The Wilhelmsen Botanical Blog

Lately Aiden likes to do just the opposite of what we tell him, more specifically when we say come here he runs in the opposite direction or books it up (or down) the stairs away from us.  Well yesterday I had finished all of the pre nap preparations and went to go get him from the hall just outside his bedroom door when he zipped down the stairs as fast as he could.  Being 27 weeks pregnant I am to the point where I do not chase after him much any more because it takes too much energy so I devised a plan.  I opened our bedroom door knowing that when he saw it open he would make a beeline for it.  After I did that I went into his room and stood quietly to the side of his door where he couldn’t see me.  I listened while he came up the stairs and then when I saw him walk past his door I emerged quickly and snatched him up.  He was a little surprised but laughed.  I was just glad that my little plan worked so well.  😀

1. Do more recreational activities as a family that will continue to promote family unity, cohesion, and to simply get us out enjoying the world.

2. Teach Aiden his ABC’s, colors, and shapes.  He has been working on counting to 10.  I also want to work on his recognition of numbers and letters.

3. Be more diligent about FHE.  Also continue to do things that will help Aiden’s testimony to grow and our family to continue grow spiritually as a whole.

4. Survive the transition from being a mother of one to a mother of two and make that transition as smooth as possible for Aiden and Lucas.

5. Continue to provide Aiden with opportunities to explore, create, and otherwise expand his little brain.

6. Work towards eating healthier meals as a family, this includes eating out less frequently (we really could use that money better in other ways), adding a vegetable side dish to dinner every evening, and expanding the things that we feed to Aiden so that he can widen his palate (so to speak).  One way we want to do this is to try a new vegetable from the produce section every week and cook it a few different ways so that we can see a: if we like it, and b: the recipes we like the best using that veggie.  We might do this with fresh fruit as well.  *On a side note: if anyone has any good veggie recipes let me know.  I am NOT a fan of soggy, or squishy (boiled/steamed) veggies.

So apparently we bought all of our outlet covers not a moment too soon and their installation will be first priority when we move into our new place.  Why you ask?  Today I was in Aiden’s room with him and he was trying to stick his finger in the outlet.  (They don’t have plug covers because he defeated those long ago.)  I explained to him that sticking his finger in the plug was very dangerous and that he would get a big owie and have to go to the hospital.  Well, next thing I know he has picked up his plastic doll and is trying to stick it’s finger in the outlet.  Nice.  I took the doll away and explained that it was equally as dangerous…

We just returned from Arizona.  The weather was nice and we enjoyed visiting with Brandon’s family.  While we were there we had a few adventures.  For instance, on New Year’s Day I was in the restroom (I made many visits to the restroom thanks to being preggo) and when I came out I was asked do you know what Aiden just did?  Obviously I did not so they relayed the story, apparently Aiden crawled up to the dog’s water dish on all fours and plunked his face in for a drink…Nice…

Then yesterday they made pancakes for breakfast.  Aiden ate them so well that we decided to give them to him again because we were on our own for lunch.  Well, I thought I had seen Brandon’s dad stick the entire syrup dispenser in the microwave to warm it, despite it having metal parts and needless to say it started on fire.  Luckily I had only set the microwave for 30 secs. and we caught it quickly so that the microwave and house stayed intact.  We were also able to clean up the charred ash off of the microwave easily.  Being tender hearted and pregnant though I felt like such a dummy about the whole thing and just wanted to crawl under a rock.

Later that day we took Aiden to the pet store while we were on our way to Walmart.  We walked back to see the dogs and then walked around towards the fish.  As we headed down the aisle to the wall of fish Aiden said, LOOOOOK!  Fish!  LOOK, FISH!  Look!  Then when we got closer he said, “Fishes take a da bath.”  LOL.  He was SO excited it made me giggle.

This morning on the plane you could still see the moon outside of the window and Aiden excitedly told us, “I can see the moon.”  A little while later he was sipping from his apple juice and told Brandon, “Now bunny drink it too.”  It is so fun to see him so excited about his world.