...one...

Well.  She's one.  My baby is one.  I no longer have "babies" in my house.  It's quite tragic, if you ask me!  Who approved of this?  Who allowed this to happen?  Not me, that's for sure! 

In what has possibly been one of the MOST depressing times of my life... my lil Kate has turned one.  And...in other news- this is the LONGEST I've been NOT pregnant since 2007.  TWO THOUSAND AND SEVEN.  I digress. 

We celebrated Kate with a family party the Friday before her birthday.  It was a very stressful and sad event for me... and although I started planning it a month in advanced... still managed to be flailing around at the last minute trying to get things done.  I think partially- I was in denial and with every one thing that I completed for her party- I'd secretly sabotage the others!  ;)   Okay- maybe not sabotage... but definitely boycott!  :D 

Despite the number of hours I seemed to spend on the party, it was over in a blink of an eye.  We enjoyed getting to celebrate her DOL again with family...and I'm relieved it's over.  And... relieved that my next birthday party is NOT until January!  ;)  Here are some party highlights:

It wouldn't be a kimbasa party w/o a bday banner!

The smashcake was gorgeous... but you can totally see where my bug thumb smashed some of the rosy goodness when I was taking the cake out of the box!  DOH!

These might be my FAVORITE part of the party!

Kate did exactly what her brother and sister did before her... she tried to snuff out the birthday candle with her fingers... but unlike her brother (who actually snuffed out the flame) and her sister (who barely touched the flame before freaking out)... Kate kept her fingers on the fire!  So long, in fact, that she got a nice lil blister... Derrick and I felt like AWESOME parents just watching her... but we were both SO sure that she was going to move her hand... except... she kept NOT moving it!  Aw!  Poor Muffy!

Worst.Mother.Ever.  Awwww!!!

She got over it pretty fast.... she devored the K... and then she was over it!  ;)

What?! A picture of mom?!  :)

It was finally time for Kate to open her presents and play the Doljabi game.  Unfortunately for Kate... all she wanted to do was sleep!  She was exhausted... and she was over it.  After many tears... we finally settled her down... and she was able to "pick her future"...and what did she pick?  Well... her brother and sister both picked the pencil... and there was much anticipation that she would do the same... but did she???  ;)

My lil helper, Jude was at the ready to jump in if the presents got to difficult to unwrap!  :)

Completely.Over.It.

...And she finally picked the computer mouse!  Momma knew she would!  ;)

And finally- each guest received these boxes of dduk as they left... I found the idea on a website that specializes in all things Korean 1st Bdays!  They were a pain in the butt to make... I think they turned out super cute!  (In case you couldn't figure it out- they are supposed to look like hanboks!)

 

Kate-

I cannot believe you are already a year old.  I cannot believe that my lil baby love is growing up.  A part of me is in complete and utter denial.  ...that's why I probably won't turn your carseat around frontfacing until you are 4... and why I won't ever wean you from your binky... why I'll carry you around in the Ergo carrier until you can drive... and why I'll sing you the "Muffin" song on your wedding day... You are such a beautiful and sweet baby girl... your mommy and daddy... your brother and sister... we all love you very much.  You are a special part of our family... and we are thankful for you.  

Love you.  Mommy.

...eleven...

Welp.  There's only one month left until my youngest baby is no longer a baby.  There are no words on this planet to describe the feeling that I'm going through.  I only hope that there are other mommas out there who have gone through what I'm going through and can relate! 

I've been telling people... that knowing that I won't have any more babies... either growing inside me... or just in my household... has been harder for me than turning any age.  Shoot- I'd turn 50 every single day and I'm certain it would be easier than this.  Babyless.  That's what I'm going to be.  Babyless.  I know everyone must think I'm crazy.  ...and trust me... I know how difficult it is to raise babies... sleepless nights, super tight schedules, all the unknowns b/c they can't fully communicate with you... I know... but it's SO much more fun to me!  The smooshie butts... the cuddles... the lack of being able to tell you "No!"... oh my word!  The coos... the kisses... all the new discoveries!  idk.  I know that we aren't having any more.  ...but it's hard... and if I could hire a nanny or clone myself... I might demand that DLo get "reversed" so we could have a million more... but reality is... they're cute and cuddly (like a puppy!)... but then they grow up... and even though they are more independent... somehow- they need you MORE!  And raising children- TRULY raising them... is the most difficult thing that anyone can do on this planet.  Hands.Down.

