1st Day of School

I don't know if you can really call it school, but Jude started going to pre-school yesterday. I used to wonder why people start their kids so early, because they're going to be in school for about the next 20 years which is not much fun in my opinion. But for 2 year olds, it's more like activity time with friends all day. Jude will be going twice a week. I feel blessed to have a son who doesn't panic or cry in these kinds of new situations. Even though he's shy and a little apprehensive, he's still interested in discovery. Unfortunately, he didn't too well at naptime so when I picked him up, he was so tired from the day's activities that he zonked on the ride home.

Here he is ready to conquer the world:

And here he is wanting to show you his cool Thomas and Friends backpack (a gift from his cousin Zach) which contains the all-essential school supplies of blanket, diapers, and extra clothes. What a ham:

Tagged by christinaycho

1. Grab the book nearest you, turn to page 18, line 4? 
“literally means that the value is unknown or indeterminate. (This question alone--)”

(SQL book on my desk)

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch?
Pictures of Kwang, Jude, & Eli

3. What's the last thing you watched on TV?
Real World/Road Rules Challenge

4. Without looking, what time is it?
7:20am

5. What time is it actually? 
7:25am

6. Except for the computer what can you hear?
white noise in the office

7. When did you last step outside and what were you doing?
This morning to throw out the garbage

8. Before you started this survey what were you doing?
Eating a donut and drinking hot chocolate

9. What are you wearing? 
A brown sleeveless sweater with beige cropped pants

10. Did you dream last night? 
Probably, but I rarely remember my dreams (except when I’m pregnant—then they are vivid and make no sense)

11. When did you last laugh?
Last night in bed. Kwang and I were just talking… talking about our day, this and that, our kids. He makes me laugh all the time.

12. What's on the walls in the room you're in?    
(cube) Pictures of my family, project schedule, Jude’s daily school schedule, list of network server IP addresses.

13. Seen anything weird?
This isn’t really weird, just something that makes me wonder. Occasionally, I see these two “small people” (I think that’s the pc term for midget) at the Winchell’s Donut shop I frequent. One of them has a truck and when they get in, I wonder how he can reach the brake and accelerator.

14. What do you think of this quiz?
No one’s going to be very interested. They will just be thinking, “Where are the Jude & Eli pictures??” That’s why I think I will have to save this and post it when I have pictures to add.

15. Last film or video seen?
“Inside Man” w/Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, & Jodie Foster. Pretty good.

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight what's the first thing you'd do?
Pay off my family and my husband’s family’s debts and allocate enough for all our retirements & children’s college tuitions. That is exciting to me.

17. Tell me something I don't know about yourself?
Well, you now know I like watching trashy TV shows like “Real World/Road Rules Challenge”, “The Hills”, “Bachelor”, “Access Hollywood”...

18. If you could change one thing about the world regardless of politics what would it be? 
Everyone would come to know Jesus Christ. I wish I wasn’t so apathetic about this.

19. Do you like to dance?
Does dancing to Wiggles songs w/my son count?

20. What comment would you like to make to George Bush? 
Are you sure you know what you’re doing?

21. Your first child is a girl what do you name her?
Sophie. But at this rate, I think I am only going to have boys.

22. Your first child is a boy what do you name him?
JUDE

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
I’ve always wanted to live in Korea for about a year or two because I think that would be the ONLY way I would learn the language well enough to speak conversationally to some depth.

24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
My child.

25. Five people you want to do this quiz? I tag:
grocery, hsim, schmoomoo, westside_sooj, janejchang23

 

With love from Chicago

We took a trip to Chicago & Baltimore this past week. Jude was asked to be the ringbearer at my cousin's wedding in Baltimore so we first stopped in Chicago for my family and friends to meet Eli for the first time. Sadly, it may be our only trip out there this year . It was so nice to spend time w/friends. It goes without saying how much we love and miss them, but no matter how short our visit, they always make us feel so loved and missed.

Jude had a great time on our vacation. He loves his "hung-ah" and "noonah" but it was surprising to see how affectionate and playful he was with his little cousin, Noelle. She is one year old and the tiniest girl. She wears the same size diaper as Eli, who is only 3 months old. Everything about her is so petite and cute.

Meanwhile, Elijah turned 100 days so we celebrated with a dinner at my parents' house...

After a week in Chicago, we flew to Baltimore for the wedding. Jude is 2 years and 3 months old. We were so honored to have him be a part of the wedding, but we were also very concerned. My mother-in-law had been practicing w/him before our trip, but for those of you who may not know the mind of a 2 yr old, walking slowly down an aisle by yourself in front of a church full of people is not something you are excited or even willing to do. He didn't even have a flower girl to walk with. So on the night of rehearsal, he basically ran down the aisle, saw my mom in a pew, and ran to her. . But with his amazing skills of persuasion (and a lollipop as bait at the end of the aisle), Kwang somehow got Jude to walk slowly all the way down the next day at the wedding! Even I couldn't believe it. We only have video footage of the actual miracle since I was at one end and Kwang was at the other, but here is a shot of Jude warming up before his big performance:

And here he is relaxing after finishing his ringbearing duties.. and his lollipop:

The picture above is of Jude again with his cousin, Noelle. She really can't talk yet and he is just starting to put together long sentences, but for some reason Noelle is crazy about her cousin Jude. It's such a precious sight. From Baltimore, we flew back to LA yesterday. Including a layover, it was almost 8 hours of air travel with an infant and toddler... but we made it!

