"Icey keem & Touchie down"

When, now 24 year old, Teddy was about 9 months old, his worried mother took him to the pediatrician fearing he was not on track for developmental milestones like crawling, pulling himself up on furniture etc. Dr. Nirgudkar patiently listened to my anxiety as he also observed older siblings, Timmy & Meaghan, handing and bringing Teddy any and all items he didn't even know he wanted. Kindly he smiled and said: " Keep those two away from him and he will be just fine... and he is.

 

I thought of this parenting 101 lesson yesterday as I have observed Annie becoming a champion communicator through physical jesters and charades. It occurred to me that  we should encourage her to say words for her wants as opposed to pointing and acting out her desires. For example, after dinner each night Annie will point to the freezer. We dutifully ask, "do you want some ice cream?" Her head nods like the bobble head dog I remember from my childhood in the back window of my grandparent's car.

All day today we told her, "us your words, say what you want." 

Clearly she is a fast learner because after dinner tonight announces: "All done...icey keem peas!" This was immediately followed by a score by the NY Giant football team on TV.

Annie threw her arms into the air and yelled "Touchie down!"  When I asked her to repeat it so I could capture  all this cuteness on film she was lightly confused and yelled "Amen." Then again maybe she knew exactly what she was saying!

ANNIE AND MOLLY THE DANCE...FEATURING BUCK!

Syracuse University and The Boss!

The good news is when you are 3 years old and one of your brothers, who attend Syracuse University, forgets his coat, drum sticks and pillows your mom drives to Syr to drop the items off to him at his dormitory.  Who knew that waiting in a dorm parking lot could be so much fun! To start with, while the car is parked, your mom lets you out of your car seat and you get to sit in the front seat as big brother, Daniel, makes several trips to and from his room hauling stuff in and out.  In that front seat you have full access to all kinds of cool things, like the button that magically makes the windows go up and down ...repeatedly. Who cares about the outside temperature or snow swirling around. There is also a round silver knob on the dash that allows you to crank the music up really loudly. You and your mom can "rock out" to Bruce Springsteen's soon to be released single, " We Take Care of Our Own." Certainly the many Syr. U. students looking at us as they passed by thought we were totally cool!

As if that alone wasn't worth the trip, you also get to experience your first ride on a real live Carousel at the mall! One of those green pieces of paper from mom's purse, can be traded in for a wooden coin to be deposited in the little slot. The gate will open and your off on a dead run to pick any colorful horse you want to ride up and down as the music plays. What a deal!

The bad news is after setting a new record for the most consecutive rides on the Carousel your mom, dizzy from the adventure, draws stares from the crowd as if she is a child abductor when she is forced to chase a screaming child in circles in order to catch her and wrestle her into the stroller.

It was so exciting that sleeping in the car on the way up or back would have been a waste of time. What a great day!

My Sister Rocks Out To New Bruce Song!

Giants Win! High Five!

It has now become impossible to keep up with all the progress, changes, funny as well as endearing experiences with Annie Kate!

She learns and retains so much each day, each hour, that remembering it all is as big  a challenge as writing it down.

Today was football play off Sunday, in particular the NY Giants (home town favorites) against the Green Bay Packers. It was an exciting game to say the least.

With us all gathered around the living room TV Annie very quickly learned to raise her arms straight up in the air while yelling: "yes! yes! yes!" at the top of her lungs. This was followed by running from person to person screaming "high five!" as she slapped hands with everyone. If someone had left the room she had to seek them out. She pointed speaking rapidly in Chinese just in case they had missed the big play! She ate chili and chicken wings as well as a few chips.

A few days ago as we were about to go to bed. I looked up the stairs to find the lights had been, once again, left on in several rooms. Exasperated I threw my arms up in frustration saying: "Oh my goodness", as I climbed the stairs to turn off all the lights.  The new "mini me" followed behind as we went from room to room. Annie raised her arms, then slapped them against her thighs as she exclaimed with perfect inflection: "OOh... my good..ness!" with each room and light she extinguished.

Our bedtime routine is progressing. She still prefers me to stay in her room until she falls asleep. Yesterday as we started our bedtime ritual she pointed to the chair in her room I sit in, turned her palms up and cocked her head to one side in a questioning manner. She then wiggled her fingers like she was playing the piano, flipped her hands back over and said "All gone?" I immediately understood she was asking why I had not brought my laptop in, as I usually do, to work on while waiting for her to fall asleep. When I retrieved it in the other room she said: "OK." 

