LOL beret and basket

Dear Maya and Emi,

Mommy is feeling a bit silly tonight. The weather has finally been nice (above freezing anyway) but I've been sick so I haven't gotten out to enjoy it. Daddy's work season started back up today after a few weeks off, and being under the weather on my first full day alone with you two has left mommy exhausted. I don't have as many photos as usual to share this week, but the ones I do have are pretty funny. In my tired, slap-happy state, I keep laughing out loud at my screen. See if you do, too...

• Maya--Your first time really vacuuming. In your pajamas. And your first real French braid.

• Emi, here you're sporting your big sister's "super monster" hooded bath towel. Lucky for mommy that first tooth of yours that's starting to come in isn't as big as these!

• Maya, you asked daddy to draw a monster. He drew Sadako, the long-haired girl from The Ring. You added dots for eyes and made her look like a different kind of monster altogether. 

•  Emi, you took your first selfie on mommy's lap. Sort of.

• After four years, Maya, you're finally taking more of an interest in Japanese! You have daddy read you stories from this book daily and you're loving all the Miyazaki movies. You shout "Ponyo" at random times during the day but you can't remember the word "Totoro" so you just shout "Two cats" instead. Only they're not cats. 

• Mommy pulled out this outfit to try on Emi and Maya, this is what you had to say: "Mommy, I could never believe it. That's so cool. She looks like she's PAINTING!"

• Maya, lately you've been getting behind the camera sometimes. Not sure if Emi's expressing joy or disapproval of you taking her picture here...

• You two have taken to singing, laughing, and howling with each other to signify the end of your slumbers in the morning or at nap time. It's cute, depending on the time on the clock...

• Emi, now that you're on the move we often put you inside a baby corral, but unless you're already in a good mood you don't really like it. Today mommy tried something even smaller, a laundry basket, and you LOVED it! 

•  "Oh my goodness, it's a laundry basket! This is the greatest thing EVER"

•  Doing the classic Japanese "Aww, shucks, did I do that?" pose...

• "Dude, this ball is AMAZING!"

• Legs

Okay, it's clear that mommy needs some sleep. Luckily I'm feeling much better so tomorrow should go much more smoothly. Right? Did I just jinx myself? Are you two plotting something? Oh, dear....

Love you both!

Both big and small

Dear Maya and Emi,

We're making strides around here. Big ones and little ones. Big ones for the little one and little ones for the big one. And mommy and daddy are making strides, too. Some days we're finding a few free minutes here and there. Some days we're just finding kindness instead of sharp voices. Strides.

Maya, you've been creating more intricate pretend worlds and using all kinds of words and phrases to describe them. Today, as you played on a sand-colored blanket, you were on an "island beach" rescuing "bunnies and cats, both big and small." When daddy went to lay down by you, you even quickly shouted"no, you're going to squish the bunnies and cats, both big and small!" Over and over you said the whole phrase together, as if you couldn't neglect each various size of animal. So funny!

We went to the kids' play center with Aunt Kelsie and cousin Grace the other day. At first you were great about helping Gracie around, but then when you figured out how fearless she was you let her do her thing. She found a slide that sent her flying super fast, loved it, and went down it over and over!

Emi, yesterday was the Festival of the Dolls (or Girls Day) in Japan, so mommy put you in this little happi that I made for Maya when she was a baby. It didn't fit around your belly which is a great sign! You made lots of funny faces for me and sat up pretty well while I was taking pictures. It was also your Japanese grandma's birthday! We hope you had a wonderful day, grandma! ひな祭りと言えば、あーちゃん（ばあちゃん）の誕生日ですね。おめでとう！マヤ、エミより

You've also done 3 fun things this past week, Emi, and they can pretty much be summed up like this:

1. You gave your great-grandparents lots of big smiles and giggles and no fussing!

2. You mimicked us really well several times when we asked you to say your big sister's name!
    (sorry it's so dark!)

3. You pretty much got the hang of this whole crawling thing!

Well, mommy needs some sleep! Love you both!

Seven months, two dates

Dear Maya and Emi,

Despite the fact that daddy has a few weeks off work, we're all feeling exhausted. Maybe it's the lack of a normal schedule, but each of us has had lots of cranky moments and cross words lately. Well, Emi, you don't have any words at all so I guess that's not really true for you. But, dealing with a baby who still needs to eat a few times a night and a headstrong 4 year old who doesn't get enough time running around outside (thanks, polar vortex!), mommy and daddy are in a bit of a slump.

It didn't help that mommy made the mistake of scheduling three appointments this past Monday. Emi you went in for your 7 month check up and, thankfully, are starting to gain weight again. Then, as soon as we got home, we turned around and headed to the dentist so Maya and mommy could get cleanings. Maya you were SO good during your appointment! Afterwards we did some grocery shopping and by the time we got home we were all so tired.

Emi, you've been eating well and trying all kinds of different foods without prejudice. You even ate Brussels sprouts the other night without batting an eyelash. You've also gotten even closer to being able to crawl, but sometimes you switch into a 'downward dog' pose instead. It's all good.

In the past week, Maya, both mommy and daddy have spent time alone with you. First, mommy took you to the state museum. You were not really interested in most of the exhibits about New York State history and culture, but you enjoyed the animal exhibits, the train car, and of course, the carousel. The annual flower exhibit was also going on throughout the museum and, instead of a toy from the gift shop, you chose to buy a rose each for mommy and yourself. Wow!

Then yesterday you had a special day out with daddy, Maya. Like when we went to the museum, you chose a cute dress to wear and hair accessories, though this time you went a little overboard. Daddy took you out to the hardware store and for milkshakes. Sounds like a nice time to me!

Well, mommy needs as much sleep as I can get. Love you both!