Reminiscing...

For old-time's sake, I dressed Panpan in this little pj suit. We had sent it as part of a care package to her orphanage back in April. When she met us at our hotel, she was dressed in it. Of course, I had purchased it about two years ago, well before I would have thought to check the number of snaps!

Anyway, she hasn't worn it too often for that reason, but I wanted her to try it on before she completely grows out of it.

Another thing she is almost growing out of is her bottle. Her pediatrician wanted her to stay on formula longer than U.S. kids normally do just to ensure a good nutritional intake. She is almost ready to graduate to whole milk.

Togs

And here she's showing off some of her new togs (including some that her cousins bought her - you know who you are ; )

Livia lives!

With apologies (again) for tardiness, here is a great shot from our NYC trip of Panpan with Livia, daughter of Michael and Hillary. I remember her when she was 18 months. Now she is a volunteer at a day care center, and was full of games to play with toddlers.

Another brush with power

Today in the park we waved to what I'm told were obama's helicopters. Now we are reminiscing about the moment.

Dressed to the Nines

Meeting of the Minds

On our recent trip to New York, Rikki had an audience with Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter. Her views on education reform got quite a bit of attention. This was my first attendance at a higher ed policy meeting since we returned from China in June. But my daughter was really the belle of the ball. See next pic to see her patent leather shoes and cocktail dress.

Sorry to say I didn't snap a picture of her with her friend David, 2. But she had several playdates with him while I was had meetings. David's nanny's mother watched her and by all accounts everyone had a good time. The Upper West Side has good parks and the weather was quite lovely.

A week and a half later back in Chicago - not so much. Right now it is 44 degrees. I know I'm supposed to be happy because it may go up to 61.

My other regret is fallen behind on my blog posts. More to come soon....

Developing

Now that she is walking, Rikki Panpan is getting into everything. She walks up to people and says "hi" or "bye". Her curiosity takes her down shopping aisles and airport concourses and her newfound strength enables her to hoist herself onto low couches (or at least try to). She wants to sit by herself on chairs, feed herself meals, and open and close doors.

We are still trying to capture a video of her elaborate language - though we don't understand a word.

Sent from my iPhone