cheezheadz in cheezland

She was born to be a mom, I think...

2010-09-30T23:02:00.006-05:00

I have the most amazing sister-in-law and I don't think anyone can argue with that.

I've been knowing her as a wonderful daughter, sister, sister-in-law, awesome auntie and wife. Some might know her as a very loyal friend and a very caring and well qualified physician. But when we took our trip to come to see her and her family over the weekend, I realized that none of above roles can discribe her better than her role as a mom to the adorable 2 month old Lucia. What a lucky little girl....

2010-09-23T23:01:00.014-05:00

This is why Younguk has been losing the weight, by mowing the lawn with push mower by himself-

he has been absolutely refusing to get the rider mower because he gets to have "exercise" and lose weight.

It has been working so far because he lost almost 20 lbs

since we had closed on the house and moved, which he wanted. So, I cannot argue with that...

The Ahns from Michigan.... Always enjoy the time with them.

With Mom

Four of us (and the red balloon)

Our goofball... I definitely think that she has Younguk's personality... : )

Minzie's Favorite- Chocolate with sprinkles. If you bring one of those over,

you will be her BEST friend for the day... : )

Look at the concentration on picking out on little sprinkles

Minzie on First day of 4K

Seriously, why do I have so much stuff?

2010-09-23T21:46:00.009-05:00

It has been almost 2 months since we had moved to our house and I am still unpacking! I seriously think that life will be so much easier for me if less things were invented AND we weren't living so close to Target!!! : )

My brother was out here couple of weeks ago and apparently he gave one dollar bill to Minzie to put it in her purse. Last Friday night, we told Minzie that when she wakes up next morning, we would be going to the Badgers game. She ran into her room as soon as we told her that and brought out the dollar that she has been protecting it for her dear life from her little sister. She said that she wanted to buy some pop corns when she goes to the game next day. She gave that to Younguk and walked back into her room. A few seconds later she comes out and says to me, "mom, but we CANNOT use this money at Target, OK?" Younguk almost fell on the floor laughing and I got a pretty good laugh out of it too. Yes, even my 4 year-old knows that my favorite place to go is Target.

Anyway...

Minzie started her 4K this year (this was her second week) and she is absolutely loving it.
When we had put her in the preschool program last year, she cried and cried and cried, which was very uncharacteristic of her- when things are explained to her, she accepts them as they are which I think it is one of many wonderful qualities that this little girl has. So we had decided to pull her out. Few months after that she started to talk about wanting to go to school. Most of all, she was so excited about packing her lunch box (cheese sandwich, carrots and ranch, everyday) to school. As the new school year rolled in, we decided to give another try and what a year makes a difference! Minah wasn't and still isn't too happy that she cannot go to school but Minzie has been assuring Minah every time when we drop her off that "one day, when you get older like me, you will be able to go to school too" : )

Better post some pictures since some might be interested in seeing the pictures of Minzie and Minah... : )

Getting another year older...

2010-04-22T23:16:00.006-05:00

I had a wonderful time with the friends who found the ways to let someone else (or hubby) take care of their kids so that we could celebrate me getting another year older.... I feel very fortunate and am very thankful to have such a wonderful group of friends and an awesome husband who took our girls out to BW3 to watch the draft so that I could have a nice time out with my friends... : )

When I came home, I found a gift that was very nicely wrapped in foil with a card signed by Minzie. She said to me that it was a surprise for my birthday. Then she whispered to me very very quietly that she (and Minah, too) got a Badgers shirts for me. But, it's a secret and that's why she was whispering to me...

Today, I was asked how I feel about turning 29... I feel Good about turning 29...hmmmm... for about 6 times now. I realize that I am exactly where I should be and I am very grateful for that. I am looking forward to another year with my fabulous husband and two adorable daughters....

2010-04-11T22:00:00.020-05:00

Our house!

Another new thing to learn...learn to take care of "pond"

Kitchen

Looking down to Diningroom which is connected to Livingroom on the left side
and Kitchen from "Library"

"Library" attached to MB

Patio looking down from MB porch

Mater Bedroom- Younguk thinks that I am going to use both of the walk in closets and he will only get a small part of it... : )

Bedroom #1

Bedroom #2-on the left side of the wall as you walk in, there is a BIG picture of shark.

