Happy Labor Day!

Maliana ~

Last week as I attempted to post pictures to this blog, you crawled underneath my chest and into the crook of my arm while I lay on the bed with the laptop. You proceeded to snuggle in and fall asleep against me, and slept like that for over an hour. I loved that you just wanted to be near me, even as I was working. And while it made my blog posting a bit more of a challenge, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

So, as for this week, I am not sure when I will actually post this entry on your blog as I am quite sluggish feeling right now…it seems like these long weekends are always amazing, but they are also jam-packed with our squeezing out every last drop of fun before heading back to the normal daily grind. As I write this morning, I am sipping a caffeine-laden beverage from Starbucks and willing my brain to function. This fatigue however is well worth all the fun we had this week and weekend.

First, Happy Labor Day! We had a wonderful extra day off work this weekend, with you waking up and immediately the first thing out of your mouth was, “You don’t have to go to work today?” Followed by the obligatory squeals of delight, crazy happy kicking and bed dancing when I reassured you that “Yes, we get to stay home and play all day!”

On the actual holiday we went to Wai Gong and Memaw Lisa’s for a cookout with the Hart side of the family. You followed Uncle Blaize around (not letting him get more than a few feet from you most of the afternoon, with him being the awesome uncle he is and including you in any and all kid activities); played with your cousins; “helped” with the badminton games; and went nuts on the trampoline (from which I don’t think my knee joints will ever be the same). You had essentially no nap that day, but no matter. That didn’t stop you from having a terrific time and playing up until the last ounce of energy was spent…falling asleep on the couch for the last hour or so we were there.

our masterpiece for Labor Day picnic ~ fruit pizza!

 

trying (and loving) your first chili dog

look closely...Daddy is actually carrying you while playing badminton ~ now that's multi-tasking

Over the past week, Daddy has had some wonderful opportunities to do some serious bonding with you too, which makes me so happy. Your Tiny Tot’s soccer league had sent an invite to come out and support the Westerville South soccer team in one of their first games. So, while I finished the blog last Tuesday night, Daddy took you to the game where you sat on the bleachers, ate pizza, watched the sun set and got to see some real soccer action.

beautiful sunset

getting chilly

go Wildcats!

Another day this week, Dad had to use some vacation time from work, so he took you to the zoo along with Memaw and your cousin Sammy (who had never been to the zoo before). It was a hot day, but you all braved it like champs and had a great time in spite of the heat. I am so happy that you got to spend the day with just these guys, something that doesn’t happen all too often.

Then, after golfing with Daddy all day last Monday, Aunt Lindsey came back to our house…very excited about seeing her little niece!

willing to give tricycle rides…one of the many reasons we love Aunt Lindsey

And finally, on Friday after school Daddy picked you up again since he had that day off work too. You informed him you wanted to go on a “date” into Westerville, so you both went to Schneider’s to get donuts for Saturday morning. It was so sweet to hear you requesting dates with your Daddy now. Along with the outings this week, and all the time spent together this holiday weekend, you and Daddy have gotten a lot closer. It is so important that you spend time like this together, just the two of you. This should definitely be a priority as you grow up.

Recently your imagination has been expanding by leaps and bounds. Your current favorite game is “Mommy/Daddy and Baby” where you make Daddy or I into your baby and then you play the role of caregiver. It is really cute and we get to see your take on our own parenting of you. It is quite sweet and ever so comical as well. This nurturing side of you has presented itself in other tender moments too. Upon waking on Labor Day, we both opened our eyes at about the same time, but I closed my eyes so you wouldn’t notice I was awake yet (to see if I could get just a few more minutes of sleep in), at which time you propped yourself up to study me for a bit. Then you ever so sweetly reached over and began stroking my face and hair with your hand…just like I do to you. Ahhh. It’s moments like these that warm my heart…confirming that you are soaking in our attempts to show you how loved you are, and wanting to give some back. What a great way to start the day. Thanks for that gift Mali.

Along with watching soccer this week, we also went to cheer on Natalia at her Westerville North volleyball match…a very exciting game. You were also very interested to know that someday, you will go to high school there too. But what I think interested you even more was watching the football team come in from practice. You stood there, silkie in hand, right outside their locker room and just stared at them in awe. Several of them waved at you and said hi. Uh oh…you’re a sucker for a man in uniform already.

Go Lali!

On the way home, you pointed out the sunset and said, “Look at the sunset Mama!” So happy you are appreciating the little things.

