Born to be loved

October is one of the two most beautifully comfortable months in Japan - we finally see the end of the sub-tropical weather while we relish the fertility of the result of the humid-hot Summer. Actually signs of Winter come rapidly so that we see often ups and downs in the temperature, night time it gets cooler and you definitely need long sleeve or even jackets. Toddlers should dress warm. HG spent more time with the grand parents on my side and grandma's sister (M-chan). Everyday he usually wakes up around 6, dozes off and chants by himself in the bed along with me, then gets up exploring the bedroom that's stuffed with traditional Japanese decor (or simply a.k.a mess). By 7:30 grandmas have his breakfast ready so we go downstairs. Then either one of grandmas feed him while I have breakfast. While I try not to let the grand parents take care of HG the entire time, they offer watching him almost all day during our 9-day of the stay at their home. I know staying with

Almost everyday since his arrival at dad's home town in Tochigi, new people have come to see HG. Today his grandma's sister, M-chan, came to see him and help us. She's going to stay for a few days. He played well while dad was out for municipal health check (one of the purposes of the Japan visit this time :p -- I got a full check including stomach and vowel cancer screening that cost me $5. Yes, five-dollar) In the afternoon I tried to put him into sleep in his bedroom; it is where my grand parents (would've been his great grand parents if they were alive) used to sleep, with tatami (畳), shoji (障子) and all the traditional decorations. There he was way too excited by seeing so much fascinating objects and would never fall asleep so I let him just do what he wanted. Grandmas ended up taking him on driving where he instantly fell asleep (as usual when he goes on a car). No food photos from today but I know he ate A LOT. His mother now worries he's overfed, so

HG's 6-week journey apart from mom is coming to an end. We're finally flying back to Sacramento today. Before we review this long, blessed trip, warmhearted reunion with both grand parents, here are some pictures from his first air travel without his mom. He did surprisingly well! Even though having only slept for four hours during 11-hour from San Francisco to Tokyo Narita, the rest of the trip he did not get too fuss like we were worried. Key was, as every parent friends suggested, to keep him entertained with toys and snacks. The latter was the most effective. Before the flight I did not expect at all to find some of my time in plane but I was even able to read some of my work stuff. Here are some photo recap of the outbound flight. Nervous? Just finished eating yogurt as his morning routine at SMF airport before checking in. Uber ride by a normal sedan from our home to the airport was just a little challenge with 2 suitcases + 1 carrier luggage + his str