Monkey See, Monkey Do

Evangeline is 18 months now and it's been both very fun and very challenging.  At her 18 month check up last week, I was surprised to hear that she is still tall for her age (60% in height) and only 30% in weight.  She's such a good eater and sometimes I worry about her weight but the doctor reassured me that at this age they typically do not over eat and that when she asks for food, she probably is hungry.

We just got back from Portland this past week and I was pleasantly surprised at how well she did on the trip and back.  She adjusted almost immediately when we got there and when we got home.  She was fairly good on the plane, with only a few mishaps and crying, but nothing unbearable or for an extended amount of time.  She actually seemed to understand that we were on a trip and that it was temporary.  She loved exploring the city, especially since there were so many dogs all over the place.  Although you could tell that she was unsure about her surroundings, because as we pushed her around in her stroller she had to check that we were still there every minute or two, we hear her say, "Umma? Umma?!? Umma?"  We would reply, "Yes, dear umma is right here." Then a minute or two later, "Appa? Appa?!? Appa!"  We met with an old friend and an old pastor while we were there.  It was really nice to catch up with both of them.  The friend really went out of his way to give us a ride from and to the airport, let us borrow his car, show us around the city, and open his place up for us to hang out and do some work.  It made me realize the importance of friendship and how blessed we are to have friends like him.

Although EV has never been a complete people person, she's been warming up to new people faster than she used to.   It's also funny how she is now mimicking everything that we do.  The other day we were in an elevator and both Jimmy and I leaned back and crossed one leg over the other.  The next thing we know, EV is leaning back and trying to cross one leg over the other.  She is also repeating everything we say.  In Portland, we were having some Mexican for dinner, and EV insisted that she scoop her rice and beans with a tortilla chip like the rest of us.  She was successful in the beginning, but as she got tired, the less she was able to scoop.  So, she thought about it and decided that she needed a new chip.  I gave her a new chip and that was the beginning of the end.  She got so frustrated that she couldn't scoop the rice with the chip, that she threw everything on the ground.  She's so determined to figure it out herself, that she won't let us help her, but then she gets so frustrated that even if she is successful, it doesn't matter, she can't calm down enough to enjoy it.  The other day this happened, and she started saying a bunch of sounds, "babbit, gabba, bagga, dagit."  Jimmy called it "Baby Cursing" and it really did sound like she was mouthing off.  It also seemed to help her calm down.  These are the moments, when I'm unsure what to do.  You're not being disobedient and I can't really distract you with something else.  How do you teach an 18th month old patience? And letting momma help?

EV, you are such a joy to us.  You make us laugh, you impress us constantly, and you make us want to be better parents.  You have one of the most amazing smiles.  It's always super special when you smile because you don't smile often, but when you do, it lights up the whole room.  You are one of the most stubborn, head strong, opinionated babies I have ever known.  You say the word "No" and "Mine" with such clarity and intensity.  You also say a million other words, some in Korean and some in English, based on what's more comfortable for you.  You have so much energy from the moment you open your eyes to the moment you go down to bed.  You can barely sit for more than 5 minutes before exploring something new.  You love to dance and you love music with a good beat.  The moment you hear music, you start dancing and it's not just baby dancing, I swear you groove to the beat.   You make us look forward to every day.  Thank you for being ours!

I'm a big kid now!

Last week, EV started swinging her legs over the rail of her crib.  I thought to myself, it's going to be no time before she can pull herself up and over the crib.  Thankfully, we got a call on Monday saying EV's bed was ready to be delivered.

Wednesday was a highly anticipated day.  EV's big girl bed was being delivered.  When I got home, the first thing I did was give EV a big hug and go up to her new room.  New room, new bed.  I was so excited to see her bed, I put the sheets and quilt on it, and had Jimmy bring in some of her old furniture into her new room.

