A Fashionable Pumpkin Prowl

I'm in the wrong business. I'm tellin ya that kids' clothing is a racket. Tug on the heartstrings to get to your wallet. Seriously though, how can you resist? Quite frankly, in my eyes, the girl could wear a hockey mask and still have me wrapped around her finger. Oh well....

The weather has changed in Seattle and it's starting to get cold. No, it's not raining....uh, that much but you can tell that fall is in the air. Of course what better way to kick the season off than with a new coat. Brandi couldn't allow for baby girl to be out in the cold without a warm coat. And of course it has to be cute as well as warm.

Just had to get her the new coat so that she can sport it out on the town. What better place to do so than a walk through our local Zoo's Pumpkin Prowl 07?

Hannah and her new warm coat for fall and winter.

Hannah got her first taste of a pumpkin largely lit on a sidewalk.

A graveyard of pumpkins. If you look to the one on the far right you can make out Steve Irwin, aka the Crocodile Hunter. R.I.P. Steve....

Hannah got all bundled up for the stroll through the Pumpkin Prowl.

No ghosts were going to scare her with dad holdin her.

Please take note of the pretty little pumpkin but take an even closer look and you'll realize Brandi actually let Hannah sit on the bare sidewalk!

Brrrrrr! It's gettin kinda coldy.

A pooped out pumpkin prowler.

1 wedding and a pumpkin patch

Ok, I'm on notice. I need to keep up with pics and stories on the blog. I've heard you loud and clear so I'm delivering.

Lately Hannah has been getting more and more of a personality. She's definitely a momma's girl right now in that she HAS to be with mom even if she's just sitting a foot away from her. And when I say be with her, I mean Brandi literally has to hold her. It was getting to the point where Brandi was worried that upon her return from AZ that she wouldn't want to be held by me and that she would cry. Brandi knowing that I'm as sensitive as a girl on the first day of bikini season was happy to see that Hannah doesn't cry when I hold her.

I'm actually fine with it. I've been told that babies go through phases and as she gets older, she knows which parent is gonna be the sucker to buy her the pony.

Ok, on to the pics. These were taken last weekend. The first three were from a college friend's wedding that happened on Saturday night. Hannah was gussied up and ready to partay. As you can see, Hannah was decked out in Pink. Imagine that? Nonetheless, she could've been wearing periwinkle and the girl would've pulled it off.

Brandi and Hannah taking a break from bustin a move.

During the course of the night Michelle was actually able to work in the word 'Ba donka donk' during part of the conversation and Hannah apparently giggled.

Who better to teach Hannah to dance than me?

The second part of the weekend ended with a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. Every year now for at least the past five a big group of us round up and head out to the pumpkin patch in the spirit of Halloween. There was no dressing up in costumes....only good times with good friends and a whole lotta pumpkins.

Our first pumpkin patch together as a family.

This is the group that goes every year. Katie [Pictured in the middle row far right] is going to kill me for choosing this pic of her eyes being closed. Uh....whoops. Sorry girl, my bad.

Of course mom and Hannah had to be stylin in the glasses. And yes, it was dry and sunny that day in Washington contrary to popular belief.

We tried to get pics of both moms and daughters with their heads through the cutout holes but apparently Hannah with bff Reese thought it was fun to just look and laugh at each other than letting their moms in for the pic.

Picking out the perfect pumpkin with dad.

Before you jump to any conclusions let me explain. Yes, Ryan has some serious man love for me but it's really not what you think. Every year, the guys partake in a little contest they have at the pumpkin patch. They have this field where they have setup bays like a driving range but instead of hitting golf balls, there is surgical tubing rigged to launch tiny pumpkins at targets about 100 yds away. Now, most of you know that I'm an elite athlete and while pumpkin launching may not have been a sport I lettered in, my athletic prowess allows for me to adapt to any situation requiring skill. Of the five or so years we've done this, I've hit the target three times. This year, in order to distract me from winning two years in a row, Ryan attempts to give me a 'zurbert' in the middle of the launch. In on the plot, Ken watches with a smug smile on his face knowing that Ryan is taking one for the team. Well....it worked. I failed to hit the target this year, but in Ryan's attempt, he may have thwarted my quest for glory but he failed to administer his zurbert which in itself is at least a moral victory for me. Oh, and uh....don't ask where Ryan's right hand is.

Finally made it out of the corn maze!

fun in the sun

Hannah and I spent the day at the pool. Hannah LOVES the water. It's so fun!

the experiment...

Since my *grey* hair has been screaming help for the last 4 months, Amy and I experimented on a new way to do my hair. Here I am patiently waiting on the outcome...

6 Months Old...

...and getting cuter every day! Hannah is getting pretty good at sitting for longer periods of time. She is so fun and although her sleeping schedule has been totally screwed up while we've been in Arizona - she is such a good girl!

So happy together...

Hannah is so happy to be with her cousin Jazlyn. Jazlyn says that she loves Hannah the very most in the family {over me and her mom!!}. Jazlyn is into modeling for pictures now and has been teaching Hannah a few poses - I thougth this picture too cute not to share!

Ears...

