Counting Our Blessings In Tucson: October 2007

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30 October

Back To That Cutie

Oh how I enjoy just looking at the pictures again as I choose ones to post. It brings back vivid memories of our trip and the time we spent with T & D and that sweet Sojo. We hear she is doing well and we enjoy T's weekly blog posts with new pics of what is going on. We also enjoy the Skype calls where we get to see that sweet faces...oops...sweet faces...T & Sojo and her Baba. The internet is our life line and we are forever grateful to all the techies out there who developed all these technical wizardy things that keep us connected. It doesn't replace the "being there", but it sure helps pass the time.

It is Halloween already in Shanghai. Well, it is daytime there and soon Miss Sojo will dress up and go for her very first "trick or treating". While we were there T found a little "lady bug" costume. I guess Miss Sojo does not like it and will not wear it and makes it very clear in no uncertain terms that...that is the way it is. T has found an alternate costume from a friend, but will not tell us just "who" or "what" she will be. We are looking forward to seeing and hearing all about it. T comments how much fun it is to be able to be "giddy" and "silly" with a child. I think we all miss that freedom just to "be" when we are all "grown up". Kids bring out the "kid" in us and allow us to be free to have that child like fun we all miss. I know we love to get down with Sojo and do silly things to make her smile. Whether is is "raspberries" on her belly, growling like a tiger or silly songs we sing...we love it. Thanks Sojo for giving us an excuse to be child like and silly and free again.

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29 October

Just Another Blessing and Then AnotherOne

Believe it or not, we do have two other children. This is Sean last summer in Washington. He has had a banner year as far as accomplishments and things happening in his life too. He bought his first house and is almost completely settled in. He is settled in...he is just in the throws of continuing the unpacking stage and keeping up with the chores of being a home owner. He seems to enjoy it though.

Along with being a Special Ed teacher, he is also a student who will have his Master's Degree in Spec. Ed. come May. It has been a long time coming and a tough road with the demands of teaching. This doesn't count the Autism seminars that he attends in Phoenix while preparing to present similar seminars to his peers. He has a pretty busy life. He did take some time out for a little golf with his Dad in September at which...he was recognized at a golf tournament for Autistic Children. Each year the tournament recognizes teachers in this field. Ron golfed with him that day and was a pretty proud Dad.

And now for the latest blessing in our family: Matt and Cathy went away for their annual trip to celebrate the day they met. This year they went to Kino Bay, Mexico, a place that we have not been as a family for about 15 years. However, Matt remembered it fondly from his childhood. This was the 11th anniversary of their first date. Matt wanted to give Cathy a ring under water, while snorkeling. His Dad suggested making sure it was attached to him someplace...like on his finger and around his neck with fishing line or something. This was a family heirloom. It had belonged to Cathy's grandmother. And so...Matt had it securely attached to him and while underwater...scooped up sand and a sea shell to show Cathy with the ring right there in the sand. Needless to say...it was a memorable moment and they are now officially engaged. We aren't sure just when the big day will be, but are thinking maybe around this time next year and possibly in Puerto Penasco, Mexico...another one of their favorite places. Their good friends (Matt's since 3rd grade) Tim and Lisa were there with them...celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary.

Congratulations Matt and Cathy. An official welcome to the family, Cathy...although, you have been "family" for many, many, many, years now. We love you both!

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25 October

Random Memories

Just a few shots of that cutie.

1. Looks like Po Po and Gong Gong have worn her out. Look at that big yawn. Actually, it was the other way around. By the end of the day when this sweetie went down for the count...so did we. That included her Mama and Baba too. Of course, since our hearing is not what it used to be, we did not hear any of the middle of the night cries or the VERY early morning ones. There are some advantages to growing older.

2. She has such a concentrated look here...turning around...as if to say..."are you watching me?"

3. Remember the pic from Washington where Ron has her outside looking in? Well, she just loves to do this. It is almost as if she thinks you should be surprisded to see her and it just delights her...which delights us.

