Cole Turns 2

on 2-05-2012 in Where is Cole?

Weekly photo: Where is Cole?

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Location: ???

I am blown away at how fast these last two years have gone, how fast he continues to develop, and how utterly, hilariously amazing this kid can be. Even the rare times when we find ourselves frustrated (it’s safe to say these are the times he is frustrated too, unable to tell us what it is he needs), he finds some new way to surprise us and make us laugh.

I am so very lucky to have the charming toddler with the three foot long lashes in my life. Happy Birthday, Bubba!

Seriously, This Happens All the Time

on 2-05-2012 in Where is Cole?

Weekly photo: Where is Cole?

traveling with a toddler in China

Location: 798 Art Zone, Beijing, China

Wee! This is why you travel with small children. It’s awesome. It’s like having a little celebrity with you at all times. Cole is so conditioned to this response that he’s super outgoing and just charges into the fray. What does he think, I wonder? “Everyone loves me! I love going outside to see the people! Yes, I will eat whatever that is you’re giving me! Can I have your phone?” The only downside is that we have to watch him carefully, otherwise he’d probably just let some random Chinese family adopt him.

Winter at the Summer Palace

on 2-05-2012 in Where is Cole?

Weekly photo: Where is Cole?

Location: The Summer Palace (Yíhé Yuán, 颐和园) Beijing, China

I love the way the Summer Palace looks in the winter.  I feel like Cole should be marching out to Bjork’s Army of Me.  It’s my favorite place to bring Cole in Beijing so far, he can run from garden to garden, stepping through thresholds and running along ledges.  He’s getting even more brave.  On this day, a Chinese woman was cooing at him, so he grabbed her hand and brought her over to the souvenir stand.  When that didn’t produce a toy, he lifted his arms up, so she’d pick him up (and she did), which the crowd gathering around them though was hilarious, and they spent 10 minutes looking at bracelets and souvenirs.  Someone called him “Bābǐ wáwá” which I had recently learned is the Chinese name for Barbie Doll.  He does look like a little doll, tearing up the Imperial pavilion.

“I Put Pants On for This?”

on 2-05-2012 in Where is Cole?

Weekly photo: Where is Cole?

Location: Hou Hai Lake, Beijing, China

I had this vision. I’d take Cole out into the wintry wonderland and show him how to make snow angels and throw snowballs. We’d go ice skating and drink hot chocolate (hot milk tea for me). His cheeks would get ruddy from the cold but he’d be happy and we’d laugh and laugh and…

Okay, so there is no snow in Beijing this year and my son is too little for the cold. Still, I thought pushing him around Hou Hai Lake might be a suitable middle ground. As you can see, Cole did not agree. Too bad you can’t ice skate in the tropics. On the upside, Drew did manage to take a quick video of these ice chairs, something I’ve only ever seen in China.

At home, this is what we do for fun instead.

TV Counts as Cultural Immersion (Right?)

on 2-05-2012 in Where is Cole?

Weekly photo: Where is Cole?

Location: Beijing, China watching 喜羊羊与灰太狼 on youku.com

The nanny starts on Tuesday, a Hebei-transplant who doesn’t speak any English but who is sweet and can at least pretend to understand my slightly mispronounced and wrong-toned Mandarin.  I consider her hire a big milestone for me, not only did I conduct the interview in Mandarin (with prepared notes) but managed such niceties as “would you like something to drink?” (no, she did not) and “please have a seat” (she did).  When I’m watching chinese cartoons with Cole, I recognize the individual words now, even if I can’t tell you what they mean.  Little things.  Maybe Cole is learning too.  He seems riveted to his shows whether it’s in English or Mandarin.  He has noticed that we’ve been swapping out the language on some of his favorite movies (the first time we played Toy Story in Mandarin he kept looking at us, like “uh, guys, did you slip something in my drink because I’m freaking losing my mind here.”).  Sorry bubs!  Didn’t think you’d notice.  That is totally messed up though, swapping out all his favorite movies for Mandarin versions.  That’s the kind of thing that your child will bring up when they’re 30 and having kids of their own.  ”Mom, did you replace all my cartoons when I was 2? I have some weird memory about Woody sounding just like Jackie Chan.”  Hmm, nope, not that I can recall dear.