For the most part this week, it has been oppressively hot. One night, to beat the heat, we took you to see Kung Fu Panda 2 at the theater. It was a good movie, but pretty tough to watch in some parts. One scene in particular showed the moment where Po was abandoned by his mother, in order to keep him safe from the wolves that were chasing them. You got very upset by this scene, tears welling up in your eyes and telling me you wanted to go home and didn’t want to watch the movie anymore. I ended up taking you out into the hallway and trying to explain what was happening, reassuring you that Daddy and I were here and not leaving you, and talking about how you felt about what had happened. I eventually brought you back into the theater to watch the end, so you could see the resolution. You ended up enjoying it overall, laughing out loud in many parts throughout the whole movie…but boy, it was tougher than I expected it to be too. As we were in the hallway after those heart-wrenching scenes, I couldn’t help but feel at a complete loss for words. I felt like everything I said fell flat. I desperately wanted to take away the pain you felt, but couldn’t. And I realized that this is likely just a small taste of some of the experiences and conversations we will have with you as you get older and begin to grasp more of your beginnings; the early days and months of your life story. I shuddered to think about it on the one hand, because it is so hard to see you in any kind of pain. I also felt relieved to think about it on the other hand, because I am thankful that Daddy and I can be there with you to support you as you try to make sense of it all. I know we can’t be exactly what you need for all of the struggles in your life. As you get older, the role we play in “making your boo-boos all better” will be smaller and smaller. But I hope you will always remember that no matter how large or small a role we may play, we will always be there in any capacity you need us to be. No matter what.

On a lighter note, I would be remiss not to bring up a smarty-pants side note that happened after the movie. All was back to normal as we left the theater, with you happily munching on Twizzlers. As we walked to the parking lot, I handed you another strand of licorice and asked, “What do you say?” to which you replied “Thank you” and then, to my surprise, flung a “What do YOU say?” back at me. I wasn’t sure how to respond, and after a couple of seconds you looked at me in all smart-aleck seriousness and said “You’re welcome!” Touché Mali, touché.

Saturday was probably one of the hottest days of the summer, which of course we ridiculously decided to spend the entire day outside (yikes!) The morning found us at the playground, playing with the Rafters. (Remember our old house guests from a while back?) Afterwards, we headed out to pick up Lao Lao and Uncle Forge and headed to Swappers’ Day; an ENORMOUS flea market in Johnstown, held every Labor Day weekend. We didn’t buy too much (even though there was a TON of stuff), except you were pretty happy with your Spiderman backpack find. In spite of nearly melting into puddles all afternoon, we had a good time and it was nice to be out in the fresh country air.

walking into Swappers' Day, past all those beautiful soybean fields

We even stopped back over at Lao Lao’s afterwards so Daddy could see the fox and buck they have. I have to give you kudos too. Just before leaving, you snuck outside and were waiting for me with a big cup of water, ready to splash me with it. Once I walked outside, you started after me. Being the “mean mommy” I am, I turned it back on you and soaked you with your own prank. I have to say, you are a bigger person than I ever was as a kid, because you just ran away, laughing and screeching. You can dish it out, and you can TAKE it too. You’re probably different than most kids I know, who likely would have immediately began crying right on the spot had the same thing happened to them. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…you are such a cool kid.

Sunday we went to see Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina, who graciously fed us once again with some delicious pasta. It was raining as we arrived, so you decided to sing your own version of the familiar rhyme…”Rain rain go away…come again another time” (???) I love your substitution of words. Uncle Joe hooked you up with a super cool Spiderman costume that used to be Sammy’s, which you put on and took off no less than 4 or 5 times that night. You loved it! Uncle Joe even dressed up with you at one point. What a good sport! With Sam and Erin at their mom’s, you were the sole kid that night, which made us your primary playmates, bossing us around as only you know how. Joe even made the comment at one point, “She is large and in charge, isn’t she?” Ha ha. As we quieted down after dinner, you took off from the couch to cuddle with Aunt Tina on the floor. I just love that you feel so comfortable with them.

your first taste of figs ~ yum!

just your friendly neighborhood Spiderman

not sure what Joe is, Elmo playing football?

So, another happily ever after end to another super week. As Daddy and I drove home on Labor Day evening, we reflected on our time with you and how fortunate we are to have the family and friends we do. Sure, everyone has their quirks…but those quirks are also what make life so beautiful too. We both agreed that along with how wonderful all sides of the family are…one big thing that makes everyone even more lovely in our eyes, is how their eyes light up around you. It’s quite phenomenal to watch. You have no idea how much you are treasured.

Love,
Mama

Counting up my gold coins for the week...

Maliana ~

Going through and writing these letters to you is like counting up gold coins, my good fortune from the past week. If I don’t necessarily always realize how good I have it in the moment (I try really hard to though), it definitely becomes crystal clear as I review our time together for this blog, and what a windfall we had this last week!