Sojo and her Gong Gong are "buds". While in Shanghai Ron would read her this little book on baby animals which she loves. When he came to the tiger, he would growl. She loved it, but Miss Serious Sojo would not react at all. Until one day as he comes to the tiger...Sojo, "growls". Too cute. After we left, Tara told us that she went up to Ron's picture on the wall in her play corner and "growled". The other day Tara video called us and Ron started "growling" to Sojo...next thing...she starts "growling" too. They have this magic connection. Can't wait to take her to the zoo.

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23 October

The Great Love of My Life

I really don't feel like doing the necessary things around the house that I should be...so, here are just a few shots of the love of our life and a few words from a song by Carly Simon that has become our theme song. I have changed a few words to suit us. Guess which ones they are.

Love of My Life

I love lavender and avocados

Ukuleles and fireworks

The desert and walking in the snow

But you've got to know... that

You are the love of my life

From the moment I first saw you

The second that you were born

I knew that you were the love of my life

Quite simply...the love of my life

I love mountains and peanut butter bread

The statue of liberty and chocolate ice cream

And falling into bed

But get it through your head... that

You are the love of my life

From the moment I first sawyou

The second you were born

I knew that you were the love of my life

Quite simply the love of my life

You are the love....

The great love of my life.

I could have sung this to my own children...their father and I will sing it to Sojo and her cousins as they arrive. They are all the great loves of my life.

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Hanging Around Shanghai

Some things that Sojo likes:

1. Playing peek-a-boo. Whether it is peeking around something, like here, or putting a towel or diaper on her head or yours...she loves to play peek-a-boo. Please note that she is NOT in a car seat while we are with the driver. Mama is hanging on to here for dear life. Although China probably makes all of our car seats sold in the US, they do not use them there. It scares the bejeebers out of me and makes Tara and Dale nervous too. They walk as much as they can or hire a driver that they feel comfortable with. They rarely take taxis, unless absolutely necessary. They do not hesitate to tell the driver they hire or the taxi driver if they think he is not driving safely. Traffic is horrendous there and the horn is used like a musical instrument. I have to say...I do not understand the no car seat thing. They don't use seat belts either. If I can locate them...I use them.

2. Although we read that children under 2 should not watch TV, Sojo likes it and I am with her parents that in small doses, it is fine. I think it can be a great educational tool, when not used as a baby sitter. She loves the Baby Einstein "Down on The Farm" one, since she loves animals and she loves one with Red Grammar. All you parents of toddlers and young children...Red Grammar is great. We loved the Baby Einstein ones too.

3. I don't know what those big circle mirror like things that allow you to see around corners are called...but, there is one just outside the apartment and Sojo CANNOT go past it without stopping to look at herself in it. If you are carrying her, walking with her or even if she is in her stroller, you must stop and let her see. She gets a big smile on her face and is then happy to move on. However, if you do not stop...she will let you know about it. One day Ron and I were walking her in the stroller and Gong Gong and I actually lifted her, stroller and all up so she could get a good close up and the guards who walk around came by and just chuckled about it. Of course they said something too, but we had no clue what it was. I am sure it was something like, "aren't they the cutest Gong Gong and Po Po you ever saw". Oops...maybe it was more like, "look at that sweet baby".

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21 October

Look Out World...Sojo's Walking

While we were in Shanghai, we watched Sojo walking around the house and neighborhood as she held someone's hand. She would march us wherever she wanted to go, to whatever she wanted to show us. Sometimes she walked slowly...sometimes she ran as fast as her little feet would take her. Especially, if she heard her Gong Gong say, "I'm gonna' get you". She would giggle and squeel and run ever so fast. She would pull herself up and walk around the wall and her play table. We knew that walking on her own was going to be just around the corner and as we were preparing to leave, we knew we would miss it. According to her Mama, she is walking on her own now and soon to be sprinting. Look out world... We are sorry we missed her debut of walking, and will be anxious to see a utube video of it on her Mama's blog. I guess this means we had better start "Sojo Proofing" the house. Those little feet will be walking and we had better get moving to make sure there is nothing around that she can get hurt on. We can't wait to take her for a walk outside and show her the bunny rabbitts, coyotes, roadrunners and other birds that she hasn't seen. We are also thinking of a trip to the Tucson Zoo. It is so wonderful for little ones (and grand parents). It isn't too big...just big enough to keep a little ones attention and allow them to learn about animals. I hear you can even feed the giraffes now. Imagine that sticky long tongue and a little girl wanting to feed it. Sounds fun to me. We'll see you walking real soon Sojo. Have fun. Mama and Baba...hang on!

