A Family Tradition

For many years, the entire Hong family (my mom's side of the family) has gathered together each year to celebrate Thanksgiving. The number of people gathered has increased by leaps and bounds over the years. Of the seven children my grandparents had, five of them and their families live in either Orange County or LA County. This year, we reached an all time high of 53 people.

Most of my cousins are married, yet they still manage to go to their in-laws' Thanksgiving celebrations earlier in the day or even on Friday. Whatever the arrangement is, everyone makes it to the Hong family dinner. Thanksgiving is the only time I get to see some of my cousins. It's great to catch up with them and it's always a challenge to recall all of the little ones' names. They change so much -- it's hard to recognize them!

Last year, Derek and I celebrated Thanksgiving in Arizona with his Mom, Uncle David and Aunt Penny. This year, Derek's mom flew out to join us for Thanksgiving. We thought about going back out to Arizona again this year, but just starting my 37th week of pregnancy, I was advised by my doctor to stay close to home. It was great for me to be with my family and with Derek's mom.



This year we had dinner at David and Amy's house. It's probably the only home now that can fit us all in comfortably. As usual, it's a great big potluck with turkey, ham and all the fixings. I made creme brulee and pot de creme for dessert. Pictured below is Derek carmelizing the sugar on the creme brulee.

We typically have a short service before or after the big feast. This year, Derek was invited to share a devotional. He shared about the healing of the 10 lepers and how only 1 returned to thank Jesus. It was a great reminder of how we ask God for so many things -- big and small -- and so often we forget to thank Him aftewards for what He has done. We were given a few moments to think about the things we are thankful for and then we shared them with one another. As always, we talked about how thankful we are for our oldest uncle who worked hard to get the entire family to the U.S. and also for starting this Thanksgiving tradition. We are all also thankful that we come for a long line of Christians.

Overall, it was a great evening. The only thing that would have made it better is if my other sister and Dad were there as well. Maybe one year, the entire Kim family will be able to get together for the holidays...

36 1/2 Weeks - Almost there!

This is me at 36 1/2 weeks. I am still feeling pretty good, just tired from not sleeping well at night. Walking can also be uncomfortable since the baby dropped a couple weeks ago and is now face down.

I had another check up today and everything continues to look good. I am 2 cm dilated and the doctor said I could go into labor ANY DAY now... but I'm also very aware that it could still be three more weeks...

I'm excited that we have selected a name! After much back-and-forth and discussion, Derek emailed me the other day and asked, "How about [INSERT NAME]?" (It was one of our top six names we had on our list). I said, "sure" and it was a done deal. It seemed so simple. It's been a long process and I never thought we would want the same name on the same day. We're only telling our family until the baby is born, but we're also reserving the right to change it from now until then. =)

It's crazy to think we'll have a baby in our home very soon, but I'm very excited. I've read the books, gone to the classes, heard countless stories from other moms/parents... now I'm want to experience it all myself!

Reasons to be thankful

So I added this status to Facebook recently, but figured I'd add it to a blog so that it'd perhaps be easier to look back on later.

"Derek is envious at how his wife always (yes ALWAYS) gets awesome discounts... and, tonight, a free meal for 4. But I'm even more thankful. =)."

Just to add another example of how God is looking after us financially through my wife... oh heck, I'll give you two examples. Tonight, Lena acquired us a Queen size bed for us for free... the one we currently sleep on was given to us and we've now seen the end of its usefulness.

And, we've been looking for a TV stand as we have to get rid of our entertainment center. Lena's had it for 7+ yrs (doesn't include the years it was owned by a previous roommate). The weight of the TV is bending the wood and we don't want it to break and harm a young child. We have been eyeing a stand at Ikea and she saw an ad that if we buy it this weekend, we get a $50 gift card. Not bad. But then she spotted an ad on Craigslist for new in the box for just under 1/2 off. We bought it tonight and I saved us another $10 with my strong negotiation tactics (if you don't know me, that's a joke. I was like, "um, would you possibly consider taking $160?").

While I'm at this... I have other examples... many.... During my unpaid (financial supporters) internship, we got married. We received an immensely discounted cake from Ritz Carlton, discounted videographer as she was just getting started, discounted photography from a friend of a friend, along with other big savings throughout. AMAZING!

Found a 10 yr newer motorcycle with 20,000 less miles for only $1,000 more. Steal of a deal!

Recently, I saved over $50 on a new motorcycle helmet. The other was past its safety effectiveness prime.

We have not had to spend $1 on baby gear or clothes. All given as gifts or purchased with gift cards. Crib donated. Car seat, stroller, and dresser are all gifts (as will be the pack and play).

All the damage to my car from the fallen bicycle and Lena's car windshield cost us only $200 thanks to insurance.

The VW transmission may not be going out... I added some premium gas and some oil and we haven't experienced the "stumbling" transmission.

Maybe I'll add more later. It's late. I'm headed to Disneyland tomorrow with the Irvine team to celebrate all God has done through us at the Irvine campus these past 6+ months.

Praise be to God alone!

7 more weeks...

We had another doctor's appointment this morning. Things are moving pretty smoothly. I think Lena has gained a little more weight than she expected since our appt two weeks ago. In the beginning, I was hoping that I would lose enough weight that we would weigh the same when she has the baby. But Lena just isn't gaining enough for me to weigh the same. =) I have been losing weight... a couple of pounds since last appt. Must be the bicycling because it certainly is not my healthier diet!

Until next post...

Home Stretch

I can’t believe we’re already in the home stretch -- 7 weeks to go! We’re still preparing for baby’s arrival. There are quite a few things that still need to be done, including setting up the baby’s room, selecting a physician, GIVING HER A NAME, etc. We also have yet to start our baby prep classes. We’ll be spending almost every Saturday in the month of November at the hospital learning about baby basics, breastfeeding, Lamaze, etc.

