...Cabela's...

Tori and Kevin (and Ary) came over for breakfast last Friday. They were going to Cabela's afterwards to stock up for their trip... Derrick and I made an impromptu trip w/ Jude and so did DLo's momma- to see her grandbabies! Haha! Ary and Jude had a blast looking at all the animals...and especially the fish. It's great having inlaws that you love- enough to go to a random sporting goods store to spend time w/ them!!!

...grrr...

I REALLY hate how blogger uploads pictures. Dear blogger peeps- help?! I'm not computer dumb by any means....but uploading pix throws off the format and adds random html. grrr.

...WHS '09...

Wow. My twin cousins, Sarah and Stacy, just graduated from HS. I. Cannot. Believe. It. It was seriously only yesterday that I was carrying a picture of those two waiting for them to come off the airplane from Korea to live w/ us in the US. It was only yesterday that we'd swim in the pool and I'd give them "guided tours" of the backyard and pretend that sharks were getting us and then yell "고모!" (Gomo- means aunt) at the top of our lungs for my mom to get us towels! It was only yesterday that my mom would babysit them and they'd accompany me to my piano lessons and then the 40min drive to church singing "Egg is cooking, bulgogee is cooking- lalalalalaaaa!". And it was only yesterday that they'd freak out when my mom would tell them the police were going to get them if they didn't finish eating their Chicken Nuggets- only to have a group of cops walk in for their lunch! HAHAHAHA! It was 11 years ago that I was graduating from Westview...and here I am...at UPhx Stadium...watching those two lil girls receive their diplomas. What. The. Heck.

The ceremony was nice and short. Guess it has to be since UPhx Stadium had FIVE graduations lined up that day!!! DLo was not able to join us- inside that is- as he was late AND had a zillion balloons that my mom ordered us to buy!!! (No balloons allowed in the building) My mom, dad, and I got there 20mins early...and the comedy started right away. Dunno if you know this...but Asians like to brag. And my dad...he's a lil bit Asian at heart. So...here I sit w/ Jude...my camera...and the diaper bag...sweating bullets....while my mom is saying (quite loudly)- "ooooh Sarah/Stacy- they be smart- they have 3 things by name.... oooh...so smart." And then my dad responds (who is losing his hearing and speaks almost louder- sorry dad, but it's true) "YEA, I COUNTED 4 OTHERS WITH 3 STARS." It. Was. Awesome.

Anywho. Stacy did an honor speech. She did a great job. I was completely nervous for her...but she spoke very well. Her speech was hardcore smartspeak...and it was a little hard to hear, but I was all KINDS of proud! I'm also proud b/c this fall, Stacy will be attending Cal Tech and Sarah will be going to Cornell. ::sigh:: My girls are growing up! :(

Well...the BEST part was after the ceremony. Finding the twins amongst the zillions of people...taking a bunch of ridiculous pictures (ridiculous b/c the groups of people in the pictures made NO sense)...and the parking lot situation. Seriously?! Even when you go to a Cards game w/ the parking lot PACKED, the exit is smoother! Long story short-when there are a million cars trying to get out of ONE exit.... you're inevitably going to have people try to cut. That's fine. I'll let one or two of you go. But. When you BOTH cut in front of me at the same time...and then fight over the spot in front of me- b/c you're both idiots and won't just let the other in front of YOU.....then....you deserve to get your car scratched by the other. ...These two cars both cut in front of me at the same time...but would NOT budge for each other...the kept getting closer and closer...and I guess the touched. The man in the truck freaked OUT! It was comedy and ghetto all rolled into one. The older lady in the car was rude and told me to go to...places I shall not go to when I asked her to pull over like the truck to have their "youhitmycar" ridiculousness...instead of parking her car in front of the line of cars (that she cut). Oy. It was awesome...and I totally took a picture of them...b/c they were super cool. :D

Here are some pix- enjoy:

Stacy receiving her diploma...

