Mimi

This is mimi.

Ever since Lauryn was really little, she's been sleeping in a sleep sac. In her closet, she probably has sleep sacs of all sizes starting with the smallest infant ones. Over the course of many months, her attachment to these sleep sacs has grown quite strong. Now that she's almost two she doesn't sleep with it on but uses it more so as a blanket. It's so cute how she finds so much comfort in these sleep sacs. Most kids have a favorite blanket, pacifier, or stuffed animal...but not my lauryn. Apparently, this very big purple jumpsuit is her cup of tea. She loves to use the neck hole to cover her mouth and the arm holes to carry it around. She loves it so much she's even named it "mimi." She has 3 of them all identical (two at our house and one at her grandparents).

She'll look for it when she's just in the mood to watch tv.

She'll often drag two of them around the house saying, "two mimi...two mimi..."

And she will never ever go to sleep w/o it.

Happy New Year, friends~!!

Holiday Fun

Hello Friends~! It's been quite awhile since I've updated this blog. I'd be surprised if anyone actually read this entry since my 3 followers have probably given up on me by now. =) But, for some reason...I'm in the mood to update today. Blame it on the rain~

Last week, the whole family took a trip to our local home depot to pick out our christmas tree. After much thought, Phil and I decided to do the tree afterall. Here's Lauryn looking at the workers upwrapping some trees for us to look at. Personally, I thought our tree last year was waaaay better...next year, I won't wait till the last minute to go tree shopping.

All of us were very happy to finally find the winner!!

Here's Lauryn's "show me face" pose. Don't ask me why she does this...but this is her showing me her face. LOL!

We had more holiday fun today with our spunky friend Emi!! We attempted to make a gingerbread house. I say attempted because 10 minutes after we thought we were done, the roof of the house started to collapse. This kit put two elementary school teachers to shame...it's all good...to our defense, we don't teach art!!! Riiiiight??? There's no gingerbread house standard!!

So this year, due to my crazy life of being a full time mom and full time teacher and full time wife...making a xmas card completely slipped my mind. I know....how terrible!! Trust me, I feel guilty as it is, and I know I'm going to regret it when I look back and wonder why there is no 2010 holiday card. So please don't think we forgot to send you a card or think you got cut from our list....we love all of you and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Family Time

The past couple weeks have been filled with family time. We went on a short trip to San Diego with my mom and my sister's family. I will update separately on that one. Right after San Diego, we had Philip's family staying with us while their new house was getting remodeled. Check out what sam chon bought for LB. She doesn't quite know how to ride it herself, but we've been practicing every day.

Lauryn and her Grandpa have such a great relationship. He always says she's the reason why he smiles. If you know my daughter, you know it's rare for her to sit on anyone's lap like this. Moments like this make my heart melt!!

Peek-a-boo!

Full Bloom

Summer is officially here for me, but I have to post about spring. I don't know when all the flowers around my house decided to bloom, but they did and here they are.

My little helper.

7 Years

This may or may not be my last year of teaching (for a while). Due to all the state budget cuts, I am one of 22,000 teachers in California on the layoff list. I have such mixed feelings this year. Usually by this time I'm tearing down my classroom, packing up my things, finishing up all the things a teacher does before summer vacation starts. This time around, I find it much harder to start taking things down. Is this it? Am I done? I've spent the last 7 years, trying to be the best teacher I could be...and to tell you the truth, I'm not finished yet. I feel like I have a lot more to give. This year was challenging because it's my first time being a full time teacher and a full time mom. Lauryn is my daughter, but my students are my kids. I wish I knew what the future holds for me, but I guess I will have to be patient and trust God. Here's to the last 7 years of my career. My classroom pictures say it all...

(listening center)

(nonfiction library)

(sponge painted snowmen and pumpkin weaving)

(st. patricks day potato people)

(tissue paper butterflies & shapes are everywhere math project)

(heart butterflies & fall art project)

(solid figures math project)

(math board)

(reading board)

(writing board)

(crayon art)

(Me art project)

(Sept. owls)

(Geometry eggs)

(Welcome to Rm. 54!)

