Sunday, June 28, 2009
Ode to Dylan
Although with us for the whole outing, Dylan spent the better part of the day strapped to my chest and sleeping - thereby explaining the lack of shots of him in the previous entry. So, I decided to pay homage to my dear son by posting a couple of 'beach' shots of Dylan. Sure it's from the pack-n-play but look how cute he is!
Kite Flying 101
Scott used to fly his kite for Stella down at Pier A in Hoboken, whenever he can find the time. Stella seemed to enjoy it - as much as she could for a 1-2 year old. This year, she not only understood it and looked forward to it, but also got to fly it too. Very exciting.
Pause in the activities for some Stella shots.
One of the major perks to living in Chicago is that you have a big ass lake that is strikingly similar to the ocean. The beauty, no waves and 15 minutes from home.
Stella Meets Elmo
Lazy weekend jaunt to downtown lakeside beach/field museum/planetarium area led to an unexpected, awesome surprise for Stella as she got to meet THE man in red fur (although I believe it was a woman underneath). Had a great day just walking outside, flying a kite, playing in the sand.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Bandee & her Halabugee
My dad came out to visit to see what this Chicago city was all about and to see how it was treating us so far. How fitting, he was here 6/17-6/21 and able to spend Father's Day with us. We were also lucky to spend it with Tina & Jeff. Out of the places we took him to, his favorite by far was Grant Park for its historical venue (of Obama's victory speech for those of you who've lived under a rock), and by the natural environment (including the big-assed lake) juxtaposed against the Chicago downtown backdrop.
Stella 'Bandee' had a great time hanging with her 'halabugee' (grandpa in Korean). Dylan continues to cry to be picked up completely spoiled by my dad's inability to hear him cry (thereby picking him up at a mere burp). Funny...following my dad's visit, Dylan seemingly gets calmer when I speak to him in Korean. Stella sits next to me (when not busy trying to abuse her brother) and tries to imitate my Korean.
It was great having him. Here are some representative pix and videos of his stay here.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thank You (Perfect Timing)
Holy cow, since Stella has gone pee pee in the potty, it has been a pretty challenging task to get her to do the illustrious #2. The last two days have been kinda rough with her holding in and telling me she has to go poo poo every 10 minutes or so. We would rush to the potty and sit there anywhere from 5-20 minutes. During which, she'd want a blanket, to be held, etc. I was at my wits end exhausted from having to console both the kids. Stella for her fears of letting go and Dylan who probably has started to develop separation anxiety as he'd be put down at a moments notice whether he was being fed, changed, burped.
FINALLY, after a bribe of jelly beans, Stella asked for privacy and went (after 2 hours of going on and off the potty, having lunch on the potty, and a couple of peeing accidents). We were so relieved and ecstatic. We celebrated with two helpings of jelly beans and a proud gushing call to her dad. A few minutes later, a package arrives. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Stella's aunt and grandparents, proud of her recent accomplishments, sent her two dresses (Stella LOVES wearing dresses now). Stella believes that her aunt and grandparents somehow knew of her most recent accomplishment and called JCrew for a 5 minute delivery to her :). It's all good. She loves her dresses.
THANK YOU!!!
FINALLY, after a bribe of jelly beans, Stella asked for privacy and went (after 2 hours of going on and off the potty, having lunch on the potty, and a couple of peeing accidents). We were so relieved and ecstatic. We celebrated with two helpings of jelly beans and a proud gushing call to her dad. A few minutes later, a package arrives. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Stella's aunt and grandparents, proud of her recent accomplishments, sent her two dresses (Stella LOVES wearing dresses now). Stella believes that her aunt and grandparents somehow knew of her most recent accomplishment and called JCrew for a 5 minute delivery to her :). It's all good. She loves her dresses.
THANK YOU!!!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Kicking Ass and Taking Names
This week, both Stella and Dylan has moved mountains with reaching milestones.
