Amazing Awesomeness

I'm going the lazy route today (but at least I'm posting and it's not months later...not that anyone except all of my .5 readers care...hahahaha). One of my favorite blogs happens to be from a friend from college. We weren't the same year (he's younger), we didn't have the same major, and we didn't really participate in the same clubs. Yet, we still participated together in two of the biggest shows on campus together. It's definitely through the years...and more so when he started his Dad Knows Best and Conceived and Composed blog series that I've come to regard Ben's way with words and his awesomeness with a camera.

Anyway, Ben & his brother were originally coming down to our neck of the woods to shoot a wedding (again, these guys are REALLY GOOD and they're "just starting out")...of course we can't let friends stay anywhere but our house (unless we are hit by a plague or lose air-conditioning). Then they're beautiful wives & newborn baby...and well, for us, THE MORE THE MERRIER!  K & K & "Little Monster" (who, btw, is such a sweetie) were awesome! Ben's K had a baby almost 8 weeks ago and doesn't show any signs that she even gestated anything inside her tiny frame.  But, since I follow Ben's blog, I do know that she was, for sure, pregos at some point and must have abs & skin with the elasticity of Spanx.

But, even before we offered up our place, Ben had asked if he could shoot photos of our fam...which, of course, is a no-brainer on so many levels!  Of course, this turned into a photo shoot of not just our family but The Fam.  Mom was already down here (enjoying her recent retirement) and Kim, J, & Talia came down for the weekend.

We had a great time and those of you who are my FB friends have seen some of the other previews of the Lau Brothers' ridiculous talent!

THANK YOU, BEN & BENSON!!!!!!!  Please check out Ben's blog Future DILF-in-Training.  He's a great writer and photographer!  While you're at it, you can also vote for him as a Top Baby Blog!

And now without further ado, Ben's post (jacked, stolen, yanked, reprinted with permission) of my sister, brother (for those who are confused when I leave out the in-law, he's techinically my brother-in-law but he's way more than just an in-law), and my baby...errrrr...niece:

Jason + Kim + Talia

September 12, 2010

Here’s the funny thing about this particular family. Unbeknownst to me, I attended school with both Jason and Kim, and even graduated the same year; but the fact we had never crossed paths was just downright unforgivable. Goes to show how impersonal campus life can be when you’ve got 40,000 kids wandering on University of Maryland’s sprawling campus (go Terps!). When they heard that I was going to be in around town for a wedding, I accepted their hospitality under one condition: That they allow me to photograph this wonderfully photogenic family.

Photo Credits: Ben and Benson Lau

My. Ovaries. Hurt.

My ovaries hurt. They do. They have that certain achiness whenever I think how big my kids have gotten and how little my niece is. I long for those moments of holding a baby and smelling their sweet scent. I miss being pregnant and not having to worry about muffin top or sucking my stomach in. I. Miss. Boobs. Yes, after breastfeeding both kids for a cumulative 24 months...they managed to perform a successful lipo...in my boobs. I barely had any to begin with and I was secure with that. But now...nada. What you see is 100% Victoria's Secret.

Then again, I don't miss sleeping for 2-3 hour stints. Scratch that...with Kaia, it was 30 MINUTE stints. My darling daughter, to this day, still does not sleep very long NOR does she need a lot of sleep to function....and not get grouchy. She's very much like me. I don't miss diaper changes, rigid schedules, and constant feedings.

What I'd miss is being able to really spend quality time with my kids right now. They are so much fun and I cannot even begin to fathom adding another to the mix and being a complete mommy to them. Then again, Jaron starts school next year and then I'd feel like "what is the use of being at home?" Except for the fact that VA kindergarten is only freakin' 3 hours from the time he gets on the bus to the time he gets off the bus.

Then again, I look how nurturing my kids are with their baby cousin. They love her so much and call her their baby sister...not out of want for another sibling, but because they look at her as if she were their sister. I know my kids would be thrilled with another sibling...especially when the topic comes up regularly and they ask for twins. A boy and a girl. Order up!

I think it's just the type of person I am. I totally stress out because I think of every single possibility and outcome of my actions...upcoming moves, upcoming deployments/patrols/underways, planning large events, which schools to pick, what activities we'll do, etc. etc. etc. And you know what...they're always turned out fine and I have always been able to handle them.

Do I want to upset the balance of 2s in our life? 2 of us, 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 vehicles, 2 houses...

I stress because I feel that time is ticking and the kids are getting older and the age gap between them and a 3rd gets bigger by the day. I mourn the loss of my kids as I think of both of them going off to college...one after the other. Yes, I DO think that far ahead. I long for a 3rd...but I love being able to be a "full-time" aunt to Talia. But, I think we're not complete without a third...which is weird since I never wanted an odd amount of children...but 4 of definitely a big fat NO...heeeellllllll no. Then watch, we'll have a third and I'll long for a playmate close to his/her age. Hahaha.

