our sons

the boys in harmony

It's nice when all 5 of us are in a room together (happens surprisingly often!)

"Dad, I'll take the fish entree, but not the prunes."

(We were just trying to feed Ariel in the backyard.) This is an old, but good, stroller we've used to stroll the cats (in their Sherpa bags) the past 2 years.

We love you, boys!

a drive to the lake

Our neighbor & friend Tracy, hit the road with Ariel & me last Tuesday. We drove to Lake Okutama in the western edge of Tokyo Prefecture. Tracy is a fellow animal-lover, and also loves Ariel (surprise, surprise.)

"Tracy, who's that cute baby in your sunglasses?"

It's so fresh and quiet up here. We saw big fish in the lake, and had some amazing mountain vistas. Tanoshikatta, Tracy!

Fresh as a daisy

Jeff, bedraggled from work, comes home to a freshly-bathed Ariel.

For once, I was coordinated enough to properly use a hooded towel.

Getting better at "solid" foods

feeling adventurous

The trick is to give her a small bottle first. She likes sweet and savory, in any order.

"It's best when I'm in control of my mouth."

Bananas, sweet potatoes, applesauce, rice-fish-veggie mix

Ganbatte (go for it) Ariel!

Exersaucer

We bought this from a family at Yokota through Yokota Ads (our version of Craigslist.) She liked it right away, especially the sun.

We try not to keep her in it too much. It's useful after she drinks a bottle, so she digests instead of spitting up.

"All this, just for me!"


"Sarah, I'm happy to play with you."
Sarah is 6 weeks older than Ariel, so really shows her the ropes.

The A Report

• Ariel is about 15 pounds (depends on her input-output)
• Likes meeting people, especially other kids
• Wants to crawl
• Mostly on formula (switched to American formula just fine; also likes Japanese formula)
• Responds with joy to dolls, cats, and anything that kisses her or that she can kiss/pet
• Pets cats with fingertips mostly, and wants to grab their fur
• Sleeps through the night most of the time
• Loves to go out sightseeing, but naps anywhere as needed
• Is a real silly-willikers when she plays with us

Ralph & Doraemon are getting used to her. Doraemon is calm around her. Ralph is a bit wary (with good reason), but tries to be affectionate and protective with Ariel.

Kitchen fun

watching her brothers and trying to copy the crawling Mickey toy from Crystal

Solid food time!

The kitchen was a tornado in the first few days home. It's more under control now. She's mostly averse to solid foods, but this night she was eating with gusto. The favorite was a Japanese baby food puree of carrots, red peppers, onions, and liver! So much for starting simple.

friends

Thinking of friends Joe & Renee and Crystal & David who met their children in China today.

first Moritown visit

Moritown is our favorite mall. It has a Toys R Us, movie theater, food court, play areas, and pretty outdoor area.

ready to roll

Do we have enough yen, Ariel?

meeting Kapibarasan

Baikinman, you're not all bad!

Anpanman!

Kids & adults love him.

train ride with Dad

first commissary visit

The commissary is our grocery store.

donuts are for special treats

domestic bliss

not eating cheerios yet

but maybe some applesauce

exercise with Dad

this is living!

Together at last!

our recent adoptees

Ariel visits the clinic

What's up, Doc?

Checkup good with Dr. Tyson Brown.

Prescription for lots of tummy time and trying solid foods.

Ariel meets Major Denise Lennon. She's in charge of the lab where I volunteered the past year and a half. She is one nice lady and fellow medical laboratory scientist.

the return home

In Honolulu, waiting to board Japan Airlines (JAL) flight to Tokyo's Narita Airport


Napping on the plane
JAL provided a bassinet. Between naps, she was delightful on the flight.

Angela & baby Sarah picked us up! Ariel cried furiously on the way home, we think because of the long day and teething pain. Angela & Sarah were good sports about it. They had sandwiches for us in the car.

So, this is her.

We missed you so much, boys!

Last afternoon in Hawaii

If you think I was brief on words before, well just don't even expect captions for a while. (But I'll try.) These photos are from our last afternoon/evening in Hawaii.

Working on a special project for Target

Aaah, Target!



Strolling in Brooks' neighborhood

We were destined to come here (signs say Parks Rd and Parks Dr.)

"You've been a good friend to me, Trouble."

Our home away from home