Thursday, January 22, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Izzie, You're 13 Months Old Today!
Dearest Izzie,
Congratulations, you turned 13 months old today! Today is different from all of your other monthly updates, since this is the first time that you’re not physically with us. You’re in Korea with your grandparents, as mommy continues to recover from Radioactive Iodine Treatment. We wish you were here, but mommy just got nuked, and it’s not safe for you to be around her. But worry not – it sounds like you are having lots of fun in Korea and doing just fine. We’ll reunite soon; you’re coming back this Friday.
This month was kind of a weird month. You were out of New York the whole time. We spent your birthday and Christmas in California, and then New Years Day in Korea. With all the traveling and transition, we didn’t get a chance to observe too many of your developments. We were just happy you were able to get over the jet lag.
You started playing with your toy piano, which plays different children songs when you hit the keys. That’s your favorite activity in Korea, and your mother hopes it’s a sign that you’ll be musically inclined in the future. She wants to buy a real piano for you once we move. Your biggest event in Korea was your Tol; that’s the party we threw to celebrate your first birthday. Hopefully, the Tol marked the end of your stranger anxiety; you met a lot of people that night, but didn’t freak out. As sad as we are that you’re no longer completely attached to us, we’re happy that you’re taking this step in your social development.
Well, this next month and year should be interesting. We’re gonna try to encourage you to walk. We also bought a lot of books that we’re going to read to you, and we also bought some wall posters which will help you learn some new words. If you haven’t figured it out yet, having us as parents won’t be easy! But guess what! Life ain’t easy. Anyway, we’ll be sure that you’re having fun and enjoying your toddlerhood too.
Oh, and there’s no picture this month. We thought it was symbolically appropriate, since we can’t see you right now. But soon, that will change! Really soon! We can’t wait.
Love,
M+D
Congratulations, you turned 13 months old today! Today is different from all of your other monthly updates, since this is the first time that you’re not physically with us. You’re in Korea with your grandparents, as mommy continues to recover from Radioactive Iodine Treatment. We wish you were here, but mommy just got nuked, and it’s not safe for you to be around her. But worry not – it sounds like you are having lots of fun in Korea and doing just fine. We’ll reunite soon; you’re coming back this Friday.
This month was kind of a weird month. You were out of New York the whole time. We spent your birthday and Christmas in California, and then New Years Day in Korea. With all the traveling and transition, we didn’t get a chance to observe too many of your developments. We were just happy you were able to get over the jet lag.
You started playing with your toy piano, which plays different children songs when you hit the keys. That’s your favorite activity in Korea, and your mother hopes it’s a sign that you’ll be musically inclined in the future. She wants to buy a real piano for you once we move. Your biggest event in Korea was your Tol; that’s the party we threw to celebrate your first birthday. Hopefully, the Tol marked the end of your stranger anxiety; you met a lot of people that night, but didn’t freak out. As sad as we are that you’re no longer completely attached to us, we’re happy that you’re taking this step in your social development.
Well, this next month and year should be interesting. We’re gonna try to encourage you to walk. We also bought a lot of books that we’re going to read to you, and we also bought some wall posters which will help you learn some new words. If you haven’t figured it out yet, having us as parents won’t be easy! But guess what! Life ain’t easy. Anyway, we’ll be sure that you’re having fun and enjoying your toddlerhood too.
Oh, and there’s no picture this month. We thought it was symbolically appropriate, since we can’t see you right now. But soon, that will change! Really soon! We can’t wait.
Love,
M+D
Silly Peekaboo
One of Izzie's favorite games is Peekaboo. She is pretty good at it now. Once she gets her hands on any kind of cloth or fabric, she immediately starts to play. I love to hear and see her laugh, so she was using Albert's head to play peekaboo with me. I busted out the camera to see if I could capture the goodness - but of course, once the camera was out Izzie was distracted. Still... cute video.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Chejudo
Chejudo is an island south of Korea. Awhile ago, my parents had bought some land in a relatively remote part of the island, and after many trials and tribulations, they finally finished building their incredibly petite but wonderful vacation house. I was excited to visit the island again (Al and I went there for our honeymoon part 1) and finally see the house.
Its been awhile since we've really Ergo'ed Izzie around. She's developed this habit of sticking one arm out - something I wasn't particularly fond of because of the cold weather:
We had lunch at the absolutely beautiful Podo hotel. The view:
I cannot say enough about Izzie's spectacular high chair behavior. Give the girl her cheerios and she is the happiest clam ever:
We went out for morning jogs around our vacation house:
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On one of our morning jogs we were able to see the sun rise (no clouds):
Its been awhile since we've really Ergo'ed Izzie around. She's developed this habit of sticking one arm out - something I wasn't particularly fond of because of the cold weather:
We had lunch at the absolutely beautiful Podo hotel. The view:
I cannot say enough about Izzie's spectacular high chair behavior. Give the girl her cheerios and she is the happiest clam ever:
We went out for morning jogs around our vacation house:
On one of our morning jogs we were able to see the sun rise (no clouds):
Friday, January 16, 2009
Car Habits
We retired Izzie from her infant seat when she was about 9 months. She was just too tall for the seat. I was sad, because changing to a convertible ended the era of cab rides for our family. Obviously, in Korea, we took a car everywhere, so Izzie got a lot of carseat action. She soon developed habits of her own. As soon as we strapped her in, first order of business was taking her socks off. Next? Put said socks in her mouth.
