First Haircut

We loved the long flowing hair on Ian, but it came time to get it cut and make him look more like a little man. On Saturday, April 19, we headed over to Next Generation salon on the west side of Madison before going to Korean class. He was a little shy at first, but once we sat him down in the yellow cab chair, he was happy! He enjoyed steering while the lady cut his hair. Ben and Cami enjoyed watching the movie playing while Ian got his hair cut. We were very proud of him for being so brave. He was actually happy the whole time, no tears.

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

Ben is 5 years old today. I can't believe that time has flown by and he is a little boy about to enter kindergarten in the fall. I remember him being Ian's size and exploring his surroundings and being a mommy's boy. In a blink of an eye the kids are grown. I know that is what you are told over and over again, but times like this, it hits home.

Daddy made Ben breakfast this morning...eggs over easy, while they all waited for mommy to get home from work. By 7:30 am, mom was home and dad was ready to take Cami to school. Ben enjoyed a fun morning playing with his new toys from his birthday party on Saturday. He invited several friends to go swimming at Kittleson Swim School. It was a perfect party for a boy who LOVES to swim. Now that he can swim by himself without a lifevest, it makes it even more fun for him. The pirate birthday cake, made by Grandma Sandy and pirate decorations hand made by their very talented cousin Renee, was quickly devoured and then presents torn open. Everyone had a great time.

Justin's parents and Keri, Joe, and Natalie came down for the weekend to make his birthday even more fun. Grandma and Grandpa took Ben and Cami to the hotel on Saturday night for a short getaway. They enjoyed more swimming there.

Today Ben enjoyed a birthday meal at New Seoul restaurant, one of his favorite places to eat. He has been wanting Kimbop since Ian's Tol party. We picked up Justin for lunch and headed to the restaurant. Ben was excited to be able to order a whole plate of Kimbop for himself. We came home and napped and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening playing outside. Ben is enjoying his new Razor scooter from mom and dad, something he has been asking for since early last summer when we visited Mike and Allison in California and he was able to ride his cousin, Austin's Razor.

My baby is growing up. While it is exciting to see the changes in him emotionally, physically, and especially intellectually, it is also hard knowing that he is no longer my little baby. At least he still needs me to sing him songs every night in order to help him fall asleep, something I enjoy doing at home while we cuddle or singing over the phone to him when I am at work.

Happy Birthday Ben! Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are very proud of our 5 year old!

In Sickness and In Health

Cami and Ian watching people dance.

Justin and Keri dancing

Cami and Ben dancing at Keri and Joe's reception

We had a wonderful weekend up north by Justin's parents. His sister, Keri, and her husband, Joe, renewed their wedding vows. They were married last year and had a ceremony and reception with friends and family this past Saturday. We always enjoy heading up north. This was Ian's first time at Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Neil's house. Unfortunately, it was not as enjoyable as it could have been. He started with a little cold late last week and was full blown by the weekend. He was not himself with a cough, sneeze, and runny nose. We left Sunday afternoon for Madison and by evening things went down hill. Ian had a tough time sleeping. He was wheezing and coughing almost constantly. The kids and I took him into the doctor on Monday morning and were sent home with an inhaler. Things only got worse, so after calling the nurse later, the doctor prescribed Prednisone to help his breathing. Last night Justin and I were both up with Ian multiple times for his coughing. It is painful to hear your baby cough and then say "Ow" everytime. It hurts me hearing him hurt so bad when he coughs. The little food that he did consume over the last few days usually came back up when he would go into a coughing fit.

We headed back to the doctor this afternoon. After a nebulizer treatment, chest xray, and lots and lots of crying and coughing, we had a diagnosis...Bronchitis. We have new medication and a home nebulizer to get him through the next 48 hours. We hope to see major improvements by tomorrow night.

Tomorrow I head back to work. I was originally scheduled to start on Sunday, but as Justin says, "I have a schedule change addiction". Since I have access to my schedule and an online program allowing options to drop a trip, change a trip, or pick up a trip, I find myself trying to play around with my schedule. Even though I have a great schedule for April, there were still changes that could be made. I was able to pick up this trip and get rid of a 2 day trip plus I thought it would be easier starting back with a redeye to Las Vegas where expectations are not as high as a morning flight to Orlando. I love the Vegas crowd since they are usually all happy going out and most are sleep deprived and hung over coming back, which means they sleep. I know this is a stereotype, but one that has been true for the many Las Vegas redeyes I have done over the years.

On Saturday we are headed to the westside of Madison for a Cops and Kids event our Korean group is going to . I have been working on some of the PR for this event and am happy to hear today that channels 3 and 15 are going to attend. We are also going to have the Badger Herald attend and possibly the Wisconsin State Journal. This is pretty exciting since it will be the first time our Korean group has had any big spotlight.
Have a wonderful weekend. I will upload pictures of the Cops and Kids event next week.