First tooth

Of course this would happen while Jawsh was away in Cabo... the emergence of Noah's first tooth. In this picture he's not crying because of the teething process, rather, Kaitlyn was in his space rolling back and forth. Thankfully Noah is cutting teeth in his usual fashion... chill style. Will he be like this for all the milestones???

We'll miss you

Michael's family is moving to New Jersey... We are so excited for them but saddened that Noah (and Kaitlyn) will not be able to play with their cousin when they grow older. When will we see them again???

Yum

Have you ever seen the Magic Bullet infomercial? This is probably the best gadget that we have purchased so far and has helped us make Noah's food. His first fruit was the avocado... we were going back and forth between that and the banana. In honor of Jawsh (the avocado is one of his faves) we went with the green. What will his first veggie be???

Stand by me

Noah's been practicing how to stand (and walk) with Jawsh. While we were visiting Harabujee he didn't want to be left out of this fun... especially since Noah cries with him at times. The nickname, Haesahm, no longer applies (see previous posts to understand what I meant by that). Noah spent about 5 minutes practicing standing and walking with my dad laughing it up. When will he take his first steps???

Rice, rice, baby

Today is Noah's 5 month birthday and to celebrate he ate his first solid food. There was much debate over which to try first but we ended up going with the usual: rice cereal. Boy, did Noah enjoy that! He eyes kept tracking the spoon and he did a great job eating! It was too cute watching him. What will Noah eat next???

First day of school

Noah went with me to a school event where he met one of my bright students, Jai'Lynn. She wanted to read him a book and that she did. Noah was a great student which is no surprise. People often say that preacher and teacher kids are the worse, but Noah will prove them wrong. Can you see how well he pays attention???

Fish, sharks, rays, oh my...

Uncle Bill, Aunt Michelle, and Kaitlyn came to visit Noah today. We ended up in Santa Monica visiting the small aquarium and walking the promenade. The babes could see the marine animals but that was about it so needless to say it wasn't a long visit. We will have to return when they're older, don't you think???

Bachelor days

Uncle Jay came to visit and was surprised to see how big Noah has become. Jay has those big Popeye arms from drumming and he was getting sore arms holding Noah, who is now about 18 pounds. This is one of the last pictures of Jay as a bachelor as he is getting married next month. When will Uncle Jay visit again???

Getty baby

Jawsh will be writing about this special day...

Like the great Parthenon in Greece, the Getty Museum sits perched atop a hill, overlooking the expanse of civilization as we know it. It's sandstone and marble halls containing over 3,000 years of artistic expression and accomplishment. It's many visitors gawking at the view, the sharp angles of sunlight, and the plethora of statues, paintings, and photographs. But there was one special visitor, who was seeing it as if it were the very first time. Wait, it was the first time. It was Noah's first art museum experience. He was so enthusiastic he was drooling at the mouth. And I could not have been prouder, viewing the ambitious works of Tim Hawkinson and walking the gardens with my son and wife.

Happy Easter

My mother has never purchased Easter baskets for me or my siblings but now that she is "Halmoni" that has all changed. This Easter Kaitlyn and Noah received their first baskets with a big stuffed bunny and tons of candy. Practical? No. Fun? Yes. This pose is typical of the two... Kaitlyn exploring her world and Noah wanting some space away from her. Will they be like that when they're older???

Blessings

With the addition of Kaitlyn and Noah in our family, we feel blessed in so many different ways. This past weekend we had an opportunity to bless them through baptism. The two were sprinkled with water and prayed for by Pastor Isaac. What a wonderful experience it was to have them blessed together, wouldn't you agree???

Daddy's boy

A lot of people say that Noah looks more like me than Jawsh, but these pictures prove them all wrong. Noah is a carbon copy of Jawsh when he was an infant (with the exception of the eyes). Do they look like twins or what???

Bobble-head babies

Here is the card Jawsh made for Billy's 30th birthday... funny huh???

Chug, chug, chug

Many people warned us that Noah would not "take to a bottle" but he has proved them wrong. He eats well and Jawsh is very responsive to his hunger cries. Here is a picture from Jawsh's perspective when he feeds Noah. Cute eh???

100 days

Noah celebrated his Baek-il at Harabujee and Halmoni's home. The Baek-il celebrates the 100 days after a baby's birth. The number 100 has an inherent meaning of maturity and perfection. Family brought presents and wished Noah good health and blessings. We had two types of rice cakes prepared: baekseolgi (steamed rice cake) and bulkunp'at gomul (red bean rice cake). The steamed rice cake is shown in the picture and has the symbolic meaning of holiness whereas the red bean cake expels evil spirits that may block good fortune. Will Noah appreciate all of these things that we do when he gets older???

