It has been nearly two weeks since the twins have arrived - as expected, the time has flown by! This has been a time of monumental change for us and Lola, but we all seem (so far) to be taking it in stride, but for a few unavoidable instances where my heart hurts because I feel like I'm being tugged in different directions trying to address different needs. I read that in crisis it's best to address your elder child's needs because they understand and need the attention, and I have been trying to do that if Lola is upset. I also really want to avoid using her brothers as an excuse for why I can't hang out with her - whether it's true or not, I don't want her to resent her brothers because she perceives that they are taking me away from her.
In the meantime, the benefit of having been through this before is knowing how quickly this time passes, and I am trying to focus on the slower moments when I can peacefully cuddle these little boys and savor each moment before they become rambunctious toddlers or independent teenagers too busy for my affection.
Now, onto some of the fun activities that Miss Lola has been enjoying!
Ocean Park
The day before my scheduled C-section, I arranged for Lyn and Jovie to take Lola on a special day trip to Ocean Park. I had purchased the tickets in a fit of optimism when I was around 30-32 weeks pregnant, and between Michael's work and Lola's changing nap schedule, we just never found the right time to go. After week 34, even I had to admit that I was not in a state to go to an amusement park with an energetic and demanding toddler.
Lola had an amazing time! So much so that she came home so late in the afternoon that she basically had to skip her nap because she was too excited - she managed to get about 20 minutes of shut eye in the car ride home. The weather was good and I think my helpers had a great time also - win win all around.
Lola came home talking non-stop about her adventure, and seeing the panda bears (though she didn't actually get to see any), the penguins, the dolphins, and riding the cable car (she wasn't scared this time!) and also going to the playground there. You will note in the pictures also that she had bunny with her nearly the whole time. I guess she wanted a faithful companion to enjoy it all with her!
She loves Ocean Park. She was even brave when they went into the dark aquarium. What an adventurous little girl!
Maggie and Rose
Lola went to a series of playdates at Maggie and Rose, and cooking and dance classes as well, over the period from Christmas to New Years. I wanted her to be busy while I was away and busy in the hospital. She really enjoyed the playdates, she seemed to enjoy her dance class, and... well, she does not like cooking. Lola used to love messy play but somewhere along the way she started to hate getting her hands dirty, and I think cooking, with its hands on preparation and rolling of dough, stuffing of pastries, etc. does not really appeal to her. However, we did go to a cheesy biscuit making class where Lola loved the end result (they were admittedly very tasty), and she unabashedly took full credit for making them.
Basketball Camp
I also signed Lola up for a few sessions of basketball over the Christmas holidays. She did surprisingly well, only being "a little bit shy" but overall gamely learning how to dribble and throw the ball. She was the only girl in a class of 9 kids and was also the only one who managed to catch the basketball that the coach bounced to her both times! Go Lola!
Toys in TST
In addition to her adventures above, Lola also went to Tsim Sha Tsui with our nanny, Lily, a couple of days. She continues to love taking the ferry and Harbour City still presents all kinds of exciting and different exhibits. On one of the days that they went, Lola went inside one of the huge rope exhibits and had a blast.
When they went back again, sadly, this exhibit was gone. At a loss, Lily took Lola to a big toy store... which turned out to be none other than Toys R Us. Lola is so funny - she really wanted toys, and unsurprisingly would not accept "no" for an answer. Lily legitimately did not have enough money on hand to buy the stuff that Lola wanted though (also unsurprisingly, all very expensive and big toys), so what did Lola propose? For Lily to take pictures of all the toys that Lola wanted, so that Lola could "show daddy when she gets home, so daddy can buy it for her."
Ice Cream at the Cable Car
On another day, Jovie took Lola to the ferris wheel at the waterfront where they ran around on the promenade looking at "the big cable car" (but NOT riding it) and where Jovie bought a little ice cream / soft serve toy truck. I think it was meant to be a little Christmas present from Jovie to Lola, but as soon as they got home Lola wanted to play with it and asked (nay, demanded?) for it. It is actually a really great present given how much Lola loves ice cream. She immediately took credit for buying it though, and kept telling me and Michael and Elmo (and anyone else who was around to listen) that Lola bought it while shopping at the cable car.
Car Rides to the Playground with Daddy
Recently Michael and Lola started another tradition where just the two of them would go out to a really nice playground and park that Michael discovered when he was making trips back and forth to the hospital to visit me. There are multiple, big slides, and lots of room for Lola to ride her scooter. They now go for a drive and then to play and get some bonding time. They like to sit on a bench together where Michael asks Lola how her day was, and she does a run-down of the various activities and what she liked or didn't like or who she saw or didn't see, and then Lola politely turns the topic back to Michael, asking "daddy, how was your day?" It is really cute and sweet. She really cherishes this adventure and alone time with Michael because when we asked her the other night if mommy could go too, she said "no, everybody stay here, and just Lola and daddy go." Well, if that didn't melt Michael's heart!
