Life in the Boonies

My baby has turned 1 and a half years old. He has grown so much. When I look at him running around the house, exploring, babbling to himself, drawing with his crayons, throwing a ball, flipping through his books, signing various things to communicate with me, and responding to my requests, I can’t even imagine just 6 months ago when he wasn’t even walking yet.

Today we visited our pediatrician for the regular checkup. Frank is at 20% in weight, 14% in height (dropped from 30%, maybe that’s why he is always on his tippy toes these days), and 99% head circumference. When I discussed my concern of Frank only saying mama and no other words, the doctor assured me that he is storing all of it up in his head. Someday it will all explode and we won’t be able to shut him up. He certainly understands lots of things even if he isn’t verbally communicated yet. Just the past two days, he also picked up signs for daddy and peanut butter/jam & toast. His version of daddy looks like hat except it is with a fist rather than his palm. Daddy kept misunderstanding. His p&j toast looks like banana except for some fine details of where the finger and hand is. I understand him perfectly!

Along with the checkup is more vaccinations. Two this time and Frank didn’t like it one bit. He actually struggled out of my hold and knocked the nurse’s hand away while the needle was still in his thigh. Maybe that was why he was so sore after those shots. For the first time Frank didn’t want to move around. He cried when his legs hit the ground. He would be tilted to one side so all his weight is on the other leg. After getting home Frank would just sit in one place or be on the ground all spread out. He didn’t roll over to get up, he didn’t kick his legs, he didn’t crawl. He just laid there. Mom liked laying next to him and just snuggling. He did still have enough muster to prevent any nails from being clipped. It must not hurt that much to move. Frank took a short nap. Mom suspects when he tried to roll over after 1 hour, the soreness woke him up. He didn’t get out of his bed. He just yelled and cried until mom came to rescue him.

After sneaking some Tylenol into his milk, he seemed ready to play again. Took him some time to test out the leg and realize it doesn’t hurt as much. Then he was himself again except for the occasional pained look on his face and pointing to where the shot was. When daddy came home, the medicine wore off and Frank got really cranky. He also saw us put the medicine in the milk and refused to drink it this time. After switching cups and going from milk to water, he started drinking again. But not after we mix the medicine in. What now? It is grape flavored so maybe if we dip some on a grape it will be disguised. Frank who never shares his grapes shared that one with dad. Dad agreed with Frank that it doesn’t taste anything like grapes. Finally daddy did the brute force way. I held Frank and daddy squirted the dropper in his mouth. He yelled and screamed but in the process also swallowed most of it. By bed time he was happy again. We were prepared to wake up in 4 hours for another dose but he slept til morning. Still sore but made it out of his bed to our room. No fever or any other reactions. He went on the rest of the day without any drugs. We went to our usual playgroup at a house we never been before and Frank chased the cat around running back and forth in the hallway. In the afternoon we made it out to the swimming lagoon just like last Thursday. Back to normal.

Frank is still sleeping in his toddler bed. On one occasion he was forced to nap in the crib after much protest. In the morning when he wakes up too early, we put him back to bed and tells him it is still sleeping time. He will remain there for 15-20 min before coming back to wake us up again. Several times Frank woke up from his nap to find mom taking her nap on the couch downstairs. Now when we say nap time, he climbs on the couch and snuggles the pillow there.

Frank is not eating his vegetables but he is eating more than enough fruits. This week we’re told to try V8 juice. Daddy is also making some wheat germ, oatmeal, soy flour, wheat flour, anything healthy you can think of combination bread.

Frank is newly fascinated with the fly swatter. He saw daddy kill a fly next to the kitchen table and now he goes to that spot and swat the floor with his hand. Sometimes daddy lets him hold the fly swatter and he goes around swatting chairs and tables. Our new favorite book is “There was a old lady who swallowed a fly”. As you can imagine, he swats the floor with his hand and that is the sign for fly. He also follows along in the book for the spider, bird, cat, dog, cow, and horse with either signs or noises to indicate the animal.

