Ballet may just be our enemy

I have signed Aitana up for Ballet 3 times this year. And has been sick or injured 3 times this year.

First, in March, we signed Miss A up. The week before she was supposed to start, she felt yucky and ended up with a respiratory infection, which turned out to be RSV and was coupled by a stay in the hospital due to respiratory distress. Antibiotics, inhaler and no activity for 2 weeks following and therefore we just cancelled the class.

Next, I signed Aitana up for Ballet in June. 2 days after her first class, Aitana fell off a playground ladder and broke her wrist. No activity for 5 weeks and we quickly cancelled ballet. Following this broken wrist, Aitana once again had a minor spell of molluscum ... that yucky skin infection she had a couple years ago. I couldn't believe it came back, but we took care of it and (knock on wood) it's gone now. And while she had the cast and a weak immune system from trying to grow new bone, she caught a summer cold to boot.

This latest round of Ballet ... we made it through 2 classes. Then last week, the day of the 3rd class, Aitana woke up not feeling well. Thinking it could be allergies, her last 2 year molar, etc. But we skipped class and decided to try a make-up class this last Monday. We didn't even make it to that. So after a few days of crumminess, a fever, cough, runny nose and a week later (today) a doctor's appt., we find out it is an ear infection and a throat infection. So, antibiotics, inhaler and no activity until after Sunday.

So this means 2 missed Ballet classes. We can't seem to make it through this activity without some sort of illness or injury. And now I'm beginning to wonder ... those dang ballet shoes and that fluffy tutu ... are they Aitana's kryptonite?

All kidding aside, my baby girl is sick again for the 3rd time (in some way) this year. This is also the second time my baby girl has had an inhaler this year.

Now the concerning part ... each time the doctor has prescribed the inhaler, she has said "It sounds like asthma. Let's watch it and see." She told me today that if she has to prescribe it a 3rd time sometime in the near future, she will be diagnosing Aitana with Asthma. She's barely 3, how can that possibly be? I know it's not huge thing, but any illness is worthy of my worry and concern. A mother just wants her children to be as healthy as possible. It makes me wonder what more I can do to make them healthier little people. I feed them well, give them fresh air, take care of their basic needs, give them activity, lots of love and care. But should I be doing something more?

Aitana has always shown signs of a "weaker" immune system, ever since she was a baby. It makes me sad, it makes me concerned. But it also makes me determined. I will figure out what I can do to make her stronger ... I will, I will, I will.

Ballet cooties, we will beat you and one day, Aitana will get signed up and go all the way through without missing a single class!

Yes man ...

Gabriel is quite the character. He is mischievous, daring, sweet and adorable. He is picking up new words all the time and is figuring out new things daily. He can spell Aitana's name by singing her name song and that is always amazing to hear him sing that.

But I think the funniest thing as of late is that he loves to say "Yeah!" He answers "Yeah!" to every question, whether or not it makes sense and whether or not the question is even directed to him.

It all started because he doesn't pay attention to where he's going. And I'm constantly asking "Are you ok?" After a moment, he picks himself up and shouts "Yeah!" Then, Gabriel are you full? "Yeah!" Gabriel are you tired? "Yeah!"

Now we can't help it ...

Gabriel, are you a monkey? "Yeah!"
Gabriel, do you want to jump in the moon? "Yeah!"
Gabriel, are you a boy? "Yeah!"

So we tested him and was asked by Tia Mimi ... Gabriel, are you a girl? "Yeah!"

The boy is our Yes Man ... just be careful what you ask him!

Birthdays, birthdays everywhere ...

Birthday season is upon us in the Leung home. 3 of us have birthdays in Q4 (oct-dec). It's a crazy time of year especially with the holidays around the corner, too. There is never a lack of something to do in Q4.

So, with that, I must say my soon to be 3 year old daughter is keeping it interesting for me. First we planned this grand idea, since she and daddy have their birthdays 2 days apart and daddy is turning 40, that they would have a big Chinese themed birthday party. Or, better known as the dragon/panda bear party around these parts. We went to Chinatown yesterday to get Aitana's Chinese dress and we even got Gabriel a cutie little outfit. We search and search for things for decoration, but found almost nothing. I found some things online and I was going to order them ... then I thought twice and waited. I wanted to go to the party supply store.

So I went to the party supply store today and took Aitana ... maybe I was hoping she would inspire me to figure out what I needed. Chinese party supplies are limited this time of year. Apparently the moon festival isn't as big of a deal as Chinese New Year ... but I can't wait until January, I need the stuff NOW. But things were coming to me as I looked into the almond shaped eyes of my beautiful China doll and we were having a great time and I was thinking I was so happy I brought her. Until ...

