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December 2003
Hi! It’s me, Lauren. Just few days shy of celebrating my third birthday (12/23), I’ve again volunteered to write this year’s epistle. Dad says if we have to write a letter, just hit the high spots. Mom counseled me to simply “Count Our Blessings”. Starting with the basics, we are thankful for jobs. Mom continues her annual Student Loan Repayment Workshop for the senior OSHU medical students and whatever individual counseling is needed. It’s the only time 90 people willingly sit in rapt attention listening intently while she chatters for 90+ minutes. Since Daddy got a new partner in July, I see him more often. He also took nine weeks off. Mostly, we stayed in town. All our extra money is still flowing out to furnish the new house, you see. Dad’s pretty excited that Mom finally realized that a new BBQ and audio/visual equipment are also necessary furniture. We celebrated in ‘03. In July, Aunt Shelly provided me with my 13th cousin, Katherine Grace. Uncles Kelly King, Bart Soper and Aunt Sharon Wong Gosney turned 40. Grandma & Grandpa Ngo each hit the 60th milestone. My Great-Grandpa Ngo turned 90. I’m an expert at blowing out candles. Since March, we’ve been thanking God for my good health. For some time, I’ve been having rashes and severe Asthma. Mom and Dad were inducted as “Fellows of the Academy of Parenthood” after spending the night in the local Pediatric ER. After 5 breathing treatments in 6 hours, I still had a respiratory rate of 70+, and Daddy decided it was ER time. We followed up with an Allergy consult. I am allergic to eggs (thus, my reaction to that nasty flu shot), milk, most dairy, all nuts, legumes, soy, peas, avocado, salmon, and bananas - that we know of. So much for that good vegetarian diet the parents were raising me on. With all that sorted out, the rashes and asthma are mostly gone, and I’ve grown to an amazing 23 pounds! In April, after Mom’s third miscarriage, she said she needed a break and raided our new furniture fund for a trip to Maui. Over Easter, I discovered the joys of the Hyatt’s children’s pool with my new friends’ Tristan and Chandler Kilby. In June, Mom and I met the grandparents in Palm Springs. Mom and I (Daddy stayed home to work. Someone had to pay for the trip, he said. ) returned to the Hyatt Maui in September when Grandparents’ Ngo came up with buy-two-get-two-free coupons on United. Don’t feel sorry for Daddy. While Mom and I enjoyed Sea World in San Diego last month, Dad spent 10 marvelous days in South Dakota hunting down those poor pheasants again. Uncles’ Kelly King, Kent Chow, and Charles Lee tell us this Boys’ Trip out to Uncle Rodney’s gets better every year. It’s all about me. Mom fantasizes about listening to talk radio rather than Toddler Tunes in the car. Our days (for Mom, especially) continue to revolve around me, the eight friends in my playgroup, and all my activities. My life is non-stop learning. I remember people’s names better than my parents. I know my ABC’s, count to 14, mastered my shapes & colors, recite the days of the week (except Thursday), differentiate between left & right, and continue to increase my Sign Language vocabulary. My spoken word isn’t suffering either. I talk (and sing) around the clock - even in my sleep. You never have to wonder about what’s going on in my brain, I’ll tell you. Last month, Mom and I spent four hours in the airport waiting for a delayed flight. They loaded us onto the plane and then all off again when a mechanical problem was discovered. After 2+ more hours on the plane, we finally arrived in California. As we disembarked, I stopped in front of the cockpit. Loudly and succinctly, I informed the pilot, “It was a very long day”. I’m very excited to announce that I’m getting a baby sister in early April. At her ripe old age, Mom said that she was going to give it one last shot. It all seems to be working out this time. Dad’s not sure he’s ready for those first six months of fatigue (Mom’s gonna be grumpy!), constant diaper changes, hauling all that extra stuff where ever we go, etc. At least, he says, it’s female, and he knows how to “do girl”. Wait ‘til we’re teenagers! I love hugging and kissing Mom’s huge (yes, it really is) tummy. Sister hasn’t got a name yet, but I’ve dubbed her “Baby Pizza”. That’s what I tell everyone who asks. No reason. Just because. Mom continues to give daily thanks for the eight, also first time, moms, of my play partners. She credits her sanity to sharing experiences and the incredible support these women so generously give her in this still new, ever increasing, role of motherhood. She’s especially grateful for the five that have had/will have second kids within six months of our new baby. She’s counting on you ladies to hold her hand as she travels down this new fork in the journey! In closing, we give thanks for a home; the friends that we laugh with and who keep us from becoming too serious; the dedicated members of the military who insure us a secure country to live in; and our Loving God who forces us to keep learning, holds our hands through the rough patches, and continues to bless us in every way. In 2004, may each of you who holds a special place in our hearts, be healthy, at peace, give and receive love, and experience the presence of God in your life. |
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Updated 2005/02/09 12.30a |
