A letter from Omie (Stefan's Mum)

Dearest Asia,
I wanted some quality time with you so chose October 16 to 27th, after your busy 2nd birthday and Thanksgiving were over. You certainly made every day of my visit interesting.
Our first full day together, October 17th both you and I started the day, feeling out of sorts ... you had had a late night and I was on new meds. However, after a nap things were better for both of us. You noticed my hair tied in two tails. I told you they were pig tails. Mommy offered to put your hair in pigtails too. You agreed and were delighted when Mommy did it. Your curls didn't mirror my straight hair exactly and you were much cuter but we matched. I wanted to celebrate your birthday with you and brought a candle holder in the shape of a pair of shiny yellow Wellingtons with colored dots on them. You recognized them as 'boots' immediately. We sat at the table, lit the candles, sang "Happy Birthday". After you had blown out the candles and you asked to light them 'again' .. we did and this could probably have gone on for a couple hours but we moved your attention to your present, a train made up of different shaped brightly colored wooden blocks which you then played with. 





Every meal began with grace ... Your Mom and Dad, Asia and any guests held hands, closed their eyes, while Mommy or Daddy said the grace. You always ended it with a resounding 'Amen!"
Meals were very interesting as you had wide variety of tastes. Our first dinner was cheesy ravioli’s with sliced mushrooms … you enjoyed both. The next night was a communal effort ... Daddy contributed very tender spare ribs, Mommy made Brussel's sprouts, and I made Dutch Hutspot ... That is potatoes mashed with carrots and onions. (Poppa had given a big basket of potatoes, carrots and 2 onions from his garden to Mommy and Daddy and I made use of them. Thank you Poppa.) Much to your parents’ surprise, you ate a big serving of hutspot. They told me you don’t usually like potatoes or carrots. I would never have known. You also sampled the sprouts and the spare ribs. 
Night three, you had curried chana, (chick peas), pita bread with brown rice for your dinner and ate it with gusto. 


For our last dinner together, we had Trinidad bulljoll and Mommy’s fresh baked whole wheat and flax seed bread. You sampled the salt fish and onions. You also dipped your Mommy’s bread in the olive oil and lime juice bulljoll sauce ... but did not want the avocado or tomato. :) “I don’t like it.”

You were very verbal about what you liked and wanted. You loved your books and often wanted one ‘again’. You had a good sense of direction when we went for a walk … (you sure don’t take after your Omie, or Uncle Nigel in that!) By week’s end you had a 6 word reading vocabulary. 
On our way to dropping you to school on my last day, I told you I was leaving and I said good bye to the mountains out the car window … big good bye, (whole hand) and little good bye (forefinger only). I wasn’t sure if you knew what a mountain was till you said, “more mountains coming up,” and sure enough as we turned the corner more came into view and you pointed them out. I miss you already Asia. Love, Omie 

... and she's not even two yet

One of the biggest problems with procrastination and growing children is that there will never be less to write about. Since our last post in May so much has happened that it is a daunting task to put it all in one blog so I put it off until I have more time. Four months later I have no more time than before and all the more to talk about. Here is a flash of some of the more notable milestones and memories.

Multi Media
Music is always on in our house so it is no surprize that Asia now asks for, nay demands "kiddie music"... and she's not even two yet. Her favourites being Ol' Mac Donald (known as the moo moo song), B.I.N.G.O. (known as the puppy song) and itsy bitsy spider. She is a little singer now and randomly busts out Twinkle twinkle little star, itsy bitsy (with actions), happy happy home, and more.
We got a bit full of kiddie music so we played a bit more classical and jazz. She now will ask for piano music, or, when a song with piano comes on she will happily exclaim "pinano moosick". We also have a pinano which she will play from time to time with great gusto. Not the best activity for early Sunday morning.

ELMO is the biggest thing in Asia's life. She will actually ask to "watch Elmo again". She doesn't really care that much for the other characters on Sesame Street, although she does know them by name, but Elmo is the be all and end all. On one occasion though there was an episode where Elmo is Pinocchio and his nose grew, it was very disturbing to Asia and she started to cry and exclaimed that he was scary Elmo. She is over it now but my message to the creator of Elmo... don't mess with the puppet.

