Enough about Ryan...

...Mom got a girls' weekend getaway to Austin! I went with some of my most favorite gals in the world...and, some of the FUNNIEST! Brooke, I've known since I was three. I met Rachel in 1st grade, and Jennifer and Marisa in 6th grade.

First stop on our trip was to Hamilton Pool! Isn't it amazing?! Pictures don't do it justice (they never do).

Brooke and Marisa

Jenn and Rachel


Then, we headed to the Four Seasons for appetizers and drinks. We sat outside on some lake. It was downtown Austin, so whatever lake that is, we sat by it. Note the GI-NORMOUS rolls on the table. The food was fabulous!

Brooke, in all her sweetness!

Marisa and I playing with my camera. Love you Ris.

Jennifer. Love this pic of her.

Pregnant self and all, went out to a bar/club after we had apps/drinks. Applause, applause. I was dog-tired, but didn't want to miss an opportunity to hang out with the girls. So, we shlepped ourselves to SpeakEasys and got to sit on the rooftop, on pillows/cushions...PERFECT. They had an 80s band playing...."Shock to the heart, and you're too late." These guys had the hair, outfits, everything....they're hanging on to it all. Tech support by day, and a rockin' 80s band by night!

Splish Splash Birthday Bash

We had a great birthday splash!!! Ryan's buddies helped ring in his 2nd year of life with swimming, eating and throwing balls!

YUMMY cupcakes from The Cake Shop. (They're supposed to be beach balls...don't get me started). I ate one at the party, and one at home before bed. I do not advise butter cream icing before bed. I had the worst indigestion.

This is Ryan walking in to his birthday party!!! He was the cutest. It was almost as though he was walking down his red carpet.

He LOVED his balloons. What he loved most was the Mickey Mouse balloon that you can't see.

Each kid got a snack bucket with some extra goodies in them. After the kids had a chance to swim around a bit, we handed out their buckets and Capri Suns for them to regain their engery for more swimming.

Hudson and Ryan eating their snacks from their snack buckets. (I forgot to make one for the birthday boy).

He put on quite a show! Not much swimming. Just a lot of walking around throwing EVERYTHING in the baby pool.

At the biggest moment of the birthday party, he STILL had two balls in his hands.

...and, still had them when he ate.

There were so many great pics. Jenny helped take most of them! Thank you!!! I have to say, I enjoyed the party myself. I got to relax, yet visit with everyone. Thank you to everyone for all your help!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!! You are loved!

Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

The generous parents that we are, give you the ultimate gift...the title of "Big Brother". We love you to pieces and know that you'll make such a fun loving big brother! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU SWEET BOY! You'll officially get your title the end of November.

My Last Few Days with a One-Year Old

So, the day is coming, whether I allow it or not. Our sweet boy will be two on Thursday. And, I must say that I'm REALLY struggling with this more than I thought. Here are a few reasons:

-He now laughs like a kid, and not like a baby.
-He even cries like a kid, and not like a baby.
-When I drop him off at school, he no longer cries for me.
-When I pick him up from school, he no longer RUNS IN TO MY ARMS. It's more like, "Hey Mom. What's up? Here's the drumset I banged on all day."
-His feet stink...I'm dreading puberty.
-While this one is my favorite, it also makes me realize his age...he converses with me.
-He'll tell me "okay" when I ask him to get his shoes, drink his milk, or bring mommy a diaper (not that he always follows through).
-He wants to be outside more than anything, but MUST have a ball to take out there.
-He thinks the T.V. is his (this is hard for me because it's MINE).
-He knows all of his family members' names, even the dogs'.
-My biggest fear is when he'll stop snuggling with me. But, do not fret, we're still snuggling and loving on each other. I hope that never goes away. I pray for the second child to be a snuggler. Helps complete my days.

So, all in all, I would say that Ryan is your average two year old kid. Yes, I can deal with it, and I will. I love you, sweet boy! I hope you always find joy in the small things (i.e. a balled up gum wrapper that was totally a tiny ball to you), and never be afraid to hug and kiss your mama in public!

