NO HOMEWORK DADDY!

For those that don't know it, I started school again.  I got accepted into a program at OHSU and am studying for a certificate in Biomedical Informatics.  Seoul has learned to hate when I do homework.  Whenever I go to the office, she says "no homework daddy".  When I call to tell the girls that I am coming home, the first question out of Seoul's mouth is "homework daddy?"  Most of the time I am a bad daddy and end up going to study at the library.  This makes Seoul really sad which inturn  makes me sad.  Yesterday, she asked the same questions when I called to tell Joo Lin that I was on my way home.  "Daddy homework?"  to Seoul amazement, I said that I was coming home to play with her.  She then asked me if I would play house with her and to read her books.  I said yes to those request.  When I told her that I wanted to dance like Belle and the Beast she got super excited and (according to Joo Lin) was jumping up and down shouting "Hoooorrraaaaayyy!!  Hoooooorrrrraaaaayyyy!!...after about the fourth horray, she said in the cutest little Seoul voice, "all done!" 

Seoul makes me laugh every day.  I love being her daddy and I love that I get to spend quality time with her on daddy - daughter outtings.   I love you Seoul!!!  I love you too Sydney!!

The Big Girl

Seoul is just alternately hilarious and frustrating! A typical two-year-old, she is testing her independence and boundaries. Must love her! She knows how to count, all her colors, most of her shapes, and lots of letters. She will repeat anything you ask her to. We are now fully past a week with no accidents (in terms of being potty trained). Her memory is amazing - she will narrate past events on a regular basis. She is very good at cleaning up and likes to help us with everything! Her imagination is really kicking in, which is great fun! As always she loves to read and be read to.

Her favorite...

... books are a personalized Mother Goose book, The Little Mermaid, Dumbo, and Cinderella.

... songs are still I am a Child of God and Whenever I Hear the Song of a Bird, and now the Hokey Pokey and If You're Happy & You Know it.

... color is yellow.

... clothes are her flower pants and Hello Kitty shirt with teal socks.

 ... toys are Little People house and blocks.

... cartoons are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Spongebob Squarepants.

The Baby

Sydney is starting to add variation into her days by smiling and cooing! Otherwise it's still a lot of eating, pooping, and crying. We love having her in the family and she has taught us all a lot so far! She is learning tolerance as Seoul constantly loves on her and never lets her have a moments peace :) In the last picture I could not get her to look at me because she loves light. Sadly, she is already growing out of her newborn clothes (the small ones)... but she is also really lengthening out by pushing with her legs and stretching her body.

The Daddy

Kelley is busy busy busy with working and school and family! He is doing a great job at work and has lots of huge 'projects' coming up this year. School is going well and he's now working on his big term paper. He makes time for his girls, though!

The Mommy

Well, life is flying by. I'm blessed to have two beautiful girls and I love being home with them! That being said, I am human and I have my moments of frustration and monotony. I'm trying to find a balance to have me-time every once in a while. I wouldn't trade places with anyone, though!

Success!

+

=

Believe it.

Our big girl is officially potty-trained.

Love it.

Happy 1-Month Birthday Sydney!

Our new little angel is 1-month old today! Kelley has nicknamed her Princess Peach. We feel like Sydney has been with us forever and we love her so much!

She is filling out quite nicely. I think her face looks much fuller these days. We’re getting into a good routine and she usually sleeps 3-4 hour stretches at night. {Perhaps that is because she can’t get a solid nap during the day due to Seoul’s constant love… hugs and kisses and covering/uncovering her. Seoul gives me the stink eye when I tell her to leave her alone so she can sleep.} Sydney can hold up her head quite well and can stand on her legs for a few seconds at a time. She is still OK with tummy time and just chills. I think she smiles at me every once in a while. I love that she seems to feel most comfortable when she’s cuddled into my chest.

 

 We love our girls!

Who's Who - the answer

The first picture is Sydney.
The second picture is Seoul.

I didn't think they looked alike until I found those two pictures.

Seoul is 2!

Where to begin? Ok, the parties.

Seoul picked the theme weeks ago. Here is how the conversation went:
Daddy: Seoul, your birthday is coming up. What kind of cake do you want?
Seoul: yellow
Daddy: What kind of cake is yellow?
Seoul: Spongebob Squarepants

And so the madness began...

Kelley spoiled his little girl by getting tons of Spongebob stuff... lots and lots... which she LOVES. Then, the highlight: Spongebob came to visit! [Our friend Amy knew of a FANTASTIC Spongebob costume that we borrowed. OH MY!]

Seoul had 6 little friends (plus some baby siblings) come over for her friend birthday party.

Kids fishing for Spongebob trinkets (sorry, didn't get many photos of this activity).

Then Spongebob made his guest appearance. The reaction? Half the kids started crying and half thought it was super cool. The parents laughed and enjoyed the chaos. Unfortunately Seoul was one of the crying children, trying to crawl over me into the wall to get away. However, when we stood by Spongebob for a photo op, she said "hi dad" and touched his hand. Once she heard his voice she was fine... but as soon as she was out of hearing range she was scared all over again and told me to tell Spongebob to "go outside!".

{Now she sees the costume in the garage and says "Spongebob scary. Daddy in box." - I've heard the narration of her birthday many times.}

  

To keep it simple we had yellow cupcakes with yellow frosting, garnished with Spongebob fruit snacks. Then Seoul opened all the fun presents - she is a lucky girl to have generous friends!

Our attempt at a group photo... Halzie didn't want to sit with the kids.

Dad spoils his Princess Petunia.

That afternoon we had a family party. This was much simpler... each person wrote a memory of Seoul on a card to put in her keepsake book. I made a Spongebob cake, but got lazy and left off the arms & legs. Kelley attempted to make crabby patties, but didn't finish dipping the colored chocolate sections. They are delicious the way they are, though! {Seoul got those Spongebob glasses from one of Kelley's friends - she thought it was a hoot to pass them around and have people try them on}. Then on to more present opening... Seoul likes to do it all herself and takes her time. Fun new toys and clothes - thanks family!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!

Who's who?

Can you guess which is Seoul and which is Sydney?

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!