Talking the Talk
Asia is not short on words. Her vocab astounds us daily. The other day Kayt picked her up from school and the care takers told us that she was a bully. (even though she is one of the youngest in that group). She had bitten one and pushed another. We discussed this at the dinner table. She was able to tell us who she bit, that it made the other kid sad, that she said sorry and gave a hug. All with downcast eyes a very apologetic tone.  We were blown away. It was like she was in school and had got in trouble and Mummy said we will talk about this when Daddy gets home... again we shake our heads that she is not yet even two.
She has been able to count her numbers to ten for quite some time now but because 11 sounds like seven the record skips back 7 8 9 10... 7 8 9 10 over and over and over again.
She can recognize and name shapes in 2D and 3D.  Her favourite a triangle as well as circle, square, rectangle, oval, diamond, octagon, trapezoid and flower (being a quadrafoil that we chose to call a flower)

We will read books to her then she will insist she read it back to us.  Some favs are her first word books with all the animals. She loves to name the animal and make the corresponding sound. Although monkey and kitty are very cute, the zealous lion and tiger are a bit... loud... first thing in the morning. For actual reading books the Good night Pookie, Wocket in my pocket, Old hat new hat and Put me in the zoo (know as "OUT! OUT!" to her).

Asia Einstein

Albert Einstein

But even little geniuses have weak points... hers' are  colors. If you ask her what color the sky is she will respond "orange!".  The same will go for the green grass the pink blanket and pretty much anything else you put in front of her.  She has her world set in Orange colored glasses. Must be the Proud Dutch in her.

Independence
 Although still in her first year, she has a very strong opinion on what she will wear and must put every thing on herself. If her shoes are on the wrong foot then I tell her and she will switch them. We must stand back and watch (patiently) as she puts on her own socks, pants, and shoes.  She cannot put on a shirt and that is the only article of clothing we are able to 'help' with.  She will try and we are only able to help once she has exhausted herself to the point of frustration. I have heard Asia and Kayt in many a "discussion" about which pair of pants she will or will not wear... She has shown up to day care in many a colorful outfits.

The fact is,  we hear "Asia do it" about a hundred times a day. She says it so often that she has shortened it to A do it. Once upon a time we were the ones telling her no hands, well the tables have turned and we are now told no hands Mummy (or Daddy)-  Asia do it.  And as trying as that is sometimes it always warms your heart whenever the task she was on is done she will proudly proclaim "I did it!!!!"

She has blossomed into this high energy fun loving little girl.  She will give the most well rested a run for their money- but as tired as we are, our sides never really stop hurting from laughing.  

A is for Apple Poss...

Its been forever since we have blogged- so instead of trying to do major catch up I decided I would let you have a peak into little idiosyncrasies that make our girl's world go round.  All parents think they have a genius on their hands and I include myself in that group.  She is constantly making me laugh, surprising me with her knowledge, and occasionally making me pull my hair out.  Every day I am blown away by how much I love her.  When she was first born I was amazed at the instant connection God gives you to this little being of pooping, crying, flesh.  But now its a whole new world of building a real relationship.  With strengths and weaknesses with giving and receiving of love and although this mothering thing has challenged me it has rewarded me tenfold.  And I am so blessed.



A is for Apple Poss...
- Apple sauce and cheese.  If I could supply her only that, life would be grand.   We can be in the middle of reading a story and she will look at me and say lovingly "Apple Poss"  as though it has been on her mind like an old friend. The other fav is "oh-git" almost said it two words but known to most of you as yogurt.

- Shoes and socks.  Particularly socks.  At one point "sockies" one of the first words out of her mouth every morning.  She always needs a pair on (even if she already has tights on...) and delights particularly in that part of morning dressing.

- Not just sockies.... but Clothes!  I have to be careful with leaving laundry around the house.  We have changed into our swimsuit at one in the afternoon, or obsessed (to the point of tears) over a too small jacket laying around the house. (on this note- she has figured zippers and can take off her sleep sack in mere minutes.  In fact this morning we picked up a naked child from the crib!  Lets just say we didn't put her there this way!)

- Mira.  She always needs to know where her dog is.  If she has not seen Mira in a few minutes she calls out at the top of her voice "MEEEEEE AAAAHHHH"!  Equally, if Mira is in her way she will shove with all her might and sternly say "Mee ahh moooove"

- "Toys".  This word is not used in the context of all toys but has been assigned to one toy in particular.  Auntie Kandis hit the nail on the head when she bought the square with shapes and holes of shapes to fit them in to.  You all know the toy I am talking about we all had one.  Except, this one was made for a high school student!  It has 12 different shapes to it and some only go in one way.  I thought at the beginning that it was ridiculous and she would constantly be frustrated.  And dividing praise to my genius of a daughter and my persevering husband the word of all things played with has been given to this square.  This is the first toy searched out and routinely played with after mornings first bottle. EVERY morning.  
Thanks Auntie- my 1 yr old can pick out a triangle, diamond, and oval by name!

