I go back to work tomorrow. I'm heartbroken because I will be away from our little Allie for 10 hours of the day, but am somewhat comforted in knowing that she is not so "little" anymore, is strong physically and independent in a lot of ways. She can now lift her head and turn in both directions, sleep on her tummy, roll over from her back to her tummy, eats and naps well, and is not shy about yelling when she is in need (whether it be of attention or of food). It's amazing how much Allie has developed since birth. I guess this is why the first 100 days of a child's life is so important.


Allie,
On your 100th day (June 28, 2009):

You are approximately 14 pounds, 26 inches. You wear diapers size 2, and clothing size 6-9 months!

You nap 3 times a day and sleep through the night. You just started napping on your tummy.

You cannot take your eyes off of Mommy. Your eyes track my movement wherever I go.

Your Daddy promised to give you 100 kisses a day every day until you turn 30, and to this day He has kept that promise. Sometimes we tag team and barrage you with kisses from both sides. You love it.

You used to love to raise your arms and stroke the faces of whoever comes to adore you but now you cry a lot when you see unfamiliar faces. I guess you're developing stranger-anxiety.

Your favorite toy is the Baby Einstein Green Dragon which talks in 3 different languages and plays "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and sleeps with you.

You enjoy playing on your Baby Einstein play mat, staring at the blinking lights and grabbing and tugging at every character on the mat.

You love looking at mirrors - I guess you get that from Mommy.

Your favorite book is the Touch and Feel Thumper Story.

Daddy promised to build a playhouse for you in the backyard. Not sure where exactly it will be since we don't have a lot of space but he said it will be big enough for you to have a tea party in it..with at least one of us at a time (haha).

Many people including Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Alice, Uncle Dennis, Aunt Renee, Cousin Calvin, and Aunt Jungah flew in from afar just to come see you in the past 100 days, in addition to the 24 people who came to visit you at the hospital when you were born. The rest of Mommy and Daddy's friends, our neighbors, and our co-workers also came to see you at our home. You're a very loved person!

Your family celebrated your 100th day today: Mommy and Daddy, Hahl-Muh-Nee, Hahl-Abuhjee, Aunt Jungah (was sick and had to cancel her flight at the last minute), Uncle Joowon and Hee Young, Aunt Julie, Aunt Song, Uncle Jerry, Cousin Evan, Uncle 5 and Angela. Mommy prepared for your party for 2 whole days. I hope you enjoyed it.

Allie,
I want you to know that Mommy and Daddy (and Hogan) tried our best to give you the best first 100 days of your life. We were here with you all day, every day. We were busy changing your diaper, feeding you, singing to you, reading books to you, walking you, taking you to various restaurants, malls and parks and museums, attending lots of birthday parties and poker parties. And taking LOTS of pictures of you. Mommy will be thinking of you all day while she's at work, and will greet you with lots of kisses (and the boob) when she gets home.

Allie found her thumb today! Too cute. She had been sucking on her fist for a while, then moved onto her index finger, and now her thumb. This is a great relief since she can now soothe herself in and out of sleep by herself- another milestone for Allie. It's also a great relief to know that she can find comfort in something other than the breast.

Allie is growing so fast and changing every day. She no longer cries at waking, but simply plays by herself in her crib sometimes as long as a half hour, singing, looking around at the colorful toys around her crib, and playing with the Green Dragon. She does the cutest thing nowadays - she pokes at my boob and plays what resembles "itsy bitsy spider" on my boob during feeding time. She also hums a lot while feeding, or stares at me and babbles. This may sound weird to some but all Mothers understand how beautiful it is to watch her Baby feed on her breast. This is truly my favorite moment with Allie.


The other day while I was feeding her I noticed how long her hair was growing. I noticed new strands of hair near her forehead and so started counting them...1, 2, 3, and stopped at 50. It was too hard to count anymore. She has about 50 strands of hair in an area of approximately 1 sq. in. I estimate that she must have about 32 sq. in. on her head, therefore about 1,600 strands of hair. I was amazed. I know I'm kind of weird this way. I was amazed to see how much hair she had. All babies will eventually grow hair and so there was no need to be amazed...but I was. I began feeling very thankful that I had a healthy, happy Baby who was growing lots of hair. Then I suddenly remembered that one Bible verse which I paraphrase "God knows everything about you. He knew you before you were born, and He even counts every strand of hair on your head..." so I looked it up: Luke 12:7- But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. I felt very comforted knowing that not only were Eugene and I caretakers of Allie, but so was God.

I'm so thankful for Allie's tiny fingers and tiny toes, beautiful skin, perfectly working eyes, nose and mouth, a strong pumping heart, strong lungs, all her little veins, arteries and capillaries, and other tiny tiny organs in her chest cavity which help her breathe, circulate her blood, digest food and pass waste, etc.... I can't take anything for granted. I truly truly am thanking for every detail of her being.

In my eyes Allie is perfect. I don't know how something so sweet and perfect came out of someone so imperfect like me.

This is classic French toast with berry topping. It looks pretty and tastes great. The berry topping makes the dish so much more presentable (remember, presentation is everything).

I won't go into details about preparing French toast, just use fresh French bread cut into diagonals and dip in milk/egg batter.

For the berry topping, click here

Quick and Easy Meals - Garlic/Basil/Tomato Pasta: This is all you'll need to prepare a yummy pasta dinner. No cooking required except for the pasta...how simple is that!


Serves 4
Cook time 15 min.

INGREDIENTS:

* 4-6 cloves of garlic
* 1 tsp sea salt
* 1/2 cup olive oil
* 2 tbsp lemon juice
* 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
* 3 tomatoes, peeled & deseeded, thinly sliced
* Grated romano cheese (or parmesan)

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