So.  Where does that bring me! 

Kate is eleven months old!  AH!  Who yelled out "Warp Speed Ahead!" and didn't warn me?!  Geez, louis!  I've been trying to savor each and every moment... but it's still happening way too fast!  My lil bebe Kate is growing up and doing SO much these days!  Lately she's been pulling herself up onto EVERYthing... and I don't wanna jinx it... but she MIGHT walk earlier than her big bro and sis did!  She can pull the baskets out of the playroom shelves and lifts herself up so she can see what toy she wants... she can kinda sorta walk w/ the toy stroller, but usually only does a step or two... she can stand up on her own for a few seconds before slooooowly sitting back down... she says "Nanananana!" which means "no"... says "bouboubou" for bounce... yells "dadadada!" for her daddy... and gets SO uber excited when she sees him... says "mamama" ONLY if she wants me to hold her!... LOVES her brother... gives the best kisses... has the SWEETest smile... is a cuddler... says "'woah" for "hello" and puts things up to her head like she's talking on the phone... has 6 teeth... LOVES to hug and pat Emme's babydolls and stuffed animals...

She is such a little blessing... Derrick and I are just so amazed by her... she truly does complete our family!



Kate,
 You are our perfect little baby.  The 4 of us are so blessed to have you in our lives... you make us all so happy and your sweet sweet smile brightens up every room.  I hope you know that God placed you in this family... and you are a special lil girl to us!  Can't believe you are going to be one soon... time has gone by quicker than I have it permission to... but I'm excited to see what your personality blossoms into.... to see the lil lady you'll become!

Mommy loves you!
 

My growing Jude

Well.  My boy is four.  To say that this was a hard birthday for me... would be quite the understatement.  I know it's a random and odd year to have a hard time with... but for me... this year is the LAST year that Jude is a "bebe"... I literally cannot comprehend him being 5 years old.  I cannot comprehend him going to school... I mean... I know he goes to school now... but I feel NO obligation to actually take him!  Haha- no seriously... he's only got one year left until he's a career student.  I mean... shouldn't we, as a world, revisit this whole concept of sending your kids to school when they're 5?  Seems too quick for me!  I don't know.  It's just been tough.  My lil big guy is growing up....

Jude is a bundle of joy.  I like to tell people that he's the sweetest most orneriest boy you will ever meet!  Seriously though.  He is THE sweetest most loving kid I've seen.  He loves to take care of people... if Emme gets scared- he's always there to the rescue- "beating up" whatever it is that bothers her.  He uses the cutest kindest words when trying to teach his sisters anything... it's just precious.  He love love LOVES his baby Kate and can usually be found all up in her face talking "babytalk" to her!  (No wonder he's her favorite!)  But whoa buddy... is this boy a STUBBORN lil booger!  And when he doesn't get his way... the world.needs.to.watch.out. 

I've written about this before, I think... but I have personal crazy issues in terms of when he's not cooperating.  I mean... he really does act like a typical 4 year old boy... except that he's 77lbs and 1/4 Korean... so... his fits are a lot more... grandiose than the average 4yo!  He's just so much bigger and louder than the other boys- his fits stand out more.  That bothers me.  Not at him... but at everyone who gets to witness his awesome spectacle.... b/c I feel like he's judged based on his actions... and his size isn't always considered.  idk.  I know who Jude is... his dad knows who he is... and most importantly... his Maker knows who he is.  ...I just need to not sweat the small stuff.

-------
I digress!  So... this year... I was DETERMINED to throw him a really cool Toy Story Party!  You may remember... but I wanted to throw a TS party for him LAST year... but Jude decided he wanted a Pirate Party!  Oy...  I guess it's my bad... I should know by now... do NOT ask him what kind of party he wants... so this year... he tells me he wants an Octonauts party.  ... ?!... ....really...  REALLY?!...  The Octonauts is a new (to the US) show on Disney Junior...it's been around for a while in Australia and the UK apparently... but is new here... which means... there's not much out there in terms of "stuff".  Ugh.  Well... I kinda put off planning the party with Easter and TN happening right before his birthday... when we got back from TN- I realized that I had really NO time to plan ANYthing!  :(  ::insert- motheroftheyear::  Now, I know he's only 4 and that he wouldn't remember or notice... but I WOULD!  So... I scrambled to put something together... and thankfully b/c of my awesome bro/sisinlaw... I was able to throw him an Octonauts themed (and I use that term loosely) pool party!  Yowzers!  Thankfully... Jude had a blast... and I threw a somewhat low maintenance party (for once!)!!!!

