Category: Uncategorized

 

I was supposed to go hiking today, but one of my co-hikers couldn’t go because he was finishing a paper and Derek wants better weather for photos for his blog. So we rescheduled to May 4th. 

Which was kind of nice as I had a small cold and was able to go back to sleep for awhile. And as our walk later showed it would have been a rather damp hike. 

August took an early nap and woke up a little after 11. The most exciting moment in the morning came when Carly plugged in the vacuum cleaner and it turned out it was switched to on. August was playing with it at the time and was scared by it. He crawled away faster than I’ve ever seen him crawl before. 

In the afternoon we went out twice. First, we all went out for a walk along the river. We headed south and walked the river in the rain until a stairway in the Gongneung area that takes you up over the roadway. It is a route August and I have walked before. 

On the way back home we stopped at the pink building. Carly got a few groceries while I placed out pho order and took August to play with the big stuffed animals and to crawl around and play with the little garbage can in the kids’ book cafe. 

A couple hours later, trying to keep August to sleep until past 6, I took him out for a second walk. We wandered through the park, looking at sculptures, birds, and flower boxes that suddenly showed up on the museum side. We then went into the Home Plus building and up to the movie theater floor to walk through the video hall up there. He was clearly getting tired at this point – a little past 6 – and barely made a sound or movement for the next twenty minutes as we wandered home. 

He fell asleep soon after we got home at 6:30. Carly and I started watching Boyhood this evening and made it halfway. It is a long movie. Really good so far, but I don’t think it will challenge Birdman for my favorite film of 2014.

Morning: 

River walk: 

He loves the little garbage can: 

At home: 

He was looking at the computer saying ‘Oma’ and ‘granma’ repeatedly. I just caught him on video saying one long ‘granma’:

Exploring the park: 

Note the fish sounds in one of these when he hears/sees the water going down a drain next to the flower box. He makes the fish sound a lot when he hears running water: 

He still likes the dog statue: 

And the vending machines. Now he can push the buttons: 

Getting sleepy: 

 

Had my book group meeting in the morning to discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog. 

Carly then gave August a bath and I prepped banana bread. Then we all went to Home Plus for grocery shopping. 

August fell asleep a bit after noon and slept for more than two hours. So we were really late (3:30) for the APIS gathering at Dream Forest. But there were still a lot of people there when we arrived and we had a lot of fun. 

After everyone left we walked, getting a coffee at the roof cafe, playing a bit at the very busy playground, and then changing him in the big building. 

We walked home as the weather was nice and it appeared the busses would be packed. We got hit by a few drops of rain, but not too much. 

Back home August ate lentils and broccoli for dinner, and then ate a bunch of banana bread when it was done baking. He found it funny to feed Marshy banana bread. 

 

Morning: 

Home Plus: 

Dream Forest: 

Looking at the view: 

Playground: 

Walking home: 

River: 

Smelling flowers: 

Home: 

 

August and I headed to Children’s Grand Park today. The weather was nice and every school in Seoul apparently booked a field trip to the park today. Not sure if that is because the flowers are all out, or if it is because it was a Friday (we usually go on Thursday), or what. 

We first went to the children’s museum. We ate lunch then August played in the toddler room for about 45 minutes. At that point he wanted to go next door to the book lounge. He did his usual in there: practiced the stairs, pulled books off the shelves, etc. he can now put the magnifying glasses in and out of the holder while standing up. It has been interesting watching his progress on this, as just a few weeks ago it was quite a struggle for him to get one in the hole at all. 

At this point he had been awake for six hours. He wasn’t acting cranky or tired, but I knew it was time. So we left and started walking and he fell asleep. I went to the Peace Cafe and read (Roland Barthes’s essay “Death of the Author”, in case you were wondering). He only slept 40 minutes, but that seemed enough for him as he made it through the rest of the day just fine. 

We then went to the zoo. We saw the baboons, then went to the children’s zoo and watched the prairie dogs, meerkats, seals, squirrel monkeys, gibbons, and miniature horses, and then checked on the penguins. I noticed that the fierce animals area is now open, so we briefly saw the elephants and lions. 

We then took the subway to Hagye and transferred to the bus and went to APIS. We went to Carly’s room and then walked home with her. 

He got nice and messy this evening eating Carly’s lentil dish for dinner. 

 

Morning: 

Pointing at a bus: 

Shaking the bottle for gramma and grampa on Skype: 

CGP: 

Flowers: 

Exploring the cafe after his nap: 

Animals: 

August looking at the horses (teething straw in hand): 

August and I started by going down and getting his Japanese encephalitis shot. From there we went and got on the subway and headed to the National Museum. He fell asleep as we got there, so he napped and ate lunch in the nursing/change lounge. 

