More pictures from Nora's party..

Nora's First Birthday Celebration...

On sunday my mom, sisters and good friend Tammy hosted a Meet and Greet Nora Party, we also celebrated her First Birthday as well. It was a wonderful, touching, magical celebration, I can't thank my family and friends enough for all that they did to make Nora's day so special.. The flowers were beautiful, the food was delicious and the weather was perfect, I really could not have asked for a more perfect day. I loved having all of my closest friends and family gathered in our home to celebrate our family, we honored Nora's Korean heritage by having the Dol which is a Korean celebration when a child turns one. Nora chose one item that will foretell her future, Nora chose the thread for a long, healthy life...we cannot wait to watch her grow up and enjoy every moment. Pictures for you to enjoy!!

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=5703952013/PictureID=259967977013/a=115924425_129081264/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

The frosting was a big hit...

Steve got home last night on Nora's birthday so we had to postpone the actual first Birthday cake until tonight...Nora decided that the chocolate frosting was the best part...Happy Birthday to our Sweet Nora Eun-seo.
Love Mommy Daddy Emma Owen and Declan.

I love those little feet.

Nora loves to be outside and why wouldn't she? There are more acorns, rocks, sticks and leaves in our yard than one baby knows what to do with! Soon our huge black Oak tree is going to drop it's leaves and Nora will have a blast outside...the other day she was sitting on our front stoop and knocking on the front door and it really hit me that she is "HOME." For so long she was just an image in a photo that we (mostly me...) would stare at, I had her picture near my bed, on my kitchen counters, in the family room...even in the visor of my car..and still she felt so far away, both physcially and emotionally...I knew that my heart already loved her but I was guarding it, so afraid that I would never see those little feet. Nora is home to stay.

I am ALMOST ONE!!

In one week our Nora Eun-seo will turn one...it is hard to believe that one year ago she was born so far away and now she is home with us, napping in her crib. There is so much I want to write about but it will have to wait until her actual birthday! For now here is a picture I took of Nora in her Birthday Tutu...couldn't resist.

Some serious bedhead..

and she's only been asleep for 20 minutes!! Nora plays hard and sleeps hard once she falls asleep.
She was a very busy girl today, climbing the stairs, trying Cooper's treats, opening all of my drawers in the kitchen...the list goes on and on..I have forgotten how busy an almost one year old baby is, but it has all come back to me!!

Kelly

Two small steps for Nora!

Today Nora took a few steps to her Daddy in the kitchen, she really wants to walk but is a bit apprehensive...I kind of, sort of want her to walk but honestly this child is non stop..cannot imagine what a walking Nora will be like!!

She is a pro when it comes to climbing the stairs now so the gate is for Nora and Cooper...it is interesting trying to get over that gate gracefully.

That's it from here today..No nap for Nora today so she is sleeping soundly for what I hope will be all night:)

K

What a difference one month can make.

Nora has been home with us for one month already! It is hard to believe, in so many ways I feel like Seoul was yesterday but when I look at Nora she has changed so much in just 4 weeks...she is such a happy girl and loves being with the kids and the dogs and has adjusted rather easily to our crazy life!! In two weeks she will turn 1, happy and sad...sad that we missed so much of her first 11 months but thrilled that we will celebrate so many more birthdays together.

Posting a few pics of Nora when she first came home and now..I think it's easy to tell that she is feeling at home with us. The first picture was taken yesterday, Nora playing with Cooper..the second pic was taken the morning after she came home...still shocked and grieving, this picture reminds me of how her world was turned upside down in a matter of 48 hours. We were so happy to have her home but she was so scared. I think it's apparent from the smile in the first picture that she is learning to love us.

Kelly

I want to teach my children that there is always a choice...

We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us
so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid,
or we can let them soften us, and make us kinder.
We always have the choice.

Dalai Lama

Happy Birthday to Emma, my official "teenager"

Oh my gosh, cannot believe that 13 years ago my sweet little Emma came into this world! Today she turned 13, I am so proud of the young lady she has become...I love that she is funny, silly, kind, empathetic, and most of all genuine. I am so fortunate to call her my daughter, her friends are so lucky to call her "friend" and her brothers and sister have the best big sister in the world. I am amazed at her insight at such a young age and so hopeful that her future is going to be bright and beautiful. No matter where life will lead her she will always know how much she is loved and I will never forget that morning, 1:53am on September 3rd, 1997. I love you Em.
Happy Birthday
Love Mom

Who Me????!

I get this look alot when Nora is full of mischief...she certainly keeps me busy, even strapped into her highchair she is trouble:)

K