Christmas Time

Wow. It's been over two weeks since we've posted anything on here. So much to report! Elsie got a job, Elias is driving, and Abbey the cat has turned over a new leaf and is a cuddly-cat.

These are all lies, some further from the truth than others.

It was a really good (and quiet) Christmas. We spent the day at home and just lounged around and relaxed throughout the morning. Halmuni Candy came over a little later and we all watched the Nutcracker on DVD and then shared a nice dinner. It was one of the more low-key and mellow times we've had in a while, but it was really nice.

Getting ready for......

First exposure to sticky buns... not of the diaper variety.

Elias doing his favorite thing.... besides eating and pooping of course.

He really is that happy.

Checking out her new kitchen.

Obviously about to say something really important.

Matching aprons - made by Halmuni.

You can't help but smile along.

Can YOU do it? I can do it!

For very obvious reasons, this post will not be accompanied by pictures.

Disclaimer: The recounting of the following events may contain toilet humor and real life situations. Nothing gross, but the entirety of this story takes place in the bathroom.

We (a term to be used liberally - mainly Dana with my occasional participation) have been potty training Elsie recently. It has largely been successful, but one particular day was particularly funny and inspiring to us, but most importantly, we considered it of the utmost importance to chronicle potentially embarrassing moments for our later use with Elsie.

On this particular afternoon, Elsie was playing with her Elmo doll when she told Dana that Elmo needed to go potty, so off she went with Elmo in tow into the bathroom. After a bit of rustling and a toilet flush, Dana went in to check on how things were going.

"Ok." said Elsie.

"You know," explains Dana, "as long as you're in there with Elmo, you can also use the potty if you need to since you're wearing your pull-ups."

"Oh, ok."

After a few minutes, we peeked in and Elsie was sitting on her potty with her pants and diapers at her ankles - 'reading' a book.

Fast forward 3 minutes.

FLUSH

"Daddy, can you please come in here?" Elsie asks.

When I get to the bathroom she is in the process of pulling out her step-stool to get up and wash her hands. Needless to say, we were THRILLED that she went to the bathroom on her own.

She then explained to me that she needs me to grab the towel off the rack so she could dry her hands after cleaning up. Once I gave it to her, it was pretty apparent that my usefulness was exhausted as she dismissed me with a, "um, excuse me daddy, but I need some privacy."

It's a pretty thankless job I tell ya.

Say What?

So, everyone knows that kids will ask a multitude of questions. Some out of genuine curiosity, and some out of the desire just because they know how to say "why?"

Well, on this particular evening, we were sitting at the dinner table having a conversation when Elsie stops and asks, "daddy, what's faith?"

I looked over at Dana with a big smile thinking... what a great opportunity.... but NOW what do I say?? I said a really quick prayer for a bit of wisdom and started thinking about Ephesians 2:8 and how we have faith in God and His son Jesus.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God..."

My prayer was answered in the form of a napkin.

I grabbed the napkin, wadded it up in my hand and asked Elsie, "Elsie, do you believe that I have a napkin in my hand?"

"Yes!"

I explained to her that she had faith and trust in the fact that there was a napkin in my hand even though she couldn't see it. Faith is knowing and believing without seeing I explained to her.

I know it was an imperfect analogy and will probably have to be revisited several times, but I'm thankful that her curiosity is providing opportunities to teach her.

Mangia! Mangia!

We just got back from spending the Thanksgiving holiday over in Moses Lake with the family. It was a ton of fun and provided many moments to remember. Some of the highlights:

• We have finally graduated from the 'kids' table. I was wondering if I was going to hit 40 before doing so.... made it by that much.  I also realize that I might very well be dispatched to the kids table once again if more senior ranking family members attend next year, but for now, we have shed the proverbial water wings and are swimming with the big fishies (I know, a terrible analogy, but you get what you pay for).
• We also took part in the annual post Thanksgiving ravioli making extravaganza. It's one of Dana's family's long-standing tradition to make hundreds and hundreds of raviolis from her grandmother's recipe (99 years old and in attendance!). It's a very fun tradition and one we hope to get Elsie and Elias involved in as soon as they're able. It's also pretty fun to sit down with the family and share a home-made meal with a nice glass of Chianti.
  

Did I Miss Something?

Yesterday I got home and was hanging out with Elsie while Dana was out with Elias.... at one point something apparently happened (maybe a look? a tone in my voice??) and Elsie proceeded to bury her head, face down in her blanket on the floor beside me. When I asked her what was the matter she replied through teary eyes, "I'm sad." I asked her why, and the most she could get out was, "I don't KNOW!"

