Heavy, Hopeful, Happy Heart

Maliana ~

I started this week with a mixture of happiness and a heavy heart. We had your speech evaluation on Tuesday at Children’s Hospital. This was to see how much progress you have been making since beginning speech therapy and to determine when we will attempt to do the scope procedure that will help us see what type of leak you have in your palate, and ultimately, what kind of surgery you will need to correct that. When I came home from work that morning, you were in great spirits. We got to the hospital a little early and went to the cafeteria where you picked out a V-8 and an orange (all on your own) for your snack. (So proud of my healthy eater!) You were silly, talkative, and bubbly and we had a great time just hanging out together, with you drawing the attention and smiles of a fellow diner with your antics.

Then, when we got up to the craniofacial clinic, you clammed up. I know you were getting tired at that point, and all of these new faces with badges or lab coats were coming in to see you and wanting you to say all kinds of things for them on command. I know how uncomfortable that is at any age, but especially at not quite four. We made it through the appointment, but it was pretty difficult to get an accurate picture of what exactly is going on with your speech since you really did not want much part of any of it. I was disheartened when we left. I was sad because I know that if we can’t figure out some way to get through to you better now, things could be more difficult the older you get. If we can’t figure this out soon, the next evaluation where they do the scope is going to be ten times harder for all of us, but most especially for you.

As I drove home, I  called Lao Lao and recapped what had happened and I began to cry. It hit me that what I felt was that I was failing you. I felt so helpless. I feel like there should be something more I can do or something more I should just instinctively know that could help you succeed. I desperately want you to make progress, to feel a sense of accomplishment and maintain a healthy self-esteem. It’s hard for me to know how much to push you when we are practicing your sounds and words, how much I should nit-pick pronunciations without it hurting your self-confidence. Ms. Ashly does a great job and pushes you when you need pushed, and you respond well to her, adore her actually. She said that your language skills are wonderful. In fact, she said that you are a very smart child, who creatively uses those same phenomenal language skills to derail your speech sessions when you are simply done working on your articulation, at home and in her office. It’s pretty remarkable how well and how quickly you can create diversions from the work at hand by attempting to rope us into whole new conversations prompted by something on your flashcards. That being said, I am thankful for your sharp wit, your strength, your strong-will, and your sense of self-preservation (being cautious and careful around things and people you are not sure of yet). All of these things (and more) have been assets in helping you get to us in the first place, and I’m sure will continue to take you far in the future. It’s just that right now, these same things are stumbling blocks when it comes to where we are with you and speech. So, where do we go from here?

As I left the office, a fellow adoptive mom who is a friend and happens to be one of the speech pathologists at the clinic also, asked if I had contacted the psychologist who works with the adoption clinic. She had sent me the information to contact this doctor a couple months ago and was just following up to see if this psychologist had been helpful or not. Honestly, I had never contacted her because whatever obstinate phase you were going through at the time had passed and things were once again more manageable.

On the way home though, I thought about what to do next while you got a much-needed nap in the backseat. I decided to email this psychologist to see what kind of help we can get for you (and all of us). Until this visit at the clinic, I hadn’t realized how much work really does lie ahead for us, exactly what our challenges look like, and how your dad and I may be falling short for you. At this point, the more specialists we have involved, the better. After everything you have been through, and will likely go through, I want to make things as smooth and attainable as possible for you. I’m sure there are a million ways I could be a better mom for you, so I am eager to get some more input on it all. And I am so thankful for Christina’s suggestion and reminder about this psychologist. It came at just the right time. Just one more reason that I am grateful for entering into this wonderful world of adoption with you…not only are you in our life now, but it has opened a door to all kinds of other wonderful people that never would have crossed our paths otherwise. Parents, children, new friends, and all kinds of professionals that never fail to amaze me at how resourceful, dedicated, and supportive they are of it all, of each other, and of us.

One funny thing I do want to mention about the clinic appointment though, is something that happened at the very end. After minimal cooperation from you, much squirming and stink-eyes thrown around the room, refusing to say good-bye to most of the staff, you did insist on shaking Dr. Pearson’s hand (just like Mommy did) when he was leaving the room. My little pint-size executive.

