Happy 6th Birthday!

Dear Oliver,

Lately I've been thinking about how you're growing up so quickly. You will be six tomorrow, which is so hard to believe. It seems like you were just three. That was such a difficult year for both of us...such a huge learning curve in parenting for me, both of us learning what it meant for me to be home with you instead of at work during the day, me falling into my parenting style (not so gracefully), you testing boundaries at every turn, both of us butting heads a lot. And now, you're such a big boy! You're in full-day Kindergarten, you can read(!), you leave me little notes all the time (they melt my heart), you are such a great big brother to Eleanor, you are (usually) a good example to Josh, you make your dad and I laugh and smile and beam with pride a lot. You are getting notes from girls (this just started last week and you received three - each from a different girl), you are learning so much (it was fun to go to your student-led parent-teacher conference last week), and I can see how your friends are becoming a big part of your life.

Today I picked you up early from school because you had a fever. You were ready to go to bed at about 6:00 pm and wanted me to carry you up to bed. Not so easy to do these days...you are more than half my height and weigh 42 pounds. As I (somewhat awkwardly) carried you up the stairs to your room, I thought back to when I would carry you as a baby. It seems like such a long time ago in some aspects but was really not that long ago at all. And as I look ahead, I realize in two short years you will be baptized, and then 10 years after that you will be old enough to serve a mission. I can't really think that far ahead in too much detail right now...I just have to focus on the here an now. But I did get choked up while watching a tv show the other night with your dad. We're on season 6 of this series and in this episode, the son is leaving for college and the mom is standing in the doorway of his room, reflecting on the past several years with her son. She gets a little emotional. I started crying, which made your dad get teary as well. I'm glad we still have many years with you here in our home before you are off on your own adventures.

I hope you always know how much I love you and how amazing you are. Even if you ever make choices that might not be the best, I will always be right here. Happy birthday, buddy. We are blessed to have you in our family.

Love, Mom

Today I read Dr. Suess books to you in bed (in honor of his birthday, which falls on the same day as yours). I know you're sick when I mention presents and you don't show any interest. :(

Tonight

Dear Oliver,

Tonight I was tickling your back while you lay in bed, about to fall asleep. I said, "I'm so glad you're a part of our family." You said, "I always want to be in this family." It was so sweet and made me smile. You are an amazing boy and we truly are blessed to have you here. We love you!

Little sister is here!

Dear Oliver,

You have anxiously awaited the arrival of your baby sister and the day finally came. Grandma "Utah" came to stay with you and Josh while Dad and I went to the hospital for my scheduled induction on February 16th. You were so excited to come to the hospital with Grandma to see her. You proudly brought me some neon-colored flowers (selected by you in the hospital gift shop, of course) and beamed from ear to ear as you handed them to me. It was so fun to see you meet your sister for the first time. With Josh, you were too young to understand and be too excited but this time, you couldn't wait.

Meeting Eleanor for the first time.

I love how she's holding your finger here.

Our first picture as a family of five.

You wanted to name her "Elsa" or "Anna" (from Frozen) but Daddy and I decided Eleanor Kate would be her name, which you seemed to be okay with. We're so excited to have Eleanor join our family. You are sweet with her and think she's pretty cute. She's a lucky girl to have you for her older brother. 

Love, Mom 

November 2014

• You love asking questions. Several lately have to do with bones. Ie. "Do ants have bones? Do spiders have bones? Do sharks have bones?" We look up the answers. 
• You call vitamins "vitamints." 
• You asked me the other night, "Did Jesus go to time out when he was four?" I thought that was pretty insightful. 
• You asked me the other day, "What's natural curiosity?" Exactly what you have, buddy. :)
• You've been having bad dreams lately, about bad guys hurting you. You wake up and come into our room. Lately we've been praying to have good dreams. When you say the prayer at dinner, you pray for this as well. It's sweet. 

Halloween 2014

Dear Oliver,

This Halloween you were Spider Man (even though you've never actually seen the movie or read the book). You're all about super heroes lately. It's pretty cute.

