Today Annabel got her first hair cut in a salon.
But first she got her hair washed. It was very difficult not to laugh when she tried to sit with her face down in the bowl instead of on her back.
Expressions were captured and I hope I can figure out how to load them.
Thankfully we have a professional coming tomorrow for pictures! Be on the look out tomorrow!
One last thing - dinner at Chick fil a began with another laugh when Annabel went into the men's restroom by mistake, then thought Grace was kidding her about her mistake!
One last stop. The public library downtown in hopes of finding a book in Chinese!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Mom, you happy?
For those who have adopted from China, most have discovered all the yahoo groups of people who have also adopted. These range from the orphanage your child is from, the city you live in, various groups for different ages, and many I probably don't know about.
On these you can discuss your fears, concerns, good news, joys to an audience that can empathize with you because they have BTDT (been there, done that). But sometimes they also can paint a bleak picture.
When I worked on my masters in rehab counseling, I had to take a class on the physical aspects of disabilities. We learned about so many disabling diseases, conditions, injuries. I was sure I had every one of them, unless it mentioned unexplained weight loss! I knew I didn't have that one.
All of these yahoo groups make me feel the same way, I am sure I will have the problems (yes, focus only on the negatives) that others have had.
We are almost at the 2 month mark and things have calmed down so much it feels hard to believe. I think I keep feeling like we are only in our "honeymoon" phase and it won't last.
But today was a great example of our new life as a family.
Thursday started with an early meeting for me, so the girls went next door and Grandmother fixed (for those in other states, cooked) breakfast and got them to school. I'm not sure that Annabel understood and know she has no clue what I do or where I go while they are at school.
After school was piano for Grace. When I called and told them to get ready, Annabel decided she would stay with Grandmother/Grandmother. (Somehow she has begun calling mom and dad the same name.)
By the time I got home, she decided she would go too.
She took her Nintendo (which I still need to send thank you cards to the wonderful friends who took care of buying it) and has one game, Dogs. On this game you give your dog commands. She named her dog "YoYo", which is Chinese for swim and the name of her stuffed dog too. She yells at that Nintendo to sit, roll over, with such a strong accent, I wonder if it can recognize what she is saying.
So while Grace played Mozart (which sounded a lot like Yankee Doodle), Annabel played Nintendo, and I answered emails.
Afterward we stopped at the library looking for "Year of the Rat" by Grace Lin for Grace. Annabel was so disappointed to learn they did not have Chinese books. They have some at the downtown branch and promised we would go soon.
A Chinese buffet was planned for dinner. It is very entertaining to go where the waitstaff all speak Chinese. They are so amazed at this tiny child who speaks in such a strong voice their native language. They are fascinated by her. I know they are trying to figure out this family where there are 2 Chinese daughters, one speaking Chinese, the other not, and a mother who seems to understand both!
Homework went until it was dark, but I am determined to get all of us out, including the dogs, at least once a day. So we took a quick run to the school and ran around the playground for a while.
There was still time to do our reading for the night.
Annabel again mentioned no Chinese books. I showed her all her Chinese books and like all 11 year olds had forgotten about them!
I laid on Grace's bed and Annabel actually patted hers and said, "Mom, my bed?"
I don't know if the concept of tomorrow works, but I promised her bed tomorrow, the whole time thrilled I was even asked.
Then she looked up and said, "Mom, you happy?".
Yes, I am very happy.
Are you?
Mmmmm, yeah.
A little or a lot.
Mmmmm, a lot.
Woo! Hoo!
She has no idea how big an impact what a small conversation makes!
When something goes wrong, milk spilled, food she doesn't like, any number of other things, she says, "Mom?" and puts her hands on her hips.
No, I'm not hands on hips (mad).
Oh, ok, Thanks Mom!
I think she is surprised that I understand that she is a child and even grown ups make mistakes, but no reason to be hands on hips (mad). No face slapping, no punishments, no spanking here, just an attempt to understand, show love, and allow a child to grow.
On these you can discuss your fears, concerns, good news, joys to an audience that can empathize with you because they have BTDT (been there, done that). But sometimes they also can paint a bleak picture.
