Dropping the Swaddle for Zipper PJs

Whose the big boy in zippers?!?! That would be my son, RYAN!!! Without his consent, we opted to forego the Miracle Blanket! I may be speaking too soon for it's only been two nights of successful, unswaddled sleep. Grandma and Grandpa Tootle put Ryan to bed Friday night while I went out with some friends. (Dad was in Houston). So, I figured this was a great time to break the habit. We did it again last night, and our little tot slept like a champ. We watched the video monitor before going to bed, and noticed he had his thumb in his mouth. Lord, you are so good to create thumbs. (See thumb pics below)


"I'm so over the poochie."

Mom Got a New Do

Momma got a new do! Last night, she went out on the town with a new image! So, don't mind the sleepy eyes, no make-up and pj's. We're not moving super fast this morning.

I'm FOUR Months Old!!!

I'm four months old and I'm...
-Smiling
-Standing (with some help)
-Sleeping 11-12 hours at night (Mommy's favorite)
-Playing in my Jumperoo!
-Sitting on my mommy's hip with no head support
-playing with my toes
-SUCKING MY THUMB...(my favorite)
-Falling asleep on my own without crying beforehand. (my thumb helps me with that)
-Racing in my Bumbo seat...at a faster speed too!
-Slobbering all over everything.
-Breaking out of my Miracle Blanket every night.
-I can go on and on, but I hate to brag.

Thanks for all the love and hugs you all give me!

Ryan and Holden's First Art Project at School

Well, who ever says that a four month-old can't paint, better think again. And, this ain't no finger painting. This is FOOT painting! Ryan and Holden's art work hangs right next to one another. So cute. The daycare does this monthly, and then cuts them out for the parents to take home. Proud mommas!


Since the boys' feet are on the top row, they are at the top of their class! :)

The Faces Behind the Paintings...The Artists!

All-Inclusive Trip to California

Where do you go with a baby and not have to pack diapers, strollers, carseats, pack n plays, blankets, burp cloths, or toys?!?! THE ARNOLDS! My goodness they have everything. They made this trip possible. We did not have to pack anything for Ryan except his clothes, and Ryan himself. For more information on the "World's Easiest Vacation with Baby", you can go to the Arnold's website (link is on the right).

I have so many precious pictures of Ryan with his cousins. It was so great to have them all together. Malyn wanted to attack him for his pacifier (she doesn't even use one), and Mattie Sue was questionable about having another baby around. Sue was so sweet with him. She'd say "It's okay Baby Ryan. Don't cry."

I think my favorite part of the trip was learning that Mattie Sue talks to her shadow. She must have done this for an hour.
Ryan was a champ on the trip. We had many "firsts" on this trip.
-first plane ride (except when he was 9 weeks in the womb)
-first beach trip
-first dunk under water
-first time to laugh for his mommy and daddy
-first time to sleep unswaddled (partially successful)
-first photo with a bunch of California girls

This caused a little tachycardia for me. I'm fine now. (I think Dad was a little nervous too).


I'll have more photos soon. Tired and ready for bed!

Swimming in the Hill Country!

Ryan and I invited ourselves to Courtney and Brian's neighborhood pool. Now, when I think of a typical "neighborhood pool", I think of broken lawn chairs, ant piles, chipped tiles, bathrooms with bees waiting to attack, and a warm (human made) baby pool. That's the description of the neighborhood pool that we grew up at. And, WE stacy, jenny and kim) LOVED IT...our parents would drop us off there in the morning, and pick us up in time for dinner. We'd call our moms collect on the pay phone, and then the moms would "not accept" the call. That call would tell them we were ready to be picked up.

This neighborhood pool trip...........Ryan and I were swimming with the rich kids! Wooooowee! This place was unbelievable. The bathrooms are air-conditioned with sink faucets that still fascinate me. We had pool-side service too!!! It was great. Definitely felt like we were on vacation! Court, I'm ready when you are! Except, maybe we leave the kiddos and layout IN the adult pool. That's right, you can set your lawn chair in the water.

TAGGED!

