from the moment we woke up (some of us slept in)

I was looking forward to a morning spent outdoors

with friends

at Mother’s Beach

because sixty degrees in the sunshine with a breeze

is one of my all time favorite types of weather.

Paul insisted on wearing this Buzz Lightyear Costume to the playground

which meant when we went for frozen yogurt afterwards he was still in costume.

A secret love: tart flavor with chunks of cookie dough and fruity pebbles with a little chocolate syrup.

By the time we got home it was nap time.

Today was an ideal Friday!

Every so often I manage to take out each of the kids on their own “date.”

This morning Paul and I held hands on the way to the bagel shop.

We went to get his haircut

and these moments are to give individual attention that is sometimes needed in a family of five.

I really love going out with my oldest little man

even when he asks a seemingly endless stream of questions about Ninja Turtles living in the sewer, climbing into manholes, and visitng river bottoms.

is hard to come by around the holidays with hospital stays 

whether that is because we had been sleep deprived or craving home cooked meals

but tonight I finally felt settled into our routine.

Bath time remains one of my most cherished routines.

I find myself wanting to somehow bottle up and save their laughter.

Tonight it was all about giving the baby a “towel hat” and watching her shake her head to get it off. It was giggles all around.

I am amazed that all three (for this very short time) squeeze into one bathtub together.

I know it can’t last forever.

some of us were able to stay up until midnight to celebrate

this is the first time in years.

Happy New Year!

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!