Once you woke up from your nap, we headed out to eat dinner at the café in Giant Eagle after ordering your birthday cupcakes (chocolate, red icing, with purple and red Justin Bieber rings ~ oh joy!) Then after getting home, you insisted on sitting at the table and drawing/coloring with me. You actually preferred to do this rather than watching a movie. I love that you’d rather spend one on one time with me than mindlessly watching a movie. We ended up having a great night together, with any drama experienced at the earlier clinic appointment completely vanished from your demeanor. You even willingly practiced many of your speech sounds with me, bestowing multiple kisses on me throughout the evening. We have actually been having a lot of fun together lately, which makes me unbelievable happy in general. I began to feel more hopeful that soon we’ll look back and this speech thing will be a drop in the bucket, just one of many challenges you’ll have overcome with flying colors in your life.

We headed back to the hospital the next night, with me reassuring you that I only was going to a meeting and no doctors would inspect you at all. You did great while we had our cleft lip and palate support group planning meeting, being very patient all the way until the end. Afterwards, you asked to have dinner in the hospital cafeteria, although I don’t know if it’s actually eating in the cafeteria or taking the long walk across the hospital that is more exciting for you. You love watching all the people and staff as we walk through the long hallways, mesmerized by the doctors and nurses especially. At one point, a doctor was walking by himself towards us, so you stepped off to the side of the hallway, waiting for him to pass and just as he was next to us, you stepped forward, nodded, waved, and in your most official voice said, “Hi Doctor!” He couldn’t help but smile.

your personality, coupled with outfits like this...who wouldn't smile?

On the way home you did something that I’ve never noticed before. For whatever reason, you wanted to race me everywhere. You said, “I’m gonna beat you to the car; getting buckled; into the garage; in the door; up the stairs; into the kitchen; etc. I made the faux pas (at least to you) of beating you in getting buckled in the car, and to my shock you completely broke down in tears. Of course, I wasn’t about to just let you win to make you stop crying. That was an important lesson going down right there…one that I didn’t even realize you needed to learn yet. Learning to lose gracefully, be supportive of others, understand it’s not all about winning or losing but rather trying your best and having fun is a trickier concept to explain and get to stick than I thought. Perhaps that’s why your competitive little beast inside was unleashed in full force once we got home. In spite of multiple discussions, by the time we went to bed last night, this lesson was anything but fully understood or resolved…so this should be interesting to see how it plays out as time goes on. Looks like I’ll be picking up a few extra books on this topic at the library this week!

Picked you up at school later in the week, and by God if you didn’t remember and hold me to my promise of going to the library. We laid on the floor and put puzzles together for a long time, then left with our arms loaded down with a total of 16 books! I love that going to the library is a treat to you. Once home, you made lasagna with me, saying, “Mmmm, it’s gonna be good!” Only a tiny bit of cheese and spinach filling wound up on the cabinets from your over-zealous mixing…we’re improving!

As we waited for the lasagna to cook, I showed you pictures of your new cousin, Max. Uncle Mark and Aunt Cindy just had their baby this week and so I showed you the picture of them in the hospital right after her C-section, which led into a conversation about C-sections versus vaginal childbirth. All I have to say is, “Oh boy!” I firmly believe in being 100% honest with you…so trust me when I say this conversation was interesting. In the end, you cooed and giggled while looking at pictures of Max, saying he was cute and proclaiming that you love babies. (And I breathed a sigh of relief that another one of my honest conversations with you about life did not seem to scar you).

here's the picture that had you asking a lot of questions
congratulations Mark and Cindy!

In spite of it being a short week, Friday could not have come a moment too soon. I asked you how your day was on the way home, to which you replied, "I didn't have a day...Daddy took my day!" Upon more questions, I couldn't get much more sensical info than that...so I surmised that your week went about as smashingly as mine.

Once home, we watched Wall-E. A movie I picked up in the cheapie bin a while back. You were very concerned during several parts of the movie, showing your sensitivity and empathy is really blooming. Then Daddy got home and brought in a package for you from the mail. Great Grandma and Grandpa McAfee had mailed you a birthday gift from Florida...a Justin Bieber t-shirt. You were so excited to get the mail, and I think blushed a little to see the shirt. We wrote thank you notes immediately after, and to my surprise you were able to copy my "THANK YOU" into the cards. You are growing up so fast!

Thank you Great Grandma and Grandpa McAfee!

I'm so proud of you for writing your own thank you's!