When I worked on my masters in rehab counseling, I had to take a class on the physical aspects of disabilities. We learned about so many disabling diseases, conditions, injuries. I was sure I had every one of them, unless it mentioned unexplained weight loss! I knew I didn't have that one.
All of these yahoo groups make me feel the same way, I am sure I will have the problems (yes, focus only on the negatives) that others have had.
We are almost at the 2 month mark and things have calmed down so much it feels hard to believe. I think I keep feeling like we are only in our "honeymoon" phase and it won't last.
But today was a great example of our new life as a family.
Thursday started with an early meeting for me, so the girls went next door and Grandmother fixed (for those in other states, cooked) breakfast and got them to school. I'm not sure that Annabel understood and know she has no clue what I do or where I go while they are at school.
After school was piano for Grace. When I called and told them to get ready, Annabel decided she would stay with Grandmother/Grandmother. (Somehow she has begun calling mom and dad the same name.)
By the time I got home, she decided she would go too.
She took her Nintendo (which I still need to send thank you cards to the wonderful friends who took care of buying it) and has one game, Dogs. On this game you give your dog commands. She named her dog "YoYo", which is Chinese for swim and the name of her stuffed dog too. She yells at that Nintendo to sit, roll over, with such a strong accent, I wonder if it can recognize what she is saying.
So while Grace played Mozart (which sounded a lot like Yankee Doodle), Annabel played Nintendo, and I answered emails.
Afterward we stopped at the library looking for "Year of the Rat" by Grace Lin for Grace. Annabel was so disappointed to learn they did not have Chinese books. They have some at the downtown branch and promised we would go soon.
A Chinese buffet was planned for dinner. It is very entertaining to go where the waitstaff all speak Chinese. They are so amazed at this tiny child who speaks in such a strong voice their native language. They are fascinated by her. I know they are trying to figure out this family where there are 2 Chinese daughters, one speaking Chinese, the other not, and a mother who seems to understand both!
Homework went until it was dark, but I am determined to get all of us out, including the dogs, at least once a day. So we took a quick run to the school and ran around the playground for a while.
There was still time to do our reading for the night.
Annabel again mentioned no Chinese books. I showed her all her Chinese books and like all 11 year olds had forgotten about them!
I laid on Grace's bed and Annabel actually patted hers and said, "Mom, my bed?"
I don't know if the concept of tomorrow works, but I promised her bed tomorrow, the whole time thrilled I was even asked.
Then she looked up and said, "Mom, you happy?".
Yes, I am very happy.
Are you?
Mmmmm, yeah.
A little or a lot.
Mmmmm, a lot.
Woo! Hoo!
She has no idea how big an impact what a small conversation makes!
When something goes wrong, milk spilled, food she doesn't like, any number of other things, she says, "Mom?" and puts her hands on her hips.
No, I'm not hands on hips (mad).
Oh, ok, Thanks Mom!
I think she is surprised that I understand that she is a child and even grown ups make mistakes, but no reason to be hands on hips (mad). No face slapping, no punishments, no spanking here, just an attempt to understand, show love, and allow a child to grow.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Glad for a rut for a change!
We have actually had two days in a row without much going on and it has been so nice. Tonight I made it outside while they were riding their bikes. I am bound and determined to train these crazy dogs, but they still have a different idea. So we enjoyed being outside together.
It is so much fun to hear Grace laugh.
I have never heard her laugh as much before as she does now with her sister. It is so great. When they are outside it is just a constant in the background.
Last night I tried to help Annabel with her math homework. It is on place values and decimals. That is pretty hard to act out! Some of the word problems we just had to skip.
One of the teachers told Grace that Annabel needs to practice her English on the internet. OK. That would be great if we had a computer for them. The only one we have is my laptop and I am not sharing! So I guess that we will keep acting out our English words instead! It makes it a real family affair.
OK, we have just had a talk about our bowels! Have you ever tried to understand when a child is telling you in Chinese that they are constipated? The acting out on this one was hysterical. We have now acted out normal bowel movements and constipated ones. Thank goodness we are not trying to convey diarrhea tonight!
When I read of others' experiences in China and home, I feel truly blessed as to the ease of the adjustments Annabel has made. She is a remarkable child and obviously brilliant! She takes after her mom and sister!
