Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Happy Mother's Day to Me!
I've mentioned our relatives in NY who we visited back in December. They also happen to be wonderfully skilled in the jewelry business. Dave had this gorgeous necklace made for me for Mother's Day.
When I put it on, Dave asked Gabe what letter it was and he quickly said "G." Dave then asked "whose name begins with a G?" He correctly shouted "Gabe!" Now when I wear it, he knows it's my "Gabe necklace." Of course we made the chain an appropriate length to add another shorter necklace with another initial :)
When I put it on, Dave asked Gabe what letter it was and he quickly said "G." Dave then asked "whose name begins with a G?" He correctly shouted "Gabe!" Now when I wear it, he knows it's my "Gabe necklace." Of course we made the chain an appropriate length to add another shorter necklace with another initial :)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Peek-a-Boo!
Kind of a lame post title, I know. But I love how I can finally capture Gabe's pure joy with my new camera without it being blurry. So indulge me on these fun little photos I got while he and Dave played peek-a-boo last night :)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Life That Touched Us All
Today the Korean adoption community learned of the passing of one of it's great shining lights. Dr Kim, the founder of Easter Social Welfare Society, the agency Gabe was adopted from in Korea, passed today at the age of 96. Eastern was started in 1970 by Dr Kim when he was 60 years old. At that time there were very places for unwed mothers, abandoned and disabled children to go. Eastern started as an adoption agency but grew into social services for the people of Korea. It truly is a wonderful agency.
Unfortunately we did not get the chance to meet him as his health had started to decline when we were there and he had handed over running Eastern and doing his ritual of blessing all the children as they left Korea, to his daughter. I find myself sobbing for a man I never met but had such a huge impact not only on my (and my husband's) life, my child's life but on hundreds of thousands of children who were given a better chance at life and of the lives who those children have touched. The world truly is a better place for Dr Kim having been in it.
Read more about Dr Kim and Eastern:
Obituary
Bio about Dr Kim
Eastern's Home Page
(Click on 'English' at the top)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
2 and a half!
Yep, we have a 2 and a half year old here. So far, this has been the most fun age ev-ah. Every day is a blast with him. He's learning new stuff every day, he wakes up every morning happy and ready for whatever the day has in store. Here's some of his ways:
He's always learning...
*As you know he can count to 10. He loves to point to things and count how many.
*He definitely knows all his letters, and can almost sing the alphabet song.
*When we're out and about he points to the people around and identifies them, correctly, as either 'guy,' 'lady,' or recently he's added 'kid.'
*He's very tuned in to noises. Any noise you hear he'll stop, cup his ear and say 'noy?'
*It's amazing to hear what he picks up from the day. If you ask if he was at the zoo, he could tell you about a certain animal he saw or how the bears were biting each other.
He's a softie...
*He likes to reiterate that we're all happy. He'll point to everyone, including himself, and say "mommy happy, daddy happy, Gaber happy." If I express my displeasure with something he does (like growl at Posie) he says "mommy happy." Just makin' sure that this one incident doesn't deter me from my happiness. Or if I say I'm proud of him he says affirmatively 'mommy happy.'
*During his bedtime routine, once he's in the crib and the the adult, usually Dave, is on the chair singing to him, he throws out his stuffed penguin, so that Dave has something soft to cuddle with too.
*We play a fun game when we put his shoes on. One shoe goes on easily, but then just before the other shoe and sock are about to go on he hides the sock. Then that shoe gets very sad and cries since he can't go on Gabe's foot. He then offers the 'sad shoe' his boo-ba, aka his blue blanket, as comfort to the sad shoe.
*If I get hurt in any way or seem upset, he'll walk up to me and softly stroke me.
*When he sees a picture of me and him or daddy and him he says "awwww."
He's chatty...
*If something is not available, it's considered "closed." Mom says you can't play baseball outside at 7am? "Baseball closed."
*Similarly, if something is new the old one "broke." Cohen moved to a new house? That could only mean that the old "house broke."