From there we went to the children’s history museum at one end of the building. Really focused on older kids, but August had fun, and there were a couple of older kids that took an interest in him. 

We lasted about an hour there and then went into the actual history museum to just see the current special exhibition on Bohemian glass. August did well, and actually enjoyed it. At one point he saw a case of glasses and mugs and started saying ‘Tea!’ like he does at home. 

We were going to walk to the mall but it was really windy. He has gotten good at wearing his hood when it is windy or raining. We jumped on a bus for the last three stops. 

The goal at the mall was RAM for our computer and headphones for August for the flight. We were unsuccessful. Or, rather, we determined we can just order the headphones online and wait on the RAM until summer. 

The journey home seemed to take a long time and was really crowded. We threw in an extra transfer and a bus to avoid some of the crowds. August did really well, although by the time we got home we were almost entirely out of food and milk as he was snacking much of the way. 

 

Morning: 

National Museum: 

His eyes closed and he fell asleep about five seconds after this: 

Signing more (photo) and please (video): 

Children’s museum: 

Looking at Bohemian glass in the actual National Museum: 

On our way out: 

 

August and I headed up to Uijeongbu today to exchange his play box thingies for one with all the pieces. 

We left about 9:40 – pretty early for us – and were up in Uijeongbu by 10:15. We walked around first, exploring some streets we hadn’t seen last time and going through the big market building. We then swung by Artbox and picked up a card that Carly wanted and a few accessories for the backpack (a carabiner and cord holders). 

We then walked over to what was supposed to be (according to Google, Naver, and an actual physical sign a couple blocks away) a children’s park. It wasn’t, just a parky area. But August walked around for 15 minutes or so, primarily wanting to climb on and off a little ledge. 

He started to get frustrated so I put him in the carrier and started walking. He fell asleep and I went to the Starbucks in the department store. He slept for 70 minutes and I read a poetry collection (Theodore Roethke) I’ve been working on. 

When he woke up he ate and explored a little, then we went up to the toy store and made the exchange (actually, what they did was just give me the missing piece from their display model). I let him down on the ground and he explored – he particularly liked one of those big annoying RC cars. 

From there we headed home. After getting off the subway at Junggye we stopped at a small store for lettuce, strawberries, and eggs and headed home. 

We didn’t stay home for long as we turned around and went to Home Plus for grocery shopping. That done, we played in the park for 15 to 20 minutes. Actually, he want too interests in the playground. Instead, he did a lot of walking over the wooden walkway and into the park’s center courtyard, much like Logan did the other day. 

We got home a few minutes before Carly did at 4:30. I then went to PT. When I got home August was incredibly giggly. I would stick my hand in the doorway or jump out from behind the door and he would go into hysterics. 

He ate a second dinner (Carly had fed him his first – oh, and given him a bath) and went to bed pretty quickly after that. 

Helping with laundry: 

In Uijeongbu: 

The car he wants: 

Looking down from the treehouse on the roof of the department store: 

A Pororo billboard in the subway station: 

At the park after Home Plus: 

It was a rainy day today so August and I headed to Itaewon where most of the things I wanted to do were indoors. We went to High Street Market to get a couple things (Caesar dressing and hummus), the Leeum art museum, a coffee shop, and a used book store. 

But first, when August woke up this morning he was upset when he realized Carly was gone. He was whimpering and pointing out the bedroom door. I asked if he needed a hug and he put his arms out. I hugged him and picked him up and he calmed down. 

He has really started to figure out buttons and can push most buttons hard enough to make them activate. He did it with his Under the Sea book this morning and later did it with a crosswalk button, a book at the book store, and he has done it with elevator buttons for the last couple of days. 

An uneventful subway ride down. It is a pretty long trip though so we went through a lot of banana bread and Cheerios to keep him occupied. 

In Itaewon we first walked around the area just off the main strip and behind the Hamilton Hotel. We had never been back there. It was raining lightly so we used the umbrella. August was very much in a pointing mood. He particularly was into pointing out: umbrellas (particularly the ones for sale at shops), recycling/compost containers (with their colorful lids), stuffed sheep in a shop window, small birds, and black cars. 

From there we walked to High Street Market. Now the wind was picking up and getting uncomfortable. So from there we went to the art museum. 

