Daddy, Daddy, Daddy...No More Scaring Us!

Maliana ~

Oh boy did I pick the wrong week to try to catch up on several weeks of the goings-on at our house. Why? Well, I will jump in and share the most serious recent event first.

As I type this, your daddy sits in a hospital room at St. Ann's. Yep. You read that right. He is in day 3 of a hospital stay and likely has at least 3 more before he comes home. Since I have major brain fog from exhaustion, I think I'll just share my social media posts with you to somewhat recap what happened. It's been a such a whirlwind.

Posted about 3am after a scary day at the hospital and his surgery was finally over...
"Going to bed with a thankful heart. This morning Shawn was taken to the ER and then later admitted due to chest pains and respiratory problems. Come to find out late tonight that he had a pericardial effusion and needed emergent surgery to drain what ended up to be over half a liter of fluid from around his heart. I am unbelievably grateful to the wonderful healthcare team at St. Ann's Hospital, our amazing village of family and friends who stepped in to wait all day at the hospital (ahem, Meg and Timothy), send well wishes or prayers, and/or help care for our peanut to make sure her life stayed as normal as possible (Joe, Tina and Lao Lao aka Carol). Finally, I am thankful for modern medicine and good drugs (hallelujah!). Shawn is now resting in recovery and will be partying in the hospital this holiday weekend. It was definitely a surprise today but it could be so much worse. No matter what happens, there is always something to be grateful for at the end of each day."

We were so relieved that they finally figured out what was ailing him and were able to fix it. I came home, slept for a couple hours, brought Daddy a few things at the hospital, went to work for a while and then spent the night at the hospital with Daddy again. On my brief stint at home, you drew this picture (posted below) for Daddy and then took a picture of it and texted it to him. You are trying to wrap your mind around what is happening to your dear daddy. This picture was very cute and also gave me a chance to give Daddy some props for what he said to me yesterday. Here is what I shared...
"Day 2 ~ Daddy is still in ICU but doing better. Mali sent her depiction of him here. Personally, I like the "someone" and "someone" part. Hoping he keeps it up and gets moved to a step down unit tomorrow. I've had some time to reflect about what all just happened. My thankful thought for tonight is for Shawn. It's easy to take those we love for granted from time to time, especially when things are going smooth. I know I'm guilty of that. But, I think it says a lot about Shawn that during all of the chaos and pain he was in yesterday, the first thing out of his mouth to any of us was, "I'm sorry I'm putting you through all of this". Seriously? Doesn't get much more selfless than that. What a remarkable human."

Finally by day 3, Daddy was doing well enough (and you had had your fill of people who weren't your mom or dad taking care of you) that I figured we needed to get away for some quality time together. I took you to the zoo to meet several of your friends (and their moms). Afterwards, I took you and Jos up to Malabar Farms and then a super cool old train car diner (The Buckeye Express Diner) near Mansfield. It was a fun day spent in the middle of a lot of serious situations over the last few days and it felt wonderful to be able to laugh and be slightly carefree again. 

Pirate Island at the zoo

taking a break at Malabar Farm

all aboard at the Buckeye Express Diner!

cool train car diner

it's official. I am now not cool enough to sit with you
and participate in your conversation
#geezmom #7goingon17

After we dropped Jos off, we headed to the hospital since Daddy had been moved from ICU to a step-down unit that afternoon. He was doing so much better and you were beyond thrilled to see him and catch up about your time apart. 

As of right now, they are still deciding when it's safe to remove the drainage tube from his chest, but he is doing much, much better than he was doing just a few days ago. We are so thankful for that and also for all of the love and support that has been pouring in from family and friends. Your daddy is a very loved man. 

and speaking of our village of family and friends...
here you are with two of the youngest members.
having fun with them during some of the recent craziness!

Ok. So, now that you are up to speed on the most recent crisis. I still need to update you on all of the shenanigans from the last few weeks, previous to when all Hell broke loose. 

Here we go. 

