Simple Rich's

I can not seem to stay consistent with posting lately. So here is another babble post about some of the last couple months around here. It is long, but I wanted to make sure I recorded these happenings, before I forget and another 2 months go by.

Oscar turned 6 on July 8th, and gosh is he a terrific kid. I just really do adore he and Angus. 

He has really stepped out of his comfort zone this summer, and we are seeing a very goofy and adventurous side in him emerge in addition to his consistent observant and more reserved temperament. He is a thinker and is very aware of himself, others around him, and his surroundings. He often notices details about people and surroundings that we do not.

About 3.5 weeks after Oscar first got his balance bike, he hopped on his two wheeled training-wheel-free bike and just took off. Without ANY assistance from us! He just started riding, and has been riding like a bike loving crazy fool ever since. We are so proud of him, and he is proud of himself too! 

Not only have we been spending lots of time riding bikes, but we have been at the pool nearly every day. It is fantastic and I really treasure the time I have to be in the pool swimming with both Oscar and Angus (even though Oscar rarely ever needs my help at all any more). He is a little fish and loves to dive for toypedos, do front stroke, back stroke, cannonball, front flips, and all sorts of fun stuff. We are working on improving side breathing, and he is getting better every day. Over the 4th of July we were up at the Cabin, and Oscar was right there with his big cousins jumping off the side of the dock into the lake and paddling on the surfboard out to the bouey. He also could not get enough of tubing behind the boat with his Dad. He looked like he was having so much fun and either had a big grin on his windblown face, or was making silly goofy faces at us the whole time.

These kids love books and art too, and they both spend a good portion of the day drawing and creating, mostly creepy monsters and aliens. Each of them has their own special style and I love watching it develop. Oscar still spends a bulk of each day creating and drawing as different ideas come into his head. I love his creations! He has has also finally shown interest in learning to read. Instead of shutting down every time I suggest he sound out a word, he is very receptive to it now and tries his best to read it. He is succeeding more and more each time he tries! I can see that he is ready and willing to learn, which of course is the perfect time to try and to teach. Hooray!

Angus keeps trying to tell everyone that he is already 4, and I gently remind him that he is still 3.5. I don't want him (or Oscar) to grow up any faster than is inevitable. He is tall and strong, loving and funny, smart and cuddly. He is always saying cute silly things that make us all laugh, and he has some fantastic dance moves. He is almost always asking for food, and eats apples like they are candy (and if I don't regluate he also eats candy like it  is, well, candy.) He still loves for me to hold him, and I try not to miss a chance to.

Angus still loves riding his balance bike and has moved from his 12" motorcycle bike onto Oscar's 16" bike. He is getting really good at balancing, and we have seen him glide without his feet touching the ground for quite a ways. I love watching his cute legs run fast on the ground as they power his bike.

Angus is also really becoming more adventurous in the pool. Even though I still stay very close, usually with one hand touching him most of the time, he wants to swim, jump, dunk, and touch the bottom! He keeps telling me he is almost swimming "just like Oscar." He just recently began asking me to let go and let him push off my legs and swim to the side of the pool or the steps. He looks so cute in his goggles and is always naming the jumps he does funny things like, tomato jump, poop jump, barfacon etc. Progress is happening and it is so fun to be there to see it happen! Sure I get tired of being prune-y and chlorine-y most of the day...but it is worth it for them. 

Angus also LOVES to draw, and that is usually one of the first thing he asks to do when he wakes. He is really into naming his monsters funny names like earadar, flapwing, punchface, and tinyleg. He likes for me to write their name so he can see how, and then he writes their name on his own. Just the other day he told me he was going to write recipes down, which consisted of eggs and bagels. He will even try to sound out letters from time to time.

At bed time we usually sing a  few songs after prayer. Oscar’s long time standing request is twinkle twinkle little star. Lately Angus has been requesting that we make songs up, Oscar used to do that years ago to. Angus will supply us with his made up title, and we have to then create the lyrics and tune. It can be more challenging than one would think, especially when it is late and creative brain juice is low in production. Anyhow, here are a few of the titles he has come up with lately:

 “Punch face walking down the road and eats you.”

“Dogs eat food on the floor then poop it in the grass.”

“Monster Snake”

“Monster Snake Fights Monster Alien”

“Yarn balls hang from the ceiling and fall into your eye”

It is a really incredible thing to watch your children gain more confidence as they try and try at something and then succeed at it. It is absolutely beautiful to see it on their faces, that look that says they just know that they can accomplish something they want to. I see it with both my kids often.

Bryan

Has been working a ton like usual. We are so grateful for his job, and are continually amazed at what a hardworking person he is. Usually he finished a long day and comes home to more work to me done here, and two boys who want his energy and attention Both of which he gives freely, and often his “own” time doesn’t start till 10pmor later. We all love him so much, and miss him when he is away. He just recently completed his 2^nd 8 day trip to New Jersey for work, and we were so happy and relieved when he came home safely! He is still riding his bike to work and back everyday, rain or shine. We have even decided to just be a one car family for a while, because a second car is only ever used a handful of times through out the year anyway. Bryan really is a gem of a guy, and all three of us adore him.

Baby and Me

Baby boy number 3 is just over 30 weeks now. He is moving like crazy especially at night, or at least that is when I am able to notice it more. However, his movements are becoming a lot more commanding of my attention, and I feel him squirming and can see my belly contorting at all hours of the day. The boys have been able to put their hands, and faces, up to my belly and let their brother “kick” or “punch” them. They think it is pretty funny and have been looking forward to the time when they could feel him move since I first told them we were expecting. 

I think we have finally decided to have him at home, the decision this time around has seemed more complicated for various reasons not entirely within our control. But, home birth sounds the most peaceful for me, so we will give it another go. We are all expecting another blonde haired, blue eyed boy and I secretly hope he is as big as Angus was (9 lbs. 14 oz.) but we will be happy with whoever he is, and however he looks.

 I don’t know if it is nesting or what, but I have such a push to finish projects around here lately. It is great! It seems like everyday I am able to finish/create/do something that I have wanted to. I love it, and am trying to enjoy it, because I know I will have minimal time for that in few months. I have still be exercising, mostly walking/biking/lifting weights, but I am definitely moving at a slower pace. Running stopped at about 24 weeks, when I realized my goofy waddle/run was about as fast as walking. I have not noticed to many cravings out of the ordinary, I can’t get enough of fresh pico di gallo and fresh peaches lately (not together of course) but that is pretty normal for me in mid to late summer whether I am pregnant or not.

Life is busy and tiring, but I would never trade it. These boys are just terrific. I tell them that everyday, I want them to always know with certainty that they are terrific, because it is the truth. They are silly, and fun, observant and smart, adventurous, excited to learn, and brimming with ideas. At the end of the day often the prayer I fall into bed with is "Heavenly Father please help me to be the mom they need for me to be, and to have to energy to be that Mom." I hope I always do, because these times are to fun, surprising, and insightful to just be glazed over or rushed through.