Lachlan is 11 weeks old, nearing 12, and my maternity leave has come to an end. Thankfully, I work only a minute from my house and can continue to feed and see him throughout the day, and thankfully there are only a handful of weeks left until summer holiday begins. I have thoroughly enjoyed every second of my time off, filled with loved ones, coffee dates, excursions, napping, cuddling, and just being with my baby. I thought it would be tough to just "let go" of work and pass the hat, but nothing has ever been easier. Between my mom, Brian's mom, Stacey and Ethan, Sydney, and SFS friends, I have had plenty of wonderful company and outing partners, enjoying and exploring this fine city. It has been busy, but Brian and I have still enjoyed and cherished our quiet time together with Lachlan, including baby's first vacation to Malaysia. Our beautiful resort on the beach of Langkawi Island was a welcome oasis to introduce Lachlan to the world of sun and laziness. The island offered incredible food, adventures and views, all of which we experienced as a family for the first time. Brian, lucky guy, has traveled for work to Australia, Japan and soon Nepal, but my solo (duo) adventures keep me a bit closer to home, including a lovely trip with the Michauds to Busan. As my maternity leave expires, and I enter the world of working moms, I look forward not only to summer vacation and our next holiday (CANADA!), but also, and more importantly, to my lunch breaks with Lachlan, afternoon walks in Yonsei to see the cherry blossoms, and life as a family with my two favourite boys. 
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Lachlan is now one month old. He was born on January 29, 2012 at 11:45pm and our lives have flown by in an exciting blur since then. No one and nothing can prepare someone for parenthood. No one can fully explain the pain of childbirth, the challenge of breastfeeding, the sleepless nights, or the pressures of so many important decisions. And no one can fully explain how all of these new experiences will be the greatest moments of life to date. The pain of childbirth is quickly erased by the elation of that first moment. The challenge of breastfeeding is met with an immeasurable bond. The sleepless nights are filled with moments of quiet calm, listening to the sweet sound of a baby sleeping. The pressures of important decisions are eased when you realize that it's the things we can't control that matter most: the little grunts, eyes coming into focus, hands exploring the empty space, recognition of loved ones, responses and coos, flails and kicks, sweet breath and searching lips. It has been a month of "firsts": our first time in the role of parents, the first grandchild on my side, the first child in our families born overseas, and all the firsts that come along with welcoming a new baby into the world. But the firsts that seem the most significant, and the most incredible to witness, are all the firsts that little Lachlan has experienced in such a short time. We have a new understanding of unconditional love, and a new appreciation for the supportive and wonderful friends and family who share in our joy. This is a special time for us, the right time for us, and our hearts our full. Happy one month to our little Hamm. xoxoxo 
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Even though baby's first Christmas won't come until next year, this year's Christmas was definitely baby consumed. Three weeks of no work, no travel and no commitments allowed us to really just sit back and enjoy the anticipation and joy of what is to come. With sightseeing, shopping, socializing and setting up for baby, the holiday flew by and we did not regret for one minute having chosen not to go away. Not to mention, my ankles were grateful for the lack of air travel. Christmas and New Years away from home can be a bit depressing, but we felt very surrounded by love, friends and family in other ways, including a thoroughly enjoyed 10 day visit from Auntie Syd. Of course, I can't imagine living this far away without skype and facebook... 

Now, 3 weeks to the due date, and with a couple weeks left of work for me, we are feeling as ready as we can be (while our moms are busy doing last minute Canadian shopping on our behalf). We have everything we need, and probably a ton that we don't, and after watching the film Babies with some friends, we realize how silly some of our purchases are already. Silly, but still cute, fun and satisfying of my western need for preparation and order. Prepared, underprepared, over-prepared, or just plain ready and excited? At this point it doesn't really matter. We are happy and eager parents-to-be, with much to look forward to in 2012, year of the Dragon. Happy New Year to our family and friends, near and far! xoxo
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Counting down... 12/03/2011
 
The past few months have flown by and have seen so many beautiful changes. To start, Seoul is definitely a city of seasons, sharing a colorful and crisp fall. I was lucky to have such a backdrop for my mom's visit in November, giving us plenty of options for our walks and photo shoots. It was a relaxing and uneventful visit, with well needed and deserved time to just enjoy the baby and family. 

