Ryan Visits the Dentist!

1/24/2011 - Ryan's first dental appointment. 

We passed!!!  Hands down the cutest dentist place for kids.  They had everything figured out.  We went to Little Teeth!  Adorable!  Ryan loved it, and his bag of goodies!

Latest on the Boys

It's been a while since I've gushed over, bragged about or shared funny stories about the boys.  It's time for an update.  I read my friends' blogs about their sweet babies, and all the fun milestones reached.  I soon realized that I'm not documenting my kiddos milestones.  And, frankly I feel like I miss some of them too as life seems to be flying by.  So, here we go:

Ryan:
A few funny things he's said lately,
"Samuel, I'm cross with you."  (no idea)
"Jesus has a bike."  (Said when I informed him that Jesus doesn't need a car). 
"Mama, it's not Christmas anymore." (said in hopes I might just say, "yes it is")
"I want ice cream.  Mama, I love you."  (I'm onto him)
"No nap for Ryan.  Right Mama?" (on weekends.  So, I just tell him he doesn't have to nap, he just has to go lie down for a bit...he bites everytime).

He recently moved up to the 3B classroom.  "Letti's class"  He's so happy to be in "Letti's class" that he'll ask me every morning if he'll be going to "Letti's class" (said in a needing-a-confirmatory-yes kind of way).  I love the classroom.  He fits in there well, and is actually NAPPING again. 

He does NOT like it when Samuel plays with his toys.  We're definitely in the drudges of fighting over toys.  I hear it gets worse.  I love being a mom.  I love being a mom.  I love being a mom...

Samuel (nicknamed:  Pig Pen):
The kid got tubes, got his first hair cut, and is full on walking!  I did remember (to remember) when he started walking.  And, the answer to that is at 13 months!  He doesn't nap well at school, and is a heavy napper at home on the weekends.  We get home from work/school around 5:30, and he's in bed by 6:30 and will sleep until 7:30pm.  He is one ACTIVE  (I love being a mom.  I love being a mom.  I love being a mom...) child, that is often attachiish.  (I'm making that a word).  Ryan is my independent, leave me alone, let me play with my toys, and watch t.v. kind of kid.  And, when he does want to be around me, he wants to snuggle.  How great!  Right?! 

Well, Round 2 is a different story.  Always wants me around (or Rod), doesn't want to snuggle, doesn't want to play with toys, wants to play with all things non-toy, toxic looking. We'll pick him up from school, and I seriously think I see a cloud of dust around him.  He plays hard, he plays well, but the second we're home, we're fighting to shovel food down him, and get him to bed before he massively melts down.

Now, I LOVE this kiddo with all my heart.  He can flash you a killer smile, say "giggleleee" with the best of them, and loves people.  But, there are just times when I question if the kid is for real.  Is he? 

We were recently started on an inhaler that he'll have to take twice a day for three months.   I love being a mom.  I love being a mom.  I love being a mom...  I'm horrible at remembering to give him meds.  Fortunately, we just finished a separate inhaler, antibiotic, ear drops and a steroid. 

2010 was a year of growing, learning and handling what life threw my way.  So, for 2011 I said that I'm going to take what I've learned in 2010 (through my amazing mentor, Bible studies, other books, prayer, amazing women surrounding me) and continue to grow while doing my best to slow down life and LIVE it with breath.  I'm going to take more opportunities to sit back and take deep breaths!  (after 6:30pm)

New Years Eve

Okay, seriously check out what Rod, Jenny and I threw together LAST MINUTE!!!  We called over all those that didn't have plans, and didn't have children.  Look what we got!!!!  I seriously think that the best nights are those that aren't planned too much!  We had the BEST time.  Truly.  We didn't want the evening to end.  NOTE:  80% of this table was thrown in the trash  (disposable plates, dollar wine glasses, votive candles, butter bowls - 4 for ...you got it $1.00). 

 The BEST part, again not fully planned, was that the men were in the kitchen almost the whole night (we didn't eat until almost 10pm) boiling shrimp, lobster and crab!  DELICIOUS!

Rod hung the lights, the Rivenburgs brought tables and chairs, I went to the Dollar Store to dress the table, and Jenny did the decorating.  It was a cold evening so I had everyone bring their own blankets b/c I was mandating we eat outside! 

