The Wilhelmsen Botanical Blog

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY SWEET HUBBY!!!!  I don’t know who was more excited for him to graduate him or I, nevertheless it was a lot of work and a lot of time and he is now officially done!  We don’t have any big plans as of yet.  The first is just finding him a full time job with good benefits.  He had an interview with an employment placement company today for a graphic design job, he feels the interview went well and just needs to look at the company’s site and send a few of his portfolio pieces in.  It would be a temp to hire position which means he has a 90 probation period before he is officially hired on and the job is in Provo.  If he gets this job it would likely mean that we would stay with my dad until he is hired on permanently and then we would move south somewhere between Sandy and Lehi.  For some reason I have been leaning toward living in the Lehi area anyway so hey.  He also has a lead with a security job at the Murray City Municipal Court.  They don’t have an online application so I printed it off for him and he needs to fill it out and take it to them.  Boo for no online app.  Sadly, jobs are really sparse these days.  I am hoping that it will be easier for Brandon to find one now that he can work normal full time hours.  I guess we will see.

So, here are the highlights of the week.  Tuesday evening we went to a birthday party for my aunt.  Aiden ran around and around my grandma’s yard and just loved it.  Tuesday was also the day of our play group and it was fun as usual. 

Thursday my visiting teachers came over.  I always really look forward to when they visit.  It means the world to me and I always get some good piece of insight from them. 

Friday was GRADUATION DAY!!!  Hallelujah!  I forgot how dull graduation ceremonies are and they read names for like an hour because there were so many.  The student speaker had a really un-animated talk as well.  I was so proud of my hubby though and we got some cute pictures afterward before heading to eat at Red Lobster.  I am not a fish person, I was thinking of maybe getting halibut because I enjoy it but the steak was cheaper so I thougt, what the heck!  Bring on the red meat!!!  (For those of you who do not know me well, I love steak and could never ever go without red meat.)  They had great fries, a delicious marinade on the meat, yummy cheese biscuits, and even Aiden’s mashed potatoes were tasty.  On top of all of that the customer service was superb!  Aiden had made a huge mess and they were very gracious about it.  I never once ran out of water AND they boxed up my food for me.  I was very pleased with everything about our meal at Red Lobster.  Brandon’s parents came into town for the ceremony and we fed them chili and rolls for lunch and chatted with them until it was time to head up to the U. 

Saturday we went to a BBQ celebrating my cousin Will’s graduation from the U.  Aiden loved running around while we were there and we made sure to lather him in sunscreen so that he didn’t get burned.  Thanks for the good food and company Will and Emmy!  Congratulations again Will!  In the evening Aiden, Brandon, and I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to find what was originally intended to be my Valentine’s gift.  They didn’t have it so we ate dinner at Noodles and Co.  YUM, YUM!!!  Then Brandon stopped at Barnes and Nobles for my gift.  A book called, “In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms” by Dr. Laura.  I look forward to reading it but have just one other book to finish first. 

Sunday was a pretty good Mother’s Day.  We were unable to attend church because Aiden has been coughing and in and out of a fever since about Wednesday and I didn’t know if he was contagious and did not want to pass it along to our Sunbeams.  Instead we made apple cinnamon muffins for breakfast and took it easy most of the day.  When I was done relaxing for a bit Brandon handed Aiden the card from Aiden and the gift from Aiden and had him bring them to me.  It was very cute.  Brandon and put the pen in Aiden’s hand and helped him to write mom on the envelope and Aiden on the card.  Aiden also gave me a book called, “Jane Austen’s Little Instruction Book.”  It is a tiny book with quotes from some of Jane Austen’s books.  Very cute.  Brandon plans to get me a potted plant as well but it is no longer hyacinth season so we just need to go to a nursery so I can pick out the one I want the most. 