I love your pose in this shot.

These pictures were taken before our ward Trunk or Treat the weekend before Halloween. On Halloween, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Schultz's house for dinner. Grandpa made some "Halloween Juice" (grape juice and sprite with dry ice), which you and Oliver loved. We went trick or treating in a neighborhood near their neighborhood. You loved trick or treating this year. We only went on one street but you got a bag full of candy and had a big smile on your face. After trick or treating, we roasted marshmallows with them before heading home to bed. It was a fun night.

Love, Mom

I love you, even when things are rough

Dear Oliver,

We've had a rough few days. You've had a hard time listening and have had to go to time out a lot. Last night you were very tired and upset. You went into the bathroom, locked the door and yelled that you hate me. I know you didn't mean it and that you were just tired and upset but it was still hard to hear. Today you had a really good day and tonight, after reading books with dad, you ran downstairs to give me a hug and tell me you love me. You then said, "I think Oliver is finally getting a hint about how to be a good listener." It was so cute and made me laugh. Another thing you sometimes say to me is, "I love you, mommy, even when we have rough days." (I might tell you that from time to time, too.) The days aren't always easy but I sure do love you.

*Favorite Oliver quotes*

A few of my favorite Oliver quotes as of late:

You told your Sunbeam teacher you have a sister while drawing a picture of your family (this was before you knew I was pregnant). You then corrected yourself and said you meant you want a sister.

After teaching Josh to say hi, you said, "My little brother loves me, Mom."

[July 2014]

You said the prayer at lunch. You said, "Heavenly Father, please tell the Holy Ghost to help us if we get lost to know the way to go."

You called Grandma Utah. When she answered, you said, "Hello, Grandma Utah. Oliver here." (You speak in 3rd person a lot lately.)

You drew a picture of a baby girl in mommy's tummy. You said your blankie is a girl. You said, "I do have a sister! It's my blankie."

[August 2014]

You said, "Oliver's glad to have a Mommy, Daddy and Joshua."

In your prayer, you said, "Please bless Daddy, Oliver and Joshua that we won't crack open."

After serving Oliver Broccoli Pasta for dinner, you said, "I love you, Mommy, to 15 times!"

You told us about a dream where Daddy's truck was hooked to a train and the freight cars crashed into it, into a pile of dirt. I asked how you felt in the dream and you said, "I felt very uncomfortable."

In your prayer over the food, you said (on your own) that you're grateful for our earth (your line in the Primary Program).

You asked, "Do you know why I love you so much, Mom? Because you make Oliver so happy, just like you. I couldn't have done it without you."

You said, "Mommy, I like you and love you, even when I'm frustrated."

One evening when I was frustrated with you, I overheard you say to Josh, "Josh, what can we do to make Mommy happy?" When I walked into the room, you asked me, "Mommy, what can we do to make you happy?" You learned this from your dad and I think it's pretty awesome.

You sure know how to melt my heart

Dear Oliver,

Tonight you are spending the night at your Grandma and Grandpa Schultz' house. I love that you just called me to tell me you miss me and love me before going to sleep. Hearing your sweet little voice on the phone made me smile.

Sometimes it's challenging being a mom to two energetic little boys. I am exhausted a lot (especially since I'm pregnant with your sister right now). But I am so grateful to be your mom. You and Joshua are so precious to me. I go into your bedrooms at night before I go to sleep and I check on you both. I look at your sweet little faces and thank Heavenly Father for sending you to us.

I know someday you won't call me to say goodnight when you are away, and even if you do, you won't have that sweet little 4-year-old voice anymore. I will miss it.

I love you, Bud. You are an amazing kid. I hope you always know how loved you are.

Love, Mom

June 2014

You continue to ask me frequently for a sister. Recently you said, "I really want a sister. Maybe we can pray and ask Heavenly Father for a sister." You told me you want a big sister. I told you if you have a sister, she will start out as a baby, like Joshua did. You seemed really confused and a little disappointed. I think you have your heart set on an older sister but I think you'll be happy to have one if she starts as a baby, too. :)

We were looking at a book about whales. There were pictures of all different types of whales. You said, "I'm really impressed about this."

