Healthy Girls!

Today we had a double doctor appointment... both girls were great!

Seoul actually said "Hello Dr. Palmer" and "Thank you Dr. Palmer"... even if it was a whisper. He was impressed with her speaking and comprehension when he asked her to do something. The nurse took her blood pressure and she was such a champ - it was adorable! (I think it helped she saw me get my blood pressure taken at all the doctor appointments for Sydney so it wasn't a new concept.) The promise of a sucker after her shots probably helped her good attitude :)

Seoul's 2-year-old stats:
Height - 36 inches (90th percentile)
Weight - 30 lb 3 oz (90th percentile)

[The nurse said her adult height can be estimated by doubling her 2 year height - really?? She could be 6 feet tall?? Hmmm....]

She loves to color. We love that she holds the crayons the way adults write.

One day she didn't want to nap and came out of her room wearing this clown nose. How could I be mad at that silly face?

Seoul loves playing in the castle at the Canby Library.

Every day we play blocks... she loves building towers... and more importantly, knocking down the towers Kelley and I build.

Always doing silly things with that tongue of hers!

Sydney is growing like a weed already but she is all skin and bones! She is holding her head up on her own for little periods of time and has started pushing with her legs. Dr Palmer is impressed by her development as well. Yay for healthy babies!

Sydney's 2-week-old stats:

Length - 21 1/8 inches (75th percentile)

Weight - 7 lb 9 oz (25th percentile)

Head - 14 inches (50th percentile)

[Same as I said with Seoul... long body, little head... haha!]

Looking very excited for life outside the hospital.

First sponge bath... she loves having her hair washed.

More often than not she has her hands/arms up around her face... just like the ultrasound pictures.

She isn't really sleeping and does enjoy her tummy time every day.

Looking so excited about her first official piece of mail addressed to her!

We love our Sydney Louise!

Sydney was born Tuesday, 1/11/11, after a long day since I was induced again. Fortunately it went smoother than Seoul's inductions, and the highlight was holding Sydney as soon as she was born. (Seoul was whisked away immediately to the nursery). Kelley even got to cut the cord this time!

It's a rather surreal feeling to realize I was pregnant so recently and now we are holding the little babe in our arms and loving her in person. Seoul is adjust well... she calls her "my baby Sydney" and loves to give her kisses and hugs and touch her nose, hands, and toes. She holds her at various times during the day and just gazes at her. When Sydney has tummy time, Seoul lays down next to her and holds her hand or talks to her. The cutest is when she sings to her.

Sydney had her first doctor appointment and she is doing very well. She now weighs 7 lbs, 2 oz. The difference I notice most is the size between the girls when they were newborn. Seoul was always stretched out to her full 21 1/2 inches whereas Sydney is always in a froggy-leg position so she seems so much tinier.

It's been such a blessing to have Kelley home for 2 weeks although I know he is going stir-crazy being home every day. He's been a gem to do dishes & laundry, pick up the house, hold Sydney, play with Seoul, and make me rest & take naps. I have the best husband!

So far Sydney is a good little girl! We are making the transition from being awake at night to being awake during the day so I'm getting more sleep. Besides this crazy wild animal cry she has, she is very quiet and just chills with our craziness. We love it and we're having fun adjusting.

Seoul's First Haircut!

Seoul got her first professional hair cut. As Kelley says, "It's the best $19 sucker ever!" Also, the receptionist pointed out the suckers were organic and Kelley later said, "Who makes organic suckers??" Haha - all Seoul could focus on was getting that sucker :) She did really well... she refused to sit in one of the fun cars so she sat on my lap. We held hands under the gown-thing and it seemed to keep her still.

She loves her hair cut and she looks like a different child now that we can see her eyes :)

Sydney Louise!

Here comes Sydney!

We thought that it would be fun to post on the blog the events of today. Enjoy!

07:17 AM - We are currently at the hospital and we are both very anxious and nervous. We already miss Seoul!

