I made Timmy a P&J. He looks at it and runs away. As soon as I leave the table he comes back. I looked at him and he turns around to tell me to shoo. I realize he knows I don’t allow him to open up the sandwich and pick out the inside so he is telling me not to look. I go away for awhile. I come back and he shoos me again. He ate the whole sandwich after I left to get Frank. Nat found Timmy with peanut butter hands.
We started our celebrations one day ahead with plans of dining out and a night of no kids. After naps we all piled into the car and drove to grandma and grandpa’s house. There we played and worked until 5pm. Both Frank and Timmy are having their first sleepover. We arrived at the Chuckanut Manor earlier for our seafood buffet. It was not yet crowded so we got seats next to the window overlooking the railroad and the bay. We ordered some wine and started our feast. It was delicious. The dungoness crabs - I had an entire one, the oysters, the cocktail shrimp, the fried scallop balls we all so good. I did have a few leaves of the ceasar salad to balance out my meal. After three plates full I was stuffed. Then we ordered dessert and shared a creme brulee.
We drove home and watched a movie without any worries of children sleeping. And then we slept in without worries of children waking up. So we got up at 8am. We got a new bike rack and was ready to go explore the Tommy Thompson Trail when Pat and Larry called with gifts of a filbert tree. We had some food and waited for them. Then we all headed out together and rode the trails. It was so nice to have someone show us around.
After naps grandma and grandpa came over and returned all the children to us. Then Nat cooked up some fabulous smoked ribs for everyone. With corn bread and corn I was stuff for another night.
Happy Fifth to us!
It’s been over 2 weeks now that the kids are up before 6am. At first it infrutiated me, especially when Frank would be loud and Timmy would wake up from the noise. Then I spend the day grumpy at Frank and Timmy is clingy cuz he is tired. I’m not sure if it was a magazine article or just talking to other moms (maybe alittle of both) that gave me a new perspective. It’s all about attitude and appreciating what you have. Seems like most kids in Frank’s school have been sleeping less due to the sunshine we are now getting. Most of them fight the bedtime and can’t wake up for school creating a different challenge for other moms. One day Nat got up when Frank was up at 5:30 and they played outside. Ran in the sprinkler, drove the bikes and just played and of course made a run to the donut store. I got my sleep and so did Timmy. Frank was happy. Nat was more tired but the day progressed smoothly. Another reason why he is the best dad and husband.
So with my new attitude this week has been pleasant and fun. I get up and play with the kids and gets everyone to take naps since the early awakenings can’t be stopped even if the room is made pitch dark. And now I wake up automatically around 5:30. I have been programmed by my kids. Often Frank and Timmy will play “with” each other for some time. They read stories, drive trucks, take out every toy they own and spread it from one side of the room to the other, especially the ones with many pieces.
I get up and sit there and watch them. One morning I was just laying on the floor and Frank asks “what’s wrong mommy?” I told him I was tired. Then Timmy crashed a truck on the feet and Frank said “no Timmy. Don’t crash on mommy’s leg.” Then he turned to me and said “Poor mommy. Are you ok?” and patted my feet very gently.
This morning I thought I wouldn’t miss this for anything. Sleep is overrated. Today Frank took out the Junior Boogle game and started to spell using the cards. He says, “mom, this is car, do you know how to spell car? it is C-A-R, car” while pointing to the letters on the card. I was like WOW! Then he went on and did several more of the cards. One was a bird but he said it was a birdy. So I explained why it only spelled bird and how birdy is spelled. Then he spelled five and said “five is spelled V F like Frank F-I-V-E. Like L-O-V-E spells love.” Then when Nat got up Frank was spelling dog. He read the card and said “D-O-G is dog, not dad, dad is spelled D-A-D”. I was like WOW again.
Two days ago he got up and wanted to read Dr. Seuss. I just played along. He said “I’m going to read What I saw on Mulberry Street and The Lorax“. Then he turned to the page and said “oh this is the first page. What I saw on Mulberry Street. I saw a shorse (Frank’s H is pronouced SH). Then I saw a Zebra. Pulling a motorcycle. No, it’s a snowmobile. Then an elephant.” At this point I was running around looking for the camcorder so when I returned I missed a bunch. He was at the end of the story and said “then I went up the stairs home and told my dad I only saw a shorse. The end.” Here is us trying to get him to read it again on film. Never as good the second time. But that’s why it was worth it for me to loss some sleep.
