3 years and counting

So we weren't able to go anywhere too far for this anniversary, but my husband still managed to find babysitters, send flowers to my work, and book us massages at Diamond Family Spa. We usually go to Grand Spa in Ktown, but I had been wanting to try this place due to it being co-ed. And Joey enjoys the korean spas as much as I do. As far as a review of this place: it was crowded & busy for a weekday, but the food was good & the place was clean. (I am eagerly waiting for our church members to open their co-ed spa in Little Tokyo-- much closer!) I am thankful for my husband, who continues to shower me with surprises. I love you something fierce hunny.

Thanksgiving 2009

When I think of my favorite vacations, they usually include no communication with the outside world + loads of sleep. This past Thanksgiving we got to do just that up in the little burough of Shingletown, CA (pop. 2650).It was a small gathering, with just our immediate families.

Ran into old college buddy Lynn, who came bearing gifts.We ended up spending most of Thanksgiving day together....when she finally found the house hidden in the woods. It was great to see you! Korean-American style dinner

Byron's mom's homemade pumpkin pie. Did I already rave about this last year?

My MIL took requests for food the week before...Dave ordered chajang myun. (for those in the know, my in-laws inherited a new table runner! haha)

Capturing 4 generations of Ohs

Getting ready for our hike

Baby knew we weren't in Kansas anymore when her lips started turning blue. hehe

Wondering whether the freezing 45-minute hike is going to be worth it...
It was rather Fried-Green-Tomatoes-esque, minus the accident.

Me, mom, sis

One of these expressions do not belong. Couple of lovebirds

Sissy & me

Mossbrae Falls. Beautiful.

December Update

In a perfect world, I would blog at least twice a week. And learn to take better photos. So that I can turn it in to a Blurb book some day. But I do the best I can. Some photos from the last few months...

Home remodeling. Ceremonial last pieces that my FIL saved for us Picking tile & paint for the bathroom

My husband is funnier than his shirt might let on
Auntie Eunice & Uncle Eugene. Auntie Eunice is a PT--and knew just how to exercise baby's limbs

My longtime friend Vania came to stay w/us for about 24 hours. When I look at this picture I see Danny & Joey.

Playing Kai Lan with Uncle Joey

Asleep at the mall while mommies shop

Uncle Matt & Aunt Estar visit from Seattle

4-month doctor's appointment. Baby weighs 17 pounds.

With cutie patootie Ry @ Kidspace. Joey wants one of these next.

Leaders' Retreat in Palm Springs. AKA the trip we forgot to bring the baby monitor & simultaneously realized we could use our cell phones on speaker phone instead.

LWF's Annual Pre-Thanksgiving dinner.

I think we were at maximum capacity.

People were spilling over each other. It was nice & cozy. Watching football with Uncle Steven before LWF dinner. With new mommy friend Grace, & her baby K. Grace & I bonded after our babies were born just 2 weeks apart. Is this pre- or post banshee scream? hehe

Off to see Santa. Matching outfits from head to toe were unplanned.

Americana has an awesome mother's lounge
I think Grace had the right idea, visiting Santa before Thanksgiving. No lines for us early folk. Thanks for inviting us along Chungs--we had a great time!

(And I think that catches me up for the month.)

Week of Thanksgiving

I am bristling with excitement today.

We kicked off Thanksgiving week w/our annual LWF potluck. Good food, good company, pomegranate 7-UP (go try! it's for a limited time!), & karaoke to top it off.

Anyways, lots to look forward to. Tomorrow's Santa Claus @ the Americana. The next day we're off to my in-laws, for what promises to be a relaxing 6 days in rural California.

And when I return....it's back to work I go!

See you on the other side of Thanksgiving...

Lacey Park

Do you think Baby is keenly aware...
...that she has BOTH parent's undivided attention?

The smile says affirmative.Mommy & daddy love you little one.

Let's burp video

Congrats!

We're all abuzz in the Oh family! My sister-in-law recently got engaged! Her fiance pulled off a most surprising proposal while flying over the Golden Gate Bridge. Isn't it incredibly romantic? I'm overflowing with happiness for Jen & Dave, an amazing couple! I'm so excited for the big day!
Two days post-engagement. Aren't they radiating JOY?