Aside from all of that I found out today that Aiden has an a-typical pneumonia.  The pediatrician gave him a prescription for antibiotics and said that his lungs should be cleared out in 5 days.  I can’t imagine how much worse it could have been if Brandon hadn’t given Aiden that blessing.  Aiden seems to be doing fairly well.  You can see that the fever/coughing are taking their toll and that he just isn’t feeling himself but he is still mostly cheerful so that is a good thing.  We hope that everyone is having a happy May.  Until next week, thanks for reading…

Hello, hello again.  As of yesterday Aiden started to cut one of his top back teeth.  I have been calling it a molar but I don’t really know the specific name for it.  That brings the grand total to 8 teeth.  He has the top four, three on the bottom, and the molar that has started to cut through.  His molar, unlike the other teeth, is giving him a bit more trouble.  Out of the blue sweet Aiden will start to fuss and put his hand up to his mouth.  Brandon thinks perhaps the tooth will throb from time to time. 

Anyway, I haven’t felt up to much this week.  I don’t really know why.  Things have been pretty mellow around here.  Maybe I just need to get more active and eat more healthy and I will feel better.  We did do several fun things this week though.  We bought Aiden and little plastic pool and some sand on Monday.  Which he has played in a little bit but not as much as we’d hope because of the rain.  That same day he learned to climb up onto our bed as well.  Now we are really in trouble.  ;p 

Tuesday morning Aiden and I went to playgroup.

Wednesday evening was 31 cent scoop night at Baskin Robbins.  We got nine scoops total (Brandon and I each ate one of Aiden’s scoops.)  As you can see from the photos below Aiden really enjoyed this delicious family tradition.

Thursday evening we went to hung out with my cousin and his wife.  Aiden had a lot of fun playing with Elise and they got along pretty well.  We made homemade pizza and had a tasty dessert of Oreo’s and chocolate brownie ice cream.  Thanks for having us over guys!  It was nice to enjoy some adult company for a change!

Friday evening Brandon went with a couple of his friends to see Wolverine.  I wasn’t really too interested in seeing it so I told Brandon to just go with his buddies.  I went over to my friend Richelle’s where Aiden played with her two girls and she introduced me to a show called Monk.  It is on cable so I won’t be able to watch it but I think that it is a very clever plot idea.  We also ate some popcorn which Aiden literally snarfed/inhaled.  You’d think we starve him or something (which we do not) I guess it is just because he is a boy.  😉  I also had a regular old check up at the doctors so that we could put the PCN medicaid that is about to expire to use at least once.  They told me my BMI falls into the “overweight” category (it is a 27 and I should be between 20-25).  That made me feel real good.  (NOT!)  I have resolved once again to try and be more healthy.  If I lose weight in the process great, but I am not going to be active for the purpose of losing weight because it depresses me.  My main problem I think is my addiction to sweets.  I have a very big (I mean HUGE) sweet tooth.  If I could cut back on that and then just be more active in general (like maybe take my child for walks every day) then I bet I would be healthier.  I just have this thing about excercise, I hate it.  Maybe it stems from my having asthma, or maybe it is because it is time consuming, or maybe because you have to work through the pain, and weakness until you are strong.  Which seems ridiculous and silly to me.  Why put yourself through all of that unneccessary pain?  Anyway, if anyone know of any inexpensive water aerobics classes, or an instructor, please let me know. 

Saturday evening we had our first family movie night.  Aiden actually sat for about 30 mins. with his little bowl of popcorn and his fruit roll up and watched The Tales of Devereaux with us.  It was pretty cute.  It is exciting to start having some official family traditions and activities.  Well, I guess that is all.  Until next week, thanks for reading…

Greetings!  Yet another week has passed and we are inching ever closer to May and summer and my hubby’s impending graduation.  This past week has been a bit rainy and I had a friend mention to me that they were sick of all the rain.  I told her that it had snowed recent enough that I was just so pleased that it wasn’t snow.  Besides that I am not your typical human being.  For most rain is depressing and melancholy.  For me it is refreshing, peaceful, rejuvenating, and I can almost hear the flowers and grass soaking it in and saying, “ahhhh.”  I love the way rain sounds hitting the window and the ground outside, I love how it smells and I love taking a walk in it without my umbrella so that it can hit my face.  It makes me feel cozy and I enjoy watching it fall.  For me it is always welcome break from days and days of freezing snow or hot, blazing sun. 

