Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Learn-A-Word Wednesday: lepidopteran

lep-i-dop-ter-an

noun:
1: any of a large order (Lepidoptera) of insects comprising of butterflies, moths, and skippers that as adults have four broad or lanceolated wings usually covered with minute overlapping and often brightly covered scales and that as larvae are caterpillars.

Hmm...that whole "minute overlapping and brightly covered scales" thing explains a lot about the "powder" that came off of butterfly wings when I would "pet" them as a child. Of course, the butterflies were already dead, usually the unwitting victims of the minivan's grill.



This lovely blue morpho speciman is available for $8.50 from Ianni Butterfly Enterprises. It originates in Paraguay. One of my favorite species...

Saturday, November 24, 2007

What Are You Thankful For?

God has blessed us greatly this year. There is so much to be thankful for! My "short list" of thanksgivings:
Robert completing school and finding a good job
The birth of our son, Evan
Our good marriage

I hope that you took some time yesterday to reflect on what you are thankful for. It puts everything into better perspective when I think about all of the blessings we have living in this country at this time in history.

We spent the holiday with Robert's extended family. There were grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. So many people to be thankful for! So many people for Evan to meet as well. We were both pooped out by the afternoon. He from not sleeping enough the day before and me from too much turkey (is it possible to have too much turkey)? As you can see in the picture we had a nice catnap along side Grandpa Vincent. (Thanks to cousin Tracy and her "candid camera"!)


Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Learn-A-Word Wednesday: perfidy

per-fi-dy

noun:
1: the quality or state of being faithless or disloyal: treachery
2: an act or an instance of disloyalty

This word dates back to 1592.

Well, Evan and I have not yet made it to the thrift stores to purchase our mega dictionary. However, I remembered a word from a book that we are reading together, The Tale of Despereaux. Actually its entry here is based on the recommendation of the book's author:

"At least Lester had the decency to weep at his act of perfidy. Reader, do you know what 'perfidy' means? I have a feeling you do, based on the little scene that has just unfolded here. But you should look up the word in your dictionary, just to be sure."

I am ashamed to say that I did not know what perfidy meant. Now I know and I will make sure to update Evan as well since I don't think that he knew what it meant either!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Learn-A-Word Wednesday: tautology

tau-tol-o-gy

noun:
1 a: needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word b: an instance of tautology
2: a tautologous statement

This word comes from Late Latin tautologia and Greek tautologos.

Welcome to the latest feature of "The Cheese Stands Alone" where we seek not only to entertain, but also to inform. Drawing on inspiration from a fellow blogger we will explore a new word each Wednesday. I have found, however, that I need a better (larger, more varied) dictionary. For me there is fun in just picking words at random, but when the dictionary is too basic, there aren't many words you readers would not already know.

Where would the fun be in that?


So, before the next installment of Learn-A-Word Wednesday, Evan and I will head to our local Salvation Army and Goodwill in search of a real dictionary. One that weighs at least three pounds! Much better for the random selection of words!!

Monday, November 12, 2007

3 Months Old

While I'm posting, I'll add Evan's 3 month update. I'm only 2 days late on this - see I'm getting better, catching up!

Evan is growing big and is stronger every day. He is getting good with head control so he likes to sit up either in the boppy cushion or the bouncy seat. He has discovered his hands and stares at them on occasion. They are also good for sucking and are getting better and grabbing dangly toys and Mama's hair!!

He is still smiling like crazy, but no audible laughs, yet. Though it does seem like that will be soon, too! This morning he was holding his nose with his index finger and thumb. I'm not sure why and he wouldn't tell. When I asked him what he was doing he just gave me an ornery smile behind his hand!! If I can, I'll try to get a picture of this, it's great!



Smiling for Grandma Bryan!



Sitting in the rocking chair like a big boy!


Happy Halloween!

Okay, okay, I know it's actually Veteran's Day and that I'm nearly two weeks late getting these pics up! Cut a new mama some slack!!

Here are some photos of Evan in his Halloween outfit. In case you can't see it in the pics, his shirt says "Daddy's Little Monster." He didn't do any "official" trick-or-treating this year, but we did visit a few neighbors. He received some candy, which I assured our neighbors he would eventually eat in the form of breast milk!! He was also given some spider rings that the cats have now claimed as theirs!



Me and Evan



Daddy and Evan