Embracing the Game

Last week, we headed out to Sonterra with Melanie and Hudson for dinner. Rod was already there at the driving range. Ryan officially has his own clubs. Well, two of his own. He now has a wedge and a putter.

At times we were a bit more interested in the miniture golf bag full of golf balls.

Testing out his wedge on his own.

He wasn't quite understanding why he could run down the driving range. In his sweet eyes, there was a lawn full of balls, needing to be picked up...by him only.

So after an exhausting day at the driving range, the boys hung out at the 19th hole for dinner.

My Blogging Friend

So, as most of you know, NIOSA was last week. Always a great place to meet up with old friends you've not seen in a long time. See, people from San Antonio...bleed San Antonio. We're proud of our city, and always bonded with fellow San Antonians. If you run in to someone from San Antonio in another State, the conversation usually goes like this, "Oh my gosh, you're from San Antonio?" "Me too. What high school did you go to?" "Oh, that was our rival high school." Always the conversation. So, I'm sort of rambling right now, but I just love how San Antonians are always connected no matter what.

So, while at NIOSA I ran in to an old friend that I feel completely bonded with through our blogs. hahaha! I read her blog often, and feel I know everything about her life. When we ran in to each other, we met eyes, and knew we were destined to be blogging friends forever. haha. OKay, a bit much. But, it was really funny to see her, and think "I know everything about her, but I've not actually talked to her in years." I mean YEARS!

Here we are at NIOSA. After MANY attempts at getting this photo done by some "happy" NIOSA goers, this is the best we got! Mind you it's from a camera phone. But, nonetheless...I had to post my dear friend Melanie! Life with the Flinns

The Fruits of Their Labor!

Saturday, the Tootle family headed out to Comfort, TX to visit friends of ours that started a vineyard/winery. Well, the vines arrived!!! I had hoped to get shots of the "planting of the vines", but soon learned that starting a vineyard takes lots of patience. The picture below is a bundle of vines. The roots are at the bottom. They're currently being stored in a super-cool room to .....I forgot why. Apparently, I don't have enough patience to retain information.

While I was all geared up with my camera, Ryan had his bucket and shovel ready to start digging.

This is sweet Jackson and Ryan checking out the tank.

Serious boy-talk. Please don't disturb. (Check out the concentration on Jackson's face).
Ohhhh, the men in all their glory. Sons on their laps of a utility vehicle that could climb a mountain.

Dr. Young, on the right, is the owner of the new vineyard. He's Ali's (in the middle) dad from Atlanta...He and his wife will soon be transplanted to Comfort! John (on the left) is now running the vineyard. John and Rod went to high school together and have remained good friends.

It's amazing to see the work they've done!

My Mind's a Month Behind

Here are some pics from March that I've been meaning to edit and get posted. March was a fun month, then supposedly April came around. Can someone please tell my mind to catch up?!

G-ma and G-pa came in to town to celebrate Christmas...yes, Christmas! hahaha. I had gifts still wrapped for them in March. We had a great time! We stopped by the Apple store which wasn't appealing to Ryan, so Grandma took Ryan to a fountain. Body of water = great landing spot for whatever is tossable.

Look who bought in to Ryan's plea for more money to throw in the fountain?! Grandpa!

Also in March, we went to the H.E.B. Science Treehouse. Hudson and Hannah joined us with grandmas and an aunt! Fun day. I love the picture above b/c only a grandma can sneak in kisses while "pulleying" up their grandchild.

Hannah was the leader of the group. Of course, Ryan found a ball.

Very serious drummers above. Please do not bother.

Couldn't you just eat his cheeks! This is my friend Melanie's sweet boy, Hudson.

This is actually an April picture. But, it makes me laugh b/c right next to him is a stretch of grass. On that grass, are two kids rolling down the hill. So, Ryan...needing his space, decides to roll down on the cement.

Happy Fiesta to you all!!!!

