Beach Bums

Ok, I know we've had lots of beach photos lately, but what can I say, we love the beach; Reina included. She loves the water and even the waves. I'mnot sure she's sold on the sand, though, since today when she fell down she was reluctant to put her hands in the sand to get back up. We are ready for summer and welcome the nice weather we've been having (after the rains when my mom was visiting - yuck).

On another note, Reina has really started talking. She says the following words (no where near what they are supposed to sound like, but she'll get there): "wawa" (water), "dow" (down), "dada," "mo" (more), "uh oh," "nigh nigh," "bye bye," "ba" (ball)....I think thats it. She is still picking up new signs too (thank you, airplane, rain), so she is definitely communicating.

We have also been amazed at how quickly the walls of our house got put up. As of last week they had practically finished both floors. We go this Thursday for what I fear is going to be a major decision making day. They said we'd be two hours (so we're picking up oba-chan to do some Reina watching, as Reina's activity level will not allow two hours of sitting). I feel like between my Mom's visit and Michelle (my old BFF from elementary school who is an interior designer) I have a better idea of what we want. We'll see though, since its hard to make decisions without knowing what your options really are.

We head to the states July 1 and then Europe for two weeks July 14. We can't wait to see everyone.

Nana Kim

My Mom is visiting! She arrived last Friday and will sadly leave tomorrow. We kind of threw this trip together when she found out in March that she would be PCSing to Holland (cool, right?); but, also kind of sad, since Holland is MUCH further away than Korea. So far we've seen several of my mom's Oki friends and have just been hanging out. I'm sure we'd be getting out more if it didn't seem like the rain would NEVER end. Seriously, I think it rained non-stop for 48 hours, maybe more. I see the sun peering out this morning which gives me a little hope for the rest of our time together; Mom leaves tomorrow morning.

Chris is away at Far East. So far his team beat Yokota 5-0 and then lost to the tournament favorites, Hong Kong, 1-7 (yikes). They play to more games today...We did get to talk to him on the computer this morning, which made Reina happy (and she remembered who she was, as she immediately signed "daddy"). We miss dad, especially since Reina has been getting up twice at night: AHHHHHH. I guess I'm not going to work, and she is taking advantage of it!

A Perfect Day

What a wonderful day. Reina woke up a bit early, but she took a great nap at 8:30. Chris and I decided to enjoy the beautiful weather and go to the beach. Chris went and got Kuniko while Reina napped and then we headed to the same beach we found the Christmas before Reina was born (next Hansen in Kin). Reina had a really good time playing in the sand and getting wet and the rest of us enjoyed the sunshine and quiet. She was so cute just sitting in the sand amusing herself. The rest of the day she amazed me at how much she understands. I can say, "sit down," and she does! Or before bed when we're reading I can say, "where is the dog?" and she will point to it. She also verified that she is learning japanese by pointing to her "atama" (head in Japanese).

Reina has also finally started trying to talk. I'm not sure when or what I would classify as her first words but in the past two days or so she has definitely tried "bye bye" and she also tried "ball" and then before bed "night night." So, so cute. I guess she really had "uh oh" first!

Speaking of "uh oh," there is one picture illustrating why you don't give a 15month old a juice box. Reina squeezed the orange juice so that it sprayed all over herself. In another picture she is showing us what you are supposed to do with tissue. So smart!