I usually LOVE Saturdays, weekend wanderings to wherever, usually rest for me, David is off work, etc, etc. I was determined for today to be no different. So I started with special breakfast, a little bit of a feat, trying to feed first breakfasts to Bel and Sof (to be followed up with 'special' stuff). But it wasn't that bad since I got started before they woke up making the Maple syrup and prepped all for the whole grain waffles. Bella woke up, I fed her while the sugar boiled, and mixed up the waffle mix and put the first batch on until Sophia woke up (at 8 a.m. unbelievable). She has been waking up around 7:15 all week.
It was scrumptious! During breakfast Sophia asked me 'how do you say 'yawn' in Chinese? I answered her. She repeated. She then asked how do you say 'hiccup' in Chinese. I answered her. She repeated. Our helper had not arrived yet, I thought she might talk to her about these two things since she just asked me, but she didn't, I really wonder how her brain works. A lot of times she asks me how to say thing when she is trying to communicate with her. But today she just wanted to know I guess.
Later when I was trying to teach Bella how to say 'ball' (in English of course), I kept saying 'ball' and Sophia said: 'teach her to say ping pang qiu (Chinese for ping pong ball)' I laughed and told her that was a little advanced....
Abby came to fill in for David (again), and since it was video day for Sophia she watched her 30 minutes worth while I went on my last run of the week, (while Bella slept). One day I must take a camera on my runs, really. Such cool stuff that becomes dull when I look at it day after day, but when I think about the donkey grazing, or the kids playing the gorde flute, or the Mosque, or the people selling honey, or the Buddhist Pagoda, it is quite a myriad to remember.
When I reread my post about speaking language, it sounded pretty stupid. It wasn't that I was excited about saying something so simple. It was that it flowed off my tongue and that it came out right. This is what surprised Abby. Pray it keeps flowing. This is a hard language, 6 tones, a little sing songy (pretty actually). As a westerner I need to be more emphatic with my tones and sounds, at least early on to make sure I mimic correctly. But a lot of times I am embarrassed to do that. I am really trying to let go all inhibitions this time around and just speak no matter what, right or wrong, keep trying....after the 'flow off the tongue' episode, it stopped flowing, just gurgled really, and came to a stop....that is okay, I am still on the horse....
Girls went down for naps and Bella cried for over 20 minutes, very unlike her. why? because she learned to stand up in her bed just then and didn't like being in there I suppose. What on earth will we do all in one room in Bangkok...who knows, but we need to get used to it, eh?
I promised Sophia we would 'water splash' a little after naps. It is that time of year again. Water Splashing festival. In Thailand it is called Songkran. Usually it is pretty crazy, but because of a serious drought here, the government has called of a lot of the festivities. We will get out our little buckets and water guns and see what we can do.
Speaking of Bangkok. We travel there in two days and things are crazy. State of Emergency. We are checking out our options now.
girls are up, must go load the water guns...
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
'this is my husband'
I have officially finished phase A of language study, the non-speaking phase. I really really really need to review/listen to all my recordings. But today in class after learning some new vocab, at the very end I got out pictures of our family and told my teacher this: 'I can understand everything you have taught me so far, I have listened and pretty much know it but that doesn't mean I can speak it out, or speak it well, I will try, and you correct me.' She understood.
I said: 'This is my husband,' and her face lit up in shock and she clapped. It really was a priceless moment for me. Of course of all the family relationships to speak out this was the easiest, but all in due time. She was a bit surprised I think that I actually could speak after not doing so for a while. We went through a few, just five minutes worth, and I said 'that is enough for today, we will really start next time.' We are both excited.
I said: 'This is my husband,' and her face lit up in shock and she clapped. It really was a priceless moment for me. Of course of all the family relationships to speak out this was the easiest, but all in due time. She was a bit surprised I think that I actually could speak after not doing so for a while. We went through a few, just five minutes worth, and I said 'that is enough for today, we will really start next time.' We are both excited.
Things I forgot to tell you
(David)
- Meatless xinjiang lamian is awesome, but very spicy
- I have ridden the bike with Sophia 2x
- Sophia has 10 bruises on her legs, I counted
- Bella has a real toothy grin that I need to take a picture of
- We will get out the squirt guns tomorrow even though the whole town is on a 'use less water and do not water splash' warning, so much so that when you call someone that announcement come while it rings
- I spoke in class today, a teeny bit at the end, and am geared up for full on speaking it all out
- miss you too much
- you've got some precious daughters
- your old teacher is probably coming by tomorrow to play with the girls
- our home is absolutely not the same without you here
- The lemon pie is gone, and the sweet gummy things will be by night's end
- should I watch an ncis without you?
Thurs and Fri
04.08.10
The day started out well, but went downhill fast.
Sophia had the worst fit/tantrum I have ever seen. I will not blog the details, it would exhaust me all over again, and I am still scarred from it....
finally she took her nap and I went on a run...where I had a good talk and rebuke from our all knowing Father. Enough said.