First, Dylan:
-he slept through the night (8pm to 5am) for the first time on Saturday, June 6. this is not to say he does it every night (far from it), but it's happening. average i would say he's down by 8pm, up at 230am and again at 6am, but it's much better than 3 or 4 times a night (not that i would know, he's not fond of hairy, milkless nipples) but this is great news for susan : ) she's a great mother. again.
-cooing, smiling, engaging. definitely does not like to be alone. if you look at him and talk to him, he smiles at you and starts 'talking'. he likes being amongst people. potential socialite :)
-rolls over more consistently (belly to back). he actually rolled over a few weeks back but that depended on how hard he cried (the harder he cried, the more successful he was). now, he rolls over without a whimper :)
as for Stella's laundry list of accomplishments:
-Thursday, June 4 she got on a 'big girl bike' and started pedaling. after spending a little over a year with her trike and finally succeeding in teaching her how to pedal, without hesitation, she got on a bike and has been riding like she's been doing this for a while.
-Monday, June 8 she was accepted to her first school, cardinal bernadine, into the montessori program. minimally, she will be going 2 days a week starting in late August. We are very excited.
-Tuesday, June 9, she urinated in the toilet for the first time. I have been bribing her with gumdrops if she went for about 2 months now... and it finally took. She pretty much decided to go pee pee in the potty and has been doing it every since. It wasn't really potty training as it was a potty decision. She has been wearing underwear since. She's had a couple of accidents, but for the most part has not looked back to the days of diapers. Next step: the elusive "number 2". that one is more of a challenge. we shall see.
-Wednesday, June 10, on her own accord, she took her paci's and threw them in the garbage truck. Susan and Melinda waited for trash day, took the kids out when the truck was there and let them make up their own mind. Stella was the first to toss both paci's in the back of the truck. and the garbage men were cheering her on. they even crushed the trash upon delivery for visual confrimation for the kids that the paci's are "no longer of this earth". it's funny too... because at nap and night night time, Stella gets a bit fussy and i know she wants to ask for her paci (she says, "i want, i want i want..... i want, i want.... water. i want i want... mommy"), but she knows that she was the one that decided to throw them away... so she knows it's fruitless to ask. and she doesn't. but i know she's struggling... I'm kind of sad for her... but VERY proud.
First, Dylan:
-he slept through the night (8pm to 5am) for the first time on Saturday, June 6. this is not to say he does it every night (far from it), but it's happening. average i would say he's down by 8pm, up at 230am and again at 6am, but it's much better than 3 or 4 times a night (not that i would know, he's not fond of hairy, milkless nipples) but this is great news for susan : ) she's a great mother. again.
-cooing, smiling, engaging. definitely does not like to be alone. if you look at him and talk to him, he smiles at you and starts 'talking'. he likes being amongst people. potential socialite :)
-rolls over more consistently (belly to back). he actually rolled over a few weeks back but that depended on how hard he cried (the harder he cried, the more successful he was). now, he rolls over without a whimper :)
as for Stella's laundry list of accomplishments:
-Thursday, June 4 she got on a 'big girl bike' and started pedaling. after spending a little over a year with her trike and finally succeeding in teaching her how to pedal, without hesitation, she got on a bike and has been riding like she's been doing this for a while.
-Monday, June 8 she was accepted to her first school, cardinal bernadine, into the montessori program. minimally, she will be going 2 days a week starting in late August. We are very excited.
-Tuesday, June 9, she urinated in the toilet for the first time. I have been bribing her with gumdrops if she went for about 2 months now... and it finally took. She pretty much decided to go pee pee in the potty and has been doing it every since. It wasn't really potty training as it was a potty decision. She has been wearing underwear since. She's had a couple of accidents, but for the most part has not looked back to the days of diapers. Next step: the elusive "number 2". that one is more of a challenge. we shall see.
