A conversation I overheard as we were getting ready to go hiking:
Hubs: it’s 2010!
Schäfer: Ok! What can I do?
Thankfully, we made the bus by 8am. This is one of those bus rides where our friends stood in front of the bus and talked over a microphone from the moment the bus pulled out until we arrived at the mountain hill we were going to climb.
Along the way, Hubs announced the news of our daughter and showed pictures. We asked if they would help suggest a Chinese name that follow our family characters.
When traveling with friends, Schäfer never has a problem scoring unlimited snacks.
And we’re off… (the rubix cube belonged to a friend)
Schäfer found a “snowplow” to scrape the “snow” off the trail. Yes, he hiked all the way up. At the beginning, I had him in the Ergo for maybe 5 minutes, but then he wanted out.
It was so nice to get a break from Concrete Life. Schäfer asked what the sound of the leaves rustling beneath our feet was. Bless his heart.
“Here’s your birthday leaf Mommy!”
Excellent climber!
Schäfer tried his best!
We were back at the bottom of the mountain hill just in time for a delicious lunch.
We were served boiled Coca-Cola. It’s been a long time since someone prepared hot Coke to drink!
In the countryside, there’s always a dog who’s ready to grab bones tossed from the table.
After lunch, Schäfer stacked mahjong tiles.
After they finished lunch, some friends came over and joined Schäfer in making mahjong towers.
Our day pretty much went:
climbed the mountain
ate lunch
fished
tried to nap on the bus
We all loaded up on the bus to see the scenic Qin Jiang River. A friend picked up 6 fish for supper.
Schäfer loved seeing the fish “dance”.
Outing with friends = unlimited snacks.
We traveled back to where we ate lunch and that same restaurant prepared supper including our Qin Jiang fish. Delicious!
We ended the day with fireworks!
On the ride home, our friend headed up the official name-the-baby contest. All we shared was our family name 安 and our children’s mutual character 天. In Chinese culture, the name order is: family name, generation name and given name. Our friends could make recommendations for the final character.
We didn’t tell them any detailed information about our daughter because we wanted to see what they would come up with. We had 15 nominations and after a series of votes we narrowed it down to 4. Hubs and I are mulling over the list, but we definitely have a favorite or two.
The English names suggested were: Tangerine, Angel, Lydia, Shellie and Lily. Hummm…
Instead of getting home by 8, we were home by 10. Schäfer was exhausted, but he had a great day and did so well considering that he didn’t take a nap!
Once Schäfer was in bed, we started making Schäfer’s birthday cake. I KNOW! It was so late, but that’s how things go sometimes, I wanted to make this dump truck or this bulldozer:
But then I shared an idea that I’ve been mulling over. I was inspired by some gummy worms at the grocery store.
Hubs loved my idea because it involved no carving or rich icing.
It’s actually WAY easier which is good since it was 10:30pm and we were both tired from being out all day. I baked a 9×13 chocolate cake and called it good for the day.
What a great start to 2010!
I’d like to add a name for the baby. It is
Charlayah
Now that I know you ask for ideas for names. Number One: I researched some names with the s, ch, sh sounds to go with Shorel, Sandra, and Schafer
CHENANIAH
Anna means Saint
Shorel and Schafer/ Sandra and (1)Shannah (2) Salitha
Hey Sandra – I like two of the options probably b/c they are two I can actually read and because they are my Chinese name. Mine is: ??? So Tian Yue or Tian Yi sound like awesome choices. I think both characters carry the meaning of Joy so they are awesome to go with Tian. The “joy of heaven!” Can’t wait to see pics of you holding your daughter!