Notre anniversaire

4 years. My biggest blessing this side of heaven...

But onto cuter people…
Jude and his cousin Justin (4.5 mos old), whom he adores:

And Eli, whom Jude also adores but at times torments for no reason:

Like Father, Like Sons

I was looking through some pictures last night and was shocked to see one from the 70s of my mother-in-law holding an Eli-look-alike. I thought, wait a minute... I know Jude is Kwang's little mini-me, but according to many Eli supposedly takes after me. I don't get it.

Kwang (pre-school magna cum laude)...       and Jude....

         

Kwang....                                    and Elijah....

    

Isn't that funny? I know that Jude and Eli will eventually have something that takes after me, but I love that they take after Kwang. Hopefully, they will also inherit qualities like his patience and sense of humor. When I look at my sons, I'm even more amazed at the omnipotent Creator God is.

Future Friends?

Onto happier topics! Matthew, the son of our good friends Jean & Charles, made his way into the world last month. This means he & Eli are 1½ months apart. Matthew already has tons more hair and bigger eyes than the older Eli. But what Eli lacks in hair & eyes, he apparently makes up for in cheeks & chub

Trading babies for the evening:

  

That back-to-school feeling

Tomorrow I'll be going back to work. I enjoy working (minus the stress), but I'm always somewhat surprised when someone says that going to work is easier than staying at home w/your child. I wonder if they've ever done it. Perhaps I'm just not very strong, but I haven't come across many things more difficult to do than entrust my baby to another person's care, no matter how much I trust them and they are family. I find it harder this time, because Eli is only two months old. He's still a baby but smiles so much and loves having me near him. He takes the bottle really well, but selfishly I love nursing him. How can sitting on conference calls or in front of a computer be easier than sitting in front of this guy:

So I have my pictures all ready to take to work and plaster my cubicle walls with. I'm also going to miss morning walks around the lake with Jude. It's really entertaining to see the world through his eyes by what he says and how he says it. Then if it's so hard, why do I work? I think about this a lot. Definitely no one's forcing me to. But as strange as it sounds, I guess I think this is best for our family at this particular time. Being a mother now, I have a growing respect for my own mom, for her sacrifice and diligence as we grew up. Hopefully, one day my kids will think this, too.

When I get moody or emotional (like now), I just have to remember how fortunate I am. Yesterday was my 34th birthday and although I love getting new gifts, these days I'm thankful simply for the husband and children God's already given me. I love my three boys. I think I'm pretty lucky to be able to come home from work to a smile like this: 

1 Samuel 16:7

Jude means "Praise".

Tuesday night, Jude fell and hit his head. When I went to see what happened, his face and Kwang's shirt were covered with blood as it gushed from a gash in his forehead. This was our first experience taking him to the ER. He now has four stitches smack dab in the middle of his forehead. My poor Jude.

After going through neurosurgery with him at 5mos of age, it sounds silly to say that this hospital visit was just as traumatizing for us if not more. While being strapped in a body wrap with a towel over his face as they stitched him up, he wimpered and then cried, saying all the new words he's learned to try and console himself. What two year old does that? It was so sad.

I honestly can't believe Jude has only recently turned two years old. He's such a strong boy and I'm amazed at his composure and attitude when things happen. It might almost be easier for me if he reacted like I expect a toddler to-- screaming, kicking, & wailing. But because he tries to "cha-moh" (endure), I'm just always so sad for him. So I often think God gave him this personality partly because of what he's had to go through. MRIs, VCUGs, surgery, CT scans, stitches... all in his first two years. I only wish he didn't have to go through so much. Yet despite these things, I feel extremely blessed to have Jude for a son and praise God everyday for him.

I really have to toughen up now that I'm a mother of two boys. I don't know what I'd do without Kwang. He tells me Jude will be fine, but as Jude's mom I'm sad he's going to have a scar in the middle of his forehead. The doctor even mentioned plastic surgery as an option! That's when I was reminded of 1 Samuel 16:7, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." As I watch his personality and character shaping, I pray Jude grows to have a good heart. One that brings God much pleasure.

Here he is the morning after, giving the thumbs up that he's okay:

Chicago Grandma

My mom flew back to Chicago today. It was really nice having her around again to talk to and watch the kids. So I'll probably miss her the most, but she'll probably just miss Jude & Eli...

 

Golf anyone?

Again making the most of our time while my mom's in town, we took Jude to the golf course across the street. He was so excited to putt around with his dad:

Here he is setting up a challenging shot:

Will he make it?...

Yes!

Jude loves to be like dad:

All in all, a fun time...

Faster than fast, quicker than quick, I am Lightning...

