The Final Days

I haven't told him yet that he's leaving Country Home. I'll be breaking the news tonight.

I took lunch to his teachers as a thank you for loving my boy so much.

The teachers often think Ryan's sleeping b/c he's so quiet in the crib... Only to look over and see he's standing and smiling. They said they just all laugh when this happens.



Soon to be Ryan's ex-friends. Shhh...they don't know yet either. I'll be sad to say goodbye to these babies. I've watched them grow and reach baby-milestones. One of Ryan's teachers is still trying to find a hiding place so that come Friday, I won't be able to take him away for good.

I'll Take One Blue Swing...Size Small

This picture cracks me up. Jenny, thought this one would make you laugh.

My Mind is Out of Control...

1. Toots is on his second round of antibiotics. A strong one, no less.
2. Ryan is now a lover of Curious George and Praise Baby.
3. Rod tested positive for Influenza A. Jessica tested negative. Mom and son have been living at Nama and Poppy's house. It was good for me. I watched the Republican debate...of course.
4. I've been wearing the same outfit (washed inbetween) for three days now.
5. Got a bonus at work...always a good motivator.
6. Ryan's last week at CH daycare is next week. Watch out Colonial Hills!! I need to get his "first day of school" outfit picked out.
7. Nama gave me some clothes to wear while I washed my one outfit. Who knew they still made pants where the"zipper area" is a foot long?!?! Who knew they still tapered the bottom of pants?!?!
8. I'll be meeting her first blogger friend. A blogger friend is one that is met through blogs. Megan I'm ready for that wine and cheese.
9. The other day, I went to pick up Ryan at daycare. He was sleeping, so I returned some emails on my blackberry while chatting with the teachers in his room. One of them said, "It's weird to see an adult texting." WHAT?!?! I'm an adult? Huh. I wonder if she was talking to me.
10. Rumor has it, Martha is starting a blog. Bring it!
11. Poppy is going to fly out to Vegas with me since I'll be all alone for five days out in maddness. (I actually LOVE Vegas...but, by yourself?). We already have dinner reservations for a great steak place....if you know Chesley, that probably doesn't surprise you. He's going to play Texas Hold'em while I'm in my training course. Again, not a shocker.
12. I LOVE nap time.
13. I love that Ryan can hold his own bottle. He woke up in the middle of the night, which is unusual, so I figured he was hungry. Made a bottle, gave it to him in the crib, and went back to bed. It was fabulous. His milestones are my milestones.
14. Can anyone tell me where I can find a Curious George stuffed animal?
15. I'm bored. I'm waiting for Nama to get home so I can go to work.
17. I'm super excited about Amanda getting married!!! I think about her everyday. Seriously.
18. Rachel and her hubby are moving back to Texas. I'm super pumped!
19. Allison, get a blog.
20. Someone get me a life.

Ryan Toot-tottin' Around

This is Ryan's little trick he loves to show off. It's so funny! Cindy, I've finally accepted he has short legs.

Wake-up with Ryan

PJs, Massages & a Night Out!

Happy Birthday to Marisa!!

To celebrate, we had Casey's amazing breakfast, pajama-style. Then, sat outside, on a gorgeous day, and drank our weight in coffee! THEN....we went for massages! Hands down the best birthday party.

Hanging out with my girlfriends is one of my most favorite things to do. I cannot tell you how nice it was to hang out with them, on a pretty day, with plenty of coffee, TONS of laughing, and lots of love for the birthday girl.

Later that evening, we went to dinner at Merchants in Alamo Heights, and then to Silo. (of course I danced til I had a cramp in my side).


The birthday group at Silo. Ryan P (Marisa's boyfriend) turned in early, so you will not be graced with his presence.

LOST EVERYTHING

My world has crumbled. Just when I thought I was being "blogger-fancy", my world came crashing down. I'm devastated, and COMPLETELY ANNOYED.

I tried to use a fancy template from another website for my blog, and everything, okay not everything, but everything disappeared. All my Tootle Link List peeps vanished. It's really sad to learn that my friends can be taken away from me in a heartbeat.

My habitual bloggers, would you mind sending me your blogger address so I can add you back? I feel cut off from the world.

Love,
Debbie Downer

Ryan's New School!

I'm proud to announce that our baby boy was accepted into the highly prestigious education program for babies. His essay was the best in his class, and his application was impeccable. SAT scores were WAY HIGHER than his mom's....needless to say.

Ryan will start at his new daycare on Feb 4th!! He's been enrolled into my old stompin' ground...Colonial Hills United Methodist Church!!! I'm sooooo excited for him to start there. Get this...it's cheaper, yet there is a daily curriculum!!! They don't just babysit the babies. And, one portion of the day is called "Bible Focus". One example: the babies work on compassion and mercy. Doesn't that sound sooo cute?!?! I have no idea how, but it sounds darling. Another part of their day is spent outside (weather permitting). One outside activity includes "Watching the big kids play." Jenny and I died laughing picturing Ryan staring at the big kids.

I will COMPLETELY miss Ryan's current teachers. They love our baby boy, and I have no shame in saying...he IS their favorite! ;) (And, Holden).

Take a look at Ryan's new school!

Little Toot is Eight Months

YOU BRING SO MUCH JOY TO OUR LIVES. We love you!!!

Our baby boy is eight months old. Here are eight pics, and a flashback.

(this is one of the few pics where you'll see him with both socks on).

We went to a wedding reception in Dallas at a Flight Museum. I couldn't resist...at eight months, a plane was named after our baby boy. So sweet of "them".

At eight months, he's mastered his "Sir Hiss" face. This pic goes out to my girls (Rachel, Casey, Kim, Allison...look out, Ryan wants to take part in the Sir Hiss Lookalike Contest).

