Seoul's 1st Birthday

Seoul had a birthday! She is loved :)

Cousin Amanda put together a "how well do you know Seoul?" quiz. That was a lot of fun!

Do you know the answers?
1. Name Seoul's stuffed animals (given names; ie my car is Jasmine)
2. What is Seoul's birthday?
3. Name Seoul's favorite colors.
4. What is Seoul's favorite food?
5. What is Seoul's bedtime?



Seoul did really well patiently opening all her gifts. She tore at least some of the paper off every one, enjoyed reaching into the bags, and didn't even play with any of the empty boxes (until later). She now has an adorable little wardrobe, stuffed animals, and lots of books to read. Thanks everyone!






I made a butterfly cake - what a fiasco! Let's just say I'm not a cake baker, design cutter, or decorator. I ran out of time so I didn't get to make Seoul her own little cake so she had to settle for a cupcake.




How old are you? I am one (holds up her finger). She's not so interested in the cake yet...





Cousin Ella helped get her excited! She wouldn't pick it up so I gave her a taste of the frosting... and she stuck her tongue out... not sure about this...

... but there she goes...

She's getting so sleepy... no afternoon nap...

Here is our little lady showing off those crackers people kept giving her. She was in heaven! Randy Jr is politely ignoring her bad manners :)

On her actual birthday we had a mini birthday. She had fun opening the gifts. Then she got a box of Ritz crackers... her FAVORITE! Thanks grandma!

We had a doctor appointment the week after and Seoul is such a healthy girl! She knows. Can't even pretend anymore. She didn't even want to go into the room. She cried when the nurse was prepping the shots. Poor baby.

Stats:
Weight - 19 pounds 15 1/2 ounces (30th percentile)
Length - 29 1/2 inches (70th percentile)
Head - 17 1/2 inches (30th percentile)

perfect post

My friend Wendy wrote a post on her blog and I had to share it. It's a mommy moment and it's beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes.

http://wendywking.blogspot.com/2010/02/not-my-baby-anymore.html

Seoul just turned one... where did the time go? I always heard it goes by so fast but only now do I realize the truth of that statement. I sat and read through my journal and the content has become centered around Seoul - the good times, the rough times, the things she learns each day. It says so much but not all of it. Again, as I mentioned in a post a long time ago I wish I had a little camera on my forehead that could record everything. All those tiny moments that will unfortunately be forgotten as new moments crowd them out. I love it all. I love being a mommy. I love being a stay-at-home mom. I love my husband for helping that dream come true.

Homeowners

I was asked when it felt like "home" and I realize that it's felt like home since the day we moved in, no furniture and all. We love the area, being close to family, getting to knock holes in the wall if needed, painting to make it our own... everything. Kelley just commented last night that he likes that Seoul just roams around on her own, from one end of the house to the other.

It's a one-level 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house that fits us perfectly.


view from the front door (the tv with our new stand is to the left of the picture)

view from the corner of the dining room (behind the desk is the corner sectional sofa)

view into the kitchen. please note the FABULOUS new double oven. pizza and breadsticks baking and done at the same time... at different temperatures. LOVE IT!!

this was the icky stove that was originally with the house. yep, seoul could almost reach the knobs and actually pull open the oven door a little. ugh.

the bathroom. we haven't changed our original beaver bathroom color scheme so eventually we will coordinate the towels and curtain with the tile that's already there.

seoul's room. it now has light pink and raspberry walls. i will take new pictures and update once we get the wallpaper border in our hands and put up.

Oops, no pictures of the office or our bedroom... must have gotten sidetracked. When I update with Seoul's room I will post pics of those... they aren't that exciting anyway.

Of course I must include pictures of Kelley's homeowner handiwork :)

as previously mentioned we knocked a hole in the wall to move the water heater. this is kelley patching the hole with sheetrock. he then painted the entire area ... it's looks fantastic!

later he tiled the floor of the laundry area. first the hardiplank (?). then using the big tools! - a wet saw/tile cutter. next he meticulously laid the tile. his finished product looks so great! (well, he's going to do a tile backsplash instead of the rubber baseboard thing)

We have spent time in the yard raking the leaves... that have never been raked at all this year, I think! Kelley loves knocking things off what he calls the "honey-do" list (but secretly I think he enjoys adding projects to the supposed list I've made).

Homeownership is work and I know we're still new... but we're having a lot of fun and have fun ideas on how to improve and expand over the years. Yay for us!

dear...

... life,
I love you, but is there a possibility of slowing down just for a bit so I can get caught up on a few things? The length of time is negotiable...

... journal & blog,
We've had a long-standing relationship so do you think you could be a dear and keep yourselves caught up for just a week?

... family,
Thank you for all your patience with me. I love you!

... grocery store,
Could you please send me all the food I need to cook for my family plus the little extra treats we love... for free?

... house,
You are doing just great. I enjoy cleaning you and appreciate that we're a team now.

and last but not least...

... body,
I am writing about some concerns I have about your performance lately . I do my best to take care of you and still, you are struggling to maintain your end of the bargain. If I knew how to fix the problem I would do what's needed. The doctor doesn't know what's wrong either so it's now up to you. I believe you are capable so please take care of the matter. My mental capacity is on the fritz and it would be a sad day for myself and my family if I am completely incapacitated.

Sincerely,
Joo Lin

ONE YEAR OLD!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to our beautiful Seoul!