Saturday morning continued the early birthday fun when your loft bed arrived at 8:45am! I was still groggy but you were bouncing every which way and squealing up a storm. You "helped" them set it up and were thrilled to jump right up on it as soon as you could. It was actually hard to get you down out of it. You even took your nap in it that afternoon! I am SO happy that you love it so much and even more happy that you are SO appreciative of it. We couldn't ask for a better kid than you.

helping bring in your ladder

helping with the mattress

finishing the paperwork

oh yeah, this feels good!

ready to catch some zzzz's

yeah, this bed is so cool...you gotta wear shades

success! out like a light!

I went to the grocery store later, while you gave Daddy a makeover (all your idea). I think it turned out pretty good. Don't you?

nice...

Then later you even drew your own self portrait, turning around from the dry-erase board in the kitchen and saying, "This is me!". I was impressed. You did such a great job!

look at that artwork! love it!

Saturday night we had Wai Gong, Memaw Lisa, and Uncle Blaize over for dinner. As soon as they arrived, you ran to the stairs and grabbed Memaw Lisa's hand shouting about how she needed to come see your bed. No hellos, no hugs...just, "Come see my bed!" You were over the moon excited about showing off your big girl bed, and were all business in doing so. We had a good dinner, a nice visit, and then enjoyed watching you and Blaize have a dance battle and then spar in karate (that last one was all your idea). Between the two of you...we were quite entertaining all night. Memaw Lisa and Wai Gong eventually left, and Uncle Blaize stayed to spend the night. I couldn't imagine a more excited kid to have your uncle sleeping over. It's fun to just sit back and listen to the two of you interact. Blaize is so amazing with you. It warms my heart that you have so many people in your life all over the place that love to spend time with you, and vice versa.

hey guys! check out my new bed!

hugs!

Legos!

horsey rides!

bowing to your opponent

now spar!
(this reminds me of the shirt you got for Christmas from friends,
"Though she be but little, she is FIERCE!")

a super cool projector of the night sky
that Uncle Blaize brought over

You made a valiant effort in evading sleep that night...staying up until nearly midnight because you knew Blaize was still awake. As I carried you upstairs and tucked you into bed, you yawned and emitted the tiniest little sigh and I thought to myself that that has to be one of the sweetest sounds on the planet.

After (not nearly enough) hours of sleep, you woke up and insisted on going downstairs and sitting quietly next to a sleeping Blaize, watching and waiting for him to wake up. Abby went with you too so I'm sure it was a little unnerving when Blaize finally opened his eyes in a room where he was expecting to be alone.

engrossed in my Counseling Today magazine while
Blaize sleeps beside you

You came upstairs after a little while and sat up on your loft, requesting I crack your curtains so you could color in the sunshine.

using natural light to color...and by the way,
the coloring poster pad you are using was
part of a birthday gift from your teachers,
Ms. Beth and Ms. Brandi
(wasn't that nice?!? you have great teachers!)

Blaize finally woke up!

ganging up on Wai Gong when
they came to get Blaize

Memaw and Papaw came over tonight to switch cars with us and of course see your new bed! You were so thrilled to show it off once again.

Memaw checking out your new "apartment"

So far you have taken two naps in your new "nest". One falling asleep with Dad and the other with me. Sunday night will be the real test of you sleeping in your new bed. You surprisingly agreed to try, as long as we lit the white snowflake lights that are on your ceiling, and also use the old baby monitor we still have. You have already demonstrated what you will yell into it (very theatrically) should you need anything. I don't expect you to do it all on your own right away, but I'm curious. In spite of the challenges that started our week, we're ending it on a high note. You are one truly spectacular child...Daddy and I have no idea how we got so lucky.

Love,
Mama

P.S.
Can you believe this time next week we will be reminiscing about your birthday bounce party? We all put together the goodie bags for your guests and I am so glad that you wanted to take part in the preparation. It's getting more real now...I can't believe you are going to be FOUR soon! Such a BIG BEAUTIFUL kid you are growing into!

thanks for helping out Mali!

Valentine Cupcakes, Hiking, and the Zoo!

