Happy Fall

Hope you're having a happy weekend.

Last October the three of us went to Market Days in Wimberley and while we were there we bought Lindy this little dress. I was happy to see it fit her "just right" this year.

Here she is posing with the little scarecrows in our yard. She had more fun pulling them out of the ground than posing. She's ornery, that one.

Enjoy!

Gig 'em Ashley

or

If you live in Texas, you know the BIGGEST state college rivalry is between the University of Texas Longhorns & the Aggies of Texas A&M. Even if you didn't attend either school, somehow you gravitate to cheering for one of the teams (unless you went to Texas Tech who reportedly hates them both equally). Both schools are steeped in tradition, have super sports teams, and superior academic programs.

Well, truth be told, we are UT people. Lindy proudly displays her Hook 'em Horns sign and loves pointing out all the Longhorns she sees. However, she is getting some coaching from the outside to become an Aggie fan because look what she received in the mail last week from her favorite Aggie, Ashley--a senior at A&M...

Oh no, what will all my Longhorn friends think??? Please don't tell them...

Well, this pink shirt really is so much prettier than burnt orange...

This gig 'em is for you Ashley. I love you, love the shirt, and can't wait for the next time you come home because I miss you.

Thank you for sending the shirt, Ashley. We will think of you, your entire family, and all our other Aggie friends when she wears it.

A first and hopefully a last

Last night we were in the emergency room from 7:00-12:15 with Lindy. We finally got her tucked in at about 12:30.


In my previous post, I mentioned that it seemed as if Lindy had an allergic reaction to the hay or something at the pumpkin patch. Well, yesterday morning when I woke her at 8:00 to get ready for church she was burning up and her eyes and face were swollen. She was blotchy and itchy elsewhere but with a dose of Tylenol and Benadryl, things seemed to get better. I felt certain that I'd be paying a visit to her pediatrician on Monday.

When she got up at 4:30 from her nap she was on fire and she looked like Will Smith in the scene from Hitch when he has an allergic reaction to shellfish. Her temp was 104.8 and she was COVERED with welts/hives. Her eyes were nearly swollen shut and her hands and fingers nearly doubled in size. I was scared because her temp was so high and she was so itchy and miserable. If you've had hives or an allergic reaction of some sort you know how it can make you a stark raving lunatic. It is terribly uncomfortable. I gave her Motrin, Benadryl, and called the Ask-a-Nurse. It took quite a while to get a return call but after her questions she recommended we "not delay until tomorrow" and head to the ER.

Blotchy but a bit better...

It was really amazing how quickly the Benadryl worked to clear things up. (None of these pictures were taken at her worst.) When the doctor finally saw Lindy she thought it was most likely a virus or an allergic reaction to something. However, to be on the safe side she wanted to check to ensure she didn't have an infection. That meant testing her urine. That meant inserting a catheter. My heart sunk...

Waiting to see the doctor...

Lindy was such a trooper. She HATES going to the doctor and has total white coat syndrome. However, in the scheme of things she did so well and was quite brave. She doesn't have an infection and will be on steroids for a few days as well as Benadryl and Motrin as needed.

Waiting for test results...

Our prayer is that this will pass quickly and that whatever it is will go away and never come back. At this time I am so thankful for the little bit of "momtuition" and "dadtuition" that kicked in. I will admit I have fear I'll be too easy going and that I won't know what to do if something is wrong or when to escalate the issue. That's a total pride issue. As I think about it, I guess it is never wrong to call for help, even if it means sometimes I may look like a nervous, over-cautious first-time mom. Please pray for Lindy's healing. Thank you.

Trip to the pumpkin patch

It would be really easy to fill each weekend with chores and errands and not make the time to do fun family things and create special memories. Recently it dawned on me that we have to make a conscious decision and effort to plan special outings or we'll easily get into the trap of just trying to conquer our never ending to-do list.

