Annie REALLY does cook...

Here we are preparing squash, one of Annie's favorite vegetables. The chicken is in the oven and the rice is in the cooker...

Here is Annie with her creation!!

Annie also likes to set the table. She is especially excited about the Raspberry Vinaigrette that we will have with our spring greens. We don't normally have the telescope there or boxes of food on the table but with a toddler...

And finally here is the cook, looking out our front window, waiting for Daddy. This is one of the Christmas wreaths that we made together the other day. Our theme this year is Candy Canes!!!! Imagine that~~

As an aside I HATE these blinds and am planning to have a consultant come and create some beautiful window coverings - dupeoni silk perhaps...

She did it!!!

Night two of sleeping in her own room in her big girl bed!! Annie gets up in the morning and runs into our bed. It is really sweet. She is liking her big girl bed but we haven't done anything with her bed beside ours. I will let her decide (with some guidance of course) when we need to take it apart.
In other news, we have had lots of snow here the last few days and little miss likes to wear her snow pants BUT doesn't think that you need to wear pants UNDER the snow pants. Too funny. Oh and we have an electric fireplace that only works with a remote. Well, I couldn't find the remote two days ago and Annie found it under the chair. We gave her lots of praise and positive affirmations. So yesterday, I couldn't find it either and Annie found it. Guess where? Under the chair. She told me that she had made it into a game. What a girl!!!
But I can't find it this morning and it isn't under the chair. Hmnnnn...

Another milestone... kind of...

Annie decided yesterday afternoon that she would sleep in her big girl bed all by herself. I went into our room and she went into hers, got into bed and went to sleep. She had a good two and half hour sleep which she really needed.
So, last night she decided that she would sleep the night in her big girl bed too. She went through her nighttime routine with Daddy and instead of falling asleep in our bed, she fell asleep in hers.
I was a little (really, really,to the point of tears) sad that she was leaving our room as she has slept in her little cot or her crib beside our bed since she came to us. Anyway, at around 1:13 am, Annie came crying into our room. She said that she had to use the loo and low and behold, Daddy hadn't put on her nighttime diaper. She was still wearing her Do.ra pa.nties. They were dry though!!!! After a quick pot.ty break, Annie climbed into bed with us and at 3 am I was finally able to put her in her little cot.
This morning, Annie was up at her usual time and she told me that she wasn't going to sleep in her big girl bed by her "selse" tonight but she would for her nap. A little too much I guess BUT it was Annie's decision and we were thrilled she felt secure enough to attempt it!!!

November so far...

Annie and her Dad are out int he backyard doing this, so I have a few moments to download some photos!!!

So far in November we have spent some time decorating Annie's door...

We have spent some time decorating her big girl room. Thank you Joma for the beautiful quilt!!!

We went on an airplane to Ontario...

We went to the same restaurant we went to when the photo at the top of the blog was taken. This is a happy munchkie-moo, enjoying her mango bubbles from out bubble tea. And yes, I know these are not good for kids!!!!

Uncle Kevin and Blake taught Annie how to play hockey... she is an excellent stick handler.

We went to my Dad's birthday surprise party. Annie is the one in the back with the tartan dress while her cousins are in front of her and beside her under the table. Thanks Auntie Tatie, for bringing the movie!!! I love this picture. It is so "kid" and exactly what we would have done at my Grandparent's parties if they had portable DVD players!!!

We hung out in Ontario with some crazy people and then came home...

It has been quite a month so far!!!!

Happy Halloween....

Update: New House is great, Annie is settling in and very excited for Halloween. Thought I would share some photos of one excited girl...

Visit with Great Grandpa and Grandma Margaret...

Running Barefoot through the grass!!! Love it!!


Catching the wind in her hair on the ferry!!


Loving the flowers... my barefoot baby...

Two heads looking down at the sunken garden at But.chart.

We had a lovely time with Annie's GG and Grandma Margaret. Annie was so sad when we put them on the train for their cross country adventure home to Ontario. Can't believe these two are in their mid- nineties and mid-eighties. Love you both soooooooo much...

Now back to packing... ugh...

Realization...