EV you were so so so excited about your new bed.  I was worried that you might be apprehensive and standoffish but you were quite the opposite.  You climbed up into the bed, lined up all your stuff animals, put the covers over you, climbed back down and repeat.  You wanted all of us to get into bed with you.  Now, how will the first night go in the new bed?  Surprisingly it went really well.  We didn't buy any rails for the bed and I was nervous that you would fall off the bed repeatedly since you are a crazy sleeper, but you only fell off twice the first night.  Actually, we placed your crib mattress next to the bed, so the first time you fell off you bounced onto the crib mattress and right onto the floor.  I think it startled you more than anything.  So, I put a body pillow on that side as well, and it has helped with the falling.  The second night you fell only once, but you were more upset that you couldn't get back up on the bed because of the body pillow than the fact that you fell.  Last night, I think you might have fallen once but you gave a little cry and climbed right back up.  All in all, it's been amazing to see how quickly you have transitioned into your new bed.  It has brought tears to our eyes to see you sleeping in your bed.  You used to look so big in your crib and now you look so small in your bed.  You are growing up so fast, slow down little one, slow down!

 

Why are Korean dramas so addicting??!!??

Those who know me know that I can be fairly disciplined about getting things accomplished.  But what they may not know is how I maintain my discipline.  It's pretty easy--get rid of all distractions and set goals.  I am pretty competitive by nature so setting goals help me to "beat" myself to do the task at hand.  That's also why we do not go shopping often, own game consoles, or have a television in the house.  However, I have moments of weakness. Lately, my greatest weakness has been Korean dramas.  I stopped watching these shows because they just suck me in and all I think about all day long is that drama. 

For my non-Asian friends, Korean dramas are equivalent to HBO drama specials but 1000 times better.  They are usually one season and 16-20 episodes and there is a beginning and an end.  They take sterotypical or cultural situations and magnify them--there is either someone dying of leukemia or a wealthy person in love with a poor person or some sort of moral dilemma.

The one I recently finished watching was called City Hunter. So good!!!  And now I'm watching Scent of a Woman.  So good!!!  After I finish this show, I should go back into hiatus...

I need to learn balance though.  Having EV makes me think about this more.  Seeing how she's so much like me, it makes me think about all my good and bad aspects.  It makes me think about what I can do to make sure that she's a better person than I am.  Most days I feel like all I can do is pray.  Having EV also makes me think about what I say, think, and act.  Evangeline, you make momma want to be better.  You make me want to grow closer to God.    

17 months!!

I have been so bad about updating this but I promise to try to be better.  There are so many moments and days that go by, when I think, "oh, I should write down what you just did or said" but then by the end of the day I forget or am too tired.

I cannot believe Evangeline is 17 months now.  I know I say that all the time, but it still amazes me how quickly time flies.  EV you have such an amazing personality.  From the day you were born, your quiet and strong-willed nature was so evident, but now as you become more social and develop a sense of humor, your personality is really shining through.  What's amazing to me is how even at 17 months you know how to "work" different people to get your way and as much as it's so clear that you are being manipulative I can't help but to find it absolutely adorable.  You know how to work a crowd and even play hard to get.  Oh boy, are we in trouble.

At the beginning of this month you moved up to the toddler class at school.  That has definitely been an adjustment.  Not only do you have new teachers and an new classroom, but you have to take a nap in a cot instead of a crib and you have more structure to your day.  Although everything is new, I think you are really enjoying the older kids toys and opportunities to do big kid things.  You love slides and playing at the park.  Even though you are so fearful at times, you are also very curious and adventurous.

We have also started informally potty training you.  You tell us constantly when you peepee or poopoo but lately you started letting us know before you go peepee and poopoo.  So, you'll tell us and then we hold hands and run to the bathroom.  I quickly undo your diaper, plop you onto the toilet, and we both look at each other while you wait (and sometimes even strain).  Then you say, "all done", I put the diaper back on, and then you proceed to go in your diaper.  You're a smart kid so I'm sure you'll get it eventually but I am not going to lie, it's not easy running to the bathroom every time you think you have to go.  Last week we bought you a big girl bed as well.  The transition to the new bed will be interesting and I'm sure I will have tons to write up about.  We recently created a new play room for you as well and you love love love to play in here.  The only difference is that it has a new desk, an EV size chair, and all your toys in one place.  You love sitting at your desk and coloring or playing with play doh.

