Spectacular S: Gong Hay Fat Choy

Or Gong Xi Fa Cai if you prefer to convey your wishes in Mandarin. We had been looking forward to our second Chinese New Year parade. SS was bursting with excitement, happily wishing a "Happy Chinese New Year!" to everyone she walked by yesterday while shopping. SS woke up at 6:15 this morning to use the bathroom, and we knew we were in for a rough morning. When SS does not wake up on her own terms trouble abounds. SS came to bed for a snuggle but was restless and cranky. She had never behaved that way during our morning cuddle. A while later SS complained of a stomachache, held her tummy and cried. We were not sure if she was constipated or gassy, but we were sure she was miserable. After a few more bouts of crying SS found her way to her Baba's arms and rested until she fell asleep. SS also was warm, not running a fever, but too warm for our comfort. I told P to let her sleep it off, and we could take her in her pajamas, then dress her upon arrival.

SS was not her usual talkative self during the drive to LA. Before we left home I handed SS her backpack and told her to choose what toys she wanted to bring. SS said she did not want anything and laid down again. Yikes, that was a first for us. SS did not request her iPod, coloring paraphernalia or a DVD during the drive. I kept asking P if she was asleep, because a quiet SS is usually a sleeping SS. She was wide awake, just not talking. I was reconsidering our decision to spend the weekend away from home.

SS did not perk up much upon arrival, although she was clearly excited to be in Chinatown. P found a spot by the end of the parade, just before the grand stands. We set up the Hummer and our chairs, then walked a round a little. SS had not touched her breakfast, but P decided to get her a banh mi for lunch. That remained untouched as well. When SS goes though her famine stages, she increases her juice and milk consumption. I became worried when I had to remind SS to drink.

This parade was completely different than the one in San Francisco. That first experience is going to remain at the top of what we hope will be a long list. It was so much less crowded, shorter, and hotter. There's something to be said for holding parades at night. We were sad that not even the bands perked up our lethargic girl. But SS being ours, managed to have a funny as heck moment. As a large group of L@PD officers were approaching I jokingly said "Uh oh SS better tell then you are not Dorner or they will shoot." Our daughter, the sickly, quiet child chose the very moment they were in front of us to perk up and yell "I'M NOT D0RNER DON'T SHOOT ME!" Oops. SS got a lot of laughs, and the loudest was the woman standing to my right. She is Chinese American, born and raised in San Francisco, and now a professor of sociology at CSU Long Beach. Thank G0d she appreciated SS's outburst (heh, from the mouth of babes). We went on to have a nice discussion about cultural appropriation, and had a blast snarking about the many horrific examples on the parade.

The day finally arrived when P and I became sensible parents. Although SS was shaded (Hummer, hat, behind people who created shade) and hydrated, we did not wait for the parade to end. We were worried about SS and wanted to get her indoors. We hoped for pool time to lift her spirits, but the water was too cold. The hot tub on the other had was perfect. The water was not that hot, and we had a nice soak. After that SS watched two movies and surprised us by using a four letter word. Around 8:30 SS said she was tired, stopped her DVD player and laid down. We gave her Tylenol, hoping her low grade fever would not increase. Tomorrow we are returning to Chinatown to watch some performances and to shop.

P and I thought the same thing when SS laid on him this morning. It took us back to the day SS was blessed at the Buddhist temple in Guangzhou. Our baby has grown a lot since that day.