He seemed to be getting tired so first we just hung out in the cafe and he walked around a lot and ate a little. After changing him he wasn’t falling asleep so I decided we’d go see the art. We got a ticket to the current show and went through that. It was okay, but nothing special. August liked a piece that involved rotating fans and other pieces that included lots of cords and random objects – primarily because of the cords because he likes pointing those out as well. 

He still wasn’t sleeping so eventually we left, but not before he walked around the entryway a bit and had fun stepping on the analog numbers on the floor. 

He fell asleep right as we got to the Coffer Bean and Tea Leaf. I was able to finish out a gift card I’ve been carrying for two years with a chai latte and I read for the next 90 minutes while he slept. 

When he woke up he was excited to find himself in a place with large photos of cups of coffee and open cans of tea on the wall. He kept pointing to them (and to the drinks on the table of women across from us) and saying ‘Tea!’

He walked around and ate a big lunch (he had eaten most of a banana this morning as part of breakfast). 

We then headed across the street to the used book store. August did a pretty good job of playing with books and the Iron Man play figure they have while I shopped for books. We ended up with a good stack of books for less than 24 dollars. 

We then headed to the subway and home. Another good subway ride thanks to the banana bread and a woman next to us that entertained him. 

We were walking home close to 5:30 and saw Carly’s bus. We were able to surprise her in the park and walk home together. 

This evening he played behind the couch for the first time and I also had fun scaring him by poking my head out from behind the couch. 

 

Morning: 

Museum: 

The exhibit: 

One of his favorites: 

Looking down: 

Looking up in the lobby: 

What he is looking at: 

Stepping on the numbers: 

Coffee shop: 

Asking for milk (that’s the sign): 

Trying to get through the fence. You can hear him say ‘up’ and he signs ‘please’: 

Crosswalk: 

Book store: 

What we got: 

At home: 

 

August took a surprise early nap less than two hours after he woke up. After he had a bit to eat we had a few minutes to skype with my parents as he was asking for them. 

We went to his class. He had fun, but wasn’t too focused on the activities today. He was more interested in crawling and walking around the room and playing with my shoes and pointing out the cords and garbage can. 

After his class we did our grocery shopping and headed home. He ate a big lunch that included broccoli, peanut butter, egg, tofu, banana, banana bread, cheese, and salmon. 

We then walked over to Hangeulbi Park (the one SE of Toys R Us) and played there. We had the park to ourselves except for a woman dressed rather eccentrically riding her bicycle in circles around us. She was there when we got there and still riding in circles more than an hour later when we left. We left when school got out, but not fast enough to avoid August attracting a crowd of teenage girls. He impressed them by playing his up/down game. 

We stopped by Home Plus to buy more diapers since they were on a good sale and almost out. We then came home and he fell asleep for a second nap. He only slept 34 minutes and I was about to open the door when I heard him awake when Carly came in the front door. So I let her go in and he was very excited to see her. 

He was very clingy to her this evening and fell asleep a few minutes after 9. 

Morning. Lounging on the changing pad:

Class: 

Not wearing the bear hat: 

Bunnies on the wall: 

Park: 

Home: 

Carly gave August a bath in the morning. He did quite well, playing in the water for a few minutes before she sat him on her lap and then not complaining too much as she bathed him. 

After August’s nap I got a message from Derek saying he was bringing Logan to the park. We went down and met them in the playground. Neither of them was too interested in the playground though and they ended up crawling and walking all around the park, particularly paying attention to a hide, a car, plants, and pigeons. At first August didn’t pay too much attention to Logan. In fact, when we first got to the playground I walked right past the swings and slide to get to Derek and Logan and August was upset that I didn’t even acknowledge them. But after Carly showed up and Logan was heading down the path to the left of the rainbow bridge, August would notice what Logan was doing, and when he was getting behind he would want to catch up. And when Logan climbed up on a bench August wanted to get up on the bench as well.

After Derek and Logan left we headed straight to the pink building to do some grocery shopping. From there we went home but after putting groceries away and relaxing for awhile we went out for a walk. Before we got ready to go I asked August if he wanted to go outside and he started signing ‘please’ over and over. 

We walked down to and along the stream, stopping at the playground up the stream. He sat on and rode a little bee thing, and Carly walked him up on the play structure where he had fun spotting me through the boards. He went down the slide a couple times, and a swing opened up right before we left so we took advantage of that for a minute.

We continued walking up the stream, with August pointing out everything he saw, particularly puppies. We turned around at a pedestrian bridge where we looked down and saw fish and ducks.