How the day started:
love these shoes (hand me downs of course)
what I wanted to do at the end of the day.
(I promise there is supervision going on in our home, I went to help Sophia with something, heard Bella start whining, and found this)
04.09.10
FRIDAY, just three full days left and then travel day....
Today went pretty well. I was able to do a lot of prep for our trip and Sophia had Chinese language time. I have some great books that have fairy tales with English, Chinese, and Chinese pinyin. Sophia loves to listen Abby read these, and then I gave them a sticker book with tons of chinese vocab, they did this for over an hour on the couch. I couldn't believe it. Next week, seriously, her Chinese will be better than mine.
Anyway. We walked to Dicos for dinner where I ate meat, like a big honkin' chicken sandwich, not little pieces of fat that are in dumplings. It was not great. And while we did have fun, the AC was broken which was a main reason we were going in the first place. I promised Sophia Dicos while daddy was gone, and I made good. She also ate her first ice cream cone by herself. She wore a lot of it, and didn't finish it, but it was a great try.
I have missed some incredible photo ops too...oh well. I am tired. I need to study. Don't even know if this makes any sense. Thanks for all the encouragement from friends and family!
The day started out well, but went downhill fast.
Sophia had the worst fit/tantrum I have ever seen. I will not blog the details, it would exhaust me all over again, and I am still scarred from it....
finally she took her nap and I went on a run...where I had a good talk and rebuke from our all knowing Father. Enough said.
How the day started:
love these shoes (hand me downs of course)
what I wanted to do at the end of the day.
(I promise there is supervision going on in our home, I went to help Sophia with something, heard Bella start whining, and found this)
04.09.10
FRIDAY, just three full days left and then travel day....
Today went pretty well. I was able to do a lot of prep for our trip and Sophia had Chinese language time. I have some great books that have fairy tales with English, Chinese, and Chinese pinyin. Sophia loves to listen Abby read these, and then I gave them a sticker book with tons of chinese vocab, they did this for over an hour on the couch. I couldn't believe it. Next week, seriously, her Chinese will be better than mine.
Anyway. We walked to Dicos for dinner where I ate meat, like a big honkin' chicken sandwich, not little pieces of fat that are in dumplings. It was not great. And while we did have fun, the AC was broken which was a main reason we were going in the first place. I promised Sophia Dicos while daddy was gone, and I made good. She also ate her first ice cream cone by herself. She wore a lot of it, and didn't finish it, but it was a great try.
I have missed some incredible photo ops too...oh well. I am tired. I need to study. Don't even know if this makes any sense. Thanks for all the encouragement from friends and family!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
day 4, and really counting counting down
04.07.10
Bella woke up last night too, teeth hurting, I suppose. She didn't tell me that, she had no fever, and her toothy grin says a lot. Ouch, mainly. But we all made it through the night okay.
Sophia has been saying so many sweet and hilarious things and for the most part has been well behaved (except at bedtime)...
This morning I made the body to the Lego 'giraffe' and Sophia made the head all by herself, and I thought she did a pretty darn good job. looks more like a horse, but it does look like the head of an animal right?
I decided to bike to our old school and see if we had mail there. Lo and behold a sweet envelop from Aunt Julie, an anniversary gift to David and me (sweet gummy things that I will eat before you get back), and really cute matching Tees for the girls. Sophia wanted to wear it right away, over her other shirt.
We talked to Poppy and CC, to make sure we told CC HAPPY BIRTHDAY. They had called and talked to Abby. And since they don't speak the same language, I am sure it was entertaining. Abby's retelling was funny: 'they probably asked where you were, so I told them you were outside. they probably didn't understand. So , they probably said they would call you or you should call them, I don't know.'
Had class in the middle of the day, it went okay, I spoke a little and may do so again next class before I really dive into it all. Abby was smiling and laughing at me trying to be so precise, she said I was not saying it wrong. I told her seriously that if she laughed at me I wouldn't want to speak at all. Ha, get over it, I know...seriously, I love it, and cannot wait to get into messy conversations where I say absurd things. Bring it on...
Sophia had to 'fix' her broken stroller. She also has gotten into the whole: 'daddy lets me do this, doesn't let me do that, jie jie doesn't do that, etc'
Sophia stood on the stool behind a chair I was sitting in, hugged my neck and said: 'mama, I love you so much. And I love daddy so much, and Bella, and JieJie.'
I could have cried. I told her JieJie (Abby) would love to hear that, why don't you tell her. And she did. Makes Abby's day every time.
Sophia also said this today:
"my owie on my leg feels better. God really helped it. He is everywhere.......walkin' around....protectin' it (her owie???)...Praise the Lord (she throws up her hands)"
Alas, as prep for bedtime all day I told her she was not sick, and to not say it for the third night in a row. I told her I would not sleep with her, etc. etc. And of course, at bedtime this time (not an hour later), she starts her shenanigans. I am supposed to be studying, but I really try to nip it in the bud this time. She has a little discipline. I do threaten to take baa baa away. I take her to the bathroom once. And all is quiet. For now. I did study some...and ate more of the Lemon Pie I made for the ladies, completely un-vegan that it is (I was getting rid of our last thing of cream cheese!)
