Chinese New Year, Snow Days, and Cabin Fever

Maliana ~

Lately things have been really good. I am finally coming out of my funk and feeling back to normal and you have been in such a good mood, especially recently. We have had a ton of snow and school has been canceled multiple days as of late. It's felt really good to feel like I've had some of my life back again and be able to be the kind of mama to you that I feel like I have missed due to my depression.

In the evenings at bedtime, you have even been asking to have our little "pillow talks" about how each of our days went. I always love these little peeks into your world and my heart is so warmed that you have grown to love them too. The honesty that comes out when laying with your kiddo in the dark is priceless.

And speaking of bedtime, you decided to hang something up right over our bed. Miss Stenger sent us a thank you card for the Christmas gift we gave her and you thought it was so special that you wanted to have it somewhere that you could read it any time, so you taped it to the wall right over where you sleep. When I told Miss Stenger about it at drop-off one morning, she was so tickled because she said she's never sure if those little gestures mean anything to her kids. Well...it definitely was special to you. Our sensitive little sweetheart!

there it is...right in the middle

And speaking of sensitive little sweethearts...an interesting thing happened over the last couple of weeks in regard to bath time too. On a particularly cold winter day, we were snuggling together on the couch for a bit (one of our favorite winter past-times lately) and I was about to take a shower and get warmed up when you asked if you could take a bath. Then, you asked if we could take a bath together. When I said that our tub was too small and it would be too difficult you became very upset, even to the point of tears. I was so puzzled why this bothered you so much and so I got down and looked right in your eyes and asked what else this was about and why it was so important to you. You immediately went over to the photo album we made for you as a baby of our time in China and flipped to the picture of you and I taking our first bath together in the tub. Everyone that helped us prepare for what to expect during those first days of getting to know each other had told us that baths may be traumatic and so climbing into the tub with you (in our bathing suits) might help make it a little more comforting, so that's exactly what we did for a while. Fast forward to now, I still wasn't sure why this was popping into your head at this moment, but I knew that recreating that bath time was of primary importance so we climbed into the tub (with me in my bathing suit) and I gave you a bath that way. It was so simple and made you so happy. I told you that no matter how big you get, you'll always be my little baby. And I mean it. Even when we're both little old ladies, you'll still be my little baby.

in China (2009)...what a tiny little peanut

As for the last couple of weeks...I think I'll just jot some of the random Facebook posts I've shared with our family and friends. You are always quite the character and keep us smiling, laughing, or saying "Awww..." all the time.

Here you go...

On our way to speech one morning, this happened:
Me: "Man! What is up with all the traffic this morning?!"
M: "I don't know! The weather report said there'd be no cars until Black Friday!"
Me: ???

We picked up some new running shoes for you and this happened:

taking your new running shoes for a trial run...
in the middle of a snow storm that ended up
being a white out in our neighborhood!

On Valentine's Day (a day that we don't typically celebrate very extravagantly since it's such a Hallmark holiday) you requested pink pancakes for breakfast and so this happened a la Daddy (nice job, Dad!):

I love M.W.

Then later that day you spent some time over at Lao Lao's finishing up the last of her Lego kits from Christmas and this happened when I was picking you up from her house:

M: "Lao Lao didn't even help me with the Legos!"
Lao Lao: "Yes, I did!"
Me: "Oooh. Thrown under the bus!"
M: *sighs in disgust* "That's not even a thing!"
#6goingon16

and here's picture proof that you are full of hooey, ha ha!

And finally we wrapped up Valentine's night by making some heart-shaped pizzas together. You love making it into a contest and we all had a fun time. I may not put a lot of stock into Valentine's Day but I sure do love my valentines!

We celebrated the Lunar New Year just this past week as well. In preparation, I came in and spoke with your daycare during my day off for President's Day (the Monday preceding Lunar New Year). It is always entertaining to talk to a group of little kids and you did amazingly well helping me read the book we brought and answering questions about the Chinese New Year holiday.

Then after, we picked up Lao Lao and headed to The Melting Pot for some delicious chocolate fondue. A tasty warm treat on such a cold winter day!

