Anpanman clothes

Our friend & neighbor, Yoko, brought over some Anpanman clothes for Ariel. Anpanman is loved by children in Japan and other parts of Asia. He is the "bald guy" with rosy cheeks. But really, his head is a bun filled with sweet red bean jam. When he fights evil, he often uses part of his head. Then his dad, baker Jam Ojisan bakes him a new head.

There are many other characters in the Anpanman books and cartoons, which we rent sometimes from Dorama DVD rental out the gate. We love Anpanman, too!

Note the initials on this coat!

Arigato, Yoko and Family!

(These are well-loved clothes from her cute kids.)

Busy times at the kichi

(Kichi = base)
Lots of details to accomplish and keep track of! I'm sure you'll understand if I don't respond to emails for a long time. We just really have to focus right now - on preparing for the trip and enjoying our last quiet week at home together.

Feeling organized! Good thing we'll pack light, because baby stuff takes up lots of room.

We can buy supplies there, but would rather be well-prepared for the first couple days.

Ralph (and Doraemon) go to work getting their scent on her clothes.

The ladybug shirt (from the Japanese baby store near us) says "I Am an Energetic" (ladybug.)

The Japanese have a clever way with English.

Gifts for nannies & officials:

cosmetics, pens, pretty handkerchiefs from Japan (but not overtly Japanese)



toys, books, feeding supplies

blankets, bibs, bows......

snackage!

meds

(the clinic here gave us even more, including 2 tubes of scabies cream)

Just a fraction of our paperwork and to-do list.

We're working out concrete travel plans with our super travel agent Sue Sorrels in Texas. She specializes in adoption travel. She's a cat-lover, so we have great rapport!

Gee, hadn't thought of that

For all of you who like to razz us about how much "harder" life will be with a child, I say this:
well, DUH!

Do you understand how long we've waited, and how deliberately we've planned?

Okay, next post will be all rainbows and ponies and sugarcoated things!

A Visa Story

Tuesday, I turned in our visa applications at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. What the embassy lacks in color (shades of gray) it makes up for with efficiency and helpfulness. Even though most signage is in Chinese or Japanese. It's a fun place to be around lots of Chinese people.


Speaking of, I had my first meeting with little Amanda. It was great to see Beth again, this time with baby in tow. This was Amanda's first taste of raspberries, and her "who are you exactly?" look. When I showed her the pictures of Ariel, she held the paper and studied it seriously. Then she looked at me and smiled big.

Cherry blossoms are starting near Beth's house.

Soon to be full of magical light pink blooms



Afterward, I explored Shibuya, a busy shopping area. It's also a place for hip fashion: note the young man on left in a long skirt and man-purse.

Aaah, quick dinner at a sushi-go-round in Omotesando.

I picked up the visas today (Friday), and the boys celebrate.

The visas are basically a pretty sticker (with Great Wall art) on one passport page.

They allow us multiple-entries to China for one year.

The B.O.B.

My sweet husband put together the B.O.B jog stroller from Grandma Alice.

It rides nicely for a smooth, light, and shock-absorbing run.

We'll keep it by the front door to motivate us.

Xie Xie, Mom!

Linda & Aubrey day

Thursday I had lunch at Chili's with Linda and Aubrey. We were stationed together at our last assignment, too. Big brother Ayden and Dad Jun were at preschool and work during our girls' lunch.

Linda & Aubrey playing at their house.

They are great friends and sources for baby info!

Linda & Jun got married just after we turned in our China dossier (spring 2006) so their wedding time is easy to remember.

Linda got to see our car seat, which is just like Ayden's (although his is stylish black.)

Nesting

My friend, Casie, and I went to Joyful Honda last night. It's a home goods department store (doesn't sell cars.)

It's a nester's dream!
We don't have too much stuff to keep organized, but I have a feeling we'll be getting more.
I have a strange desire to stock up on soap, so found a good multipack that smells like lemon meringue pie. I also got several gardening kneepads for more comfortable (for us) bath-giving and bathroom-floor diaper changes.

Sorting through baby clothes for the trip.
Setting aside small, warm-weather clothes.
We'll drape a light blanket over her outside to keep the "clothes police" at bay.

When she's more mobile, we'll move stuff away from the window.
But for now, we and the cats like this room arrangement.


Comfy places for baby & family to snooze



"Get these travel papers organized!"
Jeff comes home tonight from his long TDY, so I'll straighten up a bit!

