And, We're Walking...

Baby C and I had our monthly prenatal appointment today.

Ultrasound Take 1:  No dice.  Just as he/she did two times in the States at Beaumont Fetal Imaging, Baby C wore his/her "stubborn hat" and would not give us a good look at their heart.  Last time they were breech, this time they were "spine up" and the spine was casting a shadow on the heart.

So, we walked. And drank juice. And walked some more. And waited.

Walking...

Waiting...

                              

                                              Lobby

Ultrasound Take #2: No dice. Shadows. But, we did get a thumbs up.

Thumbs up!

So, we walked. And drank water. And did the stairs. And walked some more. And waited.

Round two, been here before

Scenes from the walk

Checking in with work (and waiting)

Playing with the timer on our new camera (blur is a mystery)

Kyle was embarrassed of his hyper wife (too much juice)

Ultrasound Take #3: Dr. Kwon came up (the ultrasound suite is separate from the suite where we see our doc) to "see the baby's heart for herself."   At first the fact that the doc was conducting the ultrasound made me nervous, but then I realized we had been there for three hours and were approaching the lunch break. Everything in Korea stops around lunch. Serious business, lunchtime.  No joke, she was completing our ultrasound so she/everyone could go to lunch.

In the first minutes, she sighed, "The baby is not cooperating." Then she said, "Are you learning the gender? I know what it is!"

Pause.

Kyle and I said, "No, we're going to wait."

Pause. Dr. Kwon just smiled and told us to let her know if we changed our mind.

A few minutes later, Dr. Kwon exclaimed, "There we go!" She got what she needed and the heart looked good and she thanked us for being so patient while they worked to get the very important (ten) angles of the heart. Whew!

Stubborn but cute Baby C

Kyle was off to work, while Baby C and I caught a cab to EMart (think Meijer). They have a pharmacy and I needed my prenatal vitamins (read: fresh out, took my last one last night).

I asked the driver to go to Dongdaemun. I got dropped of in Namdaemun. That's what we call a language barrier.

I knew I was in the wrong place, and kind of assumed that the cab driver wanted the smelly American (we smell like red meat, they say) out of the cab. I got out, figuring I would find my way to the subway. I knew where I was, it just wasn't my destination of choice.

I crossed the street and saw Tiffany & Company. This cab driver was smarter than I thought! I went into the T &Co inside the lovely eight story mall. I discovered the basement housed Korea's version of Whole Foods! I was in Heaven. I found honey. I found skim milk. I found wheat bread.

Ooooh! 

Aaaah!

Yum

Actually, I stole the bread--on accident. I put it in my cart and when I checked out, the lady spoke in Korean and gestured and pointed like, "Oh, you pay for that over there at the posh, well-lit bakery area." She then put them in my plastic bag and taped it shut (these peeps and their tape). Maybe she thought I already paid?

So pretty

I walked to the posh, well-lit bakery counter and pulled out my bread and tried to hand the fella some money. He ignored my money, put my bread in a beautiful paper bag, rebagged my other groceries in another paper bag and thanked me in English. I walked out with my stolen bread. That's what we call a language barrier.

Back outside, I used my iphone to locate a pharmacy. When the blue dot (me) was on top of the red dot (pharmacy), I looked around and saw the pharmacy! No english spoken at this one, so I opened my coat and rubbed my belly and said, "Vitamin." We located my brand and home I went!

:)sbc

Stateside for the Holidays: Week Three

Amanda and Rebecca hosted the G4G girls (friends and former co-workers from our time with the Granholm Administration) at a shower for Baby C and me. Great gifts, great food, great friends--thanks, ladies! Sophie and Sage went to Rebecca's with my Mom and me, while Kyle stayed home and babysat for Sami—even he was impressed with his babysitting!

Sami, Sage & Sophie

Kyle was offered a promotion! As of January 1, he is the Contoller and Managing Director of GM-Daewoo. We are excited about the opportunities the position brings (yay for our household shipment!) and are determined to put a positive spin on our commitment to stay in Seoul for two additional years (the wise words of Denis Miller come to mind, “Life is Tough. Wear a Cup.”)  No, seriously, it wasn’t an easy decision, don’t get me wrong. It is the longest and most complicated pro-and-con list either Kyle or I have ever compiled. I miss things more and am more determined to make our time here worthwhile.  We’ll make it work and I believe it will all be just fine. Different, but good. Congrats, Kyle!

Christmas Eve was wonderful. Sophie, Sage, Kyle and I went to church early to save seats. While I reserved an entire pew, Kyle snuck over to Biggby with the girls for some holiday hot chocolate. No wonder they love him so. 