Auntie Lisa and Kelsey would be happy to know that Frank is now fascinated with Franklin the Turtle. Yesterday he opted for Franklin Says Sorry as his bedtime story instead of Goodnight Moon. He also loves squeezing the hand of the Franklin doll to make it say all those things. When it says “Hi, I’m Franklin”, sometimes Frank would look at me and point to himself, as if saying that’s my name. When it says “I can count by twos and tie my shoes”, Frank would point to his feet where shoes would go. When it says “I can button buttons and zip zippers”, Frank would run his hand up and down his front where buttons would be.

Frank woke up Wed morning with a new friend to play with. It took alittle while but then he was showing Auntie Cindy his fire engine bed and his loveable bunny. Before breakfast he was getting tickled all over by Cindy. Later Tommy emerged from his peaceful slumber and Frank was scared of him at first. But after a few rounds of Pee-a-boos under the table, he made a new friend. Then off they went with the green car to play in Monterery. When they finally returned Sat., Frank maybe still remembered them.

On Monday, we all packed up and drove out to Muir Woods, not before stopping at In-and-Out burgers for lunch. Frank loved the french fries (which he regretted later on the ride back home and puked it all over the car seat). Frank took a little nap on the drive there and was alert and energized as we arrived. We drove way out to find parking so lots of walking before arriving at the front gate. Frank walked and pointed at cars and got distracted and then got carried. Once we were inside the park, Frank ran around exploring. He tilted his head way back to see the tall tall trees. He tried to climb the wood railings to get a closer look but was stopped by mom. He liked running his hands along the railing. Mom prayed for no splinters. There was a bridge and Frank really wanted to get down to the stream and look for fish. We sat on the rim and admired the running water. Several small tantrums as Frank didn’t like mom restraining him from jumping into the water. Alas, we get distracted by something else interesting. A bench to climb on, leaves to pick up, and other tourists walking by. One trail has some stairs and Frank did his usual climbing. He tried to slide down and soon realized that was not as nice on his tummy as the carpet at home. Instead he walked down holding to the side railings. Lots of dust and dirty leaves all over his pants. Then he grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it down his front just for good measure. Some trees had caves in them from being in a fire. Frank enjoyed a sitting in one with some photographs. By the time we existed the park we had spent 4 hours there. Fun times!

Frank didn’t get enough of a nap and passed out in the back, along with Tommy. Mommy and Cindy drove and chatted in the front and daddy was already home when we arrived.

A week has passed and we return to the city to pick up our Visa. After an enjoyable train ride looking at trucks and staring at other passengers, we arrived in SF. Uneventful visit at the Chinese Consulate. Frank waited with mom in line and we were all done with lots of time to spare. So the rest of the morning we played in Union Square.  Frank chased pigeons, climbed the stairs, looked at all the artists’ work displayed in the square, and patted some plants.  Frank ran so fast toward one of the paintings, mom stopped him just in time before he smashed his hands on it.  The other pedestrians were quite amused.  The ride back was fun this time.  We found a real estate brochure and Frank had the best time flipping the pages on that.  We made it home, had lunch and then nap time went as usual.

The first night Frank woke up at 4am and cried until mom went into his room to find him behind the door.  Maybe too dark to find his way out?  He got put back in bed and continued sleeping til morning.  Then he was able to find his way out and into our room.  The next day he napped and slept overnight there without any issues.

The last few days Frank is going on an early schedule.  He wakes up 5:30am and comes knocking on our door.  Sometimes naps take several tries as he gets out of his bed and comes down the stairs.  One time mom had to put him back in his crib to force him into a nap after much protest.

On Monday, Frank napped from 1:30 to almost 5.  Of course he was not tired by bed time.  Several times while mom and dad is cleaning up the kitchen, Frank comes down quickly and sneaks up on us.  We turn around and there he is standing there looking at us.  Finally he was quiet for 20 min and we were sure he had fallen asleep…. down he came again.  Rather scary.  You turn around and there is a little child standing there with his bunny.  Then he finally stayed in bed til morning.