At home today we set up the super bed: he’s taking up so much room that we brought in the twin mattress from the other room and put it next to the queen mattress. We moved the crib back into his room, where it is now more of a play area with toys in it and he can crawl in and out of it. So now we have one huge bed on the floor in our room. Plenty of room for him to sprawl out.

Morning: 

At the park: 

On our walk: 

Home: 

 

Carly had more parent conference during the first half of the day. While she was gone August and I took down the recycling, briefly came back to the apartment, and then went back down and played in the dinosaur park for an hour. Weather was nice but since it was early in the day we were the only people there. 

August took an hour long nap before Carly got home. She came home a little before 1 and soon after we walked and took a bus up to the Danggogae area. We first found a new coffee shop and got a drink, then walked to the park. We sat and watched the climbers on the rock climbing wall while August had a snack. Carly then nurses him and we went to the playground, but we were getting even more staring and attention than normal so we left the playground. 

We walked around the park and found a wooded area where we took turns helping August walk around. That was basically the highlight of the trip. 

We took the bus home and stopped at the pizza place on our walk back to the apartment. I was going to Itaewon with Derek for dinner so left soon after that.

 

Dinosaur park ark in the morning:

 

Skyping: 

Danggogae Park: 

Waiting for pizza: 

 

Achasan and Children’s Grand Park

It was a very log and eventful day for everyone. Carly had parent conferences all day until 7pm. So August and I went for a long adventure to Achasan Fortress and Children’s Grand Park. 

But the excitement started last night when August decided he didn’t want to sleep. Carly was up with him from before midnight until 2am. I was then up with him until 3:30. I got up when Carly did and took a shower but went back to bed after she left. August slept until 8am so I was able to get some sleep. 

Everything was going smoothly in the morning and we were going to go for an even longer day. But August fell back to sleep at 10:30 and slept 90 minutes. 

So when he woke up we headed south to the Achasan area, east of Children’s Grand Park. It is where my last hike with Jeff and Derek ended. 

August really liked looking at the community gardens on the walk up. Then we stopped at a picnic table and ate lunch. We walked through the ecological park and then started heading up towards Achasan Fortress. There are all sorts of facilities up there, including a playground. We spent at least an hour there and had it mostly to himself. With his Skidders shoes he was able to walk up the metal slides (with me holding his hands, of course). He cruised back and forth from one end of the teeter totter to the other saying ‘baabaa’ as each end had a sheep or horse on it. And he made a friend – a Korean girl a bit older than him – and they walked and crawled several times along the ledge at the edge of the playground. 

I changed his diapers outdoors for once and then headed up the hill. August fell asleep at this point. I reached the fortress but it was nothing special. You couldn’t actually go in and could only see a bit of wall. 

I walked back down and headed towards Achasan station and the back entrance to CGP. We ran into a major busy street, but then there was a baseball stadium and there was a military rifle drill exercise being performed before the game. We watched the whole thing: about ten minutes. 

We then walked to Children’s Grand Park, bought a sandwich for me at Popeye’s, and made our way through the busy, busy park, did I a quick trip through the conservatory, and found a little grass area by the outdoor stadium. We used our Pororo mat for the first time and ate our dinner. 

August was, overall, amazing today. One example occurred here. He crawled off the mat a few feet and then called me over. He started signing please and pointing to the playground. I told him okay, but that I needed to pack up. I set him back on the Pororo mat and proceeded to clean and pack. It took quite awhile and he waited patiently. 

We played at the playground, managing one stint on the swings. But it was too busy so we left. We went to the children’s/petting zoo. Most of the animals were already back in their houses but we spent a fair amount of time watching the fountain )with the sheep statues) and then the actual goats. There was a baby goat that was really cute. 

It was 6 so we headed towards the main entrance and the subway to take us home. The big fountain was on so we watched that as they played Phantom of the Opera and, as the finale, Gangnam Style. Felt like a very Korean moment as we were in a very packed park with people taking selfies with the flowering trees all around us. 

We headed home. August did really well on the busy subway. Got home about 7:15 and Carly showed up around 7:30. Some nursing, music and they were both asleep before 9. 

 

3am: 

Morning: 

Achasan: 

Achasan fortress: 

Walking to CGP: 

CGP: 

The fountains are on! 

Lunch spot. First use of the Pororo mat:

Most crowded I have ever seen the zoo and park. Friday after noon on a perfect day and with the trees in bloom. Everyone was posing for photos with the trees: 

Second fountain we stopped and watched. Note the sheep. August did: 

Goats (aka baabaas): 

Ending with the big fountain: