2020 is, and will always be, easily the most special year to our family, and probably to the world as well. I’m forever grateful and will not forget these special moments, some full of laughter and happiness, and some full of fears and darkness.

January: Life was still normal in the crowded, busy and dynamic Manhattan. We went to work, spent time with each other and Root Beer. And then at the end of the month, we knew we would be bringing a baby in the world 9 months later!

February: Together with all the excitement came the morning sickness, well, more like “evening sickness” for me. But other than that, we were still enjoying our regular life, work, and volunteer at the Common Pantry every Saturday.

March: Covid hit New York City. All of a sudden, the city was empty and quiet, which was very, very strange. I tried to stay indoor as much as I could, and only went out for a short walk once in a while. Jon was trained to be a pro-shopper at the Asian supermarket because of this.

April: The first trimester will all the worries was finally over! Cherry blossoms and magnolia were blooming all over the city. Absolutely in love with signs of spring arriving.

May: We quietly celebrated our wedding anniversary at home. Started thinking about getting a house in the suburb, like many other couples once a baby is on the way.

June: A little road trip to a cabin in the border of MA and NH to celebrate my birthday. Jon went kayaking and ran in both states. I read by the river. We went to a restaurant which used to be a mill, a used bookstore, and a nursery full of cute, overpriced plants.

July: House hunting was coming to an end, we were very lucky it didn’t take us to long to find a house we loved. Although we couldn’t close it by the end of the month, which was also our move-out date from the Manhattan apartment, we moved in with Jon’s grandparents for about 3 weeks.

August: We finally moved into our home sweet home. Lots of painting, hunting for used furniture (yes I’m obsessed with garage sales!), and many more plants!

September: My last month at work, and two surprise baby showers, one with the Marihe gang and one with the office. I was so heavy, tired and itchy!

October: Because of Covid my parents could not be here for Nem, so Jon’s parents brought a motorhome and drove from Seattle to New Jersey to be with us! Nem was born on October 3, a week before the due date. We started to adjust our life with the little bundle of joy now being the center of our universe. Nem had his first Halloween costume – a flower bouquet DIY by me!

November: Jon’s parents went back to the Evergreen State. It was very hard to say goodbye. So we started a new schedule with the three of us. Our first 3-people Thanksgiving, my first try cooking a 10lbs turkey.

December: Nem’s first time seeing (and laying on) snow! The house was over-decorated with Christmas stuffs, and Nem got so many presents from his great-grandparents, his grandparents, and his great-aunts and uncles. On Christmas’s Day early morning, there was a big storm and the huge pine tree in the front yard fell on our car.

What a year! Here’s to a 2021 with wellness, safety and endless joy!