms tried to put a brave face on while holding nasty, dead fish.

Then, we headed to the massive playgym set thing. I think it's a pirate ship. Can't remember.

Ryan was determined to climb up this monstrous net that goes soooo high. Matthew ran up, down, sideways....all in his boots. If you all could see Ryan's sweet face with pure determination, and dedication to the task at hand...climbing to the top. We didn't quite make it. He was happy to stop about 3/4 the way up.

Matthew was amazing on this contraption. Oh, and he ran up this in boots! Nice work!

I have many more pics of this date, but for some reason it won't let me add anymore. GRRR. Also, I'll post Christmas pics soon.

Kickin' it with the Family

I LOVE, LOVE being with family. I actually don't care whose family it is, I just love to be around families. My family, the beautiful and hilarious one it is, celebrated Christmas on Sunday.

Samuel, really?! What's to ponder? I promise this is a sane family.



Look who got a new iPhone!!!! She was so surprised. Love Christmas surprises.

Stacy loves her some Samuel. He loves his Auntie Stacy.

Ryan's favorite cousins. Mattie Sue is so sweet with Samuel.

Somebody got into Nama's jewelry. Oops. It was just too quiet for too long.

My Love Bugs and a Pezzant

While I hesitate a bit, I absolutely LOVE when Ryan asks to hold Samuel. Ryan likes to pat Samuel's head, stuff the poochie in his mouth, tell him to "WAKE-UP", place toys on him while he's swinging, and sit next to him while watching cartoons. He's been a sweet big brother...but don't get me wrong. We've had our moments.

Samuel's still a sweet and snugly baby. He's always ready to eat after two and a half to three hours. I've been able to pump quite a bit to build up my stock for when I head back to work. Speaking of pumping, this morning's pump, I swear it was saying, "Wonder Pets. Wonder Pets....." over and over. He's taking the bottle well, which is helpful during this holiday shopping season. Samuel's a great shopper. He particularly loves Target. He told me.

Now, on to me. I'm doing well. :) Recovery is nearing the end! Phew. This recovery was a bit more difficult than the first. I heard the following comments from my dear family and friends, "I've never seen you so tired in all my life", "You look kind of ashy-gray colored", "Make sure you rest".... Group, I'm feelin' good! And, really enjoying this time off with Samuel.

So, yesterday, I wrapped Christmas presents while Ryan napped. Well, he awoke a bit early and stumbled upon my wrapping-mayhem He got his little paws on every wrapped gift in hopes to tear apart the paper. In efforts to shift his focus, and shift my frustration, I started going through each gift and telling him who they belong to. "This is Mattie Sue's present. This is Malyn's. This is Grandpa and Sharon's." So, we did that several times, until that got old, and mom became a bore. In desperation, I had Rod get all the gifts and put them out of sight. Well, that didn't go over too well for Ryan. So, again in an attempt to shift the focus, I offered to wrap one of his cars. Tears stopped. Car wrapped.

I had no idea it would bring so much joy. And, by "it" I mean the idea of a wrapped present. Not the idea of tearing apart wrapping paper to find a present.

The wrapped car has gone everywhere with him. It was with him through the whole "scared you" movie, placed on the night stand when he went to bed, awoke with him in the morning, followed him into the kitchen for breakfast.... So, of course I couldn't help but snap pictures of him with his "pezzant".
Note a different shirt...different day.



Samuel was even show-cased the pezzant.

Buddies

The Sturms came over the other night to visit. (I've not packed up the family yet for an evening out). Thanks for coming over Sturms. Ryan had a BLAST with Hudson. (If you can't tell from the above pictures). Love the joy on their faces!

Samuel's buddy was born one week after Ryan. Meet Coen Ellis. You'll be seeing him more and more on the blog. He's Holden's brother (below)...the cutie pie with the adorable glasses. Holden is Ryan's other buddy. Need to get these two together soon!!

Soccer team in the making!

Tootle Family at Two Weeks

Life as a Tootle??? Well, so far...GREAT! Everyone is doing well, and adjusting to the new addition. Samuel is such a sweet, snuggly baby! I prayed to have another snuggler like Ryan! I got him! :)

Samuel had his two week appointment today! He's now 7 lbs, 2 ozs. He's in the 10th percentile for both weight and height. Samuel's a healthy, happy baby. He's not "stellar" with his nights just yet, but we'll get there soon! I'm determined. I started Babywising the little guy this week. Although, Nama and my shopping habit has gotten in the way.

Ryan is a sweet big brother. Samuel doesn't seem to bother him at all. When he comes home from school, he's excited to see Samuel. But, that's about it. Then, he's off to play with his cars.

We got our Christmas tree up!!! It's so pretty. Ryan helped decorate as well. At the base of the tree, you'll find red balls all bunched up on three branches. I love it! So, I'll keep it that way.

Love being home during the holiday season! Just need to get a little shut-eye!