Chinese New Year itself was celebrated at our usual China Dynasty dinner with our Fu group friends. It was fun to eat some yummy food and watch the traditional lion dance. You plugged your ears the whole time because of your sensitivity to loud noises (the drums) but you seemed to enjoy running around with your friends afterwards. I had picked up some "worker man" (as you call them) shoes for you and you were excited to wear your "working man" suit. Since you weren't too keen on taking pictures that night, I could only get a few that (unfortunately) don't reflect a lot of smiles. However I just couldn't resist snapping a pic of you in your suit with Mia and the Happy Buddha. I guess Buddha's smiling enough for the both of you in this photo.

ready to feed the lion some hung bao

too loud for you

Earlier that day, you lost your last front tooth while at school and left this note for the Tooth Fairy...

Dear Tooth Fairy, I want to keep my tooth. Mali.

thanks, Tooth Fairy!

And here is another moment...one of those "mommy reflections" I have from time to time:

"It's the littlest things you commit to memory as a parent that likely mean nothing to anyone else but you simply because it's your kid. Right now in this moment, it's how M likes me to bend her spoon like a ladle when she eats soup and then makes big slurping noises with each bite. Small and silly but true. I love the tiny details in the every day ordinary."

And another random thought that I threw out to Facebook as I helped you with your reading homework:
"When helping your kid learn to read a particularly difficult word, does anyone else get so excited that they cheer/scream/jump up/clap loud enough to scare the crap out of your kid (AND your dog) when they finally get it right? Anyone? No? Just me?"

And finally, we just wrapped up a major snow storm this past weekend as well. I think we got somewhere around 5-6 inches in one day. It may not seem much to some parts of the country, but it was enough for us central Ohioans to thoroughly freak out while driving and race to bundle up and run out to romp in the winter wonderland. We definitely took advantage of the crisp, beautiful, fresh white powder with sledding in the neighborhood and some more snow fun at home. Here are some of the posts I shared from our recent snowy days:

all of the snow and below freezing temperatures aren't
quite as bad as long as you have a little bit of
sunshine and a kick-ass pair of shades!

"Hey Mom! You want to 'science study' snowflakes with me?"
(discovering that no two snowflakes are exactly alike,
just like people!)

making snow cones with our maple syrup...yum?

making homemade snow cream with my little peanut ~ it turned out delicious!

And finally, after all of the playing in the cold, you warmed up inside with a piping hot pizza.

practicing for college by attempting to eat an entire veggie
pizza while in bed watching TV

Love,
Mama

P.S.
And this just in...we have officially derailed as of late Sunday night...here, see for yourself.

attempting to peel a banana with your feet ~ crazy kid!
#cabinfever

I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me

Maliana ~

So, I will start off by saying that my blogging has gotten quite lackadaisical recently. As I have briefly mentioned before, I have been struggling with some depression lately and as I've explained to you (so as to hopefully alleviate any concerns you might have); "I'm just having a hard time with a bunch of "grown up worries" and it has nothing to do with you." That being said...I will apologize about not being as religious about my letters here to you. I promise, it doesn't mean we're having any less fun. It's just that I haven't had quite the energy or discipline to write every week like I had been. I've had to use my time and energy to focus on getting myself feeling better first. Hopefully I'll be getting back to normal soon. Or maybe even come up with a new normal for myself and our family. Who knows? But for now, I am hopeful and feel like I am finally coming out on the other side of whatever it is I am going through. Thank God for therapy...definitely nothing to be afraid or ashamed of...I am so grateful for it. Please remember that in your life. If you need help, seek it out! It is there. I promise you.

Whew. Ok.

Now after explaining all of that and realizing that a few weeks have gone by since my last post, the following entry will be a bit of a hodgepodge of the previous weeks; some of the moments in our lives that made me smile, pause, laugh, think, feel, and so much more.

And here we go...

One of the bigger pieces of excitement over the last few weeks was when we greeted the Doelling family at the airport when they brought their newest family member, Cameron, home from China. It was very exciting and always so incredibly nostalgic and heartwarming to watch a homecoming such as this.

Welcome home, Doellings!

