My Two Sons

 Rod went fishing this weekend, so I had the boys to myself.  Now don't laugh at what I'm about to say, but I'm not much for going out in public, alone with my boys.  Besides going back and forth to daycare, I've probably ventured out a total of five times.  Eeks.  That sounds pretty sad seeing that I'm the MOM of these kids.  Being a full-time working mom, I don't really have a lot of practice doing so.  I had big intentions of going to the pumpkin patch to snap some pics.  I bailed.  Well really my hot cup of coffee, comfy pj's, and one heck of a busy week made me bail.  And, I still haven't found THE perfect double-stroller to strap these boys down.

 So, we had some fun at the house.  I had a photo session with Sammy, baked modified cupcakes with homemade icing, and played in the backyard. 

Homemade apron... a t-shirt.

The human blender

Doing the happy dance.  Chocolate is GOOOOOOD, Mom.

Tasting powered sugar for the first time.

Lately, I've had conflicting feelings about being a working mom.  I go through this about once, every other month.  So, this was a nice time to just slow down and enjoy the day with the boys.  Loved every minute, but I will say I was POOPED.  Rod got home, and I got in the shower and had a glass of wine.

Fabulous Friends for my 34th!

My friends took their Saturday out to celebrate my birthday!  Meant so much!  Thank you for loving me the way you do.

Thomas the Tank Engine... the Real Deal!

Mimi took Ryan and I to see Thomas the Tank engine, and get to ride in the "cars" that Thomas pulls. 

Ryan was R-E-A-D-Y to get there.  We're probably still in the neighborhood when I snapped this pic.  We had a two-hour drive ahead of us. 

Mr. Know-it-all pointing and saying the names of all the trains.

 We had to PRY Ryan away from this train table to get on our train that was departing at 12:45.  Shoes flew off, hat thrown to the floor.  He was MAD.  But, as soon as we got on that train, he was MESMERIZED!

 

Above is Ryan's face when he saw the "real" Thomas.  I was JUST as excited.  Truly.  I got giddy.

THANK YOU MIMI FOR SUCH A FUN DAY!!! 

Tootle Beach Trip 2010

We headed to the beach!!!  Rod, Ryan and I headed to the beach with a several families.  Despite the tropical storm that gave us quite a show from our 12th floor balcony, we were able to make the best of it!  Truly. 

We made a few stops on the way. 

The Sturms shared a condo with us.  Perfect for our little toots.  They entertained each other the entire time.  It was wonderful!

I'm sure you can't believe it...we took a family pic!  But, of course it's not a true family pic b/c we don't have Sammy with us.  He stayed back in San Antonio.  I'm happy that I have at least one pic of me Rod and Ryan.  Yes, Nama...I promise to get family pics taken.

Ryan wasn't completely comfortable with the waves.  For him right now, anything that is non-human and moves on its own, is a MONSTER, or a GHOOOOOST.  (i.e. the vertical blinds that were moving from the fan). 

We're missing a few moms in this pic. But, glad I got a mommy pic. 

Ryan played in the sand the ENTIRE time.  We made him eat lunch, and then it was back out to the sand. 

Weather definitely didn't get us down!  We had such a great time on Saturday down at the beach the entire day (even with the wind and rain).  Rod had a huge tent that we put up, and just enjoyed the non-100degree weather.  After the day at the beach, we all met in one condo and had a massive casserole dinner party while we watch the UT - Tech game.  Fun times, and we are looking forward to making this a tradition! 

Baby Katie Visit!!!!

Unfortunately, we did not get to grow up with our cousins in the same town.  BUT, fortunately, we are ALWAYS able to pick up where we left off.  So natural to love on a family member even though you don't get to see them often.  See, Ryan had never met Katie before and felt completely at home. 

RAINY DAYS

Ryan's having fun with the rain, but completely scared of the thunder.  We've had a few rough nights where the thunder has sent mom and dad (at separate times) up to his room.  Rod was smart and just took his pillow up with him this last time. 

A "so glad there are good people in the world" kind of story... So, just as we were walking out of the daycare, the clouds started dropping the BIGGEST drops ever.  Those big drops got bigger, faster, and more dangerous.  Well, we made it home safe.  We pulled into the driveway, and just sat there.  I had ryan crawl into my lap in the front seat.  then, we both made a charge into the garage.  Just as I started to head back out in the rain to get Samuel, my neighbor's 17 yo son was on my driveway to help me get Samuel out.  He was the sweetest, dearest thing.  He got samuel out of the carseat and into the garage.  Talk about good parenting.  Then, he ran back to his garage.  (He and his friend were watching the rain....this was a serious rain storm). 

