over the release from the hospital 

with a healthy baby.

to sit together, opening presents and enjoying them.

to see friends from SF (15 years is a long time of friendship).

to be barefoot in my own kitchen, making breakfast for my family.

to take a walk slowly at sunset

while the three of them zoom past us.

to once again be together as a family, enjoying the fresh air.

Olivine has definitely turned a corner

decided diagnosis- RSV that caused bronchiolitis.

She has been able to sleep on her tummy

and as she sits up her congestion is clearing up.

She still has a glow toe to monitor heart and oxygen levels

and her security band.

It’s a lot like a newborn, as she spends a good chunk of time sleeping and eating.

The nights have definitely been the hardest 

but today the oxygen has been turned off

and she is wearing her own jammies.

The best part is that she is thrilled to see her brothers

so we are keeping our fingers crossed, if all goes well, we will be headed home tomorrow.

with arms loaded we headed to the hospital early

(Joe spent the night, while I stayed with the boys)

for breakfast sharing

and gift giving

I love these homemade treasures

while baby slept

and ate

and had a beautiful burst of energy where she sat up, talked, and smiled at all of us for the first time in days

but she was mostly comfortable and content to watch us from her crib

and a generous family of strangers came by the room with flowers and gifts

(part of their own holiday tradition)

reminding me that small gestures of kindness go a long way 

this includes the kind messages in email and on our machine

the offers to watch our children and help out

we feel loved and supported.

Merry Christmas.

Joe is at the hospital with baby while I am home getting things ready to transport to the hospital in the morning

she is definitely making improvements in breathing

I am anticipating our morning together with all of us being a bit more rested.

Thank you for your prayers.

to go from the joy of being with Jich

and sharing the same sense of humor

to the quiet hush of a hospital room

with a baby girl who needs oxygen

and fluids and rest

I am finding an opportunity to once again thank God for modern medicine

and praying that tomorrow we will all be home together.

last night’s wedding

our old friend Sun (more like my long lost Korean brother)

married Yuliya in Laguna Beach

which meant leave babies at Grammy’s and get dressed up

I couldn’t resist a candycane sweater to mark the season

with dinner following the ceremony at Mastro’s Steakhouse

sitting across from good friends

listening to funny stories

trading bites of dessert

unable to determine which was better

they are headed to the Caribbean today

Bon Voyage!

as a team of second grade teachers surviving one more holiday assembly

in her Santa outfit

scooting toward the tree to check out the lights

her mom made the kid’s personalized capes and had props to play in

with comic book styled fonts

at the local puppet show

free every night in a friend’s neigborhood

crowds full of wonder

with an upside down Christmas tree that continuosly spins around

and this elaborate stage in his front yard

in pajamas

on the night after the Naples boat show

all the lights without all the crowds

people even had their boats out in the canals

at the living nativity

with baby goats and singing angels

with Paul playing endless rounds of “Guess Who?” (thank you India) while little ones are sick

with a game of- Ghost Baby- “look momma, our baby is in the chair.”

on the last day of school for Paul

as the season is in full swing.

are the words that come to mind as I cut a small slice from this enormous, homemade flan a loving mother of one of my students made me

and enjoy my third glass of this

because really there is so much to celebrate (and no I don’t mean the solstice or the end of the world):

today was my last day of teaching until January 7th,

Paul has not been sick at all (even though Henry has pneumonia and the baby has a fever),

Angela and Ben are pregnant, 

Sun and Yulia are getting married this weekend,

many friends are coming to town in the next week (Jen, Kurt, Alton, Judy and Dallas),

Joe finished another semester,

my co worker rushed me out of school and I therefore unintentionally left it all there and will be free to enjoy my break,

I have time to de-clutter my home once again,

I came home to a steaming hot bowl of corn chowder from our crock pot,

Olivine is sleeping soundly right now, 

the boys are singing in their beds together,

and sometimes I have to list it all out to see how truly full my plate is.

LIfe is Good.

Henry is sitting stand by (now asleep) trying to let his tiny body relax. 

Last night we had another croup cough attack and the fear of him having to go to the emergency room haunts me.

We hung up some newly created art thanks to our artist in residence- Paul.

We are filling our house with our favorite sounds.

We are admiring our cards and thanking God for these folks.

We are sending out our own well wishes full of love.

We are embracing a new tradition.

They are more than thrilled to have our own tree, and that sincerely brings such joy to my heart.

He is taking pictures with his own perspective

and putting the very first gift under the tree.

Hope you all are having an amazing sabbath.

she loves this little fish

her bath time includes reaching for it as it swims away

or holding it up as its tail flaps

When she is put on her back she kicks and kicks

I can sit bath side for hours, she is an easy baby!