21 June 2007
20 June 2007
Shakespeare once wrote “Ah, the blessedness of being little.” What a poignant sentiment as I watch, with constant awe, as my daughter weaves her colorful and exuberant life in her new land, with a horizon that is now well within her reach. What a transformation!
Emilee is now two years old and we have been home from China a little over a year.. When I watch our adoption DVD, and enjoy those nostalgic moments pouring over the photos from our China journey and over the past 14 months since she has been home, I am in awe of Emilee’s evolution. Last year at this time she was a quiet, calm little thing that could not walk or verbalize her wants and desires. Today, she is exploring the far, far reaches of her new life, enjoying every step along the way. She is a very independent, curious child that doesn’t let anything stand in her way. She has a determination and focus that is beyond her years and is not content until she completes her task at hand. Emilee is a very warm, companionate child with a bubble outgoing personality that I am in great awe of. She is constantly waving and greeting people and gets quite upset if her efforts are not reciprocated. Her vocabulary is growing leaps and bounds. Although she has always been able to get her point across she is now delighted to finally verbalize it.
And so goes the glorious adventures of Emilee Madison Jin Xiu! Her induction into the magical toddler years is keeping me steadily wide-eyed, hung-over with blissful exhaustion and engaging in some pretty fast footwork on a moment-to-moment basis in order to keep one step ahead of this spirited and dazzling daughter of mine!
Now a Two-year-old, Emilee is finally classified as a toddler with all the frustration and joy that comes with it. There are certainly days when it seems that it might be so much easier just to record my voice saying, over and over again … “No honey, come back … Uh, Uh, Sweetie, don’t touch that … Shhh! Use your indoor voice … No, No, Sweet pea, that’s hot … Uh-Oh! Where did you get that from? … Geez! How did you get in there? … Where did you put mummy’s keys, honey? … No, no! Don’t climb on that again…Even so, there are markedly far more days when I awake with that sense of wonderment, hardly believing how blessed I am to have become a parent to such a beautiful, bright and boisterous child!
Emilee’s independence, security and strength are evident to anyone who meets her. She is called the “Pied piper” on my street. The moment she steps outside everyone is drawn to her. In no time, she was children and adults alike stepping to her beat and following her lead. Her new favorite games is Rock collecting. I think it’s a by-product of the “Happy Feet “ Movie. She will grab everyone hands lead them to the rock lined dive-way at the end of the block, pick up one stone and bring it back to the house. This routine is done over and over again with an ant like determination. As each new rock is placed in its new pile, she delight in its beautiful new structure, smiles, and then returns to search for the next perfect rock.
Emilee doesn’t walk, she skips and hums with each step she takes, always taking time to smell the flowers and marvel in their beauty. When we are driving and we pass a house with beautifully manicured lawns and potted flowers, Emilee will shout from the back “ Mommy, Pretty” while pointing and smiling. It’s amazing to watch her marvel at the world around her. She never misses anything and makes me stop every so often to look at the beauty that our world offers, beauty that most of us in our busy life often miss.
The greatest joy that I have had in the past 14 months that Emilee has been in my life is watching the relationship between my mother and her blossom. Emilee and my mom are soul mates. They have this incredibly fortified bond that is both magical and beautiful. My mom and I have always been very close with a “Gilmoreish” like quality. She is my best friend and my love and respect for her runs deeper than the ocean. My deepest prayer is that Emilee and I will share and experience that same bond.
Emilee’s new favorite toy is her shiny pink Doctors kit. She takes great delight in examining everyone who comes by. All of her toys have been examined and we are happy to report that they are all in excellent health thanks to DR. Jospey. She is a very dedicated physician and her patients do not remain ill for more than 24 hours. Emilee has a very nurturing quality about her. She is very gentle and companionate to those around her. Even if you sneeze she will run over to you and pat you on the shoulder to make sure you are all right.
Emilee is the budding example of what happens when a child is simply loved. And simply given the space, the freedom, the encouragement and the permission to grow new roots and spread her wings as far as they are meant to stretch. And though I am regularly balancing myself on the tightrope of parenting, kind of like playing a Violin and learning it along the way, I sometimes get it wrong, I sometimes get it right, but I mostly just love my child and create moments to treasure each and every day. And in those moments, I get it very, very “right”.
Emilee is miraculous, indeed. She is building quite an amusing reputation in this little corner of the world. I suppose that’s what manifests from a soul that is bright and welcoming, adventurous and content, determined and loving.
18 June 2007
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