Halloween at Everland

We visited Everland last night to get some good pictures of all the fun Halloween decorations. We had a good time and timed it perfectly for their nightly parade!

Did I mention Osan has a great indoor (cess)pool?

We didn't even make it 7 days this time. We're bogged down with high fever, smoker's cough and crankiness all over again. While this is no hand-foot and mouth that we battled two weeks ago (Oh, Lordy no I would quit mommyhood if that happened again) we're no doubt 'sick' again.
I've said multiple times that I love the community here at Osan. One thing I could do without: the contracting of childhood illnesses. I know it's inevitable here, especially here in the towers. You're with the same people all the time and even when you're not "with" them, you're more than likely touching their germs at the bx, the commissary, the elevator or the playground. And I'm sure it doesn't help that with being sick two weeks ago and bad weather last week we've spent all of our days inside. Maybe Carter will just get all of the stuff going around now and then be immune to it the rest of the two years we're here. I can wish can't I?

PS. Osan does have a really nice indoor pool. A regular one, not filled with germs.

Eviction

Notice to resident:

Considering you're stealing all of my meals, Iron, and Calcium, robbing me of alcoholic beverages and making nights sleepless I am sorry to relay that you are now being evicted from your residence in exactly 2 months. The use of my ovaries and bladder as punching bags is strictly inappropriate and your older brother is pretty upset at the loss of a lap to sit in.
Please take your time to get your crap together and leave your residence anytime after Dec. 8th. This is your first notice.

Signed,

Mama

Consideration

I think what I meant to get across and realized I didn't was that I don't expect everyone to suddenly 'agree' that pro-life is the way for you. I think what bothered me so much was that the posts I was reading were saying that pro-lifers don't have a valid argument. I guess I just wanted to write and say that I feel MY argument is valid and it's how I'd live MY life.
Also, having a really good discussion with the huz last night we realized that you can't expect everyone to know the full realm and scope of their decisions (especially teenagers) so with my pro-life choice I'd need to fight for "pregnancy education" in schools along with sex ed, older women need to be educated by their OB's (and for that to happen there's a big health care issue!? Not everyone sees an OB once a year) And just basically, there's so many factors involved there's no way that one day a doctor can look at you and say, "Well, I'm sorry you didn't understand what you were getting into, but too bad, we can't save your life."
Thanks for all your input, and I'm glad we were able to keep it civil.

One question (My only serious post for the rest of my life, I swear)

I have been debating in my head whether to even pose this question (I guess rhetorically, I don't want a blood bath here on my blog) but I just don't get it. Several people I know, including several of the "big" blogs I read are very against McCain for his abortion views. These are women who love their children with all of their hearts and some who have tried and tried to have these children. They seem to place them and their health first...but post blogs titled, "Why no one with a uterus should vote for McCain." They claim that he's po-pooing the idea that there are medical crises that require abortions and not thinking about the health of the mother. And while I can see that his statement might have come across that way, I in no way believe he meant that he doesn't believe that there are very serious conditions (including life threatening ones) that occur in pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum situations.
Most of you know my stand against abortion (and while this may seem extreme to some) including in life threatening situations. If you're mature to be "doing the deed" you should at least be mildly educated that being pregnant/delivering a baby is a dangerous endeavor. When you engage in 'relations' (hehe, I just called it relations on my blog) I believe you're taking a mound of responsibility that includes risks such as STDs, pregnancy and everything pregnancy involves (that means potentially dangerous complications that may arise). Is it really any different than signing a consent form for surgery? Did you know that every surgery you're under general anesthesia for is potentially deadly and that you sign a paper saying you know that? How's that any different than hoppin' in the sack and making a baby?
Why are people okay with that but want what I consider an "out" for pregnancy?
Every time I 'sign my consent form' I realize that I could get pregnant and have pre eclampsia, have a seizure and die. I realize my baby could be formed with 12 toes and sans a leg.
And I'm not saying you have to vote for McCain (he really has nothing to do with my views on this) but don't we accept responsibility for our other decisions in life? Why not this one?

How easily we forget

Since my husband is the greatest person ever and offered to get up with the kiddo last night (still every hour I might add) and I got some MUCH needed rest and a mental health break AND I'm feeling extra nostalgic today, here are some wonderful pictures I've been reminiscing over lately.

The Plague

I will update more when it leaves our house

Happy Birthday

Today my husband turns, um old. But I love him so much and am so blessed to be the one he is choosing the spend the rest of his life with.
When we met in Columbus we both agree there was an instant spark between us. I even came home and told my college roommate that I was going to marry this guy. Granted, she was a bit skeptical.
A lot of our dating relationship was long distance but not without long, late night phone calls and overnight drives powered by red bull and coffee to get to him when I just couldn't stand it any more. (I only had two classes on Fridays anyway :p)
I drove across the country in two days to "visit" him for the summer in Tucson. I was hoping that he'd ask me to stay (read: present me with a large diamond) and although I was hoping, he absolutely surprised me and I literally almost fell off of my horse when he asked.



