Hotel Restaurant, August 2009
Hotel elevator, May 2012
Just couldn't finish the trip without the goggle shot. Even though Maryn wanted nothing to do with the hotel pool even during the hottest days *Guangzhou* had to offer in 2009, she did wear her goggles frequently. Tenley, however, has been using them for their intended purpose and giving them a good workout, be they upside down or right side up. These girls are fish! Everyday Tenley asks if we are going swimming. It's adorable to hear her ask, "Meiguo youyong?" (May-gwaw yo-yong = do you swim in America?) On more than one occasion, I have confirmed that we swim there. Yesterday I sat at the outdoor pool on the ninth floor watching them in the pool for about three hours. Tenley wears floaties and an inner tube made for about an 18 month old child that I got at the dollar store. It just fits. The whole time I hear, "Mommy," just like any kid would say when they want their parent to watch. She puts her face in the water without hesitation and moves her arms like she sees Maryn do. Then she comes up with a big smile on her face and repeats the same steps over and over. She wants to know how to swim and is excited to be signed up for swimming lessons.
Maryn and Tenley have their best bonding time in the pool. Tenley is helpless and Maryn is there to help. Tom was throwing a ball to Tenley and making it land just out of her reach so she could "swim" to it, but if she couldn't get it, Maryn would swim over and get it for her, and each time Tenley would gratefully say "sonk you." At this stage of the game, Maryn is really the big sister, and although she's younger and still working on her own language and social development, her life experience since coming home is making her seem way, way more mature. She still has her moments, though, that really make me smile. The other day I was telling Tenley something was hers so I said to her, "Ni de (knee-duh = yours), ni de." Maryn turns to me and says, "Wait, is her name Nida now?" Everytime I think of it, like right now, it cracks me up. She is such a dear, and she's been working real hard on this trip. Sonk you, Babygirl.
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