Visitors, visitors, visitors

What an exciting week I've had and it all revolved around visitors.

Cousin Riley came up from Yellingbo to see me. I know she was at the airport to see my arrival but we have been so busy visiting people and going places that this is the first time we have been able to spend some time together.

Riley is almost as photographed as me. Her latest claim to fame was as the "dig" mascot at the archaeological dig of Ned Kelly's Last Stand in Clenrowan. Her Dad and Mum worked on the dig. Riley helped out by being cute and learning to crawl. This was put to good use by attaching a bulldozer blade to her shoulders and encouraging her to smooth out the trench floors.

It is hard to believe Riley is only 5 days younger than me. I am quite tall for my age and Omma says I am wearing size 1 and sometimes size 2 clothes, whereas Riley is still fitting into size 0 (just). The pictures show how different we are. That doesn't stop us being great playmates though.

She puts me to shame in the crawling stakes though. She is quite the speed demon with her commando crawl. However, I did get a few pointers during her visit and am so close to crawling that Abba better hide the remotes. I still manage some form of shuffle, roll, come see-saw action that can realise movement accross the floor, although not always where I want to go.

Another good friend to arrive was Caff. She is a long friend to Omma & Abba. She is pretty cool too. Together we read lots of books after I showed her how the pages worked. Apparently she lives in a far off land called Tasmania. It sounds like a place just like Neverland, or Narnia. It sounds like a great place to go and Caff promises she is not the ice queen, or scarey in any way and has invited me to visit. I told Abba that there are fish over there, so that may encourage him to take me (See I told you I could train him.... ha ha).

Too Fabulous for Words

When you are a cute, trendsetting baby like me there can never be too much colour in your life and this has been the theme for this week...... Fashion.

It started with the long awaited return of Omma's friend Jane from her cooking course in France. Her gift to me was the most beautiful Burberry dress all the way from Paris! I knew immediately to match with a white short sleeve top and gray tights. As you can see in the picture, I make quite a statement in the playground fashion stakes.

Not to be outdone, Cousin Ash bought a wonderful cotton summer dress from Thailand. I might have to wear this during our trip to Cairns in August with Omma.

The highlight of the week was going to a first birthday party for my friend and fellow Korean born girl, Lilly. All the kids were asked to wear our Hanboks for the ceremonial section. As you can see in the picture Lilly & I made an impact in our colourful traditional clothes. My own Hanbok is the one given to me by my Foster Mother, Mrs Lim. Abba & Omma love how pretty I look wearing it although the hat is a little annoying and I try to take it off all the time.

Lilly's Omma held a traditional first birthday ceremony. One part of the ceremony involves a table laden with items such as money, fruit, paper and pens. The child is led around the table by Abba until the child picks up something. The first two items are said to predict the life ahead for the child. Lilly picked up money and string. This suggests she will be in for a long and rich life, Lucky Girl. I wonder what I will pick at my birthday in July, what to choose..... decisions, decisions...

My First Party

It has been another busy week for this baby.

The highlight has been finally meeting my two grown up cousins Kohan & Ashley. On Saturday night I was invited to Ash's 21st party. Of course the oldies had to come as someone had to drive, but Ash & I know that all we needed was to convene. We both danced the night away as the music played was pretty groovy to bob to.

Cousin Kohan is pretty cool too. I have discovered he is as easily entertained by mirrors as the rest of the family. I kept him amused by waving and laughing into the looking glass all the night during Ash's celebration.

While Abba went fishing with his "Fly Club", Omma & I went visiting some good friends. We visited Ray, Sarah with their kids Molly & Luke (Abba & Ommas Godson). Also visiting were great friends from Abba & Omma's past. This included Natalie, Erica, Tim & Felicity. They were easily entertained but you would not believe how long Flicka's tongue is. I mean she could easily join the band Kiss.