Earlier this week Teddy and Meaghan came home after not seeing Annie for several weeks. The fear that she would be confused or not remember them was far from the case. She immediately dragged them upstairs to play. Later in the week she would even go on an outing voluntarily with Meaghan...without Mama. In fact, she started to protest when she thought I was coming along. I had to go to the famous kitchen window and wave to her as she pulled out of the drive with her big sister.

Wednesday was Annie's first dentist appt. When we arrived she was not sure she was going to stay but once she realized repeatedly riding the elevator up and down was an option she was willing to give it a try. The old fashion real red dial telephone in the children's waiting area was fascinating to her. She "called" several people and had very loud conversations with them in Chinese. Certainly a phone this old would require yelling if anyone on the other end was to hear.

We were brought into an exam room.  Annie reluctantly climbed into the chair. Somehow she knew that if she pressed the little button next to the plastic blue cup the water would come on and refill the cup. She repeated the drinking/refilling process to the point one would have thought she must have arrived dehydrated. After taking her first sip she also somehow knew the round shaped object next to the water was for her to spit into. As the hygienist explained the tools and what she was going to do Annie seemed to understand by nodding and replying: 'OK."  While waiting for Dr. Farrell after her teeth were cleaned, polished and counted Annie was amused by all the gifts she received like the rubber glove, mask,(which she had to wear) tooth paste, floss and coins to be used in the prize machine. She enjoyed a self guided tour of each room and was in no hurry to leave as if to say:"this place is great and we get to come back every 6 months!!!"

So many firsts!

We have had a big week around here.

Against all families objection Annie had her first hair cut with Aunt Debbie. All now equally agree Aunt Debbie continues to be a magician beautician.

We arrived 10 minutes late due to a hot chocolate wipe out all over the Aunt Nancy brand new green panda bear dress and tights...costume change!

Annie was not so sure about the big chair, the black cape or spray bottle of water to wet her hair. She definitely objected to the buzzing trimmer that Nick was using on the man one chair over. She repeatedly turned waved her head and hand indicating "no way"

The hair cut took all of maybe 10 minutes and she looked( if possible) even more adorable.

Another attempt at Sam's club, avoiding the tomato paste isle, went well. As Annie handed the cashier my Sam's club card as the women said hello.

Annie of course replied precociously, "Hello, how are you?" little did the women know the same reply follows, "Goodbye"... "How are you?"

Upon arriving home Annie loves to help carry the items into the house. She was quickly traveling through the kitchen carrying a  64oz bottle of pantene color safe shampoo. Tim asked her what do you have there? She intentionally dropped the bottle, raised her hands to her head, tossing her hair back and forth.

Tim said: " oh shampoo! Got it." she picked it up and headed to the bathroom...where she dropped it in the middle of the floor. Thank goodness for plastic.

Each night we all do the "It's Annie's tubby time" song and march to her bath. Tim then baths her. Tonight I was doing tubby time. I told Annie let me just change my clothes. Two minutes later when I returns she was stripped, in the tub and the water was running. She clearly could have done it all independent. She would not let me shampoo her hair. She had to do it herself. When I went to rinse it she wanted the sprayer used but laughed out loud as she squirmed, ducked and twisted away from it as if she was losing in a came of dodge ball. before getting out of the tub she folds the wash cloth and stacks all the tub toys in the corner. Is it really possible that number 6 is a neat child?

We have figured out a better bedtime routine. I have needed to lay with Annie until she fell asleep...each nap and night. ( no wonder i am able to  tell people I am not tired... two naps a day will do that for you.) Over the past month she has built up quite a restistancy to falling asleep. The process was approaching two hours. I knew this wasn't working when she ( after 1 hour of laying in the dark with her) turned to me and softly said: "Mama, Mama, how are you?"

when I tried to explain ... again that she needed to go to sleep she said over and over; " OK!" "ooookay!" "yep, OK"

New plan: Mama will sit in the chair. "OOOKAY!" It worked, she fell asleep a lot sooner and I caught up on my e-mails.

Trip to Barnes & Nobel... We walked in and she was like a kid in a candy spot. Hand puppets looking a bit real had her hiding under a table. The duplo display area free to touch, build and play with was a dream come true!

Every day is a new experience. This never gets boring.

Annie-The Review-5 Stars!