Perhaps it's your age, or perhaps it's seeing another family bringing their child home from China, but lately you have been asking a lot of questions about your own (very first) Family Day and even asking to watch our videos from China. We ended up sitting down and watching the videos from our first days together as a family in China and it was really amazing to go back in time like that. We have all changed so much. For example, you made the comment about how you don't like dresses after seeing yourself in the videos wearing dresses. I apologized to you and said, "I'm sorry. We didn't know you didn't like them back then." You were so teeny tiny and had all the mannerisms of an infant in those first few days. You have grown by leaps and bounds since then, both physically, intellectually and emotionally. It is phenomenal, sweet and bittersweet all at once.

And if we have all changed a lot over the last 6 years, there is one thing that has been a constant ~ how much fun you have with your cousins. Over the last few weeks, you got to spend the night at Memaw and Papaws' with Joey, Alex and Sammy and it was lots of fun and a little bit of mayhem (per usual). I wasn't there so I didn't get any pictures, but from the updates from Memaw and Papaw the next morning, I can imagine how silly it all was.

You did throw me a curve with your requests for pedicures lately. Honestly, I was more than a little surprised since it seems so out of character for what you typically like. You even gave yourself one in the tub one night and here was the finished product...

Umm, yeah. I won't even show you the picture of the bathtub. Yikes!

Even after that fabulous job you did on your own toes, you still were requesting to go and get pedicures with me. Of course, I jumped at the chance to spend some time together. Sooo...after school one evening we headed to Polaris to get our tootsies pampered. We both were a little ticklish with the massages and exfoliation, squirming and giggling the entire time. It was hilarious. I was so afraid I was going to kick my pedicurist right in the head! We had dinner and did a little shopping before heading home and it was really nice to have some relaxed and carefree time with you. I miss that when our lives feel so hectic.

I wonder if you'll ever be tall enough for your feet to reach the tub...

you were squirming and giggling so much!

And speaking of carefree time, there were lots of opportunities to play in the snow that's kept falling over the last few weeks. Of course, each time we would get you all bundled up, the first thing out of your mouth was..."Mom, I gotta pee!" #MurphysLaw

you love the snow, even in the dark...you just
put your little headlamp on and you're good to go!

a little sledding

twinning is winning!

You've spent some time on the elliptical too. In spite of all the snow on the ground, I guess it's never too early to get in shape for summer!

24 minutes! a new personal record for you!

Speaking of getting in shape and since we are in Ohio with all of its crazy weather fluctuations, the weather warmed up just enough for us to bust out your bike and go for the first bike ride/run with Mommy of 2015. I was so happy to have at least one day that felt like spring was coming and I'm so glad to have a "running buddy" again!

a little lingering slush and snow wasn't going to stop us!

You've also been a great little "buddy" for Daddy as well. In helping him put his medicine in his pill-box for the week, you noticed that his days of the week had rubbed off. You took it upon yourself to re-write them on the box for him. So thoughtful.

The Sound of Music has found its way into your repertoire (thanks to your music teacher) and you have fallen in love with the "My Favorite Things" song. It actually reminded me of my own childhood and watching that movie while singing along. You even requested a book of the song that your teacher read to you and it's been so sweet to hear you singing from the backseat...

And as endearing as that little backseat moment was, it wouldn't be as well-balanced in our family without a moment like this...

oh, you know...just a normal Saturday morning
tweezing Mommy's "beard"

And more of your quirks continued on another particular evening as we discussed some kind of social issue at school when you told me this..."It's complicated. You'll understand when you're in first grade." Ha. Oh really?

You also sung your first solo in your music class at school. Seriously kid, you have more guts than I ever did in first grade!

We got to see Uncle Blaize the other evening for dinner as well. You refused to get in our group selfie, typical of your aversion to pictures lately, but that's ok. It was so nice to spend time with him again.

One evening as we drove to hip hop, you watched the full moon outside your window and asked if it was following us. I explained that it was not and it was more like an optical illusion, however it led to a conversation about the moon and how your China parents look up at the same moon as you every night. Just like the questions you've been asking lately, I could tell your wheels were spinning as you thought about this. It reminded me of a rhyme that I recently learned and so a couple of nights later, I shared it with you. I know that there is not a lot that I can say to resolve the questions and ease the journey that lies ahead for you in finding your own identity and connecting your past, present and future; but I hope you know that I will always be here to listen and support you through it all. That you can count on. Forever and always.

