Summer Fun, Old Friends, Progress Report, Things That Make Me Say GRRRRR and Things That Make Me Say Hooray!

So what have we been up to? We’re enjoying the last few weeks of summer vacation. Sad really – I’m just getting into the swing of things as a summer time stay-at-home mom. Finding my groove, as it were.

We’ve been going to splash parks, going to the pool, taking bike rides/walks around town and just generally hanging out.
Here’s AJ and some buddies at the splash park having some fun with ‘ol Faithful.’ Why anyone would want to sit on a high-powered jet of water is beyond me, but they seemed to be having a whole lot of fun. (and they sure didn't need a bath that night!)

A couple of weekends ago we had an opportunity to get together with 2 of the local families in our travel group. It was wonderful to see them again and see how their girls were doing. All the girls are thriving. I can’t believe these are the same babes we saw in Guangzhou. They’ve all really come out of their shells and are showing their ‘real’ personalities much more. They are a feisty bunch!
Ah yes, and we appear to be the only ones who aren’t getting any sleep. The other babies are sleeping peacefully for about 11 to 12 hours/night. Grrrr. Have I mentioned that Charlotte is still up several times a night? I think I have hit the wall. I was able to get by for the last few months, but now I am just exhausted. I can make it through the morning, but by 3:00 I am just dead. Thank God that a) AJ is in afternoon Kindergarten and b) she will be back at school Sept 7. Afternoon naps – here I come!!!

Last week AJ was in a dance camp for a week. Here are some pics of the star performer (yes, of course we thought she was the best!). We got flowers for her and her dance partner after the show. They were absolutely adorable together, and AJ tells me they will probably get married when they are older. : ) Charlotte loved watching the show and would point at AJ and shriek every time she danced by us.

On a nasty note, I had my first experience where I wanted to choke someone for making what I consider to be an adoption faux pas. We have a membership at the local pool, and every time we go we show our ID cards to get in. Charlotte doesn’t have one for 2 reasons 1) she wasn’t with us in April when the photos were taken for the ID cards; and 2) she is a freakin’ BABY for pete’s sake!!!!

ANYWAY, we arrive at the pool and there is a new girl at the door. I flash the ID cards as I always do and proceed in, but she stops me.
“Where’s her card?” she says, pointing at Charlotte.
“She doesn’t have one,” I scoff (thinking in my head – she doesn’t need one you imbecile, and it is the end of August and you are the first person to ever ask us!)
“Well, you’ll need to pay for her.”
“No I don’t. We have a family membership. She wasn’t with us when the photos were taken.”
Here’s where it gets messy. She doesn’t get it.
“Your family membership doesn’t cover guests,” imbecile replies. You’ll have to pay at the desk.”
So now I get it – and I’m pissed. She thinks that Charlotte is just along for the ride. She doesn’t realize that this is our family. I know it shouldn’t have bothered me, because it is an honest mistake, but it really made me mad. I leaned over so I was about 2 cm from her face and sneered,
“She’s MY daughter. How dare you make assumptions.” And then I grabbed a very confused looking AJ, and stormed off.
I know there will likely be more of these moments, so I am now practicing relaxation techniques so I can get better at staying calm….. Still…GRRRR.

On a lighter note, Charlotte is making incredible progress. She can now stand on her own for several seconds, take 3-4 steps unassisted (as long as she doesn’t think about it too much), and she is running all over the place holding on to one hand. I think we are about 1 week away from full walking.

Her verbal skills seem to be blossoming too. Her new and most frequently used words are ‘yum, yum’ when she sees food she wants; and ‘UP’ when she wants someone to hold her hand and walk with her. She must have said “up, up” over 1000 times today. If I can figure out how to post an audio file I will, because the way she says it is too funny. It is more like “awwwwp” and she sounds a bit like an old woman who has smoked too much. OK – so after that description I guess I really do have to post a file because now you are all wondering what the hell I am talking about. You’ll understand when you hear.

Oh yes, oh yes, and now the most amazing news ever. I went out on Monday night, and Steve put Charlotte to bed, and she didn’t puke on him. This is a FIRST, ladies and gentlemen!!!!! I can taste freedom already. Errrr, I mean, I am so happy that Charlotte is finally comfortable with Steve and that they are bonding nicely. (Yeah, whatever. I can get out of the house, baby!) Hooooooooray.