Goodbye!

Spring Break

Spring break started off great! We took Lauryn to a local park where she got to see ducks and play on the playground. We had a little family picnic...enjoying every minute of the awesome California weather. Lauryn enjoyed the park so much, when we started packing up to leave...she started kicking and screaming. Caused quite the scene, but none-the-less, got over it quickly.

Like I said, spring break started off great. We had big plans...BIG PLANS...until...our lil one got sick! screeeeech! everything came to a halt. the rest of the week was just about making lauryn feel better. Here she is walking around w/ her favorite blanket wrapped around her...she's like a little grown-up. Good thing is, she woke up in a good mood today...ready to play!! Maybe we will squeeze in some fun activities for the weekend.

Easter Sunday

One year ago, on Easter sunday, Lauryn was baptized. When I look back at her baptism pictures...I can't believe how small she was. Lauryn has grown up so fast and is rapidly entering her toddler stage....oh no! A lot has happened since my last "real" post. Here's a bad attempt at a quick update. We celebrated Lauryn's 1st birthday with family and friends. My baby is now on whole milk...took awhile, but finally got her to transition completely. Table foods are growing on her, but she still prefers baby food. Hubby got a new job w/ another retail company...congrats to him. as a result, both of us are at home this week...enjoying spring break together. whoohoo! plans for spring break??? family picnic, cabazon, dreaded errands, hosting district group, family bbq, visit our old hoooood...LBC!!! oh yea...and most importantly, RELAX!! here are some recent pics of my lil munchkin.

new words added to her vocabulary: moomoo = mool (water) buhbuh = book (in the morning, it's the strangest thing. she doesn't want to come out of her crib. instead she points to her book and chooses to look at the book instead. when i try to get her out, she dodges me and pushes my arms away. strange kid.)
hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Lauryn had her first hard-boiled egg this Easter (only the white part) and boy, did she love it! till next time...xoxo, gossip girl.

Happy Birthday, Lauryn

There were too many photos to upload, so I decided to make a slideshow instead since I had a 1 year subscription to animoto anyway. might as well put it to use. Just click on the link below to view. enjoy!

dol final

2 weeks left

*venue check

*invitations check

*decorations check

*food check

*slideshow check

*photographer check

*cake check

*cupcakes check

*rice cakes check

*favor bags & favors for kids check

*pastor check

*all outfits (hubby, baby, and me) check

still need to

*buy candy

*make labels for rice cakes

*personalize favor bags

i'm getting super excited for the party...let's just say it's been a very very busy month. yay! my baby's turning 1!!

Beautiful Baby Search

This photo was submitted to Live with Regis and Kelly's Beautiful Baby Search. It wasnt the best photo since LB was all sweaty and stuff, but regardless...i think she came out so cute! =P the winner gets 125,000 scholarship for college and there are a bunch of other prizes from gerber too. hey, even if we have a one in one million chance of winning...we still have a chance right? hurry up and submit your baby's photo...you have until the end of this week, and it only takes one second. good luck!!

Happy New Year!

After Lauryn's first nap, we headed over to Phil's parents house for some dduk gook.  This was lauryn's first time wearing her hanbok.  someone told me to have her "practice" wearing it before the BIG DAY (dol), so that she gets used to it.  We figured today would be a great day to put it on, even if she doesn't know how to juhl (bow) to the grandparents.  She did great! She didn't even try to take the hat off. 

After Lauryn's 2nd nap, we headed over to my mom's for some more dduk gook.  the hubs and i love dduk gook, so we were in heaven.  my cousin's dog was there and lauryn kept wanting to pet it.  everyone knows i'm terrified of dogs, i just hope my daughter doesn't ask me for one when she's older.  it's either me or the dog!

4 generations

Best wishes to you and your family in 2010!! Hope you had a blessed new years day!