It is so much fun to hear Grace laugh.
I have never heard her laugh as much before as she does now with her sister. It is so great. When they are outside it is just a constant in the background.
Last night I tried to help Annabel with her math homework. It is on place values and decimals. That is pretty hard to act out! Some of the word problems we just had to skip.
One of the teachers told Grace that Annabel needs to practice her English on the internet. OK. That would be great if we had a computer for them. The only one we have is my laptop and I am not sharing! So I guess that we will keep acting out our English words instead! It makes it a real family affair.
OK, we have just had a talk about our bowels! Have you ever tried to understand when a child is telling you in Chinese that they are constipated? The acting out on this one was hysterical. We have now acted out normal bowel movements and constipated ones. Thank goodness we are not trying to convey diarrhea tonight!
When I read of others' experiences in China and home, I feel truly blessed as to the ease of the adjustments Annabel has made. She is a remarkable child and obviously brilliant! She takes after her mom and sister!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
I hope this is appropriate to add to my blog!
I don't know these people and cannot imagine going through what they are. They need prayers and know many of you will help.
"The Irwin family is in KunMing CHina right now with a very sick little girl. (Susannah) They had their gotcha day at the hospital.Needless to say, this is a crisis and we need to be thinking of them in the upcoming days. If you are a prayer warrior, please pray for them and their daughter. They need to find a way to get her back to the US as fast as posssible--as safely as possible. Having been in this position, I know God can arm you with a momma bear instinct and you "get it done". The family could really use our prayer support.Their blog is here:http://www.roomfora tleastonemore. blogspot. com/"
"The Irwin family is in KunMing CHina right now with a very sick little girl. (Susannah) They had their gotcha day at the hospital.Needless to say, this is a crisis and we need to be thinking of them in the upcoming days. If you are a prayer warrior, please pray for them and their daughter. They need to find a way to get her back to the US as fast as posssible--as safely as possible. Having been in this position, I know God can arm you with a momma bear instinct and you "get it done". The family could really use our prayer support.Their blog is here:http://www.roomfora tleastonemore. blogspot. com/"
Quandary
Annabel used two different Chinese/English cards yesterday to ask if she could buy a stuffed animal.
I asked if she had any money.
She laughed and said no.
She knows that Grace has LOTS of toys of all kinds, polly pockets, barbies, books, stuffed animals, legos, thousands of art projects, an easel, who knows what else?
But Annabel has a baby doll, a few stuffed animals, nintendo, and that's about it.
So Annabel needs toys, but Grace doesn't.
Grace pouts.
What do I do? I know I can't make it even, but what do I do? Plus I can't just buy a bunch of toys right now, it's not Christmas or birthday.
So what do I do?
I asked if she had any money.
She laughed and said no.
She knows that Grace has LOTS of toys of all kinds, polly pockets, barbies, books, stuffed animals, legos, thousands of art projects, an easel, who knows what else?
But Annabel has a baby doll, a few stuffed animals, nintendo, and that's about it.
So Annabel needs toys, but Grace doesn't.
Grace pouts.
What do I do? I know I can't make it even, but what do I do? Plus I can't just buy a bunch of toys right now, it's not Christmas or birthday.
So what do I do?
Monday, September 15, 2008
I see surgery in our future
We went back to see the doctor about Annabel's ears.
The CT scan was complete, a hearing test conducted, and no improvement or change since last time.
So after the doctor looked at her ears, all the reports, he told us what he did from the beginning:
She needs surgery to repair the holes in her ears.
Now the part that is frustrating -
After all of this he explains that he does not do surgery on children's ears and will need to refer us to someone else.
AAARRRGGHHHH!!
So we have spent the better part of a month and no telling how much money AND time to get to this point.
Now we will start again with another doctor who will want to do his own tests to determine that she needs surgery on her ears. She has significant "temporary" hearing loss in one ear due to the damage. Most docs want to wait for a child to reach 14 years old to do this surgery, but because of the amount of hearing loss and the size of the hole, especially in her left ear, he does recommend that we do follow through with the surgery.
DUH!!
I was actually hoping that we could get the surgery done this week, that's how serious I feel like it is.
To top it off, they did not give me the new doc's contact info, they will call/contact me with it. I don't have a lot of patience on waiting to get this corrected for her sake!
