tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60346567939623526252024-03-21T19:20:20.761-07:00ice cream is deliciousA blog to keep me sane as a PediatricianUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-65278233964249695202024-02-17T08:38:00.000-08:002024-02-23T16:26:02.205-08:00Baobao 2y to 2.5 years.<p> 8/30/23</p><p>We decided to put Baobao in daycare. It's a Mother's Day Put program at the Day school at Westbury Methodist. It's 9-1p Tuesday to Thursday, but there is extended care before (7:30a) and after (to 6p), so works for our schedule. We are a little apprehensive because he's still so small, especially for his school year. </p><p>He can put a 10 piece puzzle and the ABC puzzle together. He likes to try to sing songs like baba black sheep, ABC, happy birthday, Bingo, twinkle twinkle little star. Very cute when he tries to sing or talks to himself! He will try to sing and even tell AB to shhhh if AB tries to sing the same song too. He likes hearing stories from the curious George book. </p><p>He's definitely in his terrible twos stage. Everything needs to be a particular way and done a certain way. He wants to walk himself everywhere or climb up himself. He doesn't want to be carried places. He wants to walk upstairs himself to go read. He will get fixated on certain pages of stories or certain picture in the book like "dudu" (a girls belly button), "poopoo" in the grandparent book when I joked there the frog had poop on it's butt. Also happy birthday sign on the find and seek book. </p><p>His favorite song is Taylor Swift - Cruel Summer.</p><p><br /></p><p>9/1/23</p><p>Beach trip #2 at Surfside! Baobao once again was the baby that enjoyed the beach the most. He would stay in the water and on the beach the whole day of he could. He tried to lie down and the waves would splash on his face.</p><p><br /></p><p>9/14/23</p><p>Baobao started school! Well, last week was supposed to be first day, but got sent home after 15min because he had "pink eye" maybe...he did NOT have pink eye. Prob more like a stye. I would know. But the nurse didn't believe me. Sighs...required a doctor's note. So AB ended up working from home with Baobao. </p><p>This week, when we asked him if he it was fun, he would say "Fun!" He would say some weird things though, like: "Baobao pushed ah yi, ta fall down, ta shen qi" (Baobao pushed auntie, she fell down, she angry). Not sure if this really happened... and then today he would very surprisingly and frequently point out this elephant stamp on his arm. When asked who did it, he would say ah Yi, but then later said himself. He seems to love school. He didn't even say goodbye to me when I dropped him off at school. </p><p>He doesn't seem to eat at school though. Not sure if it's because he doesn't like the cold food (there's no microwave).</p><p><br /></p><p>9/17/23</p><p>Baobao likes to point out the parents of his friends and say his friend's name. </p><p><br /></p><p>9/22/23</p><p>We went to San Diego. This time Baobao is much better on the trip. Didn't sleep much before, but he was well entertained with new toys and watching the Mario movie. </p><p><br /></p><p>10/2/23</p><p>Baobao is talking a lot more (not repeating us):</p><p>"Cut finger"</p><p>"Go ahead"</p><p>When asked what he did at the playground, he said: Huahua ti (slide), and qi ma (ride horse).</p><p>"Baby sleeping"</p><p>Zhan qi lai (get up). Ah Yi xia Lai (auntie come down).