Anatomy of a Holiday Card

Hooray! Another Holiday card is in the books (with the exception of about five that were returned to me, which are finding their way to their rightful owners this week).

They say that half the fun is getting there.  I thought you might enjoy some shots that didn't quite make the card, but indeed helped us "get there."

Enjoy!

Test

Oopsie

Not bad but not cute enough

Silly boy

Look lively!

Almost

Not really the look we were going for 

Nobody puts baby in a corner---er, on a shelf

Love this boy 

A good nap

Nope

A little off 

Still no (but nice hair) 

Kyle boycotting Holiday card 

No likey Holiday card photos

Cuter, but a fake smile on Kyle

Kyle senses what is coming and protests 

Nope, not feeling it

Cheekers

When I said smile, I didn't mean like this 

After a few cocktails

Awww

Blurry Crocketts

In hats

Almost

Protesting yet again

That's better 

And, of course, here's our final product! (Please hold while I save the card another way for better viewing...sorry)

:) sbc

Eight. Nate. Great!

Natey Wi has officially reached month eight!  Here's a peek on how our little International Baby of Mystery marked the day.

We started out with our usual breakfast Skype with Gram and Beepa.

Hmm...bottle doesn't really work this way

Then we look a nap.

He's made a habit of napping with his tootsies outside the crib

Followed by a lunchtime out and about.

On the bus (with my new shades from Hadi & Matt, new coat from Gram & Beepa)

Subway ride

Next, a little cuddle with Dad to end my afternoon nap.

Eight is Great!

2/3 of a year old!

Finally, some playtime before Mom and Dad go out on the town.

Happy baby

Until next month...

:)sbc

And, We're Back.

We are back into the swing of things (including the time change) here in Korea.  It's pretty much business as usual.

We got bundled up and ran some errands:

This chair is just right...until

...until I get my jacket on 

A little nap during errands

 We re-started our Seoul Club routine:

We watched a little playoff football over breakfast:

Breakfast of Champions

We attended art class:

Sunim's studio

We are helping Pete get the hang of staying off Nate's blankets:

He gets as close as possible, of course

 We located and visited the nearest Toys R Us:

Kyle getting excited about all the legos in Natey's future

 We made a dessert for the monthly, neighborhood luncheon:

Chocolate chip Michigan Mitten and hearts

:) sbc

Goodbye is the Hardest Part

Goodbyes are funny. Well, no, they most certainly are not funny.

I mean they are funny-strange, not funny-haha.

Goodbyes start out slow:   Michelle and the Tobins and several of the Crocketts on Thursday.

Grandpa, Nate & Kendall

Then they gain some momentum:   Laura and Claire, the Schnepps and a final happy hour with Kim, Deb, Kari and Annette with a call to Sarah on Friday.

Claire & Laura

Farewell Friday happy hour, L to R: Annette, Matt, Deb, me, Kari, Hadi, Kimmy

Then the calm before the storm:  A quiet, little visit to Nana's house for some one-on-one time on Saturday.  Sandy said about Nathan as I was leaving, "There are not words to express how I feel about this little boy, Shelby.  There just aren't."  I am proud I held back my little tears until I was in the car. :)

Nana and Natey

Then goodbyes come fast and furious:  On Sunday morning, Sophie was holding Nathan and I said, "Soph, it is time to start letting everyone say goodbye to Nathan."  Her face dropped, she handed him off and threw her arms around me and cried, which of course made me cry (and her mom cry, and Hadi cry--Sophie has a knack for not leaving a dry eye in the house.)  My mom left the room and my dad went out to the car, while Matt, Heather, Jess, Lonnie, Sophie, Sage and Sami exchanged hugs and kisses with Nathan and me.  I don't have any pictures.  I guess you will just have to imagine the horror the moment.  Instead, here's a precious picture from Saturday night.

Uncle Matt reading to the shorties.
The girls are looking at him because he is getting emotional.

Then they are over--almost:  Airport goodbyes are a little more business-like, but there are still tears.  It' more, "thank you mom and dad I love you mom and dad thank you I love you I will call you when I land I love you thank you."

And, finally, the strange part comes:  I look back and watch my parents walk away and feel pain.  I look forward and think about seeing Kyle and feel excitement.  For a time these feelings linger simultaneously.  Then, all of the sudden it is over and I am expertly unpacking baby food, basically undressing, removing my laptop, getting scanned, replacing my laptop, basically redressing and expertly repacking baby food.

By the time the security drill is over, I have completely switched gears and I am now a focused and ready-for-20-hours-of-travel mother who can bend over and put my Uggs back on without waking the baby I am "wearing" and without losing my boarding pass, my passport or my sanity--all while accepting compliments from the TSA agents who think Natey is way cute (and who am I to argue with the Federal Government?)

:)sbc

Friday the 13th

On Friday Nathan and I attended a very special birthday party for Nathan's Great Grandpa.  Their first meeting was incredibly sweet, and I managed to catch a couple moments.  Happy 92nd birthday, John! 

Nathan meets his Great Grandfather

Nate and Vicki 

Nate and Ken

Great Grandpa John, Sandy and Nathan

Nathan getting to know Great Grandpa

Lifetime friends 

Megan, Devin and the birthday boy

Balloons!

Sisters with their Dad

Claire, Nana and Nate

Claire, Laura wishing Great Grandpa a happy birthday

Claire, Laura and Great Grandpa

Fun party!

Happy couple Megan and Devin

Some shots after the blue frosting

Let them eat cake!

Thanks to Sandy for inviting us.  It was very meaningful to watch Nathan meet his Great Grandfather.  We had a great time (until I said goodbye to Laura and Claire and cried)!  No, seriously, it was fun and thanks for letting us share in it. 

:)sbc