Compare and Contrast

I designated February as being my 'get organized' month.

My first project was to switch the playroom with my office.

I'm technically moving into a smaller space,

but it's waaaaaay more practical for me.

but the thing with starting these kinds of projects

is that I tend to get burned out quickly...

... so I start a smaller, more doable task ...

like sorting the kids clothes.

I started in Charlie's room and began pulling out the stuff

that was either 'not in season' right now, or too small.

I smiled to myself as I looked through the shirts and 

one-piece outfits that I had so much fun buying before he came home.

and of course I came across my favorite.

it's this little cotton one-piece that has brown & blue owls on it. 

it was the first outfit I put Charlie in when I got him in Korea.

so I thought I'd take photo of him in it now, and compare the two.

I have say,

even though I planned on doing a post comparing

the Charlie I met almost 4 months ago 

to the Charlie who I now know as my son, 

I had no idea how much it would effect me.

as I was getting the photos ready to load

I actually got choked up.

{and if I'm being honest - I still am}

the  Charlie  Min-hyeok-ah

that I brought back to the hotel with me on Oct 12th, 2010

was such a quiet little soul.

I was so nervous about what I was doing,

how I was feeling, trying to get to know him,

not wanting to scare him...

that I wonder if I ever really saw him...

 He looks so incredibly different to me

that I feel like I kinda don't even recognize him.

and I think he doesn't look well - like he still wasn't healthy.

my sweet little boy - you must have been so scared.

did I comfort you enough? 

did you know that I loved you?

that I would keep you safe?

that I would take care of you forever?

did you know that you would get stronger?

that you would love to eat?

and you would gain all sorts of weight?

and surprise your doctors?

and make your Omma so proud of you?

did you know that you would have an Appa that you adore?

and a Noona who you love to dance with?

and that it would take you over 3 months before you would 

lay your head on my shoulder because you wanted to

and not because you were tired?

 

and did you know that as you slowly revealed your personality

to us we would love you even more than we already did?

that you would make us laugh at your silly faces?

or when you 'bow' when we say kamsamnida (thank you)?

 

because you - my son - are such a delight.

you make me so happy that I get to be your Mom.

... even though you're calling me Omma less and less ...

{and it kinda makes me sad}

So I promise you this...

I will always be the Wind Beneath Your Wings.

I'm kidding.

I mean, of course I'll always be supportive, love you, yada yada yada,

but this was getting a bit too sentimental for me. 

but you certainly are a cute one, my Charles.

and I am keeping you forever.