Tis the Season

A couple of pics I snapped for fun.

Halloween Part 2

The little dictator and his minion.

Bumblebee and her BFF the cowgirl.

It's Already Been a Year

One year. A year filled with wonderful moments... the pictures to follow are actually from three different events. The first one was at Halmuni's place - pretty low key as we were all recovering from the stomach bug (which we would then give to Halmuni). Then we had a party at our place... which can probably be traced to at least 2 more cases of the stomach bug. Then we had an impromptu photo session with the kids to take pictures in their han-boks before they got old enough to get their driver's licenses.

Big boy

Posing for the camera (not really)

Opening presents!

Getting a little help from sister

Sugary goodness

Cupcakes by mom

Focus

You're supposed to eat these?

Squishy fun

Getting dressed by Halmuni

Sitting still for a moment

Elias and Dana

Posing with Halmuni

Remember these days

Loving siblings (so far)

aaaaand, we're done.

A smile for the road

Elias - we love you. You are a great blessing from God and we are thankful for every day we have with you.

*poof* 2 Months Goes By

It's no mystery that time flies.

It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating Elsie's 3rd Birthday... but now it's 8 weeks later! I don't think it's having a lack of things to write about, but rather, being so caught up living life that we seldom find time to take a step back and think or talk about life. That's when I remembered that this is not simply a scratchpad for us, but also (hopefully) a collection of snapshots throughout Elsie and Elias' lives for them to be able to revisit later in their lives.

SO, having said that, the last two months have been very fun, challenging, and wonderful. We've had some sicknesses run through the house (RSV - respiratory somethingerother virus) which turned Elsie into a barking seal and contender for the longest continuous snot-stream to exit a human being.

Elias also has been dealing with his first cold, but it has been concurrent with the introduction of 6 new teeth. Yes, you read that correctly - SIX. Poor little guy is going from 2 teeth to 8 in one fell swoop. Little overachiever. This does, however, explain why he has been slightly less than interested in eating, sleeping, or smiling.... but thankfully mostly all of those teeth have cut now and he's back to being himself... whatever that means as he seems to be changing daily.

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.

Just Because

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

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

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

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.

Contentment

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

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.

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.

Smiley Boy

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

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.

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.