</p><p>Shui gou le (slept enough). </p><p>He wants to do everything himself. And then gets upset when he can't. He wants to drink from adult cup. He can catch a little bit. He asks to watch baseball. He pretended his Peter Rabbit is sitting on the toilet (using his cup holder) "Tu-da la chou chou." So funny to see him pretend like pretending he's talking on the phone or eating things. He can sing the ABC's and he likes to sing along with other songs in the Baobao learns Chinese book (twinkle little star, mama hao, row your boat, etc). </p><p>However, on our trip to San Diego and Seattle, he has had trouble sleeping. 2 nights he woke up at 3a, and few nights he refused to go to sleep. This makes us never want to travel. Strange it was all ok when we went to the beach, but that was just a few days and the first few days of travel were fine for him at the Airbnb. For nap time, we would put him to sleep, but then he would poop. And at night, he would cry and cry. </p><p>"So cute!" Regarding a dog he saw in the park.</p><p>He likes to follow other kids around that are slightly older than him. He kind of played with friend AW's kid at St Edwards park.</p><p><br /></p><p>10/31/23</p><p>Today Wes went trick or treating as a baby Yoda. I was princess Leia and AB was Darth Vader. Many people said he was cute 🥰. He's probably confused why so many people giving him small things wrapped in plastic. </p><p>He seems to really enjoy school. They do so many activities, especially painting and sensory things. There's always a theme each week. Only thing is he doesn't eat much there.</p><p><br /></p><p>11/10/23 2y2mo</p><p>AB says Baobao's terrible twos are better now because he can express more. I'm still skeptical. But I suppose he is a little better. A little better at understanding what's going on and expressing himself. Now he seems to understand a little about time and a little about after this, you can have this. </p><p><br /></p><p>12/8/23 2y3mo</p><p>So we successfully dropped off Baobao for a week with my parents while AB and I went to Japan! It was really nice to be child-free. Man...all those child-less people - enjoy the time you have! Wish they could experience what it's like with a child, and then they can appreciate how wonderful child-free time is - but alas, that's not how life works. </p><p>Other recent developments: <br />-Baobao is able to rock climb up 9ft by himself. I'm quiet impressed. <br />-He had his first performance: Christmas program at his school Westbury Methodist. <br />-He went 2 whole days without napping. It worries us because we enjoy having alone time for 3 hrs a day. Really hope he doesn't stop napping. Thankfully he will sing for 2 hours. <br />-He's able to count a little bit and recognizes a few letters. Not much though. <br />-He will ask us some questions and remember things from a while ago. Like when I mentioned we are going to bouncy house, he remembered. Or one time out of the blue, he said airplane - mom and dad take airplane to Japan. <br /><br /></p><p>12/23/23 2y4mo</p><p>We went to a rockets game and Baobao was so fascinated with the mascot Clutch. He really wanted to give him a high-five so he pushed through the people sitting in our row, quickly gave Clutch a high-five, and immediately turned around to come back to me without giving Clutch a second thought. He was very determined. </p><p><br /></p><p>1/9/24 2y4mo</p><p>Baobao is saying more things. Like "Put Tuda over here" and "Mama woke up!" (Chinese). He recently started saying "because..." I wonder if he even knows what because means. When our friend B and M came over the other day, he was so sweet with M and wanted her to play with him all the time. </p><p>But when he doesn't get a good nap like when he goes to daycare, then he gets frustrated easily and wants impossible or unreasonable things. Ah, so many time outs those days. </p><p><br /></p><p>1/15/24 2y5mo</p><p>First time Baobao successfully put on his pants without my help! (I just indicated to him which is back and there is a right hole and a left hole, one for each feet). </p><p><br /></p><p>1/31/24 2y5mo</p><p>First time Baobao said he didn't like someone (Naomi). We asked why if she pushed him down, and he said no. We asked if she took a toy, and he said, "she took a zebra." </p><p>"Daddy, wear Baobao's shoes"</p><p>Jesus loves me song</p><p><br /></p><p>2/6/23 2y5mo</p><p>We feel like these are the big milestones: </p><p>4mo sleep through the night</p><p>13-14mo: one nap</p><p>26mo: talking more and communicating well, can negotiate</p><p>Also we did potty training a week ago and Baobao did so well so far! He had one accident the first day when he was eating breakfast, one at church on day 3, and hasn't had an accident till today he went to school and was playing too hard and didn't get to the potty on time (though he did pee mostly in the potty). So proud of this little guy! We followed the 3 day pdf that our friend sent, and it was great! Although we did keep the potty in the living room and we still used pull ups for naps and diaper for sleep at night. It really helped that he was already potty trained for poop (bc my parents thought he could do it when we visited in Nov), and we could tell when he was pooping so we could rush him to the potty. I did try putting him in underwear a month ago but he just peed in his pants while we were baking, so we it only lasted a few hours and I put him back in diapers. This time it helped that I had 2 of his friends over on Day 1 of training and one has just been potty training, so she was also going to potty. And then everytime Baobao went to the potty, he got a standing ovation from everyone. Stickers also helped eat time. I was so impressed the first day, he even went to the potty himself on his own without even telling me (pulling down his own pants). </p><p>I'm Chinese: "when we get to church, don't need Tuda"</p><p>Songs w likes to sing: Jesus loves me, old McDonald's (but gets stuck at old McDonald's has a farm), ABC (but says m o po Po p), twinkle twinkle little star, baba black sheep, open shut, ring around the Rosie, deep in the heart of Texas, skidamarinki, jingle bells. </p><p><br /></p><p>2/17/24 2y6mo</p><p>W is eating better. We start the meals with his favorite foods like Frenchies fried onions, and then he's willing to eat other prepared foods. Now he even asks to start eating sometimes. W also says he doesn't like certain things or certain people because they are scary or take his toys. We've moved his nap back to 2p. </p><p>We made the decision to start him at a new school (Faith Lutheran teacher ratio 10:1) in the fall during newborn period for #2. Though we love his current school (Westbury Methodist, good teacher ratio 7:1, current class 6:2), the other one is closer, has lunch, fewer holidays, and opens later on Fridays. Also current school ext care shortening to 5:30p. </p><p>Potty training has been going pretty well (needed to do it for him to attend new school - be 3 yo and potty trained). He has had a few accidents here and there esp when playing, but overall, he's doing well. Lately he would talk about his school, but we still don't know whether to trust what he says. </p><p><br /></p><p>2/19/24 2y6mo</p><p>W can spell his name! Nainai taught him.