This morning we all ventured out on the Bart train together as a family. As we waited for the train on the platform, Frank pointed at the trucks zooming by on the highway. “Dah, dah, dah”, he kept saying. Too many trucks to count. On the train Frank enjoyed looking out the window for trucks. Dad got off at Walnut Creek to go to work. Frank was ok and didn’t react to dad leaving. On and on we went til we got to Embarcadero. Frank got tired of looking outside when we were no longer next to cars zooming by.

Now to find the bus that will take us to the Chinese Consulate Office for our Visas to China in September. Out we came with mom carrying Frank in the hip carrier. There goes the bus we need and it is slowing down for the stop. Mom picked up her speed and caught the bus just in time. Bummer we didn’t have enough change. The nice bus driver let us on with a discount. We got a window seat and looked at the stores and balloons and flags and cars as we passed them on the street. 15 min or so and we arrived at our destination. Frank walked mostly except when we have to cross the street.

Big long lines already. Lots of people going to China. Frank got whiny until mom gave him a teething biscuit. Then he ate quietly and walked along as the line progressed forward. When he finished eating, he got to hold the plastic folder holding our passports. He really liked looking through the folder. The world looks different with a blue hue. All our documents were in good order so we shall do this adventure again next week to pick them up.

The bus ride back was much more crowded. A nice man gave us his seat. We chatted with him and found out there is a new playground filled with fun structures along this bus line. Another time perhaps. We got off a stop too soon so Frank had the best time walking on Market Street. He looked at leaves, jumped on the vents, examined the lamposts, cuted at the pedestrians, and ran up and down the street. His favorite was the vent. He even sat down there and refused to leave. Until he saw there is another one ahead. Eventually we made it to the station just having missed our train. Frank waved his little hand at both the platforms to indicate there are no trains. Then one came and another. He liked that. He didn’t like mommy trying to take pictures of him inside the train station. Mommy is not leaving you here, silly boy. Train ride back was rather boring and Frank fell asleep 20 min before our stop.

After two days of garage sale activities, everyone was really tired.  Frank however managed to get up even earlier.  Still 10 minutes to 6, his voices were heard from the distance and mom got up to get him.  Our neighbor is on vacation so his daughter had parties for the past two nights and no one in our household got very good sleep.  So when mom picked up Frank, instead of heading back to her room, she snuggled him in the fire engine bed.  Slightly cramped for mom but if she stay very still, maybe Frank can be convinced to return to peaceful slumber, like we use to do many months ago.  No such luck but he snuggled quietly, mostly.  When he starts babbling again, mom says, “shhh, mommy and daddy still sleeping”.  That seemed to do the trick.  Frank would be quiet again.  Mom actually drifted off some in that 1.5 hour we laid there.  Twice Frank was so still and breathing rythmically that mom thought he went back to sleep, til he opened his mouth again.  Finally his patience ran out and poked mommy in the nose and ear until she cracked her eyes open to see Frank doing the eating sign.  Alright little hungry guy!

Slow morning for everyone.  Breakfast, laundry, cleaning up.  By 11am Frank was looking tired.  Mom snuggled him on the floor and he didn’t wiggle away.  So we got his loveable bunny out of the dryer and went up to his room for nap.  While he pointed to his crib, mom asked if he wanted to sleep in his fire engine bed.  He didn’t protest so he got laid down and kissed.  We all waited to see if he was going to be coming down the stairs after a few minutes but nothing.  30 minutes later, mom peeked in the door and Frank was on his tummy with his butt way up in the air and bunny next to him.  By 2pm, Frank still have not surfaced so mom went and peeked again.  Still alive.  2:30 rolled around and mom was getting anxious.  We planned to head to the swimming lagoon but any later than 3pm we would get back too late to make dinner.  A few minutes later, mom and dad heard a big bang.  First thought, did he fall off the bed?  Not likely with all the sides.  Mom ran up the stairs and grandma was at the top with Frank.  Frank opened his door and made the loud noise.  He was stumbling out of his room as grandma was coming up the steps.  He looked half asleep with his hair all wet from sweat.  His face looked sad and he was saying mama, mama.  Then mama came and gave him a big hug.  We snuggled at the top of the stairs as Frank woke up more.  Success!