You have also become really good at doing puzzles.  You have a few that you have mastered and you enjoy doing them over and over again.  The puzzles are matching letters, shapes, numbers, and animals.

You continue to enjoy reading books.  You're favorite as of late is "If you give a mouse a cookie" and "The quiet book."  You have gotten really good at putting your finger to your mouth and saying "shhhh."  You are not as afraid of your stuffed animals as you used to be, especially your dolls, but you continue to be afraid of other people's stuffed animals (until you warm up to them).  You are still very uneasy when you are in a new surrounding and you get startled easily.  Although you are known to be serious, you also have one of the most amazing smiles.  It lights up a room and brightens up my day.

You are momma's little helper already.  You love wiping down the floor with a rag and throwing things into the trash.  When I put you in your highchair or carseat or stroller, you immediately grab your straps and try to buckle yourself in.  You remind me if I forget to give you your bib, especially if the food is messy and you are constantly asking to wash your hands, especially after a diaper change.  Yes, you insist that we wash YOUR hands after a diaper change.  There was even a day when I was about to walk out without my lunch, and you start calling out to me, when I turned around and looked at you, you pointed to my lunch.  

EV, you continue to be a great eater.  You love food and you eat well.  You also drink out of a regular cup.  The only time you spill is when you are not paying attention and you knock it over, but you drink out of it perfectly, as if you have been drinking out of a cup your whole life.  You also handle a fork and a spoon very well.  You pretty much feed yourself now, and you do not like it when we try to help.

You also enjoy your sleep.  You are now down to one nap successfully.  When you nap at home, you will sleep for at least 2 hours solid. When you nap at school, we are lucky if you nap for an hour, but I am hoping that will change after you get used to sleeping on the cot.  You are also so much verbal than you were even a week ago.  Each day you pick up new words and it's so much fun hearing you attempt them.  You are a very good communicator and you pick up on both verbal and non-verbal cues very quickly.  You are saying so many words now, but the ones that are clear and that you say often are, "up" "bubbles" "bib" "bbang" (Korean word for bread) "mong mong" (Korean dog barking) "appa" "ooos" (shoes) "baby" "bye-bye" "hi" "eesssss" (cheese) "mul" (Korean for water).  You say many many more words, but they come and go and are not always very clear.  You also still use your sign language and your sounds for the words you do not feel comfortable saying.  You love music and you love to dance.  We were at Mina and Tae's wedding and during one of the songs, you clapped and danced the whole time.  It was one of the most precious moments.

I promise to be better at documenting the little things, especially since those are my favorite moments.  Daddy and I love you very much.  Every night before we go to bed, we sneak into your room and just watch you sleep.  In those moments, we pray for you and just enjoy watching you.

Potty Training--Ready or Not?

So, according to grandma when pappa was 9 months old, he took his diaper off, hopped on the toilet, and potty trained himself.  And supposedly your momma was potty trained pretty early as well.  So, I know you are only 15 months old, but I think you might be ready to be potty trained (and genetically you're late).  Lately every time you pee or poop, you grab your diaper to let me know.  Although you didn't care much in the past, you are very uncomfortable when your diaper is full, especially after a poop.  And the last few times, you have pooped in the bathtub (too bad we didn't get a video of that!).  Don't worry, we will go at your pace, but the next time you make your poopy face, I am putting you on the potty.  I'll let you know how it goes...

You have also been into playing hide and seek and stacking blocks.  It's so much fun just watching you play.  Here is a video of you playing with your blocks.

