Boy, it sure is hard to get 2 minutes to myself when you have a 3 year old around. It has been 10 years since I had a 3 year old around so forgive me for forgetting how much time they take up.
Chelsee Fu Mei is doing amazingly well. She continues to thrive and squeal with delight all day long. She just seems so happy to be with us and she loves her new surroundings and activities. This is a child who loves to be outside running around, getting stronger by the day....she loves her big sister with all her heart and allows me to comfort her whenever a kiss or hug is needed. She has special hand signs just for her dad and loves to help him cook and sample all kinds of junk food with him (ahem!!) She even shows Philly some attention with soft tummy rubs. Right now, she is laying with Julee watching her first movie, Wall-E. We feel so blessed to be able to show her love, attention and happiness. She is indeed showing us her new happy self as well.
The Pipsqueak
Last week, we visited the pediatrician for the first time. It is hard to fill out the New Patient questionnaire when so much is unknown about her history so "Unknown" will become the word I have to use on most lines of most forms from here on out. But the doctor was quite pleased with her overall well being. She did not make it on to the American charts for weight (yet) at 23.5 lbs. But she is in the 5th percentile for height at 36 inches!! We documented a few of her birthmarks and physical attributes. We are still debating the vaccinations dilemma. I have her Chinese vaccination record (it is being translated now) and together with that and the doctor's determination, we will proceed cautiously with vaccinating her for school after she turns 4. We left there feeling very good about her overall health and very optimistic for her advancement in the next year or so. I would not be surprised at all if she can enter Kindergarten as a 5 year old in the fall of 2010.
The Pistol
And I would also not be surprised if at her first Kindergarten Parent/Teacher conference they tell me she is one obstinate child! I'll have to say "Uh, yea I know!" Two nights ago, there was the first stand off since we have been home. Now, this standoff was only a little similar to the ones we experienced in China where she stomps her feet 2 or 3 times as if to say "No way am I doing what you want me to!" This one was definitely more about being 3 years old than being scared or frustrated. And we have made progress because at least this time, I was not put in a time out! So, silly me, all I asked of her was to put her blue crayon on the table before laying with me to go to bed and fall asleep. She usually cleans up all her toys by herself after brushing her teeth and putting on her pjs, but apparently, this was the last straw for her and there was major foot stomping and the pout and the head toss that have become so familiar when Miss Chelsee Fu Mei does NOT want to do something! We keep telling her to say "No thank you" or "Please no!" but foot stomping is much more fun and effective. Al and I could tell this was not a cry out for help or a frightened moment, so we tried to hold our ground by just reiterating to put the crayon on the table and then you can come lay with Mommy. NO! "Oh, go ahead Chelsee Fu Mei, all you have to do is put the crayon on the table and then you can go sleepies." NO! NO! NO! Foot stomp, Head toss, Pout! So we just let her be. Tick, tock, tick, tock! 15 minutes later: "Want to come to mommy and lay down?" NO! &^% NO! Tick, tock, tick, tock! 10 more minutes later: she is starting to fall asleep standing up as she continues her protest of the mean mom and dad! I open my arms to motion for her to come in and she runs to me. But right before she gets to my arms, she spies the blue crayon on the end of the recliner! She looks at me, I look at her! She takes it and walks it back over to the table and then runs into my arms. I gather her up and within literally 30 seconds, she is asleep!! Priceless!
The First Poop
Over the last 2 weeks we have been home, she has learned so many new words and gestures and sounds and ideas, it is staggering. My only complaint is that some of these words are words taught to her by her dad and her sister (and some cousins, too....you know who you are!). Words like Buggar, Poop, Piggy Mommy (no matter who burps) which is followed by a High Five to solidify the dis of Mommy, P.U. for something stinky like my socks, and other less than stellar sayings. I have managed to teach her to count to 10, say Please and sign for "I Love You" but everything else is for amusement in my humble opinion! And, to add to my challenges, I have also had to do the majority of stinky changes of underwear or pull-ups! Each one is followed by giggles from her, her sister and her dad. Why am I the only one not laughing? She then proceeds to say Poop and point to her bottom. So, she gets it, but she just won't get it in the pot! She can tell us it needs to happen but getting it to happen ain't happenin'! Until today! But not for me! For Julee! Julee yelled for me to come look and be amazed. And there the two of them are, beaming with pride! Al is high fiving everyone and I bring the Skittles for rewards! Yahooo! Hopefully, the rest of them will land in the same place!
We have also all slept through the night in our own beds at least once. We are well on our way to a new normal and a workable schedule! Now if someone in this household could win a small lottery, we would be all set! Adding another family member is very $tre$$ful on the non existent budget of a Hospitality Manager of a seasonal hotel and a newly unemployed Data Analyst. Sighing with a smile. We know what to be thankful for!
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