Bella woke up last night too, teeth hurting, I suppose. She didn't tell me that, she had no fever, and her toothy grin says a lot. Ouch, mainly. But we all made it through the night okay.
Sophia has been saying so many sweet and hilarious things and for the most part has been well behaved (except at bedtime)...
This morning I made the body to the Lego 'giraffe' and Sophia made the head all by herself, and I thought she did a pretty darn good job. looks more like a horse, but it does look like the head of an animal right?
I decided to bike to our old school and see if we had mail there. Lo and behold a sweet envelop from Aunt Julie, an anniversary gift to David and me (sweet gummy things that I will eat before you get back), and really cute matching Tees for the girls. Sophia wanted to wear it right away, over her other shirt.
We talked to Poppy and CC, to make sure we told CC HAPPY BIRTHDAY. They had called and talked to Abby. And since they don't speak the same language, I am sure it was entertaining. Abby's retelling was funny: 'they probably asked where you were, so I told them you were outside. they probably didn't understand. So , they probably said they would call you or you should call them, I don't know.'
Had class in the middle of the day, it went okay, I spoke a little and may do so again next class before I really dive into it all. Abby was smiling and laughing at me trying to be so precise, she said I was not saying it wrong. I told her seriously that if she laughed at me I wouldn't want to speak at all. Ha, get over it, I know...seriously, I love it, and cannot wait to get into messy conversations where I say absurd things. Bring it on...
Sophia had to 'fix' her broken stroller. She also has gotten into the whole: 'daddy lets me do this, doesn't let me do that, jie jie doesn't do that, etc'
Sophia stood on the stool behind a chair I was sitting in, hugged my neck and said: 'mama, I love you so much. And I love daddy so much, and Bella, and JieJie.'
I could have cried. I told her JieJie (Abby) would love to hear that, why don't you tell her. And she did. Makes Abby's day every time.
Sophia also said this today:
"my owie on my leg feels better. God really helped it. He is everywhere.......walkin' around....protectin' it (her owie???)...Praise the Lord (she throws up her hands)"
Alas, as prep for bedtime all day I told her she was not sick, and to not say it for the third night in a row. I told her I would not sleep with her, etc. etc. And of course, at bedtime this time (not an hour later), she starts her shenanigans. I am supposed to be studying, but I really try to nip it in the bud this time. She has a little discipline. I do threaten to take baa baa away. I take her to the bathroom once. And all is quiet. For now. I did study some...and ate more of the Lemon Pie I made for the ladies, completely un-vegan that it is (I was getting rid of our last thing of cream cheese!)
Day 3 missin' daddy
4.6.10
The previous night, as you know, Sophia cried wolf with being sick. I slept in the room with her and did not sleep well...
In the morning, she wore this pretty dress (from cousin Anna I think)
and Bella played on the floor
Sophia learned how to use scissors, plastic ones that could not hurt a flea. But I soon upgraded to 'safe' but not plastic ones within an hour. I got out a whole kit I had been saving that has new paint, crayons, scissors, etc. She loves it! And she was so proud. But at one point she said: 'I am going to rest a minute, because I can't do it very well.' I was shocked, and encouraged her to keep trying, and told her that she was a great 'cutter.'
and Bella is everywhere into everything, and keeps being so cute. Except when she cries at night because four teeth are coming in all at once. Poor thing.
I had every intention of getting pics from my host of 'ladies night out.' Indeed I was crazy for hosting with you away, since Sophia was up again calling/screaming whatever saying all manner of things: 'i am really sick, i have to go pee, mommy please sleep with me...'
I did not sleep with her but she did not go to sleep until after 9 pm I am sure.
The previous night, as you know, Sophia cried wolf with being sick. I slept in the room with her and did not sleep well...
In the morning, she wore this pretty dress (from cousin Anna I think)
and Bella played on the floor
Sophia learned how to use scissors, plastic ones that could not hurt a flea. But I soon upgraded to 'safe' but not plastic ones within an hour. I got out a whole kit I had been saving that has new paint, crayons, scissors, etc. She loves it! And she was so proud. But at one point she said: 'I am going to rest a minute, because I can't do it very well.' I was shocked, and encouraged her to keep trying, and told her that she was a great 'cutter.'
and Bella is everywhere into everything, and keeps being so cute. Except when she cries at night because four teeth are coming in all at once. Poor thing.
I had every intention of getting pics from my host of 'ladies night out.' Indeed I was crazy for hosting with you away, since Sophia was up again calling/screaming whatever saying all manner of things: 'i am really sick, i have to go pee, mommy please sleep with me...'
I did not sleep with her but she did not go to sleep until after 9 pm I am sure.
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