I’m excited to have our baby with us, but have to admit it’s still a little scary to think we’ll be parents and our lives are going to drastically change. I guess what makes it scary is that we don’t know what to expect!

Derek’s cousin had her baby the other day. It was a little thing, just 5 lbs. 10 oz. When I saw the pictures of the baby, I thought to myself, “Wow, that’s what’s inside me!” (this pregnancy thing is still a bit surreal). I think about our God, the amazing Creator. He has fearfully and wonderfully made this little baby and he has allowed me to carry her in my sinful and broken body. I am so humbled by that.

I get a little more uncomfortable each day and good sleep seems to be quickly escaping me. The baby’s jabs are getting stronger and my breathing gets more difficult. I get really warm while sleeping and the leg cramps are severe enough where I have to get out of bed to walk it off to relieve the pain. Not fun at 2 am!

As excited as I am for our baby’s arrival, I can’t help but to think of the things I’ll be able to regain or do once she is born. As I was tossing and turning one night, taking the usual one hour to fall asleep, I listed in my head the top things I want to do once the baby is born.

• Eat sushi. Lots of sushi.
• Sleep on my back…and without a pillow
• Lie on my stomach to read, write, watch TV, etc.
• Hug my husband without my belly getting squished
• Be able to close the kitchen window
• Put on my shoes without getting out of breath
• Be done with my daily prenatal horse pill vitamins
• Be able to carry things in front of me
• Wear a fitted shirt (though it may take awhile for me to get back to those!)
• Go on a motorcycle ride with Derek

At 33 weeks, the baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening.

Why I Should Listen Better

Note: this is not to cover up that I was not thinking. But it does highlight one of the many reasons we (read Derek) should be good listeners.


Lena mentioned one night that dry erase markers work well on mirrors for quick notes. I tried it out and had been drawing arrows on the bathroom mirror to point to her belly saying, "hot momma!" and other lewd comments. Since I went away last weekend, I wanted her to know I was thinking about her while she was gone. Being the cute husband I am, I grabbed a red permanent marker and left her a love note... and another on the medicine cabinet... and another on her clothes closet mirror... one on mine... one on the 2nd bathroom mirror... one on her compact... one on the handheld mirror.... Yes, I left love graffiti on every mirror in our place. Sweet, aren't I?


It didn't hit me that I did anything wrong until I received an email from Lena that read, "Where did you find a red, dry erase marker?" Oops!

Our Baby Shower

We were showered with so much love. About 25 of our friends came to celebrate with us with good food, games and gifts. My oldest sister hosted the shower and she made a huge brunch spread. Everything was amazing! Our friend Peter generously opened his beautiful home to us and God provided the perfect weather.

After brunch we played a few games. The first game was to guess the size of my baby bump. There were three women (two who are pregnant) who were extremely close. The winner had the exact length. It was quite impressive. Not so impressive was how off some of the men were! They claimed they were guessing what I would be at 9 months -- it was pretty funny! We also tested everyone's memory (recall the baby items on the buffet table) and their knowledge of nursery rhymes. Lastly, we played bingo. Each gift was assigned a number. As the gifts were opened, numbers were called out and people tried to win bingo.

We had a great time and we think all of our guests did too -- even the men! We tried to make the event a party with just a hint of it being a shower so that Derek and his friends could be a part of the celebration as well.

We came home with a car full of gifts that have put us well off to a good start. We are almost ready for the arrival of baby Robinson, or often referred to as Baby Girl, Little Bubble, and Dereka.

Getting ready for the guests to arrive.

Derek, my sister Julie and I

Julie and her creations.

I wanted to bake something, so I made some cupcakes with buttons on top.

Getting ready to eat

Game time

Friends from work

Friends from church

Decorated shortbread cookies I made for each guest

Mornings

A few things I noticed about mornings this morning:

• Speed limits are apparently not in effect before 6 AM.
• Before the sun rises, it's dark. No, like really dark. I'm guessing because there is no moonlight so early in the AM.
• I am reminded of the "freshness" of the day. The beauty is that this happens each and every morning whether or not I am up and about to experience it.
• For me, there is something special about being up extra early for no "special" reason. I am not headed to the airport. I am not trying to get a parking spot for a 1/2 marathon or Mud Run. I am going to work for a weekly prayer meeting. This morning I was early than usual as I dropped Lena off at work for an early client meeting. Normally, I would not arrive so early.
• Parents - is this preparation for when our child arrives?

7 1/2 Months

Some people have told me that I'm barely showing. I think it has a lot to do with what I typically wear. Most of my tops are not even maternity shirts. They're just loose fitting shirts I'm hoping to get some wear out of after the baby is born.

So I bought a new shirt with a more snug fit. In addition it has horizontal stripes. There's nothing like horizontal stripes to alter the look of any body shape. Here I am at 7 1/2 months (30 weeks). 10 more weeks to go!

The baby is about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds. She continues to be very active!

My Favorite Blog

At church, we’re going through a series called 40 Days of Love. We’re learning how to love and as we do that, we define what true love is. In our small group we talked about how the word “love” is not to be used loosely or just thrown around for just anything. That said, I can’t say I love this blog, but I truly, truly do enjoy it.

This blog makes me laugh every time. It has great pictures and hilarious text to accompany it. Whenever I need a pick me up or a break from work, I check out this blog. It never fails to disappoint. I don’t think I find it amusing because I make desserts. I think anyone would get a kick out of it. Let me know if I’m wrong…

http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

- Lena