Ducks

It’s finally October in Houston! One of my favorite months due to the beautiful weather! Since it’s been so nice, after work I have been able to go running with Scotty. He sits up and watches everything around him. We see people, little babies, big dogs, little dogs, birds, flowers, squirrels, ducks, etc…my little boy takes it all in. We also have many interesting discussions and Scotty practices his early pitching game with his binky and sippy cup. The goal/game is to throw the object out of the stroller. This is not a lot of fun for mom… rather annoying, but nevertheless it’s a part of the run.


After running by a pond with ducks on almost every occasion, I finally remembered to take some bread with us. I thought it would make the run more enjoyable. I would get a breather and Scotty could see the ducks up close. We picked the best day to feed the ducks! As we turned the corner, we saw a sweet little duck family. Wow, 10 baby ducklings! Can you imagine!? All of which let us feed them. While feeding the family, I noticed that the momma duck would not take food from her babies. She would only take the bread if I threw it right in front of her and no baby had even glanced in that direction. As my husband will tell you, my arm isn’t that good, so she didn’t get that much bread, but I tried to ensure that she got some food! After all, mom deserves to eat too! Sorry to report guys, but the dad was up at the front gobbling all of the food and stealing it from his babies! I laughed to myself and thought, you know this is just about right! Not too far off to what happens around my house! I posted a few pictures of the ducks and babies. They were much closer, but it was hard to feed the ducks, make sure Scotty's stroller wasn't going to plow into the water, and grab the phone to take the picture.

XOXO,

The Zuehlke

(You can see a few of the babies)

Busy, Busy

Well, we have been very busy this past week! Last Thursday Scotty and I went to Roundtop to the Antiques Show. We went with Sarah and her adorable boy Dean. We were ecstatic! Actually, I was ecstatic….Scotty not so much. Once we got there we hit the Marburger Show first, which I must admit was beautiful! There were so many amazing found objects, lighting, mirrors, art, etc. By 1:00 the boys were tired, but the moms kept shopping. While the moms shopped, the boys secretly plotted a plan for escape! First, Scotty had a melt down which including crying, standing in the stroller, and his famous back arch (which he knows I HATE). Once Scotty calmed down, it was Dean’s turn. They were also starting to get hot and sweaty. So, (the boys happy their plan succeeded) we decided to head home. What an exhausting day for everyone! I can’t wait to go back….no boys allowed next time!
On Friday we had a nice lunch with Miranda at Chili’s. Scotty was very good and we both enjoyed seeing her! Miranda was at the hospital the day Scotty was born and has helped out with Scotty at times we have really needed someone. We were so glad to see her and wish we could see her more often!

On Saturday, unfortunately Scott’s Uncle Bill passed away and so we made a trip to Marble Falls to attend the funeral. We left Scotty at home. I couldn’t see 8 hours in the car with an 11 month old very enjoyable for anyone! OU and Texas were playing that day so on the way home we did make a quick stop in Austin at Maudie’s for Mexican food and Longhorn Football. It was nice to spend time together.

Sunday we spent the evening at Grandpa’s for his birthday with family. I had turned to talk to Art, and the next thing I know Stacy and Scott are hitting Scotty’s back and Scott is scooping a huge chip out of his mouth. My little boy had choked! It happened so fast. After that, Scotty cried and cried “momma” “momma” “momma”. I held my little boy tight. It had really scared him! Sorry Scotty, but no more chips for now!
XOXO,

The Zuehlke’s

(My Favorite Boys)

(Scotty and Anita)

(Grandpa and Anita)

Little Reminders

For the past few weeks it seems that everything is reminding me of how fast Scotty is growing. Yes, our little boy’s 1^st birthday is approaching way too fast! It is November 2^nd to be correct.  Everyday I am reminded of this. Last week I ordered his party invitations, this weekend we bought his “big boy” car seat (as he had officially met the infant carrier limit for height), this week the pool fence is being installed along with the stair gates because he will be walking soon! Alongside all of this, we had our first burst of cool air this week! Yea!! Scotty and I are tired of running in the heat! Yet, this is another reminder of how the weather was the day I brought Scotty home from the hospital. Having Scotty has really been a reminder of how precious time is and how fast it passes. Everyday we are so thankful for Scotty and our family, which we also got to spend some time with this weekend. We are so blessed! This all may sound very cliché, but it is so very true!

Scotty’s Favorite Word: Momma Momma Momma Momma Momma Momma Momma

Scotty’s Favorite Food: Beans

Scotty does not like… Baby Food…can you blame him?!

Scotty has: 6 teeth coming in for a total of 8 teeth (he is biting everything and everyone…this includes Mom, Dad, and Dre’) (Flip is too smart to get bit)

XOXO,

The Zuehlke’s

(Our Nephew Jackson and Scotty)

(Papa and Scotty)

(Momma Momma Momma....HELP!)

(Hmmm...is this mine?!) 

A Florida Trip...

This past weekend we took Scotty on his first plane ride! We went to Sarasota, Florida to visit The McGinley’s (Blake, Amber, Jace, Ty, and Paigie). Amber was my college roommate. She is a wonderful person and it was so special for our families to spend the weekend together. I can’t say it was the most relaxing time, but that’s what you get with 3 boys under the age of 2!

Friday evening after the guys played golf, we had dinner at the pier. The only way to describe dinner was pure chaos. See pictures below for a glimpse of the action!

