Yesterday Taiyo turned 6 months old!

We're just winding down the festivities now but it has been a joyous occasion and a great chance to look back on perhaps the most amazing 6 months of my life.

Congratulations on a healthy and happy first 6 months and may the next 6 be even better.

Out around town

Over the weekend, we hit up the Burlingame farmer's market. Taiyo was taking in the views from the comfort of his Night Rider and I noticed that every few minutes he'd let out a wild shout and wave his arms wildly in delight. He was really enjoying all the hustle around him.

It turns out he's been enjoying the great outdoors to that effect for a short while now. Here he is taking in the mean streets of Japan.

Playing

Since Taiyo's return, we've been playing up a storm. He loves to jump and roll and physically interact much more than before. Climbing the papa mountain and standing triumphant over his conquest is always a big hit.

Boy Returns

Changes:

He now understands that there is a world beyond what he can see. He is reaching and grabbing for things that move behind him. Before it was out of sight, out of mind.

His legs have gotten much longer.

Mobility is dawning - when displeased, he will now thrash his arms and body back and forth as if about to roll over, trying to move to a different space.

After failing to be impressed by my Peak-a-boo for months, he now holds a blanket over his own eyes while you say "Where's Taiyo!? " He then drops the blanket and laughs and laughs.

He is actively grabbing for everything and anything he can get his hands on.

He has new laughs and new ways to smile.

His hair is much longer.

He holds your shoulders when you carry him.

He can sit up mostly on his own.

He engages you and tries to get you to gaze back at him for long minutes.

He's not sucking his thumb very often anymore.

I love him more than ever.

Deep in the belly of the beast

Having only been out of my reach for a few days, Taiyo has found his way into the underground live music houses of Shinjuku. Although slightly concerned, I can't help but be proud that he's getting the true Tokyo experience and hanging with some wonderful people.

Taiyo in Japan

Taiyo had a great flight over with his Momma. He's been extremely popular wherever he's gone (dinner parties, picnics, neighborhood sweeps, back-stage at punk-ska concerts, the usual).

The picture above pretty sums up how Taiyo spent 10 hours in the air (when not sleeping).

5 months

Taiyo hit 5 months this week. He's grown to be extremely tactile, reaching out and feeling the texture of anything he can get his hands on. One of his favorite items to grab for is a steaming cup of coffee.

We celebrated with a trip to the Cherry Blossom Festival. I recommend it for those of you with free time in the bay area next weekend.

We won't be going because Taiyo and Yoshiko have left for Japan. I hope to have a few updates of their adventures but it will be slimmer pickings than usual while I try to find a reason to live until they come back.

Slowly changing shape

This picture gives off a good hint at how Taiyo is slowly lengthening out and losing some of that early baby fat. By no means would I call him skinny just yet, but you can see where he's headed.

タイトル：ゆっくりと変化しつつある体型

この写真は、タイヨの体についていた赤ちゃん特有のお肉が少しずつ落ち、その分身長が伸びつつあるということをよく示しています。
まだまだ「痩せている」と呼ぶには程遠いですが、タイヨウがこれからどんなふうに成長していくかがきっとわかるでしょう。

Easter

No comment needed I believe.

タイトル：イースター

ま、この写真だけでコメントはいらないかと思いますが・・・

First Train Ride

This week Taiyo took his first train ride. He rode up to San Francisco and loved every second of it. We're still working on finding things he doesn't like (besides the obvious like pouring cold water on him).

タイトル：初めての電車

今週、タイヨウは初めて電車に乗りました。電車でサンフランシスコに向かっている間、本当によく楽しんでいるようでした。パパとママは、タイヨウがいったい何が嫌いなのかを、探しているところです。（冷たいお水を体にかけられることに加えて）

マ マ記：パパが言いたいのは、タイヨウは何をしても嬉しそうなので、いったい嫌なものがあるかどうかを探しているということです。あと「冷たいお水事件」 というのは、タイヨウをお風呂に入れているときに、パパが間違えておけに入ったたっぷりの冷たいお水をタイヨウにかけて大泣きされたっていうのが、パパに はトラウマになっているようです。

Out with family

I had a good night at dinner with the whole family. We got it done out at Suppenkuche. You can check out my full review here.

I went shopping with mama and got some slick 6-12 month summer items, which should be making an appearance in the rotation before long.

I was also over hanging with great grandpa earlier this week while my papa was out of town. We had a great time.

タイトル：家族でお出かけ

今日は、家族全員で出かけて楽しく過ごしました。Suppenkucheという、ドイツ料理のレストランに行きました。僕の書いたお店の感想はここにありますので参考にどうぞ。

先日は、ママと買い物に出かけてオシャレな６ヶ月～１２ヶ月用の夏服を買ってきました。きっとパパがもうすぐこのブログに載せると思いますよ。

今週半ばにはパパが出張で家にいなかったので、ひい爺ちゃんとつるんでいました。僕らは楽しく過ごしました。

Rollin'

That's me...And that's my sweet ride.