My world is small and fairly insular, filled with people I love and who love me. It also consists of my small neighborhood in my larger city. This past week, we had my Grandpa and his wonderful lady Margaret here visiting. We did quite a bit of travelling around and went to the big smoke aka Vancouver twice. My Grandpa is 95 and is having some issues with his hip so walking can be a challenge. Anyway, I went to the train station in Vancouver to pick them up and in Vancouver and on the ferrie home, I was asked many times "does this child have a mother?". Annie is a fast 2 1/2 year old and Grandpa walks slow so I was walking in between them. Yep, people thought Annie was a lost child. Hmnnn.
Then, Shawn was visiting our garden (we have a plot in a community garden) and Annie was stung by a stinging nettle plant that our garden neighbor has let over grow. It is great for tea but feels like a bee sting that goes on for a while. Anyway, it is very painful and Annie cried very loudly soooooo someone called the police. Yep, Shawn is now carrying Annie's identification so that he doesn't have to go through that again.
Oh and I was at a party and a young gal - in her twenties- told me she could understand what Annie was saying (she sounds like all the 2 year olds I know who are talking) because there were so many Asians in her neighborhood. Yep, I was upset and this gal wouldn't leave me alone - she kept wanting to talk about Annie's Asianess and how I as her mother wasn't as in tune to her because I am a white blonde woman. Our hosts are very close friends of ours and when I told them what was going on, they were upset too. We left there fairly quickly but luckily that woman isn't around very much.
I have also heard comments like"Chin.aman" , "she's so bright but Orie.ntals are" and other comments that I wouldn't want to repeat. Some of these things were said with the best of intentions but how can all the people in Asia be brilliant? Please explain this to me. As well, if the "orientals" in your building like to shop and dress well, why does that mean Annie will?
So racism is starting to rear its head and in the small world I have created around me, it really hasn't. Annie is Chinese, her first parents were Chinese, her first caregivers were Chinese so yes, she looks Asian and has many wonderful attributes that we can only surmise come from her first parents and/or her caregivers influence. However, I need to start REALLY educating myself on how we as a family need to deal with this. Shawn has seen his fair share of racism and he has valuable lessons and stories to share but I want to be able to give Annie (and us) the tools to deal with these comments without internalizing them. I have dealt with the ugly or surprised looks from passers by on the road, I have dealt with the much older generation and their embedded prejudices through conversation and enlightenment but this past week has really shown me what the outside world has in store for us.
Here are my thoughts:
1. An open dialogue in our family about racism
2. discussion of our feelings when situations arise
3. story books for Annie where people are different but the same
4. we need to prepare responses to people

Any more ideas or books that would be helpful?
Cheers,
Kristine

photos...

For posterity, a few of Annieisms...

"dat's ok Mommie, Daddy home soon" while stroking my arm.

"oh well, dese tings appen" after an accident and she has insured that everyone is ok

"gummie bearz, gummie bearz" Annie loves her vitamins!!!

a few things...

: Annie put two peas up her nose the other day and shot one out on her own and then I had to hold one nostril as she blew the other one out. Argg...

: Annie likes to tell stories and she explains what she just did like "Annie did "sigh" Mommie" "Annie did "sigh" Mommie". Other stories are about what she did while she was "seeping". She told me today that she was eating carrot cake while she was sleeping. Annie does quite a few things while she is "seeping" believe me!!!!

:Annie is into hitting her Mom. I don't know why but she just hauls off and hits me in the arm. Trying to nip this in the bud.

:We have had our condo listed to sell for the past month and we have been talking quite a bit about moving - not that I think at this point it is going to happen due to the market. Today Annie said she was ready for a new house. Uh-oh!!!!

:Potty training is going along. If she has a bare bum, Annie hits the potty every time, on her own- "quick bunny Mommie". Put anything on her and she pees in it EVERY time. Frustrated Mommie. Not sure what to do about this but having a wet floor to clean up is not my idea of fun due to the house having to be "showplace ready" at the drop of a hat. Annie even puts her pull ups or nighttime diapers in the garbage for us!!!!

:Annie is dressing up quite a bit and went out the other night with her wings on. All the other restaurant patrons thought she was lovely.

: Daddy "puts things somewhere" quite a bit when we can't find things!!!!!!

: Auntie Colleen made Annie oatmeal cookies. I don't know what we will do when they run out!!

: Annie told me she had to call Daddy at work today and so we called. Well, it was all about the beautiful tea set that Stella and George gave Annie. She couldn't find it and had to call!!! Daddy suggested she use her white one for now. At this moment, Annie has her dress on, her special necklace, the teacups are on their plates and she is pouring the hot water into her teapot. Guess I have to run to have tea with my darling girl.

OH and speaking of darling, that is what I call Annie quite a bit. She has started to call me "dahling" too. It is really cute. When I was in bed with a migraine the other day, she stroked my face like I stroke hers when she is sad/scared/hurt and gave me big smooches on the kisser!! LOVE my little girl sooooooo very much.

