I woke up one autumn morning to let the dog out into the backyard and this guy was perched on the porch railing: Microcentrum rhombifolium, or the greater angle-winged katydid. You don't usually see these virtually innocuous insects because they are arboreal, spending most of their time in the trees. But he decided to venture out onto our porch. I'm not sure why I like katydids so much. Perhaps I just find them more pleasing to look at than the bland bug-eyed looking grasshoppers. Maybe it is because katydids don't do the nerve-wracking jump and flutter that grasshoppers do when you are walking along the grass or bushes. They don't sporadically jump onto your clothes when you frighten them like their aforementioned, closely related crop decimating orthopteran short-horned grasshoppers. Katydids are slow, methodical and observant. And because of this behavior, I was able to take about five pictures trying to get an image that showed him in all his beauty. Unfortunately, the other four pictures I was not pleased with, but I like this one.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Katydid
I woke up one autumn morning to let the dog out into the backyard and this guy was perched on the porch railing: Microcentrum rhombifolium, or the greater angle-winged katydid. You don't usually see these virtually innocuous insects because they are arboreal, spending most of their time in the trees. But he decided to venture out onto our porch. I'm not sure why I like katydids so much. Perhaps I just find them more pleasing to look at than the bland bug-eyed looking grasshoppers. Maybe it is because katydids don't do the nerve-wracking jump and flutter that grasshoppers do when you are walking along the grass or bushes. They don't sporadically jump onto your clothes when you frighten them like their aforementioned, closely related crop decimating orthopteran short-horned grasshoppers. Katydids are slow, methodical and observant. And because of this behavior, I was able to take about five pictures trying to get an image that showed him in all his beauty. Unfortunately, the other four pictures I was not pleased with, but I like this one.
Fall General Conference 2010
This post is long overdue. But I was looking through some family pictures and realized I needed to blog about them or I would forget some of the special moments we got to share together. Here goes:
Fall General Conference 2010. Some of may recall last year's slideshow I created for the Fall 2009 General Conference. Just to refresh your memory, every six months our church holds a conference for its entire membership. It is broadcast across the world. We have started using an activity called "Conference Bingo" to help the kids get something out of it. They get a card with various topics on it and are then given candy. When a particular topic is discussed that they can find on their card, they can place a candy on it. When the whole card is full, they can eat the candy. It sounds good when written down, but put into practice when you have a 2 and 4 year old, it doesn't always work out that way. Here are the kids starting out in the first session:
Here we are about 15 minutes into watching conference. You may notice that little Michaela has chipmunk cheeks here, guess what is inside those cheeks? The M & M's.
And eventually, Jake and Michaela lost all interest because all their candy was gone and that's when they sauntered into the playroom and started to bring out the toys. Michaela decided to put on her butterfly costume she wore when she was about 11 months old. Amazingly, she was able to squeeze into it:
Here's Jake with chocolate smeared on his face, guilty of eating all his candy right away.
And here is the best big brother anyone could ask for. He's a good role model. He sat through the entire first session and diligently placed candy on his Bingo card.
And I just had to throw this one on here because it shows my husbands gorgeous brown eyes, that made me fall in love with him (along with so many many other things!):
Daddy gets to attend a special session just for the men called the "Priesthood Session." It's broadcast at the church. We have started taking a picture before he goes each time:
General Conference is always a special family time. It's a wonderful way to rejuvenate the spirit,too, and help me stay motivated to becoming a better wife, mother, sister, friend, community member--a better person.
Fall General Conference 2010. Some of may recall last year's slideshow I created for the Fall 2009 General Conference. Just to refresh your memory, every six months our church holds a conference for its entire membership. It is broadcast across the world. We have started using an activity called "Conference Bingo" to help the kids get something out of it. They get a card with various topics on it and are then given candy. When a particular topic is discussed that they can find on their card, they can place a candy on it. When the whole card is full, they can eat the candy. It sounds good when written down, but put into practice when you have a 2 and 4 year old, it doesn't always work out that way. Here are the kids starting out in the first session:
Here we are about 15 minutes into watching conference. You may notice that little Michaela has chipmunk cheeks here, guess what is inside those cheeks? The M & M's.
And eventually, Jake and Michaela lost all interest because all their candy was gone and that's when they sauntered into the playroom and started to bring out the toys. Michaela decided to put on her butterfly costume she wore when she was about 11 months old. Amazingly, she was able to squeeze into it:
Here's Jake with chocolate smeared on his face, guilty of eating all his candy right away.
