The Simple Things

I absolutely love the relationship that the kids have forged over the past two years.  Even in the past 6 months, the bond between Liv and Joe has deepened exponentially.  He absolutely adores his noona and she is, without a doubt, his favorite person in the family. 

Liv has a knack of finding an ordinary, simple object and turning it into something that will bring lots of giggles and smiles from the two of them (as well as anyone in their general vicinity.) Their love for each other and joy that comes from being together is contagious. 


Last week, (I know, I've been remiss at posting lately) we were at Grandma and Grandpa's and Liv found some hats.  She had a feeling Joe would like to play with them (we had our doubts) and brought them, of all places, into the bathroom.  Needless to say, they were a big hit and kept him busy until he was done taking care of business.

Kisses for his big sister

The fun continued in the sun room as everyone took turns trying on the various hats.  Who knew hats could be so much fun?

The boy in action

This made me remember the importance of slowing down, enjoying the simple things and finding joy wherever we are.  I challenge you to do the same.  Stay tuned. :)

Joe Sung Min is 3! (Better Late Than Never)

We celebrated a pretty big day a few weeks ago - Joe Sung Min turned the big 3!  In the weeks since, everyone else in the family has been sick for a few days (if not longer) and I'm just getting back on track.

Joe had a GREAT time this year and enjoyed being celebrated.  We did it in true Grandma and Grandpa style with a two day celebration.  We started off with a little pre-party celebration on Saturday afternoon, with both Joe and Liv each getting a special present.

Joe got the surprise hit of the weekend (and beyond) with a ramp and cars set that Grandma and Grandpa picked up during a recent trip to Amish Country. The cars flip over as they go down to each different level - it is quite fascinating to watch.

Nuna got a new horse bedding set from Grandma, Grandpa, Mama & Papa to celebrate her doing such an incredible job in her horse shows this summer. We are so proud of how hard she worked  and how well she did. She LOVED it and couldn't wait to get home and make her bed all "dressed up."

We tried on the kid' hanboks and were so relieved they still fit.  We decided to do our photo shoot on Saturday to avoid any possibly meltdowns during the party.  *Phew*

Aren't they adorable?

Yay! Grandpa got one with his hat.  So handsome!

On Sunday afternoon (his actual birthday), friends and family joined us and G&G's house for a little party. The kids had fun playing together, the adults enjoyed catching up with each other and the food was delicious. What more could we ask for?

His one request was for a "Firetruck Cake."

EVERYONE loved playing with this toy!

Cake time!

Nuna was ready to help him blow out the candle

He blew out the candle all by himself!

He couldn't wait to get his hands on the little fire truck!

Showing the girls how the ladder goes uuuuppppp on his big, new firetruck!

Here's hoping the terrible 2's (he wasn't really THAT bad) are behind us as we look forward to the terrific 3's.

Stay tuned!

Ketchup With Us #25: My Birthday In A Body Cast

I'd like to start out by wishing Ketchup With Us a very happy birthday.  Yes, it is about a week late, but this weeks prompt is still going on so *technically* this is still on time.  Right?  For installment #25, Michele and Mel are encouraging us to write about a very memorable birthday in our lives. If you've read my blog before, you're probably thinking I'm going to write about Joe's 1st birthday celebration in Korea ... or his first birthday with us. Nope and nope.   Instead, I'm going to write about one of my most unusual - and memorable birthdays.  It involves a body cast.  Read on.

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Not many kids can say they celebrated a birthday in a body cast. 

I turned 5 between hip operations and did so in (70’s) style: 

a custom wagon/cot (with seat belt), 

a turtle cake and, apparently, a box of oranges. 

My grandparents came over, we played games, had a great day.

(The oranges STILL crack me up.) 

Just hanging out ... with a big box of oranges ...on my birthday

I affectionately named my cast "Simon" and said I felt like a turtle in a shell.
My very creative mom made me a turtle cake to celebrate the day.
(Look: I'm holding an orange in this picture! Mmmm) :)

OK, this was "technically" a few weeks later, after another operation -
but even girls in body casts can get all dressed up. :)

Ketchup With Us #24 - Meeting My Son For The First Time

For the 24th installment of Ketchup With Us, Mel and Michele posed the following: In 57 words or less, tell us about a significant first day in your life … of school, work, parenthood, rehab, veganism, prison, whatever you want.  I have chosen to write about a very significant day in my life - the day (almost 2 years ago to the day) when I first met - and held - my son.  You can read more about the day in full detail here.  