Our first unaccompanied visit to the dock house was filled with adventures. To start off we didn’t get on the ferry cuz we were too far down in line and the boat for that run was a smaller one. So we played by the beach next to the terminal. Timmy dug in the sand and rocks and got all wet. Then he made a giant poop. Frank was wearing Crocs and got his socks and pants all wet too. Even before leaving Anacortes the kids were on their second set of clothes. On the boat Timmy was cranky until he found a friend. A nice man sitting in the row behind us was making faces and play peek-a-boo with Timmy. He was laughing nonstop.
Finally we arrived at Friday Harbor and settled down to eat at the Ale House. Fish and chips and burgers and stuff. Frank doesn’t like potatoes so no french fries. We make it to the dock house at 8pm with Timmy already asleep. Too late to set up the tent for Frank so I sleep with him in the back room. He rassles alot and keeps me up most of the night. Then 6:45am he tells me it is morning time. I manage to keep him quiet for another 10 min they Timmy wakes up next door. So I send Frank over to play with Timmy. Later Nat gets up and takes the kids. I start to dose off and then suddenly loud beeping noise wakes me. First I think Nat set an alarm. Then I realize it is the smoke alarm. It is now 7:30am and I think he is already making bacon? The alarm goes off every time at our house when he makes bacon. But that is not the case. I surface from my bed and discover the house filled with smoke. The wood stove didn’t start as easily as Nat had hoped. Eventually he gets the proper instructions and everything is in order and all the door and windows and kitchen vents are open.
I set up the tent downstairs. The kids help but I managed. We ate and played the morning away. Timmy and Frank collected pine cones and rocks and went down to the dock to throw them in the water. Timmy is very tolerant of the life vest except for when he wants to bend down to pick up stuff and he can’t. Then he tries harder and tips over backwards. Frank was very nice and shared all the things he collected into his bucket with me and Timmy. When Timmy went for his nap, Frank and I went kayaking. We visited his many buoys. Saw one that was a tire. Paddled along the beach and almost to the isthmus. Dinner was a disaster. Frank is having trouble pooping in the potty. So a big battle and he has been holding it in for 4 days now. Finally we give in and provide him with the diaper after reading about impacted bowels and other problems caused by holding it in for too long.
Saturday was another gorgeous day. Nat and Frank both woke up sick and threw up. But after 6 pancakes Frank was feeling better. He still wanted the rest of the pancakes but I stopped him in case he couldn’t keep it down. Everyone felt better soon. More kayaking with Nat and Frank this time. Then I managed to get Frank to nap in the tent. Then I went for out in the kayak by myself. The water was so calm that you can see the ripples as the drips from my paddles falls in. I went out to the outer end and saw a heroin. He/she was soooo still that at first I thought that is a life like still. But as I got closer, it moved its head. Then it flew away. I followed it some and found another one. I wish I had my camera. More exploring but I didn’t find anything else worthwhile. Then I paddled back, taking breaks to just sat quietly in the water floating. So peaceful. Wonderful steak dinner this time. We all eat heartily. Then after Timmy is down for the count, we roast marshmallows in the camp fire. Frank eats as many as us.
As I was doing my morning routine, Timmy comes into the bathroom to help. He finds a hair brush and starts to brush his hair. I comment on how cute and of course now Frank wants that same brush which he calls a comb. So I gave him my comb. Frank said, “Silly mommy, that’s not a comb. It’s just a sharp knife.” I almost cracked up and spit out my toothpaste. Sunday was busy. Cleaning and packing and getting Timmy down for an early nap so we don’t miss this ferry. We took turns distracting the kids with buckets and gravel and pine needles. Timmy loved filling the bucket and carrying it around. Frank did too and when they filled it up with gravel, Timmy couldn’t carry it so Frank helped lots. Nat and Frank kayaked one more time and saw a seal on someone’s dock. Cool. Lots of seagulls. Frank talks to them and tells them he does not have any crackers for them. Poor seagulls.