-Her family.  The retention of memories we are starting to see is amazing.  One day chatting to herself in the backseat of the car she listed out her entire family. Extended family!  She started chatting saying "papa, maama (grandma), auntie, uncle, omie, pampo (grampo)" and finished with a triumphant GG!!!!  We were shocked that she made the connection.  Since then, she will randomly call out names (loudly in the grocery store for instance) expecting for uncle or Auntie to be around the corner.  Or delightfully say papa to herself while she eats as though having a fond memory.  What a way to make us smile.

- Building, stacking and creating.  I think we have an architect on our hands.  I have introduced her to mega blocks (large Leggo)  and she builds and destroys  over and over again.  Puzzles are also hit, anything to figure out.  Sorry- but the stuffed animals hold no merit but a quick hug and tossed aside.

- Donkeys.  Anything that is large, 4 legged, and not a dog, is a donkey.  She heee hawws and hee haws while we explain it is a horse or a moose.  While on a hike one day she started to hee haw while in the hiking  backpack.  I had no clue as to reason for it until I saw the picture of a moose on a "caution wildlife sign"  to her it's a donkey.  She will bring her farm book to us urgently heee hawwing until we flip to the donkey page so she can get her fix.  I do believe that we are the only house on the street that has a rocking donkey rather than a "rocking horse"



The list goes on and on.  But I am afraid this is becoming an essay.  She is fiercely independent and chronically happy.  What a joy and a laugh she has brought into the Mahon house. 

Under this winter jacket lies a onsie.  We are not going outside- we are just wanting to waltz around the house in shades and a parka!  Why not!!












Daddies children anxiously waiting for his arrival home from work.

Smiles, smiles and more smiles

Mummy, Daddy and all the other beautiful words of the English Language.

Over the past 4 months babbling has turned into actual language. Personality has bloomed. Likes and dislikes have been made all the more clear.

First word was Hi. She relished in this word so much that when Kayt took her to the grocery store she would say it to everyone and continue until they responded. Alas she has had to learn that not everyone is that willing to say hello. One time when Kayt was in line with her there was a good long line of mostly tradesmen buying their dinner not wanting to be bothered by anyone, just focused on getting home for beer and their hungry man's dinner. By the end of it Asia had made each one of them into jello and had them making faces and goo goo ga ga ing to her. Her little personality just shines out and her happiness is more contagious than the chicken pox.

We were trying to teach her sign language in order to help her communicate but she seems to learn the word quicker than the sign! Call us lazy but we have stopped with the signs and stuck to the pronunciation.  The fact is that she speaks "Asian" all day long and we are just trying to decipher it. She has been kind enough to speak some English so we can keep up with her. Her vocab is of at least 30 words, that she knows and understands fully, plus all the other words that she just parrots as she feels fit.

I note these down merely to remember this time.

Hi, Bye, Good bye and bye bye, night night, Hello (used to sound more like heh-joh, very cute when she would pick up the phone and say it randomly)
Eat, more, cracker, cheese, apple (sounds like ahpooh), bottle, all done (sounds more like ah goh)
Please, thank you (sounds more like tah too)
Yes, NO (and "no no" for emphasis usually related to a food she does not want to try)
Tummy, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth (also used to signify brushing of teeth)
what's this? what's that? Stars, hat, jacket, shoes (which sounds more like sooz) bum (which to her means sit)
Mummy, Daddy, Baby, doggy, puppy, kitty (sounds more like titty)

She is also all over animal sounds. Moo, woof woof, meow, monkey sounds that I cannot type, hoo hoo of an owl, bah bah, Quack quack (sounds more like nack nack but said with the enphasis that she is going to strain something).  She is quite bright with this and enjoys hours of flipping through picture books to let you know which animals she can point out.
Obviously Daddy likes making these noises so she has adopted equal enthusiamsm.
Poop and potty are the newest... Still learning the concept though.

This picture is of her mooing at the cow in Tobago!

The list goes on and on, and grows on a daily basis and we are just thrilled by it. we realized that we were in a new stage when she picked up a dolly she got for christmas, cuddled in in her arms, said nigh nigh and then started rocking and shhhing the dolly to sleep. Monkey see monkey do.

She is fully walking now and even starting to run. Stairs are the new challenge for her and if told 'night night' she will go to the stairs and start climbing up to her room and stopping every two to three stairs to look back and say "nigh nigh" or "bye bye". Bye has become the most fav word now as even when playing shy with strangers she has no problem telling them "Bye bye"

Teeth are coming in strong and our little trooper cut four molars while we were traveling in Trinidad with little to no serious side effects. 

Sorry if this is choppy but I felt I had to get soemthing down on the talking. More to come on our trip to Trinidad.