Baby Anderson: The Journey

On October 5, 2006, God gave us the biggest blessing we could imagine: our daughter Liliana. So here is a place for our friends and family to keep up with her as she grows.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Looking Around

"Life goes by pretty quickly; if you don't stop and look around, you might miss it."

The about quote from the great Ferris Bueller pretty much sums up how I feel most of the time. I clicked on our blog today and actually said out loud, "Surely I've updated since 2008?" Nope, champ, you haven't. So what exactly have we been doing?

Liliana is attending Trinity Presbyterian Mother's Day Out Program. She loves it there and has a nice little group of friends. She continues to grow and learn everyday, as well as testing my patience quite regularly. In the fall she will begin the Trinity Pres pre-school program, which will last two years before we move her to a private kindergarten. Luckily we have several private school options here in town, so we can explore those as time goes by. She loves music and dance, so we are going to enroll her in little ballet at my old dance studio next fall. The family is learning Chinese at a rapid rate to keep up with her as her favorite show, "Ni-hao, Ki-lan" is teaching her Chinese phrases. She is very patient as she translates for us adults who don't know how to say, "You make my heart feel super happy" in Mandorin.

Personality-wise, Liliana is very strong willed. I don't bother buying her clothes without her because she won't wear them. One of our friends has been the recepient of several lovely outfits that were never worn because Lili didn't chose them herself. She is also extremely helpful. I have been cleaning the house the past few weeks and she is always there to help with a small task or ask to try whatever I'm doing. Thank goodness for organic, non-toxic cleaning products. One thing that is interesting about her is that you can't predict her choices. Food, clothing, interests--she tries so many things and is so sure of herself. I mean, she likes wasabi, for crying out loud. One steady in her life is her relationship with Larry, my stepfather. Liliana just adores her Papa; he is her buddy and best friend. Sort of reminds me of my relationship with my grandfather.

Staley is taking a biology course this semester and doing extremely well. His instructors are impressed by his work and I can vouch that he takes his studying very seriously. An option he is considering at this point is getting a bio degree with a chem minor. The field is interesting for him and he could still work with Baker Hughes, if he wanted to. Of course, there are so many fields he could explore--I think right now he is just getting a feel for the subject.

Baker Hughes is lucky to have my husband. He is an excellent worker and puts in more hours every week than some people work in two. Sixteen hour days are not unusual, due to his desire to do a good job and help out wherever he is needed. I have thankfully persuaded him to at least take a week off in May to enjoy Disneyland with the family. Actually, I think it was Lili telling me "I rescue Daddy and take him to Disneyland" that sold him.

As for me, school is going well. I am teaching a Creative Writing class this semester which is a nice break from my normal Freshman comp I and II. Next fall I'm adding an online Tech writing course which should also be an interesting change. Every semester is a learning experience, probably more for me than my students.

The last bit of news most of you probably already know--our family will be welcoming another member in June/July. We are acclimating Liliana to the idea of a baby brother, who, at this time, has not been named. We've actually taken to calling him "He Who Has Not Been Named" or Voldemort, which makes sense for those who read/watch Harry Potter.

My camera has died, but I will try to post some photos soon. For those wanting more pictures and frequent updates, you can Friend me on Facebook under Amber Kelly Anderson.