Anzu was 7 months old when we took her with us in the nearest Amusement Park in our place, Yomiuriland. As expected, we weren't allowed to go on a kiddie rides yet because of the age and height requirement. Kids must be atleast 2 years old and some rides allow the kids with the height of atleast 90cm.

That's why my poor Azumi and her lil cousin Ryukun just enjoyed looking around, eating, and playing "peek a boo" once in awhile to each other on their respective strollers lol.


Some attractions of Yomiuriland.


Anzu was 12 months old when I took her to Sanrio Puroland because there was a halloween event for the kids. She wore a bumblebee costume. Then again, she wasn't allowed ( yet )to take the rides so we enjoyed ourselves watching musical shows, magic, walking around and taking photos with Sanrio Characters. Too bad, she was scared of them so I didn't have a decent picture with Hello Kitty.



Sanrio Puroland is an indoor amusement park especially designed for toddlers. However, strollers/babycars are not allowed inside.


Finally, Anzu to experience her first ever ride in an amusement park - Carousel Merry Go Round at Sea Paradise



Also sharing this to...

Carrying a 1.8kg of rice cake is one of the highlights of our lil darling's First Birthday.

This is a traditional gift given by Okasan --my mom's mother in law who loves and adores Azumi so much, treats her like her own great grand daughter.




Well here's another interesting Japanese custom which might sound a bit pitiless to celebrate the child's first birthday in Japan.

The celebrant is asked to carry 1.8 kg worth of rice cake or mochi on their back to wish them a happy and long life.

This special rice cake or mochi is traditionally called Issho Mochi ( 一升餅 ), made to be part of the celebration. It's kinda heavy so babies are usually assisted to be able to walk even just a few steps. This also symbolizes the parents’ hope that the child will never go hungry throughout his or her lifetime.



Azumi successfully carried the mochi for few seconds assisted by us. The mochi is round which symbolizes "no trouble". So we are hoping that this practice brings our love child a long life with no troubles.

Last month, Anzu had her first step in the city of Shibuya where there is always huge crowd especially on weekends. Literally hundreds of people pouring in the streets like ants (or a people power in Edsa lol) when the pedestrian lights turn GREEN. It is said to be that SHibuya has "The busiest crossing in the world" and I think it has largest intersection in the world (im not sure yet)


Usually I don't bring ANzu to the main cities alone because of the crowd but since my sister, cousin, and nephew were coming, so lucky her she was tagged along to the famous Shibuya for the first time and there she met Hachiko


Hachikô is a famous dog here in Japan. Behind this statue is a great true story of loyalty and unconditional love. He has inspired a nation during his lifetime and currently inspiring the world now that his true story was has a re-make english version “Hachiko, a Dog’s Story” starring Richard Gere. Personally, I think the original version is more depressing although I haven't seen the whole yet, only some clips which actually made me cry like a fool lol

Hachiko has waited his master right in front of Shibuya station every day, around 3pm. Even after his master's sudden death at his work, he has waited and waited for years believing his master would come back. (read more about him here and prepare a tissue)

Back in Shibuya, Hachiko’s statue has become the best-known landmark and meeting place in Shibuya, where everyday, hundreds of people sit and wait for their friends.

Picture lovers, you may view our Shibuya Photo slide HERE

Last week (6/11) we drove to the other side of Yokohama, which is rather a more quiet city than the other cities of Yokohama that we often go -almost 2 hours away from Tokyo. We stayed there to celebrate our 3rd year Anniversary, and visit the illustrious "Aqua Museum", the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, on the next day.

As expected, we had a fun-filled day, especially the little Girl whom didn't want to be held most of the time (imagine how much calories I lost). I couldn't even take a decent photo of her coz she was busy looking around the different kinds of Sea Animals.

It was actually my second time to visit this paradise. I was surprised coz it did changed a lot after 7 years. Much bigger and more attractions that kids and even adults would love. There were less crowd so the entrance lines for attractions were incredibly short.

I think this is the perfect place for a nice and relaxing date with (a) loveone(s) or a family day on a weekend (if you're into Nature) .

Our lil Azumi's independent spirit is becoming more evident and unexpected nowadays. Atleast most of the time if not often.

She doesn't want to be held longer.. she wants to go upstairs by herself .. she wants to walk without her hands being held.. There's always 2 spoons whenever she eats, one for her and one for me. She won'T eat unless she holds her own spoon and feed herself ( while I feed her at the same time of course.. ).. and many more "i can do it" things lol

I should've posted this a month ago...
Captured In Time...
enjoying eating by herslef lol



ALso watch the Part 2 of this video

It's really fulfilling to see your kids becoming independent. Can't help but become sentimental sometimes coz a year ago, I was just a newbie without experience under my belt - I was freaked out ---she was so little and needy, and I had to quickly learn how to meet her needs...

And now??...oh well I must admit, Im also a little excited and anticipating all the cool things that are in store for her in the coming days, weeks, and months.

I guess I have to tell the news now and further talk about it next time.... --- We have a new pre-schooler next week

This week opened a door of new big decision ( and hopefully a good adventure ) for our little kawaii princess. While we were on our usual mommy bonding one time last week, someone gave us a brochures on our way to the Baby room.