That day is still the happiest day of my entire life.

We were married in a beautiful ceremony in Ft.Worth, TX and very soon afterwards found out we were expecting our first baby. We spent our first anniversary in the hospital after having our perfect son Carter.
He's been an absolute joy in our life.




We've since moved once more and we are expecting our second son in 10 weeks. It seems like our life has been full steam ahead but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Cory is the most wonderful, caring, compassionate, stubborn and understanding man a woman could ever ask for. Everyday I love him more and more and I always thank the Lord for bringing him to me. He serves the Lord and his family before himself and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him. He's really that wonderful.

Happy Birthday Cory, I love you.

We had lots of EleFUN today

Carter and I made it to the airshow today (Cory had to do safety patrol). They had a CSAR demonstration at the end which was really neat to watch. They simulated a down pilot and used A-10s, F-16s, a Black Hawk and Apache helos to 'rescue' him. We were worried that the 16s would be too loud for Carter (especially with how close we were to them) but he really enjoyed watching them fly close, release flares and "drop bombs". I think he also enjoyed it because Daddy showed up and was able to hold him and talk to him all about it. Here is Carter and one of his best friends Charlie (and Charlie's dad - who's in the sqdn with the huz.)

Here are the last flybys from the CSAR demo.




We also opened up a fun game Grandma sent called Elefun. Right now Carter's more interested in wearing the net as a hat and putting the butterflies back into the elephant...but he sure got a kick out of it anyway.

Operation Binky: Success

After talking with several moms (including my own) I decided that I was going to let Carter have his binky back. We never took it away completely, but he only gets it at night and during nap times. He seemed to do so well with it, I thought it had gone so smoothly.
However, after watching what happened today as well as thinking about the last 4 months he's been without it, I don't think he was ready.
While most of my days are filled with Carter at mach 3, today he acted like a normal, well adjusted 22 mo old. We went to breast feeding support group and he didn't bite a single soul. He played well with everyone, there was no screaming or hitting or stealing food out of other people's hands. He had an attention span that was longer than .0000004 seconds and was actually pleasant.
I was able to talk and ask questions and even come home having learned something.
We didn't have the binky when it was just me and him here at home, or when we traveled to get the mail.
So as of now when we're in social situations: binky in, biting out.
Now here's a side note I feel strongly about:
Don't think that the biting back approach was far from being utilized. Several moms (as well as other trusted advice givers) swear it works...it was about to be my next step. And one thing I've learned is that you can't judge ANY ONE'S parenting skills because you HAVE NOT walked a mile in their shoes. Even if you think you have, I promise their situation is different and they may have exhausted every other option. It's very easy to sit on the sidelines and judge or swear that "I would NEVER do that". But the truth is, you don't know.
I don't spank but I'm not 'above it' and I don't judge people that do. I just haven't reached the point where I think it's necessary for my child. Some people think kid leashes are horrible. It's a life saver in my home.
I guess what I'm trying to get across is that EVERY SINGLE CHILD is different and what works on one may not work on the other (even for siblings). Moms need to band together and support one another instead of making snide comments, judging and making other moms feel unworthy, self conscience, and doubtful.
I'm so glad that I'm living in a community with so much support and I wish every one of my children could be raised "by the village" like Osan.

Parenting is hard, and It's only going to get harder (or so they say)

I have to remind myself constantly that Carter is only 22 months old. He's NOT EVEN TWO. But that doesn't mean that he can act like a maniac and get away with it! And when you live at a place like Osan, you're constantly surrounded by other children and thier parents. Everyone knows that 'so-and-so' has a time out and will actually sit there until done. Everyone knows that 'what's his face' won't ever stay in time out after he's put there. 'Who's it' gets a spanking, and my child gets away with murder. Or at least...that's how I feel.
Carter has had a really hard time with biting these last few months. It was really bad a few months ago and it seemed to have resloved after lots of discussion, timeouts, and appropriate positive feedback. However, Monday started a whole new string of biting and this time no one is spared: including babies.
And this kid doesn't just bite and then release, he chomps down and holds until you get to him to pry open his mouth. We've been doing the time outs again, but this time to no avail. Yesterday he bit 6 or 7 times in a two hour period. Each one had a timeout that followed with a "sorry" and a hug to the victim. But, it's just a routine to him now and it's not changing his behavior.
It's especially hard when we're out and about and he bites (or slaps me in the face) and I can't put him in time out. I can give him "the look" or tell him "We DO NOT ____" but it doesn't phase him. It's almost as if he's looking at me with, "What? what are you going to do to me here in public?"
And he's right! I don't know what to do with him in public! I've been reading a few books (and online articles) and asking friends for advice but nothing seems to be making much of a difference.
I just want to nip this in the bud and stop the bahvior. For goodness sake he's going to really hurt somebody, these bites look awful!
I know that at least when we're home, he realizes he's done something wrong (because I can remove him from whatever situation and it startles him if nothing else) but when we're grocery shopping and he slaps me in the face? What can I do? I'm at such a loss, feeling like a total failure and with this new baby coming I'm wondering how I'm going to do this.
When we come back to the states and New Baby only has 7 or 8 toes, you'll know who took them.