:Annie loves to go on the "jump,jump" aka trampoline with the "boys" aka Max and Fred. Even though the boys are 6 and 4 they are AMAZING with Annie and treat her so very well. At the park, Max goes down the slide with her and the one time he went without her accidentally, a little girl pushed her down. Well, all three boys including Jaspar (10) were going to have a "word" with that little girl!!! Luckily for her, her Daddy was reading the riot act so she was spared the wrath of three angry boys!!!! So sweet. It is too bad they live an island away... she misses them very much...

:Annie is an accomplished swimmer and hates life jackets (so glad as she is learning to swim without floaty things). We were in the lake quite a bit and this past weekend, Arthur had his Regional swim meet so we played at the pool and cheered him on. Annie saw "Artur" across the pool and "swam" across to meet him. I have to get her into the water more often as she just loves it. Putting her head under water is not a problem as she goes down the slide and jumps off the side no problem. Love those swimming lessons last summer!!!!!



Photos of her latest adventures to come soon...

a few more photos...

Camping: sliding down the bank...


Home: artist at work

Camping: "Daddy, camera!!!!!!!!!!"

Camping: getting down

Camping: playing with shadows!!!!

We have lots of photos because Annie is very much into having her photo taken!!!! Will try to post more often...

for Shirley who reminded me how long it has been since I have posted photos...

Annie set up these animals and then was drawing them on her etch a scetch...


Dress up time: love the bunny suit with heels... or maybe not, just don't tell her Dad!!!

quiet time iwth puzzles - miss those days...

Camping: hanging out

Camping: marshmallow face!!!

Camping, having a snack...

Camping: the fire Annie and Daddy built...

At home sleeping with baby...

Parksville: playing in the sand.

ps: we have listed our house and put an offer in on another one. Please send this stressed out Mommie some white light, prayers, whatever you believe - to have the strength to get through this time and sell this house fast. THANKS A MILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This child...

is really incredible. The way her mind works is a wonderful thing. Yesterday, when we were in the garden and Annie wanted a hug, she stood at the edge and said "Daddy, listen". He didn't so she said "Daddy, listen, Annie hug" twice and he finally listened, put down what he was doing and gave her a hug. We talk about "listening" quite a bit. I guess Annie has taken it to heart and when she feels her parents aren't listening to her needs, she now has the words to express herself!!!!
Annie had me in tears tonight. I have had a very sore lower back for about four days now and have not been able to arbitrarily pick her up. When I tell Annie that Mommie's back hurts so I need to wait until it is REALLY important for me to pick her up, she says "ok" and "helps Mommie" by scratching my back. Well tonight, my back went into a spasm after standing and cooking dinner for an hour so I had to stop and lay on the floor. Annie was concerned, came over to me, lay down on me and said "Don't worry Mommie, Daddy home soon". I broke down and cried. She is sooo sweet and kind. She also knows that Daddy will take care of us when we need him to which is soooooooo important in the attachment process.
Oh and the other thing Annie is doing, is taking control of her "elimination" process. She has decided not to use the potty but to wear diapers. Fine, no problem. So, I need to check them and the other day when I went to check her diaper Annie looked at me indignantly and said "No Mommie, no touch Annie diaper!!!!!"... I had to laugh at that one.
So, here are some photos of our trip to Parksville and Camping!!!

Annie having her first roasted marshmallow and hanging out by the fire after a few!! Notice her sippy cup in the cup holder. LOVE IT!!!!!!


Playing in the sand and at playground at our motel in Parksville... soooo close to the beach!!!!!

Annie went out every morning and just sat and played with her buckets in the sand. I could see her from our little kitchenette while I made breakfast. She was so very content...

What a week!!!!

We have had so much fun in the past week. A week ago today, we jumped in our camper and headed out camping for the first time. It was super!!!! Everything worked really well and other than a little leak in the secondary gas tank, all was well. We were out at Sooke with friends and had a great couple of nights learning about how amazing our 1976 camper really is. We even found the trick to putting the wee one to sleep - take her for a walk during nap time!!!!
We came home on Saturday, had a wonderful meal with Veronica, Colleen and Arthur who spent the night and then we packed up for a trip up island on Sunday. There we met with the Wang's who we travelled with to China last year. It was three days of talking, reminiscing and learning even more about each of our families. Annie LOVED playing with Anna and her big brothers Aaron and Christopher. Being a single child, Annie doesn't have the luxury of two older brothers to play with and have at her beck and call. The boys were incredible with both the little ones and we so appreciated the genuine way they took Annie under their wings. She loved the boys and was very sad when they were leaving tonight. We haven't uploaded any photos yet but they will come soon.
So tonight, the Wang's made their way to Victoria, en route to the states and we had a nice long visit as well as a meal together. Annie and Anna were adorable in the matching dresses Carol made them. The boys are EXCELLENT with the camera so they were able to catch the girls in a video as they ate cookies and twirled around the living room. Carol even made Annie a GORGEOUS cape that I would wear if it was in my size!!!!!! She wore it after dinner, all the way home and was reluctant to take it off when she was getting ready for bed. We are hoping that we can have an annual visit together so that the girls will grow up knowing each other - they share so much history!!!
Whew. Now for the weekend, wonder what trouble we can get up to next!!!!!