First, I’ll start with our Sunday together, which can only be summed up by labeling it a “M and M” day…(aka Mali and Mama Day). Daddy was on-call for work, so you and I spent all day, and I mean ALL day, running like mad women. We attended mass with Memaw at 8:30am, then met Papaw and a bunch of their church friends for breakfast at Bob Evans.

singing a hymn with Memaw

ahh, off to start a new day!

but not without a kiss from Memaw first

After stopping home briefly, we headed back out and picked Memaw back up to take her to Slate Run Farm with us. It was so much fun, more than I expected! That place is awesome! It has a living historical farm on-site and you got to check out the house and grounds, get up close and personal not only with the animals there, but with old-fashioned chores like watering the garden from a well and helping to clean the corn to make corn brooms too. I had no idea you would so thoroughly enjoy it, but you did. And it was so nice to spend this one on one time with Memaw too.

heading into the farmhouse

surveying the garden

watering the plants with well water pumped into a bucket

Mama wants to help too

found a bug!

Hi Mr. Moo Cow!

up close and personal with the horses

you favored this dappled guy

peee-yewwww! those pigs stink!

helping with old-fashioned chores

I heart that smile!

Memaw and a silly monkey

gorgeous red barn and even more gorgeous little girl

beautiful big girl

ornery smiles on our way out

After Slate Run, we headed over to watch your cousin Joey’s soccer game. It was good for you to see the soccer game, since you’ll be playing on your own team in exactly two weeks. And you loved seeing your cousins again, after having spent the afternoon with them on Saturday too (but I’ll get to that in a bit).

watching the game with Alex and Sam from the shade

running for some post-game donuts

good game Joey!

Once home on Sunday, Lao Lao met us and we all took a walk on our nature trail, stopping at the playground (of course!) on the way home. You had a blast and dragged Lao Lao all over that playground, making her imitate all kinds of strange words you made up before you’d let her go down the slide. I taught you how to play “I spy with my little eye…” earlier in the day, so we played this during the last half of our walk home. You LOVE this game! And it’s so adorable to hear you say “I spy, with my little ‘oy’…” You tried so hard to convince Lao Lao not to leave once we got home, telling her she had to stay because of the ‘neetos’. We were very puzzled, until we realized that you were saying ‘mosquitoes’, afraid they would get her if she went out to her car. Ha ha! Nice try sweetie, nice try.

taking in the wonderful night with Lao Lao

trying something new

you girls are silly

no one can say Lao Lao isn't in the moment...what's up with that face?! ha ha

Moving back through the weekend, as I mentioned above, you got to spend Saturday afternoon with your cousins, Joey, Alex, and Sammy at Memaw and Papaw’s. Daddy and I took advantage of this and spent our own quality time together, winding up at the Zucchini Fest and then hitting Franklin Park Conservatory before coming back to get you.

at the fair, on a ferris wheel...first time for Daddy and I in YEARS!

Daddy and I really needed this time to relax...but we still missed you!

however I think you were having quite a good time yourself

I can't believe Papaw actually got all of you in one shot, looking at the camera, and smiling ~
I think this might be a good candidate for a Christmas card!

your surprise from the Zucchini Fest ~ a spidey hat!

Saturday evening, we headed to Wai Gong and Memaw Lisa’s. We grilled out, then all headed over to the nearby pond and you went fishing for the first time ever. You were excited about casting and reeling, but not so sure about baiting with the worm or the fish we actually caught, at first. After a few minutes, you were checking out and even touching the fish…but never did enjoy those worms though.

explaining the basics of fishing

watching that bobber

peace and quiet...fishing at dusk

yay! we got one!

not so sure at first, but then agreed to touch the fish before we threw him back in

I just couldn't resist this shot...so cute

After fishing we came back over to sit in the crisp night air, so cool already that we needed a blanket to wrap ourselves in as we sat there relaxing. It was like the first taste of fall. You were playing and giggling, adorable as you scampered barefoot through the yard that was completely dark by now. The only light was from tiki torches that surround the patio and a shooting star that your Uncle Blaize spotted. It felt good.

sharing a moment while walking back with Memaw Lisa

and now fleeing from Wai Gong's teasing

having fun, all piled on the same chair with Uncle Blaize and Memaw Lisa

So, moving even further back through the week, you began with your new pre-school class this week. It was an adjustment, but they transitioned you all pretty well, and while there was one day where you had misplaced your silkie (hidden it in a play purse in your new classroom), and couldn’t fall asleep for naptime, you all in all had a terrific week. You even had Ms. Brandi cracking up one day at nap when you tried to convince her that you had already slept, pretending to snore with your eyes closed, then quickly saying, “But don’t tell my mom!” You also saw Ms. Beth come in and got all excited, (she is one of your favorites at school), and yelled to her, “Hey Ms. Beth! It’s me Mali! M-A-L-I!” while grinning and waving furiously. Ha ha. You are a character!

