Esther will be a SCHOLAR

Yesterday was a beautiful day to celebrate the blessing of having our daughter in our lives and remembering her birthmother who sacrificed all for Esther to be a part of our family, full day celebrate with family and friends, and tiring day of preparation and cooking up a storm. All in all, it was such a great day.

"Toljabee" event is when the child gets to choose something from a tray to predict their future. On the tray there will a thread which signifies long life, book or pencil which signifies they will become a scholar, and money or jewelry that signifies they will be rich. Esther chose a pencil and very content with a pencil. We were very surprised when she didn't choose a ring on the tray because we call her our "bling bling" girl for the reason she loves shiny things (i.e. necklaces, earrings, rings). She will be a scholar. Life will be very interesting having 2 scholars under one roof. Her older sister Helena also chose a pencil at her tol day. It will be the battle of the brains in our house.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESTHER!!

I have not been so good about keeping up with this blog. I have not posted anything since late July. Well here it is February 07.
Esther will be turning ONE on Sunday. Where does the time go? I can't believe she is one. She is crawling all over the place and starting to pull herself up on the things. She shakes her whole body yes and no, wave, can baby sign: more, all done, down, change. Lots of babbling: mama, papa, meow. I can't imagine life without her and what an incredible blessing she is. She still adores her big sister Helena and gives her the most smiles. I love watching her and Helena interact. I can't wait to see them together as they get older. My hope and prayer for Esther is that she will grow into a woman of courage and strength just like Queen Esther in the Bible.
On Saturday, we'll be throwing a big birthday bash Korean style. The "tol" (1st birthday) is a huge milestone. There will be lots of yummy Korean food: bulgogi, kim bap, homemade mandu, chop chae, etc. Esther will be making a entrance with her hanbok (beautiful traditional Korean dress) and will be "predicting" her future by picking from such items as (book or pencil: scholar; money or rice: rich; thread: long life, etc).
Stay tuned, we'll post some pictures after the big bash.

Family of Four

It has now been 2 weeks of being home and feels like Esther has always been a part of our family. She really is such an easygoing baby and has adjusted beautifully to the time change and to us as a family. She started sleeping through the night the 2nd or 3rd night and slowly establishing a nap schedule. Helena has had some difficulty adjusting to the reality that she no longer is the center of momma and poppa's attention but she has to share the spotlight with her baby sister. Helena has her moments of tantrums and whinniness but otherwise very sweet to Esther.

My verdict is still out on adjusting to life with a 5 month old baby and very verbal, rambunctious, active 3.5 year old. There are days that our family of four is ideal and other days where it's not so much. I love having a 5 month old who is super easygoing and to see grow and change. I love watching my 3.5 year old love on her sister and be the big sister and try to teach her baby sister things. But sometimes, together each of their needs clash for my attention and I feel torn. There is also the idea of time. Boy what was I thinking when I thought I had no time with just one? Now there really is no time with two. I suppose right now Esther is still at a very needy stage of feeding and changing diapers and interacting but how quickly she will get to the stage of being independent. When there are days of the not so much, I wonder why I chose to disturb the equilibrium of our lives but then I look into the sweet face of Esther smiling at her sister Helena making faces at her then I know why. There is a new equilibrium. I know our family would not be complete without Esther.

HOME SWEET HOME

We arrived in Seattle on Monday morning. The flight for the most part was uneventful. Helena was fighting sleep as always and so was Esther but once everyone settled into sleep all was good. Monday was the hardest day for the jet lag but as each day passes it seems like we're beginning to feel better again. It was great to be in Korea but it's good to be back to our home sweet home. We're adjusting to having 2 kids. It's been nice to have Matthew home this week but he will be returning to work on Monday and then his mom will come for a week to help out. Helena continues to be a great big sister and love on her baby sister but she has her moments, too. Esther is continuing to adjust to the time change but she is such a happy and laid back baby. She LOVES people.
Esther had her first doctor's appointment today and was a trouper. I am so thankful that I have 2 kids who are pretty flexible and love people.

Here are more pictures from Korea and some from home.

Another update

I'm sorry won't be able to update with any pictures but I think both Helena and her baby sister have grown an inch. Relatives and friends have commented how both of them have grown taller and filled out. Our stay in Seoul has been great except for the rain (Korea has exceptionally alot of rain the past couple of weeks and lots of flooding in certain areas because of it). It seems as though time has flown and yet stood still...strange how time seems to be that way while one is overseas. We have been here almost 2 weeks and will be heading back to the States tomorrow. We've been staying with my stepsister's family and it's been great, especially for my language though still a bit frustrating for me when I can't remember Korean words when I want to. Unfortunately, I have not had alot of opportunities to see my mother as I hoped because of her work. But it's been great all the same.
Again, Esther is really a great sleeper and great feeder and fits right into our family. It seems like in the last couple of days she's really discovered her voice and coos alot...it melts your heart. Helena is a great big sister and loves on Esther and at times a bit jealous of having to share momma and poppa's attention with baby sister but otherwise wants to be helpful. Helena is the official diaper velcro police (she undoes the velcro for the new diapers).
We will be on the plane headed back to the States tomorrow afternoon. Please be praying that it would be uneventful and that Esther and Helena will do well and that momma and poppa will have patience and endurance during the long flight back.
Can't wait for you to meet Esther soon.
Erica

A quick hello!!

It's now been 2 full days since we have had Esther it seems as though we have had her. The first night was really rough. She was going through the grieving process and cried alot and so did her sister Helena...we have both of them on video having a meltdown for prosperity and for bribing as they get older. Esther has been so great...she really has such a great personality and pretty easygoing. She seems to really like people and being outside. It appears she recognizes her momma and poppa and sister and gives us lots of smiles and laughs and coos. Helena is doing pretty well but slowly realizing the reality of what it means to have to share momma and poppa's attention and time.
We're now in our 3rd place of sleeping..the hostel, our "love" motel, and my relative's place. We'll be at my relatives until we leave. This might be our last post until we arrive home.

WE'VE MET OUR DAUGHTER

We finally met our daughter Esther Yoo Jin Goos this morning. It was a very surreal experience. She is a very adorable and laid back 4 month old. The foster mother has really taken good care of Esther and sense she has loved her very much. Helena loved meeting her baby sister and doted on her. We will be getting her FOREVER on Friday afternoon. We can't wait to have Esther as part of our family. It was a fantastic and fabulous experience to have my mom be part of meeting Esther for the first time, too. Wow, I can't believe this day has come and gone.

Introducing...

Esther Yoo Jin Goos

More pics of our trip so far Here