We did not miss out boat. In fact, we enjoyed the extra time with some ice cream cones. Frank had peanut butter and chocolate. I had mint chocolate chip which everyone shared and loved, Timmy especially. Even after it was all gone, Timmy chewed on the tasting spoon until the ferry boat came. On the boat Timmy cutes at everyone and play pee-a-boo with anyone who would peek back at him. We sit and a 2 year old girl comes to sit on my lap. Timmy doesn’t notice for a long time. He is playing with her older brothers. When he does, he is very unhappy. So then I had two kids on my lap and only one was mine this time. We make it home. Unpacked some and then out to pizza. Fun! Tired! Realize the camera is no longer in my pocket. So many picture and videos gone. I was really sad and not at all hopeful for the lost and found. But indeed the next morning when I called they had it there. Yippee!
Last week Timmy started to sign fish and now he says phisss as he waves his hand back and forth. He has been saying nana when signing banana as well. He is starting to throw tandraums. He stomps his feet and screams. He also screams alot now in the car. Maybe practicing his vocal cords but it then sets off Frank screaming at Timmy to stop screaming or to be like Timmy. I need earplugs to drive. Timmy loves birds. His bird sign looks like the milk sign but it is accompanied with dededede followed by bah. First I thought he was saying ball but then I realized he was imitating me since I always say dididi bird. He is also signing orange but that was awhile ago. Today he signed bear. It was a like a clap. He put his hands together and made a growling noise for the stuffed bear at the store he was pointing at. Then he screamed when I didn’t put it in the cart.
Now he hates to sit in the shopping cart. I have to shop fast or I have to carry him while pushing the cart with one hand. It helps when Frank comes too to distract Timmy.
Last week Timmy stacked 5 blocks. I was playing with Frank and showing him the letters on the blocks and when I turned around there was a tower. Timmy likes to fed himself with a spoon. He gets frustrated when the food slides out. After a few tries he will start to scream. He can get it in his mouth as long as the food stays on.
It’s been 3 months since I last wrote here and so much has happened since. The things that change your life often happens in the blink of an eye. You go along and go along and life is the same everyday. We have been talking about moving for over a year now. Then we started talking about moving out to WA just recently. Well, we went to visit grandma and grandpa in WA for 3 weeks in Aug and we came home with a new house in our name. We did look at many and nothing was perfect. Then this house was coming on the market in two days. We saw it. We loved it. We made an offer. It was accepted. It all happened in two days. I remember lying in bed the night after we made the offer, wondering if we were too hasty, and at the same time anxious to know if our offer will be accepted. Upon returning home, the joy and excitement of having this new house was turned into anxiety to sell the current one. We spend three weeks packing, selling, rearranging, and hiring professionals to fix stuff. The house looked fabulous. No toys scattered all over the floor. Only a few pieces of furniture to highlight the rooms. Windows were so clean you forget it is there. We went on the market Friday Sept 19th. Every morning I make the bed with new pillows that match the sheets, wipe down the shower walls, open all the blinds and windows, hide the laundry, and close the closet doors. Nat couldn’t cook for several days as to keep the kitchen counter clean and spotless. All the work paid off and by Wed we had 6 offers.
As for the kids, Frank had such a hard time in the three weeks when we were busy packing and cleaning. He knew about the new house since we all visited it and played outside there. But to a toddler, it is still a hard concept to understand. He had so many tantrams and timeouts in his room I was about to lose my mind. What happened to my reasonable little boy. None of my usual tricks and reasoning worked. Then he was back to normal once the house was on the market and we stopped the bustling. Timmy didn’t notice anything different. He really liked all the boxes piled in the living room. Some were just the right height for him to climb on and not be able to get off. Then when all that moved into the garage, he had open space to crawl and explore.