I THINK this is just after the lobsters were cut open and the juices (innards) went all over my kitchen counter.  Breathe in, breathe out.  I just needed to think about what I was looking at.  But, lets just say that a lot of Clorox spray went all over my kitchen. 

Lisa and I were the brave souls to play with these things.  This was before the rubberbands were cut off the claws...see the veggies on the far left corner?  Those were used to test their chomping skills.

Our kitchen table served as the dump table! 

One very happy girl!  Happy New Years to you all!!!!  I'm never planning a party again!  Last minute is the way to go!

Tootle Christmas 2010

First, let me apologize for my lack of blogging.  I was in bed, sick for two weeks straight, then the holidays started, then the cousins came into town, and now we're at the present!  Thank you to all my blogging friends who keep up their blogs, b/c I do love reading them.

Ryan was in his first school program.  I had previously asked the teacher what Ryan would be singing so that we could practice at home.  Her reply was "They will be HELPING to sing Feliz Navidad and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."  And, she was right.  They "helped".  Sort of. Well....

 The picture below is one of my favorites.  Ava is the sweet girl singing with all her heart "...from the bottom of my heart."  Ryan took it real low.

After the program, we headed over to Nama's house to see the Arnolds.  We couldn't wait. 

The next day, Stacy and the girls came over to see the house and hang out.  So fun to see them play together. 

I got this picture of Malyn by bribing her with a cookie.

Rod and Ryan walking the plate of cookies and milk over to the fireplace for Santa.  He threw those cookies DOWN!

Santa sets up the presents alot like Auntie Jenny does.  He eats cookies like her too. 

Jenny spent the night with us, and it was soooo fun to have her wake up with my family and enjoy Ryan's sweetness and excitement.  Ryan woke VERY early partly due to tummy issues, and part excitement.  JEnny was so great about holding him off from coming down stairs until at least 6am.  So, by 6:00am we let him come downstairs and just look at what Santa had delivered.  Dad requested 20 more minutes.  Millie, does that sound familiar?

Jenny and I couldn't take it, so we allowed him to open JUST his stocking.

 Ryan requested the following from Santa:  tracks, trains, Charlie and a Thomas the Tank Engine computer.  Kudos to Amazon. 

We then headed over to my parents' house to have Christmas with them.  Lots of fun as usual.  Now, kudos to the family for being able to snap photos of the kids and take a big family photo within a five minute timeframe.  I wouldn't even say shorter than that.  We got this task down!!!

Mookie-dooks.  Don't you just love her?!

Hands down my favorite Christmas as a Tootle!  Love everyone.  I didn't take any pictures of Christmas at the Tootles so unfortunately, I have no pics to post.  But, let me tell you... the kids SCORED!

Comfort Christmas Parade

Featuring, for the first time, the Bending Branch Winery float!!!  Friends of ours opened up a boutique type winery in Comfort.  Everyone should head out to try the Tannat!

Check out who traveled all the way from Radiator Springs!!!

These are the faces of two boys who just saw Santa Claus.

And, this is the face of urgency to let Santa know that he wants Charlie (train) for Christmas.

Sammy was such a sport.  We learned something... always have crackers for this monster.

Lots to Celebrate!

Over the past few weeks, we've been busy, busy!  We kicked off the holiday season by going out to our friends' winery for a "Friends' Thanksgiving".  If you've not visited Bending Branch Vineyard, you need to get out there!  It's in Comfort, TX.  Beautiful property, and EXCELLENT wine.  The boys and I are attempting a "mom pic" in front of the bending branch.  Luck was not on my side. 

We celebrate our new house all the time, and the neighborhood that goes with it.  It's truly such a fun, family friendly hood.  Rod took the boys to the Vineyard park when he got home from a hunting trip.  My face must have had an expression. 

We celebrated Samuel's birthday.  Literally put the birthday party together at 9:00am, on his actual birthday.  We went to Two Bros BBQ.  Great place to sit outside and let the kids roam... until the junior high football team showed up and took over the gym set.  GRRR.

The next night, I had some friends over to celebrate CARTER!!!!  Kim and Carter made the trip down from Seattle for Marisa's wedding, so we got our group together to goo-goo, ga-ga over this cutie pie!

