It all started just before the decade started, in 1999. I met the most important person in my life, the one that changed my life for the better: my wife Becky. Before her I was an aimless young man, not knowing what to do with my life. It’s thanks to her that I had a direction in life, that I had a goal in life, instead of just wandering through it.

1999 was also the year I left Italy. I went to Taiwan, UK and finally Shanghai. I wished I didn’t have to leave Italy, with all my friends and family. That was a big loss for me, I was comfortable there. Maybe too comfortable, which is why it was probably good for me to leave. It shook me up a little.

I traveled a little, I learned a few things about people in the rest of the world. I also learned a few things about myself. All of this would not have been possible without the support of my parents, so I’ll always be grateful for that. They allowed me to start my own life, which I can only imagine it wasn’t easy for them to do. It’s also not something I should take for granted, even though at the time I was just focused on myself. 10 years helped me get a different perspective on things.

Once I made it over here in Shanghai, I really started my own life. A good stable job in a new country, in a new apartment, with new colleagues and friends. Getting married was the logical next step. Those first few years of marriage felt great. We traveled a lot, this time with my own money (so I didn’t feel guilty about spending my parents money), with my new wonderful wife. I felt so free during those vacations.

But 2 years of that was enough for us, it was time for the next step. It’s not that we didn’t enjoy out life together, but it just felt natural for us to want kids. I don’t think it was any societal pressure either, I never really cared about what “society” thinks about me. It just came from us.

Logan’s birth has again changed my life, literally. Seeing him grow up so quickly in these years has been amazing, from the little baby that I would hold whenever I could, to the little boy that’s now in kindergarten.

Mia’s arrival just made the picture even more complete. Of course I was happy to have a boy and a girl, but the main reason for me was to give Logan a sibling. Everybody should have a sibling, it’s you first friend in life.

I have now a comfortable life, with a great family to go back to every night. I really feel I accomplished something, I started something in my life. It hasn’t always been good obviously, but the bad makes me appreciate the good even more. This is only the beginning though, I can’t wait for the rest of it.

Here’s my new Mac Mini connected to my HDTV in my bedroom as a HTPC. Now I can watch HD content or browse internet from the comfort of my bed.

Here are the specs and cost:

- Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, 120GB HD): 4300RMB
- DisplayPort to HDMI + HDMI cable: 100RMB
- Wireless USB keyboard and mouse (from Best Buy): 100RMB
- 3.5MM Stereo Audio Cable: 20RMB
- Apple Remote (from a friend): 0RMB

Here’s the software I use:

- OS X 10.5.8: I have the Snow Leopard DVD, but I’m not upgrading until all my apps are compatible.
- Boxee: a great HTPC interface. I prefer this to Plex and XBMC and Front Row.
- Opera: great for browsing without a mouse from my bed.
- Airmouse Pro: to control the Mini with my iPhone.

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However yesterday something clicked in his mind and he stopped peeing out. I think he’s learned to keep his pee and wait for potty time (every 20 mins) to do it in the potty. Becky and I were amazed at the sudden change, we are so proud of this big achievement. We know it’s not over yet, but this is a huge step for Logan. And he did all this while he was sick! I am a proud father!

It’s only fair that Mia gets a video upload as well.

Logan is singing “Crowded Streets in an Empty Town” by our friend Tim Kao, which is obviously too long for him, so he just calls it “Sunday Shoes”.

Of course other things went wrong, like a toy stuck in the toilet, Logan skipping lunch and napping late after a long crying session. Also he’s only now (23:46) falling asleep after playing in his bed for almost 3 hours!!

But we can’t have it all, can we?

Also he finally did N 2, in his pants… So stinky

I forgot to mention that Logan is also sick, poor him.

BTW, I am twittering this often so you can follow it in the sidebar.

So far he never tells us if he wants to go, he just pees in his pants. That’s the frustrating part. Hopefully he’ll learn soon.

Then last night we all watched the opening ceremony. I wasn’t too impressed with the opening shows, just the usual fireworks (which I’ve come to hate after I moved here) and other performances that were certainly well done, I just didn’t care for them.

But then the representative of each country started to walk in and I really wanted to watch their clothes and attitudes, as well as learn about countries I’ve never heard before. That lasted 2 hours!!! I felt exhausted just watching that, I can’t imagine what the cheering girls by the side must have felt. Some notes:

- The only people I recognized were Roger Federer and Yao Ming. Nobody else!! I suck, I know.

- The Italians HAD to slow down and disturb the country walking after them!!

- Lots of pretty girls.

- The guy holding Denmark’s flag was huge, and he used one hand on a 90 degree angle. Impressive.

This morning I turn on the TV and start watching women’s weightlifting. I usually couldn’t care less, but I was somehow engaged. Up until my TV went dark a few minutes ago. Don’t know what’s going on, hope it’ll come back soon. Can’t believe I am feeling the Olympics spirit this year…

But we did put a dress on Mia, and here are some photos.

We are finally home and we had our first taste of the new family dynamics. Logan seems to like Mia, though he hasn’t had too much contact with her. When we got home I went to him and started to hold him and he started crying. Then after a while he wanted to be held by Mommy, and he kept crying making Becky cry too. It was all very emotional.

When he saw Becky breastfeeding Mia, he also started to cry and wanted Mommy to hold him. He didn’t push Mia away or anything like that, but he just wanted his Mommy. Later on I was holding Mia and at the same time playing with Logan. Then the confinement ahyi wanted to take Mia from me since she was fussy, but Logan was very angry and didn’t want her to hold her. He just said “Daddy holds Mia”.

He also seems to resent Becky a little, as if she betrayed him or something. Becky is hurt by that of course, but I am sure he’ll get better. He obviously still wants her. Despite all this he’s been a good boy today, and was very happy when Uncle Ivan came to visit. This is the biggest change for him, I will try to be with him and not making him feel left out.

At the same time I want to spend time with Mia also and start bonding and building a relationship with her just like I did with Logan. But it’s obviously not gonna be the same. And I also need time to spend with Becky, I don’t want to drift apart from her. I feel like parenting has become so much harder, and it’s only the first day!!

One other thing we both noticed is that Logan looks so much bigger now. I mean he seems like he’s grown so much in the last few days, even though that’s not the case. I think we’re just used to seeing Mia who is so small, and Logan all of a sudden seems so big.

I have so many feelings, but I have the least problems right now. Becky has even more conflicting feelings, on top of that she has to recover from labor and deal with breastfeeding. I’ll try my best to help her, I just wish I could take away some of the pain/problems from her.

This is the last update for the moment, I will stop blogging everyday, unless something interesting comes up. But I will keep uploading pictures to Flickr, so keep an eye on that if you’re interested.

We’re on our way home, in the super duper hospital van. Same one we
used 2 years ago with Logan.

Mia kept crying last night, plus my sofa/bed is really uncomfortable.
Luckily this afternoon we will be going home. Can’t wait to be home!