Grandma had left and daddy has returned to work. I’m left with two children by myself for the first time. The morning went smoothly. We had breakfast and Frank ate his cereal in the green Shriek bowl. Then we brushed our teeth and put on clean clothes and a new diaper without a fight. And it was only 9:30am. Then Frank played with his diggers and blocks while Timmy napped. I even played with Frank and we scooped up the blocks and dumped them into the box. Then it was time to head to the library for storytime. We started at 10:30 when Timmy got his scheduled feeding. Then into carseats and packed the stroller and books to return. Promptly leaving the house at 11 and arriving at the library with 3 minutes to spare. Ms. Beckie got everyone to write Valentines and put into a play mailbox. Then we rolled balls, read stories, sang songs, and even did ring around the rosie all fall down. Frank only partially participated in that one as he refused to hold anyone’s hand except mom or Ms. Beckie, leaving an unclosed ring. Then we listened to a dinosaur song and stompped around marching like dinosaurs. When that was over everyone else packed up to leave but Frank pointed to the closet and so Ms. Beckie got the key and we played with the toys in there for another 20 min. Meanwhile Timmy slept in mom’s arms. He is such a peaceful child.
Lunch time was challenging as Timmy needed his turn while I had to make lunch. Frank got his P&J sandwich ready then I fed Timmy. Then I ate leftovers while holding Timmy and getting Frank to also eat some carrots and chicken from my stirfry. Nap time was really hard as Frank needed 5 stories and Timmy was howling so I agreed to 2. Frank got 3 so we did 3. Then he said more and I refused. Of course we read those 3 with Timmy in the other room screaming at the top of his lungs. I had to put him down since no one can hear the story if I held him. Frank threw a tandrum and I just left. Timmy calmed down now that someone was giving him undivided attention. Then Frank came out and said morning. Well I put him back a few times and then decided he can play quietly in his room if he wanted. So he did and I rested on the couch with Timmy sleeping on top of me. By 2:30 Frank came down and I told him mommy doesn’t play with boys who don’t nap so he played by himself while Timmy and I rested on the couch. Not quietly though as blocks were built and knocked over. Honking horns on his rideon car, hammering stuff, pulling the plastic bags off the chair and spreading it all over the place, and making a mess of the newspapers saved for firestarters. Meanwhile mom and Timmy “slept”. Then it was 4 and mom opened her eyes. Frank said morning and I said Timmy still sleeping. So Frank pointed to the swing and we put Timmy in there so mom can play with Frank.
We tried to get ready to walk to the park for some outside activities but Frank won’t put his shoes on and Timmy slept on so I couldn’t nurse him. Never wake a sleeping baby! Then we were going to walk to Bart and meet up with daddy… well, Timmy needed his feeding and Frank still didn’t get his shoes on so finally when we were all ready, we drove down to pick daddy up. We did get to stroll outside as daddy prepared dinner. I took Frank and Timmy out down the street so Frank can loook at the diggers. They were not doing any work so we walked to the end of the street and then back. Frank wanted to go to the laka laka (tennis) park but it was getting late. He started to fuss just as Timmy started to cry and so we headed home. Dinner, no bath, toothbrush, pjs, nite nite at 8:15. Frank came out one time and daddy tucked him back in. Up this morning around 6:30. Another day starts but soon it will be weekend again. 
After several days of excited anticipation, Christmas morning finally came. Frank was so excited as he came down the stairs and ran to the presents under the tree, he banged his head on the table. The pain was eased away by a gingerbread man in Frank’s stocking. Cookie first thing in the morning!! - only on Christmas. Before doing his stocking presents, Frank grabbed the package from PEBL (he has been tossing that one around for days and knows that one is for him). A fun frog flashlight. After we showed him how to turn it on, he would do it and point the light straight in his eyes (as he does with all flashlights) . Frank helped mommy sort the presents and occasionally without mom’s notice he slipped some into his own pile. For one moment, Frank’s gingerbread man had only a leg left and the next thing you know, Frank had one with the whole body intact. Well, dad left his unattended and that’s what happens.
We all took turns opening a present. Frank wasn’t interested in ripping the wrapping paper or playing with the ribbons. He really wanted to help with scissors when mom was cutting the taped parts open. The first few rounds dad got more cooking ware just like he asked for and some wood chips for his smoker. Frank got a bucket full of safari animals and trees and rocks to dump in the middle of the floor. Then mom got a puzzle with pictures of elephants and giraffs and zebras just like Frank’s plastic ones. Pretty neat. Mom and dad both got magnetic hangers and promptly hung some xmas photo cards from our friends up. Frank got several books and a truck flashlight that he drove all around the dining room table. It ran over several safari animals before the driver was convinced to sit with a new cookie and his new books. Several different chocolate truffles but mom refrained til after lunch and Frank went to nap. Frank then got construction cones and lined them up around dad’s chair. Under Construction! Took dad two seconds to trip over one but fortunately, no one was hurt except the cone. It was a danger zone by the time we finished as Frank also got a set of Mr. Potato Head and more stacking cups. To top it all off, mom and dad got several presents for our backyard projects. Those are ones we will all enjoy throughout next year and Frank will have such fun helping in the yard.
