Visiting with Santa

I was so excited to learn a few weeks ago that it was indeed possible to get our little elf's photo with Santa at one of the hotels in Seoul. This was super exciting because it seemed (prior to my learning about it) that I would have to miss yet another typical American-type holiday activity with my beautiful girl. Everyone seems to have a photo of their kid(s) with Santa, so I wanted one for posterity as well. Generally speaking, you see lots of Santa photos with kids crying, making awful faces, or just wiggling enough that all you see is a blur where the kid is supposed to be. Now, James and I tried to picture just how Brennan would react to this stranger that she was supposed to sit on placidly and smile. We didn't figure that she would be one to scream and cry (because she is definitely a chilled and relaxed kid when it comes to other people just along as Mom or Dad are close by). We figured more along the lines of her trying to pull on the beard or something else like that. So, with all of our previous expectations in mind, we set off to meet Santa today, December 18. Brennan missed her morning nap on the way to the hotel, the Seoul Millennium Hilton. The hotel is quite famous for its holiday decorations - particularly, the 30-foot tree and the huge electric train that runs around the base of the tree. Anyway, we ended up having to wake Brennan up (she fell asleep just as we got to the hotel) to meet Santa. 

Here was her reaction: 

Not impressed.

First Santa photo. Not bad considering Brennan wasn't really awake yet!

After meeting Santa, we waited on some friends, David and Amy. to show up with their baby, Piper. We let Brennan run around as much as she wanted (of course, with one of us in tow constantly) and walk (!) up and down steps. She was so happy to just be someplace new with lots to look at and people to charm. After a while, we grabbed her up and had David snap a family photo.

Here it is:

The Hudsons 2011.

Amy and Piper (left) with Brennan and I.

Brennan was such a happy camper after playing for such a long time that we tried for another Santa photo. What a beautiful smile!

Here it is:

Santa and a smiling Brennan.

Brennan taking a good look. I thought for sure that his beard was about to be history!

It was only when James and I got a good look at Santa's eyes that we realized he was indeed Korean! I must say he was the quietest Santa ever. Never said a word even when I thanked him and said, 'Merry Christmas!'. However, I will always remember today. It was very special to me! Thank you, Korean Santa!

Mommy Freebies

This post is for all you new moms or moms-to-be out there. Through one of my many online parenting groups, I get many emails for some pretty great freebies (all you pay is shipping). However, as we are still overseas and James's credit card is from New Zealand, we are unable to partake in such wonderful opportunities. So, in light of it being the holiday season, I decided to post the information for those of you back home (US or Canada to be exact) that might be interested.

1. A free nursing cover. Go to www.uddercovers.com. Click on "Shop Now", select the product you would like (they also have 3 piece gift sets available with this promotion) and you will automatically be directed to the center of the page where you can enter in the promo code! Type in "Family2011" and it will pull up the ones available. They are selling out fast. You can use the code more than once - you just have to open a new browser/window to do so.

2. A free car seat canopy. Go to CarSeatCanopy.com. Click on "Shop Now" and select any Car Seat Canopy or Whole Caboodle Set that you like. The Whole Caboodle Set includes the same Car Seat Canopy as well as a matching Minky Car Seat Slip Cover, Minky Head Support Pillow, Replacement Umbrella with Minky Lining and a Baby Lap Blanket with Minky Underside. This promotion brings the price on any "Whole Caboodle Set" regularly priced at $135 to only $29.95! Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag. Enter the promo code "FAMILYJOY " and it will bring your product total on a Car Seat Canopy to $0 and $29.95 on any Whole Caboodle Set! Remember: the promo code is "FAMILYJOY " and you can order as many times as you want - just open a new browser window each time you do.

3. A free baby carrier. Go to www.sevenslings.com. Click on "Shop Now" and select any baby carrier you would like (be sure to go to their sizing page so you can get the right size carrier for you). Once you have selected your size, you will automatically be directed to the "shopping bag" where you can enter the promo code "FAMILY2011". This promo code will take off 100% of the baby carrier purchase and all you are required to pay is the shipping fees. You can use the promo code more than once however you will need to open a new browser to do so!

Enjoy!

Shiny Baubles....

Just thought I would post a few photos of Brennan in the act of playing with and rearranging the Christmas ornaments. I tell you, this kid is so cute that it's ridiculous!

On her way to get her shiny ornaments. December 13, 2011.

The inspection begins.

Ooh, this one's different.

What?!?!? No music?

Demonstrating her psychic ability. Of what I have no idea.

Just a beautiful photo. Look at those eyes!

All this playing makes a girl parched!

A funny photo. Mid-sneeze.