You love playing the guitar and making up words to sing. This month you were sick for a week solid. It was pretty awful. At one point, you picked up your guitar and started signing, "I don't know why I'm feeling so sick..." (Video of this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iWyneuJ3GY)

If you don't agree with something, you say, "I don't think so about that."

I was telling you about some of the errands we needed to run that day and you said, "One thing we have to do is go to the piggy bank." (You call the bank the "piggy bank." It's adorable.)

You often tell me I'm the best mommy in the world. The other day you said, "You know what Mommy? You're the best, best Mommy in the world to me forever." You then took a bow.

This month you had your 4-year-old wellness checkup (a couple of months late). You had to have shots at this one. As you were laying back to get the shots in your legs, you said, "I'm not excited about this. I'm really not excited about this right now."

I walked into the bathroom and you were standing on a stool with your hands in a sink full of water. You said, "Mom, my hands are getting baptized."

A few pictures from Father's Day:

Helping daddy open his gifts. 

Giving daddy a "nose-nose."

One thing we gave daddy this year was journals for you and Joshua to write / draw in every year. When you're all grown, he'll have books full of letters and pictures to treasure.

I love that you drew you and daddy holding hands. So cute! On the left is a rainbow above your name. 

You and Joshua are such lucky boys to have an amazing dad who loves you. He really loves being your dad so much and tells me this often. He is fun, patient, loving and you and Joshua adore him. I hope you will always know how loved you are. 

May 2014

A few recent Oliver quotes:

"Mommy, you're the helper because you rescue people. I learned that from daddy."

Your chore is to help me unload the utensils from the dishwasher. You and Joshua usually work together to do this; he will hand you the utensils and you put them where they go in the drawer. Sometimes you are really excited about this chore (especially when I first had you start doing it) and others you do it begrudgingly. But you're a good little helper. You also make your bed and help me wash the windows, dust and clean parts of the bathroom from time to time. You like to pull out your little vacuum and vacuum next to me, too.

You love cucumbers and peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

When Grandma Utah was here visiting, you told her, "You're old and I'm new."

You loved having Grandma Utah here and you were so sad when she left. You called her on our way home from the airport, crying. You called her several times over the next several days. You have a special bond with her that's so sweet. She loves you so much and wishes she lived closer to you.

You like making verbal lists and checking them off: "Clean house - check, loft - check."

You told me, "When I grow up, I want to be a helper." (That's so sweet.)

You and Grandma "Utah" during her visit this month. 

Mother's Day 2014 - I love my sweet boys! 

"The Holy Ghost has hair when He's cold."

Dear Oliver,

Tonight I was laying next to you, tickling your back as you were going to sleep. I had just finished saying a prayer. After a few seconds, you opened your eyes and asked, "How does Heavenly Father hear our prayers?" I told you Heavenly Father is a little different from us; He can hear everyone talking to him, even if we all talk to Him at the same time. You then asked how Heavenly Father can talk to us. I told you we can feel Him in our hearts. You said, "But I can't feel him." I told you that you will recognize that feeling someday. I said the Holy Ghost helps us know what Heavenly Father is telling us. You said, "I can feel the Holy Ghost in my heart right now." I said, "You can? What does it feel like?" You said, "Soft." I told you, "When I feel the Holy Ghost, I feel a warm, peaceful feeling." You said, "What does the Holy Ghost look like?" I told you, "We don't know, bud. He's invisible to us right now." You said, "The Holy Ghost has hair when He's cold. Did you know that?" You pretty much turned over and fell asleep after that. You didn't see the tears running down my face as I thought of how your little testimony is growing. I felt so grateful for this teaching opportunity. You are such an amazing little boy.

