Cancun
We're back after a week in Cancun. The beaches are gorgeous, the sand sublime. Spent a week at the all inclusive Moon Palace, enjoying the huge pools, mini golf and nightly entertainment. Great to see all the cousins bond.
June 25, 2008
April 6, 2007
Katherine: Child Hacker
Waking up early this morning, I stumbled downstairs to find Katherine watching T.V. Not possible. I have the cable box blocked from 5am - 8pm. No password, no dice. No T.V. without parental intervention. Apparently Katherine watched Suzy entering the code one day and noticed that she pressed the same button over and over again. A button near the bottom of the remote. So she tried and entered "0 0 0 0". Lo and behold, it worked.
Needless to say, the password has been changed and it's not the same digit x 4.
March 24, 2007
Vincent Quotes
We've been preparing Vincent for his kindergarten interview for the last few weeks (he got in), and going over letters, numbers, how to spell his name, etc. On his name:
Me: Vince, how do you spell your name?Vince: V -- line with a dot -- N -- C -- E -- N -- T
What do kids learning from watching commercials on television:
Vince: Girls have diets and boys have penises
December 30, 2006
Pygmy Marmoset
As we were looking at some of National Geographic's top photos from 2006, we came upon this green monkey looking thing. Vincent looked over my shoulder and says, that's a pygmy marmoset. I look down, read the description, and find to my surprise that he's right (I've never heard of a pygmy marmoset to begin with). For the next 30 seconds, I think I have a genius on my hand, a four year old who can read. How has he been hiding his reading from us??
Well, Vincent doesn't read. He saw these minute monkeys on Go Diego Go.
Still, pretty good recognition skills.
December 27, 2006
Merry Christmas, Vincent
Vincent finally woke up at 8:30am, but was happy to make his way down to start opening gifts.
Christmas Morning
After waiting a long 90 minutes upstairs, Katherine was finally allowed downstairs to open gifts.
December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas
Happy Christmas
December 23, 2006
Kids Learn Fast
Whenever Vincent cries over a toy taken or milk spilt, I tell him to toughen up -- don't cry like a baby, be a strong boy. Returning home from a rare night out, Vincent told me he cried after Suzy and I left.
Steve: Vincent, you didn't cry like a baby, did you?
Vincent: No Daddy, I cried like a man.
To which I had no reply.
December 16, 2006
Gingerbread Party
Christmas is just around the corner and we celebrated with our fourth(?) annual Gingerbread Party.
November 28, 2006
Dog Days
In the past two days, I've let Ally out 4 times between the hours of 12 midnight and 4am for poopy calls, cleaned up 3 piles of doggy vomit (she got into the chicken bouillon cubes) dry heaving myself, and Bella had a rather nasty incident in the shower yet again.
Looks like I'll be ready to change those diapers again come June.
November 20, 2006
What about the children
Ok, Suzy always reminds to not to just talk about myself. So here's a little story to illuminate Vincent's sweet nature.
In pre-school, the kids were making turkeys for Thanksgiving. Asked what he was thankful for, Vincent responded:
The baby in my mommy's tummy.
Oh, have I mentioned that Suzy is pregnant? Our third is on the way, expecting about June 9th, 2007. Long way to go and lots to do before this happens. Hence the plumbing and car shopping spree below.
August 16, 2006
Katherine's 7th Birthday Party
Katherine's 7th birthday was a fun-filled, sun-filled afternoon pool party. Hula Barbie made an appearance as the cake. Lots of swimming and candy. Good fun!
August 15, 2006
Almost time for school
Katherine and new student Sophia shop for their school uniforms. Summer's almost gone.
May 13, 2006
Owen's 4th Birthday
Owen celebrates his fourth birthday with a swim party.
Slideshow
Sophia & Grace's Birthday Party
Sophia and Grace celebrated their 5th and 3rd birthdays a few weeks ago. The pictures have been sitting in the camera until now.
Slideshow
March 19, 2006
Hide and Seek
When do children understand the concept of hide and seek? Vincent (four in May) still comes out of his hiding place to say find me, then goes right back to his same hiding spot. He's way beyond the stage of covering his eyes and thinking he's hiding, but he still has a little way to go to fully understood hide-and-seek.
October 26, 2005
Katherine's First Math Test
Katherine took her first math test today. Not sure how she did yet, but in the spirit of the moment, I took the 8th grade math test and passed with flying colors. 
| You Passed 8th Grade Math |
 |
September 25, 2005
Katherine's first butterfly
One of Katherine's birthday presents was a butterfly habitat. The first set of (painted lady) catepillars arrived in the mail on a day that saw 108oF temperatures. Needless to say the first butterfly hatched today, from the second set.
