Ocean's Three

The fountain show at the Bellagio:

Our family took a trip to Vegas this past weekend, because Kwang got two free nights at the new Palazzo. This was my third time to sin city but it was the first time with my kids. If there is any city where the oddest, most bizarre people blend in, it's Las Vegas. But strangely, our very plain and normal family attracted more attention wherever we went than I imagined we would... through the casino, in the elevator, at the restaurants, everywhere. I suppose two adults with a double stroller and an infant carrier in Las Vegas is ODD. The great thing is, everyone is suddenly your friend when you're carrying a little baby. Put her in a size do-they-even-make-them-that-tiny bathing suit and it gets even better.

The pool at the Palazzo:
 

relaxing poolside:

The boys' first mini roller coaster ride which wasn't really a roller coaster but it was scary enough for them (you should see our DVD):

A less scary ride for Eli:

The Venetian:

At the Grand Luxe Cafe, our favorite place to eat (yummy & family friendly):
   

A photo I get taken once every few years of just the two of us:

Of course, we had our forgettable moments like Eli falling off the bed in the middle of the night or Audrey crying for six hours on the ride home because of a three hour traffic delay. But there were so many more wonderful moments that were captured at these ages of our kids' lives that it was all worth it.

Looks Like My DNA Is Finally Kicking In

Saturday morning, I fed the boys their usual breakfast of cheerios and milk when Kwang came home with some yummy donuts (at my request). Eli, of course, asked if he could have some.

Me: "You can have some donut if you pray again." (Knowing he'd want some, I had my camera ready.)
Eli: (video clip below...)

For some reason, everything Eli does makes me laugh. Even when he's sleeping:

This past Thursday was "Donuts for Dad" day at Jude's preschool. Jude couldn't be happier:

Happy Father's Day to all the loving and hardworking dads out there!

And now for the portion of this week's entry titled Adorable:

Yoda takes a bath:

The fairest of them all (literally):

The Secret

Do you want to know the secret to making life with two little kids seem like a piece of cake? HAVE THREE KIDS. It's funny, sad almost, how easy having just two kids is when you're suddenly juggling three. And when the older two are boys who don't want to play calmly, forget about it. But I know I signed up for this program and, really, I couldn't be happier. The family definitely feels more "complete".  

 

For a while, I thought Audrey was well on her way to sleeping through the night. But no, no, that would be too easy and predictable. By this age, I had both Jude & Eli sleeping through the night. But Audrey's still too small for me to train, so for the past week she's reverted to waking up twice a night. And when I go to pick her up, she looks at me in the dark of night all wide-eyed as if to say, "Hey, where's the party? I thought there was a party. Take me to the party!"

Many of my conversations with Eli these days usually entail him asking a question about something edible followed by a smothering of kisses from me, just because it's Eli.

("Please can I have chocolate ice cream?")

L.A. Story

When my mom visited a couple months ago, she mentioned that I no longer look so lost all the time but more at home here in L.A. now. Yes, I know, it's been three years. Yet I still wish we could move back to the midwest not only because my family and friends are there but also because I have a fear that a huge earthquake is going to hit us. Now that I have three kids, the prospect is even more frightful because it's as if I have pieces of my heart walking around outside my body and I can't be with them all the time. But I'm in the minority with my paranoia, because no one else appears concerned. I think they're all, why think about earthquakes when we've got amazing weather?!

But even if an earthquake did hit us and I was with Eli, we would not be able to move to a safe locale fast enough because of his new hoarding tendencies. You know that Oprah episode with the lady whose house contained a warehouse full of junk? That is my life with Eli. If he and I move from Point A to Point B, so must ALL his toys. This new inclination has only been around in the past couple weeks or so, but this is how he HAD to go to bed for his nap the other day:

He's very content when he has all 592 toys and stuffed animals with him. I actually think he could stay in his bed forever if we would occasionally stop by and refill his snack bowl.

Audrey, on the other hand, has one simple toy that satisfies her-- her classical musical mobile:

The shirt she's wearing was a cute gift. Although her face still looks like an old man's to me, I think she looks adorable in anything. And while she's not a triplet, I think she is in fact part of a "terrific trio". The leader of our peanut gallery:

Eli's Favorite Parent

So the fun is over and I'll be heading back to work this week. Fortunately, I'll be starting out part-time from home. And since the hardest part of going back to work has always been leaving my kids, this is an answered prayer.