Today my mom, Amy, & I took Hannah to get her ears pierced. I was so excited and have already waited longer than planned. But once I sat in the chair with little baby girl on my lap - holding her tight so she could not move... I have to admit that I felt a bit guilty. I'm sure it hurt me more than her!

Hannah was great! That's not to say that she didn't cry - she did. But only while I held her tight where she couldn't move. Once she was done and I held her how I do normally - she was just fine. She has not pulled on her ears once and allows me to clean them several times a day without any fuss. She loves her new earrings as much as mom does!

my cousin makes me all smiles...

Jazzy has been patiently waiting for her little sugar bunch to visit Phoenix. They were both so happy to be together!

Hannah go bye bye.

It's kind of like watching your best friend at the curb as your ride takes off seeing him shrink in the distance with memories of the great time you had over summer break with him. Or kind of like the meeting of someone new, ya hit it off and then have to cut it short and leave. It also kind of feels like wanting that inexplicable urge to buy a gallon of cookie dough ice cream and scarf through it all because that's just what you want. What I'm talking about is missing my Hannah.

I know, I know....I miss Brandi dearly and she knows this so don't think that I don't just because I'm not equating eating a gallon of ice cream to her or something like that....

Brandi and Hannah are off to AZ to visit the family. They haven't seen Hannah since she was 9 weeks old! That's like buying a Chia Pet, setting it up, not watch it grow only to unveil the covers about 3 months later! Amazement and awe is what they'll be in for. Kinda like the Chia Pet in that growing, hair growing kind of manner sort've way thingy ma jigger.

Anyway, my mastering of analogies is still somewhat off so keep up.

Two days ago, Hannah had to go to the doctor's office for her six month shots. Luckily, Brandi goes with her for those because that would be a double whammy for dad. 1; I can't stand to see pain inflicted on Hannah and 2; I'm needle phobic. Yes, the truth comes out. I'll just tell the story now in that if ever I run for a public office and my toughness ever comes in to question, you'll know the truth.

....It was the fall of 1990. The Fort Vancouver Trappers were a middle of the pack football team helmed by yours truly. And no, not helmed by means of water boy, I was actually the quarterback [that's a whole nother Blog in itself]. Not only was I an athlete, add scholar to that in which I held a student leadership position as well. Scholar Athlete for those following along. Hold on, I'm getting to the point....fortunately, as a member of the schools leadership board, sixth period was dedicated to student leadership. Yes there was an elective dedicated to this and Yes it wasn't all academic. We did several school projects but mind you, there were times like turning off all the lights, rearranging the furniture because someone fell asleep in the windowless room only to wait and listen outside the door as they woke up much to their chagrin. Needless to say....it was good times.

One of those good times entailed the volunteer support of our school blood drive. As representatives of our student body leadership we hosted and ran the blood drive in our upper gymnasium. As the day progressed we rallied many students and faculty to donate. As I mentioned before I'm needle phobic but of course being the captain of the football team I couldn't come out and say that. I may as well have said I take ballet and was in the nutcracker...oh wait. I was....Anyway, you get the picture. So, the day progresses nicely because I just keep myself busy....too busy to give blood and it was working according to plan until one of my student leadership friends, Amy Wasden now Amy Hegewald, says to me as I'm folding up the cots with the last cot in hand in front of the nurse "Hey Jinoo....How come you haven't given blood yet?" WTF? Like a deer in headlights I said "Yes I did....I did it this morning." To which the nurse quickly replied "Uh, no you didn't...." Great, outed by the nurse and caught by a friend.

So, as the last donor of the day, I lay down on the cot. She sticks the needle in me and has the line and bag within viewing distance. "Here, squeeze this ball every five seconds" the nurse says. Everything went Matrix on me and things were in slow motion. The five seconds seemed like five minutes but what didn't help is that not only did Amy call me out she comes over and asks "Hey, Jinoo....You ok?" "Yes Amy I'm fine...." as I'm buggy eyed watching as my life is being sucked out of me by this ten inch needle. Two minutes later Amy comes by again..."You sure Jinoo?" "YES AMY, I'M..........."

Next thing I know, the gym lights are in double focus above me, a nurse is breaking smelling salts under my nose and I have the entire leadership class with faculty above me and all I can hear amongst the chatter is "And he's the quarterback?" News spread like wildfire throughout the halls of FVHS but I survived. And to this day, while I don't faint like a little sissy, I still get a bit queasy when I see needles. Especially the ones meant for me.

Ok, back to Hannah....so, she sits in the doctor's office smiling and cooing to the staff and they're loving it. As she's sitting in Brandi's lap, she notices the nurse approaching, sees her getting closer, pauses as she's right there and then lets Mt. Hannah erupt. She just lost it and started crying because this strange woman is about to break out some needles....Great, not only does she have a hollow leg and big toe like Dad but her affinity for needles is off to a good start.

