So my time in beautiful sunny Hawaii is coming to a close. This has been the fastest and best month in probably the last 5 years, I guess since moving to Shanghai. It all seems like a dream, waking up each morning to sunshine 80degree weather and ocean views. Even Tanner is loving it more here. He used to sleep all day long in Shanghai. But for some reason since arriving in Hawaii, he doesn't like to nap at all during the day. He'll take a few short catnaps but other than that he's always up and ready to go. He loves taking walks in his stroller and has the best time just playing around outside on a blanket in the grass. He loves staring at trees, the blue sky, and follows the pigeons around on the ground with his eyes. He talks a lot more here and just seems overall more stimulated and more vibrant.

So now that we are one week away from returning to Shanghai, I can't help but be overwhelmed with sadness. No more will we have our daily walks to the beach park, no more will have our afternoons in the park, no more will we have NON-SMOKING restaurants. I keep wondering how are we going to survive Shanghai after having seen how good it can be. But then I think to all my fellow parents out there with babies living in Shanghai and wonder how do you all do it and make the best of it? Sure I won't have a lot of the same things as I had here, but what makes Shanghai survivable for babies or kids in general?