Seoul loves:

crackers

daddy

mommy

books

cousins, grandparents, aunts & uncles

stuffed puppy violet

buttons & zippers & snaps

food

life and all the things to discover

Our House

Here is a picture of our house to tease you. We will post more pictures - promise! We spent the weekend painting some accent walls inside. The new colors of the blog are the colors in Seoul's room. Kelley has been a busy homeowner... he's been an electrician, tile layer (?), painter, landscaper, and will be a plumber soon. Fun times!

Seoul's 1st Christmas Dress

After multiple cuttings (remember to line up the pattern on the fabric!) and severe frustration with the zipper.... I did it! With a lot of help from my mom, Seoul's first Christmas dress is a success. The little baby bloomers still need to be done but I made it extra long cuz she's tall so it covered her bum.

I remember growing up I would get Christmas and Easter dresses - either my mom made them or they were purchased as I got older but it was a fun tradition. I better start on Seoul's Easter dress soon!

our little cutie pitootie

Seoul and her friend Blake. I love how kids love to hold babies.




Seoul likes to play on her carseat when it's inside. She knows how to push the buttons on her dolly's hands and feet to make it sing.




Seoul and her game face the day of the Civil War football game. She does touchdown arms on cue, and even does them when someone scores on TV.




Seoul and her silly smiles. She says "cheese" now.

Seoul loves pulling her counting caterpillar apart.

Thanksgiving

Seoul in a food coma... but she can't stop eating...

Seoul finished her food... but now needs a little rest so her tummy doesn't explode...

remembering...

Oh, Seoul... getting so big! I like comparison pictures.

She's actually laying still... 9 1/2 months versus 28 days. Her expression in the second pictures is funny - sticking her tongue out at me like she used to do a lot.

Go Cougs... still a loyal fan. 9 1/2 months versus almost 4 1/2 months. Too bad the first pictures is kind of dark, but she definitely fits the BYU onesie better!



Lately I think how much she has changed since she is coming up on 1 year old. The differences are huge, but they've seemed so gradual since I see her every day.

We found it!!!

We finally found our camera cord! Enjoy!!

happy 11 months!

(sorry, camera cord still missing)

Happy 11-month birthday to our sweet girl! This picture was before Thanksgiving so it's a bit old but it expresses today perfectly. Maybe she's aware it's her special day and she should get extra special treatment. All morning she has been making the sign for 'hungry' and 'more' so she's been eating, eating, eating! Oatmeal with applesauce & cinnamon for breakfast, nurse, Special K for my breakfast, baby puffy snacks, nurse, and finally cottage cheese. She refused to play with toys and read books because she wanted more food. Maybe it's a growth spurt... maybe she's just excited to express what she wants and have me understand... maybe she's a little piggy! It's cute and fun to watch her use her signs, though!

Christmas was fun. We got to host at our house, which was exciting! We're getting settled into our house and getting ready to start a few more house projects. Once I upload some pictures I will post about Christmas. Happy New Year!

crazy busy

Oh my - what great events have come to pass! And the camera cord... in a box...

THANKSGIVING

We spent the holiday with family... such good times! My mom hosted and it included: my mom, Evan, Dana, Trevin, Amanda & Ella, Mindee, David & Ashley, my dad, Kelley's mom, and the three of us. It was a feast with my favoritest part: PIE. Visiting, Wii, family, and many many blessings. What a wonderful holiday! We have so much to be grateful for! OH, and of course Seoul LOVED all the food - little muncher!

SEOUL'S 10-MONTH BIRTHDAY

She's our little angel. Here are her latest accomplishments/quirks:

* can do the sign for "more" (slight variation)

* fold her arms for prayers

* throws fits when the food is gone

* takes her beanie off quicker

* puts her arms in her sleeves by herself

* says "gobble gobble" when prompted (Kelley taught her)

OUR HOUSE

After months of looking, waiting, looking, waiting, looking, and waiting... we did it! We bought a HOUSE in Canby and we love it! Once we got word it was go-time it went super fast!

Day 1: received confirmation on our loan

Day 2: signed papers

Day 3: bought carpet

Day 4: packed

Day 5: bought paint

Day 6: Kelley and my dad painted the interior of the house - all rooms & ceilings

Day 7: packed & Kelley finished painting

Day 8: carpet was installed, finished packing, loaded Penske truck, drove to Canby & slept in OUR NEW HOUSE!

Day 9: cleaned, unloaded & unpacked in OUR NEW HOUSE

Day 10: my mom, Seoul & I went down to the Salem place to clean

The original plan was to have a week to pack and move Saturday 12/12 but smart Kelley looked at the forecast and decided we better move sooner (Monday 12/7). We moved to Salem on the hottest day ever and moved to Canby on the coldest day ever! Fortunately it was just cold with no rain, snow, or ice.

Thanks to EVERYONE who helped!!

It is a blessing and super exciting to be in our own place; 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a hallway, kitchen, dining room, and living room of our very own... and of course the yard for Seoul!! What an excellent Christmas present! Seoul feels more comfortable and cruises all over the place! We're still unpacking (really, it's never ending!!) and getting settled. I'm very excited to start picking accent colors for the different rooms. We have a list of "honey-do" projects that we will get started after the holidays. Already my fabulous brother has helped move the water heater so I can fit my washer/dryer (no clean clothes is such a bummer!).

So... life is crazy busy but SOOOOO good. On to the glorious Christmas holiday!