Somewhere between that we had breakfast and Frank of course only wanted more cookies. We were all too full for lunch so some fruits and snacks and then off to tidy up and play with our toys. Mom had fun reading Frank’s new books to him. He got several counting books and the one page he loves is 7 balls. He tries to grab the ball out of the book and gets mad when he can’t take it off the page. Then he shows us the soccer ball is for kicking, basketball for throwing, tennis ball for throwing and another ball for rolling. While Dad started a turkey and stuffing for dinner, Frank napped just 1 hour and then we played bubbles and water hose in the backyard. Wired on sugar cookies I bet. Dad got shoot with the water hose. Good thing it is sunny and warm here. We started a fire nonetheless and enjoyed the beautiful flames as the house got heated up to 72 degrees. Frank helps dad carry the logs but stands back as watches dad throw it into the fire.
After dinner, mom and Frank enjoys a hot bath together. Then Frank’s day ended with more jumping on the bed, PJs, stories, and then goodnite kisses. Mom and dad soon piled into bed as well.
The past week has been very difficult both emotionally and physically. My dad had a stroke on 9/27 shortly after we just returned from visiting him in China. I wanted to drop everything and return to him but that is impossible with Frank and another baby on the way. Finding the small window of time to call there and trying to understand his condition over the phone made it even harder. It took many days before he was stable.
Just as I was starting to feel some relief, Frank got the stomach flu Tuesday night. He didn’t want to eat dinner but was very fussy. Finally he threw up all over mom. We changed him and mom and cleaned up. Then he did it again. And we cleaned up again. It was about bedtime so I took a bath with him. Then he threw up on me again. I must have the secret touch cuz Frank never throws up when dad is holding him. He continued to wake up that night and sometimes he found more food to get rid of. We go in with flashlights to inspect that his bed and sheets are still clean. Luckily he would yell for mom and held it til we carried him to the bathroom. Only one time when I didn’t get there fast enough cuz the last two times was false alarm did we have to change his sheets. He woke up happy and alert and HUNGRY and THIRSTY. He must be better. Not! After some breakfast, it all came out again. It was so hard only giving him little bits of selective foods when I knew he was so hungry. He wanted all his favorite treats and none of those were approved. Poor baby. We were good til after his nap. At least the time gap between the incidents are increasing. He has little pee and no poo. He threw up alittle more that night but mostly he was ok. He did well the next day but was not a happy playful child. So cranky it just wore me out. I was ready to collapse and was only holding on til Nat would come home. Nat finally came home and he started to throw up too. I guess I have to keep going. That night I also got the stomach flu. Now it is Friday. The weather was yucky with rain and reflected the state me and my family were in.
Somehow we made it through Saturday and even had friends over for a BBQ. After a phone call to China, I just totally lost hold of myself. It wasn’t even any bad news. Just the exhaustion from the past week and the frustration of trying to understand this new procedure they want to perform made me feel so helpless and trapped. I started to think about how if I didn’t have Frank I can just pick up and head over to China. Then that just made me feel more guilty cuz he needs me more than anything. My dad has my mom there, all his friends and relatives and his doctors too.
Sunday morning everything turned around for me. Frank woke up hungry again, big surprise there. He wanted pancakes and we told him that daddy doesn’t have pants on yet so he can’t go downstairs to make pancakes. Frank immediately went to the drawers and took daddy’s pants out and brought it to dad. We laughed so hard. Sunday is always laundry day but today I was so tired so I let Frank help sort laundry without much supervision. He mixes all the whites and colors. Then he dumps them out and resorts it, as if saying hmm that’s not right. We don’t usually lose socks but this time we were missing three. I found one that matched the one from last week. Another one turned up tangled in the sheets. As I was putting the towels away, I found the other sock, along with two other towels. Frank had placed them back into the towel closet while sorting them earlier. Again we laughed so hard.