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17 October

Just Putty in Her Little Hands

When Sojo loves something or someone, she just throws herself into it. She squeezes it with all her might and puts her little mouth right on it or she bops her little head right into it.

The fish was a gift from us when we went to the Aquarium.It reminded me of Nemo and of the fish in the pond across the street from their apartment that she loves so much.It is a hand puppet and we sing that silly little song about the fishes going "boom, boom, ditty datum, watum choo and they swam and they swam all over the dam". When we gave it to her, she wrapped her little arms around it and gave it one of her open mouth, full on kisses.

The doggie was a gift from her ayi, Xio Liu (shou leo) on her birthday. Oh, my goodness...did she ever love that little doggie. In her play corner she sits and falls over onto it with all her love going into it. Xio Liu was so pleased that Sojo loved it. Xio Liu is such a wonderful nanny and loves Sojo so much. We enjoyed meeting her and watching her with Sojo. Sojo loves real doggies too. Her Mama and Baba (especially Mama who is not a real fan of doggies) are concerned that this may mean a doggie in their future. Two neurotic cats right now run from Sojo when they see her coming and Sojo has the most dejected look on her little face when they disappear across the room or find the highest place in the house. Meet Asia (Orange and White) and Iitshy (Calico).

Lovin' the duck was our first sighting of this kind of love. We had brought the duck with us from Tucson for her birthday and shortly after we arrived, she was taking her Mama for a walk around the house and found herself in our bedroom where she saw the duck on our bed. She quickly grabbed it, knowing it could only be for her I am sure. Now who else would a duck be for...the one and only duck lovin' girl in the house who was about to be a birthday girl. She knew! So, she grabs it and loves it with all her little heart. It is so soft and just the right size to hold and love any ole time your heart thinks about it.

I love this picture of Sojo and her Gong Gong in the play area. This is our favorite kind of lovin'. She just plops her little face or head right into you when she wants to express a little love from her little heart. It is either a head bump or that sweet little mouth on our cheek or face anywhere she can hit. There is no real thought put into it...she just throws herself into it. Our hearts turn to mush when she does this and we are putty in her little hands. Just putty in her little hands....

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16 October

Double Happiness

There is a Chinese symbol for Double Happiness that is most often used for marriage celebrations. Tara and Dale used it at theirs. I think it is a beautiful symbol for that, but I like to think of it in a different way too. For me, double happiness is watching my daughter with her daughter. It is for her father and I to watch her and her family together. I doubt there is anything that can bring a parent more joy than to see their child parenting with joy. Sojo brings such joy to Tara and Dale and it shows in everything they do together. From waking "early" each morning, and I do mean early. Sojo is not big on sleep. I think she sees the world as just too big and wonderful to waste time on sleep. Therefore, she gets up VERY early every morning and greets the world with a smile. Her parents greet her with a very sleepy smile and start their day with her. They take turns while one gets ready for work, the other meets Sojo daily needs and then they swap until the ayi arrives and helps them with last minute needs and they give daily instructions to her. At the end of their work day, Sojo meets them at the bus and they greet her with another smile and joy radiates from the three of them as they once again become family. There are diaper changes, meals to prepare and share, play time, reading time, singing time, bath time, taking care of her when she is sick and just plain old lovin' time.

I treasure the moments we shared in all of this and hold them close to my heart until we can once again witness double happiness in action.

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15 October

One More ... Trying to Catch Up

Now, I am a "girly girl" most of the time. My daughter has never been and it looks like Miss Sojo may not be either. Much as her Popo may try to make her into one. What will be will be and girls will be who they want to be. I made a little box with a "duck" (what else) on it for Sojo and put a bunch of little "no-slip" clips in it for her in various colors that I know her Mama dresses her in. Not too frilly, just simple little clips. Do you think she likes them? Nope! This one day, Tara put the entire box of them in her hair at one time and she quickly started ripping them out. She didn't care if it pulled her hair or not. She will keep the tiny little bands in for pony tails for a while and if you can get a clip in without her noticing (rarely happens), she might keep one in for a while. She would rather take them out of the box and put them in her mouth (danger). What is a Popo to do? I bought a bunch of clips and ribbon and had planned to make a bunch more. Will I be wasting my time? Maybe not! Maybe she will decide she likes them. Maybe not! No matter ... she is so darn cute... bows or no bows.

