No More East Van...Now East Burnaby

If things weren't busy enough with a new baby coming along, we decided to further complicate our lives by moving! We're moving from our house in East Van to a townhouse in Burnaby! I'm not sure if we're going the right direction, but it sure feels right. We'll only be a few houses away from Kaizen (Evann's birthing buddy) so that will be a great bonus. Plus it's more room (almost 2500 sq. ft) so good for a growing family. There's some work that needs to be done, but nothing that I can't handle (as far as hiring someone to do the work). ;)

As you can see, I have continued to spoil Evann. I purchased his very own bouncy castle. I want to make a bouncy castle room in our new home, but Mommy L. doesn't agree with my (brilliant) idea. I don't really remember WHEN it happened, but it's happened...I'm a doting and spoiling father. I always thought that I wouldn't spoil and overindulge Evann, but I can't help it. Oh well, I probably won't spoil the next baby... ;)

I saw an interesting sight the other day when I woke up early, just before sunrise. The new neighbour's newly built house had a nightly visitor. It's interesting because our old neighbour (Eric) had a very "free" growing garden, I loved it. It was like a secret garden with mature trees and a fully grown laurel tree/bush. Eric passed away last year and a developer purchased and sold the land. It was quickly cleared...in two days...house and garden...which was a little sad to see a lifetime of gardening and life gone in less than 48 hours. There was a family of racoons living in one of the trees and I'm pretty sure that this rooftop fellow was part of that family.

Evann continues to grow and develop, I'm curious how he'll be as a big brother. I don't know what we're going to do when we have two kids in the bed with us! We'll have to get a bigger bed!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Party

The thought of having another large birthday party with friends and family was daunting to say the least. We have a number of friends with children around/near Evann's age, but what is the point of having a big event which Evann won't remember. Then it dawned on me...to celebrate Evann's birth and have a good time. Once realizing that, it was easy to relax and have fun.

We decided to have a joint birthday party with Kaizen (who's often seen in this blog and was born 2 days before Evann). And since we were in the midst of trying to sell our house and Kaizen's parents with another, but newer baby boy; we decided on having the birthday party at a local community center. It was a great decision.

The community center provided us with a large kitchen, a play/eating area and a leader to organize and entertain the kids. They had a number to riding toys as well as an activity center and arts & crafts and a parachute. The organizer had two volunteers who helped decorate and set-up the tables and chairs for us.

It was a two hour party (with entry into the room for set-up an hour ahead). We went the "Costco" route and picked up pizzas, hot dogs, fruit plates, cookies, chips, juice boxes, cheese & crackers. Our Chinese fruit cake was from Yan's Bakery and was almost as big as our wedding cake! I could complain, but I think since Mommy L. and Mommy V. (Kaizen's mom) did all of the shopping and organizing, it wouldn't be fair. They did a great job though and I really can't complain. One of the funniest moments is at the birthday cake time and Kaizen crossed his arms the whole time in defiance of Stephen's directions. Hilarious! The cake was enjoyed by all especially the two birthday boys! Evann has picked up the wonderful (sarcastic) habit of licking the candles (at least he doesn't eat them). I can only thank his cousin Hanum for this.

The weather was beautiful! Evann had a great time. He was rosy cheeked and sweating even BEFORE the party had started as he was playing in the playground while we were setting up. He fully enjoyed playing in the toy cars. He spent the majority of the time in the cars; otherwise, he was trying to get kids out of cars so he could get in. He doesn't quite have the art of sharing, but he's coming along. Thankfully, there were more than a half dozen vehicles to choose from!

For his birthday, we bought him a Thomas the Train DVD (his 4th or 5th), a Thomas the Train train and a bouncy castle. Okay, it's a Little Tykes Jump and Slide. Mommy L. is pretty sure that I'm WAY more excited about this purchase than Evann is, but my excitement only comes from the sheer joy Evann will have with this. I'm going to set it up in the basement so Evann will basically have a bouncy room. HOW COOL IS THAT?!? Apparently, it's a refined taste.

The party though only 2 hours felt like an all day affair. Evann was pretty tuckered out by party's end and crashed for his nap almost immediately upon returning home....well, after opening all his gifts. Thanks to everyone for their wonderful gifts, Evann (and all of us) are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Another Skywalker...

Well, no need in delaying the news. As the title alludes, my dear wife is pregnant again. Finally past the first (not so pleasant) trimester, we've moved onto the second. Although, it's been better than the first, it's been very difficult for Mommy L. I guess it just means I have to take good care of her, which may mean, Evann and Daddy have to give mommy more time to rest.

Having said that, it's probably because Mommy is such a trooper and works so hard to why she's so exhausted, i.e. it's not my fault. ;) Evann still hasn't really grasped the concept of mommy being pregnant, but once she starts showing, I'm sure it'll be more apparent to him. Or he'll just think that mommy ate one of his balls.