So thankful for Jerrod and Niki for letting us have the party at their house!

The banner and cupcakes were really the only Octonauts things there were... I figured w/ the pool, I was off the hook!

Zoe came to celebrate w/ Jude!

Auntie Love was Kate's Keeper!

Is he cute or what!?  The GrillMaster!  Poor dad didn't even dip one toe into the pool b/c he was so busy cooking!

Um.  Is she adorable or what?!

Elijah was there too!

Jude had a BLAST in the pool!

Cousin Bray was excited for the Octofun too!

Love me some Jeffy!

Everyone's favorite moment- CAKE TIME!

Lots of fun new presents!

Aunt Tori and Katiebug

Cupcake face!

Cousin Camryn

The party was almost over... and we all realized that the eclipse was happening! Whoops!  Well... we all rushed over to the side of the house... and attempted to "see" the eclipse- which btw- never look directly at the sun!  ::smh::  Anywho.  We pretty much had already missed it.. but it was comedy watching the adults act like idiots trying to see it!  :) 

Apparently you need a special lens to shoot an eclipse?!  But... But... I have a DSLR!  ;)

 Jude,

Happy Birthday, bud.  You are such a special boy... I love you so much and I'm proud of all the hard work you did this past year.  It warms my heart every time you say "Your my best mommy"... and I cannot describe the joy it brings me to see you rock out!  I want you to know how much I believe in you... I pray that you will never lose your creative imagination... that you will be a brave boy who makes bold choices for the Lord.  I love you, son.  You're my best boy.

-Mommy

Tennesse Update

This April, we were blessed to be able to visit Derrick's grandparents in TN.  I would have put this in my blog blitz... but there are a lot more pictures I'd love to add... and honestly... just didn't feel like sorting through them all!  Haha!

Traveling with 3 babies was... well... it was.  The kids did really really really well.  Emme has always been our worst traveller... but she did a decent job!  Kate... well... Kate is a champ- she is literally the best baby on the planet!  And Jude was awesome too- even though he drove me a little nutz putting the tray up and down adn up and down!  The security thing went really smoothly too- mostly b/c we didn't take ANYthing big!  No stroller... no carseats... just our carryon bags and the bebes!  :)

Tennessee was, as always, beautiful.  It was so wonderful watching the kids interact with their great grandparents.  I loved hearing Jude and Emme yell "Papaw DOOOOOONNNN!" about a million times a day!  And it was wonderful letting the kids play outside.. virtually all.day.long!  They had a lot of fun running around on top of the hill and taking rides on the golf cart that Papaw borrowed from some friends in the neighborhood.  We even managed to take the kids to a bounce place and the Children's Museum on a couple of the days!  Derrick even got to go speak on a class at Lee University!  It was a fun time... and even though we decided to stay 10 days, instead of normal 7... it STILL felt like it flew... and leaving was bittersweet!

Some of my favorite memories:
* The kids playing on the hill...
* Hearing the kids say Papaw Don
* Hearing Emme boycott saying Mamaw Patt... and calling her Grammmmma Patt!
* Uncle Mark's Buttered Pecan Ice cream!
* Rides on the Golfcart
* Trips to the Walmart!
* Watching An Affair to Remember with Derrick's Grandparents
* Velvet.  No... not the fabric... I'm talking the AWESOME lady in Chatt who was our cashier... seriously... she was fantastic!
*  The wonderful weather!
* Naps!
* Looking for shapes in the clouds...
* Swinging on the porch swing...
* The kids swinging w/ their Papaw

Good times... Can't wait to go again... well... hm... maybe when the kids are a little older!  :)  Ahhh... who are we kidding- we'll probably go again next year!  ;)

He had fun riding on the tractor with Papaw!

Does this face not melt your heart?!  It sure melted Mamaw and Papaws!

Loved seeing these bebes enjoying the swing!

10 months in TN!

Is this not adorable!?!?!

Just when you think it can't get cuter!

And then there's THIS cutie!

Fun at the Chattanooga Children's Museum!

Emme was so brave!

Jude was cracking me up... as much as he liked the concept of digging for bones... he liked flinging sand more!

So many funtimes outside!

Our little dinosaur!

Mamaw and DeeDee

Fierce!

The weather was nice and chilly for us!