Overwhelmed, But Muddling Through Somehow

I don't even remember the last time I posted (I neglected to check before starting this today...), but I figured it's been way too long! The holiday season seems to have become a monster that is constantly overwhelming me, swallowing me whole, and spitting me back out to start all over again. I have been doing the best I can to keep up with decorating, cleaning, watching Brennan, taking photos/videos of Brennan, etc... but, somehow I just can't win. I guess the best I can do with this blog posting is apologize to my readers and promise to do better (I  hope). 

Here are a couple of recent photos:

Too big for her tub. November 30, 2011.

Ready for the holidays, but hating the hat! December 1, 2011.

Is it too early to have a Twi-hard? December  1, 2011.

December 6, 2011.

Anyway, life has been hectic since Brennan's birthday. We got a lovely belated gift from my doctor (without whom I doubt we would have had such a smooth pregnancy with Brennan), Yookyung Lee. She sent Brennan a beautiful baby doll. It is almost bigger than she is! Brennan really doesn't know what to think when we give it to her to play with. She laughs, growls, whines, and even hits and tries to gouge out the doll's eyes! Apparently, we have Brennan's version of Smackdown going on in the play yard! 

This round goes to Brennan. December 6, 2011.

We have been sending out Christmas cards, decorating, running after a little elf that can't sit still no matter what (even when she is sleeping!), cleaning, planning for Christmas dinner and the future, and waiting for James's CELTA course to finish.  Seems like only one of those has a definite end point. The CELTA course finishes up after three months this coming Saturday, December 17th.


Brennan is into everything these days. She is starting to take her first steps on her own. Just today she was standing in the kitchen and I was across the room. I said, "Brennan, come to Mama." She actually let go of the cabinet handle and took two steps toward me! It was the first time she tried to do that without having me or James as her safety net. What a big girl! Brennan also likes to mimic what she hears. So, she has been making all kinds of words or quasi-words. We have heard things like 'shut' for shirt, 'dola' for Dora (the Explorer), and something like 'murm' for mermaid. She also mimics other babies she hears! So funny and constantly amuses people on the subway. Oh, speaking of subway, when James holds her, she likes to hold on to the handles like she is a regular commuter! Silly, smart girl!


Our Christmas trees are finally done as well. After a couple of snafus after which I was seriously considering not even finishing, I managed to get them done with the help of my one year old elf. We did one tree for Brennan which has her first Christmas ornaments on it. The other big tree is the family tree, but decorated in a very baby friendly way - soft, cloth or plastic ornaments with no small pieces. Brennan is really enjoying playing with the decorative balls. She bats them all around the house!

The family tree.

Brennan's tree.

The Big One

Brennan's official birthday party was a categorical, rip-roaring success. The food was delicious, the cake was amazing, and the guests were very many (about 30)! The guests included many of James's co-workers from SLP, both Korean and foreign teachers, our doula, Annette, and her children, Brennan's friends, Alex, Ezra, and Piper, and their parents... Brennan had a fantastic time enjoying new food (black beans, Mexican rice, and birthday cake and icing) and chasing around after Alex and Ezra (James was totally worn out after all that)!

Here are some of the highlights:

The masterpiece made by Suga B's at Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek.

The birthday girl and cake.

Partygoers.

More partygoers.

Brennan and Alex having a catchup.

Hey, y'all!

Daddy, are you looking?

Silly, silly girl.

Styling in a new hat on the way home.

What A Difference A Year Makes

Today is November 25, 2011. To most people, it is known as Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. To us, it is the first anniversary of the birth of Brennan Clarke Hudson. That's right. It's Brennan's first birthday. I have had such mixed emotions today - so sad that Brennan is growing up so quickly and so happy that she has turned out so well (despite the innumerable mistakes we have undoubtedly made over the past year!). Although the past year has provided us with some of the highest highs and lowest lows, I don't think we would have traded it for anything (except maybe a few days of uninterrupted sleep!). I am thrilled to say that we survived and she thrived! 


From her discovery of balloons to her hesitancy in smashing her cake to her buzzing around the kids cafe like a bumble bee on caffeine, the whole day was a trip! It was so cool that my mom was even able to join us via Skype to watch Brennan blow out her candle and smash her cake.

Discovering balloons.

The cake.

Brennan is not a huge fan of overly sweet things (must be all the veggies she eats daily!), so I decided to make her a cake with very little sugar added. Actually, the cake had no added sugar. The glaze I made only had powdered sugar in it. Here are the recipes:

Banana Cake

2/3 c. banana, mashed
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 lg. eggs
3/4 c. water
2 c. unbleached flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
Optional: 1 c. chopped walnuts OR 1/2 c. chopped walnuts & 1/2 c. raisinsGrease and flour a 9 x 13 inch pan. Beat together mashed banana and soft butter until creamy. Beat in water. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until very foamy. Beat into mixture. Blend in flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Beat until smooth. Stir in walnuts or walnuts and raisins, if desired. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool. Serves 8-10.

