It's Party Time! The Big ONE Year!

Happy Birthday, Archie! We celebrated with a Korean-themed party at Wan Bang School. Our teacher friends and their families came.



At Korean first birthdays, they play a game where the birthday boy or girl is given several objects to choose from. Each object represents a future career choice + string for long life. Archie chose the medicine bottle first so he might be a doctor when he grows up, making his Mama happy. His second choice was the calculator, which is indicative of a career in engineering, making his Daddy happy, too. The third thing he grabbed was the money, but he promptly threw it on the floor. I guess he already knows life is about more than money (although I do hope he makes some so he can support a family!). His heart's in the right place anyway!

What birthday would be complete without cake? While rice cakes were central to our Korean theme, I also made all the guests American style cupcakes and made Archie his own mini layer cake. I topped the cakes with gummy candies I bought at the local import store.

Here he is eating the cake! (There are two videos because my camera only tapes for 20 seconds at a time.)


One final family picture!

Archie's Special One Year Video!

One Year Tribute to Archie: Happy Birthday

Happy birthday, Archie. I can't believe our precious little boy is one year old now!

Month One, Day One
Brand New Baby

Month Two
First time sleeping in his own bed in our apartment

Month Three
Burping Baby

Month Four
Winter Fun

Month Five
Exploring the World from our Window


Month Six
Playing Under the Covers

Month Seven
Computer Baby

Month Eight
Go Out for the Team!

Month Nine
Our Favorite Flowers

Month Ten
Hokie Baby

Month 11
Finally Standing

Month 12: I can't wait to make a birthday picture!

Archie, Mommy and Daddy love you so much. You are our incredible gift from the Father. You bless our lives beyond measure. These pictures really chronicle how you've grown this year. We can't wait to see how you'll change as you exit the baby stage and enter the toddler stage. Happy Birthday, with love!

A High School Tribute!

My mother and husband recently celebrated their 40 and 10 year high school reunions, respectively. As a tribute to my mom, I thought I'd post a pic of what I would have looked like had I graduated in 1964 - not as pretty as her.

I couldn't stop there, I just had to check out how I would've looked as a graduate in 1984 (the year after I was born).
This next one is kind of scary. This is how I should have looked just ONE year before my actual high school graduation in 2001.

I wish I had digital versions of the actual photos from my mother's high school graduation and from my own. Then, you could see how beautiful my mom was and hopefully realize my bangs weren't quite that poofy.

(By the way, I got this idea from my friend, Becky. Thanks! You can also yearbookyourself by clicking on the link.)

Another Day at the Park

Archie and I had so much fun on our first trip to the park, we decided to take some friends and go again.Archie had a great time playing in the sand. He said, "I know I shouldn't eat it, but is she looking? Maybe I won't get caught!"

"Well, I've just gotta try it. Yucky!"

Once Mama got him cleaned up a bit, he made a cute picture!

Here's another set of cute pictures. Try to imagine what's going on in that little head of his. Here's my guess:
#1: He's preaching. Just not sure to whom!
#2: He's begging. Honestly, we meet all his needs.
#3: Huh, what's going on? Who's psycho-analyzing me?
#4: Posing for pics!

A close-up of a favorite pic!
Another favorite!
Archie tried my peach Popsicle.

I don't think his opinion on peaches has changed.

We did a lot of fun stuff. The girls climbed the wall.

We had fun on the bridges at the lake. (Since I was the chief photographer, there are none of me crossing this one.)
This is the tricky bridge to cross. I had my fill of it last time so I let the girls play on it without me.
We watched this guy make it all the way across the lake (and several others fall in trying)!

Here's the zip line across another lake.


And, a do it yourself by foot power roller-coaster.

The tram was a roller coaster that Archie could handle.

What a tiring but fun day for a little one, his Mama and friends!

Busy Baby: Archie's Modes of Travel

I wanted to do a post featuring Archie's new found transportation talents so this requires a few video uploads. If your browser is slow, it might take a few minutes for the videos to upload on your screen. However these are all under 20 seconds so it shouldn't be too long! Here's a tip: If your browser is slow, wait until the video fully uploads before pushing play.

Archie cruising

Archie pulling up

Archie's favorite form of locomotion still remains the backwards scoot. He's fast and accurate and loves to leave the room to go exploring so you have to watch him constantly.




Come back, Archie. With all the scooting, now can you see why he has a little bald spot on the back of his head?

Workout with Baby!

Work out, Baby! Outside our apartment, there's a little workout/playground area. Archie's almost got the pull-up down!

This next piece of exercise equipment is really popular. You stand on a little disc and twist around. I'm not sure what health benefit this has, but babies like it!

Archie has to ride with Mama on the seesaw to balance out the weight! What great family fun!

No, Archie's not resting. He's persevering to develop those baby abs. Let's do some baby sit-ups on the incline!

Let's play ball!

Archie loves playing with his friend Aiden. Maybe Aiden can teach him how to use the stepper/skiier/whatever it is. This is another super popular piece of exercise equipment here that probably has less benefit than just walking!