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Where do babies come from?

So Noah kept asking this, over and over and over again.  I remembered a line from a movie (probably a horrible one) where they said something to the effect of "mommy and daddy wanted a baby so much that they closed their eyes really hard and made a wish."  Since under 4 seems a bit early for The Talk, I opted for this PG version.  That led to this conversation today:

Noah: I have 3 robot babies in my tummy
Ava: Real or pretend?
Noah:  Real.  Because I closed my eyes really hard
Ava: And made a wish!  How are the robots coming out of your tummy?
Noah: Well, the Dr will cut a hole in my tummy and take them out.

Side note, I got tired of my kids referring to c-sections as the only way to get babies out of tummies so one day I told them where they are supposed to come out of.  Ava's response: Mommy you're silly!  That's gross!  That's where pee comes from, not babies!

I am at a complete and total loss.  I thought we had a lot longer before we had to deal with these things!

Ava the hero

Since the boys both got recent posts, I wanted to do one for Ava too!  She is an amazing big sister.  I was dealing with some burning food in the kitchen and heard her open the gate.  I was yelling at her to stay out of the kitchen but she started yelling at me.  I told her to stay out and she yelled again.  When she came to check on me, Eli got out of the gate and walked out the open door.  Ava continued to yell until she got my attention to tell me that Eli was at the stairs!  We live on in a second floor apartment with concrete steps so thank goodness she had the strength to make sure I heard her!  She is amazing in general but that moment made me realize how grateful I am for her tenacity!

Eli's Milestones

I keep meaning to write down what he can say so I figure if I do it here, at least I won't forget!  As of right now, Eli can say:

Ball
Rock
Oh no!  (my favorite)
Dog & doggie
Aya (Ava)
Na (Noah)
Mommy
Appa
Buh-bye
Tht (That)
Bubble
Nana (banana)
Boh Boh (kiss in Korean)
Woof, Woof!
Signs please, more, all-done & anyoung (the bow in Korean)

He is walking, running, climbing and falling... a lot!  He can get on the couch and chairs without help which is just super.  He pretty much thinks he can do whatever the big kids can do!

He has 4 full teeth and 4 more that have just come through.  That is not his most enjoyable activity!  He loves nodding his head & shaking it.

He loves, loves, loves books.  And has been a little snugly lately - even if I'm holding something or someone else, he makes it clear that I should be holding him!  :)  He is a fun kiddo.

Myspace

Currently, Noah wants to be an astronaut.  Uncle T'Errance gave us a NASA calendar so we were talking about the months when Noah got sidetracked by the pictures of the rover on Mars.  I was explaining about how engineers and astronauts worked together to make a robot that goes into outerspace.  I can only assume he thought I said "our"space because he then said when he grows up, he's going to be an astronaut and go into "myspace."  You're about 10 years too late for myspace buddy!  :)

The big 1!

As you probably remember from the twins, the 1st birthday is a big one in Korean culture.  Traditionally speaking, the next big one is 60 so this is a really big deal!  We were so honored to have Daniel & Nekesa come out from NYC and Chicago to join us.  We had a blast!

Eli picked the microphone and the soccer ball which means he's going to be a musician and an athlete.  The twins both chose the soccer ball so it looks like we need to start getting in shape!  I will try to post the video soon but in the meantime, this is a look back at the twin's experience:  http://www.noahandavalee.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

More fun pictures

Can you tell that I'm trying to catch up on things?  :)

(Noah's first self-made pulley)

To Colorado we go!

The trip went well and the kids really love our new apartment.  There were no major meltdowns on the plane and with my dad's help, we made it here in one piece!  I'll have more updates with what we've been doing here soon!

Noah decided that he would enter Colorado wearing an animal mask.  I hope this state is ready for us!  :)

Last days in NYC

We have been gone for a little over 8 weeks and we are still realizing that we live in CO now.  We LOVED our time in NY but it feels amazing to be here too.  Most of all we, miss our friends in NY.  I still can't believe that we met so many incredible people in our time there.  Here are some pics of just a few of those people.  There are many more but I didn't get pics of everyone before we left!  :(

He's a Travelin' Man!

We made it to Colorado!  And just to prove how enamored Eli is with Appa, he took his first steps just moments after Nathan walked in the door!

Just to warn you, I was pretty excited about it so you may want to turn the volume down!  :)

Big updates!

So apparently I have dropped off the face of the blogging earth.  Not at all my intention but, hey, it happens. Here are some brief updates.

Noah is very into robots right now.  90% of the pictures of him he is doing a "robot smile" which does not look like a smile at all.  Also, he has had a year of normal blood counts!!!!  We just have to continue with blood draws every 6 months or a year to make sure but it looks like we are finally over neutropenia!!!  Thank heavens for amazing doctors and nurses!

Dr Raetz

Ms Patrice did all of Noah's blood draws

Ava is a sponge.  Literally.  I was singing Trisha Yearwood's American Girl the other day and now Ava tells Noah that he can't bug her anymore because Mommy said she's an American Girl.  

\

Eli now says "buh bye", crawls at lightening speeds and can stand on his own.  I think he is weeks, if not days, away from taking his first steps!

But the biggest news of all, we are moving to Colorado next week!  We're leaving on a jet plane but the kids wish it was a spaceship rocket!  :)