Great grandmother

June was such a crazy month for all of us, with momma bear traveling to Florida, Maryland, and California and your great grandmother sick in Korea.  So, last minute, I decided to go visit her since it's been over 10 years since I last saw her.  It was actually your pappa that convinced me to go.  He said that if this is possibly the last time I will see her, that I should go.  So, wedged between the Florida and Maryland trip I made a 6 day trip to Korea.  I don't even know where to start to tell you about how amazing your great grandmother was.  She was a fighter, she never let anything bring her down and was such strength for her family.  She was an amazing woman of faith.  She endured so much in her lifetime but never complained and always made a life lesson out of it.  She loved your grandmother, your momma bear, and you beyond any of our comprehension.  When I went to go see her, she was sick, but well enough to recognize me, to talk to me, and to even make me promise her that I would bring the whole family out to Korea to see her next year.  She really believed that she was going to get better--if only her body was as strong as her mind. Your great grandmother passed on July 1--your grandmother's birthday.  Don't worry, I will tell you stories of her and never let you forget how great of a woman she was, because our family would not be who we are without her.

Grandma, I miss you so much!  I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see you one last time before you passed.  I look forward to the day that I can see you again in Heaven.  I love you!!

Catch up

This is a catch up entry--so warning everyone it's going to be long...

So, let's start with today.  It's father's day and first and foremost I am reminded of how blessed I am to have a father that loves me so unconditionally.  Growing up, my dad worked really hard for our family and endured a lot of hardship for us.  He instilled in me a sense of worth and pride while at the same time he taught me humility and good work ethics.  I love my dad and am very grateful for our relationship today.  I always said as a child that I wanted to marry someone like my dad, and interestingly enough, some parts of Jimmy is a lot like my dad.  One similar thing is their dedication, love, and willingness to go out of their way for their daughter.  Thank you Jimmy for being such an amazing father and husband.  You work tirelessly to support us, love us, and provide for us and we are so very grateful that God has blessed us with a man like you in our lives.  We love you very much!

Evangeline, this month has been such a crazy month, and your pappa has been so supportive through it all. When your greatgrandmother (my mommy's mom) was very sick, your pappa told me to stop thinking about it and to just buy tickets all the way to Korea and go see her because this will probably be the last time.  While I was in Korea, he took such good care of you and we skyped twice a day (thank you technology) so that you wouldn't forget your momma.  I think while I was away for the week, you lost your confidence, because when I got back you had developed really bad separation anxiety and was really whiny and clingy.  It makes me sad because I have to leave again soon for a work trip and I don't want you to think that I am deserting you.

You are now 15 months old and it's amazing how much you have grown since last month.  You are now shaking your head "no" to everything.  I think you find it amusing and fun, and I think you like the amount of control you have when you do say "no."  At first I thought it was nice, cause I didn't have to guess anymore, I would ask if you wanted this or that, and you would say yes or no, but now it seems like everything is a no.  Hopefully, you'll get over this stage soon.  You are also saying more words or sounds.  You say "go" when you want to go somewhere, you say "boo" for book, "ah gah" for all done or no, "up" for up, "ee guh" for this, "bao" for ball, and "babee" for baby.  All your other sounds are not very distinguishable yet but you babble quite a bit and get frustrated with us when we do not always understand.  You love sliding down slides, chasing after animals (although when they get near they scare you), playing outside and in the fountain, feeding yourself, and reading books.  You love to eat and everyday it's a new favorite.  You will love one thing for a couple days and then do not want anything to do it.  Currently you are into cantaloupe, dumplings, egg whites, and tofu but this changes constantly.  There are days when you are confident, fearless, and full of adventure.  Those are the days when you chase the birds and want to walk off the edge of the pier into a body of water.  Those are the days when you approach strangers, talk to them, and walk off regardless of whether we are around.  And then there are days when you are full of fear, uncertainty, and bashfulness.  Those are the days when you freak out seeing a small spider on the wall or lose it when you see the church nursery because you don't want us to leave you.  Those are the days you want to be held, cling on so tightly, and bury your head in between my legs.  Regardless of what kind of day you are having, you are so beautiful, smart, and loveable, and we would not trade you for anyone else.  We love you so much, baby girl, and we look forward to each new day.

P.S.  I tried adding two videos but it's taking way too long so maybe next time