And although he doesn't know it, it is also an answered prayer for Eli whom I'd like to refer to these days as "my third leg". The past two weeks have been a bit difficult because while Eli likes Audrey, he's not too fond of sharing me with her. Wants me to carry him all the time now. Poor guy. So when I am holding Audrey, I tell him to hold my pantleg. We're quite a sight walking around the house, the three of us. But sometimes, holding my pantleg won't suffice and he'll let me know this by using a technique called Falling Apart. At these times I have to put Audrey down and carry him, because apparently nothing says "I love you" to Eli more than the deliberate neglect of my wailing newborn.

Speaking of my Audrey, here she is laughing in her sleep:

And my girlie girl in her "puffed sleeves" as Anne Shirley would say:

(thanks onyxlox!)
  

Jude's Favorite Parent

Last but not least, today is Kwang's birthday. What can I say, I love the man to death. But I'll stop there, because I can already hear my sisters' eyes rolling as they read this 1732 miles away. But these pics explain just one of the many, many reasons why I feel lucky to be with Kwang:

(Only I would be backwards enough to post a gun-fighting scene to show what a great dad I think he is. BTW, they're water guns.)

All I ever wanted was a husband who would love me, and look! I got one who's also great with kids! I know he likes me, because he's willing to patiently put up with all my wierdiosities and trust me, folks, I have many. For example, I'm not the cleanest person, but I have a need to keep the home somewhat tidy. I'll find myself putting toys away several times a day knowing full well the boys are just going to take them out again an hour later. I'm annoying, I know. And while I would say I keep things clean because my mother-in-law comes over every day, Kwang might say it's because I have borderline obsessive compulsive tendencies. Sure, people may call me crazy, but they cannot ever say my family room is a mess.

Happy Birthday, Kwang!

 

"Floatin' Like A Cadillac, Stingin' like a Beamer" Says Birthday Boy Jude

Continuing along in our month-long celebration of birthdays, our boy Jude turned four years old today. Being our oldest, he's already embraced his role as the older brother. To keep her company the other day while her diaper was being changed, he said to Audrey in his sweetest voice appropriately raised an octave higher, "Ohhhh, you have a stinky butt. And you have no gochu..." As if that was the cutest thing to him.

Of course, Jude is an entirely different person at school. Each morning, he is warmly greeted by his teachers and classmates to whom he responds with... a blank stare. Without fail. Every school day. His teacher says he is "such a kind soul", but I'm thinking the kids just think he's a mute because I've yet to hear him talk to them. That's why it was difficult coming up with an invitation list for the birthday party we had for Jude & Eli over the weekend. He wouldn't give us any names except two from church. But it didn't matter, because I get the feeling that one of his favorite friends is actually one of mine, his Auntie Jean:

Our baby is definitely a little boy now. Part of me is sad that I now have to buy clothes that don't have "T" after a size number or that he no longer needs a stool to reach the bathroom faucet. My little baby now asks for kimchee with his meals and even tries to use chopsticks:

He's always been fairly proactive in the learning department. He actually likes to study which sometimes makes me wonder if he really is my son. But then I just have to look at his ridiculously ginormous ears to see the undeniable proof that he was definitely born from my egg.

Happy Birthday, Buddy!

The picture above was from our own little family celebration tonight, Jude's actual birthday. We had a similar one for Eli even though we threw a big party for them together. For Eli's mini-family party, we had cupcakes from Susie Cakes which was a fantastic excuse to request two scrumptious red velvet cupcakes for myself. But now that I think about it, what looks even more delicious is this here scoop of lime sherbet:

'Old MacFarmer Had A Cow' According to Birthday Boy Eli

Our little rascal turned two years old today and I don't think we even needed to get him a present. The thought of chocolate cupcakes alone was birthday bliss for him. He told me several times this morning that he was going to "sing 'Happy birthday to Eli, Happy birthday to you', then blow out candle, and eat chocolate cake." He's a very focused and passionate boy when it comes to food. If we give him something to eat between meals, he'll squeal, "Snacks! My FAVORIK!"

Eli is also quite talkative at home. I have my very own running commentator every day. These days I'll put my hair up because I'm too tired to do anything with it. But once when I actually blew it dry after showering, he found it so out of the ordinary that he said, "Your hair... is funny." I have a feeling it may traumatize him growing up with the ugliest mom in the neighborhood.

But I love how he has to tell us everything that's on his mind. Unlike Jude at this age, he speaks really well. And without realizing it, every night as we go to bed Kwang and I will remember something funny Eli said or did and have another good laugh about it... because we miss him already.

