Author: Ryan/Dada

I don’t think this will actually continue to be a thing, but we’ll see… 

This was last night (Tuesday) after Carly had gone to bed. 

Today was our big trip to the American embassy to apply for August’s CRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad), social security number, and passport. It was also our first time taking a taxi to/from downtown.

The taxi ride went fine (proof that I know how to say ‘American embassy’ in Korean and that August was sleeping) and we got to the embassy early. So we went and had a chai and mocha in a coffeeshop:

Then we went to the embassy where we stood in line then took a number then turned in paperwork then paid money then sat and waited for our name to be called (they actually called August’s name -“August Zinn Niman”, to be exact – and that was kind of cool to hear) and then we had our interview and then we left. We (August and I) wanted to take our picture in front of the embassy, but certain other people in the group thought we would get arrested even if we took said photo from across the street. So there is no visual proof of this part of the trip. I guess I could take a photo of the receipt, but that would be boring.

Anyway, the weather was nice and August was still asleep so we headed north to go to Gyeongbukgung Palace. That took us right by the Korean Contemporary History Museum, which Carly pointed out is where she went into labor. So, we had to get a photo of Carly and August in front of the museum:

We crossed the street and entered the palace. After awhile August woke up and needed to be fed and changed. Here he is being fed in a palace. We figure that not many babies – American babies, at least – can claim to have been fed and changed in a palace.

August went back to sleep as I carried him around the palace. Here he is resting on a bench with the palace in the background.

As we were on our way out, we saw a practice of the changing of the guards. We watched for a few minutes and August seemed to enjoy the drums and music and fell back to sleep.

We caught a cab back home and August again slept the whole way. Thus ended our even grander day out. Tomorrow we head back to the birthing center for a check up. A bit more straightforward than today (although we might try the bus with him for the first time).

Finally, here just a couple more photos of the palace and from today for the fun of it (click on the photo to see the others):

Oma started getting August used to being on his tummy a few days ago. Here are a couple photos of him:

And videos:

Today we went to Seoul Dream Forest, a great park about 10 minutes west of us by taxi. The temperature was around 60 degrees and it was sunny, so everyone was in the park.

We met up with our friend Elaine there who just got a huge dog from a rescue shelter yesterday. Every kid in that park had to come and pet, point at, or get scared by him. We kind of liked that as people didn’t pay much attention to us with August, although we still had a few people peaking in the stroller and saying how cute he is. (Click on the photo to see more.)

And in case you’re curious, here’s a taste of the sort of attention you draw when you have a big dog in a crowded park in Korea:

In case you missed it or want to see it again, here is the video of our return home from the birthing center and Carly finding her surprise:

I figured he’d be smart, but this is kind of crazy. Between sleeping and eating and crying and dirtying diapers, he has figured out how to sign up for Twitter. You should follow him @augustzinn.