Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!
I just fell in love with the cutest apron, head scarf, doll set. Check out the Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!. Lulu has been wearing my aprons...which look adorable wrapped around her hanging to her0 feet. I think it is time I got her her own since this Christmas we have started baking more. I have gotten better at substituting milk, butter & eggs in recipes (Lulu is allergic to milk & eggs.) We made gingerbread and sugar cookies so far.
Time is flying by...
As you can plainly witness...I am a terrible blogger. I started this blog for my daughters and so with renewed fervor I will make another attempt at capturing their childhood. Lulu (3) has her first Christmas Concert tonight. We are very excited for this monumental event and are almost positive she will reluctantly go to the stage to sing. When the first kid makes a break for it Lulu will in turn start shouting for me at the top of her lungs right smack in the middle of Away in the Manger. Hopefully this will be all captured on video for posterity.
The real reason I find myself down in my nightmare of an office (it is an explosion of Christmas presents, papers, toys, boxes and anything else that doesn't have a home in our house) is our because our little Emme was so sweet and adorable when she woke from her nap I just was in awe of her. I remembered back to Lulu at that age and well...the wheels started turning...I felt that desperate urgency to capture my girls at this exact moment in time. Aside from stuffing them in a time capsule I thought I'd quickly jot down how amazing and funny they are. Right now both girls are vying for a spot on my lap...until next time!
The real reason I find myself down in my nightmare of an office (it is an explosion of Christmas presents, papers, toys, boxes and anything else that doesn't have a home in our house) is our because our little Emme was so sweet and adorable when she woke from her nap I just was in awe of her. I remembered back to Lulu at that age and well...the wheels started turning...I felt that desperate urgency to capture my girls at this exact moment in time. Aside from stuffing them in a time capsule I thought I'd quickly jot down how amazing and funny they are. Right now both girls are vying for a spot on my lap...until next time!
Monday, March 24th
Myeong-DongWe grabbed a few hours sleep, a shower and breakfast before we ventured out into Seoul. At almost 10 am Seoul seemed like it was still sleeping. The streets were empty and many of the shops were closed. We wandered around the pedestrian walkway near our hotel. It was lined with clothing shops and restaurants. Many of the signs were in Hangul and English.
Just as we were heading towards the subway to goto the Adoption Agency the street vendors and shops started to get going. When we would return later that afternoon it was packed with people and vendors.
As an aside: If you ever find yourself in Seoul this is a great area to be in.
This picture answers the burning question...Why are you so tall? It seems everyone is under the same impression as I was that Koreans are not tall. During our visit I saw lots of men & woman taller than 5 ' 8". At 5' 10" I was taller than most of the woman but not by much.
Arriving in Korea
Of course neither one of us could sleep on the plane...13 hours plus later...we arrived in Seoul. The airport was modern and clean. We picked up our bags and were greeted by Mr. Sato our driver. It was now almost 5 am and the streets were dark and empty. Drew & I were struck by how dark Seoul is at night. Not like NYC which is lit up like a Christmas tree year round. Most of the office buildings, parking garages, stores... don't leave their lights on.
Mr. Sato did drive like he was in a chase scene from the Bourne Idenity. Crossing 4 lanes to make an illegal u turn while blowing through a red light!
We stayed at the Hotel Ibis Myeong-Dong. We LOVED it. It was close to everything! It was modern, the staff was very helpful (they even acted as translators on a phone call to Holt for us), everyone spoke English, breakfast was yummy with east & west options, the rooms were clean... The best part was the price $119 a night. The room was small -- think boutique NYC hotel size -- but it had two full size beds and a wicked toilet that did everything!
Mr. Sato did drive like he was in a chase scene from the Bourne Idenity. Crossing 4 lanes to make an illegal u turn while blowing through a red light!
We stayed at the Hotel Ibis Myeong-Dong. We LOVED it. It was close to everything! It was modern, the staff was very helpful (they even acted as translators on a phone call to Holt for us), everyone spoke English, breakfast was yummy with east & west options, the rooms were clean... The best part was the price $119 a night. The room was small -- think boutique NYC hotel size -- but it had two full size beds and a wicked toilet that did everything!
Leaving for Korea
March 22, 2008
Saturday Night
Drew & I left for JFK at 9pm for a red eye flight to Seoul. We had had time to (sort of) recover emotionally from dropping Lulu off at Drew's sister's house. As you all know, this was particularly difficult for me since I had never been away from my Lulu Bean for more than 6 hours at most.
Up until this point it had been easy to compartmentalize what needed to be done and ignore any and all anxiety. There was nothing else for me to organize or obsess about. We were on the way to the airport to go back to the country I was born in (adopted from) to pick up our new daughter. Hmm.... anyone freaking out? Strangely not me. Although I was running the full spectrum of emotions (as I am sure Drew was too) I had a strange sense of inner calm anchoring me. I knew it was right -- everything -- returning to Korea and most importantly getting Emme. We had waited what seemed like ages. We were ready!
Saturday Night
Drew & I left for JFK at 9pm for a red eye flight to Seoul. We had had time to (sort of) recover emotionally from dropping Lulu off at Drew's sister's house. As you all know, this was particularly difficult for me since I had never been away from my Lulu Bean for more than 6 hours at most.
Up until this point it had been easy to compartmentalize what needed to be done and ignore any and all anxiety. There was nothing else for me to organize or obsess about. We were on the way to the airport to go back to the country I was born in (adopted from) to pick up our new daughter. Hmm.... anyone freaking out? Strangely not me. Although I was running the full spectrum of emotions (as I am sure Drew was too) I had a strange sense of inner calm anchoring me. I knew it was right -- everything -- returning to Korea and most importantly getting Emme. We had waited what seemed like ages. We were ready!
Making up for lost time
The next few entries will be recaps of past events. Namely traveling to Korea, Emme's first weeks home, and our trip to Disney. Enjoy!
The 4 Kings are now complete
March 26th, 2008
Emme landed safely at JFK airport. After a rocky (read: crying on an off for almost an hour) start to the flight Emme settled in for the 13 hour flight home. Exhausted she fell asleep in the bassinet (see photo) and had to be woken for landing. Her sweet, happy and easy going nature shone as we made our way through customs and baggage. She fell asleep again on the car ride home. So needless to say wasn't at all tired when we got home. She slept about a total of 5 hours that first night home (asleep for 3, awake for two, asleep for two).
Approximately at 5 am Emme had an explosion beyond all explosions and found herself in the bathtub for her first bath stateside. She seemed happy as a clam!