We took Jude to see his first movie at the theaters. About a month ago, he caught the commercial for Disney's "Cars" on TV and after it was over, he turned to me and asked, "More Cars?" I then had to rewind and play the commercial about 10 more times (the luxury of DVR), because it was too cute seeing him so interested in the talking cars.

So we saw the movie and although it was really good, I didn't think it was as great as some of the other Pixar films. But when it came on the screen, Jude was SO excited! I think I was watching him more than the movie. It was a fun experience.

So where was the baby? Well, Kwang set up one of his creative inventions to keep a pacifier in Eli's mouth so we could leave him on the couch while the three of us snuck out:

JUST KIDDING. My mom's in town, so Kwang & I have been living it up as much as parents of a toddler & infant can. Not only did we take Jude out, but we also had an opportunity to go out and see a movie ourselves, just the two of us. Perhaps it's not the most exciting "date", but I appreciated it and had a good time.

Jude & Eli

These days when we read the Bible & pray with Jude before bed, he says his own prayer. But he doesn't quite know the difference between bedtime prayer and mealtime prayer, so he says:

"God... food... Jesus... Amen."

(translation: "Dear God, thank you for this food. In Jesus' name, Amen.")

Jude just turned 2 years old... 

And Eli turned 2 weeks old...

My two boys...

(why does Jude always have this "look" on his face whenever he holds Eli? He cracks me up.)

Our friends Jean & Charles stopped by on Sunday with some lunch. As much as I love the korean "seaweed soup" I've had to eat everyday, I thoroughly enjoyed the yummy torta they brought me! =) I can't wait for their baby to arrive. Just one more month! I hope he & Eli become good friends.

Hello Elijah

Our second son was born Tuesday at 10:49am. After all the possible concerns, our prayers were graciously answered with a healthy baby boy! What an exciting and amazing experience it was to go "au natural". Unfortunately, I was wrong THIS time about doctors always overestimating baby weights. After measuring me, my doctor said this one would be 6, maybe 7 pounds at most. Elijah weighed in at 7 lbs, 11oz! Yikes. Had I known this, I might not have been so eager to go without epidural. But in all seriousness, I couldn't ask for a happier ending... a healthy-sized, healthy-looking, healthy healthy boy.

 

Jude and his new brother:

 

 

Proud dad:

 

 

Me and Baby Eli:

 

 

In His Element

So you may have thought I was being facetious about the things that go on in our home. Once Kwang asked Jude, "Why do you have to turn on us?" because one day, an older Jude will not want to associate with us. He may even be embarrassed we’re his parents. Sad! So we treasure these times all the more when we are his world, his best friends. But the following pictures may prove why Jude could become bitter towards us... because his dad teaches him things like...

The robot dance:

The cabbage patch:

And the moonwalk (I guess you kind of have to see this in person):

And then his mom takes pictures and publishes them to the world.

But the times we probably treasure most are those we spend reading the “Bi-Bo” (“Bible”) and praying with Jude before bed. He will tell you the guy in the book next to the big boat is “Noh Hah-jee” (“Noah Hal-ah-buh-jee” / “Noah grandpa”) but has more interest in the giraffe and turtle beside Noah. But whatever the picture or story, I pray his excitement for God’s Word never fades but only grows as he does.

 

God on a cross

Since my college days, I like to read Max Lucado’s “No Wonder They Call Him the Savior” around this time every year. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the author's because his writing can seem a bit fluffy, but there are points in this book that resonate in me in a way not many books do. I think it’s the perspective he writes from about the events surrounding the cross. And each time, I take from it something different.

 

“God on a cross. Humanity at its worst, Divinity at its best. No wonder they call him the Savior.”

 

 

Travel Town

Due to the overwhelming LACK of response to my last post, a.k.a my "non-Jude picture post", I've concluded my suspicion is correct... my xanga visitors are mainly interested in my offspring, not in me. That's okay. I don't blame you. I, too, find Jude much more interesting and cuter than myself.  

Last weekend, we had a chance to take Jude to Travel Town, a transportation museum. He thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the train ride... probably because he enjoys Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.

Here he is having the time of his life with Kwang on the train:

And playing with Aubrey and Nathaniel...

  

When it comes to sleeping, Jude has always been easy. But for some reason, the last few nights have been unusually difficult. Although he'll reluctantly go "night-night", he'll cry once in bed. It's such a sad cry... it pains me. Last night, as he was crying in his crib and Kwang & I were debating what to do (we knew what we should do-- let him cry himself to sleep-- but what we both wanted to do was get him), I noticed through our video phone that he stopped crying, carefully arranged his animal friends, and then fell fast asleep. After watching a movie, Kwang & I checked on him and found that to comfort himself, Jude decided to arrange all three animal friends to lie specifically face-down next to him before falling asleep the same way:

I realize probably no one finds this as cute & funny as Kwang and I did and assume every parent finds their kid more amusing and adorable than anyone else. Sometimes I wonder if we're strange for laughing at our son as much as we do. But Jude cracks us up all the time. He brings so much happiness to my life.

(BTW, please don't mind the korean floral PJ top. It was a very nice christmas gift from his LA grandma. Korean PJs are the best.)