Sesame Street comes to Osan Air Base

The USO does many great things for the military overseas and we are fortunate to be able to benefit from some of their services.  In connection with Sesame Street, they put on a short musical for the children at Osan Air Base.  Elizabeth doesn't know the Sesame Street characters well, because we don't watch American TV, but she is familiar with Elmo and Cookie Monster from some of her picture books.  She referred to the rest of the cast as just "monster this one" and "monster that one".  Since Tim was working on this particular day, I had to bring both children in the car by myself, but he met us at the gymnasium and watched the show with Elizabeth while I took Vincent out for a walk.  Afterwards, we went to Chile's for our first dinner out as a family.  It was quite an adventure, but we managed to get through it and everyone even finished their dinner, including Vincent who nursed for the first time in public today.  -S

When the show started, Mommy and Vincent went for a walk outside the gymnasium.

Rockin' in the Swing

Back in May, three special girlfriends threw us a surprise baby shower for Vincent.  Of the many gifts they showered us with, Vincent enjoys his swing the most.  The also gave us a jumperoo, which he won't be able to use for another few months, but we are so thankful for great friends.  We are almost through using the diaper cake too, it's a pity we had to take apart such a masterpiece.   

Two and a half weeks old Vincent and changing everyday.  -S

At the Playground

We decided to take the kids out to get some air and go for a walk. We ended up at the playground. Elizabeth really likes going to the playground so that she can burn off some of that toddler energy. She tends to ask to go when she gets picked up from school, but as it gets warmer, it's better to go more towards evening time when the sun is down and it's a bit cooler. When we got to the playground, there were a bunch of other kids running around as their parents sat and watched.  Nearly every day, Elizabeth plays with S, her favorite playground buddy.  Today, he brought out his push car and they pushed each other around the playground. -T

Future Photographer?

I had the Canon DSLR laying out, so naturally, Elizabeth wanted to check it out. She likes taking pictures using Sana's old Fuji point-and-shoot, but now there is a new camera to take pictures with. It's not really a new camera, since it's a Rebel XT and I've had it for a few years now, but for Elizabeth it was something she had never played with before. To be on safe side, I had her put the strap around her neck. Then, I showed her how to hold the camera in her small hands. She got used to it pretty quickly and started taking photos of me and the floor. Who knows? Maybe this will turn into a hobby for her when she gets older. -T

Somebody's Awake

Guess who finally decided to open his eyes? Yup. And not just the one that he's been opening, but both. I guess he figured it was time to open his eyes and start seeing the world around him. Or maybe he was just got bored of sleeping. -T

Father's Day

This was another special Father's Day because of the addition of little Vincent to the family. I feel very blessed to have two healthy kids to call my own and my precious wife to raise them with.

For Father's Day, Elizabeth and Mommy made oatmeal cookies. Not just any oatmeal cookies, but oatmeal with dried cranberries and chocolate chips. Mighty tasty I must say. I took some to work to share with my co-workers and they disappeared rather quickly.

Happy Father's Day

-T

Testing out my hand-me-downs to see if they still work...

Elizabethlocks and the Three Beds

As Elizabeth wandered through the furniture section at the BX, she found a variety of beds.  Colorful ones, small ones, large ones, tall ones and frameless ones.  She tried many of them out, until she found the perfect one.  

Mommy, this bed is just too soft....

Daddy, this bed is too hard and too high off the ground.  I'm scared of falling off of it...

Mommy, this bed is just right.

New big girl bed on the floor in her room.

This is what our temporary living conditions look like.  Don't worry Elizabeth, Daddy will buy you a nice bedroom set when we move back home.