The beginnings of your testimony

Dear Oliver,

I love seeing the beginnings of your testimony. You are asking more questions about Heavenly Father and Jesus. Just today you asked me where they sleep. I told you I wasn't sure if they needed to sleep and you were sure they must get tired. I love your questions as you're trying to learn. You love singing "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man" and "I Am a Child of God." You're doing great in Primary - I still can't believe you're a Sunbeam now! Since I am the Primary Secretary, I get to be in the Primary room with you. Sometimes I look over at you and see you singing or listening to Sharing Time and it makes me smile.

The other day you were having "quiet time" in your room. (You only nap about every third day or so now so when you don't nap, you have quiet time for about a half hour.) You had been up in your room for about 15 minutes or so. I could hear you up there and thought you were laughing. I went up to check on you and found you crying, with your leg stuck behind the big striped stuffed chair in your room. I felt so terrible. One of your toys had fallen behind the chair. While trying to get the toy, you got stuck. You later told me you said two prayers to Heavenly Father and Jesus that mommy would come help you. It warmed my heart to hear you say this. To know that you know you can pray to your Heavenly Father for help makes me so happy. I'm so proud of you, Bud! You're such an amazing kid!

I love you, Little Friend. I look forward to watching your testimony grow more.

Love, Mom

Wishing for a baby sister

This morning we were walking upstairs together so you could take a bath. You asked me to carry you so I did. You asked me, "Do you have a baby in your tummy?" I said,."No, I don't think so." You said, "I really want a baby sister." This isn't the first time you've asked me about a baby sister. It happens frequently; sometimes weekly, others more sporadically. But always a sister, not a brother. Probably because you already have a brother. We would love to have a sister join our family but we would gladly take another brother, too. :)

January 2014

Happy New Year, Bud! This is going to be a great year. I'm looking forward to it. A couple of cute quotes as of late:

After giving you some kiwi, you said, "You're a good cooker." I said, "I didn't actually cook the kiwi, Bud." "No, Mommy, you're a good cooker with everything."

You said, "I want to marry Joshua." I said, "Brothers don't marry each other. You will probably marry a girl when you grow up." You said, "Mommy, I want to marry you." I said, "I'm already married to daddy." You looked sad, pouted your lips, wrapped your arms around me and wouldn't let go.

Your favorite word lately is "caboona." We don't know what it means or where you got it (we think it might have been on a Thomas movie) but you call everything and everyone "caboona."

You like saying to Daddy and me, "When I was your age..."

We made a green smoothie for you with our new Ninja Blender. You tasted it and before you even swallowed, you said in a very serious voice, "I love it."

You love blueberries.

You told me the other day, "My feet are sparkly." (Meaning they were tingly from being asleep.)

You love the song, "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People. You call it the "kisses" song because you think it's "kisses" instead of "kicks."

At night, I usually tickle your back for a few minutes after daddy does your bedtime routine with you. When I get up to go, you put your arms around my neck and say, pleadingly, "Don't go, Mommy. I want to keep you. One more hug, one more kiss. Pleeeassse, Mommy, don't go!"

You recently said,"I want to go to Utah with Daddy. Maybe Daddy hasn't been to Utah before." I said, "Did you know Daddy used to live in Utah? Mommy and Daddy were married in Utah." To which you replied, "What in the what? At the temple of Grandma." "The temple by Grandma, yes," I told you.

You tell me often you want a sister.

You asked me how Heavenly Father can see us. You said something to the effect of, "Does Heavenly Father have a window he looks through to see us?"

You said, "Daddy's good at eating lunch."

You told me, "I love you forever, to the moon and then sleeping on the moon. I want your hugs forever." (This completely melted my heart, by the way. I want to type this quote and frame it so I can see it all the time.)

I can't believe you're almost four years old. You're so active, always on the move, it's difficult to get you to look at the camera and smile these days. I'm happy I was able to capture this one before you went down the slide at the park the other day.

A few cute Oliver quotes as of late + a tickle fort video with daddy

Dear Oliver,

You say the cutest things that make your mom and dad smile and laugh. Recently, I was up on your bed with you, getting you ready for your nap. We had read books and said a prayer. You said, "Heavenly Father doesn't talk to us. We can't hear Him." I said, "We don't usually hear His voice but we can feel Him in our hearts." You then looked down at your chest and said, "Heavenly Father, are you there?" It was pretty adorable.