July 25, 2005
Sea World
 We made it to Sea World before Katherine turned 6. Yeah. It was a lot of fun, though I do recommend a bathing suit (and water proof backup for the camera gear) if you're going to seat in the splash zone. See all the fun in the Photo Gallery. |
June 26, 2005
Action Shots
The new camera, a Canon 20d, is able to take 5 shots a second. Sounds like a machine gun. Makes it easy to capture sporting shots that the old Powershot, with a second delay, could never hope to.
May 22, 2005
Spring Performance
Katherine's school has two performances each year, one for winter and one for spring. This year's spring performance featured all the classes singing TV theme songs. Katherine's kindergarten class sang Sesame Street, The Muppets and Rubber Ducky. I can tell Katherine's not too fond of getting up on stage, but with 8 more years of performances as this school, I'm sure it will get a lot easier.
April 24, 2005
T.r.o.u.b.l.e.
Vincent is trouble. He was outside tonight when Katherine called him for dinner. A minute later, the doorbell rings. Opening the door, Katherine is drenched with water as Vincent, laughing, opens up the hose on her. Soaked from head to toe, she grabs the hose and sprays him back.
Not even 3 years old and already a prankster. We're in for trouble.
April 18, 2005
End of an Era
After 8 1/2 years at my current job, I've given my resignation. No more telecom/networking software companies for me. I'm moving to a more secure organization. Make that a security organization. Make that a market leading software security organization. Yes, my commute is now 50 feet closer to home. Not much closer, but closer nonetheless.
My last day is Friday. After the weekend, I immediately start at Symantec. You know, the Norton Anti-Virus people. Talk about a growth industry. Especially if you're on a Windows computer.
Lots to learn, lots to learn.
March 14, 2005
Groovy Girls
Katherine started spring soccer this week. Seven games, 5-on-5. No head coaching for me this time around (though I did volunteer to coach 2 games when the head coach is away). Katherine scored the first goal of the game. I think 5-on-5 will be better ... fields are smaller, quarters are shorter and kids get to touch the ball a lot more.
January 1, 2005
New Year Thought
Talk about thoughtful, Vince is one sweet kid. Fried up 8 breakfast sausage the other day, 2 for each. Well, Vince took three, Katherine took three so I took the last 2, as Suzy was still upstairs. I sit down and Vince starts screaming at me. Takes me a second, then I realize he's saying, "No, that's mommy's sausage!" Pretty considerdate for a 2 1/2 year old.
Remember, children teach as much as they're taught.
Happy New Year!
September 4, 2004
Avalon Harbor
May 9, 2004
Boring is Good
That's what my doctor said, "Boring is good." It may very well be good for recovery, but boring is well boring. And lonely. Suzy has done her best to keep the kids out of the house so they don't catch pneumonia from me and I think great, I finally can truly relax and get better. You know, watch a movie, no disturbances. And that lasts about two hours, until the movie ends. And then there's nothing more I want to hear than that garage door open and have Katherine and Vincent scream Daddy, Daddy like they always do.
Today, I have a long time to wait. They're all off to Zuma Beach for a traditional Mother's Day on the beach with Suzy's whole family. Sun and sand, gentle breeze, dolphins frolicking just out of reach, fried chicken and coleslaw, kids laughing, waves crashing. And me. At home. On this damn computer. Just waiting, waiting. It's going to be a long day.
But at least I'll get to see the pictures.
Pneumonia
For the past four days, I've been locked down at home fighting pneumonia. Not a pleasant disease. Three nights of 103^0F temperatures, and the general malaise that accompanies such fevers -- body aches, dizziness, listlessness. I used to coughing up mucous from colds and bronchitis, but when blood enters the picture, and I mean more blood then phlegm, it makes you ever sicker to your stomach. Then there's the breathing. Breathing is an unconscious action until you can't. Inhalers help, but give you jitters. And you don't know if it's the jitters making you take so many breaths or the diseased lungs lack of capacity for extracting oxygen from the air you breathe.
But I'm on the road to recovery. The fevers have gone, the labor of breath has not. Walk too far, turn to fast, bend over once, and you better sit down. Here come the dizzies. So you sit. And sit. And sit. It's great not lying down 20 hours a day, but there's only so much you can do sitting. There's T.V., books, and the internet. Mind you, the second two aren't options during the fever stage. Once you cook the brain, T.V. is the only form of entertainment, though even that is limited. Want to lose you sense of humor and emotion? A fever takes care of that. You see the picture, you hear the words, but very little connects with the higher level functions of the brain at 102^0F+.