タイトル：ローリン

これは、僕。そして後ろに見えるのが僕の愛車だよ。

Captain Taiyo

The Captain returns to the docks after a long morning catching crab. We are prepping Taiyo for the day he can join the Captain Santa crew.

朝から蟹をたくさん捕まえて、船長は波止場に戻ってきました。
パパとママは、タイヨウがキャプテンサンタの仲間に入れるように準備しているところです。

ママ記：パパ的冗談なので、通じる人にしか通じないです・・・。

New Friends, Peninsula Life

Taiyo is not yet to the point where he actively plays by himself or really imagines characters. He's still dealing with getting to understand the concept of the self and the external. This takes the form of him gazing as his own hand, gently rubbing my arm to explore texture, looking away with a shy expression when someone smiles at him.

But we are encouraging him to conceptualize other things, and he's started to take an interest in both his bear, and his blanket. This is surely just the start of a long relationship with inanimate objects, which he will breathe life into.

We finally didn't spend the whole weekend packing or unpacking. Instead we spent it outside in the sunshine of the Peninsula.

First was a great hike up around the Stanford Dish on Saturday morning.I've been doing this walk for a few years now but had never taken Yoshiko (or Taiyo) before. We had a great time on the 5 mile loop, catching up with a friend. Taiyo strapped into the backpack and off we went.

Sunday we got together with some fellow parents in San Mateo's Central Park. It is too bad that the Japanese Gardens are closed during Cherry Blossom season but we look forward to their re-opening later in the year. Although Taiyo is still a little young for swings and slides, I like getting out there and anticipating the adventures to come.

Happy 4 months!

４ヶ月おめでとう！

Taiyo just hit four moths this past week. He's grabbing and holding things around, and we are adjusting our habits, such as keeping food out of reach at the dinner table.

He lives for direct human interaction and loves making eye contact with everyone around him. He plays shy now and then and likes to pretend he won't look at you if you hold him.

He really enjoys trying to stand up when you hold him over a surface he can put his feet on.

We're working on "tummy time" to encourage him to try rolling over or starting crawling movements but we haven't done enough with him there yet.

New Home

We're still in the process of putting life back together again but we have moved. Please drop us an email for the new address and we'll be sending out an update to everyone.

Taiyo is looking forward to climbing these stairs and Yoshiko is looking forward to locking them down.

Time flies

We've been away a while. I'm very sorry about that. A few things have been happening that has kept me away from posting updates. One is that we are preparing to move. That is consuming a big chunk of our free time and I'm wiped out when the next piece is complete each evening. Second is that I've taken a few business trips (and another this coming week) so I've been away from Taiyo.

Two main points to drive home here as Taiyo hits 3 1/2 months and keeps on trucking. The first is that he's finally and fully discovered his thumb for sucking. We've held back on a pacifier for a number of reasons, but we always knew that it would mean less satisfaction. Luckily he's completely got the concept down on how he can deliver on that need without anyone else and we're very happy to see the idea taking root in his mind.

The second is that he's really enjoying trying to stand up. We often pull him up by his hands and his legs kick into a new gear. He takes little baby steps and pounds the floor with his feet. His expression is one of determination and cueriosity and he tries very hard to do....whatever this new thing is.

He's now tipping the scales at 16 1/2 pounds, which means he is not long for his current car seat or sets of clothes. We know he'll slide back into the average weight class at some point but for the moment he continues to grow.

Happy 3 months!!!

The 4th trimester is complete for Taiyo and he's officially a social creature. We've celebrated his 3rd month with several get togethers with friends, both here at the house and out on the town. He is LOVING the human to human interaction and starting to really interact with everyone and anyone.

This marks the beginning of an exciting time because I anticipate a continued increase in outdoor activities and social interaction. Taiyo is really establishing his presence in our family and connecting with all of you! We would love to see everyone who we haven't yet caught up with so drop us a line when you can.

Happy three months to my beautiful son.

Party!

Taiyo is making the rounds. He was last spotted by an amateur photographer at some late night gallery opening. Several interviewed reported he spent a portion of the evening texting from his lounge chair.

In all seriousness, at 90 days (today!) he has taken a keen interest in the world and seems to really be gravitating towards the unknown. He loves to look at things and really investigate an intriguing visual or audio stimulus.

My role as someone who helps him experience this wide world is firmly taking shape and I enjoy the surprise and joy he gets at something new. He seems to expect this and I notice he doesn't want to remain still with me, despite being comfortable when others sit down and hold him.

Makin' Friends

Taiyo is out and about now. Our self imposed exile from humanity has come to an end and we find ourselves shuttling him around from one party to the next.

Early in the week he was hob nobbing with his friend, Niko chan. She's just a few weeks older than him and they've been hangin' since the early days.