I had kinako (soybean flour) today. It is not really a “food”, but more like a flavoring. It is used on Japanese sweets like mochi, but is also added to other snack foods. It is a difficult flavor to describe. A bit nutty and a bit fragrant. I had it mixed in with yogurt and pumpkin, so it was a pretty good dessert!
You may have noticed a change with my hair. My hair is getting so long that it gets in my eyes sometimes. I thought about getting a haircut but instead opted for a new hairstyle. I had Daddy tie my hair up in a topknot, like a samurai or sumo wrestler. I think it looks pretty cool. But it also just looks pretty! I have a feeling that I’ll be mistaken for a girl even more than before. On second thought, I look more like unicorn than a samurai. Still, it keeps my hair out of my eyes and that’s the main reason I’m doing this.
I’m so good at standing that I can stay on my feet for quite a long time. It kind of seems like I’m on my feet for most of the day. The coffee table is just the right height for me to reach up and pull myself to my feet. Also there is usually a lot of stuff for me to play with there. A lot of it is not meant for me to have, so Mommy and Daddy have to put it away or move it out of my reach.
I’m very steady on my feet but sometimes lose my concentration and fall down. Most of the times I fall the right way, onto my butt. Sometimes I completely lose my balance and topple over. I usually protect my head, but sometimes I don’t. The mat is cushioned and protects me, but even when I fall on the flooring I am okay. I catch myself enough not to really hurt my head.
Sometimes I find other things to play with and somewhat awkwardly lower (or throw) myself back down to the floor.
I had another playdate with my friend. This time we went to a city run playroom/temporary day care facility. Basically, the city knows parents need a couple hours off to run some errands so there is a facility in the city center that offers to watch your babies for 600 yen and hour. That is much cheaper than hiring a baby sitter and it is run by trained and license child carers. The facility also has a open play area for free just to give you and your baby some safe space outside of your home.
So we came here to play and get used to the facility just in case I have to use it for a couple of hours in the future. It was a really nice place and big, but I didn’t explore much. I just stayed near Mommy, my friend, and her mommy.
We were there for quite some time. We even ate our lunch there. Mommy packed a lunch for me and my friend had a bottle of formula. Mommy hadn’t thought about her own meal, but Daddy was way ahead of her and made some Spam musubi for her and my friends mother. We had a great meal and a great time playing!
I feel like it goes without saying, but I tried a new food today, okra, and of course I liked it. I’m still liking everything! As you can see from the video, I get quite demanding when eating. I pound on my table as if to say, “Food, NOW!” It may look rude, but it is quite polite. More like, “If you don’t mind, I would greatly appreciate some sustenance at your earliest convenience.” Nah, I’m demanding.
Just half playing and half relaxing with Daddy on the couch.
The weather was quite nice today, so Mommy and I went to the park. There weren’t that many people around so the swings were open. I had a great time! Now that I’m used to sitting and balancing, the swings are so much more fun!
It’s nice to be at home, but there is also a lot to do outside. Maybe I’ll ask Mommy if we can go to the park today.
I know what you are thinking, don’t I already eat eggs? Yes, but no. Until today, I have only eaten egg yolks. There seems to be a higher risk of being allergic to egg whites than egg yolks so babies are given the yolks before the whites. But I have no reactions to egg yolks and I am older, so today I tried egg whites. As with most new foods, I liked it and wanted more!
Must climb couch. Must climb couch! Why? Because it is there!
This is just me sitting and playing. It is hard to believe that I used to lie down my tummy and play. And even before that I could only lie on my back and play with the things hanging above me from my play mat. I’m so happy that I can sit and do so much more during playtime.
Just relaxing against Daddy’s knee.
Mommy was eating a banana as part of her breakfast and when I saw this I immediately shuffled across the floor to her, stood up, and proceeded to steal her banana. I recognized it as something that I not only am able to eat, but like to eat. I easily finished off the rest of her banana. Mommy looked full anyway. The nice thing is that now I know I new way to eat bananas. Up until now I had it cut and spoon fed to me. I quite like just chomping at it as is. No utensils required.
While at home, there are four places where I spend my day: on the floor, on the couch, at the table, in my chair.
Naturally, the floor is the most spacious and it is where I do my crawling, playing, and overall exploring.
The couch is my new challenge. Sometimes I’m put on the couch, but I’m working on getting there on my own. Even though it has only been 10 days since I learned how to pull myself up to standing, I’m already looking to learn how to climb onto the couch.
I spend a lot of time at the table because there are things on there that I can reach or almost reach. Mommy and Daddy are always moving those things away from me, so they must be fun to play with and I want them even more. Even when I can’t get my hands on those things, I can at least chew on the table.
And of course, last but definitely not least, is my chair. This is my happy place. This is where I eat, and I love eating!
So, that is where I spend my time at home. I know there are other places to explore. I’ll get there soon enough.
Daddy was taking a nap on the couch, so I made sure to check up on him a lot by pulling at his blanket and his beard when I could reach it. (Man, these parents sure try take naps whenever they have the opportunity. It must be tough taking care of a baby.) Eventually Daddy moved to the bedroom for some solid rest. He was feeling quite fatigued from this thing called a booster shot. I hope he feels better soon. Maybe I should check on him again. Oh, Mommy says no, I should let him rest. Okay. But we are going to play twice as much once he recovers.
Every week I chat with Grandma and Grandpa and show off how much I’ve grown since the last time they saw me. At first, when I was a newborn, I didn’t do much. Still, they were enthralled by watching me. But they have to admit that I’m much more interesting and entertaining now that I’m older, bigger, and more active. I’m also more interactive. Today I kept trying to touch their faces through the iPad screen and even gave them (or more accurately the iPad) a big hug! I am no longer only be watched but doing some watching of my own. These chats are getting to be two-way streets. We even played chase together as I chased them around with the help of my camera-operator Daddy. I really look forward to our chats and cannot wait to see them in real life. If it is this much fun through FaceTime, imagine how great it will be in real life!
Sometimes when I eat, I get so excited that I can’t control myself. I start slamming my hand on the table demanding more food. I know that it is not good table manners, but what’s a hungry boy to do?
Not only did I make demands, but I also made denials. Well, not really. I was happy so I was shaking my head back and forth as if saying “No, no, no”. Recently when I’m asked a question, especially “Yes?”, I shake my head in denial. But it is mainly me just having fun and enjoying the head rush I get from shaking my head.
I woke up in a good mood and got right to playing. I didn’t know what our plans were for today, but if I’m going to be in my baby carrier again, I want to make use of my freedom while I can.
I had beef for the first time today! Yum! That stuff is good! Very meaty. I’ve noticed that Daddy likes to eat a lot of meaty things like steaks and hamburgers. I can’t wait until I get to try it. Until then, I am happy with all the good food Mommy cooks up for me. Yum, yum, YUM!
After returning home from our short outing in the city, I enjoyed the freedom of being back at home. I could crawl around, sit up, play with toys and play with Daddy.
I could roam around and pull myself up to standing.
After all those activities I had the freedom to just sit and relax.
And since we weren’t in public anymore and I didn’t have to mind my manners anymore, I could chew on my toes because that is what I wanted to do all day!