Maliana ~

After I posted last week’s blog (I got it done early on Sunday afternoon, can you believe it?) we decided to go for a family walk in the snow before cuddling up for the night. We made it to the park before sunset and you even played on the jungle gym for a bit. A little ice and snow wasn’t going to stop you! You had Daddy and I belly laughing at your antics, and it was just what we needed to shake off those Sunday night blahs.

snowy evening walk

We came home to decorate Valentine’s Day cupcakes. You are getting so much more precise when doing projects like this. It’s pretty remarkable to watch. Speaking of precision, I also noticed the picture you drew on our Valentine’s Day card really resembled Mickey Mouse, so when I asked you what it was a picture of, you confirmed my suspicion and proudly said, “Mickey Mouse!” Wow! I think, aside from the happy faces you’ve done, this is the first drawing that actually distinctly resembled something. And you’re not even four yet! You amaze me.

can you see Mickey's ears??
and of course, you're getting to be a pro at writing 'MALI' now

my artiste

look at what a great job you did!

We took some of our cupcakes over to the Szwabinsky’s, our first of many Valentine cupcake deliveries. Then on Monday, we headed over to Wai Gong’s after speech and delivered a few more to them. On the way home, we stopped and dropped one off for Audrey Ayi who has not been feeling well lately. She said it made her day. See how nice it is to do things for other people?

Driving home you were hungry and requested what you call a “salad burrito” (7 layer burrito) from Taco Bell, so we stopped and you insisted on going to eat in their dining room. (It’s the little things that make you so happy). On the way out, you yelled “Bye!” into their kitchen, taking the staff off guard and making them all smile at the same time. Then you wanted to ring the bell by their door, asking why people ring it, so I told you it tells the staff you liked their food. As we walked to the car, you thought about this and asked, “Can we shake our booties too?” Umm…sure, I guess you can shake your bootie to show you liked the food. (Silly kid).

Valentine’s Day was this week. One thing you will likely learn about me is that I am not a big proponent of Valentine’s Day. I guess I feel like we should all show each other how much we love one another EVERY day, not just one day of the year. However, I did see this year’s holiday as an opportunity to think of others. We already had a jump on it with our cupcake deliveries the day before. But on Valentine’s Day, we headed to Lao Lao’s work to pass some more cupcakes out to some of the people in her office who always seem to remember you on special days, and also to Ggma and Uncle Johnny’s to drop some off for them. You were so sweet and interactive, giving hugs away as soon as you walked in the door and chatting up a storm with Ggma. She even remarked that it was like night and day to spend time with you this visit. You're really growing up! While we didn’t get to make the rounds to all of the people that we love, we made it to quite a few of them. And you were so proud to put a smile on peoples’ faces with your sweet treats, reminding them of course, "Eat your dinner first!" 

our fancy cupcake boxes, packed and ready for delivery!

Ggma + Mali = Valentines

Once home, we got out of the car and you announced, "Mom! I just saw a shooting star!" (I was a bit skeptical as it was completely overcast with snow clouds, but we'll take your word for it.) So then you said, "I gotta make a wish!"...then..."I wish I'd be with my mommy all the day!" (aww) --insert my melting heart here-- You are the sweetest and I've been so thankful for your being very lovey toward Mommy lately!

you insisted on changing into my mini-me
outfit after school before making our
Valentine deliveries...hee hee

Moving right along this week...here's a Facebook status that sums up a family meal one night.
~ the old dinnertime battle over bites again :/ Mali was arguing she only wanted to take 3 more bites against our wanting her to take 5 more bites. Solution? Daddy compromised with her to take 3 bites first and then 2 more bites...Mali happily agreed, COMPLETELY thinking that she pulled one over on her silly old parents. Way to go Shawn Wilkinson! Way to outsmart the 4 year old!! We are SO using this tactic again!! ...and my comment immediately following...and NOW the "one more" thing just got us up to nine bites and counting...pure genius! I'll be so sad when she starts to do math...

Ha ha...so far, we can still pull one over on you kid! (However, I fear it's not for long. You are so smart!)

Daddy had a really rough week this week and so one night, we sat around and colored him pictures to post on the door when he got home from a really stinky day at work. They definitely helped cheer him up and it was fun to color and create with you!

not sure what they represent, but you were
adamant about drawing chipmunks, skunks, and ducks

Friday night Daddy and I had a double date night with friends. Lao Lao came over to watch you and it hit me how much you are growing up. First, you had this brilliant plan that you were cooking up while talking to Aunt Tina on the phone that afternoon, telling her, "My grandma is going to watch me and my mommy and daddy are going on a date." and then here's where the plan hits you..."I know! (turning to me) I'll keep your phone and you take Daddy's phone and then I'll call you on your date!" Ahhh, splendid! Then later, just before leaving, I was doing some last minute chatting with Lao Lao and you ever NOT so subtly were slowly closing the door on me, saying, "You gotta go Mom. You're gonna be late!" If I ever had any doubts about you being ok while Daddy and I go out together, tonight was confirmation you are just fine. You and Lao Lao had a marvelous time playing dentist, doing exercises (evidently you are now a physical trainer of some sort), watching movies, and of course, fighting sleep.