Minzie absolutely refused to go into this room when we took her to the house.

Bedroom #3 -this is the room for a teenager daughter of seller, can you tell? : )

Bedroom #4

Looking into Basement/family room from the stairway

After a year and eight months and four (unsuccessful) offers....

2010-03-16T23:37:00.002-05:00

WE FOUND THE HOUSE!!!! And the best part is, not only we found "the house" but our offer got accepted!

When we first moved to Madison, we weren't sure whether we would be in Madison area for a long term since there was a talk of Younguk's job might take us back to Chicago. As bad the housing market it has been, we didn't want to buy the house only to sell within a year or so. So, we decided to rent while we were "waiting". Anyway, as soon as it became pretty sure that we would stay in Madison area, we started to looking for "the house". We saw houses after houses after houses... and more houses. If we liked one thing about a house that we went to see, we ended up not liking three things. If we liked two things about a house, we ended up not liking five things... as time went by, we got pickier and the list of "what we really want in the house" got longer. Our poor agent, when he contacted us, he probably thought that it would be an easy job since we were ready to find and move to a house... after looking at about 50 houses (I am not making this up), and after 4 unsuccessful offers, we found THE house that we love, and we can picture ourselves growing older in it with our children. It is not the perfect house but we know that it is perfect for us. As soon as we looked around the house once, Younguk and I looked at each other and said "this is it!"
There are much to be done. Alot of paint jobs to be done. New carpet is needed. Some yard works need to be done (hahaha!). But we are very very very very excited because we once again have a place to call our house and cannot wait to make it to be our home. Will post the pictures soon...

How did Minzie's first day of school go?

2009-09-07T21:16:00.003-05:00

Well... many people whom knew about Minzie starting her pre-school last week had asked me this question. She did exactly how I expected her to do. Cried most of the first day.

When I went to pick her up, I could tell that she had cried before I got there. So, I asked her... "Minzie why were you crying?". She said, "Because I was missing you mama..." I almost cried with her.

Per your request Brenda.... : )

2009-08-26T21:15:00.004-05:00

I got an email this morning from a friend of mine... reminding me that I haven't updated my blog and how she still sometimes checks on it to see if the blog has been updated. She was very kind to have an excuse for me that I had a new baby... and I sure felt guilty because it is not the new baby that has been keeping me away from updating the blog but it is the FACEBOOK!!!! So, thank you Brenda for your email and here is my attempt to catch up on things.... And if I ever fall behind, please drop me a note again because it is working for me!!! :)

Last time that I wrote on my blog was back in March. Here are few things that had happened in the Choi house/Madison.

After looking at least 50 some houses and 4 offers (which all fell thru)... No, we haven't moved yet and yes, we are still looking for the "perfect house". When we left Milwaukee area, we decided to take our time looking for the house in Madison, knowing that housing market will be in our favor. According to our "perfect plan", we should have found the house by May and moved in by... well... August. Obviously, it was the perfect plan only in our own minds... I think our realtor is not liking us very much at this point... oh well... : )

Minzie turned 3 in May. Hard to believe how fast time has gone and how fast she has grown to be her own person. She has become such an amazing girl, daughter, and big sister and we are truly grateful for her everyday.
She will be starting her pre-school next week. We have been talking to her about going to school and Younguk said couple of times how "mommy might be crying when Minzie goes to school". Yesterday, she walked up to me and gave me a BIG hug out of blue and said
"Mama (don't ask me why... she has been calling me mama since she could talk), don't cry. I will be Ok at school, OK?" Of course, I almost cried!!!!

Minah had first two teeth in June, have been crawling everywhere for last couple of weeks , responds to her name, notices me in the crowds (which is one of the best feelings, I must say), got an awesome belly laughs going whenever she sees something funny and demand foods until her tummy is completely full. Oh, and thanks to Kristi and Nikelle, she got to tried cotton candy and ice cream while we were at the State Fair! : )

Younguk is very busy and happy with his job. It means alot knowing that not everybody gets to do what they love or love the things that they are doing....

Will post some pictures soon, after I finish sorting them....

Happy Birthday Kristi!!