We celebrated Mother's Day a day early with a cookout on Saturday night beforehand. You and Daddy had created some beautiful artwork, Daddy had had a friend paint the word LOVE on a canvas but used your hand print to make the O and your foot prints to make the V (adorable!), and you in particular had made me a beautiful heartfelt card and painted a gorgeous picture of a vase of flowers. It all had me tearing up and I love my gifts so much! Not only did Memaw and Papaw as well as Lao Lao and Uncles Flint and Forge join us, but Audrey Ayi was also able to come over for the cookout and so you were blissed out and in hysterical laughter to have your auntie/buddy back again!

Lao Lao and Memaw

Uncle Flint and Uncle Forge with Lao Lao

my precious gifts and my even more precious kiddo

Audrey Ayi ~ who is like a mom to you
(but way cooler)

Actual Mother's Day I was awoken to breakfast in bed with you popping up and telling me "Don't move!" and then reappearing with your Cars tray, coffee, and cereal. I even got a big hug and kiss with an extra "I love you!" too! You are very selective in your displays of affection so I consider that the bestest gift ever.

And speaking of gifts, I would be remiss on this day if I also did not mention your birth mother. I think of her often, particularly on days like Mothers Day. I will likely never know her circumstances or how it felt to make such a sacrifice, but I am eternally grateful that I was given the opportunity to love you like I do and I hope that wherever she is, she somehow can sense how immensely loved and treasured you are with Daddy and I here.

Later that day I attended our friend Ziying's PhD graduation at OSU. Since you had soccer that afternoon, it was just me but I had fun celebrating and spending time with her family at the commencement. Such a huge accomplishment!

Zuchao, Mengyao, me, Ziying (aka Dr. You!)
and little sleeping Enle in the stroller

Later that same week, I went to Cleveland for a few days on my own. I went to support my friend, Malcolm, who was having top surgery (a surgery for transgender men to help their bodies more align with their identified gender). He has been through a lot, fighting to become the man he knows himself to be, a true testament to the gifts that can come from being yourself. He is a very positive person and has helped to educate all of us in the importance of being able to express yourself authentically and what it means to be transgender. Very nice guy that I am glad to call my friend!

with Malcolm the night before his surgery

While I was in Cleveland, I also took a CEU seminar for my counseling licensure titled, "Trans-competency" ~ which was an informative lesson on how to become a better ally and more competent therapist for transgender clients. Pretty cool, huh? Maybe working within the LGBTQIA+ could be my niche? We'll see...

Anyway, since this was my first time being so far away from you on my own, I think we were both a little nervous about it. I saw you off to school the day I left and we ate breakfast together with you keeping your hand on my leg the whole time, and you were extra snuggly and huggy too. The night before you also told me that you were sad because I was going out of town for a couple nights. It broke my heart to see you processing all of this and not really sure what to make of it.

It was a wonderful time in Cleveland and actually turned out great that I did leave for a few days because it allowed you and Daddy to bond more and I also got the most amazing welcome with you running and leaping into my arms when I picked you up from daycare. I had to throw my keys and purse on the ground to catch you! It felt wonderful to hold you in my arms again and know that you missed me too.

Lao Lao sent me this silly picture of you getting
ice cream with her so I knew you were in good hands!

strolling around downtown Cleveland I happened into a
glass-blowing shop and met Morty the Chicken!

You had your mandarin recital with KCAP recently too. In spite of having missed your last two classes, you did great! Ms. Aina even came over to tell us as much after the show. Nice job, munchkin!

all of you kiddos after the recital
(you are in the mint shirt on the far left)

post recital lunch with the Neuhausels

And speaking of accomplishments, you also got your first medal at soccer. They give out medals after each practice to two kids who have worked extra hard that day. You have wanted one for a while now and you finally earned one. You were so proud!

got your medal and Daddy also pulled out the magic marble
for your team mates ~ a good afternoon!

