Chinese New Year

You arrived at our home on the first morning of the Chinese New Year, speaking Mandarin.

You played purposefully, exclaiming to dolls in a language we couldn't understand. 

When it was time to sleep, I rocked you in the dark and thought about how, though you would not remember me, we were forever a part of each other's story. 

It was where I wanted to be and those moments will always belong to you in my heart. 

For other moments, I had help. 

When you were crying, my daughter said, "Its ok, you don't have to cry, for right now you are a part of our family, because you are with us". While the four of us walked to the playground, she remarked how good it was that there were two big helpers (she and I) for the two babies. When we arrived, she suggested  instructed that I "keep watch on" her brother and that she would "keep watch on" you.

You helped her too. 

You taught her about shared responsibility and that love is not restricted to DNA, or language, or any other confines, it is so much greater.

How to Swim

I love the confidence in these eyes and I admire her boldness.

This picture was taken right before her first swim lesson.

We were avoiding them because they cost money, and you have to commit to being in a certain place at a certain time (though there are worse places than an indoor pool in February) and we are attempting to avoid overscheduling a four year old.

When we realized learning to swim might not "just happen" (as we had hoped), and given that my two childhood goals for her are 'learning to ride a bike' and 'learning how to swim', we decided it was time. 

As soon as she and her fellow learner entered the pool, I watched the teacher skillfully employ techniques that would have never occurred to me. "Simon says, put your toes in the water", "Now, Simon says put your nose in the water".

I was filled with gratitude for this person gently encouraging my daughter. 

I was thankful that I could trust her to keep my baby safe in deep water.

I sat on the sidelines watching awkward efforts to coordinate arms and legs, water splashing in her patient teacher's face and reminisced about first steps that turned into somersaults. 

And I marveled at my front row seat, celebrating an increased confidence in the water and glad to be the one to wrap her in a towel afterwards.