There's a first time for everything...

Lindy experienced two exciting--but altogether different--"firsts" this week.

On Saturday we took Lindy to her first movie in a movie theater on Saturday. We went to see Horton Hears a Who. She had no idea what we were doing or where we were. She did ask if we were at church which was kind of funny to me. When we walked into the lobby she said, "I smell something yummy." Then she spied the popcorn and was thrilled. She was pretty quiet during the movie and I think she stayed in her seat the entire time which was amazing. Popcorn was definitely the key to those accomplishments! Don and I both enjoyed watching her enjoy herself so much.
On a completely different note, Lindy went to the dentist for the first time yesterday. Honestly, I had meant to take her sooner but got varying opinions on what the appropriate age is. Thankfully, I haven't had any concerns about her teeth to speak of so three seemed like a good time.

We had talked to her some about going to the dentist. She was completely on board with the idea and didn't seem to have any apprehensions...until yesterday morning.

First words out of her mouth were, "I don't want to go to the dentist." I spent the morning prodding her along and trying to ease her anxieties. We talked about all the people and animals who go to the dentist. I told her that both her Grandma Osborn and special friend, Denisa, used to work with the dentists to clean teeth. I told her about Hermie the elf on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer who wanted to be a dentist and how nice he is. I was nervous she was going to be a complete wreck.

Thankfully, the office was super cool and had enough distractions to make it extra fun for her. There were video games, movies, and beautiful tropical fish.

First, they took x-rays. She did fantastic; although the second x-ray was a bit blurry...

They didn't clean her teeth on this visit. They counted them, looked at the x-rays and just tried to get her acclimated to the experience. She loved getting to brush the big stuffed dog's teeth.

When it was time to leave, she kept talking to the dental assistant and thanking her for the stickers and new toothbrush. The icing on the cake was the lollipop the receptionist gave her--sugar-free, of course.

I really am proud of Lindy for doing so well and being brave to the experience.

Overall, what a gift it is to experience new things with this sweet child God has blessed us with. I am thankful for the new opportunities, the challenges, and the triumphs.

He's a winner in her eyes

Much to Lindy's dismay, it was the season finale of Dancing With the Stars last night and her beloved pick did not win the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. Over the past couple of weeks when I asked her who she wanted to win, she kept on saying, "Jason Taylor." Usually, if you ask her a question like "Do you like oranges or strawberries?" she answers whatever she heard last. However, it didn't matter if we phrased it as a choice (i.e., Do you want Kristi Yamaguchi or Jason Taylor to win?) or just a plain question (i.e., Who do you want to win?), she was adamant she wanted Jason Taylor to win.

This was surprising because right off the bat, she noticed Kristi Yamaguchi was Asian (Chinese to her) and we thought she was drawn to her and her amazing energy. However, I guess that didn't matter to her. She was drawn more to the man whom she mentioned over and over didn't have any hair.

Honestly, her mommy didn't think he was too bad of a choice, either, but in the end chose Kristi Yamaguchi as her pick to win.

Goodbye old friend

It all started very innocently. It was just a simple burp cloth to use just in case our new doll was one of those babies who spit up everywhere. It was never meant to turn into a vice but somehow it did, from day one in China. Somehow the burp cloth made it off my shoulders and into her hands. Then it made it into her mouth...It has been there ever since--UNTIL NOW.

This is about two hours after we got her. She finally calmed down and fell asleep. There's "rag" on her but not yet in her mouth...

Lindy's primary soothing mechanism of choice has been any type of terry material burp cloth, affectionately coined as, "rag." At first, we brought it everywhere with us. You can see glimpses of it in many of the pictures in China. Then we limited it to bedtime only, although we've caught her sneaking hits here and there when we forgot to hang it out of reach. She's even stooped to digging them out of the hamper in her room. Addiction is an ugly thing.

After an outing in Changsha. Hard to believe she actually slept while we were out.

There have been many nights where Lindy has "lost" rag in the sea of other things in her crib and we've had to come find it for her. I guess that made us the enablers. She sucks on the rag and sometimes it is soaked when I get her up from nap or in the morning. To me it is a gross, smelly, germ factory. To her it is comfort and a necessity for rest.

On a plane about 30 minutes before landing. Finally sleeping with rag in hand and mouth...