But I'm on the road to recovery. Started reading again last night. ;-)
April 23, 2004
Watcha Lookin' At
Easter
Hi ho, hi ho. It's off to Grandma's house we go.
February 27, 2004
Best Wrong Number Ever
My cell phone rings with an unknown number:
me: Hello? This is Steve.
girl's voice: Umm, is this a tattoo parlor?
February 10, 2004
Mindless Abandon
Now that I've completely stopped watching news on television, I've embraced a number of new shows for pure, mindless bliss. And while the news was entertaining, I'm much more entertained with following:
- American Idol (you can't sing)
- Apprentice (you're fired)
- Fear Factor (never during dinner)
- L-Word (L is for lick)
February 9, 2004
California Winter
It's February, and 70^0F in Malibu. Time for the beach.
Katherine made a friend on her own -- I usually have to introduce her to the child in question (hi, this is my daughter Katherine and she wants to play with you). I think she would have been swimming if we brought her bathing suit.
Vince is getting older and braver -- stood in the water on his own. Also getting to be like his dad ... his new phrase is I don't know.
See pictures | http://www.bigfrog.net/gallery/cawinter in the Gallery | http://www.bigfrog.net/gallery/.
January 30, 2004
Countries I've Visited
I've visited all the countries shown in red. Once the kids are out of school, I have a lot of globetrotting to do. That shouldn't be long; I'll start booking flights for the year 2025.
States I've Visisted
The states in red are states that I've visited. Airports don't count. Looks like the south is calling.
January 28, 2004
Happy Birthday to Me
35 is finally here. The last few weeks have been rougher than usual on me. Between job worries (no, we don't have to move to San Francisco anymore), family health concerns and life in general, I've had a lot of internal stress that I didn't readily identify. Last week, I figured out I was a news junkie on the downhill slope towards 40.
Every night I'd come home stressed from what I thought was the hour (each way) commute. But last week I realized that I spend way too much time keeping up with the news: 2 hours / day of talk radio in the car, 15 minutes / day reading the newspaper, 1 hour / day watching news on television, 30 minutes browsing the internet, followed by another 30 bedtime minutes of non-fiction reading. That's way too much time to figure out what's happening in the world.
Last Wednesday, I turned it all OFF. I started listening to only music on the commute and practiced deep (diaphragm) breathing in the car. Man, that made a difference. I arrive at work and home totally relaxed. Plus, it gives me much more time to think about life in general, rather than worrying if the current reporter or pundit is properly fair and balanced :-) But there was still something else...
Didn't think about it until I got the news out of my life, but I was almost 35 and what did I know how to do? What was I good at? Was it too late to learn something new? Was I stuck for the rest of my life with my what skills (or lack of) that I currently had?
So I came upon the idea of learning something new -- not programming, not painting, but bass guitar. I've fiddled with the guitar off and on for years, but never really was any good. But with the bass, what's not to like? Two fewer strings, no chords and fewer solos. Plus, I love all the riffs, from Nirvana to Rage Against the Machine. Seems like a much better idea, learning to play a musical instrument rather than overdosing on the news.
So today I'm 35. Drove by Guitar Center on the way home from work last night and picked up an amp and a new bass guitar. A birthday present to my self, to ease my pre mid-life crisis.
P.S. If you're learning a musical instrument, the internet is an invaluable resource. Want to learn how to play your favorite song -- no problem, bass or guitar. Want free lessons with midi examples -- no problem, the internet has you covered.
December 24, 2003
Merry Christmas
December 17, 2003
Vince Plays the Blues
Click on the image above to see Vince playing the blues.
November 23, 2003
Bella Update
Recovery has been slow for Bella. After the prescriptions wore off, she was much more herself. Clear eyes and eager to get out and explore. While she's still unable to move her back legs, her tail's now wagging. We've had to keep her cooped up in a baby play pen, but otherwise she's been happy.
On Friday, she must have come down with something as she didn't eat and threw up once and had other intestinal disorders. All day Saturday, she didn't even drink water and her nose became hotter and drier. She didn't make a single peep (sound) all day, so we knew something was wrong. Early Saturday evening, Suzy brought her to the vet. Turns out, she had a 105^0F fever and a very high white blood cell count. So, she's fighting some type of infection, though the vet still doesn't know what it is. Could be UTI (unary tract infection), or some post-op infection.
Left her overnight on Saturday and Sunday saw the fever break. She's back to normal temperature today, but still not eating. Bella's staying at the vet yet again tonight, still on IV anti-biotics and fluid.