Sarah receiving her diploma...

My crazy family: Daddy, Uncle Yong (twin's dad), Uncle Song, Sarah, Stacy, Mom, Aunt Jung (twin's mom)

...YEAAAAAAA!!!...

So. My sister and brotherinlaw went to Cali earlier this month to celebrate their 4th year of marriage. While they were there, they visited The Price is Right. Although they didn't make it onto contestant's row....they DID make it on TV!!!!

Here's a video of Jude cheering on his Auntie Tori and Uncle Kevin:

...walker...

So... Jude has been able to pull himself up for quite some time now. His legs are super strong (as are his arms and ...teeth! lol)...but when it comes to walking...he's a lazy lil fella! He does fine when we're holding his arms...but other than one or two small steps, reFUSES to walk on his own... until...yesterday! We repeated this over a dozen times... once he got over being mad at us...he would start giggling w/ each step! Super cute.

Here's a video showing his first steps (you'll note the crying...he wasn't happy at our bootcamp at this point!):

...TN 2009...

Awww...Derrick and I just LOVE TN. But. I've got to say... this trip was hard! First of all. I'm all about saving money...but when you and your husband are large people...and your son is also large for his age... probably best to just suck it up and buy the boy a seat! It was tough being cramped in those seats w/ Jude going back and forth between the two of us!!! Jude, of course, did a great job! We're so blessed w/ such a great kid! The trip was also hard b/c I got sick after the first couple of days. I didn't even get to go to Jordan's (DLo's cousin) graduation b/c I was feeling so crummy! And...on our last day there, DLo started getting sick! Ugh! The trip was fun and memorable, though....I love that Jude has gotten to see his Great Grandparents twice now...and he just loves them. It wasn't as tough leaving this time either...I think Grandma Logan is convinced now that we'll keep comin' back!!! :D

So... my top 10 memories from the trip:
10. The chowmeingetti at the Teppanyaki place w/ Chelsea... first of all...Teppanyaki in TN is comedy...second...when the chow mein is really spagetti...well...I have no words for that!
9. Seama. I'm not sure how you even spell that name. But it's all I have to write to never EVER forget this trip!
8. DLo's "bonding" w/ Layne and Jordan...
7. Trash magazines...DLo knows how much I love those stupid mags...and he bought me like 10 of them for the trip! ;)
6. Zaxby's... it's like the south's Buffalo Wild Wings... it's yummers.
5. The South...where everyone is nice to everyone (unless you are #9)...
4. Crawford/Maria
3. Cassie. I mean. I wish...I WISH you could understand when I say her name what that truly means...she's the big haired, no bra wearing, talkswithouttakingabreath for HOURS cousin of DLo's cousin Jordan. It. Was. Awesome.
2. Jordan's Band Award assembly. Where someone got the "Most Smartest" award (which in and of itself was awesome)...and where Jude yelled and clapped ONLY when Jordan's name was called!!! Haha!
1. Swinging on the porch... Jude loved it...and he'd always cuddle up to us when we were swinging!!! :D


Here are a few of the .5 pictures I took... I was really bad at taking them since I didn't feel so good.

This is Remy, Jordan's dog...he LOVED Jude.

...Jude's BirthDAY...

I know...It's like a week and 1/2 late...but I had minimal computer time in TN AND I was sick AND I've been boycotting life this week while getting better and taking care of DLo and getting readjusted to home life! :D

So. Jude's birthday was super fun. And. Super stressful. What was I thinking planning a party on the Fri before we leave to go on vacation?! AND. What was I thinking having his 1 year check up on the day of the party?! Oh my. Well. Everything worked out. We took Jude to his 1 year check up in the early afternoon. Jude is a healthy and tall boy.

