Our Boys!

Here are some of the latest pics of the Toots.  Samuel is crawling FAST, loving applesauce, and sitting in his big boy carseat.  Ryan's still loving his trains and cars, but not loving that Sam has an interest in them as well. 

We think Ryan got confused in teh middle of the night in our hotel room.  Here's where we found him.  Thank you Dad and Sharon for such a fun day at the JW Marriott and the fancy hotel room!!!!

Ryan watching the rain outside.  It was a great storm!

You might be wondering what book is captivating him....its the catalog for Thomas the Trains and his friends.  This is not the first time, or second that he's seen this catalog. 

Melanie and the boys came over last minute one night.  It was really fun to have company come over to our new home.

We are loving the new house.  Just ready to get it decorated.  Happy Summer everyone!!!

Tashakor!

It's been a blessing to be out here. 

Solace Summer in Segundo!

I'm in California right now helping out Stacy wherever I can.  The girl is seriously BUSY!  From making sure she has enough paper for an event, to making sure Neelab makes it to her appointment ontime...her brain hasn't stopped.  Here are a few things going on in the Arnold home, and in my mind (apparently I like to list things out rather than write nice paragraphs):
1.  Neelab says so much with her eyes.
2.  She and I were brushing our teeth together, and I wanted to breakdown.  Couldn't believe I was brushing my teeth with a sweet child from Kabul. 
3.  Cleaning toilet bowls at Stacy's house is way more fun than doin them at my house. 
4.  Stacy has a gift....MULTITASKING.  But, not just that she can multitask, she can do it for hours and hours and hours....right up to the point she falls asleep. 
5.  We made a massive banner yesterday that says THANK YOU.  And, will be making another tonight that says the same, BUT written in Dari.  Now, if you're not familiar with how to WRITE in Dari, please do a Google search of how to write in Dari.  Wish me luck!
6.  What's really cute and universal about the above.....we had Neelab write thank you in Dari.  We could not figure out the curves and slashes she was making.  So, we had Stacy's neighbor write it for us (he speaks/writes Dari).  Stacy, asked why Neelab's has a swirl on hers and his response was "Because she's a girl."  So, just like we add hearts for the dot of our "i", she too likes to add her girlish touch.
7.  Mattie Sue is hilarious when she talks to Neelab.  She talks louder and with a "special" accent.  Example:  the word "floor" in Mattie Sue's Dari translation to Neelab is "flure"  (please roll the "r"). 
8.  Rod took samuel to the doc.  He has a double ear infection.  :(  the ear infection is what is causing the coughing and continuous congestion.  (we were going on three weeks here.....i know, i know.  pay attention, mom). 
9.  I'm taking two of the Afganistan girls to get a pedicure/manicure today.  I'm really excited for the opportunity to spend time with them.
10.  There are some REALLY tired mommies out here.  I think I've been tired....this is a whole different game.   I just wish I could get to each of their houses and help out.  You would not believe the amount of work they are all putting into all aspects of Solace AND don't forget their own families.  I just picture God cradling them at night, charging up their batteries, and getting them back on the move in the mornings. 

I'll be sure to take a picture of my "thank-you" in Dari banner.  Wish me luck.  Let's just hope my swoop is not too low, and meaning something very inappropriate. 

While there is a lot to do here, it is all a blessing to me.  TRULY!  Actually, I don't even feel like it's "a lot" b/c I'm really happy and honored to be here.

The Haps with the Tootles

So often I think, "Oh, I need to put that down on the blog so I'll remember."  So, here are several things that have been going on with the Tootles...specifically the boys.

1.  Samuel is CRAWLING!!!  I'd say he's part Dyson-ball crawler (hiney in the air, moves by sliding his head forward), and part a backwards crawler.  It's really pretty darn cute. 
2.  Wednesday mornings (this morning) we have to wait outside by the car until the garbage man has picked up our trash with his robotic arm.  Ryan is FASCINATED!  I, on the other hand, am annoyed that I'm sweaty and hot before work.  Saturday mornings, we sit outside in our pajamas for the recyclables to get the robotic treatment.
3.  Ryan can swim without floaties....so he thinks.  This is quite frightening for us.  Swim lessons ASAP!
4.  We had a ball on the 4th of July, and often found myself saying, "Where's Ryan?"  The kid can do some serious roaming off.  GEEZ kid.
5.  Samuel's drinking 7 ozs.  I nurse him for his morning feed, and the nighttime feed.  My supply has plummeted so, we're part formula, part mommy.  He's not a huge fan of the veggies or fruits, but LOVES, and I mean seriously has a love for his oatmeal cereal.  We sort of, kind of, not really like the butternut squash.  But, that's about it. 
6.  Ryan and I played the game Memory.  The kid has a good memory. 
7.  Favorite shows of his are:  Backyardigans, Toy Story and of course the dreaded Thomas.
8.  Every morning, Ryan has to pack up his "yellow beeeeaaag" (said with a Texas draw) filled with his cars.  And, every day the kids in the class all play with his cars (at the end of the day when the teachers want the kids gone).  When Mom (me) shows up, the kids bring back the cars to his bag....WITHOUT ASKING.  What I'm trying to point out here, is that Ryan has started sharing. 
9.  Ryan throws his red Crocs when he's upset.  I'm thankful they are lite and made of rubber. 
10.  Ryan STILL snuggles with me.  He knows the exact little nook in my body to tuck his head back into. 
11.  I'm heading out to California to help the sister out with the kids.  And, to take the first round of boy clothes out to Baby Boy Arnold.  I'm super excited b/c myself and the translator will be taking the girls to get a pedicure/manicure while all the parents attend a funeral.   Sam and Ryan will be home with Dad for the weekend.  I'll miss them soooooo much.  