07:42 AM - We just realized that we are in room 11. Creepy! (1/11/11 room 11).

10:12 AM - IV's all hooked up and we are ready to go!!! Minor contractions...Joo Lin is ready to go home now.

01:36 PM - Kelley left me for Qdoba's nachos... I'm jealous. Contractions are stronger but no baby yet. Cross your fingers for me!

02:00 PM - Watching "Bringing Home Baby" while waiting to have a baby.

02:25 PM - Joo Lin just informed me that we missed the 1:11 time and that we WON'T be having it at 11:11 pm.

03:00 - 04:00 PM - Watching "I didn't know I was pregnant" on TLC.

03:15 PM - Joo Lin is a super trooper...Dr. Epidural starts process.

03:45 PM - Epidural flowing! (Joo Lin is super funny; she keeps slapping her leg to see if she can feel it).

06:00 PM - We're getting close!!!

06:50 PM - Joo Lin's at a 10 cm...she is laboring down.

08:15 PM - Waiting for the oncall doctor to get done delivering another baby!

09:29 PM - SYDNEY LOUISE RICE!!! 6 lbs 15 ounces, 19.5 inches. Mommy and baby are doing well.

Baby Toot-toot!

One of Seoul's favorite toys is a doll that she got for Valentine's day. The doll was named by Seoul as Baby Toot-toot. She doesn't really toot so we aren't sure how she got the name but I think dad had an influence.

This Christmas, Seoul received a wonderful present from her favorite great Aunt, a doll bed. Seoul and baby Toot-Toot love the bed. We often worry if baby Toot-Toot is depressed because she often sleeps through out the day.

Here are some cute pictures of Seoul and Baby Toot-Toot. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

What a great Christmas! We love this time of year and the spirit of giving!

This year instead of exchanging sibling gifts in my family we found a family in need and provided gifts to them. My sister-in-law was great to make the contact and organize the activity. We shopped for a family that had 5 boys to get them gifts and we included a ham, turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and cookies for a treat. Then we got together as a family and wrapped the presents. Then the young kids ding-dong-ditched it outside their door. I am really glad we did it!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve was spent making goodies with our little family. Then we had a simple dinner at my mom's house - ham, potatoes, veggies, etc. It was my mom, Mindee, and us. We attempted a gingerbread train, but the decorating with candies didn't work out so well. Of course Christmas isn't complete without a little singing around the piano!

Then Kelley, Seoul, and I went to look at lights around some neighborhoods. Seoul loves the choo choo trains that are lit up! She identified Santa Claus everywhere and asked for more. At home she wrote a letter to Santa with Kelley's help and picked out cookies to leave out. We even left a red light bulb on Santa's plate in case Rudolph needs a spare :) Of course Seoul got to open one gift and she happened to open Sponge Bob jammies, which were a huge hit (thanks Dubbee)!

CHRISTMAS DAY

Seoul woke up around 7:30 AM, as usual. We got her excited to go see what Santa brought her... the big gift was an easel, which she loves! Then it was on to stockings and other gifts. She had fun unwrapping presents and played with everything before opening another gift. It was such fun with a toddler!

Late that morning we had brunch at Evan & Dana's house... always a delicious spread where we eat far too much! We did gift exchange with the aunts/uncles/nieces/nephews/parents.

After visiting and playing there for a while, the family split into their separate ways. We went home and Kelley prepared a fabulous of meal of what he calls "Turacon" - bacon wrapped turkey. Supposedly his grandma used to make it. It was a small piece of heaven! We also had potatoes, homemade gravy, homemade rolls, veggies, and cider. MmMm! (Unfortunately we failed to get a picture of the final COOKED product - oops!)

My dad visited with us for a while. Seoul wanted back into her Sponge Bob jammies and she just played with Grandpa. Good times!

It was such a nice Christmas! I am so appreciative of how blessed we are. It's nice to really reflect on the birth of our Savior and what He has done for us.