She gets the shots and doesn't like it all too much. Brandi calms her down and gets her to smiling again. As she's leaving the nurses are loving her and lo and behold, Hannah starts to sound out the word 'HI'. It's more of a breathy push of air, but hey....we'll take it. But the kicker is that as she's doing this and people are waving to her goodbye, she does the same. She starts waving back. I'm not talking like a Forrest Gump just seeing Jenny nervous kind of wave but she lifts her arm and moves her hand and fingers. THAT'S MY BABY GIRL!

When Brandi told me the story at first, I couldn't believe it. So she showed me and sure enough, Hannah started to do it. Of course, she pulls the Warner Brothers Frog trick in that whenever I tried to pull out the camera and get some evidence she goes cold and looks at me with blank stare. You know me though. I'll get the evidence and post the video up here soon enough. Until then, Hannah will be webcamming her waves to me.

Yum, yummm!?

For the last couple of months we have been experiencing the new adventures of eating. Hannah is not so sure on some of the flavors. We started out at month four with rice cereal mixed with fruit. As you can see - she doesn't really enjoy eating fruit {we've tried bananas, applesauce, & Pears}.

Now, that Hannah is 5 1/2 months - she has been trying more things. Per her doctors suggestion, she eats solids just once a day - Oatmeal & Veggis {which usually her favorite - sweet potatoes}. But occasionally {when I can deal with her getting a little dirty}, we let her have a snack. What she really wants is to eat is ANYTHING we are eating. She actually enjoys sucking on ginger when we go out for sushi!

Redemption

Come on. Did you really think I wouldn't bounce back from the previous post? Uh, hello? Remember who I am? I may be a geek but I know how it all plays out.

She wears it well.

With friends like these....

Most of you know that I'm a frat guy. Yes, I was a Zete [Zeta Psi] at the University of Washington. Without getting too much in to the detail of the fraternity the one thing that most of you know is that I still keep in touch with guys from the house. Don't get me wrong, there are some guys I definitely didn't like and others were in my wedding....this t-shirt seen below just put my ex-buddy on the 'don't likey list'. And yes, laugh it up all as I see the nods of agreement on each of you....

I know, I know....Truth hurts.

The Recruit...

As some of you may or may not know, my little brother Kevin {he's the one standing in the top row - I just cut the other 70+ recruits out} has spent the last 9 weeks at Marine Corps Boot Camp. For me and my family, it's been nerve-racking waiting for Kev to get through the roughest part of camp *The Crucible*!!! {scary music going on in my head} and he has indeed done just that... He has two and a half more weeks to get through - mostly physical fitness testing, swimming, running, and drills. Then the family is off to San Diego to watch my little brother march with his platoon, do an about face, and become a Marine. I'm just so proud of him!

Birthday outfit!

No, this ain't a post of Hannah being stark nekkid. Goodness....this is a family show folks. Just a pic of her in her outfit she wore for me on my birthday. I'm now officially in my 'mid' 30's. No longer am I in my early 30's but my 'mid' 30's. For those who I can bring in to the fold of realizing that we're no longer spring chickens I present to you a new perspective. In any decade you may be in, the first three years are considered your 'early' years.

For example, if you're 32, you would be considered to be in your early 30's. 33, 43, 53, heck even 13 and you're on the cusp of your mid-year come uppance. The 'mid' years are from 4-5-6 stage of the decade. Again, for example 34, 45, 56. You would be considered in the middle part of your decade. And if you need me to spell out the rest of the decade, please go here: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-36,GGLG:en&q=Where+to+get+my+GED

I bring this up only because celebrating my 34th birthday with my daugther made me feel a bit mortal. I know I should've taken the hint when going up and down a flight of stairs required and oxygen intake mask, or the fact that my Tae Kwon Do skills are limited to kicks just below the knee cap. Regardless, it was all put in to perspective for me when a dear friend of mine says to me in response to my self pity 'I sure am getting old' comment. 'Jinoo! You're only 34 years old! Look at what you've accomplished?! You own a home, have a wonderful wife and the most beautiful daughter.....'

Hmm....guess it's not that bad being middle of the road.

Uncle Jamie's visit

Hannah finally got to meet her uncle Jamie who lives down in LA. Now, you'll hear the term uncle, or auntie get thrown out there a lot and while Jamie isn't related to either Brandi or myself [not good looking enough] he definitely makes the cut as being family.

Jamie let Hannah wear his headband and was all smiles about it.

Back to earth.

Ok. So now that we're back and settled in, let me catch a few of you up on some things. I tendered my resignation at at&t on August 3rd, went on vacation for two weeks [hence the 10k pic blog you've been looking at], came back for a week and started a new gig with Nordstrom. Yes the big retail store that usually breaks your bank during some big sales throughout the year.

I'm staying in the same field of work, IT but just with a different company. My commute is a whopping 11 minutes on the express bus in and a mind numbing 14 minutes on the way home. My new office is located in downtown Seattle and contrary to popular belief, I truly am not asking the question of 'Would you like to see a size 10 in those ma'am?'

I leave behind some great memories at at&t especially most recently in the folks that I had the privilege of working with but of course on to bigger and better things.

Brandi is excited about the move and yes Hannah tells me that she's pretty excited about the discount too.

Now that I'm getting the swing of my new schedule I'll be posting a bit more regularly....