This Week...

Andrey's been in Manila and is coming home this morning. I told Ella we will go to the airport to pick Daddy up and she said while grunting, "'imup! imup!"and motioned as if she is picking up something really heavy. Cuteness.

Ella played the best I've ever seen with the older girls on one of our weekly play dates. Instead of being content to do her own thing while the other girls played together, she really participated! It brought me so much joy. She was really expressive and funny and made the other girls laugh. They played knock-knock at the door, and hotel in Ella's bedroom and appeared to be having a great time. Ella gave a big smile and waved when they left. The next day she asked me, "friends?"

Ella started saying thank you without me soliciting it from her. What a nice thing to hear after I give her something! She's done it many times since and surprises me every time. I guess all that modeling does eventually pay off. Oh and she also started saying, "Excuse me."

Ella and I did a lot of cooking together. She loves to put her apron on and stand on a chair at the counter to do some "cooking" alongside mommy. We made bread this week and Ella loved playing with her own dough. I also have a large bin full of dried beans that she plays with with lots of containers and scoops and other kitchen utensils.

Ella discovered a new favorite song. Since then she has requested it over and over and over again. The other day I put on a new (to me) Chris Tomlin album. The first song is called Our God and goes, Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other..." I heard her singing along (in the sweetest little voice ever) using the last word of each line. I guess she knows the words from when we sing this at church. ...Greater... stronger... When I turned around to watch her (her back was to me as she was busy with her dough, flour was everywhere) I saw her moving her little body to the music, doing her little half-squat hip-sway. Then she put her hand in the air and when she saw that I was looking she commanded me to raise my hand. "Hands! Mmmee!" I turned up the music and she got down from the chair and discovered her reflection in the oven window, which made her dance even more. She clearly enjoyed checking herself out as she tried out some new moves. Oh my goodness, could she be any more fun and adorable?

Ella is really focused on learning new phrases. She practices saying certain words together now and will repeat them over and over till she feels she's gotten it. She doesn't seem to get frustrated, just focused and determined, just like she's taught herself to swim. She's been able to say several two word phrases for some time (a fave lately is "Bye friends!") but putting adjectives with nouns is new and that's what she seems to be practicing the most these days. Tonight she practiced saying brown bear. She was really thinking about it and said it over and over again while clearly concentrating. After about 5 tries she got it. And she's speaking lots of new short sentences like "Mommy, sit here." When i asked this morning, "Ella do you want your pink shorts?" She replied  "No, brown shorts!" I am so proud of her!

I've picked up the potty training attempts again. A friend of mine, in response to my complaints about getting tired of cleaning huge toddler poops out of cloth diapers in the toilet with a spray gun while trying not to touch any poop (impossible!) suggested I get a little potty (as opposed to the toddler seat I have in our bathroom) and put it in the main area during the day so she can see it. Well, I went out Friday and Ella picked out her own little potty. It's a gaudy little thing but she sure is excited about it. It even plays music. I never would have guessed I'd ever buy such a thing but since we brought it home at 5 pm on Friday, she's hasn't gone pee anywhere else except in that potty during her waking hours at home! My other friend encouraged me to just give it a go again and just be prepared to clean up lots of accidents for a while and know it will eventually get better. (Thanks E and S for the ideas and encouragement! I'm so thankful to have you experienced mommas around!) I'm just wondering... Why haven't I done this sooner? Oh wait, it's because I have NO idea what I'm doing... right.

And the last little item from this week that I'd like to share is that I've decided to make Ella her very own play kitchen for her birthday, which is coming up next month. I've made a plan and am ready to figure out how the heck to do it without any power tools and no Home Depot. I was super excited to get started today until Andrey and I took a trip to the best hardware store we know of. Let's just say I had some unrealistic expectations. I left feeling deflated. (I know my Dad and Dad-in-law know this feeling after they set out to complete home improvement projects during visits to Cebu!) It won't be as easy as I thought but I have decided to rally and get creative. Anyone have any ideas how to cut a small hole in a piece of wood without a power saw? ha ha ha this is going to be fun.

Have a great weekend!

