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1 month jelly bean

dumpling hat

here is a hat i designed for shokay, here shown with blue trim, worn by you-know-who! more pictures and info to come for the new baby line showing in san francisco and new york this august.

spotty dotty

rattle i designed for shokay.

my funny valentine

spike and mommy on almost valentines day.

happy 13 month mr. bumbles!

spike's headshots daddy took for him this morning for baby daiper commercial!

ciao, bambalone!

thank you anna and greg for spoiling us and taking such care of your wedding guests during their stay.  after taking one look at the views along the amalfi coastline, and feel nothing short of moving here, you couldn't have chosen a more stunning location.  we loved meeting your parents and close friends and wait for your return to shanghai.  thank you for sharing a beautiful part of you with our family.  here is where they exchanged their vows, and here are some photos of our time in italy.

spencer enjoyed the trip immensely.  catching the eye of every italian grandma walking by the piazza, korean tour groups, travelers at our b&b's breakfast, street musicians, and especially anna's parents, he operated in strictly two modes:  deliriously excited & snooze.  i'll never forget his reaction when we took the ferry from naples to amalfi, and he saw the sea for the first time and felt the wind blowing through his wispy brown hair.  it was as if the mediteranean was sharing a private joke with him each time it the boat rode the tide. he giggled over the sound of the gas engines. just magic.

there is so much to say about the trip, i only can share a small moment when an irish wedding party joined us below deck.  ruddy with sun and drink, they laughed and hugged a rather tired looking bride. the father took out a guitar and began to strum some hometown folksongs, and some people on the boat joined i softly, while others just quietly listened.  spencer clapped his chubby palms in appreciation as each song ended.  a young lady began singing one of the spanish tunes i recognized from pedro almodovar's talk to her, and recalled delicate birds singing love songs a lush garden.  (okay another moment:  we had a brush with shanghai when an older italian lady pushed calvin rather forcefully aside. SCUZA!  her motive?  to cut through the granny mob to get a chance to smooch the baby.)

ravello smelled of jasmine.  portofino tasted like limoncello.  amafli's tan and dapper looking bus driver took us up and down the breathtaking cliffs as calvin and i held onto baby spike.  capri smelled of money, while a brief trainstop in naples proved to have the best (new york) style pizza.  rome is an architectural wonder.  there's sreally too much to say so i'll just echo what was chimed around little spike everywhere he went:  ciao bellissimo!!

happy birthday to you!

Happy 1st Birthday, Spike!

You are a jazz-lover, can do some serious damage to a dance floor, and I think broke some Korean and Italian grandma's hearts when we were in Amalfi.  You love your books the most dearly, then your toothbrush, spoon, or anything rubbery and pointy that can be used to explore.  Remote controls and banging on mommy's IBook bring squeals of pleasure.  You discovered splashing in the bathtub last week, and find mommy singing the alphabet really fast just so funny!  You've also begun to stand on your own (in more ways than one).

We had a little celebration at home, with armfuls of books and a sugary Xiao Ding-Dong cake.  We thought giving Spencer a few bitefuls after dinner would be harmless, but he was bouncing off the walls until 11 pm dancing in his crib, and climbing pillows in our bed.  He didn't even get to open his presents or cards yet he was too excited, so we'll save that for this weekend at his 1st birthday playdate at Century Park.   

Thinking back a year ago, our little adventure at the hospital (Grandmas, Calvin, Me & little Spike) I can't believe how much has happened in one little short year.  I remember how the twinkling mobile that holds little interest for him now  used to reveal 2 tiny smiling dimples everytime he'd hear at the tune.  the little boy who sits by himself to read Pororo used to cry if I put him down for just a moment.  How the talkative babbler used to just stare quietly at the walls and my face for hours.  And I think how the confetti of details that I note as milestones now will become fond memories next year.

Sunshine, you've added unimaginable joy and meaning to my life.  I never knew what a sweet, loving, well-behaved and even tempered little boy you'd turn out to be.  And am so honored to be your mom.  Your dad and I have been through a crazy year, and aren't perfect by any standard, but we love you so much and will always do our best for you to help you become the beautiful person you are.  I hope we will always be a help, and never a hinderance. You are my star!

why hello (10 months)

why hello (9 months)

only art house please!