Today we went to a local pumpkin patch to try to get into the fall spirit. I'll admit that's a challenge when it is 90 degrees outside and extremely humid. Lindy enjoyed looking at the pumpkins, riding on a little "train," and being outside. I think we discovered she may be allergic to hay. Later in the day her eyes were completely red and swollen, her mouth was swollen, and she was quite itchy. A little dose of Benadryl seemed to cure her, though.

Here are some pictures of our morning at the pumpkin patch.

Enjoy!

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

Crazy girl

First of all, does this look like this matches? Daddy dressed Lindy in this combo after bath a couple of weeks ago. It was the one night I didn't lay out Lindy's pajamas for him...Maybe she clashed so much she couldn't sleep and that's why she looked angry the next morning.

Today I am convinced Lindy's mind is ALL over the place like mine based on the following dialogue in Bed, Bath & Beyond:

"Dear God, Thank you for foooood, family, A, B, C, D, E, F, G (singing), Cheerios, please mommy..."

Wow, and I thought my mine wandered when I pray. I definitely have never busted out into singing my ABCs.

Conversations with Lindy

Lindy cracks me up. I know it is probably pretty typical of a Mom to think her kid is so funny but Lindy has always delighted me with her sense of humor and the things she says.

Here are some recent classics...

M: Good morning princess.

L: I'm not the princess, I'm the queen.

That one took me by surprise. "Princess" isn't a common nickname we use for her. She hasn't watched Disney or really gotten into dress-up yet, so her only exposure that I know of to princesses are the pictures of Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, and Belle on her pull-ups and panties. So how did she know a queen trumps a princess???

Here's one from yesterday...

L: I love Grandma. I love Grandpa. I love Kansas. I want to eat Kansas.

People in the Sunflower State be afraid, be very afraid...

This is a common phrase while eating...

L: Mmm, mmm, mmm. It's perfect. I love it.

Don't get me wrong, not everything gets that reaction (especially if it is of the vegetable persuasion) but her zeal really gets me.

To my dismay, Lindy can be aggressive with certain kids. I've been trying to tell her not to hit or hit back, push or push back, etc., but to "turn the other cheek." I know it is a big concept/phrase to use with a two year old and I do break it down for her so that she'll understand. I hear her talking about turning the other cheek quite often. Last week she was running and totally busted on the kitchen floor and hit her cheek. It left a mark and when I asked her if her cheek hurt, she said, "Turn other cheek." Well, my love, I am not sure that would've made a difference but thanks for listening to the lessons I'm trying to teach...

Oh to know what is going on in the head of a two year old...

Eyes & ears

Lindy is so blessed to have wonderful Bible class teachers. She loves all her teachers and can't wait for Bible class. The past few weeks they've been learning how God created their senses. I couldn't help but sharing these pictures of a couple of the crafts she's brought home.

God gave me two eyes to see...

Mommy & Daddy think they are beautiful!

God also gave me two ears so I can hear...

Sometimes I have "selective" hearing

But I'm trying to be better...

Thank you, God for eyes that see and ears that hear.

The Swing

The Swing

by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,

River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
I love this poem for a couple of reasons...

I have vivid memories of my mom reading it to me when I was a little girl and I have always loved to swing on swings.

Yesterday at the park, I almost cried looking at how my sweet little girl was having so much fun swinging. It was one of those moments when I had to stop and thank God for blessing me so much for bringing Lindy into my life. She truly is a special gift.

Happy Grandparent's Day

Dear Grandma & Grandpa, Grandma & Grandpa Osborn, & Great Grandma & Great Grandpa~


Happy Grandparent's Day from your little girl!

Love to all~
Lindy Li-Xiao

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

Playing tour guide

While my parents were visiting, we also had a visit from my Aunt Arnid and Uncle Jim from Pensacola, FL and my cousin Joyce and her family from the Houston area. We ate Mexican food (of course) at Rio Rio, took a tour of the riverwalk on a river boat, and toured the Alamo. Thankfully, the weather was not too hot and it didn't rain either. It was a wonderful treat for us all to get together since that doesn't happen very often.

My picture taking experiences weren't great that day but here are some shots...

