Lily moments must be remembered forever, and recorded, because they are so darn awesome. She is so witty, if I do say so myself.

November 21, 2011:

Lily: “Mother? Oh, mother?”
Mommy: “Yes, daughter?”
Lily: “No, call me ‘Big Girl.’”
Mommy: “Oh, I mean.. Yes, Big Girl?”
Lily: “You are the BEESSTT mommy in the wwhoollllee wide world!!”
Mommy: “Aww, thank you so much, honey.”
Lily: “No, call me ‘Big Girl.’”

November 24, 2011:

Lily: “I only like Ethan.”
Mommy: “Oh? Who’s Ethan?”
Lily: “Ethan is my BOYFRIEND!”
Mommy: “Oh? Does Ethan know that?”
Lily: “No, not yet.”
Mommy: “It might be something he should know about, babe.”

November 27, 2011:

When your 3-year-old randomly says, “I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!!!”…. it sort of makes you suspicious. Just a wee bit.

November 28, 2011:

Mommy: “Lily, can you clean up for lunch, please?”
Lily: “Um, no thanks, Mommy. But thank you for asking.”

…

Lily: “I can’t WAIT to get married to my REAL prince!!!”
Daddy: “No rush. I really prefer if you wait.”
Lily: “But I just CAN’T wait!!”
Daddy: “Your real prince has to grow up first. He’s as little as you are right now. He has to grow up and become a millionaire first before he can deserve you.”
Lily: “Yeah, and I will be a millionaire first too!”

Rock on, girl.

December 1, 2011:

Daddy: “Do you need to go potty? If you need to go, you should go.”
Lily: “No, thanks. All I need is to fart.”

December 2, 2011:

Lily’s dentist appointment went FANTASTIC today. She was cooperative, got her teeth polished and painted (whatever that means?), no cavities, and opened wide whenever she was asked. She also held conversations like a big girl, and the dentist and his assistant were sooo impressed and enchanted. That’s my girl!

…

*Lily did a GIANT sneeze with food in her mouth…*
Daddy: “AAHH!! You should have covered your mouth…”
Lily: “But then it would have been all over MY arm!!”

December 3, 2011:

Lily taps on Mommy’s shoulder:
Lily: “Say, ‘AAHH!!!!’”
Mommy: “Hmm? Oh, okay…. AAHH!!!!”
Lily: “It’s just me!”
Mommy: “Oh, phew!”
Lily: “You’re silly. Why did you say ‘aahh’? It’s just me.”

…

Okay, I somehow forgot this our 3y/o is a genius today. She’s figured out there’s a Santa conspiracy, but she’s not quite sure what to make of it yet.

We went to the mall to get her picture retaken with Santa because the first was so ugly and overexposed (her face was as bright as her white sweater), and then went to pick up some groceries at our local PriceSmart, where they also had a Santa. Lily met Mrs. Claus there and scrutinized and interrogated Mrs. Claus about why there were two Santas, and that she just met the first at the mall. Then she went to sit on Santa #2’s lap, and when he asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she said, “I just told you at the mall. You should know.”

Then, at the Christmas parade in Langley, there was a THIRD Santa and another Mrs. Claus, who unfortunately didn’t look anything like the first Mrs. Claus. So Lily asked her to reference the conversation they had at PriceSmart earlier in the day.

Friday, November 18, 2011:

Mommy reaching for some chocolates…
Lily: “Mom! You CAN’T have dessert if you haven’t eaten your dinner! See? I ate MMMYY dinner, so now I can have dessert. *holds up caramel popcorn and sesame cracker*”
Mommy: “Um.. well, I admit you’re right…”
Lily: “Good job, Mommy. Now go eat your dinner…”

Hm. How do I break it to her that mommies get to do whatever they want and don’t have to follow their own rules without making her feel she can completely trump my rules?

Sunday, November 20, 2011:

*watching Spiderman cartoon for the first time with Daddy*
Lily: “Who’s that?!!”
Daddy: “That’s a bad Spiderman, not the real Spiderman.”
Lily: “Who is that mean lady?!”
Daddy: “Well, she just looks mean, she’s not really mean.”
Lily: “>.< She should be nice!.... Who's that?!!"
Daddy: "That's er, Stan Lee, who is making an appearance in the cartoon because he's an egomaniac."
Lily: "EAGLE?! He's an EAGLE?!!"

Daddy: “Take another big girl bite, please.”
Lily: “*picks up forkful* Is this a big girl bite?”
Daddy: “Hmm….”
Lily: “Well, let’s just call it a big girl bite, kay?”