The timing couldn't have been any better as we recently purchased a slightly larger townhouse with more bedrooms in Burnaby. This is going to really put a challenge in my child's naming logic. Barnaby? Simon? Fraser? (it's near Simon Fraser University).

We haven't found out the gender, but will find out soon. Obviously, gender is not as important as health so whatever we have will be a blessing and joy...but...practically speaking...a girl would be great because I've always loved the concept of having a daddy's girl, but that would mean entirely different clothing, toys, paint, issues, etc. A boy would be "easier" in a practical sense, but then two boys! I'll have to get more house insurance.

The new baby is due for a November delivery. I can't wait. The anxiety/excitement has already started (thus the early morning blog entry). Does this mean I have to start a new blogsite? No more East Van Evann...Burnaby Barnaby? Oh boy.

Back to La-La-Land

It was back down to LA for our first "vacation" with Evann. Evann's 2nd airplane trip was much more eventful than his first (when he was only a few months old - see previous blog entry in August 2006). This short 2.25 hour flight felt like it was a trans-Pacific flight. Evann was very energetic and excited to say the least...he was THAT kid on board. It was exhausting.



We went to visit our friends/family who just had another baby Zoe (3 months ago). Their son is around 9 months older than Evann and they got along very well...and even shared their apples! Sinjin would often ask Evann, "Happy?" to which Evann would enthusiastically nod.






We had a great trip full of food, shopping and swimming! We look forward to the kids growing up together with this hopefully annual trip. Evann would wake up every morning and run to see the baby. I'm hoping he'll be a good big brother!

March 2008

It's been an interesting few weeks with emotions running high and low. Outside the everyday business and busyness, my father was recently diagnosed with some news. He had some lumps in his neck and had a needle biopsy and was diagnosed with lymphoma.

Now I've learned there are many different kinds of lymphoma, which I won't get into. I'll simply say that there are some which may greatly affect his life and some which he could live simbiotically with. As we waited to hear the identification of what type it was, I was very impresssed to see how my father and my family was handling the news.

My father's attitude was one of calmness and philisophy. He didn't deny, get angry or get depressed...he started writing emails to the family about his thoughts. While we were anxiously awaiting the results of his subsequent node removal/biopsy, this was a great way to share our thoughts and feelings as well and come to grips with whatever was coming.

The test results were shocking and totally unexpected...

Negative. Inconclusive. And not lymphoma. Wow. Sigh. Exhale. It was wonderful and paralyzing at the same time.

Dad is still getting some test and has since had a bone biopsy, but the Dr.'s can't find a conclusive diagnosis. Despite not know what is going on, we're all enjoying our time together with our father while he is still active and healthy.

Mom and Dad still come over a few times a week and help us out often with Evann. Most recently, Evann has taken to helping hal-ah-bo-gee (grandfather) in the garden. It's so great.

Let us remember to enjoy every moment with our loved ones. Every moment is precious. I have been trying to reconnect and reach out to all those who have been important to me in my life.

Happy New Year 2008!

New Year's day is a very special day in Korean culture, it's a time to be with your family (extended) and pay respect to your elders of the family by bowing. After bowing, you receive advice and well wishes. Though who are unmarried get an additional gift of some money to show hope for prosperity in New Year. Following that the family eats, eats, and eats! Traditionally, Koreans have dumpling soup with rice cakes, it's a meal I look forward to all year!

Being married and with a child, I now don my "Han-bok" (traditional Korean outfit) as well. I'm still not sure why I have a pink...I mean "salmon" coloured outfit. Whatever...I don't think I could impress many in my MC Hammer outfit anyhow...well, not anyone other than MC Hammer.

I hope nothing but the best wishes to everyone to have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008!

Here are some pictures of the next generation of our family, the boys and the girls. I remember when they were all Evann's age, now they're teenagers!!! Time is truly precious. I must remember to value and cherish every day.

2nd Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

What a difference a year can make (especially when it doubles your life)! This year's Christmas has been so much fun with Evann, I can only imagine that Christmases will only get better and better. Christmas is truly a time for children (young like Evann and old like me)!

As usual, Evann was inundated with gifts from friends and family. This year was a little different because Evann was a much more willing and active participant. As you can see from his excellent arm action, he was a very good unwrapper (not much for saving the paper though).

As usual, thank you to all our friends and family for their incredible generousity. It was nice this year because instead of the obligatory crappy gift to one another, our family donated money to charity. At work, we had some great charity events as well donating to the Empty Stocking Fund and Canucks Place. The hard part is to think of the less fortunate only during Christmas time, I must try to be more diligent to be giving throughout the year.