After the appt, we went to Arrowhead Mall so that Derrick could get a stupid hat to grab lunch. We left after some grubbin' and shoppin'...DLo and Jude were so cute walking to the car- they were playin' and havin' a good ole time. Derrick got Jude strapped in and was walking to the driver's side of the car when we heard a loud noise and pebbles came flying at our car. Now. You don't mess w/ me or my family... who in the WORLD is throwing junk at my husband?! I happened to look up at a couple parked across from us getting out of the car (as the pebbles are flying)...and I see the husband say "Did someone get in an accident???" And that's when I notice that it's not rocks...it's GLASS. ?! Long story short. You shouldn't store gas inside your car....not ever...and especially not in 105degree heat. Genius. The back window of a car three cars down from us blew out. There was SUCH a strong smell of gas...I was afraid the car was going to blow! I'm thankful that no one got hurt...especially my boys- since we walked by it not 2mins before... and I feel bad for the genius who owns the car... b/c the entire interior will need to be replaced...

We left the mall to pick up the cake...which was GORGEOUS and worth every penny... Even Derrick was impressed- which usually he just let's me go on w/ these grandiose ideas and secretly makes fun of me... he was so impressed in fact...that not 5 mins into our drive home...he sticks his finger in it! (to his defense, he thought it was fondant- the cake lady was THAT good at making the buttercream look smooth!)

The party was great. I guess, from what I've heard, it was a success. I wasn't sure...b/c I've never thrown a party w/ quite that many...children. And I quickly realized that my house is SO not kid friendly yet. For starters, it's about the size of a CrackerJacks box...so...we were cramped! And... we don't so much have a playroom... something I've been kindly reminding DLo that I had growing up, and would like our kids to enjoy! (I know, go ahead and think me a snob!!!) But. The kids did great...the food was yummy...and the company was the best. My favorite part...was probably the cake time. Not b/c my son is such a "fatkid" w/ his cake... but b/c all the other kids were SO anxious for me to get the cake cut and passed out!!! Hahaha! I'm obviously a rookie at these things!!! :D

Thank you to all of you who celebrated w/ us! Your friendship means the world to us!

...back to reality...

Goodbye cool weather... Hello scorching heat...
Goodbye soft hair... Hello hard water...
Goodbye green... Hello desert...
Goodbye slow drivers... Hello speed cameras...
Goodbye family... Hello work...

It's good to be home!

...rock star...

Thanks Daniel, Violet, and Riley for this AWESOME gift!!! Jude obviously loves it...and it's sure to help launch him into rock'nrolldom!!!

...year check up...

Took Jude in for his 1 year check up on his bday...I didn't feel bad about it b/c we are still waiting to vaccinate, so he didn't get a sad lil present! Anywho. Jude was so funny...kept flirting w/ Miss Bethany! I must say that I LOVE our pediatricians office....we haven't had to go in for sickness yet...but they are always so friendly and loving. The dood that did Jude's measurements even remembered us from when he was newborn- commenting on how big he is when we were all worried about his drastic weight loss at birth! (btw- I love that dood- he's all kinds of gangsta lookin' but he works in a peds office!!!)

So. His stats? Seriously? You need to ask??? He's way beyond the 100th percentile for height and weight...of course!!! He's a whopping 32lbs (which I'd been guesstimating and telling people for the past month!) and he's 34in long! Awesomeness.

...Happy Birthday...

So. My son is officially a year old. When and how did this happen? It was only a minute ago that I was holding his little body in my arms for the first time- analyzing everything about him...his lil swollen nose, his beady eyes, his sweet kissable lips. And now... I have this BOY who blows me kisses and says "HIIIII!" when I wake up in the mornin... who hides "treasures" (which usually consists of the remote or a cellphone or my hair ties) in the cabinet or the trunk of his new car. I mean. I knew it was coming...I blog about each and every month! But. For some reason... I didn't think it would actually come...so soon anyway.