She then crawled into my lap and we cuddled on her request.

Yup - she's 100% girl, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth.

— Mark Twain

Just Because

Cute random snapshots of little E, or "the boy" as I refer to him.

New Coat

Elsie is soooo blessed to have a talented Halmuni. The pictures speak for themselves.

Ob-La-Di

Elsie singing her favorite part of one of her favorite songs. Is that redundant?

Dedication verses for Elias

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

- Psalm 139: 13-16

Halloween 2009

We actually just got back into town from Hansville on halloween and didn't have any real plans. We were really thankful to get an invite to have dinner over at the Myers' place. The next day we carved Elsie's first pumpkin.

2009 - Halloween

Hansville 2009

We recently took a little time away as a family. It was actually one of the first times that we went somewhere for not other purpose than getting away and spending some time together. It was awesome.

2009-Hansville

Elsie-isms

I know there are always a bunch of things that are forgotten over time, which is really a shame considering the moments of joy and levity they provide. Among those are the funny and cute things that children say.... just ask Bill Cosby (obscure reference for some).
So without further ado, here are some of the most memorable Elsie-isms produced to date (I know I'm already forgetting a bunch of them).

• "Kay you?" - Elsie's version of, "are you ok?" This phrase was usually accompanied by a gentle touch if you seemed to be distressed. Empathy at its finest.
• "You're my honey." - Elsie would sometimes tell me this.
• "Mmmmm, not really." - Her response to the question, "do you like mama's haircut." This was cute because it was more a reflection of reading 'Sam I Am' than an actual dislike for Dana's new haircut.
• "SAM I AM!!!" - Not really sure what synapses in her little mind created this game. Sometimes when getting undressed, she will get her arms out of her shirt, and if the shirt gets stuck pulling it over her head so it looks more like a hat, she will exclaim this loudly with lots of laughs.
• "Ok, ok, just minute!" - I have NO idea where she gets this...
• "Oh, I see." - This is her response to when we give her an answer to a question she asks. It's just cute to hear a 3YO say it.
• "My teeth are wobbly!" - This one came out just last night after getting out of her bath and before getting dried off. Chattering teeth.
• "I'm NAKED!!!" - ..........

100 Days

October 26th came and went without much hoopla, but it did mark a somewhat important day. On 10/26/09 Elias celebrated his 100th day since birth. The 100 day celebration used to hold great significance in Korean tradition because it marked a time when the baby's chance for survival increased dramatically, and although the advances of medicine and technology have all but made this celebration obsolete, I'm still thankful for the incredible blessing in little Elias. 

Every day is a gift of grace from God.

The Refiner's Fire

But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

- Micah 3: 2-3

Contentment

Could he be more content? Elias at 3 1/2 months with his mama and Turtle hat, compliment of Halmuni. Thank you Candy!

Our Refuge and Strength

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

- Psalm 46: 1-3

Snapshot

I love my little girl. That's about all I have to say about that.

Yes, Those Are Peppers

So here's the back story.

I was down in Albuquerque a few weeks ago (9/20) and hatch chile season was in full-stride. I wanted some real bad. Without really thinking through the entire process, I stopped by one of the roasting stands while on my way to the airport. The plan was to stop by Walmart. buy a duffel and throw in the 20# of fresh roasted chiles and bring them on as carry-on. Wow.... even I amaze myself sometimes.

As the time ticked by, I realized that this plan may not come to fruition, or if it did, would be at the expense of making my flight home. So I chose the latter and dropped off my bag of capsaicin gold on the back porch of the family I stayed with.

Lots of holes cut in it..... Is it..... a puppy? I open it up, and there is 8# of fresh chiles straight from NM.

Big love to my brothers in ABQ!

Now THAT'S Metal

On Tuesday, August 18th, while riding her bicycle to work, our dear friend Angela was in an accident. Details of how the accident happened are still unclear and the West Seattle Police Dept. is investigating.

Ang was rushed to Harborview and was quickly admitted into the ICU where she has received excellent care from the many doctors and nurses attending her multiple injuries. The list of injuries she sustained go on like an old testament genealogy.

It's truly miraculous the way she's recovering from all of them. Initially, there was an understanding that only 10% of cases that suffered the same injuries even woke up from their coma. Not only is she up, but she is walking, talking, laughing, joking and crying. There's a long road ahead for her and her husband Josh, but the refiner's fire (Mal 3:2-3) has already clearly changed them both and I'm sure will continue.