Happy Birthday, Spanky!

 

Superpoke!

Audrey turned one month old this week. But it feels more like one day... one VERY LONG DAY WITH NO NIGHTTIME. Jude and Eli weren't the easiest babies but one thing they both did well was sleep and remain sleeping when we put them down. I keep waiting for Audrey to do the same, for her to kindly allow me to sleep on my own for more than 45 minutes at night but she won't. She wants to be held when sleeping but ONLY AT NIGHT. The nice cozy bassinet that was good enough for my boys is apparently unacceptable to my third little newborn. I think she may be broken.

It's really my sleep deprivation talking and I know I should cut my little Audrey some slack. I admit I'm more of a softie with her than I was with the boys. I think it's because I know she's my last. And she's probably just afraid of being left alone to sleep after living in this home for a month. Today I went to check on her while she was peacefully sleeping and found Eli hovering over her, trying to see if he could fit his finger under her eyelid. (Why do I think that's so cute?)

We've been looking into nearby sports programs to enroll Jude in because, you know, my life isn't chaotic enough and I need to see where exactly my breaking point might be. Until we do find some, we still play ball inside the house:

And while Kwang teaches Jude a thing or two about basketball, I do the same with Eli:

Just trying to keep it real here in Kobe-land. (Let's hope Kwang skips this xanga entry)

 

He Unfortunately Gets His Sense of Style From Me

After dropping Jude off at school yesterday, I took my other two peanuts to my office. My co-workers had generously showered Audrey with so many wonderful gifts before I went on maternity leave that I wanted to introduce her to them. But it was Eli who captured everyone's attention as we walked into the daily ten o'clock meeting. We tried to be discreet as the meeting was going on, but our attempt was futile because this is who walked in with me and Audrey:

Eli INSISTED on wearing his cap and sunglasses. No, not his normal glasses but his shiny bright blue party favor sunglasses. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was adament about wearing them.

The boys have such a cute way of showing Audrey affection. Thinking she might love race cars and monster trucks as much as he does, this was how Jude left her one day while she slept:

And on another day, Eli thought a little stuffed animal would soothe Audrey's cry:

This is just how I found her after leaving them for a minute. It is at times like these when I think I can forgive them for the hundreds of times they stick their fingers in her eyes and mouth everyday. I keep wondering why they can't resist and I'm beginning to think it makes life more fulfilling for them.

 

Cabin Fever

So now that I'm home on maternity leave, I decide to kill the time I should be using to catch up on the sleep I haven't gotten in the past two weeks by finally giving into the world of Facebook. From what I see, I must be the second to last korean in the world to create an account. My husband would be the last person, because he doesn't have an account and I doubt he will ever create one. It looks interesting, but I was so overwhelmed by all the invites and friends I felt I should add that I had to log out. Besides, what good is the ability to post pictures or videos of my kids when I can't write a corresponding, longwinded essay making fun of them? No good, no good at all I say.

Jude (to Eli): "When you spill something, you can say 'Aigo' or 'Aw shoot'. It's the same word."

While he was off work, Kwang took the boys here, there, everywhere... the pet store, the music store, the park, the L.A. Zoo (all by himself!):

and the beach:

The only thing Kwang and Audrey do together is lounge. Every time he holds her, she'll just stare at him for the longest time. And then she'll fall fast asleep:

My itty bitty jelly bean:

 

Hello World

Conversations with Jude...

At the hospital when Jude first met Audrey:
   Me: "Look Jude, Baby is here! She finally came out of Uhmmah's tummy!"
   Jude looks at my still-pregnant-looking belly.
   Jude: "Is another baby going to come out?"
   Me:

In the car on the way home with Kwang that evening:
   Jude: "Ah-bbah, how did the baby come out?"
   Kwang (not sure if he heard correctly): "Huh?"
   Jude: "How did the baby come out?"
   Kwang: "The doctor helped Uhmmah push the baby out."
   Jude: "But, HOW did the doctor push the baby out?"

The hard questions have officially begun.

Eli's First Trip to Magicland Dental

He looks tough at home...

But at the dentist, not so much...

Stressed...

Relieved...

The final clip is of him praising God when he's not at the dentist. It's hilarious when you know the words to the hymn he's singing. After a praise song, he segues into the hymn "The Love of God" which he calls "Jesus God". To him, "O Love of God" sounds like "Mo mo mo mo". Maybe I'll correct him tomorrow. Or next week. Or never. The passion is just too cute.

"O love of God
How rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song."