Monday, November 21, 2011:

Lily: “Mother? Oh, mother?”
Mommy: “Yes, daughter?”
Lily: “No, call me ‘Big Girl.’”
Mommy: “Oh, I mean.. Yes, Big Girl?”
Lily: “You are the BEESSTT mommy in the wwhoollllee wide world!!”
Mommy: “Aww, thank you so much, honey.”
Lily: “No, call me ‘Big Girl.’”

This is written dedicated to my husband, who turns 40 on November, 11, 2011 (11-11-11). To my sweet husband, this is the way we recognize that you love us…

- that whenever you lay a hand on me, it is only with the gentlest touch.

- that you re-arranged your entire life to fit into the keyhole of our happiness.

- that when you look at our daughter, I can see the whole world in your eyes.

- that although you are entirely European, you learn to cook authentic Vietnamese food from scratch.

- that you value love over money.

- that you find behind a parent as the most enjoyable and most rewarding job you’ve ever had.

- that you would give up all the riches in the world just so you can be with your family.

- that we’ve created a life together.

- that we’ve gone from have nothing to our name to building a home and a house together.

- that you’ve supported me through school.

- that you’ve watched me cry and sob and still love me through it all.

- that you can say “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” and still you try to understand.

- that you understand I’m not always like you, and yet you love me anyway

- that you are kind to our cat, Tink.

- that you sacrifice the very core of who you have been just to be with us.

- that you teach me how to be a better parent; how to be more like you.

- that you recognize my weaknesses and still think they are my strengths.

- that you support me in whatever you decision, whatever road I choose to take.

- that you say you would follow me to the ends of the earth, as long as we’re doing it together.

- that you find being in our pajamas and in the same room without saying a word as enjoyable as I do.

- that you proposed to me by giving me a plant.

- that you sacrificed having a small wedding in favor of a big extravagant one because you thought it would make me happy.

- that our daughter calls you her best friend.

- that our cat believes you’re her best friend, too.

- that you are most definitely my very best friend.

- that you make me orange julius even when you’re feeling lazy.

- that you don’t mind that I don’t cook.

- that you’ve learned to speak “Helenese” even when it’s not the most comfortable for you.

- that everything you’ve invested is in us; you have no “Plan B.”

- that you start your sentences with, “When we’re old and gray…”

- that you believe spending time with Lily is infinitely more valuable than playing video games.

- that you remind me to be gentle with her.

- that you tell us we’re both beautiful.

- that you’re not afraid to show you feelings, even when they show how vulnerable you are.

- that you’re a man through and through and through.

- that you have strong arms to hold me steady.

- that you aren’t afraid to express how happy you are to see me happy.

- that you wish you could undo all the hurt that I’ve been through.

- that you would readily sacrifice your life and your freedom to protect us.

- that you’re a father every single man would and should look up to.

- that although you’re not gregarious, you make events and play dates for Lily because she is.

- that you do chores around the house.

- that you love your mom.

- that you believe how important my culture is in our family.

- that you don’t let me make excuses for sometimes wanting to be “less than” what I am capable of.

- that you are my biggest fan in everything I do.

- that you believe in me more than I sometimes believe in myself.

- that whenever I say, “I don’t know if I can do it…” you laugh because that’s the silliest thing you’ve ever heard.

- that I fit into your arms so seamlessly.

- that we’ve been together for over 12 years, and still I seem to learn something new about you all the time.

- that you work so hard to shift your way of thinking to understand the way I think.

- that you help make this house into a home.

- that you know me so well, you listen even when you’re not listening.

- that you’re not just a “Uh huh, yes, ma’am” kinda guy; that you believe I deserve an equal partner.

- that we share the same artistic flare on photography, design, and everything in between.

- that I don’t have to be afraid of telling you my “scary” feelings.

- that you respect my struggles even when you don’t understand them.

- that you never put me down for my feelings.

- that you can get just as angry and frustrated as I can get.

- that you taught our Lily astronomy, math, grammar, photosynthesis, and how the planet works.

- that even when I gained 36 pounds during my pregnancy, you still thought I was the most beautiful creature on earth.

- that you get excited when I have a good meal.

- that you give without ever saying you’re giving; it just comes naturally.

- that I truly believe you can, do, and will love Lily forever, unconditionally.

- that you let me watch HGTV House Hunters even when it annoys the heck out of you.

- that more often than not, you sacrifice your own needs for ours.

- that you are constantly mentally, emotionally, verbally, and physically there for Lily; whether it is with hugs and kisses, or teaching her morals and values, or telling her you love her to bits and pieces.

- that you are happy to see me when I come home from work every night.

