Monday, February 25, 2008
Earlier this month we went on a fantastic day trip and I have been meaning on posting these pictures. I think most of you know that Caleb is a pilot, and so very close to getting his commercial license. Anyways, he has been flying planes for about 4 years now, and I have never been in a plane that he was flying. He constantly mentions that he is offended by this, but those planes are tiny! He also told me that they are way more turbulent than a jet and you literally feel every move. This, and the fact that I generally enjoy living, has deterred me from flying in a plane with him. However, he finally convinced me. So we rented a plane and away we went to spend a day in southern Utah and visit family. What really convinced me was my grandma's promised home cooked meal.
This is the plane we flew. It had 4 seats and you actually had to climb on the wing of the plane to get inside. There really was no staircase. Nothing like Fergie's plane in her music video.

A view from behind. Notice the beautiful weather...


Micaela strapped in with earplugs because the engines are loud!
The control panel. Caleb sat on the left and I sat on the right. There was a moment in time when I flew the plane. I did very well and didn't crash once.




Micaela got bored with the earplugs and decided she wanted to listen to the flight radio.



The flight was actually very smooth and scenic. Caleb is a great pilot and stuck to our deal of "no funny business" such as killing an engine or taking a nose dive. Our visit was great, but short. Micaela played with my little cousin Sadie, who is her age. They got along great until they hugged too hard and Micaela fell on top of Sadie and hit her head. Still, Sadie thought she was going home with us in the plane and reportedly cried the entire time we took off.


Aren't they cute?



Overall I have decided that Caleb really can fly a plane. However, next time I want him to fly us in a jet.


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posted by Michele at 5:33 PM | 6 comments
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The other day, while Caleb was in the bathroom getting ready for work, he noticed Micaela was being unusually quiet. After further investigation he found her taking pictures with our camera. She had taken about 80 pictures of a variety of things. As we were looking at them, we found some to be so humorous I thought I would post them. I think she has a real talent for photography!


A high chair from a toddler's perspective.

The cutting edge of trash cans.


Rook cards scattered about artistically.

Looking up at the bookshelf.

We call this one Feet.

Puzzles stacked.

Micaela's latest reads....

... and her beverage of choice.

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posted by Michele at 9:28 AM | 4 comments
Thursday, February 14, 2008
That was how long it took me to get home from work yesterday due to the horrible weather, traffic and roads. I left work at 4:45 and got home after 9:00pm. There is absolutely nothing worse than being pregnant, having a 3-year-old in the backseat, with no food or water, having to pee, and being stuck in a blizzard for 4 hours and 25 minutes.
posted by Michele at 5:32 PM | 4 comments
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Micaela is now 3-years-old. She has actually been 3 for over a week now, but in the midst of our chaotic lives I haven't had the chance to write about her third year of life. And it has been a great year. I am so thankful that I have this child in my life. We celebrated her birthday with dinner at The Cheesecake Factory with 13 of our nearest and dearest. It was great and she had fun, and the day after her birthday Caleb and I took her out for a Micaela Night. She loved that as well, especially the non-stop treats she got. Every one needs a little sugar on their birthday!



Thinking about these last three years I have many thoughts about Micaela. I know every parent thinks their child is amazing, and I am no exception. Micaela has the most beautiful smile and she laughs more than any kid I know. I call her everyday from work and when we talk on the phone I can hear her smile, and it makes my day. Whenever I am gone from home, whether at work during the day or out to get the mail, when I come back in the house she looks at me, yells "mama" and runs up to give me a hug. Often times throughout the day she will ask me for a hug, or ask to sit in my lap, which reminds me that even though she is growing up she still needs her mama.



Her personality this last year has really developed. Her love of princesses and anything Disney is apparant to all who know her. She loves her new Cinderella outfits and insists on being called Cinderella. She will usually also name me and Caleb. I will be Belle and Caleb will be "little mermaid."



Her sense of style is also developing quite nicely. I have started letting her pick out her own clothes, which is an increidbly difficult task for a control freak like myself, but she has done amazing. She's turning into a Rands girl, pick out the clothes and hit up dad for the credit card!



Her dad will buy her anything, rivaled only perhaps by her grandpa. This has gotten worse as she has learned the power of the word please accompanied by the "puppy dog pout."



On a more serious note, she is one of the most empathetic kids I have every known. When she hears other kids crying, even babies, she becomes very concerned asking why they are crying and saying things like "oh no!" She can also sense emotions between Caleb and I. We are very concious to not raise our voices in anger and we do not believe in yelling. However, we joke around a lot, and whenever I raise my voice she looks me in the eyes and says "calm down mama. Just calm down." I am not sure where she learned this calming technique... She is also very encouraging, often saying things like "good job!" to Caleb when he gets the car to start or when I acutally fix something around the house without using the common heard phrase of "let's wait untill dada gets home..." She also told me the other day while I was dancing to a workout video that I was a good dancer. Which of course is true, I'm just surprised she noticed:)



Our girls nights are one of my favorite times of the week. As she has gotten older we have been able to do more things together. I'm still amazed that we can sit in a coffee shop for an hour drinking hot chocolate and looking at books, or acutally go to a movie together and sit the entire time.



She has so many good qualities and she is such a good fit for Caleb and I. She likes to stay up and party with the adults, and we often get the look from friends and family that we are crazy, but she sleeps in every morning and takes a 2-3 hour nap each day. Perfect for us. She's loud and friendly and will flirt with anyone. She loves kids and has a great memory for names, often asking to call a friend or relative or a relative's pet on the phone, and we usually let her.


Her pediatrician refers client to me, and is very familiar with my line of work. He asked me how I thought she was doing, and all I could think to say is "she's well adjusted to her life." As for me, I am well adjusted to her. It gives me faith that the guy upstairs thought about me and Caleb when he sent Micaela to us. And I am absolutley convinced that my next child will be the child my parents wished on me during my adolscent years. Happy Birthday Micaela!!

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posted by Michele at 6:57 PM | 4 comments