i love him

Happy Father's Day to my fabulous husband and daddy to our beautiful daughter Seoul!

As I was looking through photos to post, I truly enjoyed reminiscing about our journey together.

Although our history begins when we met at work January 2003 , this was the photo I thought of to start the series... from our engagement at Silver Creek Falls on New Years Day 2005...

... to our wonderful wedding December 17, 2005...

... to having our first baby January 29, 2009.

The growth from his first day as a daddy....

... to present day...

He is our best friend. I look forward to the day Seoul will be the one giving recognition to Kelley on Father's Day.

Here are some photos of his journey being a wonderful daddy to Seoul.

Proud daddy of his new beautiful baby girl.



The first week at home he would take care of Seoul while working from home so I could sleep longer in the morning. Sweet man!



Reading Seoul stories.



Bonding with his sister Klorissa while holding their new little babies.



Just gazing at the new little love of his life.



He loves to feed Seoul with a bottle so they can have bonding time together.



Kisses for his baby girl.



He can't get enough of holding and loving Seoul.



Silly Kelley playing with Seoul.

I love all the things he does for Seoul... teaching, loving, and playing. I know she appreciates it. I love that we are a forever family, especially as our family continues to grow. Love you Kelley - you're amazing!

Happy Father's Day to MY Dad!

My dad is FABULOUS!! I appreciate his compassion, goodness, and sacrifice. He has taught me so many principles to guide me in my life... and I'll be able to teach them to my children. I have so many great memories... most of them involve my dad being patient with my ridiculousness.

Thanks Dad - I love you! Happy Father's Day!



When we lived in Corvallis he enjoyed riding his bike up from his house in Eugene.



A couple years ago we went rafting - good times!



He is such a great grandpa!

Healthy, Wealthy, Wise... and Strong

Seoul had her 4-month doctor visit a couple weeks ago. She is a perfectly healthy girl! She is wealthy because she has so many who love her. She is wise... and strong - the doctor was super impressed by how well she sat up on her own and how aware/curious she was of everything.

Stats:

Weight - 14 pounds 6 ounces (75th percentile)

Length - 25 inches (80th percentile)

Head - 16 inches (40th percentile)

After the nurse weighed her and we laid her down to put the diaper back on she peed everywhere... before the diaper was there. She got distance... to me and the floor. Silly girl!!

She had two shots - ew! She laid there ok for the first one and then cried at the second one. Once I picked her up she was fine after a couple minutes. I am a lucky one that she doesn't have longer reactions. Kelley was there to be supportive, which was so nice. I think it's harder on the parents than the babies!

Here she is the afternoon of the appointment... happy as usual.



While at the doctor, naked & waiting for the nurse, Seoul really discovered the mirror. We totally wish we had the video camera. She was making faces at herself and doing "strong man" poses with her arms. It was hilarious! So when I got home I set up the mirror and she liked watching herself.... yes, eating the rings.

Fortunately instead of being fussy and difficult, Seoul sleeps a lot after she has her shots. The new pose is blanket over the body, sometimes arms still up.

Must See TV

We love two shows these days...

So You Think You Can Dance - LOVE LOVE LOVE it!



Greek - this one just had the season finale so we are sad... but I see it starts up again Aug 1 - YAY!

Kerri visits!

Over Memorial Day weekend my college roomie, Kerri, came to visit. Good times had by all!!

Seoul & Kerri are good friends!


Kerri brought a little cougar pride for Seoul from Amy and her. Go COUGS!!

Kerri had the brilliant idea to visit the state capitol building. Yes, it resembles a temple... nope, it's not that cool. Oregon is the 33rd state - 33 stars on the ceiling to represent.

Kerri being one with the fountain :)

They had funky trees all over the grounds that reminded us of Dr Seuss illustrations.

We took a day and went to Tillamook... to visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory of course! Yummy times.... we had ice cream before lunch. Did I know Kerri and Kelley shared a love of swiss cheese? I tried it again to make sure I still didn't like it - ew.

The day included a side adventure to a lighthouse - beautiful day.

We ate at the Cheesecake Factory one day - heavenly! It truly is one of my most favorite desserts ever! Then at the Rose Festival in Portland we treated ourselves again to an elephant ear... Kerri's first. Deep fried cinnamon-sugar goodness! So this one wasn't the most cinnamon-sugary but it was still delightful to my taste buds.

Seoul was a good little baby with all the car rides and sightseeing we did. Happy girl! Once she had her shades on she was ready to hit the town.

We are very glad Kerri came to visit and got to meet Seoul!!

Oh WOW - sitting up!!

One day Seoul decided to balance on her own... she sat up for about 30 seconds to a minute. (long enough for me to take a picture). Her expression says to me "who said this was difficult?"

Then it was a matter of learning to balance while reaching for toys... mastered quickly.

Showing off her skills for the camera :)

Practice makes perfect...

I'm a big girl now! Blowing bubbles and sitting up... multi-tasking already! This is how she likes to play these days.

This series of photos is from the last month or so. The first photo was around the middle of May. Back in the day she enjoyed sitting on the play mat and hanging on to the side of the arch. Now she sits and pulls on the flower & butterfly and flips the one side over her lap. At her 4-month well-baby appointment last week the doctor was very impressed that she could sit up so well already. Nope, no inclination to roll yet :) One day it will happen... maybe...?

FOOD FOOD FOOD

This last week was a tough one for Seoul (and me). She started acting super hungry right at the 3 hour mark and waking up to eat at night, sometimes multiple times. Since she has been showing interest when we eat for the last couple weeks I thought it was time to try a little rice cereal. Woohoo!

First attempt: eat, funny face, out of her mouth it comes.

A few days later...

Second attempt: mouth open, eat, her hand helps me guide it, and sucks it all off the spoon. Success!

A few days later...

Third attempt: mouth open, eat, dribbles out her mouth. Less interest but ate some. No pictures - boring!

Next day...

Fourth attempt: mouth open, her hand helps me guide it, eats it all off the spoon, body shakes in excitement to get the next bite... cleans the bowl! I think she would have licked it if she could :)

I think she was ready for it. She likes it pasty - the consistency of instant oatmeal. We went straight for the spoon feeding instead of the bottle and I think she is good with it. The nights she ate a good portion of the cereal she slept through the night without eating again. Coincidence? Hm.

Cousin Amanda made the cutest bowl for Seoul. It's her favorite dish :)

Seeing the World...

Seoul has graduated to sitting in the stroller the big girl way. She loves going for walks and being able to look around.

In no time at all she will be big like her cousin Ella playing T-ball.