If You Don't Want to Melt, We Try the Following

You have to get creative with temps being in the 100s. Today, my car read 109 degrees. So, the Tootles choose their options carefully. EVERYTHING outside is HOT, HOT, HOT. I seriously think this is the HOTTEST summer I've ever experienced.

Here are a few of cooling activities. Try them:


1. We try different ways of eating popcorn.

We'll try anything to beat the heat.

2. Work on our "cheese" faces for the camera.

3. Eat popcorn as fast as we can, before the pregnant momma eats it all.

3. Play-doh time!!! But, first we go through each tool, and be sure that momma can see it. Hold it way out there.

Way out there.

4. Try playing with play-doh without mushing it up, or getting your hands dirty. Make momma mush it up, and roll it out for you.

5. Play-doh is a serious sport. So, we use total concentration.

6. Again, trying to keep our hands clean.

7. Swimming with Nama!!! (aka. Nema now that we're big Nemo fans). We love swimming with Mimi too, but unfortunately momma forgets to pull out the camera there. I guess its the total relaxation feel from the amazing pool/backyard.

8. We CHILL. And, work on our "Big Kahuna" personalities.

Ryan, that's a good "Big Kahuna". Doing the Chesley-chuckle with it! Nice!

9. When chilling out, you can stop working on your bubbles. No, Ryan. Seriously. You can stop now.

10. We work on getting sores on our knees, and toes as we (Ryan) get in and out of the pool 500 billion times. Note Ryan's new pals...Dora and Boots. Here's where I need you to keep a secret....we lost Turner and Felipe at a restaurant last week. Shhhh. Please don't tell Ryan. He hasn't figured it out yet.

11. We give the paps the "hand". Talk to it!

12. We hog all our snacks from the other kids in the baby pool. Don't share. It's too hot. ;)

Our Little Swimmer

Tuesday night, the Tootles headed to Sonterra. Rod hit a few golf balls at the range, and Ryan and I went to the pool. I plopped myself down on a chair, and Ryan assumed the position. Arms out, floaties on....laters Mom. When Rod got to the pool we had dinner and just enjoyed the three of us. Nice evening...one of my favs. Love my sweet family.

Ryan invited Felipe, aka "Eppe" and Turner "Churner" to join him at the pool. (Handy Manny tools...Ryan's favorite from the box aka "ox")

Turner held his breath the longest. He wins.

Full of joy....just don't take the tools out of his hands please.

Role playing..."Turner, on three we're going under water. Don't laugh Felipe, you're next."

Ryan's doing great in the water. We started swim lessons the beginning of June. He's great a blowing bubbles, and jumping in the water. He's not a huge fan of the slide. He goes down it with the most terrified face. Reminds me of the Santa slide on A Christmas Story.

We're Going Green!

We got grass!!!! The HOA was probably just about to knock on our door. Here are two before shots. Drab, sad and dry. This grass' love-tank was apparently empty. We weren't feeding it the love it needed. It was less than stellar to begin with.

The "drab and sad" took away from Rod's amazing rock wall. Ryan, what color is the dirt? That's right. It's BROWN.

So, instead of filling the love tank, we decided to get a whole new tank! We got all new grass!!!!

While I watered, Ryan practiced his swing!

Ryan, this is called GRASS. What color is the grass? That's right, it's GREEN!!!!
For those of you from San Antonio, you're probably thinking, "this is the worst time to plant grass." For those of you who aren't in SAn Antonio, the city is currently in Stage 2 water restriction. This means we can only water our grass once a day between 3am - 8am and/or from 8pm to 10pm . Our day is Thursday b/c the last digit in our address is a "7". But, we can hand water the grass everyday, any time of day. So, we've been hand watering twice a day, every day since we went green!

Excuse the camera-phone quality. These were just too funny not to post. I can't describe how funny this moment was for Melanie and I. I had tears in my eyes. After putting them on, he remained so focused on his bubbles, and then decided to whirl around the baby pool in hopes all would see his new shades. We see them....loud and clear.

Yep, still lookin' good. I promise.

Lovin' My Baby Boy!

Just missing my boy today!

We Gotta Mover and a Shaker!

While I'm only 15 weeks, I've already felt the baby move. And, these aren't just little flutters, I can tell Toot #2 is making a MOVE! I've sort of been second guessing what I've been feeling because I'm so early. Until today!!

I had my standard four week appt (the ones where you're in and out in less than five minutes). She had the hardest time getting the heartbeat by doppler b/c the the little one just wouldn't stay still. You could hear it moving around in womb, but that wasn't what we wanted to hear. I WANTED A HEARTBEAT.

Once she targeted its heartbeat, she targeted mine in the same spot. I LOVED it. I told some of my family members that it was like "mama bear's heartbeat" with "baby bear's heartbeat" going at the same time. It was really cool! My "connection with child" got a little deeper after that.

So far so good with this pregnancy!!! If one didn't know this was my second baby, they'd think I was six months along. I'm already POOCHED out! I'm high, and pointy. I THINK I was this way with Ryan. I also think I'll have another torpedo for a belly.

FLOATIES!!!!

Check who sports the floaties...and, sports them well!

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!