Hoping to hear some better news and pick her up Monday.
November 9, 2003
Bella's Weekend
We had a bit of a scare with Bella this weekend. She woke up Saturday a.m. not able to use her back legs. I made the assumption 
that it was her hip dysphasia acting up so I gave her anti-inflammatory pill and contacted the vet to refill her hip RX. I was told that the anti-inflam. would help her out until Monday's vet appt. The anti-inflam. didn't help at all.
This morning her legs still were not working and I didn't want to wait until Monday morning. I took her to the vet and was told that it was not her hip dysphasia causing the paralysis. After seeing the 1st vet, we went for a 2nd opinion, then Steve, Bella and I headed to West LA to see the surgeon Dr. Somerville. After the exam, it was concluded that she most likely had a ruptured disc and the compression on the spine had to be relieved ASAP. The surgeon gave her a 50% chance of regaining use of her legs if the problem were indeed a rupture disc, but if it was some type of blood clot, or internal spinal issue then she had a 10% chance. We were feeling quite upset when we hugged Bella before she headed off to surgery.
Dr. Somerville called at 4:30 p.m. to let us know that Bella came through surgery great and that the disc was indeed ruptured, but she was able to repair everything. She said Bella was on some morphine type drug for the pain, but that they will know more in the morning with some post-op tests. She has to stay there until Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how well she is feeling. She will have a recovery time of 4 to 6 weeks confined to the baby play pen as she will not be allowed to move around or play with Ally & kids. The doc said that after 4 to 6 weeks she may be walking.
If she is not walking by 3 months, then we will need to think about other options... We will cross that bridge if & when we get there. We are feeling sad, but hoping for all the best for Bella.
November 2, 2003
Happy Halloween
October 26, 2003
Satellite Fire
The red circle is about where I live. We've been lucky, as the smoke is not blowing our way. But the flames are getting closer. Looks like they jumped the major pass and are creeping down to the my valley, San Fernando.
In this satellite image, plumes of smoke caused by wildfires are seen moving off the coast through Southern California on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003. The fires have grown to more than 208,000 acres, destroying 500 homes in densely populated suburbs and have caused at least 11 deaths. Fires burning are, at left left, Simi Valley and Moorpark; center, the combined Grand Prix and Old Fire, north of San Bernadino and Rancho Cucamonga/Ontario; bottom right, the Scripps Ranch fire in the San Diego area. AP Photo/US Forest Service via NASA (news - web sites))
[Yahoo! News]
Twister
Fire + Twister all rolled into one. Hope that doesn't travel far.
Ventura County firefighters look at a twister of flame from a wildfire, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, in Simi Valley, Calif. The fire has destroyed several homes and burned more than 45,000 acres. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
[Yahoo! News]
Where there's smoke
Top of Reseda, Sunday morning.
Simi Updates
Diane's back in the house. The hillside across the road burned, but the house is safe (though smokey).
Bob's neighborhood is now on voluntary evacuation. Don Sr., Don and Uncle Bob are there, just in case the fire gets too close and they have to save valuables.
Bob's heading home.
More Simi Valley Fire
Diane got a knock on her door at 4 am as was informed that a voluntary evacuation has started. She and the kids left and Randy is still there making sure the house stays out of danger.
Bob's on vacation and is coming back with Jacque and the kids. Flames are within a couple of miles of his house but I don't think there's been an evacuation of his neighborhood.
Simi Valley Fire
Southern California is burning. Currently, there are at least three major fires: San Bernardino/Rancho Cucamonga, Crestline and now Simi Valley.
I live 10 miles east of Simi Valley; it's just a valley away. Below is a series of pictures I took starting from my house and then heading west into Simi. I have two in-laws in Simi, so I took a drive out to make sure they were okay.
Simi from my driveway
From the top of Reseda
118 West, just over the hill into Simi
Going to Bob's house
Trail near Bob's house
Diane's house
October 4, 2003
Popcorn and a movie
Washed and ready for bed, Katherine and Vincent enjoy popcorn and a movie.
That's My Boy
Katherine, Vince and I were watching the SC game today when Vince said it for the first time, clear as a bell.
FootballWhat can I say, he makes his daddy proud.
October 3, 2003
Maui
We got back from 8 days in Maui on Sunday. What a trip. The weather was perfect -- the days were bright, the nights were clear. The stars were out, the sun was shining. Woke for sunrise, slept for sunset. We found an empty beach.
See more pictures in the photo gallery.