But it's weird...I long for a third. I miss being a mommy to an infant. Being the granddaughter of a woman who had 9 children...I'm going to keep my Mirena up until the last second...we are pretty blessed to be able to think about getting pregnant and *poof* we're knocked up.

Ahhhhh...this battle in my head continues. Until then...my itch will be satisfied whenever we are with The Fam and I get to be with my favorite spiky-headed, mohawked little niece!

From I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up...

From I'm not sure what I want to be when I grow up...

Mutilation

This past weekend we celebrated my little sister's 30th birthday. Fun was to be had all around in the happening Lancaster, PA area...it actually was a bunch of fun. Anyhoo...the last day of our weekend in DC was spent at all of the Gap Co.'s stores using their Gap Give & Get Program discount. Oh yeah, it was also spent being there to mutilate pierce our niece's ears!

With that being said...we did put our two cents in that it would be better for Talia to get them now while she's not so squirmy & so she won't remember this traumatic experience. Kaia got her's around this age too...and like my sister & brother...I hated it. BUT...our BFFs (the Martinos) & Sean did convince me that it would be better now versus later. Yet, how could I do that to my smiling, happy daughter??

It was deja vu being there for Talia...but I was comforted in knowing that this would be less painful for all right now versus later. Again, Yi-jeung (Uncle Sean) would be the strong, comforting arms to protect you.

Poor unsuspecting little mohawked cutie. We picked pink crystals to avoid any gender-confusion. Yet, after all was said and done with her pink earrings, pink outfit, & pink blanket...someone asked my sister if that was her son or daughter. Talia...no one can rock that mohawk like your beautiful little self.

Oh please forgive us, Baby Girl.

Self-soothe, Baby..self-soothe.

Still need to catch up...

I've been meaning to post a quick recap of Sub Ball '09, but will do that soon.

But in the meantime, my wonderful, amazing, BFF sister had her (our) very first baby!!! Talia Mei Shih was born on May 8th and bringing lots of joy to our family! Kim's water broke at 2am and she called me at 2:30am, apologizing because we joked so many times that she'd go into labor when Sean wasn't home...and he wasn't! He was standing one of his rare duty days (department heads have only been standing about 4-5 duty days per month while the poor JOs (junior officers) are standing twice that amount...although I remember Sean standing a lot more than just 10/month when he was a JO). She apologized because she figured I had just gotten to sleep and that Sean was at work. I was confused since I thought it was maybe 6am...but it wasn't. I had to deliberate whether or not to get me & the kids (incl. the canine kids) up, packed, and drive up to DC with 1.5 hrs. of sleep and me starting to get sick. We had been planning on driving up on the 8th anyway for the weekend. BUT...being there for my sister's labor & delivery was really important to me...although I know that's one of those important milestones that military spouses/fams have to sacrifice.

Sean was relieving early on Friday anyway for a farewell for one of the JOs. Since the boat (sub) is in drydock and most of the landlines are disconnected...I wasn't sure how to get a hold of him. I was texting him like crazy and then decided to try to get a bit of shut-eye should I decide to head out soon. At 4:30am, Sean calls and I tell him what was going on...he was going to try to figure things out on his end. I fall back asleep and Mom calls at 6:30am...saying Kim's in the hospital and has an epidural and is at 5cm dialated.

Anyhoo...long story short...Sean's WONDERFUL COMMAND (the CO & XO) let him go (not after giving him some grief). I know we're REALLY lucky that they gave him liberty so his spouse could be there for her sister. My terrific hubby drops me off at the hospital at 1pm. Kim starts pushing at 2pm. Talia enters the world at 3:25pm!!! The whole drive up 95 I'm almost crying thinking that I won't be there for my sister...and simultaneously worrying that we'll die in a car accident going at 85 mph the whole trip up there...and then ruining Talia's grand entrance!! BUT...Talia's here safe & sound and just in time to make this past Mother's day, Kim's first official Mother's day. The whole Lee-Shih fam made it home on Mother's day with the help of Sean (*sigh*...he's so awesome). Mom & the kids welcomed them at their house while I stayed at Mom's sick in bed and not wanting to contaminate the new fam. BUT...I did get to say goodbye before we left. We popped by and I said goodbye from outside their storm door. Sooooo pathetic, but I wanted to make sure I got to say goodbye to my wonderful little niece...who unfortunately likes my awful singing!!! Poor baby.

Our Baby, as we've referred to her this whole pregnancy, is gorgeous and such a good girl already! She's got amazing parents and is so lucky to have them. They're going to do an amazing job (and already have). Kaia, Jaron, Sean, & I are just smitten with Our Baby and miss her so much.

BTW...want to know more about her name? Our kids' names were chosen to begin with a K & J after Kim & Jason. Talia's name is a combo of my name and J's sister's name Liane....although Kim says it's more for me...tee hee hee. Mei is for the grandmommies...Ming & Maybelle.

We'll see you this weekend, Talia!!! Oops...and you too, Mom, Kim, & J!! ;o)