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???