Traveling to Seattle

Since people keep asking and I've neglected to post anything here, I want to give you dates and details of our flight to Seattle.
I'm going to send my paperwork in Friday to get on the waitlist. The form for EML (Environmental Morale Leave) isn't affective until the 1st. I am trying to get out on May 30th and return to Japan on June 21st. I still plan on driving to Vegas, but I don't have dates for that yet.
I haven't ordered the carseat stroller attachment yet (shame on me) or talked to my pet sitter, but I hope neither will be a problem.
I don't have any more information than that. Everything will depend on availability on that day. I'm pretty sure I'm getting out before school is over, so it should be easier than last year. Of course, if things really don't work out we'll still be coming back for Christmas.

The days pass by

I know it has been a while since there has been any update from me. Things have been a little crazy around here. Melanie got a free crib from the church last week, but we couldn't set it up until Monday because we were waiting for her new mattress. I'll be calling the Exchange and demanding a refund.
Baby girl has also been super fussy lately. Her cheeks are also pink so I think she is teething. No teeth yet though. Her nose started running like crazy today, but there is likely a good reason for it.
We brought home a new dog on Tuesday night. I've had my hands full with him. He is a year-old, pure bred Shiba Inu. He is a good little dog, but all of us are adjusting to him being around. Mocha has been hiding upstairs, but she got brave and came down a few times today. I'll post pictures later.
Well, Melanie went to bed early and Bishop (the dog) is outside barking so I need to bring him in. More to come soon.

Melanie on television last night

It was so cute!! We had to wait 15 minutes into the show to finally see it and of course it was edited, so it didn't look like it did when we were there filming but I saw Melanie clearly many times.

Bonus for all of you... I found it online!!! If you want to watch it now, go to http://smilejdrama.blogspot.com/ and play the video. You have to skip to 14:05 to see the introduction section. To see all the parts that she is in, you'll have to watch a few times. I know where she is so I have no problem. Anyway, you can always wait until I'm in the states to watch it, but I doubt that will happen.

Update on 365 project

Happy Easter

Please click for full image


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lani-elle/3436886504/

Imperial Palace

I never posted the link here, but a week ago we went to the Imperial Palace and took lots of pictures.
http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q19/rainsongs/Imperial%20Palace/

Melanie's first job

So, I'll try to make this long story as short as possible since I don't have much time to write.
Earlier this week I got an email about a studio that was looking for 50 babies to film for a new television show. They said ages 6 to 18 months so I sent in Melanie's information. The man at the modeling agency called me and said he'd call me with more info if she got the job. Well, I never heard anything.
Thursday night I got a call from him asking if she was still available. I said of course! We left the house at 7am to head to a little town outside Machida where the studio is located. (I believe it is W of Tokyo) Everything got moving at about 9am and Melanie got to do her filming around noon. They split us up into four groups and only one group was up at a time with one of the actors from the show. Melanie just sat there and pulled the actresses hair when she lied down next to her. I watched away from the filming on a screen. OMG, that was one happy momma. I had so much pride for her; she was such a cute little girl! To make it better, there were some other people standing there pointing her out of the group and talking about how cute she was!
The second time she was up for filming she was in the "happy baby" group. I got to stand next to the stage and try to keep her happy. She kinda watched me and smiled, but I think she wondered what in the world was going on.
It's going to be on television in two weeks. I WILL be getting it on dvd.

6 Month appointment

Friday was Melanie's 6 month appointment. She is now weighing 16lbs and is 23.5in. So, she is short and round in the 50th percentile for weight and 5th percentile for height. I've started calling her my chunky monkey.
We've been concerned with some dry and red skin on her back. The pediatrician said she has mild eczema. We have an ointment to clear up the redness and lotion to apply multiple times a day. She also has special soap. Oh, and he also started her on fluoride drops. Apparently, base housing in Yokosuka and Ikego has "base water" that has added fluoride, but in Negishi we get "Japanese water" and they don't add it.
Melanie got a few shots after her appointment. We almost have her caught up on her HIB, so once we get that she won't need anymore until she's a year old. I also elected to get her flu shot since it is still going around Japan.

Since she was 4 months I've been sleeping SO well since she would be asleep nearly 11 hours solid every night. The last week or so she's decided that it is fun to wake up crying multiple times a night. Last night it was 10pm, midnight, and 4am. I was not happy. I have to assume that she is teething. Even before her immunizations, she'd be randomly cranky during the day. She isn't drooling or chewing on things any more than usual! :) No sign of teeth yet, but she has been getting teething tablets and baby Orajel occasionally.

Yesterday we made a trip to the Imperial Palace. Pictures and information to come later.

6 months 1 week 2 days

6 months 1 week 1 day

6 months 1 week

Photobucket

I have been using flickr, but I surpass my limit too quickly. For now, I've created a new 6 month album on photobucket.

6 months 4, 5 & 6 days

Danny on television

Danny was interviewed about two weeks ago and it was on television the other day. Here it is for all of you to enjoy!

6 months 3 days

6 months 2 days