#274 Puppy Influencer
01 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Beignet is now the kind of dog brands will send free stuff to sample in the mail.
#275 Book of Orders
02 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Ya boy is becoming a deacon.
#276 Vampire Weekend
03 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Wisdom’s a gift but you’d trade it for youth.
Walcott takes me back to driving around my senior year. Horchata takes me back to unpacking my bags my first day in Italy when moving into the yellow painted apartment. Step will take me back to spending the Fourth of July in London and my friend’s British dad grilling hot dogs to celebrate the “special relationship.” Harmony Hall takes me back to earlier this year, moving out of our old apartment shortly before discovering we were pregnant.
Vampire Weekend, thanks for being the soundtrack to most of my twenties and our last show before becoming parents.
I wondered if we would even get to use our tickets for this show or if our baby would try and make his way into the world to the tune of Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa. Thankfully we made it through.
Also, based on his in utero movements this kid loves concerts. That should be fun in a few years.
#277 UTC Errands
04 October 2019 // La Jolla, California
Quick repairs in the middle of a Friday.
#278 Eucalyptus Grove
05 October 2019 // Carlsbad, California
Sweet discovery of some very mild hiking trails.
#279 Neighborhood Alleyways
06 October 2019 // San Diego, California
One last stretch of being able to easily go on double dates, movie outings, and the like before kids.
#280 Nursery Mountains
07 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Pretty happy with how this mural paint job in our nursery turned out.
#281 Raid the Office
08 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Our office neighbors were going out of business which gave me a chance to swoop in on some goodies. Including:
• A non-numerical weighing scale
• A Nerf gun
• A Cat Palm tree
• A velvet VIP rope
• A sack of baseballs & softballs
#282 Deanna’s 30th
09 October 2019 // San Diego, California
It’s Deanna’s birthday!!
30. 💥💥💥
And to say this has been a big year would be the understatement of a lifetime.
Speaking of understatements, proud doesn’t even begin to describe how I’ve been feeling about Deanna all year. And beyond. I can’t imagine being with somebody more giving, more resilient, and more hope-giving. Despite every obstacle.
So many people are alive because she does what she does. So many people’s lives are better because she is who she is. 🌎
I keep thinking how lucky our kid is gonna be to have his mom. And I can say that cause I’m the guy whose lucky enough to be married to her.
I get excited when this boy shows he’s got a mind of his own in utero. I want to take it as a sign he’s got her strong will and fighter spirit, and if he uses that the way she does, he’s gonna be on his way to great things.
Happy birthday Dee!
#283 The Nursery
10 October 2019 // San Diego, California
A little preview at our nursery-in-progress!
With the due date creeping closer, much of my creative energy has gone towards designing this nursery: putting together the crib, painting his wall mural, assembling a changing table, etc.
Actually, most of any kind of energy I have these days goes towards getting ready for the kid, but I guess that’s our new normal.
#284 Corey & Curren
11 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Office family potluck at the Bay.
#285 30th Birthday Surprise
12 October 2019 // Carlsbad, California
Throwing a surprise party for Deanna isn’t always an easy thing. On Saturday I had to deflect so many of her ideas that would’ve taken us away from the Windmill where I had her friends hide. But, we got her to the right spot and the right time and it was a success.
Such a fun weekend of eating and exploring with Daniel, Joy, Caytlin, and Daniel. Thanks for pulling this off, everybody!
#286 Joy and Daniel in Balboa
13 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Daniel is about to strike it Insta-famous. Good for him!
#287 Andouille Jambalaya
14 October 2019 // San Diego, California
A bit of andouille makes a bunch of things better.
#288 Lestat’s on Park
15 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Great week featuring a few last meet-ups before the baby gets here.
#289 Corner Complex
16 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Looking back at what used to be my nightly route home.
#290 Philz Alley
17 October 2019 // La Jolla, California
I’ve been getting in a bunch of hangouts with other recent dads and I’m sure that’s no coincidence.
#291 Basic Taco Bell
18 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Deanna’s pregnancy cravings are sometimes the easiest thing to give into.
#292 Lobster Dog
19 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Somebody’s Halloween costume just doesn’t quite fit.
#293 Rohr Park Walk
20 October 2019 // Bonita, California
Sweet discovery of a new walking spot with Beignet.
#294 Empty Office
21 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Last few days of work before paternity leave begins.
#295 Last Week Before Fatherhood
22 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Hey kiddddddd.
We’ll be hanging out this time next week, most likely. We can’t wait to welcome you into our fun-loving, stubbornly-strong-willed family. I get the sense you’ll fit right in to that.
I’m trying to soak up every spare moment of this sweet season. Everything around me feels like caught up in an atmosphere of warmth and sweetness, which is funny because most of the pregnancy has been like a wild mine cart ride.
But these days, peace almost feels tangible. What a moment we’re in.
#296 Dear America
23 October 2019 // San Diego, California
What makes someone a citizen?
Papers? Loyalty? Community?
“I refuse to live a life of fear defined by a government that doesn't even know why it fears what it fears. Because I am not a citizen by law or by birth, I've had to create and hold on to a different kind of citizenship.... Citizenship is showing up. Citizenship is using your voice while making sure you hear other people around you. Citizenship is how you live your life.”
–Jose Antonio Vargas
I put off reading this book for way too long. This was only, believe it or not, the second book ever that I’ve read by a Filipino American author. But I’m glad I got to it. Jose’s voice is such an important one.
This was a book about separation and belonging. Whenever our understanding of migration and citizenship loses the human element, we move towards separation. Not just separating people with international borders, but separating ourselves from each other and our shared humanity.
When I think of citizenship or migration issues, I’m tempted to think in terms of policy or technicalities. I like to know the statistics behind migration, the main causes, the demographic makeup, and all that. That knowledge is helpful, but this book helped me see things with a little more clarity and a little more empathy.
#297 Outside at Yerba
24 October 2019 // San Diego, California
A final outing with John while he’s in town.
#298 Ordered a Mountain
25 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Sneaking in last minute date nights before baby shows up. We accidentally ordered this mountain.
#299 Last Hike as Three
26 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Went to the Tijuana River Estuary for one more hike as a crew of three. Whats with the faces, Beignet?
#300 Last WEEKEND BEFORE KIDS
27 October 2019 // San Diego, California
This time for real- our last weekend outing before kids. Went out for a little nature stroll at the San Diego Presidio trail.
#301 MONDAY NIGHT AT ALEXANDER’S
28 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Love this Monday night spot. Where else can you get pizza and beer at somewhere this fancy for so cheap??
#302 LAST DAY BEFORE PATERNITY LEAVE
29 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Leaving the office for one more time. Be back here after a while, when things are pretty different.
#303 TWO HAPPY GRANDMAS
30 October 2019 // San Diego, California
Went for one more dinner before delivery at a place where this all began… Pop Pie Co.
#304 RHYS MIGUEL
31 October 2019 // San Diego, California
What a blessing. What an adventure. What a journey. And you know what? It’s simply just begun!⠀⠀
Rhys Miguel Lazaro arrived at 8:09 in the morning of October 31st at 7lbs 4oz, and 19 inches long.⠀
I am so in love with this guy! I can’t believe I get to be his dad.
Deanna is recovering and is doing well. Rhys is a strong and healthy baby. It seems like he has his mom’s strength and spirit. I couldn’t be prouder of the two of them.