</p><p>Nainai: We are impressed with the progress Wesley has made in language since he started to put together words a few months ago. We noticed yesterday he chose to use a string of appropriate words very quickly. When the Choo Choo train had a piece detached again, even after I tried once to repair it, he said I can fix it. And he did. He first asked to have rubberband from Alan. He said I want some of them. Alan gave him less than he wants, he said I want all of them. That was very quick thinking. He dashed to mud room to wash hands</p><p> I followed him behind, and in seconds, he was standing on the stool and reaching for the soap. I said he could wait for help, he said, very confidently, I want to wash hands by myself. And, for the record, he can spell Wesley when he is almost 2 and 1/2 years old</p><p>.</p><p><br /></p><p>Funny things about Baobao:</p><p>*Doing the wave a full 5 seconds after everyone else did it.</p><p><br /></p><p>*Telling us to "go ahead" when he didn't want to eat dinner yet. </p><p><br /></p><p>*When our friend was looking for her son, Baobao said, "he's here!" Whole pointing to him.</p><p><br /></p><p>*Ab was doing beep beep sound and laughing, and Baobao said "that's funny!"</p><p><br /></p><p>*His favorite song on the radio is "Cruel Summer" by T swift, and he'll sing along</p><p><br /></p><p>The other day he said "I love it!" Regarding vinegar.</p><p><br /></p><p>Baobao said, "You ok baba?"</p><p>Baba: "I'm ok! Are you ok Baobao?"</p><p>Baobao: "No."</p><p><br /></p><p>AB: "Silly Baobao!"</p><p>Baobao: "Silly baba!"</p><p><br /></p><p>YW: "If you're good tomorrow, we can go on a train."</p><p>Baobao: "All aboard!"</p><p><br /></p><p>He discovered his pockets and he filled them with acorns. </p><p><br /></p><p>Yw: where is little brother?</p><p>Baobao: in Baobao's ear!</p><p><br /></p><p>Baobao: "Wesley drive!"</p><p><br /></p><p>Pretend phone conversation with AB (2y4mo):</p><p>Baobao: "Hello baba!?" </p><p>AB: "Hello Baobao!"</p><p>Baobao: "Are you busy?"</p><p>AB: "no I'm not busy, are you busy?"</p><p>Baobao: "Yes."</p><p>AB: "what are you doing?"</p><p>Baobao: "I'm eating." </p><p>AB: "what are you eating?"</p><p>Baobao: "orange"</p><p>AB: "who gave you the orange"</p><p>Baobao: "baba. Bye bye see you later!"</p><p><br /></p><p>Baobao: "here come another poopoo!" "Big poopoo today"</p><p><br /></p><p>When W sat in baby rocker, AB asked: </p><p>This is for didi</p><p>W: no, this is for W.</p><p>AB: but didi need to use it, is it ok?</p><p>W: We can share</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-5748024092136662772023-12-23T05:52:00.000-08:002024-02-20T05:52:26.787-08:002023 Highlights<p>* Playing HCCFL after COVID hiatus and now we have Baobao. </p><p>*Rodeo first time with Baobao</p><p>*Going to brother's college graduation and JS's wedding in Vancouver.</p><p>*Brother visiting and KP visiting</p><p>*Labor day long weekend trip to Surfside </p><p>*Baobao starting school 3 days a week and loving it</p><p>*San Diego for Alan's conference and friends</p><p>*Baobao going trick-or-treating for the first time</p><p>*Visiting Japan (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto) while parents took care of Baobao in Seattle.</p><p>*Teaching 6th graders at church</p><p>*Expecting another kid in June 2024</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-58460770569034757242023-11-28T12:29:00.000-08:002023-12-08T12:30:18.872-08:00Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto<p> Guide we used: </p><p dir="ltr">Japan<br />
Guide: <a href="https://www.justonecookbook.com/ultimate-travel-guide-to-tokyo/">https://www.justonecookbook.com/ultimate-travel-guide-to-tokyo</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Tokyo: <br />
Day1<br />
Made it with 2 hr delay in flight due to mechanical maintenance. <br />
