Visitors Welcome (Updated)

Gram and Beepa at the cottage

I have to give it to them, my parents certainly have a sense of adventure. Thanks to a dear friend at one of the airlines, they were able to fly out here on companion passes in first and business class. The catch: They had to fly standby for each segment of the flight. Talk about flying by the seat of your pants!

On Wednesday, June 1, we learned that Nathan may be released from the NICU the following day. Kyle warned me not to get my hopes up (I think he saw one too many hopes dashed during the NICU stay, so who can blame him?), but I was beyond excited.

Thursday, June 2, we picked up Nathan from the NICU. As we checked in on my parents’ flight we learned they had already landed. What?! Oh no! So late!

Kyle rushed home, dropped Nathan and me off and dashed to the airport. 

Take me home, Daddy!

Thankfully, our flight tracker was wrong. My parents had just landed upon Kyle’s arrival. He even had time to get my mom and dad “candy coffee” (mocha caramel from Coffee Bean). Whew!

I heard the garage door opening. Nathan was asleep in his bassinette, and I ran down stairs and out to the gate to greet my parents. Yay! They left the bags at the door, skipped the tour and came directly upstairs to meet Nathan. My mom asked, “Can I wake him up?” I said, “Of course.” It was better than Christmas morning. 

Moments after arrival

The next two-plus-weeks were filled with a lot of resting and about an outing a day. I was recovering from surgery, but was feeling great, so it was hard to take it slow. Kyle went back to work, and I was torn between entertaining my parents and knowing it was smart to take it easy. My parents both reminded me, time and time again, that they were here to help and to spend time with Nathan, not to tour museums. They were incredible houseguests and found pleasure in even the most simple of outings.


We went to the American Embassy to get Nathan's passport, which required a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (or something). Paperwork, paperwork!

After MUCH practice, this is Nathan's passport photo. 

We went to the N Seoul Tower at dusk to show off Seoul's expansive 360 degree views. While there, we met a couple that had just adopted a baby from Korea and were spending their first day with her. She was adorable. They waited one year to get her.  My dad took their picture for them and chatted...it had been a while since they spoke with westerners, so they were eager to share. Theirs was a beautiful story that reminded me how lucky we are.

Nathan and Beepa at N Seoul Tower

My parents met our Doula Lisa and participated in our first post partum home visit.

Lisa weighing Nathan while Pete looks on

Lisa gave us our first Moby lesson 

We enjoyed a lovely Saturday night out on the rooftop of beautiful Cafe Flora in Samcheong Dong. It was fun to show my parents why we love our neighborhood.

Dessert! The kiwi pudding was yummy

Rooftop of Cafe Flora

I took them to the grocery store, to the shopping district in Meyong Dong, the open markets at Namdaemun, to the westerner district of Itaewon and to our favorite street vendor (below) along one of the palace walls. I bought a piece from this guy when Rebecca visited. She taught me how to haggle a little bit, and--thanks to a calculator and "itranslate"--I helped my parents save about $50! 

Taking a look

Narrowing it down

 They bonded with Nathan immediately and helped Kyle and me immensely. 

Nathan hearts Beepa

Nathan hearts Gram

Nudie except for swaddle blanket makes for a nice nap on Gram

Their visit was good for our hearts and our souls. Although it was hard to say goodbye (always is), we all tried to remember to be thankful they were able to come. After all, it is a long, long way from home.

Since their departure, we have settled in nicely (aside from a little bout with mastitis…ouch! Once again, so thankful for our Doula! Sorry to overshare)...

My boys

 ...and are looking forward to setting foot back in the States.

This little piggy went to market...

That’s right! We solidified our plans once we learned of one of our groomsmen’s wedding (Congratulations Doug Black!) in late July. We’ll only be around for a few weeks, but we are so excited!

:)sbc