Father and Son 父與子

盡在不言中。

The picture says it all.

Patrick came home 出院回家

從醫院回到家的情景我還歷歷在目，我非常非常的恐慌。Alex需要出去一下，我忽然覺得非常無助，不知該怎麼對待這個小東西，該一直抱著他，還是把他放下來，該逗他玩嗎？萬一他哭了，要怎麼哄他呢？

那晚，Patrick一直不能睡，哭呀哭不停，什麼都試過了可是都沒用，後來我抱著他一起躺在客廳的沙發上，他終於靜下來睡了，一直到那刻，我才有信心可以照顧這個小嬰兒。

I still remember when we came home from Hospital, how terrified I was. Yes, terrified. Alex needed to leave the house for some reason, And I suddenly felt so helpless. I really had no idea what to do with Patrick. "Do I have to play with him." "What if he cries, what should I do?"

That night, Patrick couldn't sleep. He cried and cried. I tried everything but nothing worked. Finally, I held him and lay down together on the sofa. Eventually, he calmed down and fell asleep. Until that moment, I believed I can be a mother and take care of this little infant.

The Big Day

And it was the big day. Patrick arrived!

The New Sofa 新沙發

預產期已經快到了，我們又趕緊添購另一套沙發，以備家人親友來訪，當然還有嬰兒必需品，小床、娃娃車。對於所有的這些嬰兒用品和採購的過程，我都覺得好陌生，儘管真真實實地感覺到胎動，我還是不能相信這些會發生在我身上，真是非常不進入狀況。

The due day was apporaching. We bought another set of sofa in case family and friends came over to visit us. Certainly, some baby essential too, crib, stroller... Everything was so new to me. Even the baby kicking was very real, I still wondered -- how come this is happening to me?

First Holloween, 第一個萬聖節

萬聖節是許多美國小朋友最喜歡的節日之一，初到異鄉的我實在不懂為什麼，因為家家戶戶裝飾的巫婆、骷顱頭、各式鬼怪，真是逼真又駭人，小孩子難道不怕嗎？後來有了小孩，我就明白了。

In American, Holloween is many children's favorite holiday. I didn't get it, how come they are not afraid of the spooky decorations? The witches, monsters, skelotons look so real and scary. But after experiencing trick or treat, I know the answer.

Parade 軍事遊行

第一次在美國看遊行的感覺很有趣，覺得他們好隨便喔，沒有阿兵哥整齊的步伐，坦克車也比較像是出來逛大街，可以蛇行嚇嚇路邊的人。但是非常歡樂，遊行和看遊行的人都是。

Home, Sweet Home, 2001

接著，我們買了一輛中古車，一台自行車讓他上班，這時Baby也快來了，　增添更多的家具，越來越有一個小家庭的樣子。

We got the first car for me, first bike for him and first baby on the way. We also added more furnitures. Our home looked more like a home.

Our first apartment, 2001

我們在這個出租公寓待了約兩年半的時間，沙發床是我們的第一個家具，然後添購了電視櫃、書桌、餐桌和椅子。

We stayed in this apartment for about two and half years. The sofabed was our first furniture. Then the media center, desk, dining table and chairs.......