Saturday after golf for the guys, naps for the kiddos, and a little bit of relaxation for the moms, we headed to the beach. First things first….poop in our little swimmer. The only one mom had packed so we had to ditch the diaper and pray for the best! Second, we had to try the yummy white stuff that was everywhere! I don’t think he liked it too much, but for some reason he just kept trying it! He also got in the salty ocean water with his daddy and splashed around. He worked up an appetite and later shared a sandy hot dog with the boys. He ended the night with throw- up on Dad! Ha!

Sunday we played all morning, and did some supported walking! After lunch, we headed back to Texas. Scotty had a difficult time on the plane ride home because he was so tired.. After about 1 hour and 20 minutes to be exact (I was counting) he finally fell asleep in my arms.  That’s when Scott leaned over and said…we aren’t going anywhere for awhile… It’s easy to say those things in moments like that, but I know we will continue to experience new adventures with our little boy.

On another note, Scotty took his very first steps all by himself today for mommy and daddy! What an accomplishment! We are so proud of him! Scotty can also climb the stairs all the way to the top! I can’t believe this is the little boy I just brought home from the hospital! For you mom’s reading this, I was with him while he climbed the stairs, and yes we are getting gates this weekend!

XOXO,

The Zuehlke’s

(Dinner on the Pier at Sharky's)

(Moms and Boys)

(Our family on the pier)

(I love you Scotty!)

                                                                                    

(My Scott's!)

A Few Things...

This past weekend we went to Scotty’s friend Dean’s birthday party. He turned the big 1! His mother Sarah did a spectacular job preparing the party. It was a fiesta! The Margarita cupcakes were adorable with green icing, a lime jelly wedge, and straw! So creative! Which reminds me I have to get Scotty’s invitations ordered soon! I can't believe he will be 1 in November. Time flies! 

We also took Scotty shopping on Sunday for some new gear. He is growing so fast. When it finally cools off he has some new outfits to wear. I just love shopping for Scotty! It's definitely more fun then shopping for myself  or anyone else for that matter. Everything is little and cute, in-expensive, and Scotty doesn't care what I dress him in! I know this won't last. 

Scotty’s grandparents finally returned from Hawaii so he spent the day there while I was at work. When I came to pick him up he was standing in the front window waiting for me. Of course my dad staged the whole thing, but adorable no matter what!

Since Scotty is getting so big he is always learning new things. Everything is just so interesting and amazing!  It's hard to catch things on video because they happen so fast, but below is his newest "trick". BTW…”mom-ma” and  "dada" from Scotty's mouth warms our hearts daily. 

XOXO,

The Zuehlke’s

Bella's Baby

We are keeping my parent’s dog, Bella, while they are in Hawaii.  We named her Bella after Blue Bell ice cream the most fabulous ice cream on earth!  That may sound silly, a dog being named after ice cream, but she was born in Brenham, TX where Blue Bell was born and thus it was the perfect name! Anyway, Bella is around Scotty a lot because Scotty stays at my parents 3 days a week while I work. The thing is I am quite certain that Bella thinks Scotty is HERS. She licks him, shares her toys, and lets him pull her hair. I do all these things too, minus the licking of course! She is the first one up to Scotty's room in the morning, and she jumps up on the crib where Scotty sticks his precious little hands through to touch her. Scotty laughs and Bella wags her tail.  Bella also guards his door and is the first one to let everyone know if he is awake from his nap or if he is crying. She will come to me and look at me like, "excuse me lady, go get my baby NOW!" Then it is back upstairs to check on him again. The other night we didn't know where Bella was and I walked up to Scotty's room and there she was sound asleep donut style in Scotty's rocking chair right by the crib. Too bad I couldn't think fast enough to get a picture of this, so you will just have to believe me.  I guess what really gets me is Dre' and Flip, who are on "The Z Team", don't act this way. They love Scotty, but don't show the concern that Bella does. I am also convinced this is because Dre' and Flip are boys, dudes, and Bella is a female, lady. She has a maternal instinct, something the boys just don't have. Below is a picture of Bella. She is a sweet girl and we all don't mind having another "Mom" in the house.

XOXO,

The Zuehlke's

Labor Day Weekend on Lake Travis

My boys and I took a road trip to Austin, TX to celebrate the long Labor Day weekend with some dear friends. We had the entire weekend planned which included cruising Lake Travis on a rented boat. We had dinner at the Iron Cactus on Friday night. We sat outside and sipped coconut margaritas and Scotty of course had refried beans along with milk, chicken, queso and anything else he could get his little hands on. As a result, the poor guy had gas all night. I can’t say anyone got any sleep.  Saturday we headed for the boat. What a lovely day! Dad suggested we take the pack n play on the boat for Scotty since we had rented the boat for 4 hours! Good call dad! I must say this is the best one yet. I am sure there will be many more! Anyway, the minute we got on the boat Scotty laid down in his pack n play and went straight to sleep for about 45 minutes. Not sure what we were thinking taking our 10 month out on a boat for 4 hours…2 ok, 3 was pushing it and that’s when I had to pull a mommy move, give dad the “I have had enough look” and get us off the boat. Scotty was so tired he slept through the stroller ride back to the car, the difficult removal of his life jacket, and into his car seat. My poor baby! He was exhausted. In the end we had a wonderful time and Scotty is getting caught up on his sleep back at home.

XOXO,

The Zuehlke's

(On the boat)

(Assisting Dad)

(My Sweet Family...check out Scotty trying to eat my sandwich)

(My exhausted little boy)

(John, Kelly, and Preston)

(Breakfast Sunday morning sporting Dad's hat)