First night asleep in her own bed, in her own room.  Mommy or Daddy will sleep next to you for a few weeks until you get used to falling asleep by yourself.  Good night princess!  -S

Vincent's Five Day Checkup

Vincent had his first post-delivery doctor's visit. This is a routine hospital discharge wellness checkup. The doctor examined him and said that everything looked great, but wanted to have a follow-up visit in a couple of days to check jaundice levels again. So far so good. -T

Lost in Translation

Every day we get a progress report from her teacher, showing what she ate, how much of it, number of dirty diapers, general condition, participation level, and a small written note.  At the end of every week, we also get a letter from the school, outlining future events, parenting tips, school news and such.  Today, we were told send 2,000 Won ($1.80 equivalent) and to dress them in their summer uniform for a school field trip to take student pictures...or so we thought...she came home with a bag of onions from E-mart.  No picture.  Good thing Tim took this picture of her on the way to school this morning.  It'll be our class picture memento.  -S

Bath time for everyone

Vincent had his first full bath today.  Immediately afterwards, Elizabeth insisted we give her a bath too, even though it was only 4PM in the afternoon.  She usually bathes around 8PM, but to appease her, Tim washed her up.  While I was lotioning and dressing Vincent, Elizabeth joined us on the bed for her pamper treatment. -S

Vincent's First Car Ride

There comes a point in a baby's life where he or she must face...the car seat. That point is the eventual ride home from the hospital. Unfortunately, for Vincent, that car ride is a not a short drive, but a rather long hour one. However, for a baby that sleeps like a champ, that should be no problem.

Before checking out of the hospital, the nurses check to make sure that the baby is securely strapped in before leaving the hospital. It's a safety thing. I believe it happens at most, if not all, hospitals. If the baby is not secure, they will instruct the parents on proper infant/car seat bonding. This was done when Elizabeth was born and this was done for Vincent's departure. This time, it seemed like a test to see if Dad remembered how to strap a baby in. Sure enough, first try...perfect.

We gathered that last bit of our things and made the long walk down the halls to car. Let me tell you, an 8 lb baby is light. An 8 lb baby in a car seat...not so much. It probably didn't help that I hadn't really worked out in preparation for this task. Anyway, we loaded up the car with all four people and made our way onto the highway...towards home.

We arrived safely and brought little Vincent into the warmth (both figuratively and literally) of the apartment. Welcome Home, Son. -T

Elizabeth shows her feelings towards her brother, Vincent.

Daddy and the kids. Yes, it is plural now.

Picture time in front of the hospital's flower garden.

All present and accounted for. In the words of our eldest child, "Let's go!!"

Sister and Brother Meet for the First Time

When Vincent was born, Elizabeth was at Aunt Rosa's and Uncle James' place, where she had spent the night. Sooner than later, she was going to have to come to the hospital to see Mommy and greet her baby brother. After making sure Sana was comfortable, I made the short drive to go to our daughter. She was excited to see me and constantly made sure that I wasn't out of her sight. I'm sure it was a major shock to be left without Mommy or Daddy overnight, but Labor & Delivery is no place for a child. At least she was with her aunt and uncle, who she is quite familiar with and who took great care of her (Thank you).

It just so happened that when I went to Elizabeth, it was time for her nap. Not having slept all night, it was a great opportunity for me to get a little shut-eye too. Once we were awake, the four of us made our way to the hospital to see Mommy and little Vincent.

I had been wondering how Elizabeth was going to react to a new baby in the family. I think this is something every parent wonders when a second child is brought into the mix. Was she going to become extremely jealous from the start or was she going to be affectionate and tender towards the baby? Fortunately, it was the latter. It may have been her curiosity or her intrigue over the baby, but she didn't cry or fuss. In fact, she wanted to see Vincent and hold him too. When he cried, she went over and gently patted him saying "It's otay, it's otay". Then she would kiss him on the forehead. Thinking about it now, maybe she was more ready than I had thought. Whenever she saw a baby, she would point and yell "Baby". When we asked her what was in Mommy's belly, she would answer "Baby". We'll see what happens when the kids are older, but for now, I'm happy that Elizabeth is being the 누나 (noona/older sister), not for our sake, but for their beginning relationship as sister and brother. -T

Aunt Rosa and Uncle James holding Vincent for the first time. Don't worry, you'll have one of your own soon enough.

I thought babies liked being swaddled, but I'm not really sure about this one.

Sana's recovery room. This was a shared room with another couple that had their son several hours earlier.

So peaceful.