Sigh.... my beautiful weirdo daughter....
Sigh.... my beautiful weirdo daughter....
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Meeting up with Great - Grandpa!
One of the most meaningful things that we did in our trip to Korea was taking Izzie to go see my grandfather in Taegu, Korea. As many of you know, my grandmother passed away quite suddenly a few months ago, and I was (and still am) sad that she never got to meet Izzie. First we visited my grandmother's grave site. I was not able to go to the funeral for my grandmother - there are no words about seeing your grandmother's grave except that it was incredibly surreal. I still almost don't believe that she is gone.
After that we headed over to meet my grandfather. This is when Izzie's stranger anxiety was still at a peak, so I was concerned with how she would do with my grandfather. Amazingly enough, she loved him! No tears whatsoever. I plopped her down on my grandfather's bed, and she started playing with the table, trying to wreak havoc in her own cute way, and even held his hand at one point. It was so incredibly special.
After that we headed over to meet my grandfather. This is when Izzie's stranger anxiety was still at a peak, so I was concerned with how she would do with my grandfather. Amazingly enough, she loved him! No tears whatsoever. I plopped her down on my grandfather's bed, and she started playing with the table, trying to wreak havoc in her own cute way, and even held his hand at one point. It was so incredibly special.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Christmas in California
So, quick update on me. I officially go into isolation today. I've spent the last couple days in the hospital running tests and then preparing the apartment for my isolation. Isolating oneself while living in a teeny tiny 1 bedroom apartment in New York is no easy task. I bought all new cheap sheets that I am just going to toss afterwards and the room is stocked with water and gatorade and sour candy.I'm ready to go!
I miss Izzie a lot. Her absence is really really felt - the apartment is so quiet without her. I now realize how much your life revolves around a baby..without her, Al and I have so much free time! We'll try to take advantage of that after I'm out of my isolation by going out on dates, but we can't wait for Izzie to come back!
Christmas in California was so great. After 5 years of Albert and I dating/married, this is only our second Christmas together. Our first Christmas with each other was also shared with our first Christmas with Izzie. I remember last year's Christmas vividly - I was worried sick about Izzie not eating and I was such a mess because breastfeeding was not going well. Look at how far we've come in one year!
For Christmas Eve, we had dinner at Albert's aunt and uncle's house. We had a ton of delicious food and this is when I really started to realize what a great high chair baby Izzie is. You just put her in her chair and give her some waffles or cheerios and she is happy as a clam! I hope this lasts forever! Here is a picture of the family including Al's grandparents. That is 4 generations of family right there!
A picture of the whole extended family, including Izzie:
Dimsum! I like that Izzie is checking out Al's mom:
Unfortunately, our Fremont trip coincided with the peak of Izzie's stranger anxiety. In an attempt for her to get close to the family we would all get into a circle and play often.
Christmas morning brunch:
Opening presents. Izzie got so many fun ones!
Izzie and Albert's dad's birthdays are 1 week apart, so the day before we left we celebrated both.
Our week was so short in California, and I always feel this tug of nostalgia when I go back. I always say "New York girl for life, but California girl at heart", but whenever I do go back to California it makes me want to move back! We don't have any planned trips back yet, but we hope we'll go back soon!
I miss Izzie a lot. Her absence is really really felt - the apartment is so quiet without her. I now realize how much your life revolves around a baby..without her, Al and I have so much free time! We'll try to take advantage of that after I'm out of my isolation by going out on dates, but we can't wait for Izzie to come back!
Christmas in California was so great. After 5 years of Albert and I dating/married, this is only our second Christmas together. Our first Christmas with each other was also shared with our first Christmas with Izzie. I remember last year's Christmas vividly - I was worried sick about Izzie not eating and I was such a mess because breastfeeding was not going well. Look at how far we've come in one year!
For Christmas Eve, we had dinner at Albert's aunt and uncle's house. We had a ton of delicious food and this is when I really started to realize what a great high chair baby Izzie is. You just put her in her chair and give her some waffles or cheerios and she is happy as a clam! I hope this lasts forever! Here is a picture of the family including Al's grandparents. That is 4 generations of family right there!
