Hiroko's Hitokoto

バッグ持って Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda It's her favorite bag. She carries it everywhere she goes.

新しい乗り物 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

ラ・フランス Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She showed an interest when I was eating a pear, and started biting it!

クリスマスプレゼント Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda My husband got me this for Christmas present. I love the pretzel.

Had lunch with the mothers at Hills since Yuuka's back in Japan after 3 months in India. They're loving their life there: two maids and a big house, a car with driver.... Tonchan had her very first pizza for lunch.

CYMBAL MONKEY Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She's got some music instruments for her Christmas present, and cymbal is her favorite.

Went to Yoshida's for Christmas party in the afternoon. We love coming to their parties since they always have people who cook great food. Tonchan was playing with a dog , and Marin, and uncle Roy scared her.... . Photos are here .

寝起き Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

CSI HIROKO Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Taking off meat from turky...

気持ちいいね Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She found a comfortable spot on her father's buttocks...

新しいバッグ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Got this bag from a woman from work through a catalog gift of her baby's birth, since we gave her some baby stuff.

ご機嫌 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

吉原殿中 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

IMG_0211.JPG Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

久恵さん結婚写真 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Tonchan's G grand mother's wedding picture. G grand father looks really good in the suit!

久恵さんと書 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Tonchan's G grand mother in junior high with her calligraphy which won national award at that time.

ここにも私がいる！ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Found a photo of my mother and her brother. I see genetics....she looks like me....

つくば Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Visited my grand mother, Tonchan's great grand mother today.

髪を切りました Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Had enough with long hair, went to hair cut today to cut this short since junior high.

働き者 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She likes pushing our laundry basket, and we put her to work. Child labor....

AISクリスマスパーティ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Went to Azabu Int'l School for their Christmas party and she's got her Christmas present!

銀杏 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Took a walk to Arisugawa park. Ginkgo trees turned their leaves gold, and the contrast with sky was beautiful.

散歩 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She's getting better, I hope. Doesn't eat, and still seeks breast milk almost every hour....

プレッツェル Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Went to Hills for walk since she's getting a little better. They had Christmas market and German stuff were there for sale. We bought a pretzel for snack.

元気になってきました Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

テレビ観賞中 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

唯果と Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Visited Yuika's this afternoon. Yesterday was her 1st brirthday. She cries if the other baby comes closer to her, on the other hand, Tonchan so wants to be closer to her. So, every time she approaches, Yuika cries. Tonchan looked very confused, but she kept trying. After 12 of Yuika's cry, they started playing on my stuff in the bag.

やっと寝た Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

TONY IRONING Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Big Tony came over between his trip back to US from China for business, and stayed with us for a couple of nights. Tonchan was happy that he played with her, and she's now watching him iron his jeans.

MOS BURGER Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Went to Muji in Ginza. Had snack at MOS Burger, and she tried my burger. We're such bad parents, feeding kids burger, french fries, let her watch TV, etc....

お手伝い Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

お見送り Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Since we woke up 5:00 a.m., we went to see him off to work at the station, then continue to walk. Had snack at TSUTAYA in the Hills: not very crowded 8:00 in the morning.

We started the day early, 4:10. Beautiful weather today. 20C/70C, pretty warm for Nov. So, we took walk in the afternoon, then had dinner around 4 pm, then went to bed around 5 pm...

10 hour flight from SFO to NRT wasn't bad. We took courtesy taxi since we flew business back to home, and went to bed around 5 in the afternoon. Tonchan woke up 3 in the morning: definitely jet lagged. So, we three woke up and started the early day. Around 3 in the afternoon, Tonchan was sleepy and gave her breast milk, then we both passed out....

We couldn't see very much last night, but Bernardus Lodge is a beautiful hotel. Too bad we stayed only one night, and we don't drink (they had three bottles of wines in the room for us). K and Z came to pick us up, and we had lunch there. Pretty good food. Tonchan enjoyed her "pomme fret". The drive to Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel was crazy. Winding road for about 40 min, then we were lost at the preserve: too large, too much nature, not many landmarks to make turns. Anyhow, we made it to the lodge, had some iced tea with Jen and friends, and had some nap before the BBQ of rehearsal dinner, which was great. Peter showed up as Clint Eastwood from macaroni Western, and Jen in her mother's wedding dress from 60's. I'm sure it made her mother very happy. After Tonchan hanging out with the other kids, we asked Coco's family to drive us to the lodge, and went to bed.

Flew from New Ark to San Jose on Thu evening. The flight was fine but we arrived 23:00 for us, waited an hour for the car to pick us up, drove for about 2 hours, then checked in around 2 mid night.... We were so tired and so miserable...

To celebrate the victory, bought Sox baseball cap for Tonchan, which she doesn't appreciate very much...