Behind the scenes

Here is a sneak peek of Noah posing for his Baek-il pictures. We were very surprised how well he reacted to the studio and the photographer. Don't you think the pictures came out well???

Sitting pretty

Throughout the day Jawsh helps Noah practice sitting in his seat... it's really amazing to see how strong our little boy has become. Before we know it Noah will be sitting up straight on his own. Time flies fast, doesn't it???

Mr. Mom

Jawsh is at home with Noah for a few weeks now that I am back to work (I had to post this picture of the dvd that Joel made for Jawsh... love the creativity). Jawsh is really great with Noah and he's enjoying the bonding time. How will I cope being away???

Happy V Day

Billy bought Kaitlyn and Noah matching Valentines Day outfits... cute huh???

The big 3-0

We had a wonderful time celebrating Jawsh's birthday with family and friends. What a sight... look at all those candles! After Jawsh blew them out we had to turn the fan on! I wonder if Jawsh's birthday wish will come true???

Uncle Zach

Noah finally met his Uncle Zach visiting from NYC. I think they got along very well. Uncle Zach and Uncle Bill have similar likings: they both love hamburgers, watching movies, and the glory days of the Bulls... will Noah have the same things in common???

Noah's first job

Noah and I were at our favorite baby store and we met a talent scout for the Dunstan Baby Language DVD. She took a picture of Noah and he received a call back for a screen test (he was chosen out of 250 babies). Noah's job was to cry on camera, which he did on cue. I'm not sure if Noah will make it on the final DVD but it was worth going to the session because he received a stipend for five minutes of his time. I wonder what his next job will be???

Happy two months

Even though Noah has been here for a short amount of time, we can't imagine life without him. He is the joy of our lives and we feel so blessed. Every day there is something new that we learn about him; he loves to look at the chandelier lights, he loves bath time but hates it when I dry his hair, and he really likes it when Jawsh sings, Fly Like an Eagle. I wonder what we'll discover next???

Hae-sahm

My dad and mom enjoy their roles as Harabujee and Halmoni. When we visit they want to hold Noah and he obliges by being very calm. My dad has started to refer to Noah as hae-sahm (which means sea cucumber in Korean) because he feels soft and lays still peacefully content. Hae-sahm is a term of endearment but I wonder if Noah will like it when he gets older???

What's up cuz?

Kaitlyn likes to say hi to her cousin Noah. They are really cute together don't you think???

Healthy baby

Today's doctor visit brought us joy and sadness... The joyful part was finding that Noah is growing and developing fine (he is now 12 pounds). The doctor also stated that Noah was "advanced" as he is turning from front to back, smiling, and "talking." The sad part of the visit was holding my son in my arms as he received his first set of immunizations. We have never heard him cry like that before. Jawsh even said his heart broke watching it happen. How are we going to handle his next set of shots???

Hello Great Grandparents!

Noah met his great grandparents, Art and Tina. He is not only their first great grandson but the only one on their side with no dimples! Dimples or not, he is still the cutest boychick (Yiddish term of endearment for little boys) in the family! Or am I just biased???

Tranquility

Last week Noah met his Great Uncle Marty, Great Aunt Gail, and Second Cousin Rebecca. Aunt Gail shared this fact about the meaning of Noah's name in Hebrew: Noach means "tranquility" (Genesis 5:29). Noach appears in the Bible as the builder of the Ark, whose family survived the Flood. In kabbalah, Noach is another name for Shabbat, the day of rest and tranquility. Jawsh wants to call him Mr. Tranquility. Does that sound like a comic book hero's name???

Happy New Year

In Korean tradition, we greet our elders with the new year's saying: "say hay boke-mahn he pah du say oh". If we observe the meaning of the greeting "say hay" means 'New Year', "boke" means 'blessings', "mahn he" means 'a lot' and "pah du say oh", 'please receive'. It literally means "Please receive many New Year's blessings". Noah followed this tradition and bowed to his Harabujee. After bowing, Noah received some money, symbolizing good luck and good wishes. 2006 was such a great year, I wonder what 2007 will bring???

Kaitlyn's Baek-il

In Korean tradition, on the 100th day after a child's birth, a small feast is prepared to celebrate the child's life. Baek-il translates to 100 days. Our family celebrated Kaitlyn's Baek-il with rice cakes (known as deok). I wonder if we will do the same for Noah???

Christmas time

The great thing about Noah's multi-cultural heritage is the opportunity to celebrate Chanukah and Christmas. Noah received lots of attention at the Min household and everybody seemed to agree that Noah looks nothing like his mother, but has the personality and looks of his father! Here is a family picture, what do you think???