Care package

We ordered a care package for Ariel from Ann at Red Thread.
I believe Ann lives in Guangzhou. She has a great reputation. She is well-connected, and tries to get updates (measurements and photos) of children while their parents wait.

We ordered the "pajama" care package, which includes a camera. We added a "soft album" and emailed Ann 6 photos and a short letter to be translated.

PS: for any of you wondering, Renee & Joe are IN!!! Hoping to see them in Guangzhou.

おは伊予ございます！

(Ohaiyo gozaimasu = good morning)
At least on this keyboard, it:s easy to type Japanese.

What could happen now? This morning is Monday in Japan and China, but what matters is the time in Virginia. Referral packages are expected in the US Monday. So IF our agency in Virginia gets referrals, they will call us with basic info about our child. It will probably be middle of the night in Tokyo. We asked them to call us at the hotel or on our cell phones, but if they can't get through, an email is fine.

We ｔｈｉｎｋ photos will come later with the original documents(to be delivered to the lab where I volunteer because FedEx doesn't deliver to houses where we live.) Complete translation of the info will come by email later from our agency.

I know all of you wonder when we would travel. Maybe 7-9 weeks after referral (we'll be so busy with paperwork and travel plans. But there is no guarantee when. I wonder how we'll sleep tonight?!

On another note, my hostel is great. I had a roommate from Israel and a breakfast mate from Germany. The place is filled with foods and shampoos from around the world. 2 years ago I stayed in a wonderful hostel in Santiago, Chile. I am thinking of the Chilenos today.

Filler

Juni shi (the Chinese Zodiac)

• I've learned cutting way back on caffeine is good while expecting a referral.



• Yesterday, I subbed an English class for my friend Cameron. I know the ladies (and one man) from previous teaching and a new year's party. We had an English lesson about the Olympics. Then they took me to lunch and taught me Japanese. I love that class!



• They had a good laugh over "juni shi" (12 Chinese zodiac animals.) Because revealing your animal reveals your birth year, and some of them like to keep that a secret.



• I just read a friend's thoughts on the orphan crisis in Haiti. Well-put. Until recently, Jennifer lived in Tokyo, so when I read her pre-referral posts, I feel like I'm re-living her anticipation.
  

I'll be busy greeting a new family tonight/tomorrow, volunteering at the lab, then going to Yuzawa with my culture group for the weekend. One of the ladies has a condo there, so we'll be having a slumber party in tatami rooms. There's a snow festival this weekend with big snow sculptures lit up at night and concerts. Although I'll miss Jeff and the cats, I'm thinking the onsen will feel good!

The Zipliner

Someone was cutting loose in Costa Rica during these freedom months: Florida (Aussie) Fliss!

Filler

You'd think after 4+ years of waiting for this kid, I'd have everything ready and organized, be an expert on child development, medical care, attachment, etc. I used to imagine leisurely reading in a rocking chair, just learning everything I possibly could about the little munchkins.

The reality is, I have read a lot, asked a lot, observed, babysat, gone to classes, listened to podcasts, acquired baby stuff, put the crib together, filled a suitcase with stuff for the trip. But I still feel disorganized, and at some point we have to just do it. We do have a lot ready. Today Handyman Keith came to install a baby gate at the top of the stairs, secure some furniture (most of our walls our cement, so better to use his drilling skills.) I think traveling to China and a little around Asia has been some of our most important preparation. I'm torn about language - enjoying learning Japanese by immersion (and study), but wanting to learn more Mandarin (then there's the issue of regional Chinese languages & dialects.)

My new friend Yaoyao came over today with her two-year-old daughter. Yaoyao is Chinese, now Chinese-American. She is fluent in Mandarin, English, and Japanese. I liked hearing her positive perspective on adoption from China by foreigners. Best of all, her daughter is adorable, and got along very well with Doraemon & Ralph.

Groceries. Middle-right in the orange & red package is "kaki pi." When I tell my off-base friends "Kaki pi ga daisuki desu" (they're my favorite), the jubilant response is always "good with beer!"

Ralph scoping out the fridge.

Our tracking calendar

Bowling with my tomodachi (friends)

Bottom line: getting ready and organized, but having "relax time" too!

The Disneymoon

We had a 3-day weekend, and got a good last-minute hotel deal at Tokyo Disney. It's about two hours away by train. The resort has two parks: Disneyland and Disneysea. We chose Disneysea. It's not a waterpark, but has a nautical theme. Our favorite part is Mermaid Lagoon:

This is the top of Triton's Kingdom, an "underwater" cave with Jumpin' Jellyfish, Blowfish Balloon Race, Ariel's Playground, a Little Mermaid live show, etc.

