A Big Chuckle and an Alligator Attack

Rod and I had the BEST time watching Ryan crack up. This was the first time that we really heard him have a good chuckle! We had so much fun!
Click on this link. Ryan's Chuckle

I can't believe this toy wasn't recalled. What a danger. Ryan could have lost his fingers.

Isn't this cool?!

FIVE MONTHS OLD!!!

I'm shocked we're already at the five-month stage! Ryan has such a fun, yet shy (in a flirty way) personality. It's really sweet. I think I'm even more shocked at how I continue to love him more and more.

Friday night was my first overnight without him. And, I have to say, I slept pretty soundly. By Saturday, I missed him so much that Rod met me at the coffee shop after my Alpha retreat so I could pick him up and head out to my friend's lake house. The lake was a BLAST! And, Ryan was such a good baby. The house we stayed at is up on a hill, and there was an incredible breeze the whole trip. Ryan LOVED the breeze and loved the attention. I put him in his bouncy chair outside, and he just "ate it up". Although, he was never in the chair long, b/c there were lots of women ready to grab and love on him. Oh, and two of the sweetest little girls. In one room, Elizabeth, Ryan, Avery, Baby Ryan and myself. About 6:30am, we were all on the king-sized bed playing with Baby Ryan. Sweet moment.

Need a Little Ryan-fix?

What about me? Need a little Jessica-fix?!?!

Weekend with the Sturms - TX v. OU

What a sweetheart! He melts your heart with his sweet smile.


Hudson invited Ryan up for the weekend. (Ryan's first sleep-over with his friend.) As always, we had such a fun time with them. It's always so nice to kick back and relax with Beau and Mel.

Two of the Best Daddies.


Clearly the Best Mommies


Now that we have kids in the picture, our weekends together have changed in the following ways:
1. Instead of leaving the house at 9:30pm to hit the bars, we hit the beds at 9:30pm.
2. Several bottles of wine and multiple cases of beer, turned into a few bottles of wine, two cases of beer, lots of water, brownies, and a baked brei.
3. Instead of rushing to Taco Cabana, before they stop serving breakfast at 1:00pm, we walked to Starbucks with two babies at 9:00am.
4. Mel and Jess would go shopping at the malls to find an outfit for that evening. We did go to the mall, but with two strollers, and not to shop. We just wanted to get out of the house and check out the new addition to North Park.
5. Morning ESPN-watching turned into Baby Einstein videos. Veteran R. Tootle showed Rookie H. Sturm how to appreciate the art of Baby Einstein.

Tootle's Ten on Tuesday

1. So far, we've found no difference in the Jumperoo and the Exercauser...except for the convenience of having one of them in the bedroom so I can get ready in the morning.

2. Ryan LOVES Baby Einstein. Just learned that babies who watch BE use less words than those who do not watch the videos.

3. Yesterday, Rod was at BSF so I made myself homeade macaroni and cheese. (no protein mind you). I was got BUSTED. Boo came over around 5:30pm, and I was already in my pj's scarfing down mac n cheese. (We eat early around here).

4. I'm tired of being broke. When does this end????

5. Daddy Paul came into town this past weekend. We had a great time...and, I took NO pictures. ARGH! Can you believe?!?! I'm so annoyed.

6. Our laundry no longer fits in the laundry basket...and, I have no intentions of starting it tonight.

7. Ryan is now rolling over. I saw it for the first time on the video monitor at night. Couldn't believe that was how I'd see him roll over for the first time. Video monitor...JUSTIFIED.

8. All our sewage troubles are over. We've officially closed that chapter of "Poo Maddness". We were reimbursed for the damages, and we had our back-flow preventer put installed today.

9. Ryan went to daycare today in his pajamas. Elisia felt the need to tell me that they were too big. I KNOW. But, I'm tired, and we were tired last night and that was the last thing on Ryan's mind. Or, mine.

10. Since having Ryan, my heartache for hurting and starving children continues to get stronger and stronger. I had no idea how much I'd hurt for all the children in the world. I wish I could blink my eyes and as soon as I open them, learn that all the abuse and starvation was gone. This goes for Britney's kids as well. ;)

TAGGED: Poor Rod

The Game of Tag about your MAN:

1. Who is your man? Roderick Ryan

2. How long have you been together? Five plus years. Then we tied the knot. (took him a while) October 8th it will be TWO years of marriage!!

3. How long dated? 5 years. He "found" me when I had a few sips of silliness at an art festival in Dallas. He couldn't take his eyes off of me. I hardly noticed him. :) love you.

4. How old is your man? 32

5. Who eats more? Him. Without a doubt. He can eat a whole Okie from Las Palapas. (An okie is a burrito that weighs about 2 lbs)

6. Who said "I love you" first? he did

7. Who is taller? Him. I think that is what attracted him to me. I'm a shorty.

8. Who sings better? Me. Which doesn't say much for either of us.

9. Who is smarter? Him. He loves to tell his score on some kind of I.Q. test he took when he was young.

10. Whose temper is worse? depends on the issue.

11. Who does the laundry? Me, for three.

12. Who takes out the garbage? Both. But, he takes the garbage from the garage to the street. I'm just a "kitchen to the garage" kind of girl.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? if you are in the bed, me. We switched sides when I got pregnant...easier trip to the bathroom. (50 billion times in the night)

14. Who pays the bills? I do. Well, the bank does electronically. So, no credit there.

15. Who is better with the computer? Me

16. Who mows the lawn? If a lawn constitutes having grass, then this question is not applicable. We're losing our grass by the minute.

17. Who cooks dinner? Mostly me. Sometimes Rod.

18. Who drives when you are together? Depends on whose car we're in. But, seems like since we had Ryan, he drives both cars now.

