My Baby is 5!!





Maliana ~

So, putting you to bed on Sunday night and this happened...
my Facebook status below:
~ got to love when you're putting your kid to bed and they exclaim with a fist pump..."I can't wait for tomorrow! It's my lucky day!" ...wish I could get that excited about a Monday!
You crack me up!

Home from work on Monday...Lao Lao surprise-picked you up from school and took you to run errands to Jo Ann Fabric. Brought home a crazy "Nuts and Bolts" set to make a dinosaur...it has a crazy insane number of pieces to it, but you love it.

working on assembling your million piece dinosaur

Then as I finished cooking dinner, I hear you exclaim "Daddy!!" and knew that Daddy had just pulled up outside. I absolutely love hearing your excitement when you see your Daddy get home, but I'm sure Daddy probably adores hearing it twice as much as me. No matter what kind of day either Daddy or I have had...any stress or disappointment just melts away when we hear that squeaky little voice yell our name and feel your arms and legs wrap around us in a big bear hug. Definite perk of parenthood!

Birthday prep was well underway after school on Tuesday, with you helping me put the finishing touches on your dinosaur cupcakes and at various moments exclaiming, "I'm so excited!" and skipping or hopping or dancing around the house. Love to see that kind of joy in you (even when I am dog tired myself and barely able to keep up)!

most important job...putting the dinos on top!

 

love that funky outfit of yours!

I got a little sentimental though, just before bedtime when I realized it was your last night to go to sleep as a four year old! Where has my baby gone? Of course, my sappiness was soon replaced with a case of the giggles when I asked you to give me your best four year old pose and this is what I got...

oh my...so much sass in this picture...
where did you come up with this pose anyway!?!

Before I went to bed on the eve of your birthday...I sat down and wrote a little note to your birth mom, your first mom...if you missed it before, here's the link.

So...let me just say that your birthday surprise, the one I've been worried about pulling off for the past week or so, was a smashing success! I went in to wake you up at about 7:30am and you were slow to open your eyes, but as soon as I said, "Mali...you're five years old today!" you gave a big grin, even before lifting your eyelids. Here is a little video of what happened once you emerged from the bedroom...

SURPRISE!!

As you settled in for breakfast and ate a blue donut from your donut tower, you looked around and surveyed the decorations a bit more and said, "Mom, I want to do the same thing when I turn 6!" Ha. I love that you loved it so much that you want a repeat and are already thinking ahead to next year!

balloon gauntlet down the hallway

streamer finish line to bust into your fifth year!

kitchen decorations

Buddy the T-Rex balloons

Happy Birthday Big Girl!

 

check out the snow outside too...so pretty
and one perk of a March birthday

 

whoa! look at that donut tower!

mmmmm!

holy blue teeth Batman!

I left work early and brought your special dinosaur cupcakes and goodie bags for your preschool class, with you bouncing over to me as soon as I walked in the door, exclaiming "I am so excited to be 5!" Your friends loved the cupcakes and excitedly chatted about what kind of dinosaur they had on their treat. I sat back and watched you happily take charge and proudly pass out plates and napkins to all of your friends. You are so sweet and kind to everyone. Warms my heart to see.

homemade dino cupcakes for your preschool class

all your idea...chocolate with blue, white, and orange icing

For dinner, went headed to CPK with Daddy and you caught up on all of the texts and calls you kept getting from friends and family to wish you a "Happy Birthday!"

I think this was Audrey Ayi who was wishing you a Happy Birthday!

While we waited for our food we let you open your gift, a bunch of toy figures from your favorite Dinosaur Train, and an actual train for them to ride. Your reaction was priceless as you peered in the box and realized what it was. You were so excited and appreciative...I actually got tears in my eyes just watching your joy. You exclaimed, "You're the best mom ever!" and "This is the best birthday ever!" at dinner...counting down the minutes until we could go home and you could play with all of your new critters. Not only were you so grateful for your gift, but Daddy and I are so grateful to have such a thankful and considerate kiddo. How did we get so lucky?

first glimpse

second glimpse

YES! just what you wanted!! love that face!!

And while we walked back to the car, you wanted to carry your own box of dinos and walk all on your own...which was refreshing since you usually demand to be carried at times like this. Daddy I joked that now we know the trick to getting you to walk places...just give you a box of dinos and you're good to go. Ha.

Once home...you began getting excited about our beach trip this summer and here's what it led to:

my FB caption on this picture read:
"So...Mali has begun packing for our beach trip with family and friends in
June ...I don't know whether to be excited or nervous."

Thursday night...this happened:

we're going to see Lily and the Plastic Purple Purse!

my FB status/caption read:
"Daddy gets a boys' night at the hockey game so we get a girls' night at the Columbus Children's Theatre!"