Livin' La Vida Loca!

We're in Crazy-town these days.  I left off with Ryan's birthday, and since then, here's what's been happening with the Tootles:
1.  We MOVED!!!  We're now proud owners of a beautiful home that we are in love with!
2.  We're almost settled in completely. 
3.  Samuel is now almost seven months old.  He's trying to sit up on his own.  Eating his cereal in the morning and veggies at night.  I need to get more consistent with this though.  He grabs at EVERYTHING, and still just loves to be around people. 
4. Ryan is LOVING his new room. The upstairs game room has become Ryan's toyland (in addition to his own bedroom). He's so happy up there. It's really cute. 
5.  Work has been pretty intense for both Rod and I, so that added stress has really tuckered us both out. 
6.  I leave for Baltimore for the week.  Rod'll have both kids all to himself.  I know he can do it, I think it's me that's having a harder time. 

7.  We've had a few birthday parties to go to during the past few weeks.  They're always a nice break from the unpacking and working. 
8.  I'll stop boring you with what's been going on the past three weeks, b/c truthfully, I can't seem to recall what all the maddness was about. I just know that we have been NON-STOP between work and unpacking.

Moving day!

Kiddie Park for a birthday party.  Hi favorite ride was the KidSteam (below)!  It's all about the trains!

We LOVE spending time outside in our new front yard.  There is strong breeze that whips down our street.  Feels wonderful.  Ryan takes great joy in the fine-grooming of our yard.  This was the night of Rod's birthday....the big 3-5! 

"Move over Dad.  Let me get those candles for you."


The other day, I was busy (probably packing) and heard Samuel making his funny noises.  Here's the cute little face making those noises. 

...b/c he had knocked down his playmat.  I guess it's time to put the playmat away. 


The Sturms invited us over to let the kids play and adults relax.  And, that's just what we did!!!!  The kids had a BLAST in this pool.  Non-stop playing.



Sammy enjoyed his newly-found Bumbo.  Attic find. 

Ryan's Birthday Party

For Ryan's birthday party, it was "Boys Only".  We went to Sonterra!  We're in the middle of packing (and saving money), so we decided to keep it small, and keep it cheap!  No invitations were handed out, and no cupcakes to order.  And, let me tell you....this was hands down the easiest, most relaxing birthday party I've hosted.  Thank you to Mimi for the AMAZING cake she made!!!  Check it out below!

Reid (left) and Jackson (right)

Hudson

Holden (left) and Matthew (right)

  

                                                                 

Jack Walker

Above is a pic of the boys all looking at a snail.  Go Shawna!

"R" Ryyyyyyan!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!!!  "R" is his favorite letter!  He asked for the letter to be on his cake.  So, for his school celebration, I made cupcakes with the letter "R" out of his favorite candy....b/c I have a KING sized bag of M&Ms.  They're not EXACTLY how I pictured them, but they'll do.  I apologize now to Ryan's teachers who have to wrestle the children after devouring these.

Can you even tell they are "R"s?

I tried. 

Here's my cupcake run-down:
1st birthday - a dear friend baked and made the cupcakes and icing from scratch, I decorated each cupcake creatively, and used multiple colors of icing on each cupcake.  Bought two cupcake stands to display my masterpiece.
2nd birthday - no urge to commit to 1st birthday project, so I spent too much money on professionally done cupcakes.  Note:  not cute, but tasted delicious.
3rd birthday - had some cake mix, white icing and a big bag of M&Ms.  Displayed on a cookie sheet.  Oh, and these are going to his school. 

Ryan, I apologize now for your 4th birthday cupcakes.

Ryan's First 3rd Birthday Celebration

Nama's heading to "Fornia" to see Malyn and Mattie Sue, and will be missing Ryan's birthday.  The nerve!  So, Nama, Poppy and Nama Dotty all head over to have Ryan blow out a candle and give him his presents.  Fun, last minute planning!!!  Loved it. 