And here is the best big brother anyone could ask for. He's a good role model. He sat through the entire first session and diligently placed candy on his Bingo card.
And I just had to throw this one on here because it shows my husbands gorgeous brown eyes, that made me fall in love with him (along with so many many other things!):
Daddy gets to attend a special session just for the men called the "Priesthood Session." It's broadcast at the church. We have started taking a picture before he goes each time:
General Conference is always a special family time. It's a wonderful way to rejuvenate the spirit,too, and help me stay motivated to becoming a better wife, mother, sister, friend, community member--a better person.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Caleb Surgery Update
Hi, Family and Friends,
Just wanted to drop a quick note about Caleb's umbilical hernia surgery. We are going to postpone it until June. We didn't really want to do that, but with Christmas coming, we got on the phone with the insurance and found out how much we were going to need to pay upfront and right now isn't a great time for us to pay that much. We talked with the doctor and he felt it was okay to wait. The good news is, after the baby comes we will have met our out-of-pocket maximum and Caleb's surgery should be covered 100%. Additionally, he has a ruptured eardrum right now and is on antibiotics, which probably wouldn't affect the surgery too much, I just want him to be a lot better before he goes under the knife. Don't want him getting any sicker than he was and let his immune system time to recover from the onslaught it has received the last 9 days. We are blessed that no one else has gotten sick and everyone is doing well.
We hope you are all enjoying your Christmas season! We look forward to seeing a lot of you soon.
Just wanted to drop a quick note about Caleb's umbilical hernia surgery. We are going to postpone it until June. We didn't really want to do that, but with Christmas coming, we got on the phone with the insurance and found out how much we were going to need to pay upfront and right now isn't a great time for us to pay that much. We talked with the doctor and he felt it was okay to wait. The good news is, after the baby comes we will have met our out-of-pocket maximum and Caleb's surgery should be covered 100%. Additionally, he has a ruptured eardrum right now and is on antibiotics, which probably wouldn't affect the surgery too much, I just want him to be a lot better before he goes under the knife. Don't want him getting any sicker than he was and let his immune system time to recover from the onslaught it has received the last 9 days. We are blessed that no one else has gotten sick and everyone is doing well.
We hope you are all enjoying your Christmas season! We look forward to seeing a lot of you soon.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Silly Dog
This picture is evidence of the silliness of our ultra friendly meek golden retriever, Chewbacca. When he is given a chewbone he will walk around the house whimpering looking for a place to hide it, then waits by the door to be let out. If I don't let him outside to bury it, he puts his paw on my leg and sits there looking at me with this pitiful look, waiting. And waiting. This goes on for about 20 minutes until he gives up by either putting the chew bone behind a piece of furniture or laying on it. Eventually, within a few hours, he will start to gingerly chew on it. And once it is soft, then he devours it in a few minutes. Any animal behaviorist out there want to explain? :)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Surgery
Umbilical hernia. You learn a lot of medical terms being a mom to three little ones. This is what Caleb has. A small one that just appeared about a year ago. Usually a child is born with it and outgrows it by 4 years of age. Caleb had two inguinal hernia type occurrences as a toddler--both were repaired. I don't think it's coincidence that he is the one to develop an umbilical hernia.
We have met with his pediatrician and a general surgeon. Both said it would be wise to get it fixed sooner than later. Since baby Emily should be here in about 10 weeks, and life will become chaotic with a newborn, two boys in soccer and the regular craziness of a household of six, we decided now was as good a time as any. December 21st is the date. And Caleb is worried. We meet with a life specialist, at least I think that is what she is called, next week. She will answer his questions, show him around the recovery room, describe what will happen to him and how long he can expect to recover. I think it's really great that they offer this. The more information Caleb has, the better he seems to do. Now, if this were happening to Jake, I don't know if Jake would care. When Jake was transported in an ambulance after his first seizure, for example, I kept holding his hand and looking into his face to see if he was worried. Nope. Just looked around at all the stuff in the ambulance. "Do you want me to sing you a song, Jake?" "Uh, sure." As if to say, "Uh, sure, Mommy, if it makes you feel better."
And Jake also told me today, "If the doctor told me he was going to cut me open like Caleb, I would be really really mad at him." And furrowed his brow and clenched his fists. That's his way to solve most of his dilemmas, just show 'em who is boss and then he feels better.