2009-03-01T21:14:00.012-06:00

Yesterday we celebrated Kristi G's birthday in Dells... Minzie had so much fun spending a day at the waterpark (that is all she talked about all day today and she even drew "waterpark" during the meeting this afternoon) and of course, it was nice to see Shane, Nikelle and Tristan again.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!"
(apparently this means "happy birthday" in webdings)

Minzie "helping" Kristi...

Group picture

Minah making faces

Minzie to Younguk to Minah to Hyesoo to Minzie to Minah...

2009-02-26T19:33:00.004-06:00

This is the path that flu bug has been traveling in the Choi household... As you can tell, it has been around and after a week and a half, it is still around. Poor Minah, her tiny nose is so stuffed up.

I felt pretty bad of keeping Minzie inside so we decided to do something fun... Here is what we did...

Pictures, pictures and more pictures....

2009-02-17T22:55:00.025-06:00

Minzie playing the piano...

then decided that singing might be more fun....

Youngin and Troy with their anniversary cake
(Happy #1!!!!)

This wonderful anniversary cake became...

a birthday cake!!

Minzie blowing the candle
Everytime when Minzie sees the cake (or cupcake), it is a must to sing "happy birthday" with candle. She goes thru everyone in the room with the song, so sometimes it takes a while to have the cake... And of course, she is the one to blow the candle each time.

When my brother came out to Chicago for a conference, he flew out a day early to spend time with Minzie and to meet Minah for the first time.

Younguk had meetings up by Minneapolis, so we all tagged along. Where we stayed was just across the street from the Mall of America, so this stroller came very handy as I walked to the mall with Minzie and Minah.

THE BEST BABY SITTER!!!

On the way back from Minneapolis, we stopped by at Rochester to spend the night with Shane and Nikelle. I was very spoiled by this wonderful baby sitter and the hostess... : )

Minah chilling out...

Here's another cake... You know what that means- We gotta sing "Happy Birthday to You!"

Minzie and Minah

Minah having a bad hair day...

Minzie brought this to me and told me that she drew a "sad face"...

and this one is a "happy face". I was pretty excited that even though she looks like and acts like Younguk, she still got bit of me in her... : )

I don't know if you can read, but apparently top left is "uncle Dave", top right is "auntie Kristi" and what she is writing is "Meika"....

While I was changing Minah's diaper, Minzie came into the room and told me that she was going to work and came in to say bye to me and Minah....

and Minah was not too happy about the divided attention while I was changing her diaper...

I got no rhythms...

2009-02-03T23:32:00.004-06:00

Today I finally made out to the gym for the first time since I had Minah.

One of my friends told me about the Zumba class that she took and recommended me to try out. I found out that our Y offers the class every Tuesday evening, so braved the cold weather to try out. It was VERY intense, 45 minutes of non-stopping "body movement" (aka "dance"). First of all, I am Korean. I don't know any Korean that can be good at dance. Second of all, I am thirty some year old Korean. I don't know anyone who is over thirty years old and never danced can do any of the movement that Jumba requires to do. It must be very popular, though because the room was packed when I got there. Anyway, I was bit self conscious but about 10 minutes into it, I realized that about 2/3 of room had no clue as I was and just trying to move as fast and affective as I was to copy the instructor! It was fastest 45 minutes that I ever had, working out at the gym...

Got Milk?

2009-02-03T23:27:00.002-06:00

"Daddy, I like this house!"

2009-01-22T22:52:00.003-06:00

Younguk had a conference in downtown Milwaukee for last couple of days. When he left on Tuesday morning, he asked me to come and stay with him at the hotel as I had done for last few years. However, I wasn't too sure of the idea this time... of packing million and ten things with two kids. So, I decided to stay home on Tuesday night with the thought that if I really want to go, I would go out on Wednesday since it is only an hour away from home.
After a very very rough night on Tuesday (Minah decided that 2 o'clock in the morning was the good time to be wide awake...) I realized that I am still new at this two kids thing to do alone and could use Younguk's moral support, even though he would only give in his solid sleep. So I started to pack a million and ten things and left the house by mid afternoon yesterday. As we were getting into the car, I told Minzie that we were going to see daddy. I don't know what she was thinking but she must have got the idea that daddy was somewhere else and we were going there to stay with him.
When we got to the hotel, Minzie was pretty excited to see new things and explore new place, running from one corner to next. After checking out everything, Minzie said to Younguk, "Daddy, I like this house!" After hearing what she said, I thought what there is not to like about this "house"?!?!
Someone comes to clean it, make the bed for you, if you are hungry just pick up the phone and food will be delivered to your door... don't have to do the laundry and when you leave and come back, everything is back to where it should be! Ha!

