July 2012 in words

I hate when I get on my blog and realize it's been over a month since we last posted. That means we've had lots to post about. I keep waiting to have pictures but I either have time to blog, or the lap top with all the pictures on it- hardly both at the same time. So I guess if you feel like reading...

Troy- Troy is for really officially done with school! He wasn't in classes last semester but he had to finish up some stuff and get ready for a travel study which art majors can do instead of an internship. So he went to California a couple weeks ago for that. He went to an art museum on the way in Utah and when he told them he was there for school got a special VIP pass and got to see all the sculptures in storage and meet one of his favorite artists who happened to be there [insert esteemed artists name here].
   Then he headed to California with a bunch of art buddies. If they weren't buddies before i'm pretty sure they are now. He only got tickets for two days to Comic Con (ie nerdfest). I may make him do a whole post on his trip. What I can glean from him (if he was a girl I would know all the hairy details but since he's a man-and don't get me wrong I'm glad he is one- i take what info I can get) he talked to lots of toy companies and movie companies, made lots of contacts, learned how to make more contacts, bought vintage toys, ate bagels, went to a few thingies and learned a lot and had a great time. The most significant and successful part of this trip was him talking to other artists and finding out what they did to get where they are. He learned that it's wise to wait for a masters (seems weird) do as much freelance and you can, start building a name, improve his portfolio and basically do what he can on his own and then school can take him farther AND he's more likely to get a scholarship saving us thousands of dollars. He also is seriously considering doing school online.
    I don't know if a new paragraph here is grammatically correct but that one was getting too long. So what this all means for us is that we are staying in the Rexburg area for quite a while longer. I'm a little disappointed as I was looking forward to a grand adventure but Troy is happy.
   Troy is still working at Ace, is currently sculpting  a robot alien and illustrating a children's book. His new hobby is growing plants on the limited space on our windowsill. And he shaved his beard and cut his hair. Yay!
   
Alie- I am trying to come to terms with our new life plan. Trying to figure out where to settle because I hate apartment living. I am working on getting back to pre baby weight and am almost there-hooray! I love to exercise but I have a head cold and it's just not as fun to do this week. I am doing some sewing and earning a little bit of money which is a huge blessing for us. I'm not unhappy but I'm dealing with some big adjustments: adjusting to having two kids, a busy husband, a new neighborhood, a new life plan, a move, and being a real live stay at home mom with no prospect of going back to work (I like working) so I feel a little misplaced and a little frustrated at times but it is what it is and I'm starting to get more sleep and figuring out how to balance two kids so I'm making progress.
   I am currently perfecting my cookie and salad making skills, trying to finish up some projects I've been putting off, reading Elizabeth Gaskell, and raising two kids and a husband.

Rockwell- Is getting so big and talking so much. We can catch at least one or two words a sentence now. He is a little jumping bean and jumps and gallops everywhere. He really has grown up since his little brother was born and will now get into his carseat with much less fuss (although now when I put Otto in his seat Rocky slips in the car and enjoys climbing around and pushing buttons like it's his personal jungle gym) than he used to. He lets me change his diaper (potty training seems to be a distant dream with him), and put on his clothes with almost no problem. He loves Otto, and animals, and balls still but has graduated to loving "tractors" (ie any piece of construction equipment I don't know the name for- so all of them). He's in a big boy toddler bed now and I was pleasantly surprised that he goes to bed pretty easily and will at least stay in his room and play for a little bit. But 6:30 am rolls around and he thinks it's time to get up. Thaaaaat's not so good for the peace and harmony in our home so if anyone has any pointers let us know. He loves going to nursery which is wonderful. He is such a sweet boy and we just love him.
   Rockwell is currently learning how to talk, share, and breakdance. He likes to jump on Daddy's bed and chase the neighbor's cat.
Otto- Is an incredibly smiley guy. I just can't even believe how easily that smile lights up his face. SO different from stoic baby Rocky. We're getting into a pretty regular routine and that makes us ALL happy. He'll sleep for maybe 7 hours a night in his swing. Sometimes he still ends up in bed with us because I can't function long enough to stay up to rock him at 3 am. He loves to snuggle. It's almost like he's been part of our family forever already we hardly remember what life was like before him.
    Otto is working on sitting up, grab objects, and sucking on his fingers.

So, there it is, if you've made it this far good job! I hope to get some picture up soon of our zoo trip, the fourth of July, and Troy's Cali trip but until then... I've got nothin'.