But Caleb is much more sensitive and anxious. I wouldn't change him for anything and love that he is so aware of life, people and emotions, but it makes for several discussions and several reassuring incidences. At times I feel inadequate at being able to help soothe him. Almost like when he was a colicky baby. But I have found that when I just listen to my mommy instinct and hold him, we can get to a happier place a lot quicker. One thing that does not work is, "Try not to worry about it. It will be alright." Who really wants to hear that anyway?
I will try to post an update on operation day to let you know how it goes. It's a very minor surgery and he should be able to resume most activities the next day. Mike has the day off so it works out great scheduling wise.
We have met with his pediatrician and a general surgeon. Both said it would be wise to get it fixed sooner than later. Since baby Emily should be here in about 10 weeks, and life will become chaotic with a newborn, two boys in soccer and the regular craziness of a household of six, we decided now was as good a time as any. December 21st is the date. And Caleb is worried. We meet with a life specialist, at least I think that is what she is called, next week. She will answer his questions, show him around the recovery room, describe what will happen to him and how long he can expect to recover. I think it's really great that they offer this. The more information Caleb has, the better he seems to do. Now, if this were happening to Jake, I don't know if Jake would care. When Jake was transported in an ambulance after his first seizure, for example, I kept holding his hand and looking into his face to see if he was worried. Nope. Just looked around at all the stuff in the ambulance. "Do you want me to sing you a song, Jake?" "Uh, sure." As if to say, "Uh, sure, Mommy, if it makes you feel better."
And Jake also told me today, "If the doctor told me he was going to cut me open like Caleb, I would be really really mad at him." And furrowed his brow and clenched his fists. That's his way to solve most of his dilemmas, just show 'em who is boss and then he feels better.
But Caleb is much more sensitive and anxious. I wouldn't change him for anything and love that he is so aware of life, people and emotions, but it makes for several discussions and several reassuring incidences. At times I feel inadequate at being able to help soothe him. Almost like when he was a colicky baby. But I have found that when I just listen to my mommy instinct and hold him, we can get to a happier place a lot quicker. One thing that does not work is, "Try not to worry about it. It will be alright." Who really wants to hear that anyway?
I will try to post an update on operation day to let you know how it goes. It's a very minor surgery and he should be able to resume most activities the next day. Mike has the day off so it works out great scheduling wise.
Naughty List
Caleb: Mom, am I on the naughty list?
Mommy: Of course not.
Caleb: How do you know?
Mommy: 'Cause I know. Santa would have told me.
Jake: Mommy, is Uncle Brandon on the naughty list?
Mommy: No.
Caleb: Is Daddy?
Mommy: Nope.
Caleb: Mom, are you on the naughty the list?
Mommy: Um....I hope not.
Michaela: Uncle Phil?
Jake: Uncle Joey?
Mommy: Nope, nope, nope.
Caleb: Roman? [a friend in his school class who is a little bit of a trouble maker, but still a good kid]
Mommy: Nope
Caleb: But he gets in trouble all the time.
Mommy: Yea, but he tries to be good, right?
Caleb: Well, yeah, sorta.
Michaela: Kenna? [meaning is, "McKenna on the naughty list?" Her little friend down the street.] Boyd's mommy?
Mommy: Of course not!
Editor's note: Do my kids hope that one of their loved ones is on the naughty list? I almost sensed a little disappointment when they discovered that they didn't know anyone who was on "the list."
Mommy: Of course not.
Caleb: How do you know?
Mommy: 'Cause I know. Santa would have told me.
Jake: Mommy, is Uncle Brandon on the naughty list?
Mommy: No.
Caleb: Is Daddy?
Mommy: Nope.
Caleb: Mom, are you on the naughty the list?
Mommy: Um....I hope not.
Michaela: Uncle Phil?
Jake: Uncle Joey?
Mommy: Nope, nope, nope.
Caleb: Roman? [a friend in his school class who is a little bit of a trouble maker, but still a good kid]
Mommy: Nope
Caleb: But he gets in trouble all the time.
Mommy: Yea, but he tries to be good, right?
Caleb: Well, yeah, sorta.
Michaela: Kenna? [meaning is, "McKenna on the naughty list?" Her little friend down the street.] Boyd's mommy?
Mommy: Of course not!
Editor's note: Do my kids hope that one of their loved ones is on the naughty list? I almost sensed a little disappointment when they discovered that they didn't know anyone who was on "the list."
Sunday, December 5, 2010
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