Ladies' Weekend

Kelvin went out of town again thie past weekend for Tai's wedding and the travel was a bit much for us, so Iver, (Thao), and I stayed put.

Ellen hosted a prenatal clinic social get-together (and goodbye party for Stacey) at her lovely Trinidad cabin on Friday night. While we turned in fairly early for the 8 p.m. bedtime, we (and Iver, as the sole male there :)) enjoyed the potluck-style meal and company!

the lovely ladies of NPS

Ellen, manning the grill

This photo doesn't do the view justice

On Saturday, while it was a cool day, we ventured out to Humboldt's Botanical Gardens in Eureka. Iver managed to fall asleep forward-facing in the k'tan but we got some nice flower photos beforehand.

 

Strawberry Tree

 

Kelvin's return always brings much relief-- that I don't have to fight the sleep wars (which continue) alone. We are experiencing some 4-month nighttime sleep regression, which I hope to resolve soon (or at least pass off as a "man's" job)!

Remembering Vietnam

This week (April 30th, to be exact) marks the 40th year anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war or the "Fall of Saigon" (although my mother-in-law doesn't like that it's referred to as an anniversary, which implies celebration, while for the [South] Vietnamese, it is a sad occasion to remember). Up to 3 million Vietnamese citizens died in the conflict, which resulted in  Communist rule throughout Vietnam.

There have been lots of news broadcasts and shows (PBS has a good documentary I just watched on the "Last Days") regarding the end of the war, which hit closer to home now that I've married into a Vietnamese family.  My father-in-law, Khao actually served in the South Vietnamese army and was punished after the war. My mother-in-law, Thao, recounted to me how she (as an 18-year-old student) and her mother tried many times (unsuccessfully) to escape South Vietnam by boat.  Khao and Thao met after the war through a mutual friend and, finally in 1991, with young children in tow (Kelvin-9, Kenn ~7, Katherine ~2, and Theresa in utero) they were able to, through family sponsorship and by air, leave the country and escape the Communist state, first spending a week in Thailand and then ending up in Southern California. After a month or so in the L.A. area, they relocated to Orange County where they have lived for the past two decades.  My in-laws have only been back to Vietnam twice in twenty years, to attend their parents' funerals, and Thao tells me that her visits have only brought back sad memories. Kelvin and I visited Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City) in 2010 and saw many of his relatives that were still living there. Most of Kelvin's mom's relatives, including her father, have since left the country, resettling mainly in the U.S. (California and Texas).

Here are some good articles that describe the mindset of some of the (South) Vietnamese immigrants (including the children who have "grown up" into adults in the U.S.), and how and why they settled in Orange County:

-  Our Vietnam War Never Ended (thanks to my sister-in-law Theresa for sharing this link)
-  Why Westminster? Eleven Reasons the Vietnamese came to Little Saigon- and why they stayed
-  How They Became Us: Orange County Changed Forever in the 40 Years Since the Fall of Saigon 

Here is a gallery of graphic photos capturing some of the horrors of the war.

Kelvin's parents are incredibly faithful, selfless, hardworking, and amazing people who sacrificed so much to be able to start over with their family in a country which, arguably, may have deserted their people, but which has become a haven. While always living a modest existence in this foreign country, they raised four incredible, bright, successful, and devoted children who are their legacy.  I am proud to be married into such a family and am thankful that Iver will grow up to learn of his family's Vietnamese history and heritage.

Prayers for Nepal

Help me pray the people and country of Nepal, a country dear to my heart, after the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake this weekend. My family lived in Kathmandu during two different posts with the State Department (1982-1985 and 1992-1995), and I have only fond memories of the lovely country (I think my favorite of all the countries we lived in), whose residents are suffering greatly right now.

Props go to my sis Vanessa for finding and posting this very old photo (my Dad is at the right, and our staff- maid, gardener, and cook Ram are behind us). I wish I had in digital form some of the more spectacular photos of the Himalayan scenery from the treks we took while there, as well as photos including the temples from "in town."

Here is a comprehensive list of some organizations to which you can consider donating financially to the disaster relief efforts.