Tiny riders on Scuttle's Scooters


Descending to the Center of the Earth (a.k.a getting spit out of a volcano!)

All is quiet

Nothing to report. Rumor Queen's been giving us "filler" this time of month: info about sensory activities (good stuff!) and her usual fun fiction recommendations (mysteries & crime - not my genre, but we appreciate her trying to keep us entertained.)

I have fun photos to share later. I admit my previous calm is now replaced with stomach butterflies. Now that I'm over the Yokota Crud (a bad cold), I'm working out again, so that might help.

Thanks to all of you for checking the blog and words of support!

The Supa, etc.

Yesterday my friend Tomoko and her kids helped me pick out groceries at Ozam (supa, pronounced soo-pah, means supermarket.) Clockwise from upper-left: sesame (goma) oil, udon/soba sauce (seaweed flavor), freeze-dried vegetable soup mix, miso sauce for konnyaku, dashi powder, curry boullion.

View from the "nursery" window. We've enjoyed sunny, mild weather this winter. We think our neighborhood and neighbors here are the best!

Serious studying. The Pooh plastic drawers I picked at Cainz (a home store) for their earthquake-friendliness. Other kid stuff (high chair, carseat) is dust-protected under the blue sheet.

Ralph-chan inspecting the car seat (Britax Advocate.) We were also surprised at Christmas with a B.O.B Revolution jog stroller from "Grandma Alice" (Heather's Mom.)

Goofing around upstairs. Photo taken with Gorilla Pod from "Aunt Debbie" (Jeff's sister) and camera from "Grandma Barb and Papa Rich" (Jeff's parents.)

What does it feel like

to be so close? Like this.

(Venice Beach, 2004)

• calm
• relief
• still guarded
• still thinking about some more footloose travel before she arrives!

Yesterday I posted a question on Facebook about crib sheets (how hard they are to fit on the mattress) and got about 15 responses right away. So it's comforting to know we have a great support network here at Yokota and worldwide.

Fence

Good news today! Workers are here removing one tree and some bushes to prepare for our fence (photos show cat pen, not soon-to-be fence.) Although we didn't want to disrupt our beautiful backyard, we think the fence will help corral our kid! Not to mention our bebos:
Right now, Doraemon and Ralph have this pen. It's enclosed by wire mesh on top, so they can't climb out. We'll keep it, but with the fence, we'll probably let them roam around the backyard (supervised, of course!)

As you can see, they've become close buddies during my time away. Jeff let them fight it out in the beginning. Now they just play-wrestle.

Clothes from Audrey-chan

Today we got some new (well-loved) clothes, courtesy of Audrey-chan and the Morales clan. Lots of mix & match pieces for cooler weather. The possible size and type of clothing is starter to come clearer: 6-9, 12 month, winter.... maybe, maybe, don't hold us to it! This picture shows a bit of our packing efforts - an ongoing project for the last 4 years. Earlier this summer, we received these and many other outfits from Audrey-chan. We've seen her wear them, so know how good they look on a dark-haired girl. The blue one does say "Born in the USA." Hmmm. Arigato gozaimasu, Audrey-chan!

Right now, I need to pay attention to this baby (see video):

Hawaii Pal

Yesterday we got a surprise package in the mail. It was this dress and card from my friend Brooks in Hawaii. She has kindly offered to give us a hand if we do the Hawaii trip for naturalization. Thanks, Brooks!

Bottle Practice

Last night Jeff & I had bottle practice. We had a few Playtex Drop-in types with liners, some 4-ounce Avent bottles, and a Dr. Brown's. Plus, we had various nipples and a box of Enfamil packets. Most of this came from a friend who only breast-fed, so never used her bottle assortment (thank you!)

I was intent on looking at the mechanics of all the bottles and various nipple types (slow, medium, fast flow.) But Jeff was smart and got right to the point of mixing. We thought the Playtex Drop-ins were a bit weird, but the little Avent bottles were nice. We didn't try the Dr. Brown's, because I didn't want to clean all the parts. Jeff thought the Enfamil tasted okay (yes, we bottle-fed ourselves), and I thought it was yucky (I'd been told this, but didn't believe it until now!)

Ralph watched all this curiously from atop the couch. I offered him a bottle, but he didn't want it. We did learn we'll need a bottle-drying rack for all the little parts. Our child might be a bit past the bottle stage, but we'll want to baby her and offer her the extra nutrition (they say it's great for bonding, too.)