One of the first surprises was how quiet everything was. The subway, the bus, the stations - no one talked or made any noise. Also there are so many signs and directions everywhere. Everything is so clear, precise, and orderly. So much safety built in like emergency stop button for subway and arrows directing which side people should go up or down. <br />
Hamaya: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2jt196Nf6_X4JF1bNRsuoLePQYLtU4Vrin6HJFbThEGedS1m6n6Bn7BOR7Nr_zLm1DG_onFdJ7Hdt81Z_eOKtAJ7H0jDwnx3yYcRcDdS7xasIcWQgv8ZbmaEychrL4bylTYP8R8UrJKoU2sWeswx18iDeqqVk6GQU9fTv8YsBNQP4gFLhyWpa41_qZZ7J" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1131" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2jt196Nf6_X4JF1bNRsuoLePQYLtU4Vrin6HJFbThEGedS1m6n6Bn7BOR7Nr_zLm1DG_onFdJ7Hdt81Z_eOKtAJ7H0jDwnx3yYcRcDdS7xasIcWQgv8ZbmaEychrL4bylTYP8R8UrJKoU2sWeswx18iDeqqVk6GQU9fTv8YsBNQP4gFLhyWpa41_qZZ7J" width="313" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr">Special shisosio soba. Special oyster and clam oil sio ramen. </p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ3kI5FNrRMQO2ZPFIbqEb4EiJKE8h-eplljyAcMGWGIr4q1J-y2Q7TdBcbwD--G8FR2zMjUj9C0gOBRIYmi5mKQpQyB8qz0IMMFo_Q_UmFnRpLQSIQJJYo_t6P2rQTSt_ELRyRKP-CCPxig1m4AYKhFXB9YGIswldPIck8PdFF91Jzu2ogsWY_Ygcg7JT" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="375" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ3kI5FNrRMQO2ZPFIbqEb4EiJKE8h-eplljyAcMGWGIr4q1J-y2Q7TdBcbwD--G8FR2zMjUj9C0gOBRIYmi5mKQpQyB8qz0IMMFo_Q_UmFnRpLQSIQJJYo_t6P2rQTSt_ELRyRKP-CCPxig1m4AYKhFXB9YGIswldPIck8PdFF91Jzu2ogsWY_Ygcg7JT=w285-h215" width="285" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2-HApGti7M_cIWNciIKOv0nzm4OdirDN92RCozEA-ZmSQSN_w_cfz67bzepg30T-qqhRnc1xFqO8vdPPmBLSPI35Pa3zsjYKyOrVBHl843Sdp5hn0OPR8gqk7aFu3HQY3yaXJe1b--cUEVKPzMgntH8uC_l9SiARgEYNonTH6bZsTcvwUrxloSecZ8Mrj" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="375" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2-HApGti7M_cIWNciIKOv0nzm4OdirDN92RCozEA-ZmSQSN_w_cfz67bzepg30T-qqhRnc1xFqO8vdPPmBLSPI35Pa3zsjYKyOrVBHl843Sdp5hn0OPR8gqk7aFu3HQY3yaXJe1b--cUEVKPzMgntH8uC_l9SiARgEYNonTH6bZsTcvwUrxloSecZ8Mrj=w286-h215" width="286" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Our place was small, but it was very efficient use of space and very clean. It had a bidet! - nice to sit on a warm toilet haha! </p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3cMGiciI3Fzfh1Qp1UFK9hu3AW-QxMwJtLllWk829bqMBGmInpH61MWX3D5p6qbp22qoulG8rkPvbPgSZx8LQYpg0E6EmjkD1bdI-Fa3lyP-If-a1ZsTTH5Omkrrdsj65AYPXpqq-zcnXskYGJiLhqjvTOYBHS99vXSxltH-hTntD_wgJNibBg9s20TEt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="376" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3cMGiciI3Fzfh1Qp1UFK9hu3AW-QxMwJtLllWk829bqMBGmInpH61MWX3D5p6qbp22qoulG8rkPvbPgSZx8LQYpg0E6EmjkD1bdI-Fa3lyP-If-a1ZsTTH5Omkrrdsj65AYPXpqq-zcnXskYGJiLhqjvTOYBHS99vXSxltH-hTntD_wgJNibBg9s20TEt" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Day 2<br />
We had jetlag, so woke up at 4a and laid in bed. We decided to go to fish market. Got there too late for the auction (end 6:30a), but we got to eat some really fresh sushi at the restaurant area here:<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/?cid=11798204809531068420&entry=gps">https://maps.google.com/?cid=11798204809531068420&entry=gps</a></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyKlKkvomt1AzkfwL4cgEPZzQGPXDfnXRDu_B2r-GAXW6Is7EXNM-YiKfVtSVxprrb990z0pSyYTzk78GwLUvgsxtB7ezhqAi9BA9Q8T0EtpiA2lE-tV98BWDilKK3MwA1aklBiwfHTIMLDF9-17Ui8RDdUkunWgUZ7BmxlGeFijNbenEgJ5gLCHxFNsVN" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyKlKkvomt1AzkfwL4cgEPZzQGPXDfnXRDu_B2r-GAXW6Is7EXNM-YiKfVtSVxprrb990z0pSyYTzk78GwLUvgsxtB7ezhqAi9BA9Q8T0EtpiA2lE-tV98BWDilKK3MwA1aklBiwfHTIMLDF9-17Ui8RDdUkunWgUZ7