So this past week (and I tell you I can NOT believe how fast time flies these days).  Last Monday I spent a lot of the day prepping for playgroup.  I made koolaid and jello playdough (they have AWESOME coloring and smell good too) and went to the library to get a few books.  In the afternoon while Aiden slept Brandon and I worked out in the yard again.  We got the patio pretty much all cleaned off.  It just needs a good sweeping with a push broom and then perhaps a hosing off.  We were going to pull the playhouse pieces and trash out but there were too many wasps out there.  We decided to spray later and then go back to it.  When Aiden woke up we went to my grandma’s to go swimming.  Aiden got a little chilly but we all had a lot of fun. 

Tuesday was our first playgroup at the church.  In total there were four moms and four kids.  It was nice to see Aiden interacting with kids his own age.  It was also nice to be out of the house and have other moms to talk to.  All of the kids really enjoyed running around the huge gym.  During the day I did a lot of crocheting.  I was working on various lengths of headbands.  I also created buttonholes and added the buttons to my dress.  Now all that I have to do is hem it.  I also worked some on neckties for Aiden. 

Wednesday I finished up Aiden’s neckties.  They turned out very cute.  I finished up my felt flower patterns so that I can start making felt flowers and I also scrapbooked a bit during Aiden’s nap.  After Aiden’s nap we went to Cold Stone.  I decided to get Apple Pie a la Cold Stone instead of my usual and man was it TASTY!

Thursday morning I had a visit with my visiting teacher.  I always like when my visiting teachers visit because they always have good insight and a different vantage point of things that help open my eyes on various topics, plus it is nice to talk to an adult once in awhile.  In the afternoon we took about an hour during Aiden’s naptime and chopped down some of the wild plants scattered randomly in the backyard.  When Aiden woke up from his nap I took him to play at grandma Carolyn’s for a bit in her big fenced in yard.  He enjoys exploring and getting into things. 😛 While we were at grandma’s we heard the ice cream truck and she gave me a dollar to buy an ice cream.  I still have a pavlovian response to the ice cream truck music.  It makes me want to get up and scramble for ice cream money.  Luckily I can restrain myself.  But oh, it is nice to be young at heart.

Friday was crazy.  My mom called in the morning and asked me to go to get some horehound candy on temple square.  I of course got there 30 mins. before the place opened so I went on a short tour of the beehive house.  Then I took Aiden to my mom’s work to drop off the candy and she asked if we could go with her to RC Willey so that she could exchange her video camera.  Well the RC Willey guy was being ridiculous and it was taking forever so I ran to Wendy’s with Aiden and by the time we were finished my mom was done at RC Willey.  After that Aiden napped at home while Brandon, Becky, and I loaded her truck full of stuff and the playhouse from my dad’s backyard.  Phew.  In the evening I watched Marley and Me which further emphasized that I will NEVER EVER in a MILLION YEARS own a dog.  I liked the movie though.  After Aiden went to bed I attended craft night at the church and worked on my felt flowers.  They are very cute. 

Saturday was busy.  In the morning Brandon and I went to the temple while my grandma baby sat Aiden.  After Aiden’s nap we spent an hour at Liz Denson’s birthday party and then went grocery shopping with my dad.  In the evening I watched Escape to Witch Mountain in preparation for the new movie Race to Witch Mountain. 

Sunday was a down day.  I worked on our Family Adventure blog and helped Brandon address his grad announcements.  In the morning I watched Return From Witch Mountain and in the evening I watched most of Mona Lisa Smile on t.v.