We had been telling Lindy for a long time she didn't need rag and that she needed to give it up. Turning three seemed like a good milestone for her to get rid of her nasty vice. She really seemed on board with the idea and talked a lot about not needing it when she turned three. There were many mornings where she'd hand it to me and it would be virtually dry. However, on the day she turned three she wasn't so much into the idea of giving it up for good.

On a camping trip last October...Note the gold and green bear. His name is Dorsey Levens. He (Dorsey Levens, not the bear) is a former Green Bay Packers player. He was a gift and now is also a must have in bed. When he gets "lost" at night, we hear, "Need Dorsey. Need Levens."

I took rag away from her during her nap on her birthday. There's no other way but cold turkey. I had never heard her wail like that. It was painful to listen to. After 20 minutes of what sounded like near hyperventilation, I caved. I was afraid she'd hate me for ruining her third birthday (silly, I know). On Saturday, which was two days after her birthday, we tried again at nap. She cried and screamed for about two solid hours. She even made herself a little sick which I had never seen happen. Can you say massive temper tantrum? I knew giving it back to her would mean giving in and her winning...Saturday night came. More tears and crying. There were also about three trips during the middle of the night into her room for other things...Sunday came. No tears. Just more delays and random requests for water, blankets, certain animals.

It is now Wednesday. Knock on wood, things seem to be going well. She's making it through naps and the night much better. I think she may have found a substitute with a very soft Little Giraffe lovey she has because its corners are somewhat wet. However, I'm keeping my eyes open and am trying to tell her it is just to touch because it is so soft and not to put in her mouth.

I am proud of Lindy for being a big girl and putting away her yucky habit in a matter of a couple days. She really did much better than I thought! Now if I could only learn from her and give up my vices--chocolate, cheese, etc...

****Note: This post is written about Lindy in a spirit of lightness. It is not meant to poke fun at or be offensive to anyone who has struggled with or is currently struggling with addiction of any sort or in any manner.****

Turning three was fun!

I had a great 3rd birthday!

We had pizza and there was even a piece of cake "on the house."

Daddy & Mommy chose Italian Cream Cake for me. I shared.

There were so many fun presents and lots of beautiful princess cards!

My very special friends, Cliff & 'Sisa came over.

They got to see me ride my Princess Big Wheel.

There was a pink and brown cake with my name on it. It was yummy, especially with ice cream.

I am truly very blessed.

Thank you to everyone who helped make my day so special.

Love,
Lindy Li-Xiao

She's three

In honor of the apple of our eyes' third birthday, here is a post of threes...

Three random things about Lindy...

1. When she hears a story, she thinks the ending is "amen" instead of "the end."
2. She loves, loves, loves to watch "Dancing With the Stars" and dance along, too.
3. She may be starting to get a bit of a Texas twang or whatever it is here. Just the other day she asked for a "big ole glass of water."
   

Three pictures of her in the early days before we brought her home...

July 2005

August 2005

November 8, 2005 (six months)

Three pictures from her first birthday...

Three pictures from her second birthday...

Three things she prays for...

1. Thank you for all our blessin's. (TX twang again)
2. Thank you for food.
3. Help mei mei come home soon.

Three things we'll do today...

1. Eat cake.
2. Eat ice cream.
3. Open presents.

And I thought I could handle twins?!?

"A two-year old is kind of like having a blender, but you don't have a top for it.” Jerry Seinfeld

A few weeks ago my friend pitched an idea to me. She would watch Lindy for about three hours a week and then the following week I would watch her two year old, Bethany (nine months younger than Lindy). Since I don't have Lindy in school we are together 24/7 for the most part and I don't really have any free time without her. Although it is tiring and can be difficult, I have chosen this path and I am happy to have the privilege to be a stay at home mother. I have to admit, though, having a few hours of some free time is VERY nice. I love the quiet and being able to get a bit more done without interruptions.

I also have to admit, keeping up with more than one two year old is HARD work. I can't even believe when I was young that I used to babysit four little ones at a time, work in a daycare, spend so much time with little kids, and WANT twins (actually, we requested and were approved for them when we were waiting for Lindy). I am out of practice when it comes to watching more than one and they really keep me running! My hat goes out to you who have multiples, children close in age, and those who make a career out of watching children.

It has been working out nicely. They play pretty well with each other for the most part. Occasionally, there is a bite or a scream but nothing too bad. Usually they just giggle and play. I have a hard enough time capturing Lindy on camera but I did get these quick shots of them "playing footsie" this past week...