In spite of a late night, you woke up happy and went to breakfast with Memaw and Papaw at their old standby Bob Evans, then headed out to watch Sam's basketball game with Erin, Uncle Joe, Aunt Tina, and Daddy (while I finished up running and showering). At the basketball game you munched on candy with Erin and did a great job cheering for Sammy. You love those guys! At Bob Evans, you got to see one of your teachers, Ms. Beth, again. Before leaving, the manager (who we've never met before) yelled back, "Hey Beth! Mali's leaving!" You're getting to be like Norm from Cheers at this Bob Evans. Ha ha. (Oh, and that Cheers reference will completely date me, you'll have no idea what I'm talking about when you read this...so just google it).

I think I have mentioned in previous posts how you currently seem to prefer to say, "I miss you" instead of "I love you" lately. It's really been weighing on my mind, wondering why this is and if I should be more concerned about it than I am. I even brought it up to a friend at book club this week, getting her opinion on the matter as a fellow adoptive mom herself. However, this morning on your way out, you came back in to give me a big hug and kiss, saying the usual "I miss you" and then turning around at the door to add, "AND I love you!" I know, I know. It's just three simple words, but they are music to a parent's ears.

this is why I keep getting less and less room in my own bed!

We headed over to Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina's that evening, for the usual fun and laughs. You and Erin played beautifully together, making cards and crafts for us all, while the adults and Sam played cards. You and Erin even did a little tango at one point...

1, 2, cha cha cha...

You initially said you wanted to spend the night, which you attempted (for the umpteenth time), however eventually sat bolt upright in the dark and told Uncle Joe, "I need to go home"...then when I asked you what happened, you replied, "I can't fall asleep. I'm too little." You are too cute, and to tell you the truth, it's always a little hard for me when you begin to branch off from the "mama tree". I know it's good for you and independence is a positive developmental milestone...but my heart still gets a little twinge of sadness each time. Needless to say, I was more than happy to scoop you up and bring you home with us. Your sleepovers will come soon enough, before we know it. Why rush it?

Sunday morning started out leisurely with some good snuggling and back tickling in bed, then you popped up, fetched our matching kitty cat slippers, put on your mood ring (to wear a ring like Mommy), and then we headed into the kitchen to make you some eggs. We definitely needed a good breakfast for our big hike at Slate Run with Lao Lao, another in our series of winter hikes at the metro parks. It was cold but we made it, bringing the backpack this time which you thankfully catnapped in near the end of the hike.

stylin' with our sunglasses for the hike

you were adamant about getting a map

on the trail

zonked...just before warming up with some
yummy tomato soup, cookies, and cocoa

Monday was Presidents' Day, so we got a bonus weekend day. Daddy had to work, but I stayed home and woke you up to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. You opened your eyes, smiling and laughing. We then hurried up, threw a roast in the crock pot, and got ready to take a trip to the zoo! You were excited to see the elephants, horses, and snakes. The horses (aka pony rides) weren't out so we made a pit stop at the polar bears instead. The zoo was jam-packed with other people who had the same idea as us, but we still had a blast! We ate a late lunch at Culver's on the way home and realized that we had forgotten all about the monkeys, to which you replied with a shrug and a cute little crooked smile, "That's ok!" We agreed to hit them first next time.

so excited to see the elephants first!

learning how to overcome your fear and climb this sculpture

"I did it!"

you even took some time to ride a hammerhead

After the zoo, you sat and listened to my Ipod while we got my oil changed before speech therapy. When you got to some of the songs that I put on your first annual photo DVD, you exclaimed, "Hey! That's my song from when I was a little baby!" then "That's when Uncle Zhou helped you find me...in China!" I love that you remember these particular songs and the stories that go along with them, all because we have been making you these DVD's every year, to help tell pieces of the story of your life. I love it! Making these DVD's for you is so much fun and so worth it!

