Back in Shanghai

It’s hard to believe we have begun our FOURTH year in Shanghai… how is that even possible?! Each year we find it easier and easier to adjust back to life in China, and I can say, without a doubt, that this has been the easiest transition yet. Isla is such an amazing traveler, and other than a little extra afternoon napping, made the timezone jump without any major jet lag.

Isaac received the gift of art for his birthday this past year, and a few weeks after returning to Shanghai he got his first tattoo. ATao, from Shanghai Tattoo, did a fabulous job with all of the detailed line work. Our friends, Mark and Rachelle, came along as part of the cheering section.

Of course Isla was there to cheer Daddy on too.

Isla quickly adapted to her weekend skype routine. She gets so excited the minute she hears the program opening, and instantly starts to wave at the screen. Nana J has enjoyed entertaining Isla with her favorite Sesame Street guitar during their chats.We’ve had so much fun playing with Uncle Cal, Auntie Sherry and Lucas!

Football season is upon us and our little Beaver Believer has been dressed in orange and black and ready to cheer for OSU!

Most games come on just as we’re waking up, so we’ve been moving Isla’s high-chair out into the living room so that she can eat her breakfast and cheer on her beavs at the same time.We had a fair amount of rain in August, but September was very mild and we enjoyed many walks around our neighborhood.

Peek-a-boo!

I love how Isla is so alert when we walk. She leans forward in her stroller, gripping the little tray so she can see everything going on around her.

Isla is finally big enough to begin enjoying the little park near our house.

She absolutely LOVES the slide!

Playing peek-a-boo through the little windows in the tunnel with Daddy is another of her favorite park activities.

A little cross-fitter in the making. Isla blew us away with her ability to hang from the bar all by herself!

Eating with chopsticks has become one of Isla’s favorite ways to consume dinner.

More park fun!

OOOOOO…SSSSSS…UUUUU… Oregon State! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Enjoying our final summer-like days swimming with our friends, Dan, Katie and Ellie.

Isla and Mei Mei (little sister), her doll from her ayi, Sue.

Peek-a-boo!It seems like every single day Isla is learning or doing something new. She is constantly growing, changing and becoming more independent. I cannot believe our little girl is nearly one!Success!

Isla loves eating blueberries and scrambled eggs for breakfast.

She also loves washing her hands after she eats. We say to her, “Isla xǐshǒu,” (Mandarin for “Isla wash hands”) and she just lights up! After we turn off the tap she giggles and shakes her hands over the sink to start drying them off. We love these little routines with our sweet girl!

Weekend naps usually take place in her stroller. She tries to put her leg up on the table like that when she eats too!

Isla is becoming increasingly curious about our phones and it is getting a little trickier to keep them away from her. If she gets her hands on them, she holds them up to hear ear… such an observant little pumpkin!Isla had so much fun playing with all the little kiddos and dressing up at Lucas’ 2nd birthday. We are so in love with our baby bear. These pictures just melt my heart!!!

Isla continues to love her books and we read several times every day. Our new favorite book is called Sophie’s Squash. It is seriously one of the cutest books I’ve ever seen, and perfect for fall! The story that is so charming and simply brilliant that I am both in awe and kicking myself for not thinking of it. Someday I hope we’ll be writing children’s books like this… the kind that are cozily familiar, wonderfully whimsical and cleverly quirky.  Sophie’s Squash is still a bit long for Isla most days (although she has happily sat through it on more than one occasion), but she loves looking through the pictures. And, like with all of her other books, she loves to kiss the kitty on each page. I hope she never grows out of that darling habit!