Monday, February 27, 2012
Kid's Land
Last week my mom was visiting from Seoul. It is always great to have her around. E usually calls grandma her other mommy. While she was here we went to Busan's convention cneter, BEXCO, for a temporary exhibit called Kid's Land. It was a room full of bounce houses with a foam ball area, power wheel cars and boats. After a few minutes of getting used to it E was in love.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Two...and a Half
E is 2...and a half. Hard to believe sometimes. I recently did a video interview with her that lasted over 10 minutes so I'll spare you and just summarize. I'm a little bias but I think she is one of the cutest, silliest, most imaginative little girls I've ever seen. She's smart, has a great memory, loves to sing, loves to be an animal rescuer or hide from animals, love to play, be chased and tickled, and is very friendly to everyone around (it helps that Korean's love blonde hair, blue eyed girls). She knows how to push my buttons and avoid bed time but I think she's pretty special.
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: French Toast, Hangamer and French Fries, Corn Dog, Cold Blueberries
Favorite Drink: Apple Juice, Pororo Milk, Smoothie Juice
Favorite Treat: Strawberry Ice Cream, Jelly Beans, M&M's
Favorite Show: Go Diego, Wonder Pets, Mickey Mouse
Favorite Movie: Lion King
Favorite Thing to Play: Get trapped in a boobie trap and rescue. Go on an adventure.
Favorite Arts and Crafts: Shaving Cream Painting
Favorite Outdoor Play: Run and Climb, Collect Rocks and Sticks, Bubbles
Favorite Animal: Baby Seal (she thinks she is one), Pink Pigs
Favorite Lovies: Pink Blankies (Ginkie)
Best Friends: Reagan
Favorite Books: ABC Letter Land, Dora Books, Little Critter, Mickey Mouse Books
Favorite Songs: If You're Happy, Do as I'm Doing, BINGO, Old McDonald, I am a Child of God, Teach Me to Walk
Favorite Food: French Toast, Hangamer and French Fries, Corn Dog, Cold Blueberries
Favorite Drink: Apple Juice, Pororo Milk, Smoothie Juice
Favorite Treat: Strawberry Ice Cream, Jelly Beans, M&M's
Favorite Show: Go Diego, Wonder Pets, Mickey Mouse
Favorite Movie: Lion King
Favorite Thing to Play: Get trapped in a boobie trap and rescue. Go on an adventure.
Favorite Arts and Crafts: Shaving Cream Painting
Favorite Outdoor Play: Run and Climb, Collect Rocks and Sticks, Bubbles
Favorite Animal: Baby Seal (she thinks she is one), Pink Pigs
Favorite Lovies: Pink Blankies (Ginkie)
Best Friends: Reagan
Favorite Books: ABC Letter Land, Dora Books, Little Critter, Mickey Mouse Books
Favorite Songs: If You're Happy, Do as I'm Doing, BINGO, Old McDonald, I am a Child of God, Teach Me to Walk
Simple Joys of the Outdoors
Recently it has been cold. Too cold to really go outside. I think we've all had a little cabin fever. One Saturday we decided to brave the cold and go check out the National Forest on our island (so we can be prepared for some camping this spring). It was cold, really cold, but the simple joys of being outside and throwing rocks and stick into the frozen pond sure make it bearable! We can't wait to go back when it is warm.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Christmas Jeep
Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved to ride in toy cars. Every time her mommy took her to a toy store, play place or friend's house with cars she would spend all her time in them.
Christmas was approaching and if this little girl understood that you are to ask for Christmas presents we know she would have asked Santa or her parents for one. Knowing this desire the girls parents searched for a car for this little girl. At the same time her GaGa and Grandpa were asking what they could give her.
It was fate when a Black Friday Wal-mart ad posted a deal for a Power Wheels Barbie Jeep. With the help of some very great friends back in the U.S. a Jeep was purchased from the store at midnight. It was also a miracle this little girl's parents were moving to Korea and bringing a large shipment with them.
In January this little girl got the Christmas present she thought she did not receive. Her grandparent's shipment arrived and she was introduced to her very own special car. She looks forward to warmer weather so she can drive her jeep on her apartment rooftop. The End.