Some more little tidbits here and there from the past few weeks I will just post in pictures.

wanting to be my little helper ~ and hey, at least the bottom
half of my car will be sparkly clean! #shortpeopleproblems

learning to skateboard and completely stoked to have
your first real board ~ nice!!!

hangin' with your favorite Lalie

shark flip flops + TMNT hat + rain + puddles + a toy garbage truck =
a pretty happy 7 year old

how do we cheer up on a rainy Monday?
going to Kroger in our jammies to buy brownie mix
and act like complete goofballs!

your new game of using autocorrect to compose
random messages to Daddy and thoroughly
confuse him while laughing your butt off

and here is a selfie I found on my phone ~ cute!

Click HERE for a cute video of you showing me your new jump rope tricks!

and

Click HERE for another video of you encouraging me to learn your fancy tricks!

Daddy and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary on May 19th too! Check it out ~ your mom and dad can clean up pretty nicely, eh?

our wedding day ~ May 19th, 2001

You also had a couple of great quotes and/or Mali-isms lately too:

"Mom, I'm not even close to poopery yet!" ...(aka puberty)

Apparently, according to you, I drive a CVS ~ although most people call it an SUV. But, whatever. Ha ha ha!

And finally, last but not least, you not only had Field Day but celebrated your last day of school too! I can tell you've been having a bit of a hard time processing not seeing Miss Stenger over the summer. She sure has been a phenomenal teacher for you. In fact, you specifically requested I get a frame to add the picture of you with Miss Stenger to the already framed picture of you with Mrs. Fitzpatrick from last year. If every school year goes as well as the last two have gone, with such wonderful teachers, then we will have quite the collection by the time you graduate!

I love having other mamas for friends that will send me
silly pictures like this on days when I can't be at school
functions...ha! this is you with Jos' mom at Field Day!

the morning of your last day of school was more hectic than I had
expected, but I am so glad that it all worked out like it did
because I was able to snap this beauty. last day of school cheesin'!

your framed pictures of your favorite two teachers so far

Hopefully, the next time I update this blog, we will posting lots of pictures of Daddy back at home with us and feeling much, much better. Maybe even doing this...

He is definitely on his way to that now, but just not quite there yet. Sending him lots of love, hugs and kisses in the meantime.

Love,
Mama

New York City, Baby!

Maliana ~

Soooo...the following will be all about (*dum dah dee dah!*) our latest trip to New York City ~ Girls' Trip 2015! First, I will simply start by saying it was ah-mazing! We were last here around Thanksgiving of 2011 so we were definitely due for an adventure in the Big Apple again. You also are now at the age where, I think, you will really start remembering these little trips together and that makes me ever so happy.

As for the rest of what I will say here, I think I will just post the pictures from each day and let them tell our story as it unfolded. So many things happened each day, it was impossible to capture it all. But I couldn't think of a better couple of people to share this trip with...you and Lao Lao are the best!

We left on Thursday afternoon, having lunch at Port Columbus before boarding our plane. With a few hiccups (thanks to weather delays and a horrendous experience with our connection in D.C. and US Airways), we finally arrived at our hotel in Times Square around bedtime. Whew!

before leaving Port Columbus...you had to bring your
blingy New York hat, because, well...duh!

Not sure if you can read this or not, but basically the server
at lunch at the airport asked, "Where are you all headed?"
to which you replied, "On an airplane!" Ha ha ha!

Friday morning, we woke up and after a yummy breakfast in a local deli, we hit the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, and then the Empire State Building that night.

I was having fun messing with the sun's reflections
on your mirrored hat in the hotel room

Times Square!

first subway ride for this trip!

sharks in the subway! I love the unique
artwork on all the platform stops...