At the Sturms' house, Beau started a fire. At eight months, he gained an appreciation for fire. I need to be careful...I was once a pyromaniac with Kimmy D. He might be showing signs of pyro lovin' behavorior.

I told Ryan that as soon as he turns eight months, he won't have to wear both socks anymore. It's sort of his "thing". One sock or no socks. I recently cleaned out his diaper bag and found seven single socks (all soaking wet from a spilt bottle).

At eight months old, he still looks good in red. And, your eyes are prettier than ever!

Found a sock! At eight months old, you tried to explain your sock fashion trend to your friend. This is Hudson...linebacker, UT, 5 months old.

At eight months, you tried to help mommy talk daddy into buying a robotic vaccuum cleaner. Ryan LOVED this thing....as did I.

You master your frown at eight months. The daddies of these three boys all went to high school together. Can you smell TROUBLE?!?!

FLASH BACK TO THREE DAYS OLD...

What an angel.


Brian and Matt, Rod and Ryan, and Jack and Jack Walker. Check out the socks on those tiny legs.

And, One Red Robe

Let me sum up the last 48 hours for you:
1. I've brushed my teeth once.
2. Face wash...once.
3. Two sets of sheets washed.
4. Half a bottle of Spray n' Wash ON MY CARPET.
5. Milk out of the nose x 2.
6. Projectile milk x 3.
7. Rod's work pants...blasted with milk.
8. Forgot a lap pad on carpet...second half of bottle of Spray n' Wash used.
9. MULTIPLE diapers...straight to the outside trash can.
10. One lethargic child (although very much a cuddle bug)
11. One non-eating child.
12. Emails to the pediatrician.
13. I promise there's more...I just can't think.
14. Lost brain.
15. Empty stomach, full of coffee and cinnamon vanilla creamer.
16. Three suitcases to pack for the weekend.
17. One post-pregnancy body to fit into a dress (that will have to come out of a magic closet.)
18. One friend who just had her baby last night. Welcome Henry Harkins IV!!!
18. One mom ready for a glass of wine with the Sturms tomorrow night!
19. One wonderful husband that is coming home early from work to relieve me.
20. And, one red robe with me through it all.
BONUS:
21. One beauty-zit on my chin. It's in the "healing process" now.

Planes, Trains (Bus) & Automobiles

Ryan had a little trouble starting his bus.

So, he took a look under the hood...didn't look promising.

SO, he tried an automobile. Ryan kept asking me where the steering wheel was on this. I told him that when he's old enough to buy his own car insurance, he'll get the steering wheel.

He looked all over the car for that steering wheel.

So, Ryan booked a flight. Land transportation is so for the birds?!?!

Unfortunately, there was no propeller.

So he had to make an emergency landing. Please don't worry about him. He's realized that his knees and hands are his safest mode of travel for now.

We're on the Move!

Check out my new Entertainment Stage in the background. My stage is what helped me start pulling up on things. OR, maybe it was my striped pj's.

WELCOME JACKSON!!!

Everyone, meet Ryan's new buddy!

I often catch Rod, in the mirror, re-enacting Edward Scissorhands.

Since we're both working, and have no time to cook or clean, we got a chef. Everyone, meet Chef Chargrill. It's made all our meals since hire-date. Check out the smile on that boy's face! Kudos to Rod for putting it together. Who knew they were sold in a thousand pieces?!?!

When should I start buckling him in?

Merry Christmas!!!

Scott and Kim arrived, and did the Polka! We all headed out to Floore's Country Store to watch Putnam "hang his boots". He retired his boots, and marked his territory at Floore's. For those of you not from SA, this is a small town, COUNTRY venue where we'd go (yes, under age) to see Robert Earl Keen play.

The boots. I was so excited for Putnam, that I got a group to head out to watch Roger Kreger and toast the boots. Well, after coming out of the restroom, I learned I had MISSED IT! As I was marking my territory, Putnam marked his. Jenny even wore her Western boots in honor of "the hanging of the boots". (She missed it too) Rivenburgh's boots are hanging next to his. Brooke and Jack Walker came over to play with Sue, Malyn and Ryan. Except, JW wasn't allowed to play with anyone but Sue. See the adoreable pic below....this landed Sue in "time-out". How you ask?

She pushed Malyn out of the picture (off the rocks), while smiling, and still looking at the camera. TIME OUT!

Yet again, Mom fails to completely get Ryan fully dressed again. Check out the flames on the kid seat...totally matches my mom's decor.

Malyn doing the 100-yard dash.

I needed some dental work done. Fortunately for us, we have a dentist in the family.

Where in the world is Ryan? He looked TINY in Santa's arms. Thanks to Scott, I got this sweet picture!

Kim's first Ryan -sighting. Made mommy sooooo happy to see him in Kimmy's arms....I still think it's selfish for her to live so far away. (even though I pushed her out the door to SEATTLE....I take it back. Come home).

Froggy-froggerton is Seven-months-old

No longer a tadpole.

I often catch Ryan working his way up the legs of our coffee table. And, as of this morning...the rails of the crib.

Ryan doesn't think it's fun to sit still.

SEVEN MONTHS OLD

For Christmas, Ryan asked Santa for more feet to play with.

NOTE: Ryan's Spurs jacket...we went to school in this outfit...came home in a white pair of pants that had "INFANT A" stamped on the behind, and a blue sweatshirt, also stamped with "INFANT A". The teachers politely reminded me to bring warmer clothes to change Ryan into, should he have a little accident. Apparently, all I had for extra clothes was one onesie (short sleeved, no legs). Whoops.