But after one night away from home, I realized that I much rather do my own cooking and laundry along with many things but just be at home where I could be most comfortable. Even though Minzie really liked that "house", I think she was happy to be home, too... to play with her own toys and sleeping on her own bed. Speaking of bed, better get some sleep while Minah is sleeping, just incase she decides to be wide awake at 2 o'clock again...

Minzie the "hockey player"

2009-01-22T18:21:00.015-06:00

Practicing-at home

Real thing... On the ice

As some of you would know already, Younguk plays hockey. He was a serious hockey player while we were dating, but became less and less of aggresive one as the years went by. Probably because of the age and few extra pounds that he had put on since we got married. Anyway, I asked him in a few occations to "hang his skates and retire in his glory" but he does pull out his skates once in a while and plays to make sure that he still got it. About a year ago, he had a chance to play at one of the men's leagues so Minzie and I went to watch him playing, for the first time for Minzie. Unfortunately, he spent quite some time in the penalty box for doing the things that he wasn't supposed to do apparently, and of course it left such an impression on our than year and a half old daughter. Everytime that he went into the penalty box that day, Minzie was saying "Daddy is in the box again!" And of course, she wanted to be the hockey player just like daddy.

Last week when Younguk's parents came over, they brought a pair of double bladed skates for Minzie and oh my! wasn't she attached to them right away! She was carrying them around everywhere and telling us how she was the "hockey player". And of course, Younguk had this big grin on his face as a proud dad everytime when he saw that. He had been looking for an opportunity to take her out and due to the extrem cold weather, he couldn't do it until couple of days ago. So, the first opportunity that we got, we went out to the local park outdoor ice rink for the trial run. I must say I was very impressed with two things:

First, how good Minzie was on the ice-this is not "mom-saying"... I am being very objective, of course. :) She was bit scared at first but she figured out right away how to balance herself. For this one, I cannot take ANY credit whatsoever because I still do not know how to skate!!

Second, how good of coach Younguk was with Minzie as he was teaching her. I really never got a chance to watch Younguk teaching anything so seriously to anybody until I saw him with Minzie that day. I always knew that he was a great son, awesome husband but as Minzie would say, he is the best dad.

So, I am posting some pictures of Minzie in the action...

From -18'F to 90'F....

2009-01-14T19:41:00.005-06:00

Minzie and Minah... Knowing that everyone is looking at our blog to see the pictures of the kids, I feel like I have to post a picture.. : ) So, here is the most recent picture, them taking a nap-well, at least one of them.

Like Younguk said earlier, mom was here for a week and a half and left this morning. She called after she got home and she said it was around 90'F while our temperature was something like

-18'F... I must admit, I like snow and don't even mind cold and long winter but it was the first time I (kind of) wished that we were living in sunny Southern California... We are staying home tonight because our meeting got cancelled due to the cold weather. Tomorrow is supposed to be colder- Perfect excuse to stay in, I guess.

Holiday Season

2009-01-14T13:01:00.006-06:00

Younguk again. Apparently some of you have asked Hyesoo for some holiday pictures, so I was tasked to post some for you to enjoy. Hyesoo's mom just left after a week and a half with us, so Hyesoo is again pretty occupied.

Anyway, on to the pictures. The first three are Minzie opening some gifts she received.

Sweater!

Sleeping Bag!

Books!

We were invited to my Aunt and Uncle's home near Chicago for Christmas Day.

Minzie's not too sure she's ready for the long drive.

Blowing out a birthday candle with Great-Uncle...

And with Uncle Tim!

Helping Great-Auntie cut the cake.

And what was Minah doing during all the excitement, you ask?

Sleeping, of course!

The drama has started...

2009-01-05T17:02:00.003-06:00

Look at that tear!

More pictures...

2008-12-21T15:28:00.010-06:00

" Four of us"

Minah with very excited big sister and very tired mom

Life is good...

