It has gotten remarkably cooler during the past week since my parents left Tokyo. We had to wear coats earlier in the week, and saw a bit of rain during the week. Thank goodness it got sunny again and a bit warmer later in the week. Still, it gave us an opportunity to dress up Rhianna like a little pink bear (thanks to my parents).
Also during this past week, Rhianna has had a chance to get into her non-milk foods. She really seems to enjoy rice porridge (see the video) and carrots. This evening she really enjoyed gnawing on a Japanese pear (kind of like an apple in consistency). She takes a great interest in watching us while we eat, and that seems to translate into a pretty clear readiness to eat. Shinachan mashes up carrots and rice porridge in a little hand-grinder that my parents got us while they were here, and we feed her with a spoon. She has really gotten the hand of it, and doesnt spit it out.
Also during the week, Rhianna became (officially) a U.S. citizen with her own passport. It looks really funny to see a little baby face on a passport, but now she's free to go and come as she pleases. I was really surprised at the speed with which it came--we only went and applied for it at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo last Friday, and after only a week it arrived.
We (mostly meaning I, but on occasion Shinachan and Shinachan's mother, though against their will) have really enjoyed watching the Colorado Rockies in the playoffs this past week (http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=col). The last time the Rockies were in the playoffs, I was an exchange student living with the Tamaru family in Osaka in 1995. The Rockies lost that year in the first round to the Atlanta Braves, 4-1. Unfortunately, I didnt get to watch any of the games because they werent broadcast in Japan. 12 years later, I'm back in Japan, and the Rockies have finally made the playoffs again, and even have a Japanese position player who is really shining (Kazuo Matsui). But this time, I've been able to watch the games on a Slingbox (http://www.slingmedia.com/), controlling my parents cable box through my computer, and watching the same broadcast that they are. It has been fantastic. Ive had the Slingbox for a few years now, but it's times like this that it really comes in usefull. Im hoping the Rockies can keep winning through the World Series! I may have to take some mornings off in order to watch the games (due to the time difference), but that is a price I'm willing to pay. Go Rockies!!
Other than that, it was a pretty ordinary week for us. I got back to work after an extended vacation, and it was a struggle to get back into the rhythm. The weather didnt help that either. Still, its good to get back into your daily routine, and by the end of the week I felt pretty much back to normal. Luckily, this weekend is ANOTHER 3 day weekend (like 3 of the past 4 weeks). Thus, tomorrow is another day off for me. Yeah!! More soon!
PicturesRhianna Passport Picture Candidate (too much smiling)
Rhianna Passport Candidate (Doesnt look at camera)
Rhianna's First Passport
Rhianna as Bear
Rhianna as Smiley Bear
Smiley Bear and Dad going for a walk
Smiley Bear and Dad 
Smiley Bear and Dad 
Who ate Smiley Bear's Porridge?
Smiley Bear did
More porridge eating
VideoSmiley Bear eating rice porridge