My dear sister Stacy tagged me. So, now I have to list eight things people most likely don't know about me. For those of you that have been reading my blog since the beginning, you know I don't leave much for the imagination. But, I'm sure there are a few things I can bless you with.
1. In Kindergarten, I got an award for writing my name the best in the class. I got to wear a red ribbon to recess. I still think about that day.
2. I was a pyromaniac when I was little....and, so was Martha's daughter! We almost burned our neighbor's fence down.
3. When I was pregnant, I would buy donuts for the office... but, before I'd get to the office, I'd down a whole bag of donut holes!
4. Speaking of holes, I wear undergarments with holes in them.
5. I want to try out for "So You Think You Can Dance"....heck yeah, I think I can dance!
6. I used to be a Britney Spears fan.
7. I have a new habit...nail biting. Started when I was pregnant.
8. I have a three foot "Little Tikes", blue slide in my office.

TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS....YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED!

Summer Fun

Go to www.thetootlefamily.shutterfly.com to view the Tootle's last weekend of the Summer! For some reason, I'm not able to add a text link to this post. So you'll have to copy and paste the address in your browser.

Enjoy!

My First Day of School

Check out my classroom!!! I love my teachers, and I'm excited for Holden to be there tomorrow. I had to sleep on a pink sheet b/c a little girl stole my crib. (Mom will explain later if you're interested)

I felt right at home when they put me in a swing! Nothing like a swing.

And, of course it didn't take me long to fall asleep in a swing. The teacher told me that I won't be allowed to stay asleep in the swing, so I guess I'll have to get used to that.


My mommy AND daddy cried when they left. I'm still trying to figure out why. I have all the toys in the world, and a lady with a blue apron to change my diapers. I had to give my mom my daily report card. I wasn't sure what she would think. She didn't seem to be too worried about it. She was worried that I hadn't had a BM yet. Wonder if that will be on tomorrow's report card. Wish me luck!

Fat Guy in a Little Coat (Compliments of Tommy Boy)

What are you laughing at? Don't laugh at the kid. Its not his fault his mom can't let go of his NWB and 0-3 clothes.

Ryan tried to tell me it wouldn't fit, but I was bound and determined to make it work. Once it was on him, I bursted out laughing and had to capture the moment. What's more sad, I didn't change him for our lunch date.

Hudson's Here!!!!

Welcome Hudson!!!! We're so happy you are FINALLY here! Glad you and mommy are doing well! You sound like a good size boy! 7lbs and 15 ozs. Can't wait to hear more details about you. We love you to pieces!

The Tootles

Ten on Tuesday

1. Nama and Poppy are off on their Mediterranean cruise for 20 days. So, our blog will be updated often so they can stay in touch with us. Nama's afraid that when she comes back, Ryan will be doing cartwheels.

2. Ryan and I weren't getting along yesterday. I wanted to shop at Marshall's for picture frames, and he just wanted to be home, watching Baby Einstein. I finally got him in the store, and he cried the whole time. Realizing he needed his diaper changed, I changed it in the store. What happens...diaper comes off, and out comes that little water-pistol. He wet all over himself, the stroller, and his clothes. This whole episode was quite intriguing for a little four year old boy. This is how Ryan shopped the rest of the trip. Does this make me a bad mom?



3. The Tootle family went swimming, and I was determined to get a picture with my son. So, after the photo is taken in the water (ahhhhh), I asked Rod to get Ryan dried off. Assumming that he'd change his diaper and put dry clothes on him, this is what I found...

That would be my dress keeping Ryan warm.

4. Ryan starts daycare on Monday. How am I doing? Actually doing okay with the whole situation. It's hard working from home, and in the office. I told work to have a glass of wine for me when I get to the office.

5. Mom and dad made it to London. They board their ship tomorrow. Mom said they didn't sleep too well on the plane.

6. This is a blanket that Grandma Tootle made for Ryan. Its soooo precious, as is the pacified baby.


7. Baby Hudson Sturm is coming into this world tomorrow at 2:30pm!!! We cannot wait to meet him. Ryan sent them a little message today. He's ready for his buddy to get here. Now, we just need to get the Sturm family to SA...permanently!


8. Sewage Update: We had an appraiser come out to our house. I think its called an Appraiser. Anyways, they've asked us to submit all of our receipts. So, hopefully that's a good sign!!!