A picture of the whole extended family, including Izzie:
Dimsum! I like that Izzie is checking out Al's mom:
Unfortunately, our Fremont trip coincided with the peak of Izzie's stranger anxiety. In an attempt for her to get close to the family we would all get into a circle and play often.
Christmas morning brunch:
Opening presents. Izzie got so many fun ones!
Izzie and Albert's dad's birthdays are 1 week apart, so the day before we left we celebrated both.
Our week was so short in California, and I always feel this tug of nostalgia when I go back. I always say "New York girl for life, but California girl at heart", but whenever I do go back to California it makes me want to move back! We don't have any planned trips back yet, but we hope we'll go back soon!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Izzie's Tol Celebration
Hola loyal blog readers!
We are officially back from our hiatus. As many of you know, we are leaving Izzie in Korea with my parents for a few weeks. She will be taken care of by my parents and our nanny, while I am back in New York taking care of myself and (finally) getting back on the healthy track. I have a lot of pictures to sort through and a lot to update, but I think I'll update one event at a time, while Albert and I are apart from Izzie. It'll be a good thing to look back and see my girl again while I'm probably missing her a ton.
In the meantime, I wanted to give a quick update on the amazing birthday party Izzie had here in Korea. In Korean culture, Tol or the FIrst Birthday is a really big deal. Back in the old days, infant mortality was not so great, so when a baby reached one year old, naturally there was a big celebration.
One of the main events of the tol celebrataion is the "Toljabee". You lay some items in front of the kid and let her choose whatever attracts to her the most. The item the kid chooses supposedly gives insight as to the child's future. Izzie had several items laid in front of her:
Rice = Propserity
Thread = Long life
Golf Ball = Golf player
Pencil = Scholar
Stethoscope = Dr
Money = Prosperity also...
I am telling the MC that I want Izzie to pick the golf ball. Hey! She totally could become the next female Tiger Woods:
Izzie went for the stethoscope first:
Izzie picked the pencil next. So I guess she's going to become a MD- PhD!
Albert thanking the guests for coming. I thought it was totally hilarious that Izzie's hat was covering her face:
Blowing out the candles and cutting the cake:
A family picture:
We are officially back from our hiatus. As many of you know, we are leaving Izzie in Korea with my parents for a few weeks. She will be taken care of by my parents and our nanny, while I am back in New York taking care of myself and (finally) getting back on the healthy track. I have a lot of pictures to sort through and a lot to update, but I think I'll update one event at a time, while Albert and I are apart from Izzie. It'll be a good thing to look back and see my girl again while I'm probably missing her a ton.
In the meantime, I wanted to give a quick update on the amazing birthday party Izzie had here in Korea. In Korean culture, Tol or the FIrst Birthday is a really big deal. Back in the old days, infant mortality was not so great, so when a baby reached one year old, naturally there was a big celebration.
One of the main events of the tol celebrataion is the "Toljabee". You lay some items in front of the kid and let her choose whatever attracts to her the most. The item the kid chooses supposedly gives insight as to the child's future. Izzie had several items laid in front of her:
Rice = Propserity
Thread = Long life
Golf Ball = Golf player
Pencil = Scholar
Stethoscope = Dr
Money = Prosperity also...
I am telling the MC that I want Izzie to pick the golf ball. Hey! She totally could become the next female Tiger Woods:
Izzie went for the stethoscope first:
Izzie picked the pencil next. So I guess she's going to become a MD- PhD!
Albert thanking the guests for coming. I thought it was totally hilarious that Izzie's hat was covering her face:
Blowing out the candles and cutting the cake:
A family picture:
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year Everybody!
Happy 2009 everybody! We had a fabulous past few days (along with a lot of pictures). It is difficult to update this thing when we're away from home. The past few days we did a lot of fun things:
- We opened Christmas presents in Fremont with Izzie
- Izzie had some birthday parties in Cali
- We took a 13 hour international flight to Korea (Izzie gets an A+)
- Izzie has adjusted to Korean time beautifully. (I am a different story)
- We visited my grandfather who recently became widowed. Izzie hid the fact that she has extreme stranger anxiety, and totally chilled with my grandfather
- We also met up with a lot of extended family on my mom's side.
Whew! And now we're off to vacation to Chejudo. I need to be more deliberate about taking pictures, so my goal is to take many many pictures on our mini vacation today.
Happy New Year!
- We opened Christmas presents in Fremont with Izzie
- Izzie had some birthday parties in Cali
- We took a 13 hour international flight to Korea (Izzie gets an A+)
- Izzie has adjusted to Korean time beautifully. (I am a different story)
- We visited my grandfather who recently became widowed. Izzie hid the fact that she has extreme stranger anxiety, and totally chilled with my grandfather
- We also met up with a lot of extended family on my mom's side.
Whew! And now we're off to vacation to Chejudo. I need to be more deliberate about taking pictures, so my goal is to take many many pictures on our mini vacation today.
Happy New Year!
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