Casey OF COURSE helped me out.  If you've not had a "meal by casey" you need to.  She can put together some delicious foods anytime, anywhere, on any budget!  She's stirring up a Kalula hot chocolate!  Delicious. 

Then, the next night we celebrated Marisa and Ryan Parker!  This is Marisa at the rehearsal, in her fabulous dress, that I WILL be stealing from her closet. 

Then, we went to work, and did not celebrate anything at work.  :)  But, quickly got to Thanksgiving!  Here's is my table at my very FIRST hosting of Thanksgiving!!!!  Rod and I had a competition on who could make the best turkey.  A secret ballot was done, and the winner......ME!!!!!  So, we celebrated my win with some wine and dessert!  NOTE:  he fried his turkey and I STILL won!

This picture as taken just before we celebrated the cold front blowing in.  Perfect timing.  We ate, sat our full bellies outside, and felt the wind blow in the cool-to-cold air! 

My bird.  His bird.  Clearly there was no competition in the "presentation" category. 

Much to be thankful for, much to celebrate! 

Ten on Tuesday

1.  Samuel moved up to the "mini tots" classroom.  They were worried he'd be bullied (he's on the small side)... well, just the opposite.
2.  We now know Ryan's symptoms when he's sick.  He's really polite and quiet.  Unsolicited niceness.
3.  Baby Carter is counting down the days until he's in my arms.  It just makes him sick that he's not closer to me.  Kim and Carter will be here Wednesday night!!!
4.  I'm really surprised the word "candy" hasn't been in Ryan's vocabulary more... even with the bath and nap bribing that's going on around here.
5.  Ryan and Rod went to hit golf balls.  Ryan has politely declined all help from Dad. 
6.  As crazy, and completely hectic as my life is, I'm tickled at how God finds just the perfect times for me to finish my Bible study each week.  Ever heard of Priscilla Shirer?  Well, look her up.  She'll get you right.
7.  Food Network channel was dropped from Uverse for a few days... I almost had a conniption fit.  Susan Gee saved me from doing so.
8.  I love how my mom misses my dad and my dad misses my mom.  Both have expressed it to me in the cutest ways.  Thursday!!! 
9.  Samuel is turning one next week, and I officially can no longer complain about being a second child.  He will not be having a first birthday party.  Please refer back to #6. I will have two cupcakes (one for Ryan of course) and pictures.  
10.  Samuel is saying dada, hi, yaya, gagagaga.  He's walking along all furniture and walls.  He'd much rather have baby food than real food.  Loves salty over sweet.  He's a mama's boy AND a daddy's boy.  As for Ryan, he's having a playdate with his girlfriend from school.  Ava's mom texted me today to get them together.  She's such a cutie, and I really enjoy her mom!  Ry's spending his second night with Mimi tonight due to fevers that keep popping up (refer to #2).  I'm sure sinus and ear infection.  Call me Dr. McCray.

Oh, real quick...Thursday night Rod and I are going to Gayla's Gala supporting organ transplants for children.   It'll be so great to celebrate the recipient side since we often just know of the donation side... and help raise money for those on the transplant waiting list!  If you've not registered to be a donor, please look up your State's donation registry.  If in Texas, go to http://www.save8.org/  YOU have the power to save eight lives!

HALLOWEEN 2010

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A FABULOUS HALLOWEEN!!!  Happy birthday MARTHA!!!!! 

I had sucummed to the fact that my kids just wouldn't be the ones sporting fabulous costumes.  And, I just don't have the creative mind to throw one together with what's in my closet.  Nor do I have the kind of cranium that does things in advance.  So, what's a mom to do????? Grandma 911!  (except she called me).

Mimi saved the day with the costumes.  She called me probably a month before Halloween and, not wanting to intrude, asked if I'd be okay with her making costumes for the kids.  Would I be okay?!?!?    And, since bears live in the woods, we got these ADORABLE costumes, HANDMADE, well thought out, and mommy way-approved!  THANK YOU MIMI!!!!!

Please meet my little painter.  What you don't see is the back of Samuel that reads "wet paint", written backwards.  Little guy leaned against his own sign. 

Pirate couture!

Rod and I hosted our first official party at our new house!!!  It was soooo much fun.  Rod and I really had a great time.  The house is perfect for entertaining! 

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.