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January was a big month for a family (hopefully marking the start of a big year)!
We started off the year with a quick day trip to San Francisco to celebrate my birthday. After 30, the birthdays all start to blend together so it's nice to do a little something to make memories :) In our case, we haven't braved any fine(r) dining or dinners out since Zion has been born because of his early bedtime and the fact that he doesn't like to sit still at this age :) As a substitute, James ordered take out omakase from Kasukabe (the most $ I've ever spent on sushi) and we had a mini date night at home after Zion went down. We also finally got to try a butter& cake and it did not disappoint!
January meant that it was also time to go back to work - the impending return that I've been dreading. Originally, I had planned to return to work back in November after my maternity leave ended but due to COVID and Google's gracious carer's leave policy, I was able to extend it for an additional 2 months. My new return to office date was the end of January which would be ~8 months since I left. Absolutely crazy by U.S. standards, I know. But even so, I had a rollercoaster of emotions - feeling from the sadness of not being able to be there for Zion everyday and missing the small things to questioning my ability to operate in the workplace at the same level I was before. With the last few weeks, I wanted to soak up the simple days and fill it with walks in the neighborhood, local trips, and a ton of snuggles at home.
In addition to all of this, we have been aggressively house hunting (again) since September. It's been a long process with an unbelievable difficult housing market and we (mostly I) were starting to get desperate. Our lease on our current rental house is going to end in March and I have been craving to set down roots since we found out about Zion. By the end of December, we had probably researched over 300+ houses, visited at least 50 houses, put in 5 offers but still not landed anything. We were getting outbid left and right (we're talking 30+ offers on these homes) and even when we thought we were being competitive (20-30% above asking offers on bay area prices), we were still landing in the middle or bottom of the pack. With our 6th offer, we were finally able to land a house and close at the beginning of January! There's a whole backstory to this as well (including how Zion help us win over the house!) which is probably best over a cup of coffee :)
Throughout the house search, we were constantly dragging Zion in tow. He was so incredibly patient with us and was usually the only baby to be seen at open houses. With the house close, we were also starting plans to do an aggressively timed renovation before we need to move in. This meant that we would also need to bring Zion around to hunt for tiles, cabinets, flooring, you name it. Let's just say, we got really good at coordinating who, where, when we would run errands and ways to entertain Zion in the car including giving him his first pass at a steering wheel ;)
Between balancing return to work, house closure / renovations, and taking care of Zion, for the first time, I found myself feeling the struggles of not having family nearby for help. Thankfully James was able to start his paternity leave (delayed purposely to help buy us more childcare time after I returned to office) and the timing could not have been more perfect with the house renovation.
By the grace of God, we've somehow managed to take care of a thriving, joyful, and chunky little boy over the past 7 months with minimal help. Both sets of grandparents came in the beginning and sporadically for a weeks here and there but I'm most thankful for a partner who gives 100% and is able to "make it work".
A few highlights of Zion over this past month include:
Eating everything under the sun :) well, maybe better phrased as putting everything in his mouth but he's also been a champ with transitioning to solids. He's definitely gained the weight to prove it ;) This month, he's tried many more veggies and ventured into proteins including egg, peanut butter, and his dad's signature ribs :)
I also can't get over how little and precious he looks in his high chair. One of my favorite sights to see is James feeding him at the dining table. It always puts a smile on my face. I can also already see Zion filling out his high chair more and more as his tiny feet start to hit the steps and it makes me stop in my tracks. Please stay little a while longer.
Along with eating, Zion also had his first drink of water and cannot get enough. He is just like his dad and loves to chug water by the cup! Zion should supposedly only drink 4-6oz of water a day so that he doesn't fill up without nutrients. But if you put a cup in front of him, he will finish it all and ask for more. We tried introducing a sippy cup and a straw but he couldn't figure it out so we resorted to an open cup with extreme spillage for now :) We also don't worry about him filling up on water because of how quickly he is gaining weight (and % weight standing). In fact, it may actually good to balance him out a little ;)
Adventures out have included getting crabs at Half Moon Bay! Zion's actually visited the ocean quite a few times now (mostly Santa Cruz which we managed to squeeze in again). I love that he gets to grow up with access to the beach, mountains, redwoods, and open fields. It sure does come with a premium price tag but I hope he embraces the outdoor lifestyle that his mama and papa love so much.
He can sit! Sort of (topples if he loses balance). Zion has demonstrated a ton of core strength growth this month and loves being upright, likely because it increases his ability to grab and explore.
NOT a crawler or a fan of tummy time still. Put him on his tummy and expect a protest soon. He will very rarely voluntarily roll around if he's in a good mood :)
Zion is a jumping machine! These days, nothing makes him happier than being in his Jolly Jumper (which we limit to one session a day ;)). He loves sudden and big motions - squealing with joy and non stop giggles. It is the absolute sweetest and I can watch him do this all day. My mom thinks he looks like a little monkey. The description kind of fits his love for bananas too.
Raspberry blowing month! It's the silliest quirk lately and hilarious to watch. There's constant bubbles (and saliva...) coming out of his mouth and so funny to watch. He is also babbling up a storm some days (though no "mama" quite yet).
First lunar new year - complete with a dim sum experience ;)
Simple play sessions at home - chasing his little light up bee, listening to his peek a boo bunny, playing with his beloved Lovevery tissue box, stacking cups, and more. He is pure sweetness when you lie with him on the play mat but watch out because he will likely try to eat you :)
Zion dear boy, your mama is still obsessed with you. Likely to an abnormal degree but unapologetically so. It's been a gift to watch you grow and we're so grateful that you are here to journey with us as we built our family and now as we build our home. We will fill it with bubbles in the backyard and dance sessions in the living room. We will mark up your walls with height markers as you start to grow. We will build forts in your bedroom and flood the hallway with the sweet smell of cookies we whip up in the kitchen.
My sweet pea, just you wait - oh the memories we will make. You, me, and daddy (for now).