I kinda got excited and yet unsure if its too soon to send our lil girl to a pre-school. Although we've already thought about enrolling her to a school when she turns 2 even when I was still pregnant (lol).

I'm thinking It might be best for her to play and socialize with other kids. Something she would look forward every week. The activities and curriculum are quite tempting because moms would be also participating in the first few months until kids are ready to seperate from their parents for awhile. The class will start on the first week of March and I just made a reservation on the last day, feb 8... ( i still have few days to confirm or cancell -feb 15 )


I'm a stay at home mom and we don't have much kids at her age in our neighborhood. Although we let her mingle with the kids at my japanese grandma's school sometimes, but I just can't take her there everytime even if Okasan says ok. It would be unfair right coz she's not really attending on that school.

Oh well bottomline is... I'M 20% CONFUSE... Her DAD says ok though.... I want to send her to a pre-school but I'm thinking which pre-school? I have to research and find other options aside from Miki House Kids Pal


am i confuse or in denial ? I feel crappy right now, mixed emotions... excited, confuse, happy, and sad..

Help Suggestions / advices are very much appreciate

After months of waiting and umm, few times of discussion whether to vaccinate or not, finally our lil girl had her aH1N1 Vaccine last Saturday. Actually that was her second shot , the first was taken a week before the second...

I have been so reluctant and on the fence about it at first, because I read alot of opinions which were mostly not in favor. Some were over exaggerating the potential problems with the vaccine. Some even said it has not been properly tested yet, blah blah...

But I guess the media was really scare mongering that overwelmed us to be more extra cautious and wait for the Vaccine to be available in the masses. It's so sad to hear the news about kids have died =( It freaked me out a bit that me and my dolly seldom go out, ride a train and mall hop=(

I actually didn't know that babies could also wear Kimonos. I was surprised when Okasan told me months ago that she already have a Kimono for Azumi and she would like Anzu to wear it on New Year. I wondered how would a baby wear a Kimono? If you're not familiar with Japanese Kimonos, it is not simple as the Yukatas. People who wants to wear their kimonos usually have someone else help to put them on. It is not that simple again because that person should be either a Kimono Kitsuke (kimono dressing) Teacher or someone has a know-how in kimonos, from obi, ties, undergarments et al.

I got to experience wearing a real Kimono 2 years ago. It was indeed a great experience because not only I felt like a princess when the Kimono Teacher was putting them on to me, but also everybody in my family in Japan especially Okasan was so happy to see me wearing one of her daughter's Kimono which was never worned. She gave this to me as a graduation present ( I wore that Kimono on our graduation ceremony...). ---wish I could share more but we're talking about Azumi's kimono here lol
Anyway, the other day, Azumi was fitting her first Kimono. It wasn't like I imagined. It's easier to put on, no need to be assisted by a teacher. No obis, undergarments, etc. Designed for toddlers.

Halloween is practically not much celebrated here in Japan, although you will see loads of Halloween decorative bits n pieces here and there especially here in Tokyo. From Malls to restaurants... I should've taken more photos so to show you more about here =( OK next time since I am already getting tired of taking Anzu's photos lol..


Before the day ended, I was really glad to see my hubby's friend whom I havent seen for almost 2 years.. なつかしい。。He's the one on the last picture in the slide. Anyway, that's another story. Im just so glad he finally meet our lil dolly princess and he can't believe that time has indeed flown so fast.

That's how we spent our weekend.
More weekend happenings here (click the badge)

Thank God it's friday.

Yesterday's weather was great. We took our usual walking routine, suddenly rode a bus. It was Anzu's first time to ride a bus and she never gave me a hard time. She's behave and looking around the other passenger, even smiling at them. The bus driver was so nice, he carried Anzu's stroller inside and even put a belt in it for security.


SO there, we stopped at a station and had my late lunch... SO yummy and cheap. I spent ￥１０００　($10) for a cake, pasta, and drink.

After a yummy meal, time for a leisure walk. We window shopped and saw a big sale for halloween costumes. SO glad there was still available size.

Last Saturday, our lil girl was invited to watch Undokai (or sports day as we may call it in english) at my mom's MIL's school which is just a block away from our home.

In Japan it seems as if there's a big event for every occasion, and the idea of encouraging a sports-minded culture is not outside the realm of reasons to celebrate. If you're following KIZUNA (my good ol friend ate clang) and Seiko's Diary, you may already have known what Undokai is all about. It's a sports festival which is one of the highlights of the year for many young Japanese students. An all day affair which is attended not only the family members but also oftentimes the extended family and close friends.


Parents also get to participate in the games. My gosh, I feel pressured just thinking about it. I should ready myself in the coming years when my baby will finally be attending her kindergarten. Usually Moms rise early in the morning to prepare obento (lunchboxes) which really add more appeal to that event. Some kids may even show off their Obento with their classmates. Have you seen Ate Clang's Obentos?



ANyway showing off my lil dolly Anzu again. As usual, my camera was with me because it was her first time to watch an UNDOKAI. Of course, I wouldn't want to missed to capture her one of HER First FIRSTS...

Anzu kept on cheering the kids by waving and clapping with enthusiasm in her face.. Can't help but to catch some attention because we were the only one watching upstairs that's why I decided to go on the ground and be with the crowd lol It's more fun..




Our great weekend didn't end up here... will post about it next time