BABY BOOK:  Samuel started waving!  So, everybody say hi to Samuel.

Enjoying Life

I'm trying to pick up my camera again and get busy, and better!  So, here are a few shots just playing around.  Quality isn't that great, but my subjects are magic. 

Samm-a-lam-ma-ding-dong is one busy cruiser, grabber, lover of leaves.  Oddly enough though, he'd much rather be hanging out in your lap.  He's still a little flirt.  It's all in the eyelashes. 

So, this sweet, dear face is in a sweet, dear phase.  Oh, side note... today's opposite day. 

When Mom and Dad "ooooh" and "aaaahhhh" at something Sammy does, you better believe there's a rendition to follow. 

WE DO NOT SPOIL OUR KIDS. 

Check out our new toy!!!!  Check it, Kim!  It's a heck of a good thing we're a family of carnivores!!!!  Rod marinated some fajita meat with our new Mari-vac, and it was AH-MAZING!

See picture #2 in this post.  I REFUSE to buy a second high chair, as much as Ryan REFUSES to give up his.  (It puts him high enough to see the T.V.)  So, my thought is that I'm going to toss the highchair altogether, and get two of those restaurant-style chairs to put at our kitchen table.  That highchair is such a divider....and, the fact I can't get dinner on the table for everyone, all at one time. 

I can't take it!  Seriously obsessed with this little monkey. 

So, his nine month stats:

Weight:  6%  17.6 lbs

Height:  11% 27 inches

Head Circumference:  70% hee hee

He's swollowed plenty of leaves, thrown up three. 

Standing up, pulling up on anything and everything

Takes steps while holding on to the couch, bed, crib, etc.

"Dada" won.  And, I will admit... he knows Rod is "dada". 

Started eating noodles.  (chopped up)

All other foods are preferred as pureed.  :(

Family is doing great!  Continuously learning to grow and love to become a strong family of four!

Worthy of a Post

Me:  What's your last name?
Ryan:  Tootle (pronounced TOODle)
Me:  What's your middle name?
Ryan:  Love bug

A Few of Summer

Kamp Kruger!  When we heard that Joe and Martha had three grandchildren for the night, we decided to add two additional grandkids, one grandma and a daughter to their evening.  Oh, and last minute. 

We had NO idea they were stashing bumper boats in the backyard.  Geez.  Give up the goods...  haha.  I'm cracking up...just pictured Joe and Martha in the bumper boats (sans grandchildren). 

I keep asking Ryan if he liked the bumper boats.  Hard to tell. 

Sweet Abby and Ryan.  I swear they were flirting. 

I just love this sweet boy.  Yes, we have our moments... like the one where I made Rod take Ryan to school b/c I couldn't deal.  I still took Sammy that morning, just couldn't put the Tornado of Crankiness in my car. 

Can we talk about this face???  He's too sweet for words. 

For the Book!

Sammy's first tooth made its debut.  Welcome "tooths" #1.  Now, as for #2, #3, #4, and so on... Please be kinder to the kid, will ya?!?!  Okay, so Sam is my child that I literally have to see snot coming out of his eyes to realize he's sick.  He's such a good baby.  Well, "tooths" #1 appearance just really gave him a run for his money. 

All weekend he was sooooo clingy and whiney.  Most of you know I don't have a lot of patience for Mr. Clingy and Ms. Whiney.  So, Monday I had to take him to the doctor b/c I just knew something wasn't right.  98% sure it was another ear infection, she assured me the other 2%.  Constipation and teething.  Constipation and teething????  Gosh, I feel like constipation and teething are Parenting 101.  I know better.  I'm sure Humana is off in the distance just thrilled with the collection of another $40.00 for NOTHIN'. 

So, we're on the three Ps right now.  Prunes, peaches and pears. 

Also for the book:
-he loves avocados and bananas
-applesauce is his request for breakfast
-loves his cereal
 (now you see the guilty party in the constipation)

Sam weighed in at a whoppin' 17.13 lbs.
He's crawling, and crawls REALLY fast for:
1.  Me
2.  Our contiminated shoes (loves the flip flops)
3.  Door stoppers
4.  Anything of Ryan's.
5.  All chokable items.

He's talking more and more.  He has the cutest baby talk EVER.  He's great with the M sound, so I'm sure that Momma will be his first word.  RECALL:  Dada was Ryan's first.

Ryan loves to play (show off) with Sammy.  It's a really cute, bossy thing he's got going as a big brother. 

Hope you all are having a great week!  Much love!  And, welcome Harper and Sutton!!!!!  xoxo