Don & Mark eating chips and salsa discussing project management

Three generations on a riverboat cruise

Will & Hannah

We are so glad you are in remission, Will!!!

Cousins, Lisa & Joyce

Uncle Jim & Aunt Arnid and Mom & Dad

Grandma & Grandpa's visit

My grandma and grandpa came to visit all the way from Kansas last week. I was so excited and had been talking about it for weeks every time we passed the airport.

Grandma had a special birthday on August 28th and we had a belated party for her when she got here. I had also been talking about that for weeks and enjoyed going out with Mommy to look for special presents. I couldn't stop talking about birthday cake. Birthday cake rocks!!!

I helped Grandma open her presents and blow out her candles. I was such a party girl running around everywhere that Mommy had a hard time capturing all the fun.

I enjoyed Grandma and Grandpa's visit so much. We had fun pretending, gathering acorns, reading, dancing, and playing. They couldn't believe what a big girl I am getting to be.

I didn't want the fun with them to end but they had to get back to work. So, I'll be anxiously awaiting the next time we can be together. Maybe there will be some cake...

Anchors Aweigh....

For those of you who don't know it, Don is a Naval Academy alum. So, it is no wonder that this was his favorite dress of Lindy's this summer...

Lindy's Hans & Franz look

Anyone remember the Hans and Franz skits from Saturday Night Live with Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon??? I know, I'm totally dating myself...Well, Lindy briefly donned a Hans & Franz look at the Families with Children from China pool party on Saturday.

We had decided she needed a bathing (or as she says "babing") suit with built in floaties. Great idea, right??? Unfortunately, the suit was a bit big for her and it didn't work out yet. However, we did get a kick out of her new buff look. Lindy is here to "pump you up."

I guess we'll give it a try again next year. For now she'll have to stick with the princess fairy look...

In training

I really can't believe I am posting about this but it is a big part of what is going on with Lindy and us these days--potty training.

Lindy is officially in training and so are we. I think it is going fairly well and coming together. Lindy has stayed dry throughout the day for several days in a row. She is not shy about telling us when she has to go. She announces it in full voice and is quite insistent and persistent about it, even when we don't want her to be like in church or the middle of a furniture store.

I have heard some kids are afraid of the process, are particular about where they do it and with whom, etc. So far, it doesn't seem to matter where we are or who she's with. If she wants to she will, if she doesn't she won't.

I'll admit we haven't read one thing about this and we are totally winging it. We've opted to bribe umm I mean reward her successes with a single M&M. She enjoys the M&Ms, the high fives, and praise. It is fun to see her excited about her accomplishments.

It is definitely a time-consuming process and a commitment. I know the more committed I am to the process, the more successful she will be. I hope it won't be long before we are completely diaper free but I know we still have a way to go...

Lunch with the girls

Today Lindy and I went to lunch with two of our favorite girls--Erin & Emily. Don and I have known Erin and Emily since spring of 1996 when they were just little girls. We have shared holidays together, had sleepovers, baked cookies, gone to the beach, slept together in the same cabin during family retreats, just to name a few things...

As hard as it is for me to believe, Emily had freshman high school orientation today and we were getting together to say farewell to Erin as she heads off to college on Friday. These precious girls whom we would "babysit" are now babysitting Lindy. Watching Erin and Emily grow from little girls to young women is a bittersweet reminder of how fast time goes by AND that we are ALL aging.

We love you Erin and will miss you lots while you're away at college!!! Have fun, study hard, and don't forget to come back to visit.

We love you Emily and hope you will enjoy being in high school. Congratulations on making varsity tennis!!! We'll come check out a match when we can.

I won an award

Earlier this week, my sweet blogger friend and fellow April Panda, Margie, awarded this blog with the "Blogger Reflection Award." Not knowing what that meant I read the following:

"The Blogger Reflection Award should make an individual reflect upon bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and who have provided a Godly example. In other words, bloggers whom, when you reflect upon them, you are filled with a sense of pride and joy...of knowing them and being blessed by them.”