-Wednesday, June 10, on her own accord, she took her paci's and threw them in the garbage truck. Susan and Melinda waited for trash day, took the kids out when the truck was there and let them make up their own mind. Stella was the first to toss both paci's in the back of the truck. and the garbage men were cheering her on. they even crushed the trash upon delivery for visual confrimation for the kids that the paci's are "no longer of this earth". it's funny too... because at nap and night night time, Stella gets a bit fussy and i know she wants to ask for her paci (she says, "i want, i want i want..... i want, i want.... water. i want i want... mommy"), but she knows that she was the one that decided to throw them away... so she knows it's fruitless to ask. and she doesn't. but i know she's struggling... I'm kind of sad for her... but VERY proud.
s3dk just hangin at home
i think stella describes this video best when she says, "you're a silly goose".
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Parting Ways
I never imagined this day to come but it has. Stella has willingly given up her pacifiers.
Stella was one of those kids who took to the pacifier immediately. She left the hospital that she was born in expertly sucking on one. All those who have seen her regularly know that she turns to them for solace in moments of distress or fatigue. Over the past year or so, I have tried to wean her being semi-successful in getting her paci-usage down to nap/sleep time.
When our move came around, we had unsuccessfully attempted to tell her that there were no pacis in Chicago. Yeah, I know, way to go...make her deal with a major life-altering event by adding another. She rewarded this with a figurative heisman by demanding two pacis; one in her mouth and the other in her hand strumming the rubber part with her forefinger.
Last week our neighbor's kids, Avery and Braydon (about 2 1/2 yrs), had talked about throwing their pacis in the garbage truck. Stella did not participate in this discussion for the first couple of days seemingly unwilling to part with her lifelines. I figure she dismissed them as being so young and naive. By day three, she jumped on the bandwagon.
Today, on our way into our garage, we saw a garbage truck. I calmly asked Stella if she wanted to throw her pacis in the garbage truck (expecting an adamant "No, are you crazy?!?!" as it was encroaching on nap time).
She said yes.
I ran like a bat out of hell up to get them from the kitchen. As we approached the truck, she asked to be picked up. I braced myself for her to change her mind. It never came...
And just like that, gone was the first as she flung it beautifully into the back of the garbage truck. At this point, I held my breath wondering if she would stop there upon seeing the finality of the situation. Nope, not my brave girl. She threw in the second.
She missed.
It took 2 more tries and eventually, with much baited breath on my part, paci #2 successfully met its demise. We watched as the garbage truck crushed them. I gushed as to how proud I was, high fives were exchanged with the group (Avery & Braydon were there too to do the deed).
We had difficulty during nap time. She was fussy but did not mention the pacis. She replaced this with wanting her daddy. She understands the finality of this and is courageously dealing. She makes me feel weak. I am so proud of her.
I spent all day to make sure she got everything she needed desperate to prevent her from having any uncomfortable moments trying not to tip the scale. I am exhausted. Dylan forgives me for neglecting him. I am brimming with pride for her.
I am expecting the next few days to be pretty challenging. Nothing compared to the great feat that my little girl has accomplished.
I wish I can slow down time. Too fast, too soon, too much but so freaking awesome!
Stella was one of those kids who took to the pacifier immediately. She left the hospital that she was born in expertly sucking on one. All those who have seen her regularly know that she turns to them for solace in moments of distress or fatigue. Over the past year or so, I have tried to wean her being semi-successful in getting her paci-usage down to nap/sleep time.
When our move came around, we had unsuccessfully attempted to tell her that there were no pacis in Chicago. Yeah, I know, way to go...make her deal with a major life-altering event by adding another. She rewarded this with a figurative heisman by demanding two pacis; one in her mouth and the other in her hand strumming the rubber part with her forefinger.
Last week our neighbor's kids, Avery and Braydon (about 2 1/2 yrs), had talked about throwing their pacis in the garbage truck. Stella did not participate in this discussion for the first couple of days seemingly unwilling to part with her lifelines. I figure she dismissed them as being so young and naive. By day three, she jumped on the bandwagon.