9. Being a new mom, I've had a heavy, heavy heart lately. The thought of child abuse, or any harm to a child just hurts me, more than ever before. I'm sad for all the children in the world that hurt.

10. Aunt Tallie is coming to play with Ryan on Thursday!!! Ryan can't wait.

BONUS:
Ryan has been sleeping 9 to 10 hours at night. The bad news....my little magician has figured out how to break free from his Miracle Blanket. My child is a genius...or Incredible Hulk.

I'm Three Months Old

See how I've grown....

What an Inspiration!!

Jenny ran and swam in what was supposed to be a triathlon. But, with all the flooding, the triathlon turned into a "dualathon". Run, swim, run. Can you imagine?! Well, it didn't seem to bother Jenny. She was so great through the whole thing. I cried just watching her. The whole event was really cool! And, like every marathon, triathlon or simple 5K that I go to cheer friends on, I'm inspired and geared up to particiate. Does it happen?!?!

Here are some fun pics of the morning....early morning.

Weekend Pictures

Yet again, a Kruger towers over a Rudd. I think Melissa was taller than me when she turned three.


They just wittnessed their moms guzzle down coffee...wonder if coffee affects babies the same way it affects the general public. Wonder if Abby and Ryan are trying to tell us something. Do we listen?!


The "men" protecting Ryan from becoming a "Pretty Boy". We (women) are not allowed to say that he is "soooo pretty", "such a pretty boy", or "pretty baby".





What's the rule??? No bumpers, no large stuffed animals in the crib??? No worries, he was just in there playing while mom cleaned up his room. (The kid got all his toys out and didn't put them away).

T! News Weekend

Weekend Updates!
-The parents of Baby Boy Tootle have realized that their son drains their bank account.
-After a hard day's work of killing weeds, it rains.
-Waffles have proven to pack on the lbs...even in a breast feeding mother. Will she ever learn? Stayed tuned....
-Papparazzi continue to follow the baby boy. Ryan should just accept this new lifestyle. He asked for it. Any cute baby with the most precious eyelashes will get photographed.
-Baby's daddy is sick in bed after his weekend. Reps tell T! News that he devoured a bag of Cheeto Puffs, and "other" junk food over the weekend.
-The mom of Ryan has fully admitted to the use of Gain detergent for Ryan's clothes. After being confronted by his maternal Grandma (a.k.a Nama) she has realized she needs to get off the Gain and back on Dreft.
-The family's rep has confirmed that the parents have not worked out in over two weeks. Sources close to the couple fear for their son's safety....worried they may sit on him.
-That's all for T! News Weekend. Stay tuned for the Weekend Pictures in Review!

Five for Friday...and a Video

1. Rod just called to tell me he drove off with the gas pump still hooked into his car. There was about nine feet of hose trailing along his car. He had to pull back into the gas station, and give the hose back. hahaha! I thought that only happened in the movies. Apparently not.

2. I'm obsessed with the show "So You Think You Can Dance"...well, the group is coming to SAN ANTONIO! So, here's where I'm evil...I'm going to rat two of my friends out. Casey and Nerissa are just as obsessed! And, the three of us are going to see them! Nerissa hasn't said yes yet, but I know she's in. I'll have my poster made with "I Love Sabra". She's my favorite. I also like Lauren.

3. My son hasn't done his "doodie" in over 48 hours now. He seems fine, but mommy and daddy can't imagine the feeling. :)

4. Ryan now sleeps 8 to 8.5 hours!!! Life is good. Not sure how this started. Maybe mom is sleeping harder?!?! Whatever works, right?! :)

5. Something pathetic to tell y'all... So, every Saturday, Ryan and I've been heading out to the coffee shop to have waffles and the most delicious Chai tea. Why pathetic...every Sunday (the next morning) I start thinking about "Waffle Saturday". (And, for some reason, I can't figure out why I'm not losing weight since breastfeeding burns 800 calories a day).

Video: I was catching the precious moment Ryan and Jenny were sharing in the water....moment interrupted.

Three Pool Trips in Three Days!!!

Check out our little swimmer!!!

The Poor Man's Kiddie Park Ride

Look at the excitement on Ryan's face. This ride is out of control! Ryan ran out of quarters, so Dad stopped the ride early.