Banana Glaze

1/2 med. banana
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 c. chopped nuts optional 
2 or more c. powdered sugar

Mash banana well add lemon juice and nuts. Gradually add powdered sugar until you obtain right spreading consistency. Ice cake after it is completely cool.

The decorations which kept falling down!

Blowing out her candle with help from Daddy.
It was very funny because Brennan would 'blow'' - just not at the candle!

Let the 'smashdown' commence!
Actually, Brennan was very hesitant about 'smashing' until Daddy tore off some and gave it to her!

The 'smash' cake face.

The 'smashed' leftovers.

Brennan and her stackload of love!

At the kids cafe in a new outfit from Tia Elly.

Brennan and Daddy at the kids cafe.

Waiting for traffic to ease up at the kids cafe.

In the building block room at the kids cafe.

Baby Knieval thought she was way too cool to hold on!

So engrossed in the other kids that she she stood like this for quite a while!

Brennan and Mommy.

The Last Days of Babyhood

Wow, that sounds so final. Most people think that by the time a child turns 1, that he or she is no longer a baby. Well, developmentally that may be true, but Brennan will always be my baby. Sometimes, it seems like she is getting so big, while other times it hits me how small she still is. I don't know how accurate that last statement is when she is well over 20 pounds these days and about 29 inches tall! I have mixed feeling regarding Brennan's birthday. I have been experiencing a lot of  "remember when" moments. Some make me laugh and others bring out the tears in a big way. I never want to forget how far Brennan has come in the short time she has been with us, so I decided to take a lot of photos over the last 10 days or so just to capture these last moments of her babyhood.

Figuring out her sippy cup. November 16, 2011.

Working on her story to explain the car accident (background).  November 21, 2011.

November 22, 2011.

Looking for a means to escape the new play yard. November 24, 2011.  

Just Being Cute (AKA A Day In the Life of Brennan)

Brennan is such a ham. She loves to 'help' me with me with household chores. Her main way of providing me with assistance is just being an adorable distraction that always makes me smile and laugh.

Here's the proof:

Giving Thanks

I don't usually write two posts in one day, but this one is special.

One of the main reasons that I love (and have loved) living abroad is the fact that I have met many people from all different parts of the world. Every person that I have ever met - no matter the length of time - has enriched my life and for that I will be forever thankful. 

There haven't been many moments in my life that have taken my breath away and brought me to tears at the same time. However, out of the blue, one of those moments occurred today. I had been getting phone calls off and on all day regarding a home delivery for 'James, Amy, and Brennan Hudson'. Honestly, I had no clue what it could be as I hadn't ordered anything and we had already received the birthday packages for Brennan we were expecting. So, when a flower delivery person showed up at the door, my curiosity was piqued to no end. I figured the flowers and teddy bear must be for Brennan since it is her birthday next week. But, I thought to myself, "Who in the world could these be from????"

Here's what the card read:

'Dear James, Amy & Brennan, 

Happy Birthday to our little Bea's very first friend! Your little B is such a special person and we wish her a happy, healthy and prosperous life.

With love from Ross, Rowena & Beatrice xxx'

A little back story here: I met Rowena just a few weeks before we were both due to give birth last year. We were both having acupuncture and moxibustion done (in adjacent cubicles) to help the labor process to commence. The nurse was talking to Rowena in the next cubicle about the moxibustion and how much it is supposed to smell like marijuana. I couldn't help myself from joining in by saying, "Does it really smell like marijuana?" Rowena and I had a coffee and a waffle after that and became fast friends. After the birth of our daughters, Brennan and Beatrice, we scheduled a 'playdate' when Brennan was two months old. Thus, the girls became each other's very first friends. 

Beatrice and Brennan. May 2011.

Later, Rowena and Beatrice joined our playgroup with the boys, Alex and Ezra. We had lots of fun times together - moms and babies. Unfortunately for us, Beatrice and her parents moved to Hong Kong in June of this year. We have never forgotten them and still keep in touch with the hopes that we will meet up again someday soon. We love you, Rowena and Bea!!!

Little Miss I Have To Touch Everything.

"Now, this is new. What IS it?"

Reading the card. November 18, 2011.

With Brennan's first birthday looming, I am touched beyond words at how much she is loved by people all over the world. After receiving the lovely flowers today, Brennan has received gifts from people living in three different countries (Hong Kong, USA, and New Zealand) other than the one of our current residence. I am speechless and my heart is bursting with joy. My cup definitely runneth over.