Incidentally, the above picture is real, though it may not look it. We were in a shaded cabana, so I used the flash. Plus I was lying down, so the horizon is not exactly horizontal.
September 14, 2003
Play Ball
September 8, 2003
Park Day
After a busy Saturday of driving, we decided to spend Sunday around home. So before the heat hit, we headed over to the park and let the kids loose.
After four years of trying, Katherine's finally made it up the catepillar.
All the way up.
While Vincent enjoys smaller slides, he's still not ready to walk the plank.
More Birthday Celebrations
Saturday was double booked with two birthday parties. First, down to Palos Verdes for my mom's "August" birthday celebrations, and then up to Simi Valley for an adult only celebration for my sister-in-law's party. Lots of driving, but both were fun.
While I do love spending my weekends with the chitlins, it sure is fun to get a babysitter and spend some time out. It's too easy to forgot and yourself and your spouse and dedicate your life to the kids when their young, but do yourself a favor and go out once in a while.
September 3, 2003
Katherine's First Day of School
Katherine started school today. She loved it.
August 24, 2003
Out with the old, in with the new
Driving home from work Friday, the transmission in my car failed. Ever try driving up a hill in neutral? (After you lose momentum, you start rolling backwards). Bottom line is that it will cost more to fix the car than it's worth.
Since this is the time of the year car dealers get the "next" model year, I decided to go shopping. And wouldn't you know it, but there are lots of 2003s on sale. So, I went for it and bought my first ever new car, an Infiniti G35:
August 18, 2003
More Alaska Pictures
Randy took a number of pictures in Alaska too. See more pictures in the photo gallery.
Fish Fry
Vincent tickles the ivories at the fish fry. You can't catch 115lbs of fish per man without actually eating it, can you? And man, it was good! See more pictures in the photo gallery.
Lia's 2nd Birthday
Katherine climbs at Lia's 2nd birthday party. See more pictures in the photo gallery.
August 16, 2003
Smiling Cousins
Vincent's First Haircut
Alaska Fishing Trip
Back from Alaska with 115 lbs of Salmon, Halibut and Snapper. Put your request in now. What a great place. Felt like the last American frontier. Only 1 telephone at the resort and was almost stranded due to bad weather. Saw whales (humpback and orca), bald eagles and bears. Caught tons of fish. Saw the sun and saw the rain. Good company and good food. What a great trip. Check out the pictures in the photo gallery.
August 12, 2003
Happy Birthday Katherine
Katherine's 4 today. Celebrated Sunday, when the temperature must have hit 104. The Valley has been unseasonably cool until this week. I'm off to Alaska in 5 hours for a fishing trip, so I'm missing Katherine's actual birthday. I won't miss the heat.
Check out all the pictures in the photo gallery.
August 7, 2003
Vincent's Talking
Vincent's first 2 word sentence ... hey dad.
Vincent's Walking
It's been quiet for a while on BigFrog. Should be lots of pictures coming up, with Katherine's birthday and my Alaska fishing trip coming up.
By the way -- Vincent is officially walking now. He has been for the last 2 weeks. The kid loves his cake (and ice cream). He's also learned to point, so you don't want to be sitting next to him at lunch, especially if you're hungry. Vincent's got some appetite.
July 20, 2003
5/7 Spencer Cousins
July 19, 2003
2 Parties 1 Day
Busy Saturday. Gone from 10am to almost 10pm. 2 parties. Bradley's 4th birthday and Diane and Randy's housewarming. Lots more photos too in the photo gallery.
Bradley Smiles
Diane Dances
July 16, 2003
Cake Time
Vincent at the beach
How the other half live
I spent the day at work, but it's nice to know how the other half live. The gang celebrated Bradley's 4th birthday at Zuma.
July 15, 2003
Growth Spurt
Vincent's been hungry lately. Still loves his fruits and vegetables, but man, can that kid throw back the pizza.
Katherine's Driving
Katherine's a month away from four. Before we know it, she'll be driving.
Vincent Closeup
When not otherwise restrained in a stroller, Vincent is trying his best to go from horizontal to vertical. He's made a few jaunts of 10-15 feet now -- we're no longer counting steps.
Rumor on the street is he's expanded his vocabulary. Said Bella twice today.
July 6, 2003
Surprise Visitor
Linda was in town for 14 hours, on a layover between London and Seattle. Gave us just enough time to get her from the airport and introduce her to the kids. It's the first time we've seen her since Katherine's birth her wedding in Ireland ... 3 years ago.
July 5, 2003
4th of July
Fourth of July photos in the new photo gallery.
Anne Geddes Lite