I just about wanted to scream when I heard her say "I don't like red mommy, I like pink. I like princesses. I don't want a Chinese party! I want a princess and cowboy party!" AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I stopped dead in my tracks. I was lost, confused and exhausted. I haven't slept well in days and I have a lot of stuff on my plate ... then this bombshell. So I called the birthday boy and he didn't care. I called my parents to get their opinion and I just about cried. I didn't care that I was in everybody's way. I didn't care that I was talking too loud in the store. At that moment I wanted to cancel the entire party and climb under a rock and take a nap. But after taking a breath, I obliged.

Now, I normally wouldn't give in like that, especially not to a 3 year old. But, I must say, I was feeling a bit relieved that she changed her mind. The party store had everything I needed for a princess and cowboy party. Pinatas, decorations, everything. I would have to spend less money and I wouldn't have to make as much stuff from scratch ... like a panda bear decor. The food would be easier and cheaper. It was a better idea.

The birthday boy doesn't really care either way and that's fine. But how do you combine cowboy with princesses ... easy. Make everything pink and brown. Fabric is always a good solution because you have a lot of choices and you can easily mix and match girly with, well, cowboy. But I still have a feeling of melancholy ... I sent out Asian inspired invites. We got them Chinese outfits. Oh well. They will still go in their outfits ... I insist on that ... my Chinese Cowboy and Chinese Princess (although the princess refuses to wear her pink cowboy boots with her dress).

Like I said, I wouldn't normally give in to the whim of an almost 3 year old. I am not that kind of mama. I don't have the patience for kids who dictate how things will go. And Aitana knows this even if she tries to get away with it at times. But a decision this big, that is costing this much money, never. But it so happens it works out better for me, my time and my sanity. I'll have to teach her this lesson another day.

Next year ... a tiny party with just grandparents, godparents and her BFFs (and their parents too).

Someday

So, in keeping with this new routine, it has allowed us to have a bit more free time at night after dinner and baths. What is exciting is that now I've been able to include reading just before bedtime as part of Aitana's nighttime routine. For 2 nights now, we've been picking 2 books to read. Then it's lights out.

So, on night 2, I picked 2 books that I wanted to read. Why I picked these books, I'm not sure. Maybe because they have beautiful lessons to be learned.

The first was The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado. If you've never read it, it's a must. It is a fabulous message even if you are not a religious person. I've yet to get through the book without choking up. While I was reading this I could not help but think about Aitana and how she is often ignored or rejected by other kids on the playground. While she is far from being like the crippled lamb, as her mom, I can see the similarities at times. These kids rejecting her are missing an opportunity to know someone who is truly a beautiful soul. But at the same time, I know there are better things in store for my sweetheart. It does make me happy, though, to know that she has best friends. Isabella, Jacob and Matthew. These 3 little ones LOVE her. And she in return LOVES them. I am so proud of all of them for how they are willing and ready to include everyone in their fun and games and wish more children were like these kids!

The next book I read was the one that did me in. Tears, tissues, the works. That book is Someday by Alison McGhee. My friend Danielle and I were just talking about this book the other day, so I decided to pull it out and read it again. I don't think it matters if you are 8 months pregnant like my friend or not. No matter what, if you are a mother, you will cry. It may not have been the best choice for nighttime 3 weeks before my little girl turns 3. While reading the book I looked back on Aitana's 3 short years of life and realized that she is growing out of being my baby to being my little girl. She's wanting to do everything on her own now from washing her hands, to going potty, to changing her clothes and more. She is setting the table for me these days and just growing up too fast. I wish she could stay little forever. I'm not ready to relinquish these days to good ol' Father Time. And I know that i need to always make Someday into Today.

Shake-up ...

After 15.5 months I was finally able to get our family back on a schedule/routine. Our life had been wacky and crazy ever since Gabriel was born. It's amazing how one little baby can turn your life upside-down and that craziness can snowball out of control. We'd been so crazy out of control that the kids didn't have a set lunch time, they always went to bed past 8pm because I was never able to get dinner started at a decent time. Ugh. It was exhausting ... I was always tired and pissed off and my children were suffering.

It came to a head on Sunday after a very busy week last week ... totally worthwhile busy, but still it was crazy. When I woke up on Sunday, I had a pile of laundry at the foot of my bed that had been there since the previous Monday, and the worst part was that the following day was laundry day again. Unacceptable! And the part that really put me over the edge was Gabriel's constant crying all day long. Clinging to my leg and screaming his head off. All of his basic needs were being met, but how could let things get so out of control that I can't remember the last time I PLAYED with him?!

So, day 4 of routine. Things are ok, but still I'm getting it all figured out. It doesn't help that Aitana has been sick because I'm not getting good sleep at all. I am trying to get up and get moving even so, just to keep us on schedule. There has been more yelling and crying this morning already than I would like, but nothing is perfect. I just need to take a breath, say a prayer and keep on going. I must keep this up long enough to make this routine a habit and then hopefully it'll be easier.

My kids have definitely been better behaved over the past few days, so I can see it working!