Well, that was our week.  Thanks for reading…

Hello, Hello again.  I guess I will just jump right in this week.  Monday I took Aiden outside to play with the chalk he got for Easter.  He drew a little bit but is still trying to get the hang of it.  I got a cookie sheet at the dollar store to use for his magnetic letters and now we just need to make holes in it and attach to the gate so that he can play on it.  I also got tired of waiting for my Utah tax return and so I spent my alloted amount for that out of what was left from federal taxes and plan to pay it back when the return comes.  I also bought Aiden a sand bucket and shovel for when we get a sandbox.  Actually here is a really inexpensive sandbox idea for those of you who don’t want to spend big money.  Buy the $10.00 hard plastic pool from Walmart (they are generally in the garden area).  Then proceed to Lowe’s where you will find what is called paver sand for $3.98 per 50 pound bag.  We plan to buy two bags.  It will give Aiden about an inch of sand in the bottom of the plastic pool.  This is just enough for a one year old to go digging and building in.  If you want deeper sand no sweat, just buy a couple more bags (at $4.00 a bag you won’t feel like you are breaking the bank.) and add them to the pool.  I also saw colored sand at Walmart for $6.00 a bag.  It had less in it but you could easily add it to the regular sand for a little bit of color.  Anyway… 

Tuesday I picked up our Girl Scout cookies.  Yummy.  I just have a few left before my Thin Mints are gone.  Sad.  I was also on the hunt for the same package of flower petals that my friend and her sister had purchased, I went to a couple of stores and was not going to drive out to the Jordan Landing store just for them.  I basically had zero luck and was not sure that I wanted to buy a bunch of fake flowers at the Dollar Store.  So, my last stop was to pick up a couple of things at Walmart.  While there I saw some craft kits of felt flowers in the wedding area.  This of course set off the creative alarm bells in my head.  FELT FLOWERS!!!!  They rang.  Felt is oh .20 cents a sheet and there are a bunch of colors (depending on the time of year and the store you go to.)  So, I picked up one of the kits (and later like a crazy woman sent my husband out for the other kit) and plan to trace the flowers in the kit to create a pattern for future felt flowers.  I have also looked up a few felt flower ideas online.  I am so excited to start this project but need very badly to finish the ones in process first.  Tuesday I also found a tie pattern online for 4-7 year old boys.  I had been wanting to buy a tie for Aiden but have had no luck in that either so I printed the pattern, shortened the length and hopefully will sew 3-4 ties this coming week.  So many fun projects, so little time.  I will try and remember to post pictures (and take pictures of various projects as I do them).  Oh as for the headband for my felt flowers, I tried to crochet one but was not making enough turning stitches and it was kind of wavy looking but, I found another pattern that actually has a button and buttonhole to hook the two ends together and make a loop.  Felt and crochet flowers on a crocheted headband, talk about cute! 

So uhh Wednesday was crazy.  It did not matter what room I was in Aiden was getting into something.  He has been climbing over the arm of the couch into my dad’s lounge chair when we are not looking and even got up onto the bookshelf next to it and was attempting to climb up onto the ledge by my dad’s front door.  When we were in his room he attempted to climb up his changing table to reach his diaper cream and when we were in me and Brandon’s room he learned how to move the bucket that was blocking him from the computer/sewing area.  Brandon also applied to a couple of jobs.

Thursday was rearrange the room day.  Now Aiden can not get into the computer/sewing area at all.  He can get into my nightstand drawer which we put a baby lock on but uhh, he can still get his little fingers in a pull out the small stuff.  Brandon and I bred a smart one and because of it he is also curious and gets into things he shouldn’t…

Friday we went up to the U of U in the morning to get some pictures for Brandon’s U of U Graduation announcements.  It was fun.  The battery in the camera only last for 7 shots before dying.  (Oi.)  But we had gotten a picnic lunch so we went and ate it at the LDS Institute.  After we ate Aiden watched Brandon and I play some ping pong (very poorly).  The first few times we hit the ball it made Aiden giggle.  In the afternoon Aiden had a wonderful time sitting in the dirt outside playing with rocks.  Brandon and I also found a potato bug which we let Aiden hold so that it could crawl on him.  He seemed fascinated by it. 

Saturday my aunt tended Aiden while Brandon and I went to see American Fork Idol at Desert Star.  It was too hilariously funny.  Oh my gosh.  It is by far one of my favorite in a long time.  The olio was even funnier then ever before as well.  I was laughing SO hard.  Just go see it.  You will like it.  Trust me.  In the evening Aiden played with one of his cousins while I got my hair trimmed and layers re-added.  He got his second haircut ever as well.  It was fun too see my cousin and his wife and to chat with his wife for about two hours.  Girls need other girls to talk to.  Thanks Lacey!!!