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Cool Nature Girl and Pancake Lover

Sojo loves leaves. She is quite the nature girl as she is pushed down the street for her daily walks. If she sees a leaf on the sidewalk, she points to it and makes little noises as if to say, "please may I have a leaf". So, someone picks one up and hands it to her. And, she must have one in both hands. Now, if she sees a leaf that is bigger or brighter or just suits her fancy better, she lets you know that it is time to trade the old one in. I wonder if she will do that with boys when she gets older? The shades are just too cute. She loves to go for walks and started walking over to her stroller during the day to let you know when she wanted to take a walk. We had one nasty all day heavy rain and it was very hard to try to explain to a one year old why you could not take her out for a walk. We enjoyed our daily walks with Miss Sojo watching her enjoy the outdoors, nature, leaves, sunshine and people along the way.

The girl loves pancakes. Mama and Baba love to go out for brekkie on weekends, so we enjoyed doing that with them. They have a couple of very "American" or "European" places they go to: Element Fresh, Slice and Blue Moon Cafe'. Element Fresh is their favorite, but T thinks Slice has a better Latte' and Blue Moon Cafe' is like Little Anthony's here in Tucson, a 50's like diner. They even have meat loaf. Sojo had her first pancake when we were there at Element Fresh, where the waitresses absolutely love her and come over and take her for a stroll around the restaurant. The first day, Sojo nearly ate an entire pancake. She has a healthy appetite. She was introduced to beets while we were there and she loved them. But, give her a choice of toast, pancakes or Cheerios and she will take them first. You have to make sure you get those veggies and fruits into her first. Her tastes are definitely developing and she doesn't hesitate to let you know when she doesn't want something. How do they learn that shaking their head means "no, I don't want it". Someone said that it is simply their way of moving their mouth away from what you are trying to give them, but it sure looks like, "no" to me. I think her Gong Gong will have to make pancakes when she comes for Christmas.

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14 October

Happy 1st Birthday Sojo - Happy 40th Birthday Baba

Oh my goodness...does life get any better? Sojo's first birthday and her first taste of sugar. Just a little bit of heaven for her. Gong Gong and I took a Betty Crocker cake mix over with us and thought we had packed food coloring, only to find out we had not. We couldn't find any in the stores and thought we were going to have to use Jello and Blueberries for coloring. Fortunately, Tara found someone at school who had some and saved the day. We had a cut out of a duck because we know that little girl loves ducks. I put it on the cake and iced the "water" blue and then took our decorator tips and attempted to fill in Mr. Duck. I doubt it would win any prize in a contest, but Sojo loved it and we thought it was pretty darn good for a Gong Gong and Popo who had not made a cake like this in many, many years. The important thing was that Sojo thought it was pretty good and immediately figured out that when a cake is that close to your high chair, you dig right in. At first you just stick you finger in and taste it...then you take two fingers and then three and before you know it, there is cake underneath that blue stuff and WOW this stuff is GOOD. It was simply too cute. There is nothing like watching a baby on their first birthday having that first taste of something sweet that they have never had before. The awe and wonder and joy in their little eyes is something you will never see again. It is a once in a lifetime moment and I am so glad we were there to witness it first hand. Pictures would have been nice, but being there was priceless.

We had to leave a couple of days before Dale's 40th birthday, but we wished him a happy day and gave him a big birthday hug. He is one special guy and we feel so blessed to have him as part of our family. He is a wonderful son to his mother, a wonderful brother to his sisters, a wonderful uncle to his nieces and grand niece and grand nephew...and he is a wonderful husband and father...plus we think he is a pretty neat and wonderful son-in-law and brother-in-law. I think that covers it. To be with him for a couple of weeks and witness his love and devotion to his wife and daughter was pretty amazing and from a parents perspective...we again say...we feel blessed. We are also so thankful...this man welcomes our entire clan with open arms with an open invitation at any time. Is he crazy? Maybe...but, we love him for it and again...we feel blessed.

