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- First of all, most of Lilly's language these days is a mixture of Chinese and English, or "Chiglish" as we refer to it in our home. I'm sure by now we have our own dialect of Cantilina Chinglish, as Jared and Anna have each picked up enough Chinese to form many basic sentences, but freely fill in with English words where their Chinese vocabulary fails them.
- Lilly's sentences continue to consist mainly of English pronouns, followed by Chinese verbs, followed by English objects. I don't think her brain has quite made the distinction between the two languages. Today, however, I think we had a breakthrough of sorts. Lilly and I were sitting in Tom's office having lunch with him. She asked me a question entirely in Chinese. After I gave her my Chinese answer, she turned to Tom and asked him the same question, entirely in English. He answered her in English, which she understood. I would say that is progress!
- Sometimes the Chinglish makes for more challenges. There are several words that sound the same in both languages but have COMPLETELY different meanings. Sometimes it takes me awhile to figure out which language LIlly is speaking. For instance, the word "go" and the Chinese word for dog, "gou." Sometimes I'm not sure if she is talking about Tad or talking about going somewhere. Another--even better--example is that the way she pronounces the word "lollipop" sounds an awful lot like the Chinese word for "to poop." Don't want to get that one mixed up!
- Lilly always keeps us laughing with the funny things she says. For example, as Tom was tucking Lilly into bed recently, he said "Good night, princess, I love you!" Lilly promptly and sternly replied "I no pincess...I Lilly!" Even though she was dead serious (don't call this girl by the wrong name!), she joined us in laughing when we cracked up.
- One of her nicknames is "Monkey DO!" Whatever Anna or Jared does (especially Anna), Lilly does. Voice inflection. Choice of words. Attitude. This can be a good thing, or a bad thing, depending, of course, on how Anna chooses to act. (no pressure, Anna, but that's a heavy responsibility!) Recently, when I had made a special evening treat of chocolate milkshakes for the kids following Anna's school musical, Lilly sucked hers down quickly, enjoying every last drop. She then proceeded to drink Anna's portion when I remembered that Anna doesn't like chocolate milkshakes. Once Lilly realized that Anna was having an oreo instead, Lilly said "I yao!" (Chinglish--I want one!). When I explained that Anna was having it only because she didn't like chocolate milkshakes Lilly said earnestly (hoping to also get an oreo) "I no like dat" pointing to the second empty chocolate milk glass in front of her. Yeah, right, girl!
- Lilly also frequently mimics what she hears other people saying. When I recently said to her "I love you, Lillian Joy!" she came right back at me with "I love you, Mama Joy!"
Another interesting aspect to our lives right now is that anonymity is out the door. When Lilly and I are out and about, people tend to notice this petite--but vocal--and endearingly crooked Chinese girl with her caucasian mama speaking Mandarin. As a result, people who have seen us before remember us when they see us again. Lilly hence has many many friends in Niceville. They like to come over and say hello, frequently offering Lilly lollipops or stickers or just a friendly smile. Lilly is not always so sure what to make of the attention (she likes the sweets, mind you, but she's not always so sure about strangers), but I think it's sweet that people want to shower her with love. The only problem is that this mama cannot always place why we know these people or how they know us! Makes for some awkward moments!
Finally, as Lilly and I were wrapping up a busy morning of shopping at the BX and the Commissary one day this week, she said "Mama, look!" and she made a weird face with her mouth all elongated, her eyebrows raised, and her head tilted slightly back as if she were trying to look up at the ceiling at something. So I followed her gaze to see what she was trying to see. "No, Mama, look at me!" was her response. When I smiled and asked her why she was making a funny face, she said "look at my eyes! They're big, like yours!" and she tried her hardest to contort her face even further to exaggerate big eyes. I almost fell over laughing in the middle of the check out line at the Commissary. I had just recently been telling a friend how I wondered when Lilly would start to notice that her physical appearance is different from the rest of her family. I figured it would be months if not years from now. This girl is sharp!
Lilly's favorite books to read are those that deal with little animals finding their mothers, such as "A Mother for Choco," and "Are You My Mother?" She requests these books over and over, and snuggles a little closer to me when we reach the end and each animal is safe and warm with its mother. Makes me wonder if she remembers her life before us.
Enough for now...I need to go to bed. But before that, here is a link to Anna's performance as Pocahontas in her Disney Spectacular musical last week. Enjoy!
2 comments:
THank you for the update. It is so nice to hear that Lilly is doing so good. We miss you and the girls often ask about Lilly and Mr. Scruffy and when we can go back to FL and see everybody... Mike had a one day TDY to Hulburt recently and they were upset we could not go with him... Please send everybody our love. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving :-)
She is just adorable. It is so odd to feel like you know someone whom you have never met. I can only imagine the joy she must bring to your family not to mention the wonderful life you are giving her in return.
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