You were exhausted from our big day and once home, we lay down for a nap. I made sure to tell you over and over again how much fun I had with you today and how much I love you. As we lay there, you tossed and turned for a bit, finally falling asleep after taking MY head and cradling it in YOUR arms, studying and tracing my face with your fingers and silkie. It was such a loving little gesture, and evidently just what you needed to fall asleep. That, coupled with the tons of slobbery ice-cream lipped kisses at Culver's earlier, made my entire day complete. Days like this make me wish I was a stay-at-home mom, however in reality, I think that because I'm a working mom, I appreciate the sweetness of days and moments like these all that much more. You're the best.

Love you baby.

Mama

What? Someone is turning 4?! Better get to planning a PaRtY!

Maliana ~

The warm weather continued at the beginning of this week, but snapped cold and even snowed a bit by Wednesday! Thankfully we took advantage of the sunshine on Monday with a walk to the playground with Abby.

using your "bazooka" to shoot bad guys from the
top of the jungle gym

You did not want to go to bed that night, however I pulled out my secret weapons of tickling your back and singing Taylor Swift’s “Never Grow Up” to you and grudgingly, you acceded to the Sandman. Even when you are grumpy and fighting sleep with everything you have, I love your warm snuggles.

Your birthday isn't for almost another month, but I couldn’t stand to wait any longer and so we went out this week to buy your birthday party supplies. It’s going to be a Rock N Roll theme, and you are sticking by the Justin Bieber cake request. I’ve also decided to attempt microphone cupcake cones for your school party. Wish me luck!

choosing your party supplies at Party City

We found an outfit for your 4 year old pictures too. It’s quite different than what I had envisioned, but you are happy in it so who am I to argue? An annual portrait is supposed to reflect your kid’s personality, right? So, this outfit definitely does the job in showing some of your quirkiness!

you sure did have fun practicing your ballet moves
in the dressing room

wow! flexible much?

THE outfit...ballet leotard, fuzzy leopard hat and
matching gloves, tights, and cowboy boots!

After this little shopping spree, you requested a date so we went to Panera for dinner. I ordered French onion soup and when I told you what it was, you said, “French onion soup? Woot Woot!” and did a little ‘raise the roof’ move. Hysterical! Coffee almost came out of my nose when you did that!

And speaking of coffee spilling…I was trying to carry all of our loot in the house once home and dumped coffee on the ground and all over my boots, pants, and coat. I was flustered (to say the least), and you ever so sweetly allayed my frustration by saying, “It’s ok Mom. It’s no big IDEA!” Hee hee. You are so considerate (and adorable!)

Audrey came by for a visit this week too. You love to play doctor and so while she was here, you fixed her up a bit.

I don't know about you, but she looks like a nervous patient

We went shopping for a while and then ate dinner at Red Robin. You order for yourself nearly every time we eat out anymore, and do a pretty good job of it too. You also like to share personal things with our servers...for example, tonight our waiter (and most of the tables around us) knew exactly when you were going to the bathroom and what you were going to do in there. A small discussion about keeping some things private ensued after these statements...but no harm done. It was pretty funny. And of course we had our spontaneous dance party in the bathroom as you had remembered what we did last time. I don't know what it is about RR's bathrooms, but they just make you want to boogie.

After being so warm earlier in the week, the first gray and chilly day made me want to curl up inside. It was a lazy evening and I decided to make bean soup for us. When it was finally done and you tried it, you said, “Mmm, this is good! Thanks for making it Mommy!” Now, I’m not a big cook, well, not consistently anyway, but responses like that make me want to cook every day!

And finally tucking you into bed that night, I leaned over in the dark to tell you, “I love you, forever and always” (like I usually do). This particular night though, you silently reached back through the darkness to grab my neck and pull my lips to yours for a kiss. Let me just say, you are not a big kisser. Hugs, yes. Kisses, not so often, and especially not unsolicited. So, this took me by surprise. It was so sweet.

Finally Friday arrived and with it, SNOW! We headed home and you were so proud that you could put all of your winter gear on by yourself, even remembering to bring extra tissues in your pockets! I was pretty impressed. Not only that, but you brought home a spectacular masterpiece of Spiderman that you had colored at school. Ms. Nancy was even taken aback by your obvious artistic talents!

a masterpiece by this wonderful artist I know

"I dressed myself!"

