The A report

• thoroughly enjoyed grandparent visit, and all their baby-entertaining tricks
• pulling up on things (and us)
• can stand a few seconds by herself
• crawling a little (traditional style) and practices "downward dog"
• talks mostly in the evenings (to us and to herself)
• likes turkey-rice dinner mixed with peas
• plays in cat water bowls

Sassy box

Mom's friends, the "Sassys", sent gifts for Ariel.

Ralph & Doraemon appreciate baby gifts, too!

Dinosaur bib!

cool bath book, etc.

Ready for Paris!

(She pulled it sideways herself.)

Merci beaucoup, Sassys!

Tachikawa

Jeff was born in Tachikawa, and it's one of our favorite places to go. It's only about 5 miles from Yokota, but we always take the train. The area around Tachikawa train station has tall buildings, bright lights, and skywalks, so it's like a mini-Tokyo.

Rich & Jeff at Tachikawa Station

Asleep at the Disney Store (6th floor of Takashimaya department store is the kids' stuff.)

"Let's go to the park!"

Ariel loves riding on Jeff's shoulders. Lately, she leans around to kiss him on the lips. She does it over and over, and smiles big each time.

Barb & Rich with Ariel at Showa Park

The park used to be US military land.

On the park train, napping with Papa Rich

baptism

These photos are from June 20th, 9:15 AM Catholic Mass at Yokota Main Chapel.

Ariel in her christening bonnet. Later, she is supposed to carry it at her wedding.

Walking in. Parker and Mindy (God-brother and God-sister) lead the way.

Our friends, the Dungcas, with their new baby. Ariel reached for the other baby a lot.

After the water pouring. She was so brave!

We all hold the candle with Ariel's God family, the Martinez' (our next-door neighbors.)

After the water, Father Kowalic put oil on her head. Her head smelled like cloves and incense for a couple days.

Since Jeff is Catholic, and I don't subscribe to any organized religion, it's a good thing Ariel has spiritual guidance right next door! Mindy prayed that we would get a baby every night for almost two years before Ariel came. Thanks, Martinez Family!

shower

These photos are from Ariel's June 19th welcome home party. I only have a few photos, but will get more from my friend Angela B., who hosted it along with Marisa. It was very nice. Even my Tokyo Culture Group came. The relaxing jazz music made Ariel feel right at home.

brother time

Doraemon is never far from the baby.

"Ralph, show me how it's done."

at Joyful Honda

appreciating Japanese toilets and their many features

playing "boo" with the big black roll

Zoe Mei meets her forever family

Karen & Kevin received their referral for Zoe Mei (Gang Hao Mei) the same day we did for Ariel (Gang Hao Liang.) They are from the same orphanage, about the same age, and probably cribmates. Karen & Kevin had delays in traveling to meet Zoe Mei, but yesterday, they finally got her! Ariel kissed Zoe Mei's picture on my itouch.

Follow their adventures at Karen and Kevin Plus Seven.

Mama takes a break

Ariel was in good hands, so I rode my bike to Showa Park.

Open Field (one of many)


kemushi (caterpillar)

my kind of innertube (stag beetles)

at Dragonfly Marsh

the Japanese Garden

Irises in bloom

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Jeff! (who's always been a great cat daddy)
And to Papa Rich!

We had a nice father's day, except Jeff wasn't feeling well, so we were kind of out of it. Ariel was baptized at the Yokota Main Chapel at the 9:15 AM Catholic Mass. The other baby baptized at the same time was Elana Duncga (Jay & Edel are also part of Jeff's office.) Ariel had a whole God family stand up with her: our neighbors the Martinez family (Shannon, Marty, Mindy, and Parker.) So she also has a God sister & brother, and two God cats (Randolph & Maybank.) Sadly, their 16-year-old dog, Sarah, passed away last Sunday. But she can still be God dog in spirit.

Photos of her baptism to follow.

at the YCC

The YCC (Yokota Community Center) is our place for shopping, eating, and socializing.

"Papa Rich, will you buy me one?"

We've had her two months now!

mirror fun in the Japanese study room (the bathroom)

Seeing herself in the mirror is so grounding for her. If I were that cute, I'd want to see myself a lot, too!

"I'm starting to crawl with my own style and pace."

Ariel's welcome home party was today at the Yokota Officer's Club. Photos of that to follow. It was so nice. Big thanks to our friends who hosted it, and to all our friends who came!

Grandma Barb and Papa Rich are here

Jeff's parents arrived last night. Ariel is having fun getting to know them. The cats are happy to see them, too (this is their first time meeting Doraemon.) Barb & Rich, Debbie & Jeff were stationed here in the early '70s, so it's familiar territory.

dinner at Moritown Mall

cruising Toys R Us with Papa Rich

She's 10 months old today

Our sweet Ariel had a lot of energy today for socializing and playing. She's working on the crawl.
We are so proud of her!

Ultra-Kawaii

Kawaii means cute.

Random FAQs

How do you pronounce Doraemon (our cat's name)?
We say "dorry-mon" (rhymes with "story-mon".) This is easier for our American mouths.
But the correct Japanese pronunciation is "doh-RYE-moan" (the r is hard, and almost more like an l, like a hard spanish r.) We pronounce it both ways, but "dorry-mon" sounds more loving. Doraemon is a famous cartoon cat in Japan. When they sing his name in the theme song, it sounds more like "dora-eh-mon."

What does "sakana no ko" mean?
Little fish, or little fish girl (in the context of Ponyo, the movie.)
Sakana means fish, no means of, and ko means little/child/baby. Pronounced "sah-kah-nah noe koe." It's from the theme song to Ponyo, a very popular Japanese movie about a fish who wants to be a girl.

Happy Birthday, Kent!

Friends Marina, Kent, and their fun family live down the street from us. Kent was a tiny lad when we first met. Ariel was thrilled to attend her first "big kid" birthday party. Happy birthday, little Pooh-boy!

Goodbye, Ohs

Time to say a sad goodbye to Linda, Jun, Ayden & Aubrey Oh. We've been stationed together for 6 years now. Jun is deploying, and Linda and the kids are moving stateside. Jun and Jeff will be at some pre-deployment training together this summer and fall. Yes, the guys are both deploying for one year (Jeff to Afghanistan, Jun to Iraq.) Ariel & I will stay in Japan. Just something we have to deal with as military families, so best to be supportive and not act like it's a huge tragedy. Many families go through it.

Linda & Jun were married when our paperwork went to China, so they've been waiting with us the whole time. And they had two adorable babies during the wait!