The main event today was a visit to the clinic for C's medical clearance to enter the US. Despite the reassurances of our in-family health care professional, C would have none of it, hitting decible levels and octaves only rumored to exist. Such feats have not been accomplished since E's legendary bad baby days. E, however, according to folklore, could produce such Pavrottian sounds at whim and did not need the threat of doctors and nurses (although, I'm sure that they encouraged me too). Perhaps he will become the opera singer that I never did. Of course, his list potential accomplishments will be staggeringly long if he sets out to achieve the things I never did. The bottom line for today, however, is that C passed the exam and drew chuckles from the nurses in the waiting room for his blood curdling screaming, followed by smiling, cheerily waving, and w/o prompting saying, "bye-bye," to the doctor as C left the office. One would have thought they were best friends!
We also took a walking tour of the old section of Hanoi. The sections we entered today were very similar to the sections we've already been in: busy, crowded, lots of food vendors on the streets--selling raw or cooked food, ordinary and exotic items, lots of traffic zagging every which way including where you are trying to walk. It was a relatively short walk, but I was saturated with sweat due to the humidity, carrying a two year old, and most importantly, the stress of dodging the traffic for an hour.
We have a major victory to declare on the bathing front. After raging bath battles, anguish, and near histrionics from our son for the past 12 days, tonight we achieved victories in two of the three major fields of battle: bathing and hair washing. Taking our cues from his enjoyment of the sink/bathtub splashing (and after receiving a squeaky rabbit toy from Ms. H today) we decided to try the tub thing again. Strategic planning by the Admiral and her second in command led to the drawing of the bath while the target was playing w/ a butterfly balloon given to him by M (the mom of the twin girls). After the battle lines were drawn, the plan of attack was executed. T got into the tub w/ C's new comb (to replace the guided missle of the previous comb that landed behind the tub and never able to be rescued by recon), his two spoons, and the rabbit. E led C into the bathroom & the plan was implemented. Eureka! We have splash off (after C started playing w/ the toys and the diaper came off). Well, strike one: mission accomplished. Strike two: diversionary tactics. C started splashing around & water landed on his face w/o complaints. T started squeezing the bunny (who leaked water) on C's hair to wet it. Oh, step back for a second. C looked at his soap, T, and the rabbit. T, thinking quickly, began lathering up the rabbit, so C was okay w/ T lathering him up and rinsing him off w/ her hands. So, back to phase 2: suds n' such. C pointed to his shampoo & T started washing the rabbit's "hair." Return in kind was allowed & another mission was successfully accomplished.
With apologies to Meatloaf, indeed two out of three ain't bad. Step three: brushing teeth...maybe tomorrow? Only time (and C) will tell!
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