Today, was just another regular Sunday.  I went visit teaching, sent out the Relief Society announcements and then after dinner Aiden, Brandon, and I went to the playground at Orchard Elementary.  Aiden had a BALL!  He was walking around and around exploring everything.  I took him down the slide twice and he actually squealed with glee.  Well, that is all for this week.  Thanks for reading!  🙂  Sorry about the lack of pictures this week.

Hello, Hello.  This week I officially started to try my hand at crochet.  I practiced the basic stitches and then on Monday I made a flower (which included a double triple crochet but I managed to figure it out just fine.)  It turned out pretty good and only slightly unsymetrical.  I also decided to try crocheting some booties.  Well, I am not sure if I was stitching too tight or miscounted but uhh, it looks crazy.  My most recent crochet project is edging on a flannel blanket.  I have finished the basic and first go around and have picked a simple pattern for the decorative edging.  I am still not quite sure how I want to hold my yarn and I go from really big stitches to really tight but I am learning at least. 

Anyway, Monday I had a bad earache and pressure on my left ear.  I kept heat on it most of the day and had Brandon give me a blessing in the evening.  It started to drain that night but I read online that it can sometimes take months for an infected ear to drain.  It is still muffled and my right ear is a little bit as well so if I ask you to repeat yourself or speak up that is why.  I can not wait to have my full hearing restored.  On a side note, I was trying Zycam for my oncoming cold and I should have been more wary about the warning not to use it if you have a ear, nose, or throat sensitivity.  I attribute the Zycam to my having this ear trouble and myself for not heeding the warning.  DOH! 

Tuesday was great because Brandon got his eyes checked for a new pair of glasses!!!!!  This was his birthday gift from my dad.  It has been a long time (no one really knows for sure how long at least since before we were married) since Brandon has had his eyes checked and gotten a new pair of glasses.  They haven’t arrived yet but when they do we will make sure to get a picture or two to post.  Tuesday was also Brandon’s first day without a job.  He has applied to three different jobs at ARUP (mostly because of the benefits) and has several graphic design jobs to apply for. 

Wednesday I cut out the fabric for my Regency Era dress.  I am excited to have one that fits.  My last attempt was so discouraging due to the low neckline and odd fit that I am only now just trying again and my first attempt was before I got pregnant with Aiden!!!  It will be a pretty blue color and will button down the bodice.  We also went to the DI to find a few things for Brandon and he got a killer deal, two shorts, two pants, a belt, and a little frog light for Aiden all for $19.00.  Aiden also used his big plush bear to climb up onto the couch. 

Thursday Aiden officially learned to climb up onto the couch on his own.  He isn’t even using anything to help him climb.  Because it is a futon it is low enough that he just lifts his little leg up and hoists himself up.  This climbing thing makes us nervous because he stands and bounces on the couch and we don’t want him diving head first onto the wood floor.  He is very proud of his accomplishment though.  Now we orignally decided to stick an air mattress in front of the futon to help cushion Aiden if he falls.  This led to Aiden sliding off the couch head first because it was safe to.  The air mattress idea was quickly scrapped and now today 4 days later Aiden can successfully slide off the couch feet first on his belly.  Brandon and my dad also went skiing at Alta.  They said that the snow was powdery and just right for skiing.  They had a lot of fun. 

Friday we took a dinner to a family in the ward who have a new baby and ran some errands.  That is pretty much all the exciting news for that day.

Saturday morning the Easter bunny had already left an Easter basket for Aiden.  He looked through it eagerly and even tasted the chalk that the Easter bunny had left.  Silly baby.  After that we all got ready for the day and went to the annual Ferguson family Easter party.  The was barely any wind and no one got any really good kite flying in.  We ate lunch at grandma’s and the little one (3 and under) had an Easter egg hunt.  Aiden did really well.  I figured he’d still be too young but he went right over, picked up the egg, and put it in his bag.  Such a smarty.  In the evening we watched Yes Man.  It had a decent moral to the story but was something that we will not watch again due to some of the unneccessary content in the movie. 