Lighting candles

Noah celebrated his first Chanukah. Although he was asleep during the lighting of the menorah. he still heard Grandpa Barry sing the blessing. I wonder if he'll sleep through the next seven nights???

Halmoni's birthday

Halmoni turned 29 years old today (well add about 20 or so years) and she insisted on taking a photo with her grandchildren. What a scene, placing one crying baby and another who can barely hold his head up, in her arms. But it was all worth it... can't you tell by the joy on her face???

Mr. Moms

The last photo of Jawsh and Billy was at the grill... now they're holding their babies. They are both doing a great job helping Michelle and I out. Wouldn't it be nice (yet strange) if they could help out with breastfeeding???

Bubbe and baby

Bubbe and baby had their first meeting. It was great to see the joy on Caryn's face. She later said, "I'm in love." Who can blame her???

My guys

Here are my guys... Jawsh and Noah. Jawsh has been incredible throughout the whole pregnancy and even more so since we've been home. I absolutely love my guys... who knew love could be this grand???

First portrait

Noah had his first portrait done by his father. Noah was a great model, sleeping peacefully. Does Jawsh have talent or what???

Phototherapy

Noah has a slight case of jaundice which is common in many babies. We have been taking him back and forth to the doctor's office to check his progress and he is doing well! We have him placed in phototherapy blankets, which make a glow around his body. I think he looks like a Glowworm all swaddled up, but Jawsh insists ET. What do you think???

Hello Noah

Noah is the first grandchild on Jawsh's side and the first grandson on my side. Needless to say everyone is really excited that he is here. He had some visitors at the hospital... who will hold him more, Harabujee or Halmoni???

Noah Min Smith

Noah arrived today, November 25, 2006 at 5:00 AM. He is 7 lbs. 3 oz., 19.5 inches, and absolutely beautiful. We went into the hospital the night before around 10:00 PM and I thought they would send us home because I was not feeling any contraction pains. But we found out that I was already 5 cm dilated! They checked me in and my wonderful support team, Jawsh, and my doula, Michelle, helped me deliver Baby Noah. The birth went very well... all natural with no epidural! It went so great that it begs the question... will there be a next time???

Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at my parent's home. It was really nice to see family and friends before the baby arrives. It's weird to think that this will be the last holiday that Jawsh and I share as a twosome. What will it be like at Chanukah and Christmas when we're a threesome???

Library on wheels

Here is a picture of the baby's first library. We received the wagon from Grandma Tina and one of Grandpa Art's favorite books, Watership Down, is in the baby's collection. I wonder when Grandpa Art will read the book to the baby???

Professional pictures

Jawsh had been asking me to get pregnancy photos. I finally succumbed and we met with a great photographer who captured my very pregnant belly! What a fun and great experience... I wonder what the baby will think when he sees these???

Lucky 7

Today marks our first date anniversary! Jawsh and I have been together for seven years and to celebrate we went to one of my favorite restaurants, Ruth's Chris. Our first date was in San Diego... he took me to one of his childhood favorite restaurants, Corvettes, and then we watched a Mexican rock group, Cafe Tacuba, in downtown. Who knew that it would lead to this???

Piece #2

The baby has his second piece of furniture: his changing table. We really like the design because it can change into a small desk or shelf. What will be the next piece that goes in his room???

Dinner with the Deputy

"Deputy Commissioner" Joel and Kristie took us to dinner in Eagle Rock to a restaurant called Fattys. It was a great meal and nice to catch up with the man who married Jawsh and I just over a year ago and his lovely wife. Now that we're in the final stretch it's hard to meet up with friends, and we hear that once the baby comes it's even harder. When will we see them again???

Baby's bassinet

Jawsh assembled the baby's bassinet although we are not expecting him for another 5 weeks. We love the Stokke brand not only for the design but also because it converts to a crib and then a toddler bed! I also had to attach the sheep sound machine that will soothe the baby into sleep (we'll see). Will the baby fall fast asleep in his new bed???

Voting

Jawsh and I hope to teach our son how to make responsible choices for the betterment of our society. It's never to early to start thinking about these things. The baby and I went to the polls to cast our vote against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Will that be enough to get him out of office???

Harabujee

Harabujee means grandfather in Korean... and my dad has finally reached that stage. Here he is holding Kaitlyn under the watchful eyes of her parents. My dad loves kids and it's going to be so much fun watching him interact with both babies. He feels very fortunate that he will have one of each. Mark my words, the grandchildren are going to be spoiled. Just how much, who knows???

"Healthy baby"

This week we saw a different doctor in the practice. After my examination she said to expect a "healthy" baby. When pressed about what she meant by healthy, she replied, "don't expect a 5 or 6 pound baby." Jawsh is predicting 7.5 pounds. How big is the baby going to be???