Secondly, as can be imagined, the baby and my growing body have seen their fair share of changes and excitement. It was a perfect trimester compared with the first... not too tired, not really sick, and feeling pretty much back to normal. It has been so nice to experience the bump, the kicks, the decorating, the shower, the shopping and all the growing excitement with a clear head and plenty of energy. But alas, another change, as the semester at work hits its peak, and we enter our eighth month of pregnancy, the energy is fading and the countdown to Christmas break and baby is on. Two weeks left until a glorious three weeks of R & R, good food, coffee dates and wonderful company... including Syd who is giving up skiing in the rockies and Christmas at home to be here with us and feel the baby kicking :) And less than two months left until we welcome our little one.


The baby room is pretty much set, which leaves a huge gap in my plans for the holiday. It will be interesting staying in one place for three weeks. Every holiday we have had for the past 3 years has taken us out of town, and usually out of country. I am really looking forward to just staying put for a few weeks with no obligations or pressure to do anything or go anywhere. We will find plenty to fill our time, being tourists in Seoul as it bursts with Christmas spirit, enjoying our last little bit of peace and quiet, sleeping in and following no schedule at all.

I am sure it will all change once the baby comes, and we couldn't be more excited for the new year... 
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As we settle into the new school year and prepare for all that awaits us, we were lucky to have a wonderful break and getaway with our friend Cynthia. We spent an action packed week of hiking and sightseeing in Korea and then hit the bustling markets and beaches of Thailand. And it turns out that our baby boy (yes he is a healthy big boy) likes traveling. In the past few weeks, what could have previously been confused for as gas pains have turned into official fluttery jabs and kicks. In fact, before a night out at a Thai Kick Boxing show, baby decided to really show us what he was made of, so much so that Brian could feel them from the outside. He continued to show off his moves throughout the evening, and now that he has made himself known, he is happy to keep it up with daily reminders. Brian is praying for a left foot, but regardless of which foot he is using, he sure has a good kick. Such an exciting feeling, and such an exciting time!
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Catch up... 08/16/2011
 
With the many adventures Brian and I have  enjoyed and endured since November of 2010, you would think I would have been more inclined to share. We celebrated a beautiful Christmas and summer in Canada, became scuba certified in the Philippines, "discovered" football in the UK with 11 eager youths, coached/directed/taught wonderfully talented athletes/artists/students, got lost in the beauty that is Bali, nurtured new and old friendships, found comfort in the constancy of family, and found home in the love and support of each other.  Facebook, Skype and iPhone took good care of keeping us connected and keeping our loved ones up to date, but I am still determined to make this blog thing happen. It should be easier now considering we have a new exciting journey ahead of us, definitely one worthy of recording. 

We are thrilled to be expecting our first baby in January 2012. I can honestly say that I couldn't think of a better time for Brian and I to open our hearts to such a gift, and I already feel like it has changed us for the better. We have fully satisfied the desires and goals of our 20s and as we enter this new phase in our lives, amidst some homesickness and nerves, we are filled with unharnessed anticipation and joy. 

Yes, our baby will be born in Korea. I do not know what that mean yet in terms of dual citizenship, but rest assured they will at the very least be Canadian. We have a wonderful community of friends and an international career which, in all honesty, has made us become a bit spoiled. We will be well taken care of here, and of course we will have many Canadian visitors. 

I have just begun my second trimester and am relatively done with the constant feeling of motion sickness. I am waiting for the glowing pregnant lady to appear, the one everyone talks about, but for now I guess I will settle with a slight shade of green to my skin. My bump is beginning to appear and my pants are getting a bit tight; the first time in my life when this is something I can happily embrace. 

