Some Things I Want To Remember

I knew the day would come when Jadyn would start learning things without me. The day when she would no longer be under my supervision 24/7 and I would have no control over the things she sees, hears, and absorbs. To be honest, that scares me. The only thing is, that day apparently is already here. I sure didn’t realize it would come so soon!

Jadyn started singing a song the other day. I didn’t recognize it at first. So I just listened. She knew it so well, yet it was only vaguely familiar to me. I certainly hadn’t taught it to her. I asked her where she had learned it, and very matter of factly told me: "nursery." I know she has great teachers in there, but I didn't really think she was actually learning anything! :)


It kind of makes me sad that she is growing up so fast. My only wish is that the things she inevitably will learn and experience without me could always be so innocent and sweet. I thought about her on Sunday as I was sitting with the 7 year-olds in my primary class. I thought about how she is already so big and smart, but before I know it she will be as big and smart as those kids. I don't want that to happen. Can she just stay with me and be my sweet, innocent 32-month old forever?

Here are some things I don't want to forget about Jadyn at this age (in no particular order):

• Loves to play Tag and Hide and Go Seek.


• Can count to 20, except skips 15 (we started playing Hide and Go Seek to practice). She can also count to 10 in Chinese.


• Can recognize the numbers 0 through 10. She is even getting good at recognizing the bus #s.


• Can actually count the number of items, up to about four or five.


• Knows how to work the elevator, including opening and closing the doors and pushing the button for the floor (as long as she can reach it). She throws a fit any time another person tries to call the elevator or pushes the close button instead of her.


• Is starting to recognize some of her lower case letters (she's known upper case since about age 2 or so).


• Can draw the letters T, H, l, O, I, and A. And almost has down J, Y, and E.
  


• Can put a dvd in the computer and turn it on by herself.


• Can make calls on skype by herself. She even called my dad yesterday when it was 2 a.m. in Utah... and he actually answered and chatted with her for a bit.
  


• Can use a mouse on the computer and entertain herself with games on fisherprice.com, starfall.com, etc. Would highly recommend these for cleaning days!


• She is very social and loves playing with friends. She wants to play with any little kid she sees; she follows them around until they will play with her. Just today she wanted another girl, Emma, to hold her hand at the park, but Emma didn't want to. Jade was very upset about it and chased her around with her hand outstretched trying to make Emma hold her hand. It was pretty sad and comical at the same time. Emma eventually gave in and Jadyn never looked happier!
  


• Has a bad habit of taking toys away from other kids just because she wants it.


• Loves playdough, crafts, painting, drawing, coloring, etc. This is her drawing of my sister, Charise. I told her she needed to draw circles for her curly hair. :)



• Loves doing hair and makeup (must be carryover from the modeling days).
  


• Loves to sing and dance. Almost every time she hears music, she will break out into song--usually one that she makes up. Even when a classical song came on while standing in line at The Venetian, she started singing her ABC's.


• Loves stuffed animals, dolls, dress up, tea party, play kitchen; pretty much anything girly. In fact for about the last week after we put her down for bed, she gets out and puts her tutu on before she falls asleep.
  


• Her newest love is Fancy Nancy. That is the book she requests every nap and bed time.
  


• Seems to eat better when Chinese food is being served rather than Western fare. Especially white rice, fried rice, and dim sum.


• Is hit and miss with what she will eat at dinner, though is good about fruits, vegetables, and usually pork chops. Enough bribing/forcing (even if I know that's bad) will get her to eat most anything, but never refried beans.


• Will drag a chair to get into the freezer to munch on ice or frozen vegetables.


• Knows how to use and find her games and primary songs on the iphone.


• Loves to get into my purse and steal my gum and chapstick. Sometimes this drives me crazy! Especially when I've put it on top of the fridge specifically to get it away from her, yet she still manages to get to it somehow!
  


• Sneaks into the living room to watch cartoons as soon as she wakes up (as a result the T.V. gets unplugged to ward off the temptation, but not on Saturdays when we think we deserve to sleep in). :)
  


• Sneaks into the fridge and cupboards to find treats and snacks.


• Can change moods instantly, in most cases when she is not getting her way.


• Can be as feisty and stubborn as the next kid, but can also be as sweet and gentle.


• She still can't say her 'F's, they are 'B's. For example flip is 'blip,' fish is 'bish,' etc.


• Sometimes we strap her in her seat at dinner just so she will stay at the table until it is over.


• Whenever we change her in or out of her pajamas, she gets really excited and does a "naked dance," throwing her arms and legs everywhere as she does a little jig and declares, "I'm naked!"


• She is 37 1/2 inches tall and 34 pounds, which is 75th-90th percentile for both. She also is in a size 8 shoe, going on 9. She is a tall girl, especially for Asia!
  

• Is loved immensely by her parents.

I'm so grateful I've had Jadyn's companionship throughout this entire living abroad experience. Her timing into this world couldn't have been more perfect as I've needed her as my help and happiness while I struggled to love life in Asia. Life would certainly be so much more dull and lonely without her. We love her so very, very much!