This past month, Jude has truly grown from lil bebe to a pretoddler! His personality is coming out more and more and more- and Derrick and I cannot complain one bit b/c Jude is just such a fantastic baby (I don't care how old he is...he'll always be my baby!) Derrick and I have discovered that Jude is VERY musical!!! He LOVES the piano at my parents house...and I am constantly chasing him into Derrick's "music" room where the guitars are. And homeboy can dance...he shakes that lil booty anytime a song comes on. It's pretty adorable! My favorite thing that he does is give kisses...and when I get him out of the crib from his nap, he always leans his head into my lips... so sweet.

For as long as I live- I will never forget these moments of our first year together-
* Holding you for the first time...
* Watching your daddy give you bottles...
* All the newborn noises you made...
* Hours of holding you on my knees and cooing at each other...
* Your soft curly hair...
* When you would shake your head SUPERfast!...
* And when that hair fell out into a nice old man mullet...
* Your smiles and your giggle...
* The way your eyes light up whenever daddy comes home...
* My mom. (there's not much more we need to say, right Jude???)
* Countless "oohs and aahhhs" from people on our various outings...
* Our first baseball game together...* Our first plane ride together...
* Your sweet smell...
* Your not so sweet smell!...
* The way you would flap your arms and kick your legs...
* Snuggles...
* Yelling "MAMAMAMA" in the monitor...
* Kisskiss...
* Your sweet spirit...

Wow. I'm just ...speechlessly blessed. God is good, isn't He?























Jude-
Mommy doesn't even know what to say. I can only imagine that time will seem to speed up from now until YOU have a child... and while that makes me super sad...I'm also excited to see the boy you will become and into the man you will be. Daddy and I love you very very much. We know that you are going to do some awesome things...and we're blessed to be the ones to raise you.
Love forever-
Mommy

...new chair...

For Jude's bday, Derrick and I got him a cute little chair from Pottery Barn Kids. My BFF Leslie has one for each of her boys...and they just look so comfy! Anywho...At first, Jude didn't really know what to do...it's just a wee bit too tall for him to get in and out of w/o effort- and he'd just kinda...flop out! But... he's getting the hang of it and LOVES to chill while watching his Baby Crack Einstein!!!

Don't mess w/ Jude and Baby Einstein!

...first date???...

I'm thinking that Westgate is my new favorite place! It's free. Ice cream is in close proximity. It's free. There's water. It's free. And it's close...and free! Last week Violet and I took our bebe's to WG to just chill and play in the water. Needless to say, both of them HATED the water...and whined the whole time! I guess they're still too little!!! This wasn't Jude's first time though...we've come out a handful of times- and I do have to say that he's getting better!!! He didn't mind so much- as long as I was holding him!

Anywho...we had fun and grabbed some Cold Stone afterwards...MMMmmmm. I got some Pineapple/Orange/Lemonade smoothie thing...and Jude LOVED it!!! :D

Here are some pix of our fun times!

...돌...

Well. It is here. May. It was this time last year that I was insane w/ anticipation to meet my new son or daughter. It was this time last year that my belly was a gigantic and beautiful bowl sticking out in front of me. It was this time last year that my feet were swollen and my back was achy. May. I cannot believe that almost a year has come to pass since Jude William was born....

I sit here typing w/ tears in my eye... I can hear DLo in the other room sniffling (no, no- literally). We just parted from a very emotional embrace. Yes, even Derrick. In all the years that he and I have been together... we've finally done something "good".

Today, my family and Derrick's family gathered together to celebrate Jude's 돌 (Dol). Basically, a 돌 is a first birthday party. In Korea (way back when), the survival rate of an infant was significantly raised after the baby's first bday... it is still a hugely celebrated event, much like in the United States. Anywho... the day started early. 6:30am and Jude was up and ready to go!!!! We spent the morning picking up the living room and kitchen... and mommy made a cake. Our party theme was Little Einsteins...so I had attempted to make a Rocket cake yesterday... except... it looked NOTHING like the Rocket... so... the cake went in the trash. Today's cake was just a plain old rectangle. Pretty ghetto... his next party (on Fri) will have a much much cooler cake (the cake lady wasn't available to make one for this party!!! ::sigh::!!!) Then Jude and mommy danced and danced and danced so that Jude was nice and tired for his nap! I didn't realize how much work I had left to do... I thought I was being proactive yesterday by setting things out... oy! Needless to say- w/ the help of my inlaws and my hubby... everything got done!

