First Steps?

Reina took two mini steps all by herself last week, and Chris was able to catch it on camera! Remember, they were VERY tiny steps, but this is where the phrase "baby steps" comes from, right? She hasn't done any since, but I think she'll be walking before Xmas (I said it, so we'll see!).

Other exciting news? We're officially having a house built. We have signed off on final plans, submitted those to the city, and paid a down payment! How exciting! We're hoping to break ground in January and move in August 1st. I added pics to the 10month slideshow of our final plans. Also notice we have a "deed." I thought it was interesting that in Japan, they sign the sides of the documents, so that they can be cut in half. Our original documents go exactly together. We were also encouraged to get a "hanko" which is a stamp with Eastman on it! This is how official Japanese documents are signed - with a small, circular stamp of their last name.

A few things you may not know

• Reina LOVES tomatoes, asparagus, and broccoli. Given a choice between these and a trisket, she will always choose the former. However, chicken, beef, and bread win over everything!
• She is getting better and better at standing. She does it all on her own. She'll stand up using some assistance, and then let go all on her own. She's so brave.
• Reina does a shuffle. See video!
• She knows her own name :)
• She LOVES to watch other little kids play. We bring her to the playground, and she doesn't want to play. She wants to WATCH!
• Reina likes condensation. See pictures!
• Reina knows that when music plays, you're supposed to "dance!"
  

Silly Goose

Reina has really started trying to stand on her own. I tried getting a picture of this for about 15 minutes, but I guess she just wasn't in the mood. Today at the park she probably was close to 30seconds standing on her own! Such a feat, I know.
I also got lots of pictures in her new jeans and Japanese shirt. Don't tell any parents that it says something about Okinawan sake though, which they will say is totally inappropriate for a 10 month old. Oh, she's 10 months old! Crazy that she'll be one in two months. She is still right under 20lbs and 27inches. Chris and I think she's working on building muscle, hence all the standing.

Somehow I think I failed to mention Reina's bought with some type of food allergy. Twice now she's expelled all of her stomach contents via her mouth about two hours after eating. The trigger is one or more of the following: soy (tofu), fish (seasoning), or buckwheat (soba noodles). She LOVED tofu about 6 weeks ago, but this throwing up bit coincided with that so now I'm afraid to give it to her again because when she gets sick its pretty sad. I'll convince myself its the soba noodles since she had so little of the fish seasoning (literally its mixed in with the soba), but the second time it happened she didn't even ingest a noodle. Anyhow....its a mystery.

The video is some footage of Reina playing in her crib. She is such a snorter - reminds me of the studderer in Pearl Harbor - you know, the guy with the red hair. I hope she grows out of this snorting. Its funny now, but later it will just be embarrassing.