I will be better with this blog, although I am also attempting a diary (the old fashioned kind), and many pictures will come over the next few months. It is my way of sharing this experience with those I miss so dearly. As part of this post, however, I will share some photos from the months of my blogging neglect in a rather pitiful attempt to keep this page up to date. 

Much love,
Kyla and Brian 
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So, while this month has been relatively uneventful in terms of travel, it has been busy and exciting in the bustling city of Seoul. The start of the month was typical autumn, with beautiful red and orange leaves EVERYWHERE, and crisp clean (or at least it felt clean) air. And as the month has progressed, we have been reminded that Christmas is approaching, not just because  the weather is hugging zero, but because this city really knows how to decorate!! After two years in Turkey where the only hint of Christmas was in the malls, the glittering streets and Christmasy canals are a sight for sore eyes. We are already so excited to spend out first Christmas at home in over two years, and all the Christmas spirit in Seoul just adds to our anticipation. And, in exactly one month, we will be home for three weeks. We already have shopping, skiing, and dining plans, but what we are looking forward to most is some down time with family and friends. 


Fall has also brought with it the a season of traveling shows and festivals. With the International Theatre and Dance Festivals, along the regular Seoul arts season, we have been swarmed with plays, musicals, ballets, and concerts from around the globe, and  in the most beautiful venues! A Hungarian production of Othello, the Urban Ballet Company of France, Japan's Tadashi Sazuki, Korea's Miss Saigon, the Philharmonic orchestras from London, Seoul and Israel only brush the surface of what seems like nightly entertainment, and we are trying to make it out to as much as we can. It is tough though, considering that our own school has already  had its High School production of Our Town, the IB production of The Little Prince, The Strings Orchestra, Winds Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Choral concerts, Jazz Ensembles, and in two weeks the British School's production of Jungle Book. Every weekend is filled up with something, but it is nice to be surrounded by so many arts. And it is nice to work at a place where they are valued and supported, and where the students care. 


So, November in our new home has been busy, but it has been comfortable. We are learning the system, getting pretty comfortable driving (well, Brian anyway), our place is starting to look/feel like home, we have some great new friends who share our liking of good food, games and wine, and, of course, I have found the best shopping areas - a shopaholic's dream/nightmare. 



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Well, we are finally feeling settled into our new home. The school and city are both whirlwinds of new and exciting international people, experiences, challenges and colourful diversity. Our two years in Turkey were the perfect step towards this next phase in our lives. Although we were faced with our share of obstacles, the beautiful beaches, breathtaking cultural/spiritual history, friends who became family, Turkish Efes/cheap wine, and the trekking of 17 countries between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, kept our spirits high and our lives together fulfilled. We miss our family and we miss our home, but we have learned quickly that family is only a skype call away, and home is truly where your heart is. Canada is and always will be home, and in all my travels I am yet to find anywhere that could challenge its beauty. But on a more personal note, Canada is home because of the people who are there; the people who drive us to the airport and watch me blubbering like a fool as I walk through security, usually dropping things as I fumble through my purse; the people who, without fail, welcome us home and always let us know how much we are loved and missed. I am so excited to finally be in a position where we can come home every Christmas and summer to share in the holidays and weddings and special occasions of our family and friends. I also hope to get many visitors to Seoul, as it is a direct flight from Vancouver, and I have already started inviting/bullying people into coming :) Believe me, it is a place worth visiting. It is everything I expected but cleaner! I have fallen in love with sit down toilets, kimchee, night life, shopping, theatre, efficiency, and of course loads of new faces and places. Although, in the two months we have been here, we have seen more of China (in 9 days) than we have Korea, but now that things are settling down a bit, we plan to change that. I will add photos as often as I can and my intention is to keep this blog up to date... but I am not making any promises. I will leave you today with a tidbit of information: Chinese babies don't wear diapers; and some photos of our new home in Seoul, KOREA, and our recent trip to one of the most incredible places on earth CHINA. 
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