In a Monsoon, Dreaming of a Pontoon

From worldguide.com:
Seoul is also known for its monsoon season and related weather, which tends to arrive each year between June and July, bringing with it much wind and rain. However, this is short lived and by August, downpours are much less likely and the constant sun makes this reliably the hottest month of the year.

I'll say. Wow. Our morning walks are back on hold because it rains all day, every day. I recently posted this on facebook:
                                               

Anyway, between the constant rain, Kyle's long(er) work hours for quarter end and almost every single one of my friends back in their home country for an extended visit (to avoid the rainy season here), we're going a little bit stir crazy.

I try to remember the upcoming trip and other happy things (health, great kid, wonderful husband, all around good life) with each rain drop, but it isn't always easy.

For example:

Monday, Nathan and I had our six week follow up appointments. I timed Nathan's breakfast like a champ and got us out the door on time, a little early, even because (of course) it was raining. For 25 minutes, I tried to hail a cab as it poured down rain harder and harder. Finally, I spotted one with his light on.  He didn't look like he was stopping for me, rather pausing to cross the intersection. No siree!

I tilted my umbrella and knocked on his driver window.
He rolled it down.
"Available?" I asked.
"Ah-nay-oh (which means no)," he said as he crossed his arms to make an X.

Now, this is not the first time I have been dismissed by a cab. Usually it's because the driver's English isn't perfect, and they don't want the hassle and/or humiliation of speaking imperfect English to a westerner. Well, not today, cabbie. I have an ace up my sleeve that no one can resist!

I whipped open my Moby to expose Nathan.
"Really?! Ah-gee (baby). Severance Hospital. Chew-say-oh (please)," I said.
He looked at the baby. It was working. Who can say no to a baby in the pouring rain?
I said, "Ah-gee. Hospital."
"Ok." He replied.

I got in the cab. Nathan gave a well timed yell. The driver turned and cooed at the baby. That's more like it!

So, yeah, it's moments like Monday's cab that make remembering all the good things pretty challenging. But, I have come a long way, because ten months ago I would called Kyle and blamed him or cried or both because of the frustration of trying to get a cab in the rain. I dare say, I roll with the punches better than I ever have!

In between downpours, we do manage to have a bit of fun.

Off to lunch in our neighborhood

Cute little Japanese restaurant

Cute little statue at cute little restaurant

Ordering lunch (lots of pointing and holding up of fingers)

Success! Thin crust pizza, caprese salad and caramel mocha coming right up!

Before it became our pizza. Meant to take an "after" but we gobbled it up too quickly.

:)sbc

Walking Papers

Well, not walking papers, really, since Nathan can't walk yet, and he doesn't have a job which is required to be issued your walking papers now that I think about it...Anyway...more like traveling papers. Nathan's Consular Report of Birth Abroad and US Passport arrived! 

Looks just like me!

Good until 2016? I think I will look a little different by then...

Now there's nothing standing between us and our visit to the States. Except time.

Time, time, time. 11 days to go!

This week marked the return of our morning walk. It's a little different now, for sure. For one, Nathan is on the "outside." Two, because of the stroller, we have to stay off the trail and stick to the roads. It's a lot less beautiful, but it is still hard work. I think we might try to walk with the Moby this weekend...see if that can't get us back to the skywalk.

One bag for about $7.00 USD.
The Toll House were even more expensive!

Today we took the temple path, as I had to drop a couple books off for my friend Sejal, who is due with her baby boy in September, and pick up chocolate chips from our neighborhood foreign market. (Korean chocolate chips just weren't cutting it.  When my parents were here, we splurged on some American food...it was such a treat for us, as we usually don't buy a ton of American items. $10 for Lays, $7 for Cheetos, $18 for a Guiness 6pack, $8 for Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips...since then I have made several batches of cookies, all with "other chocolate" to try to see if I can master the art of the cookie without Nestle Toll House semi sweet chocolate chips. So far, no dice. But I am getting really good at cookies in a convection oven!)

I digress...

I thought maybe you'd like to go on a walk with us:

First we pass the Norwegian Ambassador's house

Temple (this is the building where we'll do Yoga starting this fall...how cool, right?)

Temple entrance

No, the picture isn't crooked, the incline is just really steep

Inside of the Temple roof

I don't know what it says, but it looks like Chinese. It is for sure not Korean.
Aren't you proud I can tell the difference?

My friend Katja's house (her husband is the Austrian Commercial Counsellor)

  

Hola! Mexican Ambassador's Residence

And guess what? Nathan is six weeks old today. Crazy.

Almost caught this smile...close enough

Check out those hockey feet
(neither of us want to admit his cute feet take after either of us)

Finally, happy birthday to our niece Samantha, who turns three today! :)sbc

Wednesday Humpday

Today it was supposed to rain all day, but we actually had a day of mostly sun. We're just here, counting the days (14) until we get on the plane and head to the US!

Story time usually ends in a nap

"What do you mean we're flying economy?"

Nathan provides helpful oversight while I prepare dinner

"Oh! Too much garlic!"

Happy Wednesday--and happy birthday to my nephew Brady!
:)sbc

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

What's in a Name?

It's 10:25am on Friday and I just put my mom and dad in a cab to the airport for their trip home. Our goodbyes weren't too bad! My dad and I were distracted by a little drama with securing a cab, but by the look of my mom, I think she had a private, teary goodbye with Nathan inside. I can't wait to blog about their trip.

Beepa, Gram and Nathan on our balcony in Seongbuk-dong

But first:

One of the typical questions people ask a pregnant couple is whether they have picked a name. Early on, Kyle and I decided not to share name choices, partly because we didn't want to be influenced by anyone's opinion. Another reason, at least for the boy's name, was because we wanted to ask permission to use the name Nathan William, as it is very special, indeed.

Why?

Well, since it's really not my story to tell, I asked my mom and dad to "guest blog" about the name Nathan William. Here's what they wrote:

There are so many ways to honor a memory, a friend, a family member or an idea.  When Nathan William Crockett arrived May 28, 2011, honor was bestowed upon our family.  Just as we identified a namesake for Cheryl’s brother Tom Clark when we chose to name our son Thomas Clark Bupp, Shelby and Kyle honored the memory of our third child, first son, Nathan William by presenting their first-born with his late uncle’s name.

There are not many who know of Nathan W. Bupp.  In addition to his mother and me, family and some very close friends who have been constant throughout our lives, few others know that our family totals five children.

 Our Nathan arrived October 30, 1972, a birth date shared by our granddaughter, Sydney Elizabeth Bupp.  He was a beautiful boy, stillborn due to complications of ‘Abruptia Placenta’ depriving him of oxygen. 

‘Natey Wi’ as his parents call him, honors his uncle and ‘Beepa’ continuing “William” into a fourth generation of the Bupp family.  Indeed, the naming of ‘Natey Wi’ summoned tears of pride to flow abundantly.

So that's why, sometime in October, 2010, we called my parents to ask them if we could use the name Nathan William if our baby was a boy (something, for the record, Kyle was SURE about since the first positive pregnancy test).

To our delight, both my parents did not hesitate to say yes and indicated that they would be honored. Thanks, mom and dad.

Crocketts, party of three!

And that's what's in this name.

:)sbc

And Natey-Wi Makes Three

Nathan William Crockett was born a week and a half ago--and, oh baby, what a week and a half it has been.

Remember the “D is for Doula” post? If so, you’ll recall that our goal was to have a safe and positive experience. Most—if not all—of our prenatal preparation focused on those two things: Be safe. Be Positive.  Good thing, because our birth plan was just that: A plan, but not our reality.

As you know, we tried everything (both PG and R) to naturally induce labor. Finally, we reached the marker (twice delayed by our request) that we agreed with our doctor would result in an induction.

Thursday, May 26, we checked into the hospital around noon. We spent the day hanging out and trying to enjoy the day while the contractions got stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, Kyle ran between the hospital and the house to check on the workers. Note: at the time of induction the final and most messy stage of our remodel was in full swing.

Wallpaper stage

Anyway, it went on like this over the next two days. When they stopped the meds at night and for periods during the day, the contractions stopped. By Saturday, May 28, we had given it several good tries over 48 hours, but not achieved active, productive labor. I didn’t even dilate.  I was almost 43 weeks pregnant. Now it was time to try something new: C-section delivery.

I think the point that all of our preparation paid off was Saturday. We reached the end of our induction window—someplace I never imagined we would be. Nonetheless, neither Kyle nor I were willing to ask any more of my body or of Baby C.  We remained focused on having a positive, safe experience—and that was more important that sticking to our ideal birth plan. So once we decided, on our own terms (waiting a little longer than our doctor had scheduled), to be induced it was easy again to change lanes and decide on a c-section. I think that is my favorite thing about Nathan’s birth—it was far from the birth we envisioned, but still beautiful and calm and joyous because we were given a chance to make every decision together with confidence as the circumstance warranted.  For this I appreciate so much our Doula and Doctor.

It was difficult, gauging by Kyle’s reaction, for Kyle to see me go into surgery. Through a teary smile, he asked me to remind Dr. Kwon that she said she would take very good care of me. I relayed the message and she smiled warmly and said as if I had just selected a really nice bottle of wine, “I will take great care of you and we have an exemplary team this evening. Now let’s meet your baby!”

I heard a cry.

I said, “Is that my baby?”

Dr. Kwon said, “Yes, Shelby, that is your son!”

I closed my eyes and smiled and took a deep breath, “Nathan. His name is Nathan.”

(Dr. Kwon later told me he is easily the biggest baby she has delivered this year).

Fresh bun from the oven

They put his warm, naked body on my bare chest. He immediately started rooting. The nurse helped me put him on my breast, where he was at home. He was perfect. I was so happy that it didn’t occur to me to count fingers or toes. I didn’t notice his size or length. I just kissed him and kissed him and he sucked and sucked. 

Then he was brought to Kyle. Have a tissue handy for this cute video.

Back in our room, I was recovering and Kyle had just met with the pediatrician. Nathan had aspirated meconium (swallowed some poo in utero) and was being carefully observed in the NICU overnight.  We were a little worried but optimistic.  We began to share the news of Nathan. I called my mom and said, “Mom, I have a son!”  Kyle called his mom and said, “It’s a little—well not so little—boy!”

The next morning, my goal was to get Nathan discharged from the NICU. I knew that if he was in the NICU, he couldn’t room-in with us. I needed him with us.

Severance, while an internationally recognized pediatric care facility, is known for its conservative treatment. And that is just what Nathan got.

He was easily twice the size of the other babies in the NICU, where he would be a resident until Thursday. For four long, acutely painful days, we were allowed two, twenty minute visits a day.  I wept through most of them.

We fought to have them let us hold him and touch him. My doctor is the head of Obstetrics and knowing how hard it was for us to not have him with us, and that his situation was not likely to be serious, she organized a meeting with us and the head of Pediatrics and shared with him our culture/expectations to be in more significant contact with Nathan. Soon after the meeting, we were invited to the NICU early to feed, bathe and touch Nathan. To make sure there was no confusion (which had previously resulted in fear and worry), the International Clinic always had a translator meet us in the NICU.

Thursday we took him home.  Kyle dropped us off and headed to the airport to pick up my parents.  Nathan and I picked up right where we left off.

Take me home, Daddy!

Nathan, Gram and Kyle

I remember last week thinking that I couldn’t wait to be on the “other side” of the NICU and be home and writing this blog knowing that Nathan is fine and thriving (and gassy and hungry and chubby right down to his adorable earlobes) and bonding with Kyle and me.

Nathan & Kyle

And here I am, on the last paragraph of this blog. And he is--indeed--fine and bonding and gassy and chubby. And he is thriving—all TEN POUNDS, THIRTEEN OUNCES and 21.1 INCHES of him.

Gram and Nathan

Newborn onesies moved straight to storage--skin tight!

After a satisfying meal

Napping with Beepa

Nathan William Crockett
May 28, 2011 @ 8:25 pm
10 lbs, 13 oz
21.1 inches

Jsbc