The other day you said, "My tummy's not hungry but my mouth is." A common problem among many, my friend. :)

When we say prayers, you are adamant that we pray that daddy will be safe. If I forget, you insist on having me say the prayer again. (You have always been a daddy's boy and continue to be.)

You don't like saying prayers on your own or even repeating them unless both mom and dad repeat with you. You choose one of us to start and then the other parent repeats and then you repeat, so the prayer is said three times.

You call vanilla "canilla" and drinking fountains "water mountains."

You're a smart kid and have a lot of energy, which can be challenging at times, but man, are you amazing. We love, love, love you.

Love, Mom

P.S. You love building forts with daddy. (see the video here)

Halloween 2013

Dear Oliver,

It was fun to see how excited you were about Halloween this year. Last year you didn't want to wear your costume but this year you looked forward to it. You like the Toy Story movies so you dressed up as Woody The Cowboy. You looked pretty cute.

I love how interested you are in the candy in this shot.

With your friend, Ethan Shupert at our Ward Trunk or Treat. You guys make a pretty cute Buzz and Woody. 

I love how this picture depicts your love for tying anything to anything - in this case, dental floss to your bike. 

I love my handsome cowboy and cute little pumpkin.

The Woody Pumpkin you and Daddy carved together.

Happy Halloween, Buddy! Love, Mom

September 2013

Dear Oliver,

Some of my favorite Oliver quotes as of late:

"Mommy, I have a whisper for you." (It was about going on a golf cart ride with daddy later that night.)

Singing: "Mommy's a tired girl...I have a new song for you..." (humming)

"I love you Mommy." "I love you, Oliver. You're my sweet boy." "You're my sweet girl, ever in the world."

On September 17th, you said a long prayer by yourself for the first time.

We're grateful to have you in our family, Bud.

Love, Mom

Summer 2013

To my 3-year-old big boy:

You are very smart. People are always telling me how smart you are. You remember things well too; when we read books and get to the picture in the book that is the same as on the cover or back, you always point it out (I, on the other hand, have hardly noticed the cover of the book).

You are all about asking questions these days. For example: "We need to go home now." "Why?" "Because we need to eat lunch." "Why do we need to eat lunch?" "So we won't be hungry." "Why?" etc. You also like to know what is on the agenda for the day. "What's after 'lunch' (really breakfast)?" "After breakfast you're going to preschool." "What's after preschool?" "Lunch." "What's after lunch?" "A nap." etc.

A few things of note:

• We were driving along the other day and you randomly said from the back seat, "Mommy, I love every one of your guts." It still makes me smile when I think about it. 
• Sometimes when I'm getting ready in the bathroom and you're hanging out, playing nearby, you tell me, "Mommy, you're handsome." It melts my heart. 
• The other day you were talking to daddy and you said, "That doesn't seem reasonable." How do you even know the word reasonable at age three? 
• You say "sometimes" a lot. Ie. "I pee in my diaper sometimes." (You only wear a diaper at night and nap time and we really want to let those go soon - you generally do great in the day). 
• You say "kitchen" for "chicken." It's pretty cute and always makes me smile.
• You call fingernail clippers "paper clips."
• You have little conversations with yourself where you play both parts. Ie. "You need to go to timeout blanky." "I know because I wasn't being nice." 
• You love it when Mommy tickles your back.
• You love going on golf cart rides with Daddy (we have Grandma and Grandpa Schultz's golf cart for a while). 
• You continue to love playing trains. We had to take them away for several weeks because you were throwing them and you were beyond thrilled to get them back (and I haven't seen you throw anything since then). 
• You are doing a pretty good job of brushing your teeth. 
• You love Family Home Evening, especially playing the Temple matching game with Mommy and Daddy.
• You still don't quite adore Joshua but you tolerate him and are even very sweet with him and kiss him from time to time.
• You love peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and honey sandwiches but love to have it cut into a (cookie cutter) shape (usually a train). 
• You are a strong-willed kid (you get that from me / my side of the family) but you are a sweet little boy and you make me smile all the time. Your dad and I sure do love you kiddo. 

