January happenings

Before this month passes by too quickly, I wanted to post a few firsts:
-First week of staying dry in pull-ups/panties (except for when she's sleeping)
-First "poop" outside on the ground on Monday; How embarrassing! At least Iris didn't poop in her new panties.
-First morning waking up and going to the bathroom first thing on her own
-First "why?" asked to Daddy. I don't think she really wanted to know the answer, but I've been noticing that I ask her "Why?" in Chinese often in order to get her to say more.
-First time pedaling on her smaller tricycle.
-First umbrella that is red and white and just her size. It's adorable!
-Saw first live puppet show. The local library has great children's programs.

Daily we (the parents) still question whether we are using the right form and amount of discipline with love to teach Iris some boundaries. Tantrums are to be avoided, but by how far of limits that we set? Days blend together as we try to give Iris new opportunities and a variety of activities. Daddy works hard and long to make a living. I continue to seek joy in my role as mother, even when Iris is screaming. It is only by God's grace that I am sustained each day despite chores and school work piling up. I am thankful for all these experiences because they continue to teach me the humbleness with which I must come before God. What a crazy child I am! Like Iris, I need to listen more and better, say, "no" less often to Him, not ask solely for what I want, be distracted by new things that don't edify my soul or resolve to follow Jesus, and be more respectful as I worship and pray to the Creator God. Help me, Lord!

Precious moments in 2010

Happy New Year! 2011 has arrived, but there are wonderful things about Iris and parenting that I remember from the past year. I think about Mary, mother of Jesus, when she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart"(Luke 2:19). My thoughts are far from that profound, but I'd like to record some of them nonetheless. In the 21st century, the culture seems to encourage communication to the point that there are few secrets. So, here goes.

~Iris is expressive with her gasps of surprise and "wow".
~She loves the close her eyes before Daddy presents her with a surprise "treat" after dinner.
~She tries so hard to tell stories from books or videos that she watches, especially Cinderella,that it sounds like jabbering
~She likes to spin around. Dance classes are in her future!
~She likes to wear headbands such that her hair is poufing out.
~She says, "Wo ai Ni" to us, family members, and sometimes others who don't know Chinese.
~After she picked out new panties, she went around telling others the whole day, "I got princess panties."
~Some favorite phrases include, "What's this?" "Where is it?" and "I don't know" as if each were one word.

There are probably more, but that's all for now. I pray that God continues to transform us and reconcile us to himself. Glory to God in the highest!

Christmas time is here!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6 Listen to this passage

Iris is sooooo aware of Christmas this year! Her excitement over presents and learning about the story of Jesus's birth, complete with angels, sheep, and stars was fun to watch. By December 25th, Iris could barely stop talking or sit still, except to watch a Christmas DVD. So, what was Advent and Christmas like for us?

* Christmas concert at preschool on Dec. 3, when Iris did not want to sing and only wanted to sit with Mommy and Daddy in the audience. Of course, she had no trouble asking for cookies afterward. By Christmas day, she got good at singing songs, such as "Jingle Bells", "O, Christmas Tree", "Joy to the World", "Frosty the Snowman", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", " Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer", and "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing".

* Helping Mommy and Daddy decorate the house and outside with lights and ornaments.

* Helping to wrap gifts and send Christmas cards. She especially liked licking the envelopes. Can't someone die from envelope poisoning? Not a habit that we wish to encourage.

* Attending the Singing Christmas Tree concert at church, where Mommy was "camera 1" videographer.

* Lighting the advent candles each week.

* Baking gingerbread cookies with Mommy.

* Keeping secrets (NOT!) about where the presents were for Mommy and Daddy. Shhhhh!

* Putting ice skates on for the first time. Iris stood on the rubber mats fine, but didn't want to touch her feet on the ice. It was more fun for her to sit in a chair which Mommy pushed around the ice rink.

* Visiting A-ma and A-gong for the weekend, and celebrating Auntie Ruth's birthday with delicious cake. Mmmmmm!

* Watching in wonder and amazement at the mini-drama during the Christmas Eve children's service. After she saw the living nativity scene outside (with a cow and donkeys, as well as sheep!), she remarked that she wanted to be the angel sitting above the shed where the manger scene was.

*Opening presents on Christmas Day. Here are a couple of videos with Iris playing with her new doll house and figures:




As I was late and short on time to get Christmas cards out, I pray that many friends and relatives enjoyed a marvelous Christmas and had a taste of the true Holy Spirit which comes from Christ our Lord. He is born-Emmanuel, Savior, and our Redeemer.
Joy to the World!

November in a nutshell

We could call this movie, "All about Iris" - at least her birthday.


The party date was set for November 13, but both Iris had a flu or cold bug. A few weeks later, her preschool director sent an e-mail about a "Fifth disease". Iris may have had that, but she was well enough for her party the following week. This was her party with friends, Michael, Grayson, and their families. In all there were five children 3 years and younger with six adult parents. The lunch was pizza and there was an in-house simulation of a lion dance parade through the Avenell house. The music was great with Michael's dad, Chris, playing a loud drum.
Iris really caught onto the princess theme, too, with a pink canopy above her bed to encourage her to sleep on her "big girl" twin bed. However, she has more frequently preferred sleeping on the floor over the bed. It must be a maturation thing...I hope.

Two days later on her actual birthdate, she celebrated with friends and teachers at preschool. Mom sent along mini cupcakes. She had a candle and people sang, "Happy Birthday" to her. That same evening, we packed up the car to drive to AZ where grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were waiting to shower her with another birthday cake and presents. There was a fabulous "doll" cake, where a Barbie size doll (standing up) was placed in the center of the cake, which became her "gown"of frosting. Iris loved it!
Then, Thanksgiving came complete with pies, gingerbread house, and time playing with cousins. It was a great visit, except for a run-in with the Westie dog named Riley. Iris was quite cooperative on the long drives there and back because she slept a lot. However, she was most creative with the pen that was meant for doodling in a notebook, not on her face, legs and Barbie doll. That was accomplished after we spent nearly one hour going 10 miles on Interstate 10 in AZ. We were all glad to have made it home safe and sound. Iris was super excited, too, about the presents that we brought back with us.


Finally, on December 5th, Iris celebrated her last birthday party with a playgroup in which most of the children were born in late 2007. So, there were about 8 children gathered around a table to decorate birthday cupcakes. Once the decorations were available, the children wanted to eat them more than the cupcakes. The moms drew names, so that only one gift needed to be given to each child. This made things simple. The potluck meal was great, too, especially for the Dads that don't know each other well.

By this time, Iris knew well how to sing, "Happy Birthday to_________". And that was needed for her Auntie Ruth's birthday and for Christmas as she practiced singing for Jesus. Through the month, I believe Iris learned how to open presents well, eat cupcakes and say "Thank you" when people gave her presents.

As I reflect about the change between her 2nd and 3rd birthdays, I am in awe of her development in language, motor and attention skills. I'm also very thankful that she is healthy, growing taller, listening some of the time, and coming along with toilet training (It's been well over one year since we started!). I love her smile, laughter, her expressions that she copies from us. Mommy and Daddy will have to watch that more carefully now. It's also nice to hear when she wants me or Daddy, but at bedtime, this is what I call a "stall tactic" because crying ensues, which we need to ignore in order for her not to get used to us coming in, and for her to self-soothe. What's next?

Christmas is coming.....