BmxlGeFijNbenEgJ5gLCHxFNsVN" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7uVQwHjQ2J8QQ98nSAi8jQPTjlDW6rF0HOLwFom0Y_YCUh3EYxsS2kgIa7mLWEBTGnOTJYnhl8QXhxmoor7SZfhvSWWkhdf9UiTPlQcHQV1W4zd9YD-TBZiERKTpBefLMmwgW40-BXw0DcWK4Bp5VLh_oS3Jn9QYAyy4hAlE2fVH4PNwIxEcCHlEGLi2f" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1036" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7uVQwHjQ2J8QQ98nSAi8jQPTjlDW6rF0HOLwFom0Y_YCUh3EYxsS2kgIa7mLWEBTGnOTJYnhl8QXhxmoor7SZfhvSWWkhdf9UiTPlQcHQV1W4zd9YD-TBZiERKTpBefLMmwgW40-BXw0DcWK4Bp5VLh_oS3Jn9QYAyy4hAlE2fVH4PNwIxEcCHlEGLi2f" width="306" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyKlKkvomt1AzkfwL4cgEPZzQGPXDfnXRDu_B2r-GAXW6Is7EXNM-YiKfVtSVxprrb990z0pSyYTzk78GwLUvgsxtB7ezhqAi9BA9Q8T0EtpiA2lE-tV98BWDilKK3MwA1aklBiwfHTIMLDF9-17Ui8RDdUkunWgUZ7BmxlGeFijNbenEgJ5gLCHxFNsVN" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1172" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyKlKkvomt1AzkfwL4cgEPZzQGPXDfnXRDu_B2r-GAXW6Is7EXNM-YiKfVtSVxprrb990z0pSyYTzk78GwLUvgsxtB7ezhqAi9BA9Q8T0EtpiA2lE-tV98BWDilKK3MwA1aklBiwfHTIMLDF9-17Ui8RDdUkunWgUZ7BmxlGeFijNbenEgJ5gLCHxFNsVN" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Sushi dai was completely booked when we got there, but this restaurant had no line! We had the chef choice 10 nigiri/sushi (4,950 yen) and donburi (rice with uni, fatty tuna, and roe 5,500 yen). My favorite was the uni (sea urchin) and otoro (fatty tuna belly) and Alan's was the salmon roe. The roe was a little too salty and fishy for me. The sardine was also a bit too fishy. And sadly my nose was a little stuffed so my sense of taste wasn't the best. Yet, it was still very delicious. Mmmmm, the uni was so creamy and melt in my mouth. We never had sushi for breakfast before, but that was awesome! </p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFtGKWpW-vmGwUXNyT5FXmeraP9qFLOTQSn9ytqg_PNqbWrv65N8f-FussvOiu1n8CoYirqEeAG1K_Wj-b8oPlUJSuI7jMnpLmkLrETjUWGpHYAkWWYKXUEaND4TDW4U087k_NNVIXEJ3w1ri-4odS5Msw8lJiRx38gIdDB7XjQ0L1K3o8zqsBpS-bvNjm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="761" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFtGKWpW-vmGwUXNyT5FXmeraP9qFLOTQSn9ytqg_PNqbWrv65N8f-FussvOiu1n8CoYirqEeAG1K_Wj-b8oPlUJSuI7jMnpLmkLrETjUWGpHYAkWWYKXUEaND4TDW4U087k_NNVIXEJ3w1ri-4odS5Msw8lJiRx38gIdDB7XjQ0L1K3o8zqsBpS-bvNjm=w400-h149" width="400" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><br /></p><p dir="ltr">To Senso-Ji temple:<br />
Front gate lantern is 1500lb.<br />
Hozo-mon gate, also for storage of treasures for the Senso-Ji temple.<br />
Lantern at gate is 900lb. "Thunder gate and incense vat". People will apply the smoke to body part needing healing. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Through Nakamise-dori street with small shops, traditional items.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja1htAXpicMx122ZPHkY5rWfUZzxmGfGPd5F5Vb0p2_dYVaDiLUtDbpw_vHjbM1_lApiYjHZd7Dk5-MfH2TobcpQQKTxaIS4JJNoA7xwU5UqkkD59-oHQfSmQmYIZQbXMJUn2PYS6QInMTT44E4UcDyfmWTGq-eznP_1a1jZLasvQcV6M2_bQMh384kh_e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1166" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja1htAXpicMx122ZPHkY5rWfUZzxmGfGPd5F5Vb0p2_dYVaDiLUtDbpw_vHjbM1_lApiYjHZd7Dk5-MfH2TobcpQQKTxaIS4JJNoA7xwU5UqkkD59-oHQfSmQmYIZQbXMJUn2PYS6QInMTT44E4UcDyfmWTGq-eznP_1a1jZLasvQcV6M2_bQMh384kh_e" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br />Doves are messengers of goddess compassion.<p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Omikuji: pray, and pull out answer from one of the drawers.<br /></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwkX3DRkF7j84Xt1PekPyj4vhLbfFI-tXShz68zW2X8zUoWO2Zmgv