Love, Mom

Daddy's boy

Dear Oliver,

You are a lucky boy.  You have a wonderful dad and you absolutely adore him.  You have a special connection with him that is so sweet to observe.  You are such a daddy's boy and always have been.  You love "helping" dad with projects (hanging shelves and curtains, setting up the new washing machine, etc.), going swimming with him, going on golf-cart rides (we currently have Grandma and Grandpa Schultz's golf cart at our house) and going out to "the dirt" to take the trailer back with dad.  You squeal "daddy!" when he comes home and you love having dad read bed time stories to you.  Last night dad came home late and you hadn't seen him all day.  You were already asleep when he came home but you woke up around midnight and came into our room, where we were talking in our bed.  You crawled into bed with us and cuddled up next to daddy.  After you fell back asleep, he looked at you, smiling, for a long time.  He loves you so much and is so proud of you.  We talked about how smart you are and what a good boy you are.  You are an amazing boy and we're so grateful to be your parents.

I came across these pictures tonight I had forgotten about, which I took in March of this year in our garage.  They make me smile.

You're about to raise another finger to tell daddy you're three now.

The love between the two of you is so apparent.  I love this picture.

Love, Mom

Changes [a review of the past six months]

Dear Oliver,

A lot has changed around here lately. I haven't written a letter to you in six months so I have a lot of catching up to do.  You are now a big brother! Joshua joined our family on Christmas Eve. Grandma Louise came into town and stayed with you while mom and dad went to the hospital. You walked into the hospital room after Joshua was born and exclaimed, "Baby brother came out!"

However, having a baby in the home has been an adjustment for you. There have been a lot of changes, including me staying home with you (meaning you're no longer going to daycare with your friends) and you losing your favorite blanket right around the same time (which you thankfully found after a long, pain-filled week).  Things were rough for a little while but they are getting much better now.

In January, you were starting to warm up a little and help feed Joshua.  These pictures are so sweet. 

I love how you incorporated Joshua into your train-playing.

Some more pictures of you I love from January 2013:

You continue to love olives.

I love that one on the right of you making the "I love you" sign with olives on your fingers.

I love this one.  One Sunday I walked downstairs and saw this.  It was not pre-planned at all.  It made me laugh and I had to grab my camera.

In February, Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Justin came from Utah and Uncle Ty came from California for Grandpa Chell and Nana Dot's wedding.  You loved seeing your aunt and uncles.  Aunt Lindsey brought you a treat (chocolate covered pretzels), which you were excited about. 

Aunt Lindsey with Josh.

More train-playing.  (I wish I would've captured a picture of the "food train" you made with items from the pantry, all hooked together in train-style around the kitchen floor.)

Oliver and Mommy at the park.

In February and March, we went to the park a lot.  The weather was perfect.  I would pick you up from preschool and then let you choose which park you wanted to go to (there are two right by your preschool).  I taught you how to roll down the hills, which was fun for both of us (something I haven't done since I was a kid) and we had a few picnics as well.  Baby Josh usually slept in his car seat while we played.

We also went bowling with friends at the new bowling alley in Maricopa.  It was your first time bowling and you loved it.

In March you turned three!  I can hardly believe you are three years old - such a big boy!  We had a train-themed birthday party for your at the park in our neighborhood.  Your dad has a bounce house business on the side and set up a bounce house for your party.  Nana Dot's step mom, Susan, made an amazing train cake for you.  Grandma Louise (whom you call "Grandma Utah") and your Great Grandma and Grandpa Herzog were here visiting from Utah for both your birthday and Joshua's blessing (both were in the same weekend).  You also had lots of friends come to your party and you were spoiled with lots of presents.  What a lucky boy!

Your Great Grandma and Grandpa Herzog at your birthday party, holding baby Josh.

With "Grandma Utah" and your favorite blankie, "Mank."