Golden Hands and Feet

We received the cast of Vincent's hands and feet in the mail today.  In the States, infant keepsakes are bronzed.  Here in Korea, they are coated in 24k gold. Unfortunately, there was a sight error in the birth details on the placard, so we have to send it back to be fixed.  Can you spot it?  -S

Lost in Translation II

To help around the house, we recently hired a housekeeper.  She comes three times a week to clean, cook, do laundry and help with the baby.  Today, since all the housework was done early, I asked her to watch Vincent while I picked up Elizabeth from school before her usual pick up time so I could play with her one-on-one.  We picked up three red bean ice cream cones from the corner grocer and came home to share it with the 아줌마 (lady in Korean).  Afterwards, since Vincent was still asleep, we decided to go outside and blow some bubbles.  As we were heading outside, the 아줌마 asked Elizabeth where we were going in Korean and Elizabeth responds 할머니 바볼, 나가바볼.  Which translates to "grandma, bubbles, outside bubbles."  Unfortunately, bubbles also sounds like the word idiot in Korean.  So the housekeeper heard, "grandma, idiot, outside idiot."

She looked bewildered and responded with a "you are too smart, yes, grandma is an idiot."  Good thing I was standing nearby to hear the exchange and correct the translation misunderstanding. We all had a good laugh, except for Elizabeth who probably was wondering what was so funny.

After playing for only 15 mins, it started to rain, so we had to come right back in.  We'll play with bubbles again tomorrow! -S

Pororo Park in Dongtan Metapolis Mall (메타폴리스몰)

Elizabeth's school went on an all day field trip to a park an hour away, with hiking, swimming, and even a campfire.  Even though it sounded awesome, it seemed like a bit much for our two year old, so instead we spent the day as a family, doing fun things, Elizabeth style.

Back in May, a new shopping center opened up thirty minutes away in the city of Dongtan.  It is a new city, just north of Osan and 15 minutes south of Suwon.  The roads are wide, the parking spaces are bigger, there are plenty of trees and landscaping, and the buildings are all new.  City planning at its best, something the rest of the country needs.  Inside this new shopping center, Metapolis Mall (메타폴리스몰), are lots of interesting stores, an ice rink and a Pororo Theme Park.

Pororo is the Korean equivalent to Mickey Mouse in the States.  Everything a child needs or wants can be found with Pororo branding.  Before moving to Korea, I thought the cartoon character looked odd, but I too have succumbed to its marketing techniques and find Pororo and his friends charming.  More importantly, Elizabeth loves all things Pororo, especially the Pororo cup she drinks yogurt from each morning.  Yes, in Korea, we drink yogurt instead of eating it with a spoon.  

At the entrance of the theme park, you have to take off your shoes and place them in lockers.  It is a foreign concept to us Westerners, but a brilliant way to keep dirt from entering the play area.  Also, no strollers allowed, cause they track in dirt too.

Pororo characters live in an arctic village.  Crong is a dinosaur and the only one who cannot talk.  Loopy is a beaver.

Cool bouncing area

On the way up to ride the train.

Fun Pororo musical.  Elizabeth and Daddy watched the whole thing.  Vincent and Mommy only watched the intro, because it was too loud in the theater.

The first time Elizabeth went up this maze, she came down after climbing up half way.  Before we left, she wanted to try it again and went all the way up and then down the slide. Good job! -S

Like Father like Son

Daddy spills his drink on his shirt and then Vincent leaks his milk onto his shirt...

My Little Chubby

At 40 days old, this sleeping prince is rocking the scale at nearly 11.5 pounds.  I feel like he is outgrowing his newborn stage so quickly because he's quite healthy.

Sleeping on a hand made incline pillow, made by mommy, to keep down the heaps of milk he eats.

Today, I pulled all his 0-3 month clothes, washed them in hot water, dried them up nice and crisp and stored them away in a Pororo Box. -S  

Daddy gives Elizabeth her first swim lesson

It has been pretty warm and humid here lately, although all the rain has kept the area cooler than expected.  For our weekly fun activity, we decided to go to the indoor pool on base and spend a couple of hours playing in the water. The last time Elizabeth was in a pool was in Thailand and she didn't do too well with it. This time, she did much better. It may have been the fact that it was a kiddie pool, just right for her size, but she seemed to enjoy herself splashing in the water. She even got to practice kicking her feet. Soon enough she'll be hitting the big pool to do some laps. At one point, Elizabeth wanted to go and check out the big pool. I must admit, it was cold. It didn't help that the kiddie pool is kept at a much warmer temperature. Elizabeth shot some hoops before saying that she was too cold, so we went back to the other pool and warmed up immediately.

Vincent on the other hand was doing his favorite activity...sleeping. Sana watched him while we were playing in the pool. -T

It's hard to see, but he's wearing his Swim Team Shark shirt, especially for the occasion.

Practicing kicking

And this is how you float...

  After an hour of swim lessons by dad, I can swim!

Vincent's 30 Day Hand and Foot Castings

We've made it. One full month of being a family of four. Since Vincent's next checkup is the 2-month one, we checked his weight and height/length at home. At 30 days, little Vincent weighed in at 10.5 lbs and 21.5 inches.

While we were visiting the local clinic before deciding on delivering at the military hospital, we saw an ad for hands and feet moldings set in a frame. We didn't do anything like that for Elizabeth, but thought it would be nice to have one for Vincent. Sana called the number and set up a day to plaster up the baby's hands and feet.  A guy was going to come to our place to make the molds, which was convenient. On the designated day, I ducked out of work for a little bit to watch the whole thing and take some pictures. The guy mixed up some goo, which I believe was silicone. He lathered a bunch on each hand and foot. I was surprised at how fast the blue, spearmint-smelling mixture went from being gooey to a solid, rubbery shoe/glove. Vincent did pretty well through the whole process without fussing too much. Hopefully, the molds turned out good. It'll be a month before we receive the final product. -T

Happy Four Weeks to our lil Vincent

Your jaundice is now gone, your cries are now clearer and you are getting stronger each day.  We thank the Lord for a healthy and happy baby and continue to lean on Him for his protection.  Mommy and Daddy are incredibly in love with you and enjoy all the shared moments, even the mid-night feedings.  You are a sweet and relaxed baby, crying only when you are hungry or have a wet diaper.  You follow our gaze and know our touch and smell.  We will keep you safe from harm and introduce you to a world of fun.  We treasure each day as it passes. -S

First Baby Bottle from Big Sister

So far, Elizabeth has been a really good big sister. She kisses her brother on the forehead, checks on him when he cries and wants to hold him (in her lap while sitting on the couch or bed, of course). Now we can add feeding her brother. Since it's been almost a month now, we thought it would be okay giving Vincent some of Mama's milk in a bottle.  Some experts recommend no bottles even up to six weeks, but most say four weeks is sufficient. Elizabeth wanted to give the bottle to Vincent, so we let her. She was pretty enthusiastic about being able to feed the baby. At certain moments, she was very focused on making sure Vincent got his milk. It's really great to see that she interacts so well with the baby. I just hope this lasts and that they get along well in the future. Every parents dream... -T