You loved this play...with mice as all the characters and a spunky little girl mouse named Lily who burst onto the stage with a guitar, wore red cowboy boots throughout the entire play and was very outspoken and unique. Reminded me of a certain other little someone I know. It was such a spontaneously fun evening with two of my favorite ladies. Love it when nights like this just work out!

Friday was our second trip to the new speech therapist and our girls' breakfast before school tradition. There was quite a bit of skipping on your part so I could tell you were enjoying yourself. The entire way to school we played a game of "watch out for semis and flying monkeys (aka green cars)" and I must say it got a little crazy. I can only imagine what the other drivers thought as we zoomed past. I guess I got a little carried away too because at one point you stopped and asked, "Mom, are you just playing?" Ha. Once at school you gave me a huge hug, unwilling to let go, but what made it a little easier to leave was the fact that your friends announced your arrival and were so very happy to see you, welcoming you into their activities.

Saturday we headed to your dance class and then to an impromptu breakfast at Bob Evans with Mia and her mom Michelle. It was nice to sit and chat while you girls did your typical preschool thing. Luckily we were in the corner so you could scoot around on the floor with your cars without disturbing too many people. Before we left you both got a little silly as you can tell by this picture of me paying our bill...

don't we look like one of those horse Halloween
costumes where one person is the head
and another is the behind?

Saturday continued to be a gorgeous day with lots of blue skies and sunshine so once home we decided to hang the bird and squirrel feeders.

ahhh...blue skies how we have missed you!

As we were putzing in the garage, you heard the mailman come down the street. When I asked if you wanted to go get the mail, you exclaimed, "Hey Mom! Maybe it's our friend!" Yes, you love our mailman Will. He is a big guy with reddish brown hair, a big bushy beard to match...and a heart of gold. He is so sweet and you treat him like a rock star. You ran out with a spring in your step and a huge smile and got the mail directly from him in the mailtruck...I'm not quite sure whose day was made more.

That night, you were supposed to have a Grandma Date to Melting Pot, but Memaw was really sick and Memaw Lisa had made other plans, so the Grandma Date was postponed but Lao Lao made sure to still come over and scoop you up, take you to the park, and then to Orange Leaf for some frozen yogurt. When you came home you were so excited to show me the dog toy you had picked out just for Abby, were singing (and doing a silly dance to) Heywood Banks, and evidently when you had originally gotten in the car with Lao Lao had told her, "Lao Lao, I want you to stay here forever!" Her heart not only completely melted but darn near exploded. While the official Grandma Date was kaput, I am so glad you got to spend this special time with Lao Lao. It doesn't take much to make a world of difference...you had so much fun!

you wouldn't cooperate with any pictures until
you were captive in the car, ha!

It was gorgeous outside once again on Sunday so while Daddy and I finished getting ready to leave for the afternoon, we agreed to let you hang out and wait for us outside on the porch with a neighborhood girl, Addison. The screen was open so I could hear your little conversation and it was so cute. You are an amazingly sweet kid and such the "little adult" as I heard you yelling, "Hi Zach!" and "Hi Jenny! Hi Roman!" to each of the neighbors next door as they arrived home. So friendly. Glad you feel so comfortable in our neighborhood and even more glad that you are so awesome at obeying the rules...you stayed on our porch even when Addison wandered off, just hanging out and enjoying the fresh air. You are such a good kid through and through.

it's almost that time...when kids will once
again rule the neighborhood

Once Daddy and I were all ready, we capped off our weekend and headed to Lithopolis for a great visit to your Aunt Beth and Uncle Kevin's where you enjoyed the wonderful spring weather with your cousins, getting good and muddy in their backyard, driving their golf cart around, and laughing your butts off. I love that all four of you get along so beautifully!

getting ready to head off in the golf cart

peace!

love your expression!

and away they all go!

Daddy let you drive for a bit

SO proud of yourself

then you got out the Gator and wanted the
big girls to follow you

Daddy and Uncle Kevin found some lingering snow for snowballs

and pummelled you guys with them

this shot was perfect...hitting the front of the cart and
exploding to splash all three of you!

What a fun pre-spring kick-off!!
Love you baby girl...
Mama

5 years ago today...

You gave birth to a tiny little girl in southern China. Was it day or night? I can only imagine what her squished little face must have looked like as she arrived into this world, gasping and then shrieking for the first times outside of your body. The same body that you selflessly used to keep her safe and warm all of those months until she was ready to make her appearance. What did you think as you looked at her? Her deep brown almond shaped eyes and jet black hair, tiny fingers and toes, gaping smile...did you see yourself in her features? What was the first thing you said to her? Did you give her a name of your own, softly whispered into her ear and one that is perhaps still recognized somewhere deep in her psyche? Did you have hopes and dreams for her life? Perhaps they were hopes and dreams that you feared you could not provide for her on your own? Did you wonder what she would become one day? Do you still wonder?