Posting...

Being a busy Mom makes posting a challenge BUT I wanted to say thank you to Red Sand and the boys for inviting us to Vancouver to visit with them while they were there. We had a wonderful time and Red Sand is such a super Mommy!!! Annie and the boys played beautifully together and that gave the Mommies some time to talk. After four years of exchanging gifts, reading blogs and supporting each other through some tough times, it was one of those incredible moments when Red Sand opened the door and we hugged for the first time. There we were, with the children we had hoped and waited for, playing together. Really neat!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

First, here is a photo of a future Mommie!! Annie loves her babies and here she has 'Fu' in her baby carrier. You can see the baby stroller in the background and her medical kit where Annie ensures that the babies are healthy. Every night the babies go to bed in their doll beds and stroller. Oh and this carrier is meant to be worn as a backpack but since we always carry Annie on our fronts, facing us, she tries to do the same with her babies. What a good Mommie!!!

So, I celebrated my second Mother's day this year but really, it was my first Mother's Day. Last year we were deeply grieving the loss of Shawn's Mom and our first daughter Minyun. Shawn was working and although he tried, it really was a very sad day for us.


This year however, Shawn and Annie gave me a Mother's Day weekend!!! We went out for breakfast with friends on Saturday, then shopping, then out for lunch on a beautiful patio and then, I was treated to a pedicure!!!!!!!


On Mother's Day, Shawn and Annie made me a champagne breakfast in bed!! I was able to lounge in bed and read while Annie came and gave me updates. She was very serious and would tell me "Daddy, breakfast, Mommy, wait here!!!" and then she would run back into the kitchen to help her Dad. It was a perfect morning as we all enjoyed breakfast in bed together. We then went to the garden (we have a small community plot) and gardened until lunchtime. The afternoon was spent watching movies while Annie and Daddy napped. ALONE TIME!!!!!!!! Yipee. The highlight were the cards that my family gave me. One was a Hoop.s and Yo.yo and it sang to me!! Annie couldn't get enough of that one!! Annie signed her card to me and it has a little mouse (her zodiac sign) in a teacup (one of Annie's favorite games). So sweet.


My memories of my "first" Mother's Day is very sweet too!!! Best Ever!!!

Fashionista...

This first outfit is Annie's choice of her "Big" clothes. She has put together pink boots with a bathing suit mini-skirt and her cousin Emma's beautiful jean jacket!!!

This next outfit is one of my sparkly tops and scarves. Annie paired it with a magic wand.

The Elmo shirt and flower pants are for relaxing at home, on her new stool while eating her ABC pretzels and homemade banana bread snacks. Annie is using her matching Elmo sippy cup to enjoy her water with this afternoon snack.

Annie is practicing her runway walk in this photo. Still sporting the Elmo shirt, Annie has added her sunglasses and apron to the ensemble. What you cannot see in this photo are the shoes that Annie has chosen to wear with the outfit. Both shoes are pink kitten heel backless shoes. One has a bow and jewel while the other has fur. Very cute.

While travelling Annie goes in style with this pretty heart dress and pink capris. Perfect for the camping lifestyle.

Annie has started to choose her own clothes and is having a blast doing it. She has great colour choices and seems to enjoy the task of putting clothes together. For her birthday, Auntie Katie gave her a necklace and bracelet that she wears regularly along with the bangles from Santa. Jack gave Annie a crown for her birthday that she pairs with her kitten heel shoes, worn with a diaper. This is her outfit of choice when she isn't running around in her birthday suit. That's my girl!!!!!

Terrified...

yes Annie was terrified today. We were invited to visit a nursing home where a friend of mine is the program director. Annie's buddy Jack came along and thankfully he was there because he wooed all the ladies and made the fellows laugh. He really is one cute little guy. Annie on the other hand "shut down" as soon as we arrived and then wouldn't let me put her down for almost the entire visit. I don't know if she was having flashbacks to an institutional setting or what was happening but Annie certainly didn't have a good experience at first. After about an hour though, she was able to function and walk around on her own. The residents were kind and gentle which was great so I think we will try again. We went out for lunch afterwards and Annie was jumping with happiness. She linked her arm with mine as we ate and I took her to her favorite grocery store for her favorite chew afterwards. It was really hard to see Annie like that. It has been quite a while since we have witnessed a total shut down and it just reminds me how different Annie's first year was from Jack's.