Videos of E's first driving lessons.
Written as a true story. Note to the little girl: This does not mean you, by any means, deserve or should expect to receive a real jeep for Christmas or your birthday when you are 16.
Christmas was approaching and if this little girl understood that you are to ask for Christmas presents we know she would have asked Santa or her parents for one. Knowing this desire the girls parents searched for a car for this little girl. At the same time her GaGa and Grandpa were asking what they could give her.
It was fate when a Black Friday Wal-mart ad posted a deal for a Power Wheels Barbie Jeep. With the help of some very great friends back in the U.S. a Jeep was purchased from the store at midnight. It was also a miracle this little girl's parents were moving to Korea and bringing a large shipment with them.
In January this little girl got the Christmas present she thought she did not receive. Her grandparent's shipment arrived and she was introduced to her very own special car. She looks forward to warmer weather so she can drive her jeep on her apartment rooftop. The End.
Videos of E's first driving lessons.
Written as a true story. Note to the little girl: This does not mean you, by any means, deserve or should expect to receive a real jeep for Christmas or your birthday when you are 16.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Valentine's Play Day
The party planner in me has recently kicked in. Maybe I'm just trying to make sure my 2 year old gets to celebrate all our holidays (because we all know she will remember this...). Maybe it is the Pinterest fad that made me need a place to use all the great ideas I see. Regardless of the reason, we had a Valentine's play day and it was great!
E and I made these valentines for our friends (again, thanks to Pinterest).
I also make envelopes for each of the kids to receive their valentines in. It was cute to see all the kids pulling their letter outs and reading the homemade cards!
We made heart hats and love bugs.
We played 'find the hearts' and 'heart bean bag toss'.
We wrapped up the fun by decorating cookies. Of course E had to have a pink one with LOTS of sprinkles!
It was a great day spent with the people we love.
E and I made these valentines for our friends (again, thanks to Pinterest).
We followed her instructions to make the crayons. I think the most fun part was peeling all the paper off our old, broken crayons!
I also make envelopes for each of the kids to receive their valentines in. It was cute to see all the kids pulling their letter outs and reading the homemade cards!
We made heart hats and love bugs.
We played 'find the hearts' and 'heart bean bag toss'.
We wrapped up the fun by decorating cookies. Of course E had to have a pink one with LOTS of sprinkles!
It was a great day spent with the people we love.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Anniversary Day
Another year. Yep, 4 years ago on a very cold day we sealed the deal. Somehow the 2nd of February is repeatedly the coldest day of the year. I loved looking back at our photos of just 4 years ago and my, how much younger and thinner we were...and how much more hair some of us had.
I'm not sure if I've ever shared this photos but it is quite an amazing photo by my friend Catherine (http://imagesbycatherine.com/).
We keep our anniversaries pretty low key. This year I convinced Ben into a trip to Thailand next month as a combined anniversary and birthday gift. I don't often do cutie things anymore (not sure why not) but it was fun to spice up our day a little love.
It started when he first woke up.
Then he had a special delivery girl bring him the next one at lunch.
He then got a grand entrance home from work.
We enjoyed a little pizza and wrapped up the day with come cake & ice cream.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Human Body at Work
This is a past-due post that I am finally get around to! E got the cast off about a week before we went back to the U.S. for the holidays and since then we've been a little crazy. She has progressed tremendously and we have been so pleased with her progress! While in the states we had her checked up and it was nice to hear Korea did things just the way they would have done it in the U.S.
The night we got her cast off she was scared but ready to get moving again. On the drive home her legs were up over the cup holders of her car seat the entire time. It must have felt good to stretch her legs again! When we got home she rolled around the on floor, got up to crawl and really wanted to hold hands and walk. She reminded me of a new baby deer trying to stand up on wobbly legs for the first time. It didn't take her long to get going on her own.
Here are the x-rays of her bone growth. Yes, her bone is overlapped and not set directly into place. This is because the broken leg will grow quicker than the other due to the trauma of the break. To prevent length differences later in life they overlap the bone 1-2 cm. Her right leg (the broken one) is currently slightly shorter but in about a year to year and a half they will be back to the same length. The human body is quite amazing!
This was taken on October 27, 2011 which was the day they set the bone and placed her in the cast.