Taking Care of My Brothers
As I mentioned before, Lola has been generally really, really good about her brothers. Her teacher emailed me this exchange and some pictures of Lola doing a show and tell in her class about her brothers. They have been so wonderful at helping us integrate these changes into her routine and trying to make it less jarring and more special.
In the meantime, the benefit of having been through this before is knowing how quickly this time passes, and I am trying to focus on the slower moments when I can peacefully cuddle these little boys and savor each moment before they become rambunctious toddlers or independent teenagers too busy for my affection.
Now, onto some of the fun activities that Miss Lola has been enjoying!
Ocean Park
The day before my scheduled C-section, I arranged for Lyn and Jovie to take Lola on a special day trip to Ocean Park. I had purchased the tickets in a fit of optimism when I was around 30-32 weeks pregnant, and between Michael's work and Lola's changing nap schedule, we just never found the right time to go. After week 34, even I had to admit that I was not in a state to go to an amusement park with an energetic and demanding toddler.
Lola had an amazing time! So much so that she came home so late in the afternoon that she basically had to skip her nap because she was too excited - she managed to get about 20 minutes of shut eye in the car ride home. The weather was good and I think my helpers had a great time also - win win all around.
Lola came home talking non-stop about her adventure, and seeing the panda bears (though she didn't actually get to see any), the penguins, the dolphins, and riding the cable car (she wasn't scared this time!) and also going to the playground there. You will note in the pictures also that she had bunny with her nearly the whole time. I guess she wanted a faithful companion to enjoy it all with her!
She loves Ocean Park. She was even brave when they went into the dark aquarium. What an adventurous little girl!
Lola went to a series of playdates at Maggie and Rose, and cooking and dance classes as well, over the period from Christmas to New Years. I wanted her to be busy while I was away and busy in the hospital. She really enjoyed the playdates, she seemed to enjoy her dance class, and... well, she does not like cooking. Lola used to love messy play but somewhere along the way she started to hate getting her hands dirty, and I think cooking, with its hands on preparation and rolling of dough, stuffing of pastries, etc. does not really appeal to her. However, we did go to a cheesy biscuit making class where Lola loved the end result (they were admittedly very tasty), and she unabashedly took full credit for making them.
Basketball Camp
I also signed Lola up for a few sessions of basketball over the Christmas holidays. She did surprisingly well, only being "a little bit shy" but overall gamely learning how to dribble and throw the ball. She was the only girl in a class of 9 kids and was also the only one who managed to catch the basketball that the coach bounced to her both times! Go Lola!
Toys in TST
In addition to her adventures above, Lola also went to Tsim Sha Tsui with our nanny, Lily, a couple of days. She continues to love taking the ferry and Harbour City still presents all kinds of exciting and different exhibits. On one of the days that they went, Lola went inside one of the huge rope exhibits and had a blast.
Ice Cream at the Cable Car
On another day, Jovie took Lola to the ferris wheel at the waterfront where they ran around on the promenade looking at "the big cable car" (but NOT riding it) and where Jovie bought a little ice cream / soft serve toy truck. I think it was meant to be a little Christmas present from Jovie to Lola, but as soon as they got home Lola wanted to play with it and asked (nay, demanded?) for it. It is actually a really great present given how much Lola loves ice cream. She immediately took credit for buying it though, and kept telling me and Michael and Elmo (and anyone else who was around to listen) that Lola bought it while shopping at the cable car.
Car Rides to the Playground with Daddy
Recently Michael and Lola started another tradition where just the two of them would go out to a really nice playground and park that Michael discovered when he was making trips back and forth to the hospital to visit me. There are multiple, big slides, and lots of room for Lola to ride her scooter. They now go for a drive and then to play and get some bonding time. They like to sit on a bench together where Michael asks Lola how her day was, and she does a run-down of the various activities and what she liked or didn't like or who she saw or didn't see, and then Lola politely turns the topic back to Michael, asking "daddy, how was your day?" It is really cute and sweet. She really cherishes this adventure and alone time with Michael because when we asked her the other night if mommy could go too, she said "no, everybody stay here, and just Lola and daddy go." Well, if that didn't melt Michael's heart!
Taking Care of My Brothers
As I mentioned before, Lola has been generally really, really good about her brothers. Her teacher emailed me this exchange and some pictures of Lola doing a show and tell in her class about her brothers. They have been so wonderful at helping us integrate these changes into her routine and trying to make it less jarring and more special.
Teacher: Lola, could
you please tell your friends who these babies are?
Lola: They're my
brothers.
Teacher: What are
their names?
Lola: This one is
'Al' and 'Baby'. (pointing to the babies)
Teacher: Oh, this is
Al and Baby. Okay, who's taking care of them?
Lola: Lola! (while
pointing to herself in the picture)
Teacher: Wow! That's
very nice, what are the babies doing?
Lola: They're
crying!
Teacher: Oh, okay. Do
they drink milk and sleep too?
Lola: No. They're
just crying.
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