Milestones...

Annie is now able to put her pants on and her shirt. She says "I do" and "by self" for most things these days. I have no trouble giving her age appropriate tasks to do and she LOVES to complete them. She runs up after finishing saying "Annie do it self, Annie do it self". Her language is exploding and she repeats sentences that we say. Have to watch what we say now for sure!!! As well, Annie has started using her kitchen to "cook" things in the oven. Today she was feeding me cookies, sausages and cheese that she had prepared in her "oven". Annie is a pro at "pretend" play. We are doing the "I stole your nose" game and she likes to steal my nose and wear it for a hat. This child has such a great sense of humour and she makes her Mommie laugh every day. I make her laugh too. She has a wonderful array of facial expressions that friends tell me are reflections of mine, that just crack me up and then we both laugh. Her Daddy says that we are crazy kids who run around, make faces and generally cause mayhem in his "quiet" house. Isn't that normal?
Yesterday, Annie showed up by my bed with her princess outfit on, including the shoes. Sooo cute. We then HAD to sing Bibbitybobbityboo!!! Poor Shawn. Today Annie climbed up to the top of the playgroup apparatus by herself and went down the twisty slide by herself!!!! "Self, Mommie, self!!!!". She was sooo proud and with each climbing step she said "Annie by self". At the top of the slide she said "sit down, bum, then weeeeeeee!!!!!" which means, that after sitting down on her bum she could go down the slide having a blast!!!!! Annie was actually talking to herself and not me.
Oh and at playgroup today, she played with another little girl and one of the teachers in the kitchen area for quite a while. I was able to veg out on the big comfy couch and chat with other Mom's. It was GREAT!!!!! Not that I don't adore playing with my little girl but I had dental surgery last week and I am still on meds and sore so it is hard to deal with many of a two year old's demands!!!
So these are Annie's latest milestones. She eats, drinks, dresses herself and loves to do everything on her own. Annie is also quite tall and seems to be growing taller every day. She still loves her fruits, beans and vegis along with the other healthy choices we offer. Yesterday we had my homemade flax pizza crust with arugula (from our garden) pesto (made with roasted walnuts that Annie and I roasted), tomatoes, black olives and cheese. Annie LOVED it and gobbled it up. I can't imagine a child of mine not enjoying the taste of different types of food. One of our favorite things to do on a rainy day, is to organize the herb and spice drawer, smelling each one and tasting a few. I hope that we can keep Annie interested in slow, home cooking with healthy choices. Our girl also likes to sleep and asks for naps - just like her Dad. Love it and love her so very, very much!!!!!!

A day in the life of Annie...

This is where Annie spends quite a bit of her day... hanging out at the counter eating, watching me cook and "helping" me prepare meals... She drags her little chair over from her "kitchen" and has to "see, see!!!" everything that is going on.


Annie loves fruit as you can see by her excitement in this photo. She is pointing to the pineapple and here she is having a REALLY good look at it. Oh and Annie hates to wear clothes!!!! Her new favorite word is "hot" and she says it as she takes off her shirt!!! It is very cute but not so cute at playgroup!!! We are going to make ham and pineapple pizza for dinner tomorrow night and Annie is very excited - she loves it when Daddy cuts open a pineapple!!!

Daddy and Annie went for a walk to the grocery store and when they arrived home, she came flying through the front door calling "Mommy, Mommy". She met me with this beautiful little blossom that she found and carried lovingly all the way home. Made me cry.

Annie is a caring little girl and she dragged the blanket, pillow and magazine outside of the bathroom door so that Daddy could lay down and read while she had her bath. She wanted her Daddy to be comfortable!!!!

Lastly, this is a photo of a tomato that someone got into tonight. I was mixing the greek salad and wondered why little miss was so quiet!!!!! Gotta love a child who loves her vegetables!!!!!! Lunch today was lentil and spinach soup with a side of pita and leftover chicken. Annie took her soup and "arranged" it on her pita, then she put her chicken on top (which she calls turkey - she loves chickens and can't stand to eat them!!), put the two pieces together and ate them as a sandwich. Brilliant child. Speaking of brilliant, Annie also called it turkey because she saw the whole chicken roasting in the oven. I haven't roasted a whole bird since Thanksgiving and Annie went to the oven, looked inside and said "turkey". Yes she is brilliant.

So, a day in the life of Annie includes all of these things including attending playgroup, walking through Fernwood, helping us renew our garden membership, charming the receptionist at our accountants and grocery shopping with her Dad. Busy girl!!!!