Our kid on TV

UNC-TV finally released the podcast of their November 23rd edition of NC NOW, which features a short clip of Lucia, her grandpa and mom! They were at the State Farmer's Market in Raleigh. Click on the image below and check out the 5:27 minute mark. (They just brought home fruit, by the way.)

Lucia's been the star of plenty of video chats with Grandparents, but she's already moved on to the big screen. Where does time go?!

The costly photo

I spent the morning apologizing to my 4 month old baby.  It wasn't the first parenting mistake I made, and it definitely isn't the last.  I tiptoed into the bedroom where she was sleeping deeply and thought, "what a great photo."  So I tiptoed back out, grabbed the camera, thoughtfully turned off the flash since there was plenty of natural lighting and I didn't want to wake her.  Framing her perfectly in the lens, I pushed the button and the world's LOUDEST camera click ever went off!  Oh BOY!  She startled awake, looked at mama very crossly, cried and closed her eyes as I quickly put the pacifier in her mouth, rubbed her forehead and said "sorry, baby, sorry, baby."  After a minute she opened her eyes again and smiled really big.  WHEW!  We have a girl with an awesome personality.

Thanks, giving, and crockpots

We enjoyed our long weekend very much, just relaxing, napping, eating and being entertained by baby.   This is a good time of year to think about all the things and people we are thankful for, and our list this year is very long.  To everything there is a season, and it seems our season right now is to receive more than give.   But we can always give thanks.

I've graduated!  At last, the final infusion is over.  Let the hair growing begin!

Overheard at the doctor's office today:  "I have seven crockpots and used them all for Thanksgiving."  I am impressed with that number, fellow infusion lady.

The Grandpas and Grandmas

We've enjoying a very relaxed holiday weekend, with no plans nor agenda.  Not even shopping.  We avoided the crowds and took our cues from the baby -- eat, sleep, eat and sleep.   Lucia Sora is basking the in the attention of all her grandparents, while her mom is taking advantage of the opportunity to rest.  We also combed through more of Lucia's clothes bins as she is growing out of clothes quickly.  That was fun but now we need more hangers!

Happppppy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for leisure time, because it means I can post on this blog while Youngin plucks the eight grey hairs I have developed this semester. As many of us will be reminded by hanging out with our life-experienced relatives today, leisure was not always the privilege of the middle (or lower) class. Thankfully, I know they're not making this up because I had the spare time to take a (required elective) class called Leisure and Wellness, which confirmed that leisure is, in fact, a relatively new concept for us peons. Unfortunately, I took the leisurely pace of the class too seriously, resulting in a grade that was worse than all of my real classes. I am thankful for this lesson because it taught me that I do not have time for leisurely activities.

Reading and Relaxing

I am one of two or three grad students who showed up today at school. Technically, we're supposed to treat this like a job and show up even when we don't have classes. It's been quiet and I've knocked out some homework this morning. Now I'm looking forward to a good Thanksgiving break. The only homework I have is a (large) reading assignment. If I can complete that and work in some time to relax, I should be set up fairly well heading into our finals!

So close

Yesterday's treatment went well, but I felt worse than usual afterward.  A little more nauseous and tired, I went to bed early and slept late.  This morning I am much better, though am still taking it easy.  I'm happy I haven't felt like this the whole time!  And thankful again for my parents who are so wonderful with our baby.

Thanks to everyone who commented yesterday.  Appreciate all your thoughts.  Every positive one helps us to stay positive!

6 out of 6.2

Youngin has her (almost) last treatment today! She'll follow up next Monday with an additional treatment, but it will only be a single drug.

Thank you for all your support so far! And don't be bashful - leave a comment to let Youngin know you're reading along.

(tg)

Ladies Lunch, Starbucks, and the Pink Beret

We enjoyed a wonderful ladies lunch yesterday at Macaroni Grill.  We all "happened" to show up wearing various shades of pink, and found much to laugh, eat, and talk about.  Lucia sported a hot pink beret, which she also wore this morning with a fancier dress.   We've also been sipping on Starbucks' peppermint mochas this weekend, taking advantage of their BOGO sale.  Troy worked outside around the house, replanting some trees which hopefully will grow up quickly.