Ten on the Day Before Tuesday

1. Easter was lots of fun. Always is when we get together. I totally forgot how much I LOVE putting puzzles together. Puzzle-OBSESSION. Now I'll never get my dining room table decorated.
2. Ryan was so funny on Sunday. I've never heard him talk so much in his short life. It was hilarious. Poppy and Rod watched the Masters. Mom, Jenny and I worked on a puzzle. So, Ryan wandered around the house talking to himself the whole day.
3. Friday, we went to "Open Gym" for an Easter egg hunt and then to tumble around. Ryan was the only kid who wouldn't let go of his basket after the hunt. He carried that thing the whole time.
4. Ryan looked precious in his little Easter shirt. I forgot my camera...what was I thinking??? You'll have to see Nama's blog.
5. I attended Ryan's Easter party at school. I was the only parent.
6. Ryan's almost two, and can still wear a few size 12M shorts. Depending on how ghetto-fabulous I want him to be, he can also wear as big as 2T. (BARELY).
7. Daycare told me today that Ryan will soon be heading to the next room. For which she then proceeded with "He's just not ready." OUCH.
8. We went out to dinner the other night to a place with a fun play yard. The play set is HUGE and meant for big kids (maybe at 3 and up). We let Ryan walk around it while we ate knowing that he wouldn't attempt to climb up. Silly us....not a minute after seeing him walk around, he's climbing up metal bars, spaced about a foot between each other. We hear a mom ask, "Is this your kid?" Two moms had surrounded the bars to make sure he got up safely. You see, his hungry parents were too busy satisfying their own needs.
9. Cupcakes or cake? Pizzas or snacks? Finish policy today or tomorrow? lights or darks first? Mickey Mouse or Elmo? Add or don't add a disclaimer? NIOSA Friday or not? Put in sod now or later? Just a few of the many questions going on in my mind.
10. My favorite...Ryan's been giving the best kisses!

Visited the Cousins

Ryan and I headed out to California to see the Arnold family. ALWAYS love heading out there. I must say, although needless to say, times have changed. My first visit out, I did a lot of walking, thinking, praying and adult talking. This trip was a full of fun, temper tantrums, fountains, bagels, beaches, swinging, parks, lollipops, diapers, cooridnating nap times, and early rising due to the time change. No, no I'm not complaining....it's just different. Stacy and I had one full 30-minute session of just chatting and catching up.

Check out the lucky guy!

The first night we were there, we headed to the beach for a fire, hot dogs and smores. I've ALWAYS wanted to do that!
Is he not the sweetest??? I honestly thought I'd never say that after the flight out to LA. (Temper-tantrum #1).

Is she not the sweetest?! We threw down $.80 to keep Ryan and Malyn happy so we could do more shopping...well, window shopping.

Earlier, I said my first time out, I did a lot of walking. Here's the Strand that I walked on everyday just enjoying some much needed Jessica-time. Someone took the word "Jessica-time" out of my dictionary. Cruel.

Ryan and Malyn swinging on the beach while Mattie Sue was at school. Stacy and Malyn met a mom and little girl who will be starting school with Malyn, in the same class! Fun!

This is at the Metlox. Ryan LOVED the fountain and playing in it. He ws soaking wet. Check out his sagging pants. So Cali.

Stacy and I went for appetizers and drinks with her friends Nicole and Carie. The weather was slightly cool, and sunny which was nice b/c we got to sit outside by a fireplace. It was fun, and a much needed adult-time. Ryan had a babysitter, while the girls went to watch a college basketball game with Boo. Fun evening.

Stacy, thank you for such a fun trip! Ryan still says "bye boo, bye boo, bye boo."

Camera Cleaning

This picture might be one of my favorites of Ryan. It cracks me up!

Rod and I at the Rodeo back in February

This kid can hang with the best of them!

Mimi and Ryan swinging and chatting.

Is this not the CUTEST little hiney?!?!

Scary, huh?! Rod dug up over 12 of these random cement whatevers. We're still not sure what they were for. So, now we've got to dispose of them somehow.

We added new fencing to one side of our backyard. The other sides to be finished in the near future. We work LITTLE at a time around here.

Ryan watching Dada build the fence, or maybe this was the day he dug up cement.

All Dolled Up

Rod and I were invited to the inauguration of King El Rey Feyo. Fun night! Very fancy!

The King, himself.