We interrupt the holidays to bring you a very special birthday...

T-Mobile turned 1! We had a Korean-style birthday party with fabulous food (pickled radishes, rice cakes, bibimbap, bulgogi, kimchi, etc) and LOTS of fruit for longevity. T-Mobile wore his tolbak and looked mighty handsome.

We also played a traditional game called toljabee. Several items were laid out on a small table and T-Mobile chose his favorite...a calculator. From the item he chose, we can predict that he will be good with numbers. And accountant or engineer, perhaps?

Happy birthday, Little Man! Mom is SO proud of you and was thrilled to celebrate this big birthday with you!

And, we have decided to celebrate subsequent birthdays on the 1/2 birthday so that T-Mobile doesn't get cheated out of being the center of attention and friends and family don't have yet another obligation at a very busy time of year. So, don't think we're just lookin' for extra presents when you get an invitation to a birthday party in June!

The Best Little Christmas Pageants Ever!

I was so lucky to see 2 fabulous pageants this year. The first starred my daughter. She didn't sing a word, but rang her bells loud during "Jingle Bells". She didn't cry during the performance, so I consider that major success! She runs around the house singing Jingle Bells, Hello Mr. Turkey, Johnny Appleseed and Itsy Bitsy Spider almost constantly now. In fact, this morning, she and I were singing Jingle Bells at Target. When we finished, a woman came around the corner and told us what a lovely job we did...and that we made her day. I am one proud mom!

We also got to see stars Nephew1 and Nephew2 in their pageant. It was a big year for both of them...both had speaking parts! They did an absolutely AWESOME job and I was so proud of their flawless performance.

I'm looking forward to next year when T-Mobile joins the pageant lineup!

These Shoes Were Made for Walkin'

Congratulations, Little Man!

Thanksgiving Stream of Consciousness

I haven't posted in a while, mainly because I'm the stay-at-home mom of 2 very busy, very curious and inquisitive children. Until December 28th when I go back to work. Which I'm thankful for. Sort of.

What a magical year for us--so much to be thankful for! T-Mobile joined our family and brings us infectious smiles and happiness every day. I'm thankful for Meena, growing by leaps and bounds in every way. And who doesn't hit her brother any more. And who somehow knows what he wants by just looking at him. And who is in touch with cosmic forces. And likes to cuddle and who says the cutest, funniest things. I'm thankful for Fabulous Husband who is keeping me sane and whole, often at his own expense. I'm thankful for Mom and Dad, who also keep me sane and live right down the street now, and make sure I get showers. And naps. I'm thankful for napping. Naps for myself, Fabulous Husband and my children. But mostly my children.

I'm thankful for my bajillion friends who check in on me periodically to see how I'm doing. And who still invite me to girls' nights. And for the friends I can call when I just need adult conversation and then buy me dinner. And for the friends who bring me dinner. And who make me realize I'm normal--2 little kids make me question that sometimes. And for the co-worker and friend who bought T-Mobile the monkey blanket, which is the key to any sleeping that goes on in our house--A completely unexpected gift from heaven. And for my in-laws who frequently babysit and who took Meena for nearly a week when her brother had H1N1.

I'm thankful for the geese I see waddling all around the city right now, like they own it. They make me laugh. And loon calls, which I love so much. And our trip to the BWCA this year, just in the nick of time. I'm thankful for the free zoo. And a mild November so we can still go to it.

I'm thankful for our health. I'm thankful for the tree guys who came and trimmed trees across the street Monday when both kids were sick (a whole hour of entertainment!).

I'm thankful that we had the means, resources and support to travel to Korea for a week before picking up T-Mobile. I'm forever thankful for those precious, intimite first moments in his country and our new country. And for the really, really kind Korean people who welcomed us and our purpose with open arms and warm hearts. I'm especially thankful for his wonderful foster mom who works so hard and gives so much love to kids who really need it.

I'm thankful for my job, which is wonderful and challenging and pays me and let me take 4 months off to bond with my new kid. And for my colleagues, who are some of the smartest, most amazing people I know. And for health insurance, which eludes so many and I take for granted.