Ryan's been beyond excited about his birthday.  When I asked him what he wants for his big day, it was a no-brainer!  "Birday cake and candles."  And, he'd like an "R" on his cake. 

So, to capture all his cuteness, and celebrate year THREE, we lit the candle three times, sang "Happy Birthday" three times, and took 300 pictures.  Enjoy a few shots!

My boy's THREE!  So, Ryan at three years old:
-Loves, loves, loves toys!
-He's very happy that Thomas and Tootle share the same first letter, T (in case you weren't sure).
-Part potty-trained, part not.  Pick a day, pick a mood.
-Still thinks he can't get out of his bed until we go into his room.
-Loves to read books.
-My favorite...he's still cuddling with me.  Favorite part of weekend...having Ryan crawl into our bed, and him snuggle under my arm and we watch cartoons (with a hot cup of coffee).  (Sammy's already down for his morning nap).
-He's a pro on the iPhone.
-Still has his night-night, but it has a new name, "Nankie". 
-I think he's still around the 28 lbs mark.  We may have hit 29 lbs. 
-Favorite article of clothing:  his "new shoes".  (Red crocs).  Please don't lose them.
-He feels that his trains need a bath as often as a three year old.  And, guess who gets to dry each of them...one by one?
-He'll go up to Sammy and say, "Hi Sammy.  It's me, Ryan." 
-He prays for his friends, then grandparents, then Sammy, and THEN Rod and I. 
-The grandparents' houses are his preferred places to visit.
-Implemented Pull-ups during the day. 
-Sometimes calls me "Jessica" and it's sooo darn cute the way he says it.
-Rod and I often say how fortunate we are to "get him" for our kid.  We think he's the coolest, most snuggly, most lovable, most adorable little Toot on the planet! 

SOLD!

Guess what sold in ten days.....our first home.  Bitter sweet for sure!  We had 18 showings, and an open house that brought in ten people.  Truly blessed to sell our home so quickly, but I had no idea that I would be so sad to leave it.  We close on May 27th.  Whoa! 

So, on May 28th, we'll be closing on our new home!  (If everything keeps moving along smoothly).  I am not kidding when I say that I took two steps into the home, and said "This is it."  I just knew it before even seeing the rest of the house.  I walked into the kitchen, CONFIRMATION!  I went through the rest of the house, and could easily visualize the kiddos running into the kitchen in their pj's.  It just feels so right. 

After walking through the home, I immediately called Rod to meet us there.  (Mom was with the realtor and I).  I was sooooo nervous.  I wanted to sell the home to him.  I just knew he'd find something wrong with it, and say that we needed to keep looking.  GET THIS...he did the SAME thing I did.  He walked in.  "Welcome home, Honey.  Come in.  Take your shoes off."  And, what I hoped for.... He said, "Ah, yeah.  I like this."  Phew!  Let me rewind.  Mom and Dale (realtor) were nervous too, and told me they were going to step aside and let the two of us go through the house.  We were all nervous about Rod seeing it b/c we all thought it was soooo perfect for us. 

We took TONS of pictures of the house because 1.  I wanted to be able to show family, and 2.  The current owner is an interior decorator and wanted to make sure we stole all her ideas.  :)  (on a different budget, no less).  Unfortunately, they're all on Shutterfly.  So, here's what I snapped with my phone.

My new kitchen!!!!!! 

Thomas the Train Play Date

Mimi and Pop Pop took Ryan to Toys R Us' Thomas the Train Play Date.  The flyer for it came through on my email.  I was so excited for Ryan to go, but the idea of going to a toy store with a demanding three-year-old sounded exhausting.  So, Mimi and PopPop to the rescue. 

I was so excited to hear how it went from Millie.  Two words, "A joke."  :(  I was sooooo bummed.  I need to stop here and say that the flyer that I got looked soooooooo cool!!!  The "Conductor" of the event, didn't look anything like Sir Topenhat to me.  BUT, after seeing these pictures...it was no joke to Ryan.  Listen, as long as my kid has a toy in his hand (hence the exhaustion of thinking of taking him to a toy store) he's fine.  Make it a train, and we're double-fine. 

The picture below just melts my heart.  Look how serious he is about playing with the trains, wearing his hat, and sitting there with the big kids. 

Can't take a kid to a toy store, without buying a toy!  Thank you Mimi and PopPop for the circus trains that Thomas pulls. And, how cute is this picture?!?!

Still sporting his hat.  It's serious bizz in Thomas land.  I laugh looking at this picture thinking that he's thinking "Now, when I get home, I'm going to first get my other Thomas' out.  Then, get my new Henry and #3 train.  Hook them up...."

Ryan, I love your love of toys!