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The day I had been waiting for had finally arrived.

I was a bundle of nerves and tried to stay calm.

About to meet my son-to-be for the first time, I wondered:

Would he cry? Would we bond?

I held him in my arms, he looked at me and smiled

…and I knew we were meant to be.

A Post Just Because ... (He Makes My Heart Smile)

There is really no other way to describe it ... this boy's joy is contagious.  He is a bright, loving, smart little goofball who (almost) always keeps us laughing.

The other night, he pulled out a book titled, Gallop! He loves to flip through the book, look at the pictures and shout out (he isn't known for being quiet) the images.  This time, he climbed up on Papa and looked at the back cover of the book.  They spent the next half hour repeating the letters in the word "gallop" (as well as the number "5" which appears in the bar code.) With each letter Joe would say and Brian would repeat, they would burst out in gales of laughter.  Soon, we were all laughing ... and the end result is Joe-Joe knows how to spell the word "gallop."  Not bad for a kid about to be 3. :)

In other news, Joe-Joe attended his first Buddy Walk with me this past weekend.  He had a great time walking in the "parade", smiling and waving his pom-pom and paused for a moment by the big "football" as we walked around the warning track at Progressive Field.  All things considered, he did very well since there was a lot going on around him. I can't wait to go on more adventures with him as he gets older!

Thanks for stopping by and being part of his journey...I hope you are able to experience a little bit of his joy as I share bits and pieces of his story.

Milestones

Not long ago, we were struck with the realization that Joe Sung Min is almost three years old. THREE.  Two and a half is long gone... two and three-quarters (who really says that anyway) is a thing of the past.  In less than two weeks, we will (hopefully) be out of the terrible twos and into the terrific threes.

At first it seemed hard to believe that little man was going to be three ... but then the more we thought about it, the more we realized he has really made some big strides in recent weeks.  While they may not seem like much to some, they are pretty significant for him:

• Making a seamless transition from the high chair to the booster seat (He loves being right up to the table next to his nuna)
• Switching from a sippy cup to a big boy cup (with relatively few accidents ... so far)
• Moving out of the screeching faze. *Phew*
• Singing entire songs (usually Zip-a-dee Doo-Dah or Jingle Bells) at once - stringing so many words together is an amazing feat for him
• Knowing all the letters of alphabet and their sounds (in addition to shapes, colors and numbers)
• Learning how to ride (not just push) a scooter
• Staying dry two nights AND two days in a row (and having a few days of using just ONE pull-up and pair of underwear.)

We still have a ways to go on potty training and his speech (he talks non-stop - and quite clearly - but doesn't usually say a sentence of more than three words.  He is a remarkable little guy - happy, silly, sweet, inquisitive, headstrong and affectionate.

We're so proud of how far he has come in the past two years (and months!) and look forward to what lies ahead.  One thing is for certain - he is going to keep us smiling (and on our toes.)

See for yourself:

Having fun pushing the scooter

 A successful ride!

Little goofball saying, "Cheese, Smile!"

I call this his "Tarzan" look

Peek-a-boo (still chillin' in the crib)

Just a little snacking/singing on the potty...

We're still working on stair climbing. :)

Ketchup With Us #22 - The Adoption Roller Coaster

 

 For the 22nd installment of Ketchup With Us, Mel and Michele have implored us to tell about an experience on a roller coaster, whether literal or figurative. As much as I love roller coasters, I can think of nothing that was more of a roller coaster ride than Joe Sung Min's adoption. With the two year anniversary of his arrival quickly approaching, the memories are flooding back. What started out as smooth sailing ended up with more twists, turns and free falls than anything we'd experienced.  Read on...

We filled out paperwork as we waited in line.

Finally. Our turn.

We climb slowly up the hill, waiting for something. Anything.

“It’s a boy,” we heard as we hurtled toward the loop. Whee!

Suddenly we stopped.
Upside down.

Visa approved. No more passports. What??

Freefall.

Knuckles whitened. We cried, prayed, worried, waited.
We may never get off this ride.

Suddenly we lurch forward, speeding towards the corkscrew and the exit.

Flying to Seoul, meeting his foster family (we love you, Omma and Appa!), joining his birthday celebration.

The long flight home, reuniting as a family of 4, settling in.
The roller coaster is over, the real ride begins.