Rochester Reunion

My Minnesota trip concluded with spending a couple of days in my old medical school stomping grounds of Rochester. I got to stay with Hans (an anesthesiologist at Mayo) and Rachel (and brood) in their lovely home in SW and visit with some old friends.  We did make one outing to the RAC (Rochester Athletic Club, which ROCKS, by the way!) to get some (much-needed) exercise on a rainy, cold Minnesota day, but mostly hung out with the kids at home, just "visiting," as they'd say there :). I think this is about the fourth time I've been back to Roch since med school graduation eight (!) years ago (it's hard to believe we've been friends for twelve years!)... but I missed Hans and Rachel the last time I was there in 2012, as they were in Boston.

It was so great to meet baby Lars (just one month old), Brita (almost 2), Thor (3), and see Kaia (almost 6) again, as she was less than one when I last saw the family! Rach certainly has her hands full at home, but she is a fantastic mom and definitely one I plan to emulate :)

Kaia was so sweet and gentle with Iver

 

Here is Lars and Iver.

The more I see this outfit on Iver (although it, bamboo, is incredibly soft), the more I am reminded of the Holocaust drama 'The Boy in The Striped Pajamas' and think my son looks like an inmate.

Thor is quite a character!

Rach's mom came to take the two older kids to their house for a sleepover on Friday.

Here is Nana with Brita and Lars

With all the kiddos on Friday!

Lars in his swing...

 

... and getting burped (so this position is not just something my mother-in-law invented!)

Lesley made the 3+ hour drive from Sioux Falls, SD to hang out with us on Friday night (and I can't believe it, but she also drove home the same night as her kids were still at home with David! What a trooper!). We also got to catch up with Ebby, although she "doesn't do" photos!

quick iPhone snaps

I love these additional photos as they show Iver's inability to sit still for even a few seconds (I wonder where he got that from??!)

love these girls!

One of the greatest things about staying with a family with young children is that they had lots of equipment for little ones... like this Jumperoo. Iver slept and napped (pretty well) in their Pack'n'Play, which was awesome.

Before I had to head back to Minneapolis airport with my rental car (the original picking-up of which was a bit tricky to maneuver with all my luggage, the carseat + base, and Iver but which went ok!), Laurie, a family friend of my Dad and Grandparents who is a nurse at Mayo and who I enjoyed getting to know when I moved there for med school, came by to visit Saturday morning. It was great to see her again!

Iver is going to miss his little buddy Lars!

Here is a HUGE thanks to Hans and Rachel for hosting me for my stay. It was sooo great to see and catch up with everyone and I hope to be back soon!

Fargo Fam

Dad drove me to Fargo, ND to visit with my cousins Richard (Dad's first cousin, who was on call for podiatry the whole time!), Amy, and and Jacky for a couple of days. They were sooo excited to meet Iver ("our family's first baby!") and it was a fun, relaxing time (besides the sleep wars which have continued with Mr. Iverkins).  Roxy, Amy's mother, also came up from Windom in southern MN for the two days.

We attended a couple of events-- a YWCA Woman of the Year banquet and a Fargo public schools alumni breakfast that honored Jacky as she finishes her year as Miss North Dakota but then spent the rest of the time relaxing, playing at home, watching and singing along to Disney VHS tapes, playing Uno, and eating great food :).

Beautiful family

We went to a cute bakery, Nichole's, in downtown Fargo for brunch.   Jacky rocked the k'tan carrier when we braved the frigid, 20-30-degree temps (I knew there was a reason I couldn't live here in the midwest! Iver even saw a few snowflakes fall on Monday!) and ventured to some of the cute boutique-y stores across the street.

Iver's giggles and laughs really have started to come out, as you can see with these videos-- the first after Cocoa, their chocolate lab, was barking, and the second when Jacky was playing peekaboo with him.

All bundled up!

Iver certainly got some lovin' in from these ladies!!! We can't wait to visit again soon (they've also told me that they're looking forward to it!)!

P.S. I also wanted to mention that today is the one-year anniversary of my great-uncle's (Jacky's grandfather'sr accident, which was devastating to the whole family as he passed away the next day. We are thinking of you in heaven, Duane and praying for your whole immediate family during this time.