Out shopping one afternoon immediately after school, you even saw some flowers at Kroger and said, “Ms. Brandi and Ms. Rachel don’t have flowers! We need to get some” and insisted on buying them and taking them back over to them at school. Of course, how can I argue with that kind of thoughtfulness and generosity, so that’s exactly what we did. Hopefully, it helped make their night. I told you later that that is exactly the kindness that makes you such a great person, and that I was proud of you. You beamed.

Daddy attempted to take you to kick the soccer ball around another evening this week too…you were so cute in all your gear.

I took Abby for a walk while you two headed off for the field. Unfortunately, both girls (you and Abby) lost interest fast and wanted to come home. However, it left time for you, Daddy, and I to take a long walk together, with you being “Chatty Kathy” in the stroller the whole way.

We helped to celebrate Aunt Tina’s birthday with her this week too, going to their house for Uncle Joe’s lasagna and cupcakes. You, Sam, and Erin do so well together, with Erin being so thoughtful, having bought you a cute little bowl when she was shopping a while back (just because), and Sam acting like such a good ‘pseudo-big brother’ to you. We stayed so late that we got you ready for bed before leaving, pleasantly surprised and touched by the fact that they actually have a toothbrush with your name labeled on it at their house that you must have used a while back. How sweet. It’s nice to be blessed by such loving people. What great friends. It confirmed my conviction once again of, “Who says family is biological, right?"

one of the sunflowers that we gave Tina for her birthday, as BIG as your HEAD!

3 stooges, watching the 3 Stooges

As for your quirks, there have been many emerging. For one, you are obsessed with your soccer shorts. Daddy said he was in the shower one morning and noticed the bathroom door opening slowly. When he peeked out, you were standing there with a ‘shit-eating grin’ on your face, holding your soccer shorts up and nodding…the same soccer shorts that you had already worn at least two days in a row and changed into every night after school as well. He texted me on that one…laughing at you. You are quite the little tomboy, turning your nose up at anything girlie during a shopping trip to Kohl’s with Dad and me, insisting on another pair of athletic shorts and a toy motorcycle instead. You chose the motorcycle and “vroom”ed from the backseat the whole way home.

You got upset with me one day when I asked you, “How was your day at school little one?”…correcting me by saying, “I’m not one, I’m three! AND I’m not little, I’m big!” Ha ha. And speaking of corrections…I was also explained another difference between boys and girls, in the world of Mali anyway. Evidently, boys have butts, while girls have hineys. Hmmm. Good to know.

So….anyway….with that, the week is about all wrapped up and summarized…gold coins counted and put in the priceless bank of our memories, with one more final note.

As I got ready for work on Monday morning (just yesterday), you stumbled into the hallway and stood there quietly, half asleep, until I noticed you outside the bathroom door. It was 5am and you were refusing to go back to bed, insisting on watching me getting ready for work. I pulled your little blue cushy chair out and set it in front of the bathroom and let you curl up there. Luckily, you fell fast asleep in a couple of minutes.

just wanted to be near Mama

It struck me as bittersweet. Part of me, (ok, all of me since I am not a big fan of Monday mornings anyway), wanted to stay home, go back to bed, and curl up with you, then wake up slowly and happily, ready to set off on another adventure together. However, another part of me is grateful that I have a job, can go and allow each of us to have our own little worlds independent of one another too, and then come back to spend quality time together, which is all the more sweet and appreciated because we do have our days apart. I definitely don’t take our time together for granted, simply for the fact that it’s not there day in and day out. And, oh how you love going to school too ~ Heaven forbid if I ever took your daycare time away!

So, while the anxieties of motherhood surround me, second-guessing every decision for how it might affect you for the rest of your life. Panicking or worrying about things that will likely never happen, but are conjured in my mind nonetheless. (As a side note, Lao Lao said that this anxiety never goes away, even when your “baby” is somewhere in her mid-thirties!) So, even though I have a long road ahead of sleepless nights, I take heart in mornings like this one, with you curled up and dozing next to me while I prepare for the week ahead. Although I know you won’t always want to spend so much time with me, especially when you are navigating those turbulent teen years, I can rest assured that at least for now we are adoring our time together, one moment at a time. Like I told Lao Lao as we took a walk this week, I just hope that when it’s all said and done, your entire childhood is filled with this same happiness that you are so full of right now. I know it’s a tall order, but that is my prayer. One day at a time, I suppose, one day at a time.

Love,
Mama