If you want to know, just ask me

I had a classic Philippines experience the other day. I went to see a doctor. I brought my helper along to help me with Ella. We walked into a full waiting room. We were not inside more than 30 seconds before a couple of women started asking my helper questions about me and Ella in Cebuano.

Is she her daughter? 
Does she live here?
Is her husband Filipino? 

These are the same questions I am most frequently asked. My helper politely and quietly answered all their questions. I understood all of it. Before she could answer the third question I turned to the inquisitive ladies and replied pleasantly in Cebuano, No, my husband is also an American. It's okay, you can ask me if you have a question. 


You would think they would either then transfer their conversation to me or just stop asking questions but no, they just completely ignored me and went back to talking to my helper. About me. In a full waiting room with everyone listening.

This is where a little self-talk is helpful.

They are just curious. Asking personal questions of strangers isn't considered rude here. They don't mean anything by it. Just ignore them. Don't be a jerk, Jenifer.

And it's not like I can realistically expect my helper to not answer their initial questions, because that would really be rude.

I realize that me not having a nanny and taking her everywhere with me (it's very strange that a woman of my "status" does not have a nanny) buys me a little anonymity. I still get the occasional and usual questions about my daughter. But I realize now that those come from the really gutsy Filipinos who are brave enough to ask me a question directly. It would happen so much more often if I had a local person with me wherever I went.

Like today at the grocery store. I happened to have one of the young adults from my church with me. I didn't even notice but when we got back to my house she told me how numerous people in the grocery store had asked her if Ella was my daughter. I was glad I didn't notice.

I don't blame people for being curious. It does raise interest seeing a white woman carrying a Filipino child around - especially when we are so clearly close and in love with each other. What we have is very special and I like to think that people pick up on that right away and want to know. Plus, my daughter is extremely cute so she naturally draws attention. People do often tell me she's beautiful.

Compared to the personal questions I got before I had a child, I never mind answering the question, "Is she your daughter?" I love to proudly answer with a big smile while holding her close, "Yes, she is mine." I just wish everyone asked me and not someone I happen to be with.

Monday Morning

Sometimes I can feel a little sad with the start of a new week when Andrey goes back to work. It's mainly because I love having him around and the family time we have on the weekends and the welcome break I get not being the only one to care for and entertain Ella. It's just more fun to do it together.

But I know that feeling isn't one I should dwell on. This morning I am reminded of God's faithfulness and his new mercy. I am specifically thankful that my husband has work. Not just work but a dream job in many respects. How many people do we know that do not have work and are struggling to provide for their families? How many families do we know that are living apart due to financial constraints (husbands or wives living in another city because of work opportunities, this is very common in the Philippines)? And here we are with PLENTY and SO so much to be thankful for beyond just financial provision.

I am also thankful for the good health we enjoy. This is easy to remember when I think about our neighbors next door (who are also our good friends) who lost a wife/mother to cancer a few months ago.

I am thankful that I am able to stay home with Ella - that I'm not forced to work. What a privilege. I have realized (again) that attachment is a process and our girl is still very much bonding to us and our family. I'm so thankful I can be a constant presence for her.

Here are a few shots from our Monday morning - quite typical of weekday mornings around here. 

Ella, still in her PJ's out for an early morning bike ride with some cereal in her basket to munch on.

The bees are having breakfast, too. Ella and Andrey regularly have morning walks together and they love to watch the bees.

It's a mobile breakfast this morning.

Another thing to be thankful for - our wonderful helper! It's not even 7 am and she's busy cleaning up the yard waste she chopped down from our crazy jungle garden last Friday. Love this woman!

And here a few moments from Friday afternoon.

With "Ate Rau Rau" (FYI 'Ate' is pronounced Ah-tay and means older sister) Ella loves her play time with Ate Rau2x on Friday afternoons.

 

One of Ella's favorite activities when Daddy comes home from work

 

What are you thankful for at the start of a new week?