American Museum of Natural History

taking a breather on the steps of the museum before
heading into Central Park

cool archway in Central Park

the huge rocks in the park are so cool

very famous part of the park...lots of movie scenes
have been filmed on this little bench-flanked walkway

Empire State Building

getting ready to take the audio tour as we ascend to the 86th floor

here you said, "See, Mom. I have the best cheese!"

from the top of the Empire State Building, looking out over NYC

Saturday morning, we headed to Ellen's Stardust Diner not only for breakfast, but also for a late dinner where we met our friend Kathy who was in town from San Diego. However, in between our two big meals, we took advantage of our surroundings and jumped on a ferry over to the Statue of Liberty, went to Chinatown for bubble tea and to play in an adorable community playground, and wound up in Little Italy for gelato and souvenirs. We did a TON of walking, watched you burst into spontaneous singing and dancing throughout the city, got lost on the subway a time or two, and giggled together at all kinds of sights and sounds. Multiple times throughout the day I just kept thinking about what a lucky mommy and daughter I am. Seriously.

outside the Stardust Diner after breakfast

waiting in line for Lady Liberty and behind us
you can see the almost completed new World
Trade Center building (the blue spired one)

crammed on a ferry with a bunch of strangers

heading to Liberty Island...see you in a bit, Manhattan!

there she is, Lady Liberty!

she's really big up close, even though
this picture doesn't do her justice

behind us is Ellis Island on the left and Manhattan on the right

gift shop stop

couldn't have asked for a better day
(Lady Liberty with Manhattan behind her...
new World Trade Center is the tall spired
building on the left in the city)

Confucius Plaza in Chinatown

bubble tea!

these trees in Chinatown were so beautiful
and smelled so wonderful!

you had me carry you A LOT on this trip...so I
guess I have you to thank for my kick ass arms! ha ha.

on our walk to Little Italy, we passed by the Brooklyn Bridge

and fast forward to later that night, here we are with
our friend Kathy from San Diego...
a great way to end a great day!

sleepy, sleepy munchkin and mommy

Finally, we headed home on Sunday but not before we got up early and took a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park. It was a sunny morning and a peaceful and beautiful ride with a wonderful carriage driver from Turkey who shared with us (after smiling down at you) that his girlfriend is also from China. With his openness, charm and conversation, he reminded me of one of the things I love best about this city ~ its diversity.

our horse, Bobby

feeding Bobby a carrot

all loaded up...before our ride

and at the end...feeling peaceful after our ride

schlepping it to the subway on our way home...
you were such a help when we needed you

We took a very long subway ride back to JFK airport.

you talked the entire subway ride to JFK...I
think Lao Lao's face says it all. ha ha!
just kidding ~ we love you!

It was wonderful to be home but I also felt a slight twinge of sadness as our plane lifted further and further above the tall buildings of Manhattan. I think I fell in love with this city just a little bit more than I ever have before on this trip. It was one of the best times with you (and Lao Lao). I can't thank you enough for your patience, your sense of humor, your helpfulness, your laughter, your conversations, and your zest for life on this trip. I actually stopped you in the airport before we got on the plane home and told you just that. Thank you for being such a trooper...from our early mornings to our late nights in this hustling and bustling city. You are definitely not the average 7 year old. You are so much more and I love every bit of you.

Once home, Daddy was full of surprises too. While we were away, he had not only painted our bedroom, but he had also power-washed the back deck and hung some beautiful lights that I have wanted for quite some time. It was so fun to come home to find all of these surprises! We even celebrated with a cozy little bonfire and some s'mores on the back deck before heading to bed that night. It was the absolute perfect end to an already unbelievable weekend.

you missed Daddy so much that you asked him to hang out with you
during bath-time and so we just had to recreate this picture
from your second ever bath with us in China...too funny!

our cozy deck with new and improved mood lighting,
I love it!

s'mores!

It's super exciting to go on trips like this that are so far from home, but it's equally amazing to know that you have a place to come home to and people you love (and who love you) waiting there. You and Lao Lao made this trip nothing short of breath-taking for me with memories that are seared into my mind and heart forever...and Daddy made our homecoming nothing short of magical and heart-warming.

I love, love, love you, Munchkin. And I love, love, love Lao Lao...and I love, love, love our daddy too!

Here's to another truck load of memories made...and hoping to make many more with you (and all of our family) in the years ahead.


*deep...long...sigh*

We're. Home.

Love,
Mama