HAPPY BIRTHDAY... oh and Father's Day =)

Happy 1 year birthday Baby L!! It just seems like it was yesterday that Jess and I brought home a little bundle of poop and no sleep, but now, she's pooping less and sleeping more. Over the past year, I've learnt many things a father probably would over the course of a year.

Let me list some things off:

1. Get a waterproof lining for your bed... little do you know, the baby spends a lot of time without their diaper on the bed and accidents DO happen.
2. Anything can be the change table. Places Jess and I have used: car trunk, our lap, front seat of the car, park bench, table, dinner table, floor, bed, crib, grass, couch, benches at the mall... just to name a few. And those change tables... sooooo overrated. 
3. The Diaper Genie is a good idea... that is until you have a child. The garbage can is the best disposal unit bar none.
4. Always, I mean ALWAYS have a change of clothes for baby. I made the mistake of not taking any clothes or diapers while on a short 45 minutes trek thinking Baby L would be okay... needless to say, my jacket was her diaper and her make shift clothing. Good thing Jess wasn't there... she would have just gone shopping.
5. Baby girls will have mini-periods a few weeks after birth. Scary but true.
6. Most babies love swimming... although those babies in L's class would seem otherwise.
7. It's not just baby boys that pee on you.... baby girls will both pee and poo in your hand. Like my cousin's friend said "It's like soft serve ice cream" =)
8. Three hours of sleep is like a diamond mine. Rare.
9. Clothing is so over-rated. All you need is three onesies for the first 3 months. No need for those dresses, skirts, pants, leggings. Literally, they will out grow them so fast that you will be buying new clothes every week.
10. Despite the sleepless nights, poop in my hands, pee on my shirt, vomit in my hair, a baby is the greatest joy that one will get and Jess and I are so blessed to have such a happy (most of the time), bubbly, active baby and healthy baby to call ours. =)

So, after all is said and done, L is now 1. These next few months will be super exciting. L is starting to stand on her own. Meaning walking will come next. Once that happens, we will be prepared to get a leash and strap it to her back so she doesn't go flying off while we are at the mall. L starts school in a few weeks (July 4) and both Jess and I are super excited for her. The school, cefa, is a great program and we feel that since we are both working this would be the best for her. She has yet to coherently say any words yet but she definitely can say "Dad" and "Mom."

A big thing that happened today was her 1-year Birthday Party. It wasn't a big party but we booked a little room at a restaurant and we held a dinner and what is called a "Dol-Jan-Chee" (One year Party). While there, Jess and I wore our traditional Korean outfits and so did Baby L. It was bloody hot. It was crazy. But anyways, one of the big events is the "dol-jah-bee," where we place a few items in front of baby and she is to grab one or two. In Baby L's case, we placed the following items: stethoscope, money, paint brush, mic, computer mouse, thread, dates, book and a pen. Guess what she grabbed?

Haha, Baby L will be a rich doctor. Yup, she grabbed the stethoscope (first) and then the money. It was Jess' worst nightmare. She doesn't want L to be a doctors... but neither do it. It's a hard and stressful job. I wouldn't want my daughter to go through with it... unless she really, really wants to. Jess' and my dream job for L? Her to be an artsy-fartsy girl who ends up becoming an amazing architect =P.

Anyways, L is only one. She has a full lifetime ahead of her.

Jess and I would like to Thank everyone would have visited L this past year. She may not recognize you but she definitely will in a few more months/years. Oh and to those at will get married soon, want to get married soon... get a hop on it. Baby L needs some friends!! =)

To baby L, Mommy and Daddy love you sooooo much. I wish you can always be little =)

Good night. Enjoy the little video montage that I made =)