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Monday, January 31, 2011

Weeks That Feel Like Years

Zenas shopping at Berkeley Bowl

We left for Hawaii on December 20, and returned from Japan on January 14. All intentions were there for updates along the way, and then for as soon as we got home... but a new phase of lethargy set in, and I am finding it very difficult to get back to the things which are part of taking care of myself, like writing.

First step: to let go of the insistence on posting everything at once or nothing at all. Great irony that I need to resort to what feel like baby steps. Or great poetry, depending on how I look at it. I want to get back to making entries, and will be putting in old dates as well as new ones, as I can't quite give up accuracy. So if you are one of the few devotees to Z, please check for December/January entries the next few weeks.

Zenas is five months old tomorrow. His birth feels like it happened both yesterday and a million years ago. I can trace his aging through photos and the tracking of his various new accomplishments. But his existence feels immeasurable, too precious to quantify and too elusive to name. But thanks to the calendar, we can pause and celebrate the now of Zenas. He weighs over 21 pounds. He's at least 27.5 inches. He stands and sits up with help. He's still teething. He doesn't crawl yet but we can see how that's going to happen soon. He smiles a lot and is generous with the belly laugh. He's tried ten foods already and makes solid poops. He wears cool outfits. He works toys with his now graspy hands. He manipulates us.

We love him we love him we love him.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Lost Item #3

H&M Herringbone Cap, size 2-4 mos.
We bought it for 300 yen in Japan and absolutely loved it--he wore it for a day or two only
Last seen: As we left the house for lunch at Pixar on 1/27/11; mother packed it to show off baby only to lose it somewhere in the car, restaurant or parking lot. Never seen and sold out at every location. (We have seen two other babies in San Francisco with the hat - we covet it still).

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Hair

The Fohawk has been long gone...

Though Zenas still insists on keeping his father's hairline, the hairs that are on his head have grown too long to stand up. His hairs are the baby fine, spiderweb-like strands of smooth and sturdy silk. The color has darkened beyond the golden hue of milk caramel to that more of burnt sugar. The natural punk look is no more; in its place is a style too unkempt to be referred to as any special coiffure. The hairs keep falling flat down into his face, in scattered squiggles over his forehead, too wispy and separate to look any different than an accident. I caught myself with a new habit of pushing the hairs to one side or another as to give a more combed look, mostly because I feel itchy to look at him, or "uttoushi" as they say in Japanese.
The new hair also offers up some fun: Chris and I play around with various combings and title each affectionately.

Emo-goth:












Hitler Youth:
Dwight Schrute:

Friday, January 21, 2011

Ananda Balasana

All yoga poses have names based on real life imagery. The instructors usually call out the Hindi, then translation, of half-moon, warrier, boat, etc. After any session which required some back strain, my instructor usually throws in what's known as Ananda Balasana, where you lie flat on your back, but grab your toes up in the air above you, knees bent.

See Zenas in his new move. In yoga it's called the Happy Baby.