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We've Got Socks & We Love Flowers

Matching Socks Sojo has outgrown many of her clothes because she is growing like a beautiful little flower, so I asked Tara if she would like me to sort through her drawers and take out the ones she had outgrown. After doing that, I noticed a basket of socks. Now remember when Sojo was having problems with her Eczema, she wore socks on her little hands to keep her from scratching. Therefore, she has a lot of socks...a lot of socks. She had a basket full of socks, leggings and little tights, so I took them to the sofa and while Sojo sat with me I started sorting through them and matching ones that appeared not to have mates. The next thing I knew, Miss Sojo had a pair of tights around her neck and a sock in her mouth. While her Gong Gong and I laughed, she had the cutest little smile on her face...like she was thinking, "no matter what I do they think I am cute". She was right about that. Do you think I could get her to do it again when her Mama came home? Not! This was a one time event and one that still brings a smile to my face.

Tara loves flowers and so does her daughter. When she sees flowers, she wants to get close to them and is beginning to try to smell them. This particular day as she smelled the flowers, she began to pull on the petals and soon there were petals all over the place. Soon her Mama was giving her a shower of petals on her little head. She loved it. She was exploring and touching and smelling and changing the way you can enjoy flowers. We all just smiled and enjoyed the pleasure she got from her flowers.

Did I mention how much we enjoyed our visit?

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12 October

Where To Begin

First off...it broke our hearts to leave our precious Sojo (her mama and baba too) in China. The time we were there flew by so fast and I can't believe it has come and gone already.

Tried to post from China, but China does not like blogs at all and each time I wrote and posted pictures, it would sit and run and run and run and run and never leave the computer for cyberspace and beyond. "T" has to go through something called anonymouse to do her blog. I don't know what they thought I might be posting about.

On our flight over we met a "clown"...yep, you heard me right. A clown who blows up balloons and makes them look like animals and things you never thought a balloon could be turned into. We mentioned we were on our way to see our grand-daughter for her first birthday and he quickly whipped out a duck (because we also told him she LOVES ducks) and a birthday cake with the #1 as a candle. Amazing. We watched him make monkeys, hula girls, etc. during the flight for other children and the flight attendants. He said he had thousands of balloons in his bag. He was off to Shanghai for the International Clown Festival in Century Park. Which just happened to be a park that I had read about and mentioned taking Sojo too. It is in downtown Pudong...maybe 20 minutes from T & D's apartment. So, off we went to see the park, which was huge, which many ponds, lakes, paddle boats, walkways, bikes to rent, bicylces built for 2 or 4 or more to rent and amusment rides. Sojo rode the "bumble bees" with Dale. The look on her face was priceless. Straight ahead...no expression, except maybe..."tell me again why I am on this". Dale, on the other hand had the look of a delighted Daddy who was enjoying something that he had not enjoyed in a very long time. I think being a parent and grandparent allows us to recapture the joys of our own childhood. That is just one of the many perks. After the bumble bees, we rented a bicycle built for 4, with me holding Sojo and everyone else peddling (I am am no dummy) and off we went to see clowns and children walking hand in hand with parents and grandparents. One thing you see a lot of in China is grandparents. They are a very big part of the parenting process for children in China. Many times, they are the caregivers. Just before we were to call it a day, we ran into (not literally) Mark the clown from our plane trip over. There he was just like he said; "black hat, purple suspenders" and balloons. A quick picture with Ron and Sojo and he was back to blowing up balloon life.

We also went to Shanghai's Aquarium. Sojo loved it. She loves water and fish, so she was in little kid heaven. The aquarium is quite well done and a good size of little ones to manage. You can see the big fish from above in the pool and then walk below where you walk through a tunnel and the fish are all around you...both sides and above. Sojo thought that was pretty neat. She could often stand beside the pool and touch the sides as she looked into the fish. The only time she was unhappy was when she was eye height to the pool and her mama would not allow her to jump in.

I am taking T's pics again, because I don't have ours hooked up yet. My next post will be some pics we took and highlights of our trip and life with Sojo for 2 weeks. Each day was a new discovery and it was a joy to watch her explore and learn and grow at wharp speed.

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