Wild and Shy

Mr. Handsome

Noah. I love that kid. Can't believe he just turned 6. Crazy! I actually raised a kid to the age of 6. That is quite an accomplishment! Especially considering that he was an unplanned honeymoon baby. Both Karl and I had just signed up for an Ironman in Germany and a 50-miler in Arizona. Just two of the things we wanted to do before becoming parents.

Ready for...?

I was on the pill but I was late. No big deal. I was super tired all the time. Running? I think I'd rather take a nap. During another very sluggish run it struck me like lightening: I might be pregnant! That thought hadn't even crossed my mind before. I ran home, bought a few tests, took 3 of them. They were all positive! Shoot. Now what?

He is, indeed, German.

I pretty much had a minor (or major) nervous breakdown. I was about to graduate from college and had no idea what I was going to do with myself except dive into Ironman training and racing. Of course. What else would I care about? Well, that plan was now out the window.

The breakdown only lasted about 1.3 days. Then it was time to face reality and deal with it. So I did. And, of course, having Noah was the best thing that ever happened to us. Let's face it: 6 years later we might still be too busy adventuring around to even think about kids. Thank you, divine intervention!

First triathlon

Ok. Back to Noah. He is wild. As we all know. Just tonight he chose to run laps around the parking lot it in his pajamas. Twice. Because he could not sit still and listen to the bedtime story. Sure, sometimes it can be exhausting but I enjoy their energy and am so glad they are healthy!

Noah and Fay

He has been in Kindergarten for 9 weeks and already gotten into serious trouble twice! Yikes! The first time for breaking crayons and body-slamming a girl. (Noah claims she wanted him to.) Miss Chris explained to me that Noah is the social and academic leader of the class. Who knew??? Social leader? I had no idea. Academic leader? Really? He does not even know all his letters. In other words: He needs to shape up and be a better example so Miss Chris does not have 23 crayon-breaking and body-slamming Kindergartners.

Soccer Boy

On the other hand, is a pretty shy kid. I know. Hard to believe. He does not like crowds or unfamiliar situations and is very self-conscious. Once it was time to get ready for Karate last night, he had a meltdown. He could not tell us why he did not want to go but, of course, once he was there he had a great time! It's a good thing he has a (younger) brother to hide behind at times.

Not usually a Mama's boy

Tomorrow is our Primary Presentation. This will be his 3rd year in Primary and, once again, he is refusing to go to the microphone and say his part. He just breaks out in tears and wants to go home. Never mind that all the Sunbeams are very eager to get up there and present themselves. He knows there is no pressure from me and so we have come to the compromise that he will at least sit on the stand and sing the songs. He'd rather be sitting with us in the benches. I should just have Max sub for him. He would be thrilled! Last Sunday Max told me he wants to go up and bear his testimony.

No matter how wild or how shy, we love Noah for who he is. He is a great son, a wonderful older brother, and a good friend to many. But there is always room for improvement! On his and on our side...