I see the moon and the moon sees me and the moon
sees that someone that I long to see...
So God bless the moon and God bless me and God Bless
that someone that I long to see.

And finally, we wrapped up the most recent weekend with an early Chinese New Year celebration through our local COFCC. It was so nice to see so many of our friends again. Daddy is on the board now and played a huge role in planning, organizing, and helping throughout the whole thing. When we got home, he was pooped from all of that work. It went off without a hitch, everyone seemed to have a great time, the performances were fantastic, and you even got to help Daddy entertain the tables with his magic marble trick while they waited for their dinner. You loved it. That magic marble. Daddy takes it everywhere. Always a crowd favorite. Ha.

making a sheep for the Year of the Sheep!

hung bao!

helping Daddy entertain guests with the magic marble

playing on the stage after dinner

you and Mia

I know the Spring Festival doesn't officially begin for almost another couple of weeks, but...
Xin Nian Kuai Le! and Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Love,
Mama

Snow and Some Other Fun Stuff

Maliana ~

The last couple of weeks have brought snow. It's been nice to see and play in, although by now it's already melting away. The weather was rough enough to even knock out our power again in the middle of the night at one point. As I lay there, thinking I would get to sleep in a bit since there was no way I could get ready for work in the dark, it came back on. I was bummed. During that time, you had curled into me, abandoning your pillow to steal mine. It reminded me of when you were a baby and how much I miss those cuddly snuggles now. The night before you had even fallen asleep on my lap while in the kitchen. When I told you about it later, you apologized. I replied with, "No, I love when you do that. It reminds me of you as a baby. I miss it." You said, "Ok, I'll do it more then."...I hope so. I certainly hope so.

Daddy was nice enough the last couple of weeks to let me sleep in on the weekends since I have been having a difficult time battling depression. It's been no picnic, let me tell you, so I am very thankful that Daddy has been helping out and picking up the slack when I need him. He took you to Chinese class (where the teacher remarked to him what a smart kid you are) and then sledding briefly in our neighborhood. I joined you both a little bit later with the dogs and I'm glad I did because I got to enjoy a few runs down the hill with you. It helped bring me out of my funk just a little.

In preparation for a playdate the next day, you cleaned your rooms after sledding and we all enjoyed your dance moves as we listened to some music. You even taught me some of an impromptu dance routine you came up with and Daddy tried to teach you to moonwalk. It gave us all some much needed giggles. I tend to get caught up in my worries and fears of the future which gets in the way of enjoying today. It's a problem. I know. Watching your silliness made me realize what an amazing person you are. Really.

We had your friend, Morgan, over for a play-date that next day. You were so excited for the play-date from the moment you woke up that morning. You seemed to enjoy your time together and in fact, you exclaimed, "This is the best play-date ever!" at one point. We let you both play at home before taking you sledding. It was the first time Morgan had ever been sledding and so you got to show her the ropes. On one run, you went down together and wiped out with you face-planting in the snow. It got a little dramatic but you survived. We came home to warm up and have cocoa before taking Morgan home.

You also have a new favorite bedtime story, "The Book With No Pictures". The first time we read it, we laughed and laughed out loud. You made me read it two more times before finally going to sleep. Then the next night you made Daddy read it twice with the same silly reaction.

Daddy took you on a surprise trip to the Columbus Museum of Art to see their Lego exhibit and then on to Dirty Franks for a late lunch over the next weekend. You've been nursing a bit of a cold so you were a little bit under the weather, but had a good time nonetheless and always love surprises.

in front of a Lego version of downtown Columbus

you got to display your creation

We also celebrated Uncle Flint's birthday at his favorite, Red Lobster, the next day. Our server took a liking to you and even offered to pull a lobster out of the tank so you could pet it, which was so nice of him. You were brave enough to touch it briefly and then we took this picture where at the last minute, the lobster appeared to wave at the camera.

And finally, I have to mention the latest of your Mali-isms. As Daddy shaved, you asked him about his "goatique" (aka goatee). Ha. Also, you asked to bring our leftovers home from Red Lobster and requested a "go box" (aka to-go box). Very cute. And in having a small conversation with me about something that happened at school, you mentioned, "It's complicated. *sigh* You won't understand until you're in first grade." Ha.

Never a dull moment.

Love,
Mama