 

"Look Abby, deer!"

 

saying hello to the deer in our woods
(you can see them way up on the hill in the back)

You were frozen but happy when you came inside, so we warmed you up with some peppermint hot cocoa in your special "big kid" mug from Audrey Ayi. Yum!

Saturday morning it continued to snow, so we bundled up and went hiking with Lao Lao at Highbanks as part of the metro parks' winter hike series. It was cold but so refreshing and you had a blast exploring the snow with your walking stick(s). You had us (and an older woman behind us) laughing when you stopped at one point in the trail and exclaimed, "Hey! Somebody lost their rock!" as you pointed down at a stone on the ground. Halfway through the hike, we stopped at the nature center for some vegetable soup, cocoa, and cookies. The volunteers there were impressed about the big to-do you made about kicking the snow off your boots before entering, and one of them even made a big to-do (for your amusement, I'm sure) about kicking the snow off his own shoes as he spotted you just before he came back in after stoking the firepit outside. This firepit, by the way, reminded you of the one we had in the Smokey Mountains. There's that amazing memory again!

It took forever to get you out of that nature center because you were so inquisitive and wanted to look at EVERY display they had. You were really taking it in. You also insisted on putting together some of the puzzles there too, telling us "Guys! I don't need your help!" It was hard for us to sit back, but oh how I love your "can do" spirit. 

Winter Hikes!

 

looking to the future,
ready to blaze your own trail

looking to see if the creek was frozen

leading the way

you're so tiny!

I love this picture

helping you up a tough hill

the girls on our hike

Once back from the hike, Lao Lao gave us all our Valentine's Day presents. For the two of us, she got us our own mussels with pearls inside, coming within a kit where we could then place our pearls in matching necklaces. It was so neat to get to open our own mussels and dig out the pearls. Ours were both cream color, which supposedly represents happiness. This particular gift was thoughtful also because the city you were likely born near in China, Xuwen, is known for their pearl farming. Knowing what this gift was already, I had been showing you pictures on the internet of the pearl farming in Xuwen and explaining that that is where your China mommy and daddy likely lived or live, or at least near there. These kits actually did come from Southeast China, so for all we know, they could have come from Xuwen (or somewhere very close). Now, when we wear these necklaces, there is a double meaning. Very cool. Thank you Lao Lao!

the package the kit came in

here are the mussels before we opened them

showing off your pearl

After resting from all that hiking, we headed off to a classmate's birthday party. It was at an indoor facility that specializes in games of all sorts and an inflatables room. Needless to say by the pictures, we ALL had fun!

getting harnessed to climb the wall

not so sure...

with the birthday boy, Francisco

And here's a video of you trying to conquer the mountain one last time with the help of your "guns"...gotta love your "no quitters" attitude!

http://youtu.be/Z0HexcqxXrA

After the party, Daddy headed off to Memaw and Papaw's with you so you could see them and be surprised by your cousins who were also there, and I headed off to get some fun girlfriend time with Audrey Ayi. As always, you had a TON of fun with Joey, Alex, and Sammy. Waking up on Sunday morning, I asked if you had fun with your cousins and you said, "You mean, my three friends?"

wrapping up the evening by performing "surgery"
on Papaw by putting marbles in his belly button (???)

Sunday morning you went to the gym with Daddy while he did his mobility training and then headed  straight to your weekend hangout, Gena's, for breakfast. At the gym, you evidently were encouraging Daddy, getting right in his face along with the trainer and telling him, "It's ok Dad, keep pushing Dad!" Daddy goes to a really great gym that is kind of like a family...so it's nice you can see this kind of encouragement and then be allowed to model it right there in the moment. I think you really helped Daddy get through his workout too!

I finally finished addressing and stamping your birthday party invitations, we ordered some Bieber cupcake toppers (cupcakes are so much easier than a cake when the Biebs is involved), and I completed and ordered your birthday shirt. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out. It's meant to look like a concert t-shirt since this birthday is all about Bieber, microphones, rock and roll, and music. Here's a sneak peek. I can't wait until it arrives!

there's a sassy picture of you on the front that says,
"4 year olds ROCK!!"
and this is the back of the shirt

The rest of the day we lounged around, played in the sunbeams coming through our front window, and just relaxed before the new week begins. Happy Sunday!

Love,
Mama