Year of the Rabbit

Another year has gone by in the Chinese calendar. It is now the Year of the Rabbit. Exactly one year ago, we were celebrating the Year of the Tiger, and the anticipated arrival of our little bundle of joy. And almost one year ago, we told our families about our good news, and Vancouver was gearing up for the Olympics.

I remember it all like yesterday. I was in the throes of nausea at that time, hating all food and trying to consume enough calories to eat in a day so my baby wouldn't starve. I remember not being able to look/smell or taste chicken and could never imagine I would ever want to eat it again. I remember the anxiety- praying every day that I would make it safely out of the first trimester, and DYING to tell everybody our news. I remember sleeping more than I have ever slept in my life. I remember struggling to take the bus to work, and pray that I wouldn't get sick on it. I remember being half alive at my desk at work, but on good days, being able to take a walk at lunch time to enjoy the Olympic festivities. I remember this being the start of all of my feverish internet activity- googling absolutely everything that had to do with pregnancy, symptoms, what to expect etc. I remember talking to our unborn baby every day, and feeling the most overwhelming emotions.

When we chose the name Griffin, we wanted a name that would be as equally powerful as the astrology sign he was born under. Some of the traits of a Tiger are courage, vehemence, self-reliance, friendliness, hopefulness and resilience. It is suggested that being born in the Year of the Tiger is one of the strongest and most powerful animal signs in the Chinese calendar. The name Griffin in Greek mythology was a fierce creature. We thought that tied in perfectly with him being born in the Year of the Tiger, as our wish for him is to grow up to be strong and powerful (not only physically, but mentally).

Indeed, Griffin is not shy about letting us know what he wants and is quite verbal about it. I know that I have said this before, but I am so completely in awe with all of his little antics. He is just becoming such a little boy now. He is like a little monkey, climbing all over us, and doing the silliest things. His new thing is positioning himself in my arms so he is hanging upside down. I have no idea why he does this, but I just let him take the lead. He does this when he is sitting in my lap as well, and will bend all the way back so his head is hanging upside down. Since I do not have a little girl, I am not sure if this is something that all babies do. But I do happen to believe that there are some behaviours that boys do vs little girls. I didn't know what to expect when having a son, but I find him so completely entertaining, and can't wait to see what's in store in the Year of the Rabbit.