- that you think whatever I end up doing, I will be a rock star at it.

- that you’ve always believed in my abilities and capabilities and potential, even when I didn’t.

- that although you’d rather be home playing on the computer, you are rarely home playing on the computer when there is time instead for family time or Lily time.

- that you sometimes still tell me, “You look very pretty today.”

- that you quit your biggest vice for us.

- that you get me my snacks when you go shopping, even when I don’t ask you to

- that you went vegetarian with us so we can all be healthier together.

- that you taught me the value of staying connected with politics and policies; that you taught me the importance of staying aware.

- that you look at us with love.

The way you love us is amazing. The way you are is amazing. I am thankful for every year of your 40 years, because it has led you to me. Thank you for finding me, thank you for saving me. In more ways than you or anyone would ever know. I love you, hubby, and happy birthday.

During breakfast…
Lily: “I’m a good helper, huh?”
Mommy: “Yes you are, baby.”
Lily: “I’m not a baby! I’m Super Girl Helper Princess Lily Hula Dancer Honeycomb Eater!”
Mommy: “Heh. Yes, yes you are.”
Lily: “Mommy, I talk a lot, huh?”
Mommy: “Yes, you do. Are you eating your breakfast?”
Lily: “Uh huh! Mom, I will be mean to ALL THE BAD GUYS!!”
Mommy: “Yeah?”
Lily: “Yeah. Mom, a long long long time ago, I took pictures of trees with Nana.”
Mommy: “I know, baby. That was fun, huh?”
Lily: “Yeah. Mom, what does soggy mean?”
Mommy: “It means your cereal is getting soft.”
Lily: “Oh. Mom, look, my boo boo is all gone!!!”
Mommy: “I’m glad, baby. Are you eating?”
Lily: “Uh huh. Mom, what do you call me when I talk a lot?”
Mommy: “A chatterbox, baby.”
Lily: “Yes. I am a chatterbox. I talk a lot, huh?”

Our Lily started PRESCHOOL today! OH MY WORD, time flies. I cannot express the emotions that were all over the house the past week, and specifically today. There was a lot of bouncing up and down, a lot of excitement, a lot of “YAY!! PRESCHOOL!!”, and a lot of anticipation. And we’re not even talking about how Lily reacted yet! Just kidding…

Miss Lily has been excited about preschool ever since we started looking for preschools about a year ago. She was so excited that we actually got ready BEFORE we needed to. First time ever that she listened the first time when I asked her, “Okay time to get ready!” She finished her breakfast in record time, she got her shoes on in record time, and she pranced around the house in her little backpack a good 10 minutes before we had to leave. She waited by the door and asked me to “open the door, Mommmmyyy!!” before it was time to go.

I took the day off from work today in order to accompany Lily and her daddy to her first day of preschool. We took the bus because this is how Daddy and Lily will be going to preschool and home on other school days, so the three of us ventured out in the late morning to wait for the bus at the bus stop across the street. It was very exciting.

When we got there, Lily read the welcome sign on the board outside the door, and promptly posed for me. What a sweetheart.

We walked in and we found her cubbyhole, where we set her stuff down. She was super excited to have a cubbyhole.

Lily is only at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours each time. It is a slow transition, and we’re totally super excited about it. We gave her a hug and kiss, and she returned some excited side hugs to us as she was anxious to get going and start playing. She introduced herself to the other kids, and said hi to her two teachers, Ms. Lindsay and Ms. Amber. She fit perfectly in, and just said goodbye to us. We didn’t linger. We hung out around the grounds since we didn’t have a car to get anywhere. On regular school days, Dave/Daddy will be going upstairs to the gym that is also on the facility during the time Lily is in preschool. Today, we just hung out and read books while waiting for her school to end.

When we said goodbye to her, as we were walking away, I started crying. Dave had to comfort me while holding back tears himself. I can’t believe how fast she’s grown, and now she is in SCHOOL. And how well she did without us. How perfectly confident and capable she is. She’s her own little person, and I am so proud, and so heartbroken. Some days, it’s like she doesn’t even need us anymore. Dave and I joke sometimes that it feels like we’re just here to reach the stuff that are on high shelves for her. Heh.

When she saw us at the door when we picked her up, she ran to us, and first thing that came out of her mouth was, “I don’t want to go yet!!!” She absolutely loved it. She ate all her snacks, and followed directions. The teachers said she did fantastic. She can’t wait to go back.

We hopped back onto the bus and on our first stop, we decided to go to the mall and had some late lunch there, since she was only able to have a snack during preschool. She was starving! She was super excited and said she wanted to go back to school “right now!!”