Getting dressed to come home

Minah with happy big sister and tired mom

Curious big sister

You just can't win

2008-12-20T09:56:00.002-06:00

For those of you who were fortunate enough to see my first post (probably gone by now)...Hyesoo was not too please. So, here is my second (and most likely last) post.

My first blogging attempt

2008-12-20T09:22:00.008-06:00

Hyesoo has asked me to post some pictures for you to enjoy. Realizing this is my first posting (I didn't even realize we had a blog until a few weeks ago), please excuse any blogging infractions. - Younguk

My best side!

Now you know why Younguk did not know about us having a blog... Hyesoo

IT'S A GIRL!

2008-12-16T17:24:00.007-06:00

Minzie & Minah

Minah Grace Choi arrived to meet everybody
on Monday, December 15 at 1:56 PM
She weighs 9 lbs 5 oz and 19.5" long.
Younguk and I were surprised for:
1. How big she was (again!)... after our last ultra sound, the doctor told us that the baby shouldn't be no more than 8 lbs or so if I get induced earlier. What do you know!!!
2. How much she looks like Minzie when she was born. As soon as they put Minah on my tummy right after she was born, I looked at her and said, "hey! you are little Minzie!" You know what that means! She looks just like Younguk, AGAIN!

Minzie is being a wonderful big sister- so much better than we had expected and it is cute to watch her telling everyone that walks into the room to be quiet because "little Minah is sleeping".

Nope! No baby yet!

2008-12-14T22:19:00.005-06:00

When Younguk called the hospital this morning around 6, the head nurse told us that they had too many "emergency deliveries" between last night & early this morning and asked him to call them back in couple of hours. My bags were packed and I was ready to go out the door to deliver this baby TODAY. So we set around, waited and waited. Younguk called them back again but couldn't get hold of the head nurse and had to hang up the phone with very unsure promise of the head nurse would call us back "as soon as she is available".
Another hour passed. Phone rang. She told us that we don't have to call her but she would be calling us around noon to see where they are at and let us know if I could come in or not. WHAT? But I am ready to have this baby TODAY! Good thing Younguk was handling these calls because I was not a very pleasant person to be around and would definitely not had handle those calls as Younguk did. Anyway, we sat around, waited and waited. Phone rang again little bit after noon. The head nurse said that they were so busy and they didn't have even a room for me to come in today. WHAT? But I am really ready to have this baby TODAY!
So, what do I do? Can I be rescheduled for tomorrow?
"Well, I cannot promise you that either." she said. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! You know the breath in and breath out thing to calm you down... I learned today that it actually works. She told me to call tomorrow at 6 o'clock to see IF I could come in. And do it all over again.

So, here we are... We are still "three of us"...

"Three of us"

2008-12-13T22:21:00.004-06:00

Just few more hours to go- then it will become "four of us"!

I am supposed to call tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock to make sure that everything is set up for the day and need to go in by 7:30. It is exactly what we did with Minzie (calling, going in early in the morning....do bunch of things until the labor starts....) but now I know what to expect, it makes me bit nervous. I think it is better not knowing than knowing exactly what will be happening sometimes and I believe this might be one of them (just because I am terrible, I mean TERRIBLE at dealing with physical pains). I probably will be somewhere in the middle of labor while everyone else is at the Sunday morning meeting and I am pretty sure my spirit would be ALOT different than the ones at the meeting....

Couple of days ago, Younguk said how this weekend would be the last weekend for Minzie as a "only child" and three of us should do something fun and memorable before the baby gets here. What did we end up doing...? Well, my very creative husband had all these great ideas but they required too much of walking (I am in no shape of walking around these days... I would say I am just wabbling around) so we ended up having breakfast at Panera Bread as we usually do on Saturday mornings, went to Target , came home, took a nap and went to Costco to stack up on the diapers. What an exciting day!!!

We got a package from Youngin this afternoon and finally got to see a very beautiful dress that she kniteed for the baby. Thank you so very much-Cannot wait to try the dress on her. ": )

Will be back as "four of us"!

Some pictures... Yes, I found the software! : )

2008-12-09T22:06:00.013-06:00

A Cookie Monster?!
It started to snow last night so we decided to open up the blinds and watch the "snowman" coming down. And while we were doing that, three of us had a little cookie party in the livingroom... of course, one of us didn't get to have too many of them because two of us were hugging all the cookies....