Sunday we went to church.  In the evening we had my mom over and the five of us (dad included) ate a yummy dinner of chicken cordon bleu.  Well that about sums up the week.  Thanks for reading…

Happy spring everyone!  Now I realize that we may get another snow storm or two (hopefully not) but I think spring has officially sprung.  Today is day one of Brandon’s joblessness and as of tomorrow he will have one month until he graduates.  Tomorrow Aiden will also be 14 months old! 

In Aiden news he now has six teeth.  He has been signing “all gone” for awhile now and has started to sign “more” on occasion.  He also will say, “igh” when pointing at various lights and sometimes it sounds like he is saying hat.  Although he hasn’t had enough experience with hats to put the word with the item.  He has also started to make a noise in the back of his throat which is in response to when I say, “zoom, zoom.”  Sometimes he will say oose in reference to his juice and zus in response to when I point to a picture of Jesus and say, “Jesus.”  I have also heard him say mo once when I asked if he wanted more and caw caw when I said cough cough.  I personally think that he is taking it all in and making sense of all of it before he decides to add new words to his vocabulary.  It is pretty cute though.  He is also a pro walker now and is trying to run everywhere.  His newest favorite thing at the store is for mee to hold him so that he can push the shopping cart.  This works on straight shots but turning a corner is difficult.  I have been told that while doing this he has a look on his face that says, “I am very proud of myself.”  He also frequently gets a look on his faces that comes across as, “Oh the cleverness of me.”  (This reference is a quote from Peter Pan.)  My mom also informed me that he is entering the stage of, “I’m a clown.”  I can see how this is true.  Lately he has also taken to climbing on things.  Boxes, suitcases, his car seat, and when he wants up bad enough he will try and get his leg up onto the couch to climb up.  I am not in a hurry for him to learn how to climb onto the couch show we haven’t been showing him how.  With his determination though I don’t think it will be long now, two months at most. 

So last Monday I got to see Penelope.  I loved it nearly as much as the book.  I think that Christina Ricci did and excellent job playing the character.  Tuesday I got my car back and returned the rental.  Hallelujah.  It looks nice and vacuumed.  I do still need to go back for my car seat bracket and the black stickers that go on the door.  I like it better without the stickers but they were already paid for so I may as well have them put on. 

Wednesday morning Aiden and I went swimming at grandma’s.  The pool was a little chilly as usual but it was ok for a short dip.  After swimming we ran to the library.  The fun thing I did on Wednesday was to pull out all of Aiden’s 18-24 month clothes.  They will still be big on him but I figured at least that way I’d have a few options.  It was fun to go through all of the clothes and sort them to see what I have.  He really does have a lot of cute clothes and was very spoiled.

Thursday I finished blogging pictures about Florida.  It really was a fun trip but I wish my sister and her hubby didn’t live so far away.  Friday we bought Brandon’s cap and gown at the U of U bookstore and ran to the library.  In the evening we went to his mission reunion which was a small amount of people but it just so happened that a sister from our ward served her mission in Chicago Illinois North and so she was there with her daughter.  I also bought fabric for a Regency Era dress at Joann Fabrics.  It is a pretty blue and I am excited to get started on it. 

Saturday was the start of conference weekend.  We watched the morning session together and then my mom babysat Aiden so that Brandon and I could go to Pioneer Theatre and make could use of the student discount that we paid a fee for at the beginning of the year.  I will miss having student tickets to Pioneer Theatre. 🙁  When the show was over I dropped Brandon off downtown and went to get Aiden and hang out with my mom.  The three of us went to Ikea and Wal-mart.  I got some $5.00 black pants.  SWEET! 

Sunday we took inventory of our 72 hour kits during Music and the Spoken Word and then watched conference together.  Afternoon session went a little better because Aiden was napping.  In the evening we went over to Mike and Lacey’s for cake and ice cream in celebration of Elise’s birthday.  It was yummy. 

Well, I would write about today and yesterday but I generally write Mon-Sun so I will write about it next weekend.  Have a good week and thanks for reading…

Playing at the park and downtown Disney.

Waterpark and dinner at Cici’s.

We celebrated St. Patties Day at Epcot.  Note our green clothes.