Dragonboats, Tumbling, and Flower Girl Dresses

Maliana ~

Monday began with hilarity. You and Daddy were playing “hospital” when he came home from work while I wrapped up the previous week’s blog. As the game unfolded from your little mind, you were insisting that Daddy wear one of the rubber gloves that we stole from the hospital, while you donned your Mickey Mouse surgical mask. It was a lively game and you were very “in character”. Well, in the middle of it all, one of our neighbors (who we don’t exactly know very well) knocked on the door and so Daddy went to answer it. As he opened the door, I can only imagine what was running through this woman’s head given the look on her face. Here Daddy was, answering the door wearing one random rubber glove, with you coming down the stairs as quickly as you could, wearing your little surgical mask and shouting about only God knows what since the mask was muffling all of your words. You both must have looked like quite the pair. It was hysterical! She quickly handed Daddy the garage sale flyer she was holding and mumbled something like, “Just tell Theresa I stopped by”, and left abruptly. Well, ok then! I have no idea what she was thinking, but I’m pretty sure she won’t be stopping by unannounced again anytime soon. Ha ha.

Later Monday, I decided to go for a run, in spite of the chill and constant drizzle that has been our companion lately. You insisted on going with me, so I bundled and covered you up, and off we went. You did great, and kept me company with an unending stream of commentary as we ran the trail together. Girl, you can TALK!

You and I also ran a few more times this week, taking Abby with us on some trips. Once home from one of our runs, you got out of the stroller and decided that you wanted to run with Abby yourself, going back and forth in front of the house. Abby was not too sure about it and needed quite a bit of coaxing to get her to run beside you. When she finally complied, you were very proud of yourself.

For the last several weeks, you have really enjoyed playing hide and seek. You love this game and like to dictate who will hide with whom, resulting in an excited and rapid-fire “you and me, you and me, you and me!” before hurriedly running off and finding the most obvious hiding spot and noisily giggling as the seeker gets closer.

This week also came with a new revelation about the joys of a hardware store. Daddy and I had to go to Lowe’s to pick up some odds and ends and I realized how much I underestimated what a “playground” that place can be for a kid. You loved riding on the big lumber carts they have, and discovering all of the little gadgets, tools, nuts, bolts, chains, etc…you were in Heaven. I tell you what, the next time we are looking for a rainy day activity, I’m bringing you to Lowe’s to putz around. You loved it!

is it a lumber cart or a jungle gym?

Along with the fun during the week, you and I had some serious conversations too. One day in particular, you noticed one of the pictures we have up of yourself at the zoo, before you had your cleft lip surgery. You were very interested in it, so we got it down and talked about it. We talked about what it was, why we had it repaired (so you could talk and eat better, etc), talked about how people are born all sorts of different ways and how there are lots of other kids who were born just like you were too. We talked about a few other kids we know who were born with cleft lips (and/or palates) and then we broadened it and began to look on-line and stumbled onto some You-Tube videos, in particular from Operation Smile. Let me just say that you really loved watching these videos, with one in particular that you watched over and over again.

This one... Operation Smile 20th Anniversary in China

Of course, I cried a bit watching several of these videos, as different parts of them really struck a chord with me. You became so concerned, saying “Don’t cry Mommy, it’s ok”…it was tough for me to explain that they were happy tears. I know that’s a difficult concept to grasp when your thinking is still so concrete. But you were so sweet, climbing into my lap and giving me big hugs and patting my face or rubbing my back as we watched them. You are just the most amazing kid.

And while you are sweet and sensitive, you are also the funniest kid I know too. Here’s an example. Driving home from school one day, I was telling you that Audrey was coming over to see you. I wanted you to guess who was coming, so I said, “Well, she has really short hair and a lot of tattoos”…and you guessed right and shouted “Audrey!” at the top of your lungs. Then for some reason you added, “Not your mommy?” and I said, “No, not my mommy…Lao Lao doesn’t have any tattoos, right?” and you replied…(ok, get ready for it)…”No, she doesn’t have tattoos…Lao Lao has big boobies!” What the heck?!? I cracked up, and said, “Why, yes, I suppose she does.” It’s funny what makes an impression on a little kid, (and how unafraid they are to be honest about it). Ha ha!

The weekend was finally an awesomely sunny trio of days…where we had fun, in spite of you feeling a bit under the weather. Friday we kicked it off by taking Memaw and Papaw out to dinner since it was their birthdays this week. 

Happy Birthday guys!!

any opportunity for a family picture...even if I look like an over-ripe tomato!

Saturday we had a full day. We started by heading to the dragon boat races downtown on the river. While we couldn’t stay for the whole thing, we got to see the dragon boat teams warming up, the tai chi workshop, you made an origami paper cup, and we watched the lion and dragon dances. It was really neat. I just love the costumes, history and tradition of it all. 



origami cup

getting a closer look at the costume they used for the lion dance

We left the races early because we had to get you to your tumbling recital, where you did fabulously! The Toy Story 3 theme was right up your alley and I was so impressed with all of the different things you could do, and how well you paid attention, (for the most part…when you weren’t yelling down to me or Daddy about what you were doing, ha ha). You did a little routine to one of the songs from the movie, consecutive forward rolls, a headstand, then jumped up and down off of a big block. You were so cute up there on stage! I was one proud mama!

yee haw!

with Miss Theresa, your tumbling instructor

After the recital, we stopped home for a bit, and then took you over to Wai Gong and Memaw Lisa’s while Daddy and I went out on a date for our 10th wedding anniversary. I was a little apprehensive about going through with our date, since you just weren’t feeling 100%. However, I definitely felt better about leaving when you said to Daddy, “Mommy’s ready Daddy, you go!” and began shooing us out the door. They took good care of you, grilling out and then having a nice relaxing movie night inside. Memaw Lisa even painted your finger and toenails.

After we brought you home that night, your fever decided to kick it up a notch. I spent the night up and down with you, holding a cool rag over your head, and dosing you with Children’s Advil. Poor thing. I know fevers serve a natural purpose in helping your body fight off illness, but it’s such a helpless feeling when your kid is obviously uncomfortable.

By morning, you felt cooler with a normal temperature and I was so relieved. We got up, had a little breakfast (although your appetite has been nearly non-existent since the fever), and took it easy. The only thing we had to do on Sunday was meet Aunt Lindsey for her wedding, and try on flower girl and bridesmaid dresses. Your temp was still ok by 12 noon so we ventured out to David’s Bridal.

to quote Alanis Morisette's song 'Hand In My Pocket', "I'm sick but I'm pretty"

I am happy to say you did amazingly well and were so patient for the entire thing! We found a flower girl dress for you that is soft enough to not bother your delicate little skin, and you must feel like a princess in it too as you twirled around and admired yourself in the mirror (instead of wanting to rip it off as what typically happens when we put you in a fancy dress).

here's your dress for Aunt Lindsey's big day!

And in true Mali fashion…you just may be the first flower girl in history who was trying your hardest to convince me that during the wedding, you should wear the baseball hat and football jersey with “Ring Bearer” written on each. Of all of the pretty, frilly stuff in the store, those are what you gravitated to…you crack me up. My little tom-boy!

all the pretty dresses...and the hat is what thrilled you

please Mom, I wanna wear THIS in the wedding

After dress shopping, we came home and took it easy again. But in spite of relaxing inside the cool house, your dang fever decided to rear its ugly head by bedtime. Uggh. Poor kid. We dosed you up and broke out the cool rag again. I’m hoping you’re able to fight off whatever is ailing you soon…or we’ll be heading to see Dr. Dan this week. I just want my little munchkin to feel better. Being sick is no fun at all!

Love,
Mama