Family pictures

Here are a few updated pictures of the fam, notice it (read: me) is getting bigger by the day.

Seoul

I had a doctor's appointment this weekend and we decided to stay the weekend at USAG Yongsan at the Dragon Hill Lodge and explore a little of Seoul.
The first day (after my appointment) we were successful in finding a dining room set that we both liked at the Yongsan furniture store. Woohoo! That will be here in about a week.
We hung around the post and enjoyed the DHL's massive playground and ice cream shop the first evening. Cory had a massage and I had a facial the next morning (I pleaded for a massage but they wouldn't touch me in my 'condition'.)
We took a taxi to Dongdaemun Market (a big shopping district). What it's probably known best for here among the wives is the 5 story fabric building. It's almost indescribable. Every floor has hundreds of 'stalls' (approx 5x7 closets) full of fabric, buttons, beads, feathers, ribbon, and sewing materials. Each one sells something a little different. You can buy fabric for anything from quilts to jeans, curtains, jackets, fine evening gowns, baby clothes, bags, sweaters, and anything else you would use fabric for. Some stalls have thousands of beads and crafts, while others have rolls and rolls of lace or feathers. Here is a small sample of some of the aisles:





At one point we spotted a restroom and I figured I should go while I had the chance. While I expected the hole-in-the-floor- potty, what I didn't expect were men and women eating kimchi at the sink. Yes, it was a ladies bathroom and yes, there were men in there, and yes, you read that correctly, they were eating kimchi at the sink.

We also visited the Doota! mall that has 8 floors of fashion! I can't wait to go back when I can actually fit into something other than maternity clothes. We did buy some winter hats for Carter and me:



We ate dinner in Itaewon at Sortino's, a very authentic Italian restaurant, and it was nice to pretend we were in America for an hour.
On Sunday we traveled to the COEX mall for their giant aquarium. Carter had a blast but had a hard time sharing any of the exhibits. Anytime another child would approach the same case he was looking at he would try and push them away with a "No! Mine!"

Question of the Century

Before I delve into the argument of the century, I am going to show you a picture and I need you to leave me a comment telling me:
Which way would you turn the handle to get HOT water, clockwise or counter clockwise?

I'm a big kid now

I had been anxious since last night about the adventure that I knew I had to endure today. My follow up at Ajou University Hospital was this afternoon and I was going to have to drive to Suwon by myself and somehow navigate and get to a Dr.'s appointment in a country where I don't speak or read the language.
Carter and I headed out at 2:45. I felt I needed to take Carter because he makes me stronger. I can't just pull over on the side of the road and quit if I know he's in the back seat. I know it might sound silly, but I have a lot more confidence and courage when he's with me.
We arrived 13 miles north approximately 2 hours later. Yes, you read that correctly. It's Korea, there's 534,6534,534,596,495,876,948,576,9038,023 people that live here and everyone owns a car (or seven) that they somehow drive simultaneously. While driving 13 miles at mostly less than 20 mph doesn't sound too scary, let me remind you of how many people live here and how they're all trying to merge into your lane the whole 13 miles. There aren't many "rules of the road" over here. You have to be a very very aggressive driver and people will go around you until you have the guts to 'get in there' yourself.
I was proud, I inched and squeezed and sped up and slowed down and crossed lanes of traffic while centimeters separated me and other cars. Maybe one day I will try and video tape the traffic (while someone else is driving) so some of you in the states who haven't been blessed to understand what true traffic is can see it.
I ended up making it there and back all in one piece and only had to make one U-turn. I even had to drive home in the dark.
I can now check several boxes:
I can get on and off big 1 (which includes a toll booth)
I can drive to a whole other city by myself
I can drive by myself at night
I qualify as a comptent, aggressive S. Korean driver

Yay me!

Way gross

Carter has been quite amused at himself lately because he has learned how to "toot" on command. Well, not on MY command, his own. He especially loves to do it while laying on his tummy in the bathtub. At first it was pretty comical so the huz and I would giggle. Then I remembered how Ma Bettie is NOT GOING TO BE IMPRESSED THAT MY CHILD CAN TOOT THE ALPHABET BY THE TIME HE'S 2. So we redirected our attention to signing "excuse me". So, while Carter still finds it uncontrollably hilarious to toot, at least he's saying excuse me, right? That negates the rudeness?
However, he crossed the line this evening when after trying so hard to toot on command he actually pooped in the tub.
That's just way gross, nothing cute about that.