Our Expressive Little Boy

Hello All!

Sorry, it has been  a while since I last posted. This is due to a couple of reasons. First, I have been having some technical difficulties with my computer and the uploading of video clips. Second, I have been subbing half-days for the last three weeks due to a colleague (our friend Laura Price) being absent with a sick child. Thus, I have not been taking as many pictures or spending as much time on the computer.

It is amazing how much Jacob has changed in the last few weeks. He is quite intrigued with his surroundings and he really enjoys studying faces–especially his Daddy’s. His smiles are more frequent and this makes for a lot of fun when playing with him. In the last few days he has started to giggle some, but not for very long stretches. The first time he did giggle it brought tears to my eyes. I am not so sure why, but I think it might have been because I realized I had the power to make him happy. Also, it made me think about the fact that he is becoming his own person.  Yes, I must say, I am very thankful that he is learning how to express himself in other ways than crying!

Physically he has been changing too. At his last check-up he weighed in at just over 9kg (about 20lbs) and measured 66.3 cm (about 26 inches). Basically, this puts him off the charts for his weight and in the about the 80th percentile for height. The doctor’s comments were, “I think he is maybe too heavy.” This comment might be due to the fact that according to the Korean charts he is the size of a 7-8 month old. I guess he just wanted to take after his Dad, who was quite a large baby too! Actually, he is not just taking after his Dad with his weight, but also in his appearance. Now when most people at school see him they say, “Wow, he is a little Mike!” I would have to agree that he certainly got Mike’s handsome blue eyes:)

This week is an exciting week for us. Starting tomorrow we are on Lunar New Year break until February 11th. Yes, we did just get back from a three week Christmas break three weeks ago, but such is the nature of international education in Asia–gotta love it!

Lunar break and Spring break are very important holidays for our school, because the Student Life Department organizes missions trips for the students and staff.   This Lunar Mike and his co-worker Virginia have helped to organize the sending off of four missions trips to various places in Asia. As a result,  a total of 57 staff and students will be heading to the Philippines, India, and Malaysia to do service work until February 10th. (Fortunately, for Jacob and me, Mike is not going a missions trip this break, so we get to enjoy his presence at home for 10 days!)

Well, now to what you are all at this blog for. Below are some pics and clips of Jacob. We think he is the cutest baby boy ever, but we do realize that we might have a slightly biased view.

Blessings!

Our Future Twins Fan–Well, I guess that is up to him, but we can hope that he likes the MN Twins as much as his Dad.

Jacob in shock over the Johan Santana trade…

We are letting Jacob “experiment” with food lately: He has decided that spitting it out is much more fun the eating it!

Mike and Jacob bonding time.

Jacob does not like to perform for the camera. Once he sees the camera he is so intrigued with the silver shiny box in his face that he can not manage to do anything but stare. Thus, we have to be little sneaking in order to capture the moment.

This is the most recent clip of Jacob, shot just last night. (Aren’t babies’ giggles the best?)

Coming Up On Four Months

In about one week Jacob will be arriving at the four month mark. You would think he was six months by looking at his growth chart, and examining the clothes in his dresser!

It has been a lot of fun to watch Jacob begin to interact with his world. In the last few weeks he has begun to grab toys (and stuff them in his mouth, of course), smile a lot, sometimes turn his head to mommy or daddy’s voices, become frightened by quick moving objects (or faces), and I think I may have gotten a squeal of delight out of him once or twice. It has also been great to have him settle into naps and bedtime with more ease. I, in particular, have enjoyed the last few nights because Jacob has slept 9-10 hours in a row!!!! I am praying this continues for a long, long time!

This change in sleeping patterns has come at just the right time because as of tomorrow I will be heading back into the classroom for a few weeks. The need arose for me to substitute teach half-days in a fifth grade classroom, and I am excited to be able to get out of the house for a few hours each day and interact with some youngsters. I have no experience with teaching elementary students, so it could be a little interesting!

I don’t really have much more to say: Mostly I am just posting this note so that I can attach some pictures and videos of Jacob.

Happy New Year!

Mike getting down on Jacob’s level to play!

Mike reading Curious George stories to Jacob: Jacob and I both will miss Mike being back at work after having him home for three weeks.

Our friends Jin and Krista and their son Brian came to visit over the holiday break.

Jacob grabs toy for the first time on his own.

Jacob tries to eat his toy cow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYAjMPvBHBw

Mike reading to Jacob.

 I also had some fun clips of Jacob and his new noises, but I am having trouble getting them loaded. I will have to capture some more moments and put them on our next blog entry.

Christmas in Hong Kong

Although the Christmas holiday has passed on the calender it will long remain in our memories as an amazing time in a beautiful place with priceless friends. We were able to travel to Hong Kong and visit the Steuernagels (our friends who formerly worked at TCIS). We left on December 20 and returned on the 29th experiencing seven wonderful days in between.

Our first couple days at the Steuernagles (our residence of choice while in HK) were nice and relaxed. This gave Jaci, Jacob and I the chance to settle in. We did manage to make it to Deepwater Bay (which is only a short walk from Jeff and Robyn’s), the market in Aberdeen (similar to what you might experience in Korea), as well as enjoying some great Thai food and Chinese food (Dim Sum).

Jaci, Robyn, Jacob and Owen at Deep Water Bay:

Aberdeen Market:

Dim Sum (Chinese Meal):

Christmas Eve and Christmas day were also very relaxed. Jeff and I kept Owen busy while Robyn and Jaci made preparations for Christmas dinner. We enjoyed some time reflecting on Christ’s birth through the gospels, as well as eating a tremendous feast (thanks to the ladies). Jacob was able to enjoy his first Christmas in a special outfit (thanks to his aunt Jessi).

Christmas Eve Dinner:

Love the outfit Jacob!:

The days following Christmas were a little more adventuresome as we took a trip through Hong Kong Park, rode a cable car up to “the peak”, sailed on the Star Ferry, and took in the HK skyline from Tsim Sha Tsui (all in one day!). The next afternoon we spent in Stanley where we took in a scenic view of the ocean, some great food and a little shopping. Our last day was filled with beautiful weather, and a trip to Hong Kong International School (where Jeff is now employed). On the way we took an extended stop at the Tai Tam County Park. The park is packed with vibrant trees, enjoyable trails and is complemented by lake views thanks to the reservoir.

Hong Kong Park:

View from “the Peak”:

Skyline view from Tsim Sha Tsui:

Ocean View from Stanley:

Group shot from Tai Tam County Park:

When it came to say goodbye we weren’t ready to leave, but that’s just how it is with good friends. The trip home was a smooth one, and Jacob traveled like a champ (we may have been more tired out than he was). We are thankful for the time we had, but it was nice to return home to our place in Taejon.