Achiements this week include;

1. I can pull myself up on the side of my toybox to pull out toys my folks have inconveniently put inside. Every kid knows they are better sperad far and wide.
2. I am soooo close to crawling. If it wasn't for that leading foot that wont quite pull through from the seated position. Actually I can get to all fours on my knees, but have not quite worked out forward movement from the prone position.
3. I created the first crash by pulling the teapot tray off the coffee table. Luckily the teapot had been removed, but I did get access to the TV remote! My folks reckon I'm safe 'cos I can't quite crawl, but there is more than one way to move accross the room to steal Abba's remote (Tee Hee).

Ommas Day to Showers and Pool

We had a lovely lazy day on Mother's Day, pureley indulgent with the family. I woke early to prepare breakfast for Omma but needed Dad's help. Still she appreciated my effort. Later I helped in the garden as in the photo.

For some reason Abba is ticked off with Mothers Day. It has something to do with overshadowing his birthday. For some reason he thinks that is a higher priority but to keep the peace I whispered to Omma that we should go out for dinner. It was an Indian restaurant so naturally I tried Abba's curry. Not Bad!

This week with my parent feeling housebound I suggested we go swimming at the local YMCA pool. It was great fun. You can watch Abba blow bubbles, smile at school kids during swimming lessons and charm the lifeguards. I managed to go underwater as holding breath and blowing bubbles is most enjoyable.

Due to changing countries, a few visits to Doctors were needed to check up on my health and vaccination program. Typically all they want to do is stick needles into me, mainly bloodtest to check if the relevant antibodies are present. I only hope they remember I am a baby and there is only so much blood to take.

Friday has been great fun. Our neighbours celebrated my arrival with a baby shower. None of us got wet so I dont understand the shower part, but the scones with jam & cream were very much to my liking. I even managed to pinch some while mum wasn't watching. Our neighbours are wonderful sharing many gifts and parent raising tips. Hopefully Mum and Dad wont move too soon I love this street. Folks are really nice.

One Month a Family

Wow it is nearly a whole month since our family arrived in Melbourne.

Much has happened in that time from Forever Day on the 12th April, 2008.

Amelie Yoo Rim has grown and developed into a beautiful, alert and cheerful little girl. Much of this is attributable to her wonderful Foster mother in Korea, Mrs Lim. Her picture adorns the mantle in our family room. Every now and then our gaze drifts towards her image and a few words of thanks to her and Eastern Social Welfare. The day of departure was so emotional for all of us. Mrs Lim will always be remembered fondly by us all.

Milestones for our little girl in the last month;

1. I can sit on the floor without any support. Whilst not quite mobile, I am pushing myself up and showing the beginnings of a shuffle crawl. Look out Bella!
2. I have discovered a voice..... and don't I love to practice! I watch Omma & Abba very intently and use that to model my own sounds from soft coos to loud shrieks. Because it was Abba's birthday a few sounds were thrown in that resembled Dad, dad, dad (I'll let him think it was just for him).
3. I have discovered mirrors. Did you know a mirror can be used to wave to someone behind? Of course you then need to turn around to confirm they did in fact see me wave. It amuses me to see them so entertained.
4. On Sunday the 4th May I attended my very first Han Ho Kids event; Children's Day. I dressed in my very first Han Bok and had my photo taken with all the other Children. I really enjoyed meeting Korean Children my own age. Grumpma and Grumpa came along too. We had a great day.
5. I have grown since my last health check before leaving Korea! Omma took me to visit the Health nurse here and her measurements show I have grown nearly 4 cm and half a kilogram.
6. I love to Eat. Days have been spent discovering the thrill of new tastes of solid foods. I prefer porridge (oats) to wheat-bix. Love rice with chicken or lamb and vegetables. I will tackle any vegetable from broccoli to sweet potato in bite sized chunks I can feed myself. I have tried Bi Bim Bap with a smear of chilli sauce (yum), sea weed sheets and Nan's roast chicken and veg. Of all my favourites, toast with avocado would be up there with fruit in yoghurt or Ricotta Cheese. Lets just say Food is Good!
7. Abba and Omma reckon I have changed. Of course I am more vocal, but to reassure them I look for them in the morning and kick my feet in sheer joy when they recover me from cuddles with other people. Naturally they have changed too. They give me the best cuddles and play, sing and feed me.

I reckon we are enjoying life as a family.