Chuck E. Cheese Fun!

Just today Seoul asked to go back to Chuck E Cheese and play the "ball game" - ha!

Kelley won free pizza and games at Chuck E. Cheese's from work - woohoo! We invited our friends to go with us, and we had a lot of fun. The adults got to visit and the kids loved playing games. Seoul, of course, didn't like the big Chuck E. Cheese walking around... it almost ranks up there with SpongeBob. Oh yeah, when the girl tried to stamp Seoul she TOTALLY freaked out... so she resorted to a sticker on her back put on strategically so she wouldn't really notice. Silly girl!

Our good friends, Brittany, Randy, and Landin Springer.

Randy Jr loves Sydney!

Randy Jr, Seoul, and Brittany - good friends! (Seoul's mouth is black because of the candy she chose - yum!)

Daddy stylin' his baby girl :)

Randy and Landin watching the Chuck E. Cheese show on stage (someone was having a birthday party).

Daddy killing ducks! (His favorite game... take a guess why! Ha!)

Seoul having a ball playing games!

Seoul's favorite game - throwing the balls. When they would get dropped outside the game she would go running after them. It was hilarious!

Mommy (and daddy) had fun with it also!

Seoul's second favorite game - it is also a ball throwing game.

 


It was a fun evening with great friends. It's always fun to introduce Seoul to new activities and make new memories. Sydney was a champ just hanging out with us in a freezing cold building. I love family time!

SpongeBob bad? Shh... don't tell Seoul!

Seoul LOVES SpongeBob SquarePants!!

I don't remember how Seoul was introduced to SpongeBob but she loves the cartoon/character! She has numerous articles of clothing, a big SpongeBob and little SpongeBob. We had a SpongeBob birthday party. Well, you get the idea.

I saw an article and just watched a news segment about the negative effects of the cartoon on preschoolers. I had to post about it because I find it amusing for some reason. As a sociology major, I'm a bit skeptical of studies that say one thing or another because data can be skewed any number of ways. Also the study doesn't talk about the lasting or long-term effects, just immediate effects after watching it for 9 minutes. Maybe it's rotting my daughter's brain... hm...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44460161/ns/health-childrens_health/

Ultimately: just don't let kids watch cartoons (any type) for hours on end. Seoul will request we turn off the TV to do other activities or just start playing with other stuff after a little while of watching. Love my girl for that!

Anyway, I'm done now.

{Oh, for the record, she calls it "SchungeBob." Lately she is trying to say it the correct way and she can... but I really hope she doesn't change permanently because it's cute!}

Happy 8-Month Birthday to our Sydney girl!

I know I say this almost every time but we cannot believe she is getting so big! Time is passing far too quickly but it is SO FUN and Sydney is the best little girl!

She has beautiful olive skin, and is really thinning out (don't be confused by her chubby cheeks!).

She is quick to smile and giggle (mostly at her sister). 

She has two bottom teeth. 

She is starting to use the sign for "more." 

She waves to people (whole arm moves side to side). 

She chews on everything, but fortunately she's not a drooly girl. 

She has started sleeping on her tummy. 

She gets into position to pull herself up, and then gets frustrated. 

She leans forward as if she's getting into a crawling position but hasn't quite gotten up to do it yet.

She rotates around when sitting on her bum or laying down.

She pushes herself backward when on her tummy.

People say she looks like a doll. We love her so much and we are so glad she's ours! Seoul calls her "beautiful girl" and says, "you are my best friend!" all the time. Sydney looks around for Seoul every time we get her up from a nap and immediately smiles when she spots her. We are blessed to have her in our family!

Fun Times this Summer (part 1)

Happy 4th of July! We had a relaxing morning then walked to downtown Canby for the parade and General Canby Days. My mom, sister, sister-in-law, and niece were in the parade. Sydney woke up to see the parade and enjoyed watching the people. Seoul's sole focus was candy once she realized they were throwing it from some floats.

This afternoon we had my family over for a BBQ. Good food. Good laughs. Funny faces.

A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village - My sister-in-law and daughter ventured down to Salem with the girls and I to have a fun day at this children's museum. There are some fun learning activities for kids and a huge outdoor play structure. Fun for all ages :)

Miscellaneous other activities... Costco - the girls love sitting in the shopping cart side-by-side, and Seoul loves the berry smoothies... more Lowe's Build-and-Grow activities - this time Sydney got her own tow truck!... play time outside with me during the sunny days... the rocking horse at Grandma's house... feeding the ducks... playing Qwirkle (this was great when Seoul was learning colors and shapes)... playing with the train set... playing House (Fisher Price Little People set)... time with daddy... sister-love time... eating - food and in Sydney's case, a dragonfly... lots of park time - Seoul's favorite is the swing and Sydney gets her turn these days.

Happy 7-Month Birthday Sydney!

Our sweet girl is getting so big so quick! We love her so much!

Our Big Girl Seoul

Seoul is 2 1/2 years old now. Truly, she is amazing! Every day we look at her and marvel at her growth, development, progression, and personality. It's hard to believe she was ever not a part of our life because she has made it so much sweeter and brighter.

Even as a newborn she showed her (now more developed) stubborn side by taking her sweet time coming out after the 2nd induction, 3rd time to the hospital. She was well worth the wait - beautiful, alert, happy, and ours.

One month old: taught us the true meaning of patience, selflessness, and unconditional love as we started to learn how to be parents.

6 months old: brought new meaning to the word joy as she really developed her personality with her smiles & giggles.

1 year old: showed us how time truly flies by so we need to savor & treasure every moment.

18 months: reminded us to take pleasure in the simple things and enjoy life through the eyes of a child.

2 years old: transitioned easily into being the greatest big sister. Thanks Seoul!

