Reach High, Think Big, Work Hard, and Have Fun!!

Maliana ~

Last week started off really rough, but thankfully ended really spectacularly!

Coming down from our New Orleans high was hard…it took several days into the week before any of us started feeling normal. And Monday was an awful way to start back at school as that nasty “problem child” in your classroom bit you, unprovoked, again! This time it was on your belly. Who freakin’ does that?!? Anyway, we spoke with your teacher as well as the director of the facility and found out that this particular child is likely on her “last legs” there. Which is good that they are willing to not allow her back should they continue to have problems with her, but it still doesn’t make what happened to you any better. The one good thing is that she doesn’t appear to be singling you out, (she’s pretty indiscriminate about who she gnaws on in the classroom), and aside from your feelings getting hurt, you seemed to be doing ok later. But still, Daddy and I were pissed. After we left school, I took you to McDonald’s for some ice cream, to try to cheer you up a bit. You seemed to be doing well by the time we left, being silly, giggling, and even trying to order a cheeseburger before we left. When you walked up to the counter and no one was there, you said, “Heelllooo!?!?!” Unfortunately, because you’re still so short, even when they turned around, they couldn’t see you. Ha ha. Poor kid.

So if the week started rough…it just kept going uphill from there. After school on Tuesday, you and I walked Abby to the park and you finally conquered your fear of swinging! You hopped on the swing there, all by yourself, and slowly began rocking yourself until you had more momentum…proudly shouting to me, “I no scared Mom!”

When I yelled back, “I am so proud of you! You’re doing great!” you happily agreed, “Yeah, I great Mom!” Ha ha.

Another afternoon after school you became very quiet…so when I went to look for you, this is what I found.

perfecting your "oh" face

my daughter, the drag queen

A little later that day, we got out my old jewelry box so I could clean it out. You really enjoyed going through all of the little drawers and checking out all the little treasures. And while you weren’t interested in taking any of my old costume jewelry, you did want all of my old credit cards and miscellaneous mystery keys. Go figure!

Your little photo album has also been getting a lot of love lately…the one where we have captured our journey to China, our first meeting with you, and coming home with you. It’s been so loved, that it’s now beginning to lose pages. But that’s ok, at least it’s getting good use. And it’s such a wonderful tool to talk about this journey with you, your adoption, your cleft, and of course we always emphasize how much we loved kissing you and loving you as a baby, from the minute we met you. In fact, any time you are reminded of yourself as a baby or of your cleft palate (when you see another picture elsewhere, etc), you run to get this album and go through it with us. You seem to enjoy it so far, and it’s pretty neat.

Luckily, we also got to see Audrey Ayi later this week for an impromptu visit. She surprised you with some super cute monkey pajamas that you were thrilled to wear to bed that night. And, since it usually gets pretty silly whenever Audrey Ayi comes over, we decided to bust out your latest talent…we turned on “Dirty Bit” by the Black Eyed Peas and you went to town! You have the most hilarious little dance to this song and by the time it was over, we were all crying from laughing so hard! I definitely need to get this on film, pronto! The tricky part is that you generally like to boogie in the nude, (I guess you feel freer that way)…so we’ll have to play this again when you’re fully clothed next time. Anyway, we had you cracking up later, when all we had to do was say, “Hey Mali….Dirty Bit”…it was hysterical. I have to admit…that song can get anybody up and moving, that’s for sure.

By Thursday I am usually pooped for the week, and evidently you were too as you fell asleep in the short 5 minute drive from school to home. I brought you inside and could have laid you down in bed, but instead lay with you on my chest and let you sleep there while I watched some TV. It was one of those moments where I was grateful for the opportunity to slow down and embrace the moment. I could have been doing a million other things around the house on our never-ending “to do” list, but those were no longer important. I mean, how many more times do I have where you are still small enough (and willing enough) to sleep on my chest? If you ask me, a sleeping child on your chest is one of the greatest feelings in the world. So, I just sat there with you and soaked it in.

Friday, let me just say, was AWESOME!! It was your first concert – the Imagination Movers at the Palace Theatre. We went with the Shelton’s (Carter and Cassidy) and we all had a blast! You danced like crazy nearly the whole time, keeping up with all of their moves, even throwing in a little “robot” at one point (which is hysterical to watch in a 3 year old). Daddy bought you a Nina concert shirt and you were so excited that you insisted on changing into it right there at the concert…Daddy said your reaction was priceless, worth every penny of the $25 for the tiny little 2T, pint-size shirt! The Movers did a great job of including the audience in the show, throwing some bones to the parents as they played a little U2, Black Eyed Peas, and Aerosmith…and also even coming into the audience, up into the balcony where we were at one point. It was so cool…we were so excited to see Mover Rich run upstairs to us…and you can imagine our surprise when he shook your hand, not once, but twice…stopping, getting a big smile, and taking your tiny hand by both of his hands and really saying “hello” to you…it was so awesome! I wish I would have gotten better pictures of either time, but he was moving so fast and it was just dark enough, that my camera didn’t want to focus nearly as fast as I needed it to. But trust me, it was an amazing moment for you, grinning from ear to ear as you watched him running away. The whole way home, you kept saying, “Mover Rich my friend, Mover Rich my buddy”…and nodding your head. It was adorable!

excited!!! as we walked to the theatre

anxiously waiting for the Movers with your friends

your first concert ticket!

first glimpses of the Movers!

watching the show

a lil air guitar

"...work hard..."

the best I could do...tail end of the first time Mover Rich shook your hand...I'm kicking myself for not being able to get a better shot of either time...grrr!

sporting your Nina shirt and trying to catch the confetti at the end of the concert

checking out the fountain in the lobby afterwards

and we even ran into your friend Collin and his mom and dad!

This concert was one of the best I have been to…if they ever come back anywhere near Columbus, we’re going again for sure!

Saturday you woke up to Abby snuggling right into your face…you got the biggest kick out of that. You began giggling uncontrollably first thing in the morning...a perfect way for you to wake up! We then headed to Bao Bao later, where I can tell you are getting more comfortable with the class as you are getting much more participative. We headed to Wai Gong’s after naptime; eating pizza, playing on the trampoline, playing basketball until dark, and then making chocolate chip cookies. Yummm!

Wai Gong, you're so silly!

Jump!

see, look Wai Gong, I can swing!

Daddy and Wai Gong were in the garage with cigars and beer...so you just had to join in (don't worry, your beer bottle is empty, ha ha!)

playing defense against Wai Gong

chatting about a cookie strategy with Memaw Lisa

stealing chips from the cookie dough

Sunday I literally woke up to a tiny little hand sweeping across and cradling my cheek, then some tiny little lips giving me a kiss on my lips. What a way to wake up! I just love your sweetness. You and I ate breakfast in bed, then when you got up, you helped Daddy make scrambled eggs and ate a second breakfast with him. When he asked you if you wanted to help him make the eggs, you parroted me (when I said, “she loves to cook!”) by saying “Yeah, I LOOOVE to cook!!” It was pretty funny.

We spent the day in our jammies…the entire day. It was much needed. In fact, both Saturday and Sunday we all took naps together, as a family. It was really nice. I think we are all still recovering from last weekend and I felt very thankful to have Sunday as a complete day of rest. I especially enjoyed just sitting on the couch, doing nothing but chatting and goofing around with you, poking your little button nose, kissing the top of your little head, nuzzling your cheeks, or just tickling you. Any chance I get, I try to remind you how much I love every little part of you. I hope you grow up remembering these moments, (I know I will). And maybe, in the darker moments of your life (which I hope are few), you can draw on these times and remember that you are loved, and always will be.

Love,
Mama