So about the picture.... I was at the hospital where she has started her intensive rehab recently started and she leaned over to me with a slight grin and asked, "wanna see something cool?" Out comes this picture of the hardware in her elbow. As if that wasn't enough, she went one step further and had me feel where the metal is pushing against, and almost seemingly THROUGH, her skin.

What a trip.

I'm thankful for God's graciousness to let us have more time with our friend Angela. We love her.

Like Peas and Carrots

Not much commentary needed. Evey and Elsie. BFFs.

A Sweet Moment

Today on the way home from church we had to stop at a store. Dana went in and me and the kiddos were hanging out in the car waiting.

As would be expected, Elias got a bit fussy and started squawking. What happened next was totally unexpected, but so sweet that it almost made me tear up.

Instead of getting irritated or, even worse, joining in the cry-fest, Elsie leaned over to him as far as the straps of her car-seat would allow and tells him, "it's ok baby-brother... it's ok - mama will be right back. Don't worry baby brother, mama misses you very much."

2 Guys

A little self portrait of me and the boy. Kickin it on the couch.

True Story - my mom sees the pic of me and boy and exclaims, "he looks **SO** much like you!!......... but more handsome."

I laughed. I love my mom.

No Teeth Required

Not much to say. Cute, happy baby.

Pedicures For All

So Dana came back with a fresh pedicure today and when Elsie saw her toes she exclaimed, "oh mommie, your toes are beuuuuuutiful!"

Dana then asked, "let me see your toes!"

Elsie shrunk with a, "my toes aren't beautiful."

*heartbreak*

So - Elsie got her first nail job. At first she was a little freaked out and thought it was going to hurt, so I volunteered to have one of my toes painted. Not only did it allay her fears, but I feel so much prettier too.

Not really, but it's all in the day of a daddy.

Elsie's First Bus ride

Today, me and Elsie went on a spur of the moment adventure. She got to ride on a bus for her first time! We went from the W. Seattle junction to Pike Place Market.

Elsie was a little nervous about riding the bus at first, but eventually settled in and had a great time. She was quick to point out Mt. Rainier as well as the Space Needle.

Once at the market, she was pretty overwhelmed by all the commotion and people, but did great.

Eventually it was time to head home and we picked up a fresh bouquet of flowers to take home for Dana… it was a great day being a dad.

Kicking It

We're not sure if Elsie ever did anything like this, but Elias does this funny little thing where he gets this wide-eyed serious look and starts kicking.

Ok, so I'm a sucker for clever marketing and advertising. This was no exception.... although, they're all supposed to be good wines.

Smiley Boy

Elias doing what he does best.. aside from eating and pooping.

Lincoln Park Fun

Today was just another fun daddy-daughter day at Lincoln Park.... took some pictures and I really liked this one.

Meow!

Fun with the 'Scribble' iPhone app.

Meeting Baby Brother

This was Elsie's first introduction to her little brother. She was amazingly sweet and gentle with him. Hopefully this will continue.

Yeah, We've Got Fireworks

Happy 4th of July!

With a Bang

We decided to have a bunch of friends over for the 4th. It seemed like a good idea. As it turns out, it was a great idea.

Here's the scene - I'm out on the back deck manning the grill with a houseful of people. I look over towards the front door and see Dana come in. She's just returning from a trip to the Ballard Locks with our neighbors.

Dana does a little come here motion. I make my way to the door with spatula in hand.

Dana: "I think my water broke."
Fred: Blank stare.

It was actually pretty funny.. even if it was "go time," we were both hoping that it could be delayed by a few hours so we could enjoy the BBQ with our friends, but that wasn't happening.

We spent the next few minutes throwing together the essentials and going over the bedtime routine for Elsie knowing that someone else would be putting her to bed on this particular night. Having a houseful of friends that sprung into action like a F-1 pit-crew was sweet. Everything was taken care of.

One of the benefits of arriving to triage on a holiday - we had the joint to ourselves. It was awesome. We also had a pretty nice view of a fireworks display.

After 10 hours or so, little Elias came into the world or air-breathers.

Lucky for him he made it to July 5th, or we would have been forced to name him something like "Freedom," or "William Wallace."

A Boy Makes 2

Wow... if I ever wondered whether I'm a slacker, this blog is proof-positive. It has only been..... over TWO YEARS since I've posted anything in this. To say that much has happened is an understatement, but some of the biggest news is that Elsie is going to have a baby brother in 3 short months.

Are we ready?

Ha. No.