The CT scan was complete, a hearing test conducted, and no improvement or change since last time.
So after the doctor looked at her ears, all the reports, he told us what he did from the beginning:
She needs surgery to repair the holes in her ears.
Now the part that is frustrating -
After all of this he explains that he does not do surgery on children's ears and will need to refer us to someone else.
AAARRRGGHHHH!!
So we have spent the better part of a month and no telling how much money AND time to get to this point.
Now we will start again with another doctor who will want to do his own tests to determine that she needs surgery on her ears. She has significant "temporary" hearing loss in one ear due to the damage. Most docs want to wait for a child to reach 14 years old to do this surgery, but because of the amount of hearing loss and the size of the hole, especially in her left ear, he does recommend that we do follow through with the surgery.
DUH!!
I was actually hoping that we could get the surgery done this week, that's how serious I feel like it is.
To top it off, they did not give me the new doc's contact info, they will call/contact me with it. I don't have a lot of patience on waiting to get this corrected for her sake!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
FCC Culture Day and where is Ike?
Saturday began with the threat of Hurricane Ike causing all manner of destruction and problems for our area. But we had a fun party to get to so we headed out to the annual FCC Culture Day. Annabel was so excited to go to a party. I wasn't sure how else to describe culture day. There were so many great exhibits, crafts to make, photos to snap, lunch, seeing old and new friends, any concern about the decision to go disappeared.
Self portrait by Annabel. My camera is her favorite thing to use! I left out a lot of pictures because I didn't think you wanted to see the ceilings, floors, and walls!
Annabel wowed everyone with her ability to write in Chinese. Everyone involved in this activity had to tell me how smart she was. I believe it for sure!
Self portrait by Annabel. My camera is her favorite thing to use! I left out a lot of pictures because I didn't think you wanted to see the ceilings, floors, and walls!
Annabel wowed everyone with her ability to write in Chinese. Everyone involved in this activity had to tell me how smart she was. I believe it for sure!
Grace found another instrument she could play and played it very well. She was playing Twinkle Twinkle in a matter of minutes on this traditional Chinese instrument. The man who showed her how said there was no one in the area who could teach her to play. How sad! I think I will keep looking though.
Thank the Good Lord, Ike caused very few problems for us. It instead hung around Paris, Texas so long that it almost floated away! Dad was disappointed that we did not get the 4-6 inches that were forecast.
We were glad to hear that our relatives were all safe. They chose not to evacuate, but are fine. Some do not have power, but all are safe and that's what matters! The clouds here made an incredible display at sunset here as Ike moved out of the area.
Happy Mid Autumn Moon Festival
Today again we headed to Chinese school, Annabel's favorite part of the week.
Her teacher from last week had to track me down and say how smart she is. Her class was mainly junior high (?) boys. She did not appear to be intimated by anyone, even the Harvard graduate teacher!!
That teacher made sure I knew how smart he thought she was too.
Grace, on the other hand, was about the oldest in her class. But she needed a teacher who spoke English to the class, so this is probably the right level for her.
Afterward we went to a Chinese market and found these cute moon cakes to help celebrate the holiday tonight. I was glad to find them "sweet" and not part of a $20 shipment!
This is us enjoying our moon cakes before we went outside to enjoy the namesake of the festival.
Her teacher from last week had to track me down and say how smart she is. Her class was mainly junior high (?) boys. She did not appear to be intimated by anyone, even the Harvard graduate teacher!!
That teacher made sure I knew how smart he thought she was too.
Grace, on the other hand, was about the oldest in her class. But she needed a teacher who spoke English to the class, so this is probably the right level for her.
Afterward we went to a Chinese market and found these cute moon cakes to help celebrate the holiday tonight. I was glad to find them "sweet" and not part of a $20 shipment!
This is us enjoying our moon cakes before we went outside to enjoy the namesake of the festival.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Way Over Due pictures
Annabel's first trip to Luby's
Annabel and Darcey discussing the merits of fried okra vs. corn! Heavy subject!
First Day of School
I wish I was as fast at posting pictures as Holly was, but here are the first day of school pictures.
Annabel refused to have her picture made without making a strange face.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)