It's been almost 3 months since I last wrote in your blog. We've been busy having fun, with lots of family time. First the Holiday Season, then the mid-winter school break. You discovered ice skating and skiing, and you love them all.
Initially, for the mid-winter break, we planned a family ski trip to a Canadian ski resort with daycare, where we would leave you while we go skiing, because you are too young to qualify for any ski lessons. I pictured us dropping you off, and heading out to the snowy mountains, adorned in ski gear, enjoying the air, the snow, the speed, and the beautiful scenery. You, crying as we part, your arms reaching to the air, as I walk away; locked up in a windowless room all day, wearing a pair of soft pants for comfort. I can't do it, I said.
We still took the time off work, and instead of going to a ski resort in Canada, we drove every other day to the local ski mountain Snoqualmie. You still didn't qualify for ski lessons, but we rented skis and boots for you, and took you skiing ourselves, in a pair of brand new pink goggles. Some of the time Zoe was in ski lessons, and other times she skied with us. You loved it. You learned to ski straight onto the magic carpet and let it take you up the hill. But you loved the chairlift more. Both you and Zoe have been enjoying skiing so much, that we've been going to the mountains past the school break. Papa has been doing a lot of driving these days. We decided to go for night skiing one Friday after school, so I can test a new pair of skis. Inching our way through Seattle rain traffic, half way into our trip, you started vomiting. Your ski outfit was soaked and nasty. We still had a long way to go and it was getting late, so we decided to bail out and head back. First Zoe started crying, because she was so looking forward to skiing. It took you a while to understand that we changed out plans. And when you did understand, you started crying "I wanna go kiing, I wanna go kiing." We decided to go to a mall in the area to keep you two happy and entertained while waiting for the traffic to die down, and to get you into clean clothes. And we went back skiing a few days later! Nine and Dede came with us too, as they were in town visiting. More on that in a separate post.
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"Are You Happy?"
You are sweetly concerned about how I feel, and you want me to be happy. We just came home after a long day, and I was rushing to clean up your lunch boxes, getting dinner ready, and also preparing snacks for you and Zoe who is always hungry. Early evenings are crazy times. You just peed or pooped and needed washing. I washed your butt in the sink, and in a hurry, passed you the towel, asking to dry yourself. No, you said. You do it. I sighed, as I took back the towel. I mush have had an expression that triggered something. You paused, looked at me, and asked "are you happy?" "Do I look happy?" I said. "I just got home, I have so much to do, I just asked you to dry yourself with the towel, and you said no. So no, I'm not happy about that." When I was done drying you, I went to the kitchen. Shortly, after, you showed up, wearing diapers and pants! "Did you dress yourself?" I asked, with excitement. I gave you a big hug, a big kiss and thanked you. "I put my clothes on. Are you happy?" you asked. "Yes, I'm very happy. YOU make me happy." I said. You looked happy and beaming. "I made you happy," you said. Ever since that day, you've been asking the same question every time you notice an expression of discontent on my face. It is so sweet of you to check on me like this. Many times after I wash your butt, you go grab clothes, saying "I will make you happy," and put them on by yourself. You are a very special girl.
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Valentines!
Everything is a celebration with girls, and Valentine's Day tops the list! Last year we spent the night in a downtown hotel. This year, I prepared a big basket of gifts, treats and Valentines art supplies. We decorated the house together the night before. We also set the dinner table appropriately for the theme of the event, and papa brought just the right balloon!
The excitement was spectacular. I will miss these excitements when you girls are all grown up.
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"I'm Drowning!"
You are a funny girl, Echo. You do strange things intentionally, just to make us laugh. At dinner table one night you slowly moved down down down below the table level, yelling "I'm drowning, I'm drowning." We all broke into laughter and said "you are funny Echo!" "I'm funny!"
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Thumb Love!
Sometimes we stop by the library across from your daycare, on the way home. One evening, you picked a book about a girl, Lulu, who used to be a thumb sucker, but eventually gave up on the habit. You made me read it again and again, each time, getting a little scared when she relay a nightmare where her front teeth grew so big, like a rabbit due to thumb sucking. You pulled your thumb out, but eventually, it made its way back in. Sooner or later, you will stop sucking your thumb, my little sunshine.
I love you, Echo.
Mommy
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