Today, on our way into our garage, we saw a garbage truck. I calmly asked Stella if she wanted to throw her pacis in the garbage truck (expecting an adamant "No, are you crazy?!?!" as it was encroaching on nap time).
She said yes.
I ran like a bat out of hell up to get them from the kitchen. As we approached the truck, she asked to be picked up. I braced myself for her to change her mind. It never came...
And just like that, gone was the first as she flung it beautifully into the back of the garbage truck. At this point, I held my breath wondering if she would stop there upon seeing the finality of the situation. Nope, not my brave girl. She threw in the second.
She missed.
It took 2 more tries and eventually, with much baited breath on my part, paci #2 successfully met its demise. We watched as the garbage truck crushed them. I gushed as to how proud I was, high fives were exchanged with the group (Avery & Braydon were there too to do the deed).
We had difficulty during nap time. She was fussy but did not mention the pacis. She replaced this with wanting her daddy. She understands the finality of this and is courageously dealing. She makes me feel weak. I am so proud of her.
I spent all day to make sure she got everything she needed desperate to prevent her from having any uncomfortable moments trying not to tip the scale. I am exhausted. Dylan forgives me for neglecting him. I am brimming with pride for her.
I am expecting the next few days to be pretty challenging. Nothing compared to the great feat that my little girl has accomplished.
I wish I can slow down time. Too fast, too soon, too much but so freaking awesome!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Dylan's Second Awakening
Ok. It's been ridiculously long since we've posted. And there are infinite pictures & videos that we still need to post but I couldn't resist posting this one tonight as tired as I am. More will come and we have been documenting. We're just really really REALLY behind.
Dylan recently had a second awakening. And by that I mean that he's come out of the daze of early infancy and a light has come on in him. He is now able to be awake for longer spells and interacts with us (e.g. cooing, smiling, etc.). Here is an
example of his first real interaction with his dad. Yes it's about 3 1/2 minutes long but being his parents, we just couldn't cut any of it.P.S. Don't ask me how Scott comes up with these games. He is a HUGE source of entertainment in our household as you can see.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Big Girl Milestone
There are lots of milestones that occur when a child is born. First breath, first smile, first coo, first step, etc. etc. Among the many, I consider riding a 'big girl' bike a pretty significant one. I say this so often that I sound like a broken record (and ahem, like my mother) but time goes so dang fast. Especially with kids. How am I a mother of a 3 year old (and 9 week old) who has just begun to ride a bike. Sure there are training wheels but this is no trike!!! This makes me so proud yet so sad because Stella truly is leaving her little girl-dom behind.
Ok, this is way too sentimental of a post but hey, whatevs. It probably is fueled by her confirmed placement into pre-school today. These things are happening so fast that I can't seem to keep up and enjoy each moment. Coupled with Dylan milestones and it's all happening at lightening speed!
Without more sentimental mumbo jumbo...here is a clip of our little girl making leaps and bounds to big girl-dom. Stella rides her first bike. Without fear, without hesitation and with poetic ease. (I know I'll cry when we have to take training wheels off).
Background music provided by Dylan Lincoln and shushing sound effects by yours truly. For those who haven't seen our place, she is riding in our little courtyard alley that is gated off to all but our neighbors. Stella has a few friends her age that she runs around with.
Ok, this is way too sentimental of a post but hey, whatevs. It probably is fueled by her confirmed placement into pre-school today. These things are happening so fast that I can't seem to keep up and enjoy each moment. Coupled with Dylan milestones and it's all happening at lightening speed!
Without more sentimental mumbo jumbo...here is a clip of our little girl making leaps and bounds to big girl-dom. Stella rides her first bike. Without fear, without hesitation and with poetic ease. (I know I'll cry when we have to take training wheels off).
Background music provided by Dylan Lincoln and shushing sound effects by yours truly. For those who haven't seen our place, she is riding in our little courtyard alley that is gated off to all but our neighbors. Stella has a few friends her age that she runs around with.
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