Sage

Sophie

Yum!

I cried at “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and went ahead and cried again during Silent Night. I tried not to look at my mother, but that didn’t help. It’s just going to go ahead and happen. Every year.

All in a row

We all loved the much-anticipated-annual-Bupp-calendar from Beepa, and my sisters and mom enjoyed their handmade napkin rings (a little project that Dorie and I worked on in our maedup class). The girls even got all dressed up in their Hanbok on Christmas morning!

Sami, Sage & Sophie

After a great dinner at Carlos and Kim’s, we opened gift after gift from “Sandra Claus.” Later, over dessert, we expanded the party to include aunts, uncles and cousins. I lost at pool, but the padded butt panties were a hit!

Lexi & Kim preparing dinner

"Sandra Claus" with Claire

Sandy

Kendall with Claire

Carlos & Kim entertaining at their bar

Megan was a good sport

Butt panties!

Sophie

The morning before we left, Kyle and I said our goodbyes to Sophie, Sage and Sami. Even Kyle thought we might get out of there with “dry eyes” until Sophie said, “Wait!” 

She ran upstairs and came back with a book. “Will you read this to your baby since I won’t be there?” I nodded, already unable to speak. I silently cried as she flipped through the book and looked up to see Hadi and Jess also crying. We were a mess. Good times. Sophie, Sophie, Sophie—you are something else.

We reluctantly packed and had a farewell dinner that evening with our parents. Goodbyes are no fun, but dinner was really enjoyable.

Phil, Kyle & "Sandra Claus"

Beepa, Shelby & Gram

The flight back was without upgrade, but at least it wasn’t delayed (our flight originates at LGA which was recovering from a storm and shutdown). Pete and his “camp counselor” were waiting for us at home complete with an updated disc of Pete’s “vacation photos.”

Our holiday visit was needed, wonderful, busy and too short. I didn’t get to see all the people I miss so much as much as I wanted to, but I have to remind myself it was better than not being able to visit at all. I find myself looking forward very much to the summer when we’ll visit again, but try to temper that excitement by focusing on Seoul. I am continuing with a list of all the things there are to discover here (January: Korean War Museum and Picasso exhibit at the National Museum), especially before the arrival of Baby C in May.

Happy new year!

:)sbc

Stateside for the Holidays: Week Two

Week two started with "Mr. Wonderful’s" (Deb's husband Pat) birthday party at Dagwood’s (super fun), and meeting my Mom, Dad and Hadi at Beaumont for Baby C's 18 week ultrasound. It was their only opportunity to “see” Baby C until he/she is born. We counted fingers and toes and got all the measurements we needed.

Top is Baby C's foot, followed by three, similar profiles 

Thursday I picked Kyle up from DTW and headed to see Michelle, Luke and Graham. Oh, how that little boy has changed! He is crawling and laughing and just so adorable. Especially when he crawled to me and I picked him up and he cuddled me. Awwwwwww. Graham. Sigh.

Luke, Graham & Michelle

Friday Kyle spent the morning at GM visiting old pals. We spent the afternoon at Elephant Ears in Ann Arbor making “big ticket” baby purchases. Next, we met Kyle’s Mom and Dad with Kim, Carlos and Joseph for dinner. Whew!

Mom modeling chair and ottoman for the nursery

Cozy crib at Elephant Ears

Elephant Ears for nursery furniture

Saturday was one of my favorite events, the annual Bupp Holiday Party. Lots of faces that I haven’t seen since the summer—what a blast!

Getting started

Bupp tree

 

Jess chatting with Amanda

Jimmy Harsha

Jess, Michelle and me

Sophie, Sage and Sami stayed with us in DeWitt as Jess and Lonnie went home to repaint, remodel and reoutfit Sophie’s room. We had lots of fun together, although they were very curious about where Beepa went (Gram and I told them that he was helping a friend build something—technically true).  Jessica’s video of Sophie’s reaction to the room is priceless…it’s on her facebook, but I will try to post it here when I get it. So cute.


:)sbc

Stateside for the Holidays: Week One

Welcome back, me!

I swear I will do better. I can do better.  A record four weeks and counting without so much as a thought of committing to a blog entry, which makes my new year's resolution pretty timely: to update the blog at a rate a little greater than once a week.

Since I enjoyed myself so much during our holiday in the US, let’s divide it into weeks, shall we?

After a smooth flight, unexpected upgrade to business class, I met my Mom, Dad, Hadi, Jess and Matt at Casey’s in Ann Arbor. American food and lots of hugs. Perfect.