*He's Mr. Right Now. Gabe do you want a baby brother? "Yes, right now!"
He likes rules and order...
*The timer is our friend around here. I've used it for time outs for a long time and when it's almost time to go, I set the timer and when it goes off, we have to leave. When I say 'five more minutes' Gabe says 'timer' so that we're all on the same page.
*If anything is out of the way he expects it (ie, spilled food, Grammie moved a vase, little dirt on his hand) it must be fixed 'right now.'
He's having fun...
*The world of pretend is getting stronger around here. In the car, he'll be chatting away to himself, sometimes I'll hear a chuckle and sometimes I get a pretend piece of cake. He also likes to act out his favorite Diego episodes.
*He loves his Gym class. He follows the rules and loves all the fun stuff we do. He really loves his teachers, but one in particular. She loves him too, and recently rearranged her work schedule to be sure he was still in her class. Proud mama moment, for me.
*His latest jam is 'The Cave' by Mumford and Sons. He sings along *loudly*, shakes his tambourine, and likes to say 'banjo' when it comes in.
He's healthy...
*After being sick *literally* from January to mid-March we discovered that he has significant dust allergies. We've taken the necessary steps in his room, added some kiddie clari*tin and he is seriously a new kid. I can't explain the difference in his personality now that he's healthy again. We were getting used to his constant crabby state (which really isn't even that bad), but once his cough went away the most fun, happy, toddler was revealed. I'm so thankful it was nothing serious and that G can now get back to the business of having fun!
He's a joy...
*He really is such a good kid, we count our blessings every day. We're so proud to be able to call him our son and are so thrilled that we get to spend the rest of our lives with such a special boy!
He's always learning...
*As you know he can count to 10. He loves to point to things and count how many.
*He definitely knows all his letters, and can almost sing the alphabet song.
*When we're out and about he points to the people around and identifies them, correctly, as either 'guy,' 'lady,' or recently he's added 'kid.'
*He's very tuned in to noises. Any noise you hear he'll stop, cup his ear and say 'noy?'
*It's amazing to hear what he picks up from the day. If you ask if he was at the zoo, he could tell you about a certain animal he saw or how the bears were biting each other.
He's a softie...
*He likes to reiterate that we're all happy. He'll point to everyone, including himself, and say "mommy happy, daddy happy, Gaber happy." If I express my displeasure with something he does (like growl at Posie) he says "mommy happy." Just makin' sure that this one incident doesn't deter me from my happiness. Or if I say I'm proud of him he says affirmatively 'mommy happy.'
*During his bedtime routine, once he's in the crib and the the adult, usually Dave, is on the chair singing to him, he throws out his stuffed penguin, so that Dave has something soft to cuddle with too.
*We play a fun game when we put his shoes on. One shoe goes on easily, but then just before the other shoe and sock are about to go on he hides the sock. Then that shoe gets very sad and cries since he can't go on Gabe's foot. He then offers the 'sad shoe' his boo-ba, aka his blue blanket, as comfort to the sad shoe.
*If I get hurt in any way or seem upset, he'll walk up to me and softly stroke me.
*When he sees a picture of me and him or daddy and him he says "awwww."
He's chatty...
*If something is not available, it's considered "closed." Mom says you can't play baseball outside at 7am? "Baseball closed."
*Similarly, if something is new the old one "broke." Cohen moved to a new house? That could only mean that the old "house broke."
*He's Mr. Right Now. Gabe do you want a baby brother? "Yes, right now!"
He likes rules and order...
*The timer is our friend around here. I've used it for time outs for a long time and when it's almost time to go, I set the timer and when it goes off, we have to leave. When I say 'five more minutes' Gabe says 'timer' so that we're all on the same page.
*If anything is out of the way he expects it (ie, spilled food, Grammie moved a vase, little dirt on his hand) it must be fixed 'right now.'
He's having fun...