Some random stuff and as usual, lots about Ella

Andrey and I finally got to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. Yes, nearly a month late but we were fasting during the actual day and couldn't take advantage of any of the usual celebratory foods - namely chocolate and alcohol. We ordered some yummy food from one of our favorite restaurants and had a date after Ella went to bed. A bottle of champagne, some posh Mexican food, a homemade six minute chocolate cake and a viewing of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (love that movie!) made for a fun date night at home to celebrate the beginning of our tenth year together.

Last week I grabbed a few shots of Ella on our little street. She was in a rare mood  - relatively willing to be herself in front of the camera. This girl has so much personality. Her mind and body are active and busy and so much fun to watch.

Ella's weekly play date with R. How cute are they!?  

I found some finger paint this week.  Ella was so excited about it when I bought it for her that she even passed up an opportunity to enjoy the slide at the mall playground (unheard of) because all she wanted  to do was go directly home to paint. After a quick trip to the grocery, that is what we did.

We joined Andrey on a business trip this week. Ella amazed us again with her love of all things travel. Her excitement level is set to high anytime we are in an airport or airplane. When we returned to Cebu, Ella told my friend, whom she's spent a bit of time with, "Airport! Airplane! Fly! Manila!" This photo is fuzzy but it shows how elated she is and how good she feels about pulling her own bag.

Even on long taxi rides, this girl is amazing. Not having a car seat helps. 

At the Manila airport, beginning our trip home to Cebu. Look at my big girl!

Back at home... Sometimes she just does not want her picture taken.

We did a bit of yard work yesterday. Andrey had the garden shears out and Ella really wanted to help so we got her scissors (the ones we recently realized she can use like a pro) and let her go to town on the shrubs. The plants in our garden grow like crazy so it's no harm to cut anything back. After a while, Ella grabbed a chair and sat down in front of the bushes and continued her work. Then she went inside and got a chair for Daddy saying, "Chair! Own!"

Some things Ella is into these days:

•  Loud music, especially her favorite song, that Chris Tomlin song that goes... strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord we will wait upon the Lord... when it comes on she says, "Loud! Sing!" and will sing along with gusto. Oh and she often demands us to sing with her. No talking, Mom & Dad... Sing! (I wonder if I should have her hearing checked because she also really likes turning the TV volume up when watching Elmo)

• Cutting - as I mentioned she is able to use scissors now. When she first found this skill she spent long periods of time (okay, long for a toddler) cutting paper into a gazillion tiny pieces. Lately she is more intrigued by trimming plants outside.

• Food - she's been eating so much lately! Favorite food these days? Chicken. Man can she eat a lot of chicken. 

• Trying out two words together - Up until recently she has been limited to stringing single words together but not making sentences yet. I have encouraged her for months to say things like "blue cup" or "hot coffee." She can say blue and cup but when prompted to say them together she'd just put an uhh or ahh in front of the second word, like "ahh cup." Well last week, she, completely of her own accord, started putting adjectives with nouns. It's very sweet because we can see that she is really focusing and concentrating and when she says something and we understand and praise her, she clearly feels very good about herself. Lately, she's been saying things like water slide, yellow bus, black pants, brown shorts, purple shirt, hot egg, etc... Way to go, Ella!

The other day I told Ella we were going to pick Daddy up (from the airport). She then motioned as if to pick up something heavy and said, "Daddy, 'im up, ughhh, heavy!" She is total cuteness!

You may have noticed I've been letting Ella's bangs grow. This is what it looks like when she takes her clip out. I think it's hilarious because it reminds me of the Adam's Family It. She is not happy about me taking this photo at all.

Next month, Ella will turn three! I am already planning her party. This first birthday together just feels so significant. It will also be one week short of us being together a year so we feel it is appropriate to make a big deal out of it. If anything it is to reflect how full our hearts are. We just want to celebrate! So a pool party we will have at a place near the mountains. I just booked the place today. We're so excited. I am currently researching woodworking plans for the play kitchen I hope to make for her. I'm eager to start a fun project. I bought a bunch of kitchen supplies when we were in the States so I have all that ready to go. Just need the kitchen. There are tons of really cute do it yourself ideas that can be found on line. I just have to pick one and then figure out how to go about it. Should be interesting.