2-1/2 years old: Seoul does it all!

> talks up a storm (full conversations), including telling us daily she loves us and asking WHY all the time

> sings the alphabet multiple times a day, includes identifying the written letters

> counts to 11, recognizing most of the written numbers

> knows all colors (her favorite is blue)

> identifies all shapes but triangles (which she calls diamonds)

> loves Spongebob, although still tells how Spongebob at her birthday was scary

> loves Ariel from The Little Mermaid (favorite movie)

> favorite foods: strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and noodles with chicken

> loves and is very protective of her baby sister (can't even describe all the ways she shows her love)

> likes to color (holds the crayon the proper way and colors in the lines)

> loves to read and go to the library / story time

> loves to play house (Little People house)

> has a super active imagination, which is absolutely hilarious

> sings all the time

> likes to dance and do "tricks" such as balance on the foot board of her bed

There is so much that I'm missing but those are the things I can think of off the top of my head. All in all, she is super fun, super smart, super cute, super independent, and has taught us so much.

We can't even convey how much we love our sweet Seoul Elizabeth!

A-B-C's

We hear the alphabet multiple times a day these days. She's been doing it for a long time but would never let us get it on camera. (This time I thought she'd freeze & refuse since she took a few seconds to start). Sometimes she throws the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom variation in the mix as well. It's funny that now she will point at letters and say, "Do you know what that letter is, Mom?" because I asked her that over and over one day while we were reading books without realizing it. It's fun to watch her learn! Now when we read she identifies the different letters (which makes reading some books very time consuming!)... but it's all worth it!

Her new favorite books are the easy reader level 1-2 books... moving on up in the reading world!

Similarities & Differences

Here are pictures of our girls around 6 months old . Kelley says they look like me. Seoul says Sydney looks like daddy and she looks like mommy. I think both girls have a blend of our features, but each has a very beautiful, distinctive look.

As for personality, they're both very happy girls (when they want to be). If I remember accurately, Seoul was a little more chill at this age, which means Sydney may eventually be more opinionated...? Both girls really had/have no interest in rolling - Seoul only ever rolled from front to back, toward one side. Sydney has gone front to back a few times, but still shows no real interest. I think they will be similar in rolling briefly, crawling briefly, and then cruising. (Seoul can't wait until Sydney can run around with her!) Kelley and I both think Sydney started "talking" more often and a bit sooner than Seoul did. 

There are so many things to remember with fond memories as we go through the milestones with our second daughter. Of course we know each girl is their own person and will very well do everything at their own pace, but it's so fun to reminisce and ponder similarities and differences. Both girls make our lives the best ever and we love them so much!

How quickly the days pass!

Sydney Louise is our healthy, beautiful, 6-month-old girl (already!) that brightens our days!

The well-baby appointment last week went well. The nurse weighed her twice because she couldn't believe she's only gained 2 ounces from her 4-month appointment. The doctor gave her a clean bill of health and said she is just burning more calories sitting on her own so her body is catching up to the weight she gained from 2-4 months. Funny!

Stats:
Length: 26-1/4 inches (75th percentile)
Weight: 15 lbs 11 oz (50th percentile)
Head: 17 inches (75th percentile)

What she's up to these days:
* Giggles (Kelley had her going with a "laughing fit" the other day when he kept saying, "Ticket!" to Seoul when she wanted a horsey ride)
* Discovered her hands, ears, and toes more fully.
* Enjoys her rice cereal. Had peas for the first time the other night - LOVES them! (She is always trying to eat my food if she happens to be on my lap. She almost got my spoonful of something into her mouth before I could catch her.) - we're transitioning to 2 meals of solids a day.
* Chews on everything, but is not too drooly (thank goodness!). No teeth yet but I think she's getting closer.
* Talks all the time and is really getting into different consonant/vowel sounds and pitches.
* Really observant of everything around her. She's really starting to enjoy story time - watching the librarian read the stories, and always tries to lunge toward the kids to play.
* Prefers standing.
* Sits solidly and enjoys playing with her toys.
* No inclination to roll, although she's gone from front to back a few times.
* Sleeps pretty well - 8:00 PM to 5:00-5:30 AM, most nights waking once for the binkie (I'm contemplating weaning her off it). Naps: 45 min-1 hr in the morning, 2 hours in the afternoon, 45 min in the early evening.
* Loves to give kisses (nice, open mouth, tongue kisses!)

We love this sweet girl!

Happy 6-month Birthday Sydney!

Happy Birthday to you...
         Happy Birthday to you...
                  Happy Birthday dear Sydney...
                           Happy Birthday to you!

Every time we sang that today she smiled and giggled! We have her well-baby appointment Wednesday so I will do a longer post then (or sometime in the near future...). To sum it up, we love our girl and she is growing and doing so many new things! She's becoming quite the fun little person!

Happy (Belated) Father's Day!

This is Kelley.

Husband to Joo Lin.

Father to two beautiful girls, Seoul & Sydney.

They made him sweet pictures to hopefully be treasured forever.

Seoul's picture has her hand prints with a corresponding poem.

Sydney's picture has her foot prints with a corresponding poem.

Both were decorated by Seoul.

He is the BEST!

Seoul and I made cinnamon rolls from scratch for breakfast. After a nice day at church, he generously shared his chocolate truffle candy bar with Seoul & I. (This is the epitome of his character... always giving and sharing and loving others.) Then I made chicken cordon bleu, noodles, and peas at his request. (There is always some sort of drama - apparently we left the potatoes at the store so he didn't get his requested garlic mashed potatoes - boo!). For dessert we had cherry cheesecake.

It was so great to honor and show our appreciation to the wonderful man in our life. I couldn't ask for a better husband and father!