My little guy is growing up so fast and I’m so glad I can be here to see it all. He is my bundle of joy.
In preparation for our trip, we researched both on the web and from other moms on what to bring on the airplane to entertain Frank. Through out the week we collected/brought those items. Some include blue paint tape, magnadoddle, photo album, his favorite books, bag of Cheerios, small set of nesting blocks, beanie babies, string, scarf, suction cup, washable markets and color paper. Then a last minute purchase of a rolly suitcase for him to pull all his toys in. We are ready for our journey (12 hours to Beijing, then another 2 hours to Lanzhou).
The Flight There
As luck would have it, the day before leaving we discover that our seats have been changed separating mom and dad. After calling several times, no one can tell us why or help fix it. After complaining politely at the check-in counter (with help from Frank putting on his cute face), the agent tried and tried and said she get the gate agent to work on it while we get through security. We arrived just as they call our names to give us new seats with no passenger next to us. The entire row to ourselves. How lucky for us! Frank loved sitting in his own seat. He took a nap after lunch was served. It lasted a good 2 hours since he was able to lay comfortably across the seat. We stuffed pillows everywhere so he doesn’t roll off. A few of the toys came in handy. The beanie babies got tossed all over the place, some books were read, and the blue tape was useful in deterring Frank from pushing the assist button none stop. What he played with the most was the seatbelt and the headset. He listened to the music and take it off giggling. Then put it back on and sometimes he wiggles to the beat. We buckled and unbuckled the seatbelt repeatedly. Then 3 hours before landing, Frank took another nap, which would usually be bedtime but he woke up as the cabin was brightened and announcements came. Through customs and all that with speed and we sat in the domestic terminal with plenty of time to spare. We exchanged some money, brought a phone card and called grandpa Seak so he can line up the pickup crew. Now we are all tired and cranky and there were no open seats on this flight. We made it finally at 7:30pm local time. Frank was falling asleep in the van but once we arrived and everyone wanted to play with him, he was wide awake. There were all kinds of toys lined up for him and that kept him reasonably content. After putting him to bed, he came out several times having no trouble opening the bedroom door. He woke up at 3am and didn’t go back to sleep until 5:30. The bright side is he quietly played in the dark in our room and didn’t cry or fuss. Mom kept saying it is still bedtime. That gets him to lay down next to her for a few minutes. Then he starts babbling to himself and eventually he get up and walk around the room finding stuff on the dressers.
9/11
SanMa bought fried bread and tofu mixture for breakfast. Yummy! Then we all experimented with the shower. There is a trick to getting the water temperature just right but we failed miserably on the first try. It was 1 min hot and 2 min cold. Grandma and grandpa soon arrived and we all played with Frank and chatted. SanMa cooked up noodles with bean and meat paste. Frank ate the noodles with his hands and made a big mess but entertained everyone at the same time. Soon we were all ready for naps. We had to wake Frank up to make it to dinner. SanBa was treating all of us at the Friendly Hotel Restaurant. Frank bulked upon entering the reserved room. He cried and clung to mom. All the waitresses wanted to hold and play with him but he was not ready for all this attention. We took turns walking him outside and back in, gave him a balloon, nothing worked. He also wouldn’t eat anything. Finally daddy got him to eat the carrot that was a decoration of the dish carved into the shape of a pagoda. Then as we all finished, he ate most of the fruit platter.
9/12
An decent night with Frank sleeping most of it. It was drizzling outside but grandpa took us to the park anyways. In trying to win the best city award, Lanzhou has put lots of money into renovating/building along the Yellow River banks. Parks and pedestrian walkways filled with trees and flowers stretching as far as the eye can see, on both sides of the river. Frank ran and jumped in puddles until his shoes and half of his pants leg was all wet. He passed out from exhaustion in the taxi back. Dad helped fold potstickers for lunch. Frank woke up in time for it and consumed 8 whole potstickers. That’s how many great grandpa use to eat in one meal, they all said. By the time mom and dad wanted to take a nap Frank was awake and playful. We wrestled back and forth and finally surrendered to him. For dinner, DaWei’s family was treating. GuGu also came. Again Frank screamed as soon he was entered the room. More strangers crowding him! He held on to mom with all his might and finally decided he can block them all out by going to sleep in mom’s arms. That he did the entire dinner, even with all the really loud talking and laughing. Two hours and the only view the relatives got of Frank was the back of his head. They were very disappointed.
