Eight years

On the 29th...eight years ago...I married the person I was most in love with. 

We have been through so much in our eight years of marriage. Kinda crazy. It has been so much fun. And painful. And joyful. And tearful. And so full of surprises and unexpected highs and lows. And so full of love and support. 

Keith took Tuesday and Wednesday off from work. It was so great having two whole days to spend as a family. 

On Tuesday we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We haven't been with SeungHwan yet, what a fun place. Then we all enjoyed a yummy Mediterranean dinner. Next, we came home and bathed and put the guy to bed and my wonderful sister came over so we could go to a night movie!! And of course we picked a super grown up one...the new How to Train Your Dragon. ;) 

Wednesday was spent at the SF Zoo with my MIL. Loved it. Saw so many animals... it was fun. Even better it was free since I had won some tickets.  

Here are a few pics from our adventures. 

Love. 

Wordless Wednesday

A pic from our camping trip last month.  :) My heart.

Celebrations..

I have been horrible the last few months about posting!!

Recap of the big events: 

SeungHwan turned three on June 7th! 

We had our first camping trip!

We celebrated the Fourth of July with our new American citizen. 

We are potty training-ed (not going to jinx myself!)

Because I have been so awful...I will just write about the birthday celebration...because it was pretty darn fun.

Celebrating the first two years of our son's life without him home was always difficult and bittersweet. This year we were able to celebrate him home!! So amazing! We decided to do a "hiking" themed birthday party since that is something we like to do together. When thinking of a theme, I knew I wanted something he would pick if he could tell me. There were many options but I am so happy we decided on hiking. When SeungHwan saw his invitation he said "hiking!!!" which of course made me really happy because I knew it would be the perfect celebratory theme!

at Garin a month or so before...notice the water! 

One of the fun parts about party prep was collecting pine cones with the cousins.

We held the party Garin regional park which is not too far from home. I really wish it was still all lush and green but it was still perfect. What made it even more specials was the special guests- SeungHwan's foster mom and brother. :) We picked them up from the airport that day and it was a great and memorable week with them. We also held his party a week six days earlier than originally planned so they could come to his party. Keith and his Mom set up everything for the party-so awesome, while I was at the airport with my twinnie. We hiked with our friends & family, painted pots (which was part of the favor), bbqed and ate some great food, and played on the nearby field. The only major snag was that I completely forgot the cupcakes and had to zoom home to grab them. It was such a fabulous day and we couldn't have asked for better weather!! Loved it! These moments below were captured by my lovely and talented pal..thanks M!!  So thankful to my family and friends who were able to make it out. You made his first birthday home one to remember. 

love

Six Months

I am going to be honest here. The last few months have been more than fabulous..I am so grateful to have my son home and to have celebrated my first Mother's Day with my child in my arms. Don't get me wrong. But I have also felt the challenge and frustration of adjusting to being a parent with a now almost three year old. This particular toddler is so bright and soo stubborn. Some days are harder than others and some days (or at least large chunks of the day) are so great I wish I could do a repeat the next day. There have been many tears by both the kid and this Omma. As I told my dad..."this parenting thing is no joke." But I am so happy to have this opportunity...it's a whole new experience for me. I am learning every day and am trying really hard and at times failing hard. 

Six months have gone by quickly. I was looking through pictures today from Korea and it is crazy how some of the events I already had forgotten about. So much about our trip was such a blur and even though I will never forget "it" certainly details are. I am happy for this digital age. Lots of pictures...if only I were better about printing them. 

This week is going to be busy...grad school work and preparations for SeungHwan's third birthday. Our first celebration with him home after celebrating the first two years without him here. 

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks. 

Wordless Wednesday

Adventures

We have been busy enjoying life and the great spring weather we are having. Lots of adventures out and about. More recently Garin Regional Park and our first visit to San Francisco. 

We were lucky to be able to meet up with our social worker from Arizona on Sunday. She is here for a conference. There were other families there as well so it was nice to see other kids and parents. SeungHwan had a blast running around and playing. Then we were off to walk around. We saw the sea lions and SeungHwan pointed out the "big one...right there!" :) We (Keith and I) enjoyed clam chowder in bread bowls and SeungHwan enjoyed his chicken. 

Fun fun day!

Spring time!

On November 21st, 2013, we officially became a family of three.  Hard to believe it was just four months ago. SeungHwan has grown in so many ways.  I love what I have and am so thankful we have this opportunity to spend so much time together.  With Keith's schedule being pretty flexible, we can do things here and there and we both get one on one time with SeungHwan and me time.  And even though my me time "feels" like it is mostly for class or homework I am still thankful Keith help with that. 

SeungHwan and I are soaking up this gorgeous weather!! I know we really need the rain, but I have had so much fun the past few days taking walks with my guy.  Yesterday, there was a crazy spider in my house so we naturally took it outside (in a container) to catch it some bugs to eat (totally my son's idea :P). How fun to dig in the tanbark with sticks and look for things. And how funny to realize the little boy who loved the bug toys is not so into the moving critters (but he will pick up the dried worms up off the sidewalk!) We had a caterpillar on our cauliflower a few weeks ago and he was fascinated and horrified at the same time. Today we went on a little walk and just sat near a lavender bush and just watched the bees buzz around and visit the flowers.

Looking for 개미 (ants)

all smiles in the sun

me too. <3

We have also been visiting a local working farm called Ardenwood.  This week we met up with another adoptive family and it was really nice to visit.  The best part is all the lambs...so many! And some even come right up to say hello.  They have a great toddler program so we have been enjoying that.  This week we actually made it to the area in time for the whole story and activity...last time we visited the cows for much too long.

cute babies

And the other really important thing....Frozen.  So I saw the movie when it came out and SeungHwan only heard the soundtrack...a lot.  He even started singing a few lines here and there.  Well, the cutest thing...on Wednesday he picked up a carrot toy and stuck it on his nose, and said his version of "do you want to build a snowman?" hehehe.  Love that he made the connection after actually seeing Olaf. Maybe he will be inspired and start eating carrots too.

:)

Still pretty "picky" but he has recently nibbled broccoli after trying it raw from our friend's garden.  Isn't that crazy? But hey it's the only vegetable he knowingly puts in his mouth...we have to start somewhere!

Somewhere in the last few days or so, we have crossed the line into not really potty training into what I guess is more like potty training...  I have not read any books on it and I hear there is some awesome three day program but we are just trying what seems to be working.  What is working?? Chocolate because the boy loves it and never gets it otherwise.  Oh and running around with no pants on.  We have had a small leak and three #2 accidents.  He tells me when he needs to go "sshi" so that is awesome.  He has also gone a little "dong" on the potty too today (after an accident).  So we will see what happens, not pushing it all day at this point but I am excited to know we won't be in diapers forever.

In other awesome news, Keith and I are pretty much sleeping in our bedroom now.  I must give my awesome hubby more props...he has been doing most of the naps/bedtimes lately because SeungHwan will go down much easier for him than me.  He doesn't have to but he does. After our draining afternoon today, I passed out on the couch! 

Lots of new words happening all the time. Phrases and short sentences too.  It's so amazing.  Some fun ones include: everybody, come and eat!, oh my goodness, what are you doing, I coming, good job (insert name here), candle, happy birthday (greeting and song), right there, and spicy (supicy!). Keith and I are also working on all the re-adoption paperwork so we are ready to go when it is time to do so.  :)