Milestones

I've been wanting to do a post on baby's milestones, to keep track of them in one place. So this post is for me:)

Cognitive:
~ Tracks moving objects & people around the room. It's funny to watch when she tracks upside-down.
~ Squawks/babbles for 30-60 minutes a day. Mostly in the AM.
~ "Sings" along when someone is singing a fast-paced song
~ Reacts to darkness. Maybe she is afraid of the dark?
~ Laughs fairly frequently now, a couple times a day. This is the BEST gift a baby can give you. High chance that she will laugh if you either blow a raspberry on her belly, or make very loud kissing noises.

Physical:
~ Began STTN at 11 weeks. Now, at 4 months, she sleeps through 80% of the time.
~ Plays with hands at midline. Puts hands in mouth. Drools ALL the time.
~ Can prop up on her feet & support her weight, with assistance.
~ Claws at objects & grabs toys off of bars. Like one of those crane toy grabbers from Chuck E Cheese's...with a similar batting average.
~ Props up on hands & lifts chest, when on her belly
~ Does a quarter-roll from back to side, and front to side
~ Rotates around clockwise & counterclockwise, when placed on her back
~ Weighs in at 17 pounds and 24 inches at her 4-month check-up

Personality:
~ Senses mood and responds in kind.
~ Social butterfly, for now. Loves large crowds, people, & lots of noise.
~ Cries usually only when something is wrong...although, she's been known to ignore a dirty diaper if she is having fun

My milestones:
I am still learning to embrace motherhood, but God-willing, it is getting better. The first 3 months were rough, and I definitely wanted to push REWIND almost every day to my pre-baby days. (This is what happens when a non-baby person has a baby.) But the fog has lifted, & it's actually been fun lately. I'm getting used to thinking of myself as a MOM. But boy do I wish I had talked to more moms before having a baby!

Baby's First Halloween

Recognize this recycled costume?

Had to buy this one--it was on clearance!
Woah! Not quite steady yet. Daddy caught her just in time...
Have a safe Halloween everyone!

Jason Mraz

When Jason Mraz first appeared on the music scene, I didn't understand his music...however, I've really come to enjoy his more recent songs, such as 'Beautiful Mess', 'Lucky', and 'I'm Yours.' Anyways, the four of us got a chance to go see him @ the Hollywood Bowl, thanks to our friends Jullie & Ben.
Joey, Me, Kange, & Shelley. Photos from Shelley.
First time @ Hollywood Bowl...
First time leaving the baby w/a sitter...thanks Jess & Tim! (I'm just sorry we kept you so late!)

Jullie & Ben: we had a great time! He even sang 'Lucky' w/this girl that had an amazing voice, I think I liked her more than Colbie Caillat!

100 Days

So we headed up to Portland for some R & R, to see grandma, and celebrate R's 100 days.

Day 1. Lazy Sunday @ the Shim's. Son took care of the meals & the baby, and I took a mental day-off. It was wonderful. Even my sister flew in from NY.C insisted on holding cousin R all by herself.
I think R liked it.

Niece loves her some dress up time

Aunties Son & Hanna also gave R a bath. This is some back-breaking work, to kimchee squat in a bathtub! (that's me behind the camera, continuing my day off)

More holding...

Day 2. Tax-free shopping.

Homemade ice cream!

Followed up by more dessert

I think she enjoyed her 'frosting in a cup' quite a bit.And I enjoyed her little jig. And hearing her tell her tomato joke. Did you know this 3-year-old knows all 44 US presidents? She could be the poster child for home schooling.

Day 3. Prepping for R's 100 day party. Sonia & Estar.

Cousin Matt, Joey, Matt's dad.

The guests

Anna & Me & our babes

Little Sophia. Attempting to fold her hands together to prayHappy baek-il ddukThe spread. My mom took vacation days for the occasion, only to be so busy cooking that she didn't get to spend much time with her granddaughter:(.

Cousin Ella & Rebecca finally meet! Coincidentally E & R came wearing similar outfits.

Auntie Son, aka Baby Whisperer Extraordinaire. R laughed and laughed when auntie Son played with her (something she hasn't done since she's been home btw). She also refused the bottle from no less than 4 people, before letting auntie Son feed her. I learned alot from Son in such a short time--the wisdom of a parent cannot be found in books! Love the swaddler Grace!

I got loads of help up in Portland (yes, I inquired about staying longer at the end of my trip)

Settling down after the party

Going home on the plane (R did great on her first flight!)
Home sweet home. Trying on R's presents.
Thank you Halmoni for my 100 day party! We hope to see you again very very SOON!