9/13
After our regular morning routine of having breakfast and taking showers, grandpa took us to the zoo. We entered the Five Springs Park and Frank ran around along with some of the other children. He smelled the potted flowers and greatly impressed grandpa by not picking any off the stem. A highlight story repeated to many of the relatives. What good manners this little child has. There were so many animals inside the zoo and since it was a weekday during the school year, Frank was able to run free and cute at the few families/tourists visiting. We got to see an elephant, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, all kinds of birds, kangaroos, lions, tigers, bears, just to name a few. Frank wanted to climb into the fence until the animals inched towards him. Then he backed away quickly. He ran up and down the inclined road with grandpa both worried and impressed at the same time. There were also lots of stairs and cliffs that gave grandpa the scare when Frank got too close for comfort. All in all it was wonderful and we were all exhausted after having to keep up with Frank.
We opted to eat at the restaurant specializing in buns. Frank started his usual restaurant chant as soon as we entered the door. We sat in the main room with mom and dad on each side. He was able to see out the window where cars, trucks and buses zipped by. This appeased him and we had our first happy dining out experience.
9/14
After managing to stay on the bed all those days, Frank finally rolled off at 11pm last night. Otherwise, he slept through the night and is completely on China time. We spent the morning at a soccer field managed by San Ba. He was out of the office but his direct reports are all friends with grandpa so we got in no problem. Good old guanxi. There was a play structure but it was made of metal and wet from the sprinklers so we limited Frank’s access. We ran all over the field with several different balls. Then Frank rode on the musical ride-ons, all 5 of them even though 2 was broken. His favorite was the airplane and he kept pointing to the control switch to another round. Another successful lunch outing after that. Frank ate his Cheerios while the rest of us had yummy yang goa roe (curry lamb) that daddy had been thinking about since the last time we were in Lanzhou 6 years ago. We finally made it to the internet as Frank napped. All the internet cafes close by were closed down due to the proximity to schools. Too many students were skipping classes to go play games. We asked around and found a big one and it was filled with people playing games. Not young students though. Mostly young male adults.
9/15
Just went we thought Frank was on China time, he woke up at 4am and wiggled for 3 hours as mom repeatedly said it is still sleepy time. We visit grandpa’s apartment in China and Frank sees the walls covered with pictures of himself. A few should have the fine print “enlarged to show detail”. Frank took a 20 min power nap and lasted til dinner time. San Ba caught some fish the day before and San Ma cooked it up along with a table full of goodies. Frank slept 12 hours straight and only woke up cuz he rolled off the bed again.
9/16
Somewhat uneventful morning. We went to a city square to visit some of grandma’s friends but they weren’t home that day. Frank watched the scene of people feeding the pigeons. Before dinner, San Wei showed Frank how to work the treadmill. That was the highlight of the day. First he just sat and he gets transported off to where a pillow is waiting for him at the end. Lots of giggles. Then he watched San Wei walk on it once. He got on and just stood at first but soon he started to walk. He kept pace and balance. Sometimes he walked faster and reached the front. He stops and then is moved to the back again. Then he got comfortable with it and trusted the people to save him so he would walk some then turn around and land in someone’s arms. San Wei tried to show him walking backwards. Frank thought about it but didn’t really pick that one up. Finally all the laughter ended when Frank fell. But even after we turned it off, Frank kept going back to inspect where/how to turn it back on. With no nap and that much excitement, Frank passed out during dinner. He was still stuffing his face with rice as his eyelids gave out.
9/17
Visited grandma’s friends in the morning. Frank was not his shy usual self. He played and ate in their apartment. Everyone pretty much would let Frank do anything he wants.
