The last weekend

Chris and I start work next week. We are not looking forward to it! But, we have been making sure to enjoy ourselves this last few days with Reina. We got a new carrier that is much better on the back and for Reina to be in - the ergo. Haven't had the chance to use it too much yet, but Chris wore it for about a 45minute trek to the grocery store and back and he had no complaints (nor did Reina).

We've mainly been hanging around the house, as Reina is taking three naps pretty consistently these days and they tend to dictate our schedule. Reina has also mastered the sit from laying down and is often found in her crib sitting, waiting in the corner for us to arrive. Grandma Has sent us a lot of my old toys (not sure it she kept them more for use in her classroom or her own sentiment), but Reina has been thoroughly enjoying them. Her favorites are Ernie and Bert (puppets) and Mr. Leech, who was one of my favorite stuffed toys.

Reina is slowing increasing the variety of foods she has tried, but still seems to favor broccoli (yuck!). One of her bottom center teeth finally poked through in order to help with all of this chewing and the other one is not far behind.

As I said in my last post, we will miss spending all day with Reina.

She's sitting on her own

This is not a new feat. However, she is now sitting up from laying down on her own. Let me explain why this is so significant. Usually when you go get your child in the morning or after a nap, you expect them to be laying on their back (or screaming into the mattress). It was a surprise to me that when I went to get Reina from her nap yesterday, she was sitting up! She was even impressed at herself; when I came in and started smiling at her, she bashfullly hung her head and nosedived back into the mattress. Anyhow, I couldn't help but grab my camera for this special moment. She has also been fixated on pulling herself up - forget toys, just give the child a stationary object to stand by. This is why she really enjoyed herself at dinner last night. We ate on the tatami mats which are PERFECT for little babies to play around, pull up to, and of course, sit and eat at. Reina is definitely getting a tooth. It looks like her bottom middle right one....I can see it, but it has yet to cut through. Reina hasn't had any problems with it (knock on wood), she's still sleeping through the night and acting like all is well with the world.

On a sad note, Chris and I start work next week. Both of us have mentioned more than once how much we're going to miss Reina. :(

Swimming lessons

They're over. We got some snap shots of our last day so as to document Reina's first lessons (in anything!). She still can't float on her back or blow bubbles, but she definitely got more comfortable in the water.

PS - I think I can see a bottom left tooth getting near the surface! No more gummy smiles :( It should have been "Jillian, Chris, and the baby girl" as now she's turning into a little girl.

What we've been up to

Reina and I have been having a wonderful time at swim class. I think I feel safe in saying that she likes it. She still is very focused on chewing on the toy she gets during each class, but her face always lights up when we get to "jump" off the side of the pool. Although I'm thinking this is because she can see everyone. I would say her second favorite would be tummy floats, but that's only because I take her toy away and she has to "swim" to it! We've also met two other moms that are new to the island. Both have older kids (2ish), but we've been to the beach with them and are planning a trip to comprehensive park, so that should be fun.

Other than that, we've been hanging out and casually looking at houses to possibly rent or own. Nothing yet! Reina has been getting board, so she discovered that her play pen is much more fun to smash her face in than play in. Crazy girl! Stats wise, Reina is still right around 18lbs, but looks like she's made it to at least 26inches! She'll be tall yet. She's gotten much more active, although she is still not full on crawling and she is quite focused on the "ma" sound despite Chris' "papa" chanting at her.

Reina got some much needed toys from Grandma Has and some very cute clothes from Cousin Katie. Thank you both. We miss you all!

Oriko-chan

Remember this word? It mean's "good girl" in Japanese. That is exactly how I would describe Reina. This is of course mainly due to the fact that I've had the four best nights of sleep since Reina's been born. Other than sleeping well, Reina has been in the ocean twice and will be starting swim lessons this morning. I took these pictures in retrospect of the last pictures taken of her on this carpet. We were off somewhere, and Chris laid her down by the door so he could run and do something. Now at least she is able to sit and wait! She's in her sundress b/c we're off to Ikei-jima to get in the water out of this REALLY hot weather!

Eating you ask? Well, its going ok. We've been consistent with cereal each morning which she is somewhat interested in. I think she has an infatuation with spoons, and becasue the cereal is on the spoon, she figures its a package deal. We did give her avocado on Saturday. It was a MESS. She did seem to like it. I'm going to keep working on all of this eating stuff and will keep you posted.

I shamelessly forgot to showcase the beautiful present Grandpa Eastman sent for Reina's birth. It came with Aunt Liz when she came here in March to visit. Grandpa Eastman made Reina's kanji in stained glass and then made a very cool Japanese looking lamp. We all love it, and will probably showcase it in our living room until Reina can appreciate it!