I'm thankful for Jazzmine, my furry baby. She puts up with so much and always has a smile and a tail wag for me. And will always take me for a walk. And fuzz therapy.

I'm thankful for mocha mondays.

I'm thankful for someplace to go for Thanksgiving and for the bountiful feast we will enjoy. So many don't have either.

I'm thankful for beautiful new family members...T-Mobile, JB and MF.

And, I'm thankful for my faith, which continues to deepen. And for the church community, who we're finally getting to know through our kids.

We have so much that my heart bursts this Thanksgiving. May everyone be so blessed!

H1N1 = No Fun

Dear H1N1:

I laughed in your face (see recent post where I advertised to you that we were NOT sick) and now you've got us. 1 of us. The most vulnerable of us. But you will not get the rest of us!

Meena, mercifully, is not sick and is staying with M/FIL until T-Mobile is not contagious. FH and I are wearing the CDC recommended masks, washing our hands constantly and going through hand sanitizer like it's water. We are getting as much sleep as you, via T-Mobile, will allow.

And, you should know, there is a silver lining! Several, actually:

• In our haste to get Meena away from T-Mobile this weekend, I got to take her out to breakfast. Just us girls. We had a ball, watching the cars outside, people inside and dissecting the Halloween decorations, 1 plastic spider at a time
• T-Mobile woke up and said "Mama" when he saw me this morning
• T-Mobile started walking behind the push-truck last night...there's no stopping this kid

Take that, stupid flu.

You may have slowed us down a bit, but haven't stopped us in our tracks. Please leave...you have worn out your welcome.

Sincerely,

JoAnne

Perspective

Maternity leave is GREAT! And it's HARD. In all caps. H-A-R-D. Especially when the weather is all rain all the time. And I have 2 kids under 3 (which was totally my choice and I really shouldn't whine about it). Who both wear diapers. And are mobile. Who think the only thing more fun than playing with the dog's dishes is playing with the toilet. And, yesterday it was really getting to me.

Enter MIL who babysat both my kids for 2 hours, during which I washed my car, vacuumed it out, ran to the bank, ran to the vet, stopped at Home Depot...all very quickly and easily. Oh, how I loved the break! I drank coffee and listened to the radio...on loud because I could. I came home a new person; re-energized and happy!

MIL adored the time with my kids. She raved about how cute everyone was and sat wide-eyed, watching them to see what amazing, funny, unbelievably cute thing they would do next. She couldn't wait to tell FIL all about it and took pictures. She reminded me how LUCKY (in all caps) I am. And how great and fun and beautiful my kids are.

Amelia can't quite say Amelia yet, so she calls herself Meena. She's so proud! She started saying thank you and you're welcome. She pretend-cut my hair last night. And pretend-checked my ears with a little flashlight.

T-Mobile splashed away happily in his bath this morning. And giggled his way through Target with me. And looked around wide-eyed as we walked the dog between the raindrops. He crinkles his nose when he smiles, just like I do. He loves carrots and giggles when I feed them to him.

I LOVE my life. In all caps. L-O-V-E

These are the people in my neighborhood...

What a gorgeous fall day! I took T-Mobile (our new nickname since Taebin can crawl and cruise and effectively chase his sister) and Jazzmine for a walk today. It's one of my favorite days, where the leaves are falling like snow, only it's NOT snow and it's warm and sunny. Kind of like in spring when the crabapple trees drop their petals and it smells heavenly and the sun's out and winter's officially over.

Anyway, we saw some monks in the park, deep in conversation across a picnic table from each other. I love having monks living in our neighborhood. The only thing better would be having nuns in the neighborhood. Because of the nun bubble.

Fabulous Husband and I were driving behind a nun once. She was driving a big ol' Buick and was in the right turn lane. Only she didn't turn, and her lane ended, turning into gravel shoulder. She didn't seem to notice and incredibly, the rest of the traffic, which was heavy and going about 60 mph did not hit her. Oh, it was close, and we're not sure how she escaped injury. The only explanation is that nuns have a (well deserved) protective bubble around them. They've got connections.