I know, I know

Been very busy. Lots of pictures and new stories to post. Momoka is doing great and is such a super little gal. Will get to posting next week. I hope.

Just another lazy Saturday

We had our 18 month check up yesterday and everything was great. Momoka continues to grow right along the curves on the chart and the Doc felt like she was doing very well. We got our last round of baby shots and all three of us are happy about that - Momoka more than me and Momma.

She was a little fevery and cranky today so we decided to stay inside and roll around on the floor. If you are in the dumps, I'd like to recommend getting down on a toddler's level and playing with them and their toys. You get a much better perspective on what's important in life after about 30 seconds. Here's some shots of our gal playing around:

Cecil B. Demille with an Anpanman camera . . . . .

Hey, this is a great spot to watch the game (we were watching the Reds and Phillies)

Sakura chan, this one's for you . . . . .

Jya, ne.

Takin' a dip in the pool

Here's our gal in her new swim togs. We got this swim suit at Akachan Honpo in Kawasaki, Japan when we were there in May. This is her first time wearing this little number and it's almost too small. Lucky for Momoka I'll be doing another WESTPAC swing next month and will be able to drop by Akachan Honpo for the next larger size(s).

We were at the pool at Hale Koa today which is the hotel we stayed at for almost a month when we moved to Hawaii. Hard to believe but it's been ten months since Momochan first swam in the pool there. She wasn't too thrilled with the pool at first but by the 5 minute point she was splashing around and was enjoying herself.

Today is Momoka's 18 month birthday. What a shining little light of love and joy she is. We love her so dearly and are so very, very lucky to have her in our lives.

Matta ne.

Happy Birthday America

Watching the fireworks here on post . . . . .

My name is Old Glory . . . .

I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. I stand watch in America's halls of justice. I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to no one. I am recognized all over the world. I am worshipped. I am saluted. I am respected. I am revered. I am loved. And I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years... Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me. I was there! I led my soldiers. I followed them. I watched over them. They loved me. I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my Marines and Sailors cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible. I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country. And when it's by those whom I've served in battle, it saddens me. But I shall overcome for I am strong. I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips and used as bandagesfor my wounded comrades on the battlefield, when I fly at half-mast to honor my soldiers, or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son. I am proud. My name is Old Glory. Long may I wave.

For those on watch around the globe and in harm's way - THANK YOU!

Recent pictures

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I have been very busy at work with a number of projects. Momma has definitely been putting me to shame with her posting on Momoka's Japanese page. If you have a chance, drop by and see the pictures (even if you don't read Japanese). Momma has some "Momoka retro" pix up there from when she was tiny tiny.

At any rate, here I am posting some pictures of our gal doing what she does best - being a doll. Hard to believe but she will be 18 months soon enough. The time has flown past to say the least. Some of the pictures are from Japan and some are from here in Hawaii.

First up is spaghetti face. Who knew eating spaghetti could be so fun?

Spaghetti is made from broccoli? The heck you say . . . . .

There is something hilarious about these noodles!

Next we have Momoka with Taz and Da da during a lunch when we were in Japan on vacation. It was a super time and we all enjoyed getting together with Taz and catching up on what's been going on. Of course Taz looked great and hadn't aged a bit since we saw her last. She must have some magic anti-aging secret. Why the serious face Momoka?

Here's our gal during a recent Obon event on island. Hawaii (Oahu) as a number of Obon events. The strange thing is they run throughout the entire summer. In Japan you usually have Obon in late summer. I guess in Hawaii they just can't get enough Obon. Our gal is sitting on the curb with a friend she made and is just hanging out and listening to the music. Note both have kawaii jinbei. Momoka's jinbei is of the Anpanman variety. Go figure.

Locals doing a little Obon dance. We plan on hitting as many of these events as possible this summer. Obon festivals are always fun with good food and a family atmosphere. In Japan Obon is a much bigger deal but these festivals in Hawaii will be a great way to spend an evening. Spam musubi for all my friends!

Here's our gal having a seat in her new chair. We had to buy a chair after seeing Sakura chan lounging in her little chair. She always looks so comfy with her feet propped up. Momoka crawls up in this chair to watch Elmo or whatever is on PBS or Nick Jr during her allotted TV viewing time. Momoka likes Sesame Street as well as Barney and a couple of the Nick Jr shows. She has taken to sitting on the arm rests of this chair and it makes me and Momma so nervous. Daredevil. Of course we removed the plastic cover. Probably shouldn't have though.

Lastly, a photo taken tonight after I gave Momoka her first piece of chocolate. Yes, she liked it. Momma didn't know I gave it to her and was quite surprised to see chocolate all over the place. During her bath time Momma found chocolate in Momoka's ears. Now how'd that get in there?

Matta ne!

My New Hat

We bought this little hat for Momoka while in Japan. It came from Miki House in Saikaiya Department Store in Yokosuka. Their clothes are too cute and Momoka looks so kawaii wearing them.

Our gal is pretty much back on her Hawaii schedule now. She was eating Japanese rice in the mornings and I think she got accustomed to the taste. She wasn't too thrilled when I plopped a big spoon of American rice on her plate last night at dinner. For those who don't think there is a difference, you don't eat enough good quality rice.

Isn't this hat the best?

Matta ne.

We made it back

WOW! What a vacation! We got together with old friends, ate some great food, drank some cold oat sodas and generally did whatever we wanted to do. Momoka was great and I think she really enjoyed going places and seeing new things. You know stuffy old Hawaii can be so boring at times.

Our return flight went very well. Momoka watched an Elmo dvd and drifted off to sleep. We left Narita at 2050 and she had been going pretty much non-stop since we awoke that morning. I ran her around the lobby for the last 20 minutes before we boarded the plane so she was one tuckered out toddler. She slept in our laps (mostly Momma's, not mine) for almost the entire flight. She woke up about an hour before we landed, had some food and watched "Pingu", a British cartoon, and laughed and laughed. Once we got her home she reacquainted herself with her stuff and promptly took a 3 hour nap. What a great traveler.

Here's a couple of shots of our gal in Japan . . . .


"Cooking" rice at Anpanman Children's Museum

Daddy, how do you like my Anpanman punch?

Hangin' out with her friends melon panna chan and curry pan man . . . .

This is at the photo studio just prior to "terrorize a toddler" part two. She already doesn't look too sure. This photo might be considered "foreshadowing", an indicator of things to come . . . .
Cute toes though.

Here's our gal sitting nice and pretty but looking not too thrilled. The cool thing about Japanese photo studios is they have clothes you can pick for your child's photo and you can dress your child in as many outfits as they can tolerate (in Momoka's case, not many). The clothes ran the gamut, from kimonos to inai nai ba guru guru dokan outfits to frilly dresses. In "terrorize a toddler" part 1, Momoka wore a very cute little strawberry outfit. I wanted kimono pictures but the kimono was much more difficult to put on and based on her terror level during part 1, Momma was unsure she'd even tolerate us dressing her up in kimono for part 2. Momma was right, as usual. We picked this little pink dress and crossed our fingers . . . . .

Hmmmmm, I don't really care for the flash too much . . . . .

Alright, enough already! I DO NOT LIKE THIS AT ALL!

A studio assistant drying Momoka's tears. Honto ni majinaki! Momma and I couldn't take it, Momoka was so unhappy during both shoots. I think the studio got 6 pictures total before we called the whole thing off.