A Pretty Red Dress

Mom sent baby clothes last week and she sent this red dress along for Minzie so that she would not feel left out. She tried it on for Sunday and she said "Mommy, I LOVE my pretty red dress..." Thanks, mom!! (After I took this picture, I realized that it is about the time for me to clean the fireplace glass... Oops!)

Daddy's girl

"Mommy, snowman came down!"

2008-12-03T22:17:00.008-06:00

Minzie was pretty excited this morning when we opened up the blinds to look outside, realized that we had couple inches of snow. And she claimed that it was "snowman" that came down. Thought for a very brief second about telling her it was snow that came down then realized that it sounds cuter when she calls it snowman.... She might become a very confused child but didn't want to take that creativity away from her, I guess. Speaking of creativity... last night, I brought the Boppy from downstairs and put it with the bag that I will be taking to the hopital. When she saw it this morning, she asked me what that was. Hmmmm... how do you explain what the Boppy is to 2 year-old kid? Anyway, when I left and came back to the room, she was sitting on top of it. I asked her what she was doing and she said "Mama, I am at the waterpark with grandma and grandpa. I am riding the boat!"... We went up to the Dells about a month ago with Younguk's parents and stayed at the water park. The Boppy must have reminded her of the tube that she rode on the lazy river at the water park. Manytimes, I wonder what she has in her little brain and if there is any limit to her imagination.
Well, I did take pictures of Minzie playing in the snow but software for the new camera needs to be downloaded first... But before I can download it, I need to find it first... : S

13 days to go

2008-12-01T22:19:00.003-06:00

December 14th, it is! Had an appointment this morning and told Dr. Stoffel that we have decided on the 14th to be induced for the baby #2. After the check up, Dr. Stoffel said "Baby is well on her way out." Does that mean she might come out sooner???? Anyway, I packed the bag (it has been packed for last couple of months...) Am I forgetting anything???

baby clothes, diapers, blanket- checked
Boppy- checked
a book to read- checked: I should know better that I would not be able to read anything, but just incase... ha!
bathroom stuff - checked
Robe, slippers and stuff- checked
car seat- checked
camera- checked
baby sitting arrangement for Minzie- checked

According to "the book" I should take an object to use as a focal point during labor... Younguk had a great idea of taking a very cute pair of shoes when I had Minzie. The idea behind it was that I would be able to deal with the pain, knowing that the baby (Minzie) will be wearing those cute shoes once she comes... Great idea, huh? But it wasn't that great of idea while I had to deliver almost 10 lbs baby. So, I learned from the experience. I am not taking anything this time....

Almost 12 days to go, now...

first but hopefully not the last one...

2008-11-28T17:29:00.004-06:00

Well, I created this blog some time in Spring thinking that I would be somewhat of on top of things to be able to keep it updated in a regualar base. And here I am, at the end of November, I finally got back to it.

Seems like alot of things happened in last few months...

We sold the house in Waukesha, two weeks shy of one year after we put it on the market (HOORAH!!!)

Moved to "Mad town" in the middle of summer, while I was 4 month pregnant, which was not a very preasant experience, I must admit. But everyone's generous help made it so much easier.

Took a trip out to CO for Shane and Nikelle's wedding 3 days after we moved and one day after we closed on our house.... great planning on our part! Younguk was the "Judge Choi" and Minzie was the flower girl, for the 3rd time this year. Thought she might have figured it out, but she had the mind of her own (2 year-old) so she ended up carrying gold fish crackers down the aisle instead of flowers. And I was just a nervous wife and mom of Judge Choi and the flower girl in a very beautiful wedding.

Found out that we were expecting another girl, which we are very very much looking forward to!!! Younguk got his wish in Minzie-healthy and very happy tomboy, daddy's girl. I am hoping that my wish would get granted this time-healthy, happy, princess-like girl. I know I will be very grateful for a healthy, happy girl even if she becomes another tomboy daddy's girl.

Found out that we are expecting ANOTHER big baby and she might be even bigger than Minzie IF I go all the way to the due date. So our doctor gave us couple of "optional dates" and I will be scheduled to be induced couple of weeks early. Like Younguk said, it is bit weired to "pick" your own kid's birthday...