*The world of pretend is getting stronger around here. In the car, he'll be chatting away to himself, sometimes I'll hear a chuckle and sometimes I get a pretend piece of cake. He also likes to act out his favorite Diego episodes.
*He loves his Gym class. He follows the rules and loves all the fun stuff we do. He really loves his teachers, but one in particular. She loves him too, and recently rearranged her work schedule to be sure he was still in her class. Proud mama moment, for me.
*His latest jam is 'The Cave' by Mumford and Sons. He sings along *loudly*, shakes his tambourine, and likes to say 'banjo' when it comes in.
He's healthy...
*After being sick *literally* from January to mid-March we discovered that he has significant dust allergies. We've taken the necessary steps in his room, added some kiddie clari*tin and he is seriously a new kid. I can't explain the difference in his personality now that he's healthy again. We were getting used to his constant crabby state (which really isn't even that bad), but once his cough went away the most fun, happy, toddler was revealed. I'm so thankful it was nothing serious and that G can now get back to the business of having fun!
He's a joy...
*He really is such a good kid, we count our blessings every day. We're so proud to be able to call him our son and are so thrilled that we get to spend the rest of our lives with such a special boy!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Ode To The Po
Yes, I wrote a poem for my cat Posie's 5th birthday....now stop giggling.
Ode To The Po
You are a loyal cat through and through,
Whoever said cats aren't loyal, never met you.
You protect our house from spiders, squirrels and mice,
But your favorite thing is to come in for a snuggle that's oh so nice.
When we come home you're always there to greet us with a meow and some love,
You're a kitty cat that was truly sent from above.
We had you before we had Gabe,
But we still remember when you were just a babe.
So, happy 5th birthday Posie, on this 2nd of May,
We love you and are so glad you're here to stay!
Ode To The Po
You are a loyal cat through and through,
Whoever said cats aren't loyal, never met you.
You protect our house from spiders, squirrels and mice,
But your favorite thing is to come in for a snuggle that's oh so nice.
When we come home you're always there to greet us with a meow and some love,
You're a kitty cat that was truly sent from above.
We had you before we had Gabe,
But we still remember when you were just a babe.
So, happy 5th birthday Posie, on this 2nd of May,
We love you and are so glad you're here to stay!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
I Turn My (new) Camera On...
As I mentioned a few posts back, my camera was on the fritz. That was my second point and shoot camera in about 3 years. Instead of getting yet another one, I thought it was time for an upgrade. I did a little research and got lots of good advice from friends and ended up with a dslr that is good for a beginner like me. I'm sorry I waited as long as I did, the clarity and the types of shots I can get are amazing. My good friend and photographer extraordinaire, Christine, recommended I just go crazy in the beginning and take lots of shots to see how the camera works and get comfortable with it. So, for the past week, I've been taking all sorts of shots, here are some of the results:
Playing with the close up feature on Easter...
Happy Family...
Workin' the stink eye...
Playing with the portrait feature...
Did you know Gabe's hair has brown highlights? You do now, thanks to my new camera
Asking G to sprint towards me to try the sports feature...
Finally able to get a good smile thanks to a faster shutter...
Playing with the close up feature on Easter...
Happy Family...
Workin' the stink eye...
Playing with the portrait feature...
Did you know Gabe's hair has brown highlights? You do now, thanks to my new camera
Asking G to sprint towards me to try the sports feature...
Finally able to get a good smile thanks to a faster shutter...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Two Years Ago Today...
we saw this cute little guy for the first time:
and now we get to see this cute little guy every day:
Are we lucky or what?
and now we get to see this cute little guy every day:
Are we lucky or what?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Strike!
Baseball started a week ago, but today is the White Sox home opener. My loyal readers know that I'm a huge White Sox fan and that every year, I do an 'Opening Day' post. Usually I talk about how the beginning of baseball signals the beginning of spring and all the hope that goes along with that. But today is a 7 second video of an almost 2 1/2 year old giving his best umpire impression:
Go White Sox!!
Go White Sox!!
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