A quick lunch snack for Frank and off we go to the lagoon. Frank waved his arms splashing while eating as we talked about the swimming lagoon.  So many people there, both swimming and barbarquing.  We played some in the sand and walked to the “deep” end (up to Frank’s chest).  Not up for swimming today.  At one point Frank got out and headed toward grandma while doing the grapes sign.  No grapes this time, just some Cheerios.  Poor starving child.

Frank played in the backyard with grandma SiuLan.  Grandma fills up Frank’s pot dish and he goes around watering each plant.  Then he snacked and snacked but when dinner was ready he was too tired to eat it.  He got so cranky mommy picked him up and asked him what was wrong.  Frank did the sleeping sign.  We showed him several times the sleeping sign as the head resting on both hands but he invented his own where each hand is covering a ear.  Then he put his hand by his mouth and did the toothbrushing motions so there is no miscommunication.  Again Frank pointed to his crib and mom asked his to sleep in the fire engine bed.  He laided down on his pillow with bunny in his arms and a blanket over him.  Mom kissed him goodnight and we haven’t heard from him yet.  Hopefully he doesn’t come knocking on our door too early in the morning.

We went to play with Elena today and Frank plays so well with her.  She is very friendly and always wants to do what Frank is doing.  Somewhere Frank found a bunny in their house and carried that around.  He must have a bunny obsession.  She was sad about something and when mom told Frank if he gives the bunny to Elena, she will feel better.  To mom’s surprise he did.  He walked over and gave her the bunny.  Elena stopped fussing and took the bunny.  WOW!

Later they were both eating Cheerios and Elena tried to feed Frank.  All was well when the mommies were watching.  Then we heard Elena’s cry and found her finger with a big teeth mark.  Our guess is she put it in Frank’s mouth and it didn’t have any Cheerios in it so Frank bit her.  After much consuling, she recovered.  Hopefully Frank learned not to bit her anymore.

That evening, while playing in the yard with grandma, a hummingbird flew around Frank’s head.  It was so close to him that Frank freaked out.  He ran back inside to cry and find mommy for hugs.  When we talked about what happened and was laughing, he laughed with us.

Frank gets a new toddler bed while we rearrange his room to fit another child. It is the cutest little fire engine complete with a night light posing as the siren. Frank loved it as a toy to bounce on and sit on. He also loved pressing the button to turn the light on and off. But when it came to naptime, he did not want to sleep there. After playing quietly for 20 minutes, he got out and came down the stairs. Oh well, back to the crib he goes. With some protest, he is quiet again. Hopefully sleeping.

This week we hosted playgroup in our house.  Elena and Morgan came to play.  Frank was such a show off the entire time.  He ran all over the house; climbed up on the rocking chair; played the piano; showed off his toys; even got into his crib with grandma’s help.  He really liked all the attention he got from the other moms when he almost flips off the reclining chair.  He was sad when they all left.  Mom has never seen this side of him before.

CLOCK! Or something that sounds pretty close to it with the ‘cl’ sound at the beginning and the ‘k’ sound at the end. Frank repeats after us during Goodnight Moon as well as when we point to clocks around the house. Today Frank is also saying mamamamama and when asked where is mama, he points to the correct person. He knows who is who and what is what. When asked where is mama’s ear vs. where is Frank’s ear (all in Chinese of course), Frank knows the difference.

Today Grandma Siu Lan made beef and carrots buns. Aside from being yummy, we were all in the same position as 16 months ago when Frank was less than 1 month old. He is so big now compared to then…. from eating all the buns =)