Long time no post

Dear Maya,

I can't believe it's been three weeks since the last post! Moving has kept us so busy and any time that mommy's hands were free were dedicated to holding and playing with you to make up for the times when they were full of boxes and cleaning supplies. Not that you were especially needy or anything--you took this move in stride like the wonderful baby you are. Even for the 10 days you and mommy were in the new house but daddy hadn't joined us yet as he finished caretaking at our old house--you were so good. Thank you for that.

The only crankiness you've really shown lately was the beginning of last week. I think you got used to being held by Uncle Matt and Auntie Rhi as well as mommy and daddy during the weekend, so when it was time for everybody to go to work and it was just you and mommy again, you weren't too pleased that you couldn't be held all day long. Perhaps it is all the extra playtime you're getting in with your auntie and uncle, though, that has led to one blissful change--you've been sleeping 30 minutes later in the morning. Hallelujah!

You are so active as always. Three weeks ago you could stand on your own for about 5 seconds after letting go of something when in a standing position, but now you can rise to a standing position without pulling up on anything and can stand for 20 or 30 seconds at a time. These last couple of days you've even been standing on some very uneven and soft surfaces, namely mommy and daddy's bed which has a 2-inch memory foam cushion and a very cushy comforter. You have an amazing sense of balance and always fall gently.

You like to gnaw on the rubber handle of your hairbrush--it squeaks against your gums

One funny quirk is that you seem to be more comfortable standing when holding something in your hands. I'm not sure if you're counterbalancing a low center of gravity or simply using the item to focus on, but it seems to work. Most of the time whatever you are holding is also partly in your mouth. As babies do, you put everything in your mouth lately, but every time we checked to see if we could feel any teeth coming in we couldn't. Today when mommy looked into your mouth instead, I saw a tooth starting to come in. Finally!

You look like you're either singing karaoke or doing the Obon dance--how apropos!

This past Monday was a very important holiday in Japan--Obon. It is when the Japanese honor their departed ancestors. Mommy wishes she could have done more to help you and daddy celebrate, but at least she was able to make some sushi for everyone and to dress you up in the traditional outfit your grandparents sent over for you. It's still quite big, so maybe you'll be able to fit into it next summer as well. Uncle Matt lifted you up to our new pass-through window in these photos, making you look like the chef at a sushi bar. :)

Well, we have another busy weekend planned so mommy needs to get to bed now. Love you!

'Reconstructing' a paper crane we made on Obon

P.S. Since the last post you have added the following foods to your diet: peaches, pears, pumpkin, zucchini, green grapes and green peas.  You've also had the following spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, onion powder and curry powder.

Helping mommy do the laundry...