Jude took another nice long nap and was surprised to wake up to a house full of family!!! He was such a trooper!!! Honestly... the whole party seems like a blur. I was my typical self- running around like a chicken w/ my head cut off. My parents were an hour late b/c my mom was cooking ALL the yummy Korean food... she's pretty much nutz. She likes to cook as if ALL of PVC were to be attending the party instead of the 17 people that were actually there!!! We ate until we were all STUFFED (even Jude!!!) and then after our tummies would allow us to move... I got Jude dressed up in his 한복 (hanbok) to participate in the 돌잡이 (doljabi). The 돌잡이 was probably one of my favorite parts of the day. In a nutshell... there are an assortment of things placed in front of the bday boy... a ball, money, a pencil, a book, thread, rice cake, a computer mouse... then... the baby chooses one of these items- it is said that the object symbolically foretells the child's future. (Ball= athletic, Money= wealth, Pencil= scholar, Book= scholar, Thread= long life, Rice= never hungry, Mouse= success in high tech field) I was very excited to see what Jude would pick. I love sharing these Korean traditions w/ him!!!! My twin cousins, Sarah and Stacy are graduating HS this year... and on their bday, both of them picked pencils... and this fall, they will be going to Cornell and Cal Tech Universities (respectively)! Well. We placed the things on the floor...and I let JW crawl over to them.... he stopped right in front of the book... looked at everything... and grabbed the pencil. Now... folks... Let. Me. Tell. You. My mom... was.... THRILLED!!!! Heck, who am I kidding... ALL the Asians in the room cheered. LOUDLY! It was pretty comical!!! Then, he put the pencil down... and grabbed the mouse. OOOOH!!! They were happy about that too!!!! So... he'll be a scholar who's good at computers! HA! It was cute! Then DLo brought my guitar out and put IT on the ground... yeah... forget bein' smart!!! Jude went right to it and started playin around w/ it! :)

Cake. So. We sang "Happy Birthday"... which was Ah-DORABLE b/c Jude had this look and air about him that said- "yup, sing to me people!"... and then we busted out w/ mom's ghetto cake... I've been practicing w/ him for the past month or so how to blow out a candle... it's never happened... he's too interested in staring at it! So... when it came time for him to blow...I didn't expect him to... and he didn't...but... instead... he snuffed it out w/ his fingers! HIS FINGERS!!! HAHAHA! All the men in the room thought that was awesome!!! Hmmm...oh, did I mention that I started sobbing during the "Happy Bday" song? Yup. Didn't expect that to happen!!! I have been fine all week... and I dunno... the tears just popped out of no where...and next thing you know... all the ladies are crying too!!! HAHA! Jude did his momma proud. He smashed the cake right up. I'm not even sure if any of it went into his mouth... but the BEST...was when he decided to take a huge chunk and fling it on the ground! :P I mean... I guess my face was pretty funny...I wasn't too excited to clean that up (I knew HE would be messy...forgot about the floor!!!)- but apparently my MOM'S face was the best! Jerrod and Tori and Niki were all dying laughing b/c her mouth was twisted in utter shock! Hmmm... guess that's one American tradition she was not aware of! HAHA.

Anywho... we opened presents and then hung out for a bit longer...and then everyone left. The party that started at 3pm...finished at 7pm! Wow. So... now it's 8:15pm... the boy is in bed...the man is in the living room...and I'm here...typing so that I don't forget everything! :D
We are so blessed to have a wonderful family. I'm so glad I could celebrate this day w/ them. Now... getting ready for party #2!!!

Here's some pix- enjoy!!!