Ahh, I have so, so many questions.

I'm not quite sure where you are now in this great big world, five long years after giving birth to this precious pearl of a baby girl who has turned into one of the most amazing children I know. I do want to acknowledge you, her first mother, and the ultimate sacrifices made for your beloved daughter all that time ago. I can't begin to understand the thoughts or emotions that likely went into your decision, but I am forever grateful to you for all that you (unknowingly) have given our family. Maliana is the biggest blessing I've ever known in my life, and I suspect the biggest blessing I will ever know. She is a smart, sensitive, funny, courageous, (at times) cautious, quirky, silly, independent, expressive, inquisitive, strong-willed, creative, talented, beautiful, surprising, tender, and loving child who continues to "shock and awe" me every day. Just thinking about all of the things that make up who Mali is, who she is becoming, makes me wish I could share it all with you. But, I know I can't. At least not now...but maybe someday. Who knows?

So here I am today. It's just after midnight our time and I'm assuming it's a little after noon wherever you might be. Before I slip off to bed tonight, in the wee hours of our daughter's 5th birthday...I just wanted to say thank you. I am forever in your debt. And while I may not be able to fulfill all of the hopes and dreams that you may have had for Maliana...I can promise you this...I will do everything in my power, with all of my heart and soul, to surround Mali with the truest and most unconditional love you could ever imagine. That is one thing you can count on. I may not be able to do everything perfectly, but the one thing I can do is love...and with love...all things are possible.

Love,
Theresa

Mali Long Legs and Her Dino Adventure Birthday Party

Maliana ~

This week has been pretty full of fun times together. For one, our awesome family dinners continue. I think one of my favorite things about these dinners is watching you pile two of our couch pillows onto your kitchen chair so you can reach the table more comfortably. It's so dang cute. Aside from your needing a little boost at the table from time to time, you are still growing in so many other ways. In fact, my official new nickname for you is "Mali Long Legs" because your legs just keep stretching longer and longer. Heck, you're almost as long as Memaw when she holds you now. However, when it comes to sitting in a regular kitchen chair at the table, you're still such our little peanut.

Another of my favorite things about our evening family time happened this week while we played Operation (again), which turned into a "full contact" version of the game where we all kept trying to psych each other out during our turns. You even climbed on top of Daddy and I to distract us, which eventually turned into a full scale 3-way wrestling match. We were all laughing so hard that my stomach literally hurt. It's been ages since I laughed that hard at anything. Loved it.

With your birthday next week and your party coming this weekend, we've also been doing a lot of talking about it all as we lay in bed each night. You will lay there, wide-eyed and excitedly whispering about seeing so many of the people you love at your party. You also asked me if I would be doing another birthday surprise for you too. I'm so glad that last year's breakfast surprise on your birthday morning made such an impact on you. Of course I said I would. I love any opportunity to make you feel special and I am so thankful to have such an appreciative kid. I had to giggle one night in particular as I lay there, after telling you that it was time to go to sleep and closing my eyes for a while, when about a minute later, I felt the bed shaking every so often. When I opened my eyes you were wide awake, looking straight up and slightly grinning, whispering and making stabbing motions in the air, stacking hand over hand and saying something each time you did it. I watched for a bit before you realized I was still awake (and watching) and got all embarrassed because I'd spotted you doing this. When I asked what you were doing, you said you were thinking about your donut tower that you want as part of your birthday breakfast surprise and how you want it to be "Orange! Blue! White!...Orange! Blue! White!" (which explained the "hand over hand" motion I'd seen and what you were whispering to yourself)...and stating that you wanted it to be these 3 colors to represent Buddy the T-Rex from one of your favorite shows, Dinosaur Train. Man, kid. You are so cute.

As for other stuff this week, Daddy had his bi-annual meeting with his endocrinologist and we did our usual dinner with Memaw (Papaw was sick) at Bob Evans afterward. As we walked out of the restaurant, a woman who had been sneaking peeks at you throughout the meal stopped me and said, "She is just so beautiful...and I can just tell she is so smart too." I thanked her for the compliment. It was so very nice of her. (And I confirmed that yes, we agree that you are definitely a very sharp kid.)