19. Who pays when you go out? Me & him. But I hate to pay, but he HATES wallets and things in his pockets. Kelli, that's so funny. Me too. He can't stand full pockets. Pushing the "man purse" on him.

20. Who is most stubborn? Definitely both of us. We're working on it.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I'd like to think me, but I've been bad about this one lately.

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine

23. Who kissed who first? Oh man, he planted a big ole' sloppy kiss on me after our FIRST DATE. I had just eaten a pickle.

24. Who asked who out? I had to ask him out on the first date. I owed his best friend money for a beach trip. His friend set up the date for us by telling me that he needed me to take Rod out to dinner for his birthday b/c he wouldn't be able to make the trip to Dallas. So, since I owed him money, I HAD to do it. I think it paid off. Thanks Putty!
25. Who proposed? He did, right after church. I boo-hoo'd. I had been waiting for that moment. (like y'all don't know that). :)

26. Who is more sensitive? Both of us.

27. Who has more friends? OH, I'm way more popular than him. But, since "his friends are my friends" and "my friends are his friends", then we're even in the popularity contest.

28. Who has more siblings? Me.

29. Who wears the pants in the family? Oh, me. No-brainer.

OK...Everyone else consider yourselves "tagged"!!

Three Random Things on Thursday

1. Ever wonder where your old car is now? I wonder where our old station wagon is now. I wonder if it's going cross country with an older couple, or sitting in a junk yard. Maybe it's now someone's mobile home. :) Think about it. I have a few sedans, suburbans, two vans and a station wagon to wonder about. We used to play the game of "Leans". We'd flatten the seats down in the wagon... before seatbelts were a mandate. Then, however the car moved, we let our bodies just fall in that direction. Lots of fun...not a lot of safety.

2. I can't remember if it was Monday or Tuesday, but Ryan had his first Fire Drill at the daycare. His daily report card said "Fire Drill at 11:00am". Isn't that the cutest to imagine?! I wonder how they did it. I picture all the babies lined up in a row...but, then can't figure out how they would physically get out once in their row. Maybe they throw a few babies in each crib and then wheel them out?! Or, maybe some of the teachers come to the nursery to help get the babies out.

3. This week is a "not so fun" week for family friends of ours. Lots of LOVE and prayers to the Kosts. I miss seeing Dennis' smiling face, so I can only imagine how his own family feels. Such a fun Daddy!!!! There is a saying in a song I listen to often. "Why do we wait to live, until it's time to die." I've been pondering that thought in my mind a lot lately. Am I living?! Whoa, okay got a little deep on a blog, but that is just a thought of mine lately.

Art Project #2.....SCARY GHOST!

He's on a roll! Second art project and the kid's only four months old. At the four month doc appointment, we learned that Ryan is in the 15th percentile for length. Strange. Wonder why?!?! Anyways, if you take a look at the art project, you can see that the feet look like they're in order from smallest to largest. Ryan's is at the very beginning. :) Sweet little foot. No, no....sweet, little Ghost!

Today was "Wear Red" day. I have been so excited for red day, and for Ryan to participate in his first "declared" day. I couldn't remember why the daycare decided on red, so when I dropped him off, I reread the sign. No reason at all. Just wear red. So, here's Ryan in his red garb, all ready for school. (waiting on mommy to finish making her coffee). So, we arrive to the daycare, and enter Infant Room A....none of the babies had red on, nor did the teachers. I scolded both the babies and the teachers. Oh wait...one of the teachers had on the old school, velcro Reebok hightops in RED! They were AWESOME! Made my day. Now, my thought is...."am I going to be one of "those" moms?"

This past weekend was full of vomit (for lack of wanting to use a more pleasant word). And, yes this is Virus #2. I wonder if this is what kicked it off? We did this all weekend long. He LOVES playing with Jenny. It's really cute to watch!

Five for Friday

1. Game ON!!! Exersaucer justified.

2. I babysat last night for the Ellis'. Susan, how you ever did twins, I'll have no idea. And, these two were so good. But, they both wanted to eat at the same time and have their diaper changed. It was pretty cute.

Just after the diaper change. Ryan is thrilled to share the pac n play with HOlden.
Ryan and Holden when Nerissa babysat for me the other day. They look so innocent. They couldn't be future trouble-makers, could they?!?!

3. I interrupted his Baby Einstein watching to take this picture. My little t.v. junkie.

4. Ryan has a scratchy voice right now from either his reflux, allergies, sore throat, or his mom having coughed right on him while changing his diaper.
5. I had lunch yesterday with one of the sweetest people I've ever met. I've been praying (as well as others) for a mentor in my life. Sweet Elizabeth has come into my life, and I'm so pumped to have her mentor and guide me in my spiritual walk!

Not a Typical Tootle Tuesday

Today consisted of a doctor's visit, shots, shopping, and SOLIDS!!! I may be going out on a limb when I say that today was probably not one of Ryan's favorites. Can you believe his mom took him shopping after getting four shots in the leg?!?! Doctor made mom go buy an exersaucer. And, she needed more bottles for daycare. Ryan weighed in at a whoppin' 14 lbs. He's right on target. Doctor was excited that he was grabbing his feet. She said, "I usually don't ask if babies are playing with their feet until the sixth month appointment." Way to grab Ryan!! Way to grab!

Solids...not sure why we call this "solids" when we're supposed to make it the consistency of soup. Mom and Dad had a ball watching him try to chew on soup. Ryan seemed interested, but not quite ready. So, we try again tomorrow.

This, is supposed to make....

THIS

THIS was enjoyed for 4.5 seconds. Tired mommy today.

Ryan visiting Nama after her FEET surgery. (This was actually on Monday)

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!