Peepee in the Potty

Evangeline, this past week you have been showing more and more interest in the potty.  Anytime anyone goes to the bathroom, you insist that you sit on the toilet yourself.  So, I will rush you to the bathroom, take your diaper off and let you sit there until you ask for a piece of toilet paper, throw it into the toilet, and say you're all done.  Up until this evening, it was all about the process but no results.  Well, that all changed this evening.  As I was getting ready to give you a bath, I told you that I had to go peepee.  Afterwards, I hear you peeing in the bathtub, so I asked if you would like to pee in your toilet.  You nodded, so I quickly plop you onto your toilet, and you finish up peeing.  You proceed to ask for a piece of toilet paper, which you throw into the seat behind you.  After your bath, you say that you have to peepee again.  So, I plop you back on your toilet and you proceed to pee a second time!!  I was so proud of you and after giving you tons of high fives and accolades, you look at me and say "more."  So, I told you that it doesn't work like that and that we can go to the potty next time you have to pee again.  I don't know if this was a one time deal but it's amazing how much joy I got seeing you pee in a toilet.

So considerate!

My mom told me that when I was 2 or 3 that I had a very big problem with sharing.  It did not matter if it was mine or not, I would proclaim that everything I touch was mine.  Apparently, we went to one of my parents' friends house one day and as I was playing with their kids who were much older than I, my parents had to drag me out of the room as I kicked and scream, it's mine, all mine.  So naturally, I had a fear that EV would have this genetic disorder.  And to affirm this fear, as EV started talking more and more, she started saying "Mine" with such emphsis and clarity.  And to our surprise, when we went to go visit sweet baby Naomi, EV said, "No! Mine!" when we told her to give back Naomi her stuffed animals.  I also noticed that sometimes she would test me, she would come over to me, and take whatever I had in my hand and ever so slying take it and say in a very smooth way, "mine".  As if to say, "what are you going to do about it, momma?" 

So naturally, I started putting heavy emphasis on sharing and importantly, I made sure that I never said the word "mine".  When EV comes over and takes something from me, I just say, "EV that wasn't very nice, momma was using that" or "EV, you have to ask first."  When she challenges me with her sly, "mine."  I say to her, "can you share?"  When she claims that someone elses toy is hers I tell her that it is not hers and that she has to give it back.  So what's the result?  EV is now overly considerate.  I am not complaining but now if she gives a kiss to momma, she has to give a kiss to papa.  If she shares a melon with momma, then papa must have a melon as well.  If momma wants a bite of EV's food, I can't just go in there and take a bite or she gets very upset, I have to ask her first.  Not only is she super considerate but she is an equal opportunist. 

It's pretty amazing how much these little ones are like a sponge.  It makes me realize how important it is that I am careful with my words and even more careful with my actions.  They watch us and imitate us.  What a huge responsibility!  But I am so grateful that I have the opportunity for this responsibility.  How humbling and privileged that we have such an opportnity to shape someones life so closely.  Thank you, Lord!

Outdoor fun

I know I keep saying this, but it's absolutely amazing how quickly time goes by.  I cannot believe Evangeline is already 19 months old and these last couple of months have been so much fun!  I feel like we all have gotten into a really nice groove--it's as if we finally understand each other and that makes everything so much easier.  EV has not been throwing her temper tantrums (with the exception of the weekend papa bear was gone) and in general communication has gotten better (meaning I get what EV is saying and she is much clearer with her words).

EV loves being outdoors.  If she could, she would play outside all day and these days I am really grateful for our big backyard and the playground we have back there.  EV will play on the swing, go up and down the slide, and just hang out all day.  We try to make it out to a park every chance we get so that she can explore new playgrounds, see birds and ducks, and watch people and their pets.  EV has grown so fond of dogs, quickly getting over her fear and exploring her curiosity, I have a feeling that I have to get over my fear of dogs sooner than later.

A couple weeks ago we took EV to the aquarium and it was so much fun!  I have been to the GA aquarium several times, but this was the most fun I had (much better than even the first time I went).  EV was just so amazed and fascinated with all the fish.  She was scared but so curious.  It was fun watching her explore and just take it all in.  She was so confused by the sea otters.  She kept saying, "mong mong [which means dog]" and "mul? [which means water]" as if she was asking why is the dog in the water.  Or how she was trying to remember the word for penguin and all she could come up with was "duck, duck!" and we would say, "no EV, those are penguins, remember from your books?" and she would just stare at them with wonder.  We could have been there for hours but thankfully we decided to buy a season pass, since EV is free until she's three, so I guess we'll be heading to the aquarium on those rainy/indoor days.

As the holiday season approaches, I am wanting to create traditions.  Last year we didn't do anything because I was just so tired and it was just hard enough taking care of EV (we didn't even put the tree up!), but now that we are in a good routine, and now that EV can appreciate it more, I am more motivated.  I hope to share more about the traditions we are starting as we start them.  So, what are some traditions you remember from growing up or you have with your family?

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.