Memaw and Bob Evans...I predict this will be a staple you
will remember from your childhood

Friday was our first attempt at a new weekly schedule...I got to take you to a new speech therapist at 8am and then we headed to Tim Horton's for breakfast before I drove you to school. The appointment went great and I LOVE our extra time together! As we sat there chatting over breakfast, you looked up at me and said, "I see you. I hear you. I love you. You are the best mom ever!" *commence my heart completely melting* I don't even mind that you stole part of "my line" to you...I'm just glad it shows that you are listening when I say those same things to you. I'm happy to learn that my words and how I feel about you just might be sinking in. And I felt extremely thankful that you felt moved enough to tell me this incredibly sweet thing on that morning. This mom gig is so awesome.

we found a picture of Phillip Phillips and texted
it to Lao Lao as we ate breakfast...she loves his music!

Friday afternoon I came to pick you up early, then we swung home to pick up Daddy (who happened to be home early as well) and we headed to meet the principal at another local elementary school (where you just might go if all of this realigning of the district goes through), and took a tour of this new school. In all honesty, I've been pretty upset at the idea of your elementary school being changed just before you begin in the fall. However, all of my fears and doubts about this new school were completely scrapped once we met the principal and he showed us around and answered all of our questions. He is extremely nice (very enthusiastic and willing to spend extra time to meet with us on a Friday afternoon before going home for the weekend), and actually lives in our neighborhood. The school was very nice with awesome kindergarten classrooms where it seemed like the teachers were open to using any new and creative approaches that could help their kids get the most out of their learning experience. Exactly what we would want in a school. Believe it or not, we are actually rooting for you to attend THIS school now! But, it's basically a win-win situation at this point. You were pretty quiet during the entire tour, but your eyes did bulge when you saw the enormity of the playground. As the principal said to you, "this is the most important part of the school, right?" You also really lit up when we walked into their media center (aka the library), climbing out of my arms for the first time during the entire tour, and were pretty stoked to hear that elementary schools have their own libraries. I love that you are cultivating a love of reading already. We'll see what happens with the district, but I'm definitely not as concerned anymore. Both schools are good.

Finally, Saturday was the day of your dinosaur adventure birthday party at COSI! It was crowded throughout the rest of the museum, but once we got back to the party room, it was great! The staff had set up some various activities for you kids; making macaroni dinosaurs, stamp printing dinosaurs onto a banner with paint, playing with flubber, making dinosaur fossils, digging for dinosaur bones, and then you all got to make nitrogen ice cream to go with your cake! It was really cool. When I saw you skipping through the room, I knew you were happy and having fun. Driving home after the party, you passed out in the backseat and slept for 3 hours! I'd call this a big birthday party success!

COSI! (your birthday shirt was made with pictures
from the dinosaur show I took you to at
the convention center a while back)

"It's a ROARing good time to be 5!!"

"Dream Big Birthday Girl!"

checking out the flubber with your cousins

Lainey and her daddy making macaroni dinosaurs

Erin and Sam being silly

you and Lao Lao making macaroni dinosaurs

Freddy and Mia digging for fossils

Delaney really liked the wagon

following in the dinosaur tracks

my *almost* 5 year old!

goggles for your upcoming birthday experiment!

let's make some nitrogen ice cream!

you chose blue for the ice cream color

taking turns stirring the ice cream mixture

Click this link too see what it looked like to make Nitrogen Ice Cream!

excited to play in the "cloud"

Your giggles in this next video crack me up! Click this link to see you all getting ready to
Play In The Cloud!

blowing the smoke in the leftover nitrogen...you
all took turns and got a big kick out of it

cake time ~ bring on the sugar!

you loved the dinosaurs on the cake

look at that cheesy smile!

you kids found a wagon in the room...

and it was craziness after that!

back row L to R: Joey, Mia, Erin, Sam, Alex
front row L to R: you, Sammy, Delaney, and Lainey

passed out kid + half eaten birthday cake = birthday party success!

Sunday was a "stay at home and take care of stuff around the house" kind of day. We found homes for all of your new birthday toys and your imagination grew by leaps and bounds as you created different scenarios with all of your Littlest Pet Shop creatures and painted your new dinosaur figurines. You were so excited to show both Daddy and I the dinosaurs you painted for us, stating "You can take them to work and show them to your friends!" (Thanks Mali!) ...exclaiming proudly "You're WELCOME!" Ha. I love you kid.

painting your dinosaur

Mom gets the T-Rex to take to work!

Daddy was vacuuming and you didn't like the noise, so you put
on his noise canceling headphones...then you couldn't figure
out how I could hear you talking to your LPS toys as you
were playing...hmmm...probably has something to
do with you yelling every word?! ha ha.

And the ultimate entertainment of our Sunday and one of my favorite perks of lazy days at home...spontaneous moments like these. Just check out this video and you'll see. Love your spunk and silliness.

Working It Justin Bieber Style

Love,
Mama