May your worries always be so small,

and your battles so trivial.  A wealthy suburb of Chicago is in an uproar over lightbulbs, and how much outdoor lighting should be allowed....

Fresh eyes

The world looks completely different these days with a baby as everything is new and interesting to her.  Today, she stared out the window at the gentle rainfall which caused golden and reddish leaves to fall off the tress.  She was mesmerized for about 10 minutes watching her first autumn.   She definitely has her daddy's observational skills.

Guess who loves her daddy?

Happy week

...and now the weekend has swung in already.  This week started with finishing round 5 of treatment without too much trouble.  Tuesday, we walked Lake Pine, and then today also wandered the trails of Umstead State Park.  Lucia thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors in the sunshine and slight breeze.  Her current favorite form of carriage is the Baby Bjorn.  She's also graduating to the bigger 8 ounce bottles.  She's out-growing her clothes by the week!  Lucia had a teeny bit of left upper eyelid swelling and a minimal about of discharge earlier in the week, but now her eyes are clear.  Thankfully she didn't catch our colds.

We also shopped at the mall in honor of veteran's day weekend.  Some stores are having a special sale where 5% of sales go to a charity of choice.  Good reason to shop, eh?  So, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society received a tiny donation from us -- and what do you know??  I got a thank-you email from them already.

I tried running some more this week, which went slightly better than last week when 3 driveway lengths was my max output.  This morning, I ran 1/4-1/2 blocks at a time.  The elliptical a the gym was much easier yesterday but the fresh, crisp, sunny autumn weather is a big pull for the outdoors. 

Lucia Sora's Baek-il (Part II)

For part one, see our previous post. This post is just an addendum to show a great photo taken by Christian Chapman. (Thanks Christian!)

Lucia with Rice Cake, Rice Cake Treats, Candy, and a Chocolate Layer Cake Disguised as a Giant Cupcake

Fastaurant?

Ever hear of it?  Want to know what it is?  Read this article on Konglish to find out.

Lucia Sora's Baek-il

Happy 100 Days, our beautiful daughter!  We love you so much!

Tablescape -- of course, in pink

Roses from Daddy

Cake table--of course, pink

Cake by BlueMoon Bakery

Table with food

Aerial view of cake table

Spring rolls with peanut sauce -- Halmuhni cooked all afternoon!

Daddy grilling the marinated ribs

Beautiful girl in front of her cupcake cake

Family!

Lucia is excited to meet her cousins from Ohio, and of course to see Grandma and Grandpa.  The photographers at the studio worked hard this morning to snap some good smiles.  We look forward to seeing the photos.

Tonight we celebrate Lucia Sora's 100th day, which is officially on Monday.  This baek-il (100 day) hallmarks the health of a baby, and is celebrated with rice cake.  Of course, we've added our American touch and created a cake table, complete with a cupcake cake.  Pictures to follow;  Please check back!

Me and mini-me

Midweek musings

At the grocery store, I stood in line in complete awe of the woman who was checking out in front of me.  Her cart was full of groceries and her 1 1/2 year old son sat in the front of it, totally chill.  She then presented the cashier approximately 30 coupons, paid $53 and saved about $100 according to what the cashier read off the printout.  I didn't even mind the extra 5 minute wait as each coupon was scanned just because I was trying to wrap my mind around how this woman managed to do all that, most especially with a baby!!  ME?  I was simply happy to run to the store (alone) and grab milk and eggs.  Period.  Seriously, how do these women do it?  I'm lucky to fold clothes real quick during baby's nap session before the next round of diaper change, feed, burp, play and nap.  And that's with Grandma around helping me!

Baby's perspective on life

1) I have to look at the world moving backwards, whether I'm in a car seat or being carried.  Seriously, people, don't you remember riding backward in the back of that station wagon and how much you wanted to face forward?  No wonder I'm getting neck cramps trying to turn my head to see straight.
2) I get the same thing for every single meal.  Bor-ing!  But I'm hungry enough to not complain.  (at least not too loud)
3) I wear pink.  No matter what.  No one ever asked me if I even like pink.
4) Are you adults really that happy about every burb and belch I make? 
5) So I like ceiling fans and lights.  Although if you keep making those funny faces and weird noises, I might have to stare at you instead.
6)  Yep, I will smile at you, if only to see your reaction.  Gotcha again!