On the 15th, my family got a scare when my 7 week old nephew needed to undergo emergency hernia surgery as well as an appendectomy. When I first heard the news, it definitely halted my activities for the next few days.  My brother sent me the photo above, and it totally broke my heart to see him in that state. Thankfully, he is recovering well and was able to go home after a couple days. My nephew handled the situation like a champ with very minimal crying and fussing, even after not being able to eat for 24 hours! This is definitely a reminder that life is very fragile and we should not take anything for granted. I can't wait to visit the little guy!

* photos by Jeff So

Recent Photos

Not too much has been going on lately. We've been recuperating from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and staying indoors since it's been cold out! I did, however, watch a movie by myself for the first time ever. I've been wanting to watch "Gangsta Squad" since I'm a Ryan Gosling fan. I dropped Leah off at daycare and watched it at a Mommy and Me screening (without Leah!).  Great movie!

These Dolls...

freak my baby out! The only time I've seen Leah somewhat scared is if she's thrown too high in the air or if she's wary of a complete stranger. We got these dolls a couple years ago from Matt's sister as a Christmas gift (before I was even pregnant). We put them up on a shelf in our kitchen, and this weekend Leah noticed them and started pointing at them. Matt took them down to show her and they totally scared her! I know, I'm horrible for video taping her, but I couldn't help it! I find it hilarious and so cute. Hopefully she'll laugh when I show her the video one day.

Happy New Year!

Calling up her buddies to come over

New Years Kiss! Photo taken by Bob Cho

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fun and safe new year celebration. On New Years Eve, we had a few other families over for a potluck dinner. Everyone brought amazing food. The menu consisted of baked brie, broccoli salad, mini spinach bread bowls, brussels sprouts, lasagna, prime rib, and sticky butter toffee pudding!  We had 4 one year old babies in the house, and boy was it chaotic. It was so fun watching these babies crawl/walk around everywhere especially since they've known each other since they were practically newborns. However, trying to get all 4 babies together for a picture proved to be a failure. Matt and I tried to stay up till midnight, but we ended up passing out at 11pm. 

Today, we went to my brother's for a New Years lunch with my family. We had another amazing meal consisting of tri tip, lobster tails, crab legs, and asparagus! This was the first time all 3 cousins have been together since last time we tried Leah was sick.

We also took down the Christmas tree and decorations today. I'm in denial the holidays are over, but I'm looking forward to what 2013 will bring! Happy New Year!!

Family Photos 2012

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas with their loved ones.  Ours was amazing, and it has been so much fun to experience the magic of Christmas through the eyes of Leah.

On the 24th, we celebrated with my family in Orange County. The minute Leah saw her cousins, she was pretty much in heaven. She kept giving them hugs and kisses and followed them all around the house. The older cousins are so good with her. 

After everyone arrived, we ate dinner which always stars my dad's famous prime rib. I'm craving left overs as I type this. Then we had a grab bag/white elephant gift distribution which looks like the start of a new tradition. My uncle always brings a TON of assorted items from work {a sporting goods retailer} such as golf items, sunglasses, swim gear, exercise equipment, flash lights, and other knick knacks. Each family has a number, and we just go down family by family and choose an item. The little ones really get into this. I'm also realizing I need to do a better job of taking photos of these events.  

Leah was starting to get super tired by this point, so we quickly took some family photos and started to open gifts.  Once I get a hold of the big group shot, I'll post it. We knew it would take forever to go through all the gifts, so I let her open one gift, then let her explore all the other toys people got. She didn't really get the idea of opening presents, but she definitely gets the idea of new toys.  She pointed, shook, and dragged around any toy around her. We left shortly after opening gifts, and stayed over at my parents' house that night since we were headed to San Diego Christmas day. 

This morning, we woke up and Santa arrived! ;) Since I've never missed a Christmas morning at my parents' house, my mom still packs a stocking for me. She also has one for Matt and Leah. It's one of my favorite Christmas morning traditions. We opened our stocking gifts, and then let Leah open the rest of her presents. 

Afterwards, we packed up and headed to San Diego to spend Christmas with Matt's family. Matt's mom recently moved to a house on the same street as his brother! We toured the new house, then walked over to his brother's to meet up with everyone else. We opened more presents and ate lunch from Bucca Di Beppo. Leah has had a jam packed 2 days, but she loved every second of it. She was so playful with everyone, and even when she was tired, she powered through it and wanted to keep playing! With all these tragic events occurring in our world, this Christmas was extra special. To be able celebrate the birth of Jesus with our families is truly a blessing.

Merry Christmas!

Baby Kayla!

Part of the fun of the holidays is being able to catch up with friends who are coming back in town. On the 24th, my college gfs and I reunited for a Korean BBQ lunch in Cerritos and then visited Baby Kayla! She's 2 weeks now and so tiny and adorable.  I definitely miss those days when Leah was that tiny. Can't wait for future playdates with Leah and Kayla.  My have times changed since our college days!