Sayonara to Sakura...

We spent a lot of time over the past few weeks walking along Meguro River during the Sakura blossom season.....we and thousand of others...but it was a great time! It's even funnier at night when we can see a bunch of happy, drunk people hanging around under the cherry trees while they eat and get even more drunk. I love taking walks and chasing the cherry blossoms as they fall off the branches. Mama and papa don't think they are so tasty but I love eating them.

We had a great view of some Sakura trees from our house...

...but it's always sad towards the end of cherry blossom season when they fall into the river to be carried away until next year. I'd love to be philosophical now but I'd rather leave it at that and let the readers decide how you feel...

As always, a few of papa's creations for dinner lately. Omelet rice (chicken and tomato rice covered in an egg omelet)...

...and a pasta dish of fresh spinach and tomato linguine...

Papa was watching a cooking show the other day hoping to learn a new dish made with asparagus. This is what the TV show cook made. Looked a little over-cooked to papa...he was definitely not impressed. How could anyone televise a TV cooking show that burns asparagus??? It was awful!!! And they were serious about this recipe. It was supposed to be marinaded asparagus but papa called it marinaded carbon. The "chef" should be fired.


And, as always, I've been busy...

I generally break new toys in under 2 minutes so papa found toys made by Orka that I can't break and keep me occupied for hours when papa stuffs food inside...
Papa thinks it is one of the best investment he's ever made. The first time he put beef jerky inside and then wrapped the toy in cloth from his old pants, it took me an hour to get the food out. Papa and mama were so grateful for the hour of peace and quiet.

Mama and papa went to a maternity fair on Saturday. They are 95% decided on the stroller they will buy. They both love the Peg Perego Si. Aprica also makes some pretty good stuff. The biggest disappointment was Maclaren. So many people have Maclaren strollers but mama and papa found them to be inferior. Safety is the most important element of buying a stroller, but in Japan, items must also be compact, easy to use and convenient (i.e. can open and close it with 1 hand). The Maclaren strollers have a strange way of folding up and do not stand by themselves when folded. Anyhow, we only have another million decisions to make for the baby so we're getting there.

Halfway there...

As you can see by the counter to the right, we are halfway there! My little brother/sister is just under 20 weeks away! I can't wait to meet him/her. We don't know the gender yet but the doctor seemed to hint at the last check up that I may have a younger brother...mama now thinks it's a boy...papa is just hoping that he/she is not as much trouble as me... :-)

A few weeks ago, mama and papa went to Suitengu Shrine to pray for a safe birth...

Since dogs have large litters which are birthed relatively easily and are healthy and happy, this is the symbol of Suitengu Shrine...

A few weeks ago, mama and papa went to a friend's place for dinner and papa made a bunch of brownies.

Papa has been busy cooking lately. Shepherd's pie...

Homemade mac and cheese based on this recipe...

...and a very typical Japanese dinner...so healthy!!!

Today and tomorrow are probably the best days for viewing the cherry blossoms in Tokyo.

All kinds of folks came out to see the cherry blossoms. Not sure what planet this dude is from...

Mama and papa went shopping for strollers today while I got a bath and grooming. They loved the Peg Perego Si stroller. It is durable, portable and not too heavy. Aprica has some good models too. We may wait until after the baby is born before we buy the stroller. Papa has spent more time studying about strollers and cribs than he did when he bought our house and car. They also went to visit Airbuggy in Daikanyama but the staff there are morons. They were more concerned about unpacking boxes than they were about helping customers. Disappointing. Good products but idiots for staff. They didn't offer to help customers or ask if we needed assistance. Papa liked one of the products but had to lift down from the shelf by himself while the staff stood there watching him. Then the staff walked off to continue unpacking a box while mama and papa struggled to figure out how to fold and unfold the stroller. Nice customer service. They'll be out of business within a year (hopefully).