Merry Christmas

Tim and I wanted to put up a Christmas tree this year, but couldn't because Elizabeth is pulling herself up on everything, trying to stand up. It's been our tradition to give each other ornaments ever since we've known each other, so we have collected quite a few. This year, we got Elizabeth an ornament from each of us too. Luckily, our Home Owner's Association decorated the lobby of our condo building, so we were able to take some Christmas pictures down there.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at Rosa's home and Elizabeth opened some of her Christmas gifts there. -S

Caylee and Elizabeth play

Caylee and her mom, Jane, came over for dinner last night, along with Ashley. We had yummy salmon and salad for dinner and Elizabeth had her first taste of fish. She loved the salmon and kept coming back to the table for more. Even after eating all her own foods, she still wanted to keep trying the salmon. "It's a good sign," Tim said, after seeing her gobble down the bits and pieces of fish, "she'll fit in very well with our dietary habits". DHA, the fatty acid in fish, is good for her brain and eye development, so we hope she'll continue to enjoy eating it.

Elizabeth loves playing with Caylee. When she's in the playpen by herself, she'll only stay in there for a few minutes tops. But with Caylee in there with her, she'll play for a good 15 minutes before reaching out to be picked up.

Playing on the musical table. Elizabeth showing Caylee how to turn the page to make music.
Reading together,

and even bathing together... -S

Taking Christmas Card Pictures

With Christmas just a week away, we've been rushing to send out our picture Christmas cards. We finally got them printed today and they will be mailed out tomorrow. Over the past week, we've been taking pictures every night in different locations, trying to find the best pose. We finally got one that we both agreed on last night so we're done for this season. Here are some of the pictures that we took. -S

Filling up on groceries

Before going on a trip, we always try to eat all our perishables in the fridge. So when we got back, there was hardly anything to eat. The baby needed snacks too, so we went to Costco to fill up our refrigerator again.

When you enter the warehouse, the first aisle is filled with TVs of every size. Usually when I'm talking to the baby, she attentively listens, but with dozens of TVs on, she couldn't stop looking from one to another. We quickly left that area and hung out in the toy aisle while we waited for Daddy to come to the store.

The baby got her first bag of veggie chips, a few dried fruit bars, and many fruits and veggies to add to her daily jjuk (porridge) from Costco today.-S

Flying back home

As we packed our bags on Sunday evening, we keep saying, "the baby takes up so much space!" Even though we were rid of most of the diapers and food that we had brought, we acquired many new things from IKEA to bring back home with us.

Every time we visit Maryland, we always make a trip out to IKEA. The last time we went to IKEA was before the baby was born. On that trip, we bought a few crib sheets, the flower lamps, outlet covers and some baby utensils. This time around, we went to the store as experienced parents and a checklist. It was a good shopping trip and we purchased more outlet covers, corner protectors, another full set of crib sheets (really nice flannel ones this time), a collapsible toy chest, and a play tunnel.

With our bags packed, we headed to the airport at about noon on Monday morning for a 1:50PM flight from Dulles International Airport. Check in went well and as we headed to the gate, we noticed a big, red, DELAYED alert next to our flight number on the departure screen. This worried us, especially Tim, who had to be at work the next day. We ended up being delayed just a few hours and spent that time hanging out in the airport and eating Chipotle for lunch.

We arrived in Denver at 8:00PM and finally made it home around 9:30PM. Congratulations BABY! Another trip complete, with no problems on the planes and in good health. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you! -S

Hannah and David from Silver Springs visit

Hannah and David, friends from Denver, who now live in Silver Springs, MD, came by to visit Elizabeth while we were in Maryland. Elizabeth got to spend some time with them on Saturday afternoon and then again on Sunday morning, when we visited their church, Covenant Life Church. Thank you for taking the time to see our little one. We hope to see you again in February when we're back out in MD! -S

Christmas Photos

During our trip to Maryland, we wanted to get some pictures with my family, especially since it is the Christmas season. Luckily for us, Elizabeth received a Christmas outfit from Seunghan and Bora, Sana's cousins. We took pictures in the family room of my parents house before church. It was kind of difficult to get Elizabeth to smile, but I guess it's hard to get babies to smile on cue, period. Thanks to the timer on the camera, yours truely was even able to get in on a couple shots. -T

Grandma's Birthday

We made a trip out to Maryland to visit my parents. This was also an opportunity for the rest of my family to meet Elizabeth in person. Other than my parents and brother, no one has actually seen or held the baby. They have just seen pictures of her. It also happened that our trip out there was the day after my mom's birthday. We were able to celebrate with a nice fruit pie that the five of us gobbled up pretty easily. We also had a birthday present for my mom as well as Christmas presents for my parents and brother, which they opened right then since we weren't going to be there for Christmas. Frankly, I'm still surprised we fly out there with all that stuff. I think the gifts filled one of our bags. Anyway, it was fun. -T

Flying to Maryland

On Thursday morning, we woke up bright and early at 4:00AM to catch a flight to Maryland. This time, we packed up everything and loaded it up in the car before we went to sleep. We were trying our best to make our morning as simple as possible, knowing that everything moves at a snail's pace when you're sleep deprived. When we woke up, we tried to keep the noise level down, but the baby heard us getting ready and decided to wake up too. So, at 4:30AM, as we're trying to finish packing our carryon bags, the baby was crawling around on the floor and pulling things out of the suitcase. To our surpise, she wasn't cranky or clingly. We put her to bed extra early the night before, around 7:00PM, so she must have gotten enough sleep for the time being.

Back in October, we went to New York and it went so well, we decided to fit in one more vacation before the end of the year. When we went to New York, we had a layover in Chicago, so it was two flights there and two flights back. This time too, we had a layover in Chicago, so it was two flights to get to Maryland.

Elizabeth did very well on the flight. We flew Southwest this time and it was GREAT! The last time we flew, it was on United and we had assigned seats. Tim sat aisle and I sat in the middle, with a stranger at window. We had to hold the baby the whole time we were flying. However, with Southwest, since it is first come, first seating, Tim and I were able to sit in the aisle and window seat with the baby in her own seat in the middle. As long as the flight isn't full, no one will contest the baby having their own seat, for free!

When we flew to New York, Elizabeth practically slept the whole time we were on the planes. This time around, she slept, ate, read books and played hand games. Being a few months older makes a lot of difference. There are so many things to explore and experience. -S

First 30 Days

Remembering the first 30 days...

As I was reorganizing her picture files, I caught myself staring at her newborn pictures. Just wanted to share a few with you. -S