The next morning, fresh from a much needed haircut and eyebrow arch, I headed to Pembrook Elementary. I was the surprise mystery reader for Sophie’s second grade class. My mom, dad and sisters all came to “see Sophie’s reaction.” Jess was worried that she wouldn’t perform. We think she did just fine. Jess captured the moment on video (the reason I am not talking in it is because I am trying really hard no to cry).

Surprise! It's me!

I missed you!

Soph and me

Saturday we baked holiday cookies. 

Molasses (freeze them, then dip them in coffee, delicious), thumbprints, spritz, Russian tea cakes and more. 

It is tiring, but really, really fun.

Sophie, Shelby, Mom & Lynn

Hadi, Shelby, Jess & Sophie

Later that night, my lovely sisters and sister-in-law threw me a little welcome back gathering. Kim’s house is the perfect entertaining location and it was fun to see everyone and catch up (as much as you can in an evening). 

Deb read my taroh cards, which made me cry (darn pregnancy). She said I value my friends and family and loyalty. She said Kyle is my champion and tries to convince me that all will always be well (he does). She said that I am struggling with what it is I am supposed to be “doing,” and I will likely always struggle with this (I am. The transition from working to not working is a little rougher than I expected). She said all is well and good and that I am surrounded by love. All true.  Thanks again for the party, ladies!

Sunday night Jess decided to gamble on a snow day and she and Sophie stayed the night. I love snow days!

Beepa clearing the way

Backyard tree

Turning into My Mother

Last week marked two great discoveries, well three actually. First, the SBD walking ladies sometimes meet after our walk for a cup of coffee (also a great way to meet new people...You are GM? I am GM! Birmingham? My sister teaches at Pembrook. Oh, they were at Quarton? Do you go to Todd's Room? Me, too!)

This walk is no joke, so it is a well deserved cup of joe--and it is so pretty. The cafe also doubles as a pottery gallery. Love it.

My hot chocolate

Kelli's coffee

At the cafe, my next door neighbor Jane recommended a restaurant.

This led to our second great discovery for the week. Tucked in a little back alley on the street to the Blue House is a little french restaurant called A Table Bis.

It is intimate, delicious and friendly. They only seat until 8:30pm, which can be a challenge for the long-commuting-Kyle (poor thing, don't know how he does it), but we made it. We liked it so much that we went back again this week with Kyle's PWC consultant in town from Shanghai. He loved it, too!

Kyle loves his pic taken

A Table Bis

Walking to A Table Bis last week we found a bakery. We have been looking for a neighborhood bakery and finally found it! We got Kyle a slice of apple pie to go with his Thanksgiving feast, which we celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

On December 1, I had a doctor appointment and all is well with little baby C.

Severance Hospital Tree 

Yesterday I hosted our flower arranging group (both of Haesuk's groups, actually) for the annual Holiday wreath making class. The women from the other group were a lot of fun and it is always great to meet new friends. For a spell, the house was filled with Christmas music and festive people and chatter--just the way I like it! I can't say I love my wreath. I like it because I made it and it was fun to learn, but I wouldn't buy it at a store. Either way, it is a welcome Christmas decoration and goes nicely with my little-little poinsettia and my little-little Christmas tree, and is proudly hung over our fireplace (read: fake electric thing that glows orange and scares Pete).

working...

working...

getting there... 

hmmm....

working...

Whew!

After everyone had gone, I turned my Christmas music up and put my house back together. As I was putting away the leftover brownies and snacks in the kitchen, I heard silent night (if you are related to me, you know where this is going). By verse four, I was tightening the lid on the cashews and crying. I grabbed a tissue in the bathroom to really enjoy my sob appropriately.

I kept thinking, I am not sad. I am happy. I am so happy. I have never been this happy in my life. I am excitedly going home in less than a week to see my dearly loved and missed family and friends. Why am I crying? Am I just crying because my mom cries? Why does she cry?

Then I realized: My mother--who insists each Christmas Eve that we attend church services that include ALL FOUR verses of Silent Night by candlelight, and starts crying as the candles are lit and before the song starts--doesn't cry the whole way through that song because she is sad.

I used to feel bad because I thought she cried because she missed her late mother and father and brother and wished her sister wasn't all the way on the west coast and that Tom and his family were here. But I think now that only a little part of her is sad for those very good reasons, and that most of her is happy and so full of joy that she just can't help but cry.

Because that is why I was crying during my four verses of Silent Night, when I realized I had become my mother.

:)sbc

PS--As I am finishing this blog entry, guess what comes on? Silent Night. Pregnancy sure makes you weepy! I didn't cry :)