Vestal, NY January 5th 2012

Annie Kate made her US debut just less than a month ago and the results are staggering!  Not since John, Paul, George, Ringo and Molly has there been an arrival of this magnitude! "Annie Mania" has infected the nation!

Initial reports of Annie's cuteness flew across the ocean and created quiet a stir in the states.  Yet Facebook, Skype, Verizon, AOL and G-Mail could not accurately describe the adorable phenomenon that is Annie Kate!

Since Her arrival in the US Annie has released three hit singles that instantly rose to the top of the charts!

1. "SHE SHE"- This Dance Number has everyone dancing around like they have to go the bathroom! Which is funny because "SHE SHE" Literally means Potty!

2. "HOW ARE YOU" This power ballad asks a deep and meaning full question of its listener, it asks, no really, how are you?

3. "JINGLE MA" An instant Holiday classic is backed by her full band of brothers and sisters and has become an Internet video sensation. "jingle MA" in English means, "Jingle My Mother"

The future for this rising star is bright and full of joy!  Annie's Management Firm Myers-Myers-Myers-Myers-Myers-Myers and Myers have got her back and and look forward to many many more hit singles and adorable performances.  So it is my honor to officially Give Annie Kate 5 stars!

She is so smart...most of the time.

One of the many, many amazing things about Annie is that she was completely potty trained when we entered each other's lives. She has not (so far) experienced any of the possible regression. In China, Annie would often have to go "she she" every fifteen minutes. Likely, this was due to stress and her being uncertain of her environment as well as trying to figure out who the heck we were. Her frequent use of the bathroom has diminished substantially since we have arrived home. 

Annie has a bathroom routine and an extreme love of toilet paper. She enters the bathroom, must turn on all the lights herself, unrolls three times the amount of toilet paper she could possibly use, wads it up and stuffs it in between her tiny little legs usually before the urine has stopped.

A few weeks ago I started putting my hand on the TP roll saying: " New rule, no touch until your done." Within a day Annie would start to reach for the TP, stop, look at me and say: "New rule." I would verify, "Yes, new rule!"

One day Tim had her in the bathroom, as he placed his hand on the roll of paper also proclaiming; "New rule!"  Annie looked at him and said: "Silly rule!"

As most children Annie seems to always need to use the bathroom when we are out in public. Every experience is fascinating to her. Bathrooms with hand blowers are her favorite even if old fashion paper towels are available.

  Tonight, as par usual,  we were at the far end of Target when Annie started saying: "she she." It took us a while to leave the Target restroom because Annie insisted that the tampon machine could dry her hands if I would only press the correct button!

Ski lessons or Swimming?

Annie was all set for her first skiing lesson. Her head was continuously nodding as she repeatedly said; "OK" when asked if she wanted to go skiing. Ski instructor Pat fitted her to a pink floral helmet and goggles that she didn't want to take off even for a brief adjustment to the size. We were good to go...until we went outside. When Annie was lead to the ski school area, even though I was in tow, she decided this was not the program she signed up for.
After 15 minutes and Annie throwing her mittens to the ground we called it quits. We returned to our favorite gondola, this time with Molly who, due to a flu like illness, had not seen the outdoors since our arrival days earlier. Meaghan met us with my skis so I could meet up with the others for a few runs. The plan was for Meaghan to take Annie back to the condo for a nap. The problem was, we never consulted with Annie regarding this plan. As Annie realized (although I had told her) that she was riding the gondola without me she kicked, screamed and clawed at poor Meaghan. Once back in BaBa's (Tim) arms she settled down and for the first time Tim was able to get her to sleep. ( fist pump for Tim)

I returned as Annie was waking up. I asked her if she was mad at me and she nodded yes. Going for double or nothing I decided to head to the outdoor pool and hot tub with her. Having never worn a bathing suit, Annie thought this was the silliest outfit ever! Rubbing her hands over the tight fitting nylon she laughed and flipped her palms up as if to say: "what the heck is this thing."
She clung to me as we walked into the warm water. Within minutes she was splashing, kicking her feet and waving her arms in delight!
May be swimming lessons would be
a better fit at this time...as long as she isn't expected to let go of my neck.
We have been concerned about exposing this little angel to too many new experiences too quickly but she seems to be saying, "What ever you've got bring in on. I want to try it all."
Her new words( to everyone several times a day): "Hello, how are you?"