3 hours of Amtrak ride was not bad. We sat next to a couple with 13 months old girl, and Tonchan was happy meeting a little friend. We checked in Hilton Boston, took a walk and checked out Quincy Market. Then we got back to hotel, had room service, then went to sleep. Evan and Miho came to pick us up this morning, when somehow Tonchan managed to loosen the mouth wash and sucked some of it...!! Oh well.... Evan took us to Duck Tour, after we had clam chowder. Yes, Tonchan had it, too! Then we picked up Miho san, and went to their house (actually, his father's) and had early Thai dinner. Tonchan had some rice and dumplings. She also met their dog, the first time to see the dog. She was curious from far, but scared to be close... They drove us back to hotel, while she took nap on the car, and said bye bye to both of them. It was great to see both of them are doing great.

We're off to Boston this afternoon by Amtrak!

Ren left for the 2nd part of his business trip this morning. We stayed home all day today as we were tired from yesterday...

Took Metro North to Grand Central to see G-Grandma and Grandpa for lunch at Rodeo Bar in Manhattan. GG was in good shape as usual and, oh my, she talks a lot!! Lee-kun came by and we went to his place for break before coming home. Train was crowded with business people around 4:30 in the afternoon. Does people work...?

Beautiful weather today. After breakfast, took a walk to Stamford station to buy Amtrak tickets to Boston for Sat, then went to diner for lunch with Aunt Em and Uncle Dolf and Linda. Tonchan tasted french fries for the first time! Then we went to mall for some shopping AND the pretzel, and walked back home. We all had dinner at home together and Tonchan and I excused ourselves to go to bed early.

Arrived JFK safely after 11 hour and 40 min flight of ANA. She had a couple of naps, but didn't sleep at all. She probably was busy to see what was going on around her: always someone is doing something on the flight. B mama and Ren came to pick us up at the airport, and drove home. She cried on the baby seat, but eventually fell asleep. She has to get used to it no matter if she likes it or not. So, she was up until 8 p.m., and slept very good until 8 a.m. next morning. Good girl!

いってきます Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Depart Tokyo for NY to visit the half side of family tree. We got stopped at the immigration because of her US passport. They said it doesn't prove her Japanese nationality, and doesn't have visa nor entry permit (she was born in Japan). Had to show other semi IDs but those don't say she's a Japanese. They said they assumed I wouldn't lie about her nationality, therefore, they stamped entry and departure on the same page. Good grief... Have to get her Japanese passport for next time.

ポリオ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Polio vaccination today. It's a sweetened vaccination, supposedly have strawberry flavor, for baby to drink easily.

NEW WATCH Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Needed a new watch which doesn't bother holding a baby for the trip, and bought this one in Shibuya. Went to TGI Friday for lunch after the shopping, but Tonchan was not in a good mood since she didn't nap, and didn't each much at all. She fell asleep there after I breast fed her for about 1 hour...

初スターバックス Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She wants to try everything we do. Today, she tried our GRANDE SOY CHAI LATE.

自分でいないいないばあ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

NIS FOOD FEST Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Checked out Nishimachi International School's Food Fair (we missed B-Mama's call, sorry!). Had to leave as she was getting hungry, but we parents had some good food.

和子さんと Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda My mother was in the area and called me after her hair cut, and we met up in Omotesando. Had cake and tea at Crayon House, then had dinner at home.

ひとりでできた！ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She could scoop SHIROAE by herself, and ate it!!

Received a surprise call from Myron papa and Anna in the morning, and flowers from my husband. I don't feel I'm getting old at all... So, to celebrate my birthday, I went to get an international licence in the morning with Tonchan, not that I'm going to drive for sure but just in case if I have to somehow. We headed to Gymboree, had lunch there, and joined the music class. She didn't like the shaker they had and couldn't enjoy much....

何かな？ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

後片付け Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

お手伝い Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Helping folding towels with dad....

ガム？ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Definitely don't want hair gum.... hope it's not chewy...

今泣いたカラスがもう笑った Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

財布チェック Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She's into checking what's in it these days, and checking my wallet....

ケント＆丈太郎 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Kent and Jojo came over with moms, while we were having lunch at Suji's. Ayaha came over later after her baby English class. They started touching/grabbing each others eyes and hairs on the floor.

LEG WARMERS Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Went to Nihombashi and had lunch at Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Pretty good Italian buffet, we ate too much. Ren had to go to Iai, and me and Tonchan went to Nihombashi Tamashimaya. Purchased leg warmers since the weather got cold and we don't have clothes... It's a little too tight around her thighs....

土曜の朝 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Tonchan discussing Zen with Brad...

広いぞ Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda

洗濯 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda Helping laundry...

So, here we are , living in a gaijin apartment for three days now. Tonchan looks like getting used to this place, and went to sleep fairly early today, and gave me some time to blog. Went to Gymboree Music class today. She was freaked out by wave sound instrument, and didn't quite attend the activities.... Oh well. Koharu was there with her mom for the other activities there, and we went to have lunch together. After having tea, she became sleepy, and we said good by to them. At home (for the time being), Ren and Brad were back from zen retreat, and Ren had to leave for work.

Did I write about ergo baby Haruka got me from Hawaii? It's soooo comfortable and a lot better than the other baby carrier!! If you're thinking about getting one, I'd recommend this one. Thanks Haruka!

朝寝 Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda She must be tired from yesterday...