I was really very surprised and honored someone would think of me in this manner. I really am such a novice blogger and I know my three little blogs are just little fish in a VERY, VERY, VERY big blogging ocean. The primary reason I began blogging was to keep family and friends updated about our trip to China to bring home Lindy. I never dreamed it would also be an outlet for me to "meet" other people and encourage as well as be encouraged.

This award is meant to be passed on to someone else in the blogosphere. I am going to pass it to Heather at Especially Heather. I don't know Heather, nor do I even remember how I found her blog. In fact, I think Don found it. Heather is a young woman who has faced (and continues to face) more trials than it seems like anyone should have to bear. However, her faith is so strong and her example of perseverance is incredible. She constantly is talking about her blessings, passing on nuggets of wisdom, and offering reminders that we are not in control but God is. On days when I feel like things aren't going right, I remember some of the things Heather has written about and gone through and it not only offers me perspective but hope, as well. I know she is blessed and prayed for by many people but I also know she blesses many people with her spiritual maturity.

Thank you, Margie for this award and for causing me to take some time to reflect on who to pass it on to.

Happy National Smile Week

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis Diller

There are days (and I know I'm not alone) when I just don't feel like smiling. When I see this face, however, sometimes it is impossible NOT to smile.

A smile is really the easiest thing to give someone and it is completely free. Mother Teresa said, "Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."

I am blessed to have this sweet little girl who freely gives smiles all day long. (Except for when I am trying to capture it via a camera and then I better work fast!!!)

Lindy loves company!

Yesterday we were treated to a brief visit from Aunt Nadine & Uncle Al from southern California. They were only in town for a few hours but it didn't take more than a few seconds for Lindy to warm up to them like she'd known them forever.

She had Uncle Al reading to her and Aunt Nadine playing babies with her. It was such a kick to watch them as they played with their GREAT, GREAT niece. I think at one point Uncle Al was ready to trade many of his prized possessions for Miss Lindy.

They took great pleasure in reminding me of how when I was Lindy's age I would cry whenever I was around Uncle Al. It's true. There are pictures of me with red-rimmed, crying eyes and my dear uncle.

Not having any family nearby, it is always a nice treat to spend a little time together when we can.

Thanks for adding us to your itinerary! We loved seeing you.

Singing in the rain

Maybe you've seen on TV that Texas has received an unusual amount of rain this summer. I don't mind the rain, so I've been pretty content with it and am missing it this week...

One thing I found myself dreading about the rain was getting out in it. Before you call me prissy, let me clarify that I don't use umbrellas and am not afraid of melting in it. My main hesitation was being out in it with Lindy.

Lindy LOVES the rain. Everytime we'd go somewhere I'd tell her to stay in the garage and walk to her side of the car. Did she listen? Sure. Did she obey? No. She'd dart right out into it and splash in the puddles, put her hands under the rain spout, and throw her hands in the air and twirl around in the rain. This would frustrate me to no end.

Then one day I stopped and watched her. She was having so much fun and it wasn't really hurting anything, so I let her get wet and play in the rain. She is filled with so much joy and it is moments like these I remind myself to relax and let her take joy in the simple pleasures of life.

A little reunion

I am suffering from a bit of blogger backlog. I seriously don't know how so many people blog on a daily basis and still keep it interesting...

Two weeks ago, Lindy and I were reunited with my friend, Lisa, and her family during their annual visit to Texas. Lisa and I "met" each other online through the April 2005 DTC Yahoo group and we were also a part of a special prayer group. Eventually we met face to face in China at the White Swan after she had adopted Aubrey and we had adopted Lindy. Then we also got to see each other last July.

Last year when we went to dinner our girls were fairly quiet and reserved. Lindy had just started walking, so she couldn't make it around much without a hand to hold onto. This year was such a contrast!!! Our girls were both loud, bold, and on the move EVERYWHERE--even in the pouring rain! Without a doubt, both Lindy and Aubrey have made the adjustment!

Aubrey (34 months) and Lindy (26 months)

I am happy that Lisa took the time away from her visit with family to catch up with us. I look forward to making it an annual tradition and watching our girls continue to blossom and grow.