This was on October 30, 2011. There was slight movement in the placement of the bone (probably due to decrease in swelling) but not enough to re-set the bone.
This was taken on November 7, 2011 which was one week after we got home from the hospital. A white cloud of bone growth was already forming!
This was taken on November 14, 2011...one week later.
This was taken on November 28, 2011 which was 2 weeks later. The first 3 weeks are critical for positioning. If there was too much movement within those first few weeks they would have had to set the bone again and we would have to start the process over. Thankfully E was still in good alignment.
This was taken on December 5, 2011. It was only 5 weeks and 4 days after it was set and we were cast free!
This was taken on January 9, 2012 (about a month after the cast) when we had returned back from our U.S. trip. We were amazed the the amount of bone growth! As she grows her bone will even out and will not have such a big lump in the middle. I think it's safe to say she'll never break it in the same spot again.
The progress of learning to walk again was quicker than I thought. I had read online about kids not taking their first unassisted step until 10+ days later. E took her first steps on her own only 4 days after the cast was taken off. She had a peg-leg walk and her right foot pointed outward for a while but eventually she corrected herself (just as the doctors said it would). We did take her to a chiropractor which was a great temporary fix. She continues to grow stronger each day and learns to jump and climb and do all that she used to. She is still a little scared going down stairs or being on the edge of places but with time she'll be comfortable with it all. We don't go back to the doctor until July to make sure things continue to look good.
This is E taking her first unassisted steps on December 9, 2011.
This video is one week after the cast was off on December 12, 2011.
This is E today, February 1, 2012. It is hard to tell from this picture but her right leg (on the left) is slightly shorter but not really noticeable. It's hard to tell something was really ever wrong!
The night we got her cast off she was scared but ready to get moving again. On the drive home her legs were up over the cup holders of her car seat the entire time. It must have felt good to stretch her legs again! When we got home she rolled around the on floor, got up to crawl and really wanted to hold hands and walk. She reminded me of a new baby deer trying to stand up on wobbly legs for the first time. It didn't take her long to get going on her own.
Here are the x-rays of her bone growth. Yes, her bone is overlapped and not set directly into place. This is because the broken leg will grow quicker than the other due to the trauma of the break. To prevent length differences later in life they overlap the bone 1-2 cm. Her right leg (the broken one) is currently slightly shorter but in about a year to year and a half they will be back to the same length. The human body is quite amazing!
This was taken on October 27, 2011 which was the day they set the bone and placed her in the cast.
This was on October 30, 2011. There was slight movement in the placement of the bone (probably due to decrease in swelling) but not enough to re-set the bone.
This was taken on November 7, 2011 which was one week after we got home from the hospital. A white cloud of bone growth was already forming!
This was taken on November 14, 2011...one week later.
This was taken on November 28, 2011 which was 2 weeks later. The first 3 weeks are critical for positioning. If there was too much movement within those first few weeks they would have had to set the bone again and we would have to start the process over. Thankfully E was still in good alignment.
This was taken on December 5, 2011. It was only 5 weeks and 4 days after it was set and we were cast free!
This was taken on January 9, 2012 (about a month after the cast) when we had returned back from our U.S. trip. We were amazed the the amount of bone growth! As she grows her bone will even out and will not have such a big lump in the middle. I think it's safe to say she'll never break it in the same spot again.
The progress of learning to walk again was quicker than I thought. I had read online about kids not taking their first unassisted step until 10+ days later. E took her first steps on her own only 4 days after the cast was taken off. She had a peg-leg walk and her right foot pointed outward for a while but eventually she corrected herself (just as the doctors said it would). We did take her to a chiropractor which was a great temporary fix. She continues to grow stronger each day and learns to jump and climb and do all that she used to. She is still a little scared going down stairs or being on the edge of places but with time she'll be comfortable with it all. We don't go back to the doctor until July to make sure things continue to look good.
This is E taking her first unassisted steps on December 9, 2011.
This video is one week after the cast was off on December 12, 2011.
This is E today, February 1, 2012. It is hard to tell from this picture but her right leg (on the left) is slightly shorter but not really noticeable. It's hard to tell something was really ever wrong!
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