Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas! It's hard to believe another year has come and gone with the celebration of another Christmas. It's great to look at these photos and think of how much life has changed over the years. Jae and I have been married for nearly three years now with our first child on the way. The kids keep growing bigger and bigger with each year too. Just look at how small they were just a few years ago. (This is probably my favorite photo of Lydia & Joshua.)


Our family has also grown with the addition of Peter this year. The family just keeps on growing and growing. I may be getting ahead of myself, but hopefully next year will include another addition to our family with the coming of another baby. I know, Caleb hasn't even been born yet and I'm already thinking of a second child, but it's been such a great first pregnancy thus far even with all the discomfort and aches that I can't help but to think of another. So if all goes well, perhaps next year's Christmas family photo will include little Caleb and a little brother or sister for him in mommy's tummy. :)

Here's the Son's: Namjin, Yeonah, Lydia and Joshie.



And a cute photo of Jae and the kids . . . and Miffy. Joshie's an especially big fan of Miffy and so the kids decided to give a Miffy stuffed toy to Caleb on his first Christmas. :) Joshie was first introduced to the little Dutch bunny when Jae and I returned from the Netherlands with a Miffy souvenir tshirt for Lydia. Turns out that Joshie fell in love with the bunny immediately and when Lydia eventually out grew the shirt, Joshie claimed it for himself and it's been history since. I suppose the kids wanted to return the favor and share the joys of Miffy with their new cousin. :)


Ah, and here's Uncle David with the kids. I would never have guessed, but the big hit of this year's Christmas were these books used to organize/display the new collector's edition of quarters. I was surprised to learn that the kids really enjoy coin collecting, and as soon as they opened their gifts, they began jumping up and down for joy. Transformers and GI Joes were the long sought after toys of my days, but I suppose times have changed, the economy isn't what it once was and kids have become more financially savvy. Who'd a figured? :|

Pregnancy, Weeks 32 & 33

Rounding-off week 33 and Jae's & Caleb are doing well. The baby continues to grow and grow. Jae's even begun to feel the effects of Caleb's now 4 pounds of weight on her body as well. Along with the usual nudge I give her to help her roll out of bed, she recently asked me to help her get her socks on. I guess bending for Jae will have to be put on hold until the little fella is born. It'll be fine though. I think it's kinda cute.

Knowing that the baby's growing at a healthy rate is very reassuring, but it hasn't been easy on my normally coordinated wife. Jae's begun to accidentally bump into things more than usual. It's come to the point where I've learned to move things far away from table edges, especially the kitchen island. There have been times when she's bumped things off the island and not realized it. She walks by, maybe turns a bit, falls to the floor something or another, I pick it up and return it to the counter top, she continues to walk (or waddle) by like nothing happened. That's another thing that's changed, her walk has transformed into more of a waddle. I think it's adorable, and as soon as I figure out how to post videos, I'll have to film her walking as only she can. :)

Here's Penelope!

Meet my tiny little niece, Penelope Quinn Rose. Only 6 lb 11 oz at birth, this little girl has all the power to capture my heart. There's almost nothing better than holding her in my arms as she sleeps while making the softest, sweetest sounds, well, except when she opens her eyes and begins looking at me. :) At this stage, it doesn't happen very often, so when she does open her eyes and looks around, it feels great to look back into her eyes and wonder what she thinks of the world around her. Probably that it's very bright, spacious, and dry -- nothing like mommy's tummy. Hopefully somewhere in between those thoughts, she'll come to like her new uncle Doug who tries hard to gently sing sweet lullabies to her even though he's tone deaf. :/


Being a new uncle to little Penelope is great, but I can't wait to finally hold Caleb. To think I'll be a father in a few weeks. I can hardly believe my sister Pearl's a mother. It wasn't too long ago when we were just kids sitting on our big brother's lap on the front porch of our old house. We were so young back then and world seemed so big. I remember thinking that my father was a giant, and to think that someday soon, little Caleb will probably think the same of me. Hard to believe, but I can't wait. :)