9/18
Grandma’s friend from yesterday has a car and offered to take us to the other side of the yellow river bank. But first we stopped at a resort like place managed by farmers. There was a swimming pool, tea tables, a green house looking restaurant, and lots of pear trees. We were just killing some time while more friends were on their way. Then we all met at the river bank. This side is less crowded since no bus line runs here. Just as pretty with trees and flowers and paved road for Frank to run free. They even took their grandchildren out of school to play with Frank. He is sooo lucky. They were a 5 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. They all ran around kicking and throwing balls. Frank tried hard to kick the ball into the fountain area (not running but still filled with dirty water). Good thing there were so many adults running to keep the balls dry.
9/19
A slow day with nothing planned so we visited grandpa’s friend in the morning. Frank did well and played with a spinning top and a zippy car on their floor. He also played with a toy basketball and let grandpa Yu hold him so he can reach the hoop on the door.
9/20
Our last full day in Lanzhou so we had to do one more family dinner gathering outside to thank everyone and to say farewell. The morning started lovely as we returned to San Ba’s soccer field. He was also in the office so we got to play some ping-pong and snooker. Frank tried to steal the balls out of the pockets and managed to throw his nerf football over the snooker table. He loved ping-pong and refused to give back the paddle. He carried it all over the soccer field and eventually home. This time he still enjoyed the musical rides but was not as intrigued as the first time. While Frank napped dad went to the internet cafe one last time and mom went shopping with grandpa. Before we were done San Ma called to tell us Frank was up. He slept only 1 hour this time so we hurried back. When we got there he was playing with San Ma and grandma. Too bad we are leaving tomorrow. He is getting used to it all.
Dinner was very successful because Frank was playful and happy and all the relatives came (except GuGu) to see him at his best. Lots of laughter and fun. San Wei and Da Wei did lots of lifting Frank up and doing stuns. Frank kept wanting more and more. He let everyone hold him and everyone saw a different child compared to 2 weeks ago. Lots of family photos after dinner back at home.
9/21
The Chinese saying goes “Going on the horse with dumpling; Coming down on the horse with noodles.” So as we got noodles when we first arrived, we are to be sent away with a meal of dumplings. San Ma and grandma starting making it in the morning. GuGu came over to say farewell and Frank played with her all morning. Then he ate 11 dumplings. They are slightly smaller than the potstickers but 11 is still alot for a little guy. At least he won’t be hungry on the road. We got chauffeured to the airport and arrived at our gates with ease. Frank got to sit in the front seat with San Ba. He loved being able to see all the trucks and cars and the scene through the front windshield. No car seats nor rules about where kids can ride in the car so Frank enjoyed it while it lasted. The nice gentleman sitting next to us left so we can have more space so we did. Once in Beijing we found a hotel near the airport. We ate dinner inside the hotel but also explored the streets some finding FourLoops popsicle for Nat.
Journey Back Home
Bright and early we had breakfast at the hotel restaurant again. It was buffet style Chinese food with soy milk. We arrived at the airport again with 3 hours to spare hoping that we can maneuver Frank into his own seat for the flight back. The ticket counter lady didn’t even look twice at Frank and indicated that the flight was full and there can be no seat changes for us. Frank’s cuteness can only go so far. Disappointed we headed pass security hoping the gate agent might help us. Frank passed the time playing on the moving walkway with dad. Mom and dad took turns exploring the shops to rid ourselves of the RenMinBi we still had. As soon as the gate agent appeared we went to inquire of the seating situation. She turned us down cold. Bummeroonies. Maybe if we wait til closer to boarding time and some people don’t show? No such luck. Only 2 empty seats that are both in the middle. We are out of luck for this ride. Frank was all done by the time we got to our seats. He wiggled and kicked and having no extra room to spare his presence was noted by the gentleman in front of us. He loudly voiced his discontent to the flight attendant. “I will not sit here for the entire flight like this!” he said. Luckily for us, he was with a companion so they couldn’t just move him away. Instead they asked the nice gentleman sitting next to us to move. He didn’t speak English but mom promptly jumped in to translate. I guess when you can’t play the cute card, you can always resort to annoying your way in. There we got our seat and Frank sat nicely for awhile and then took a 2 hour nap. During the flight Frank kicked the seat in front once more while trying to look out the window and immediately got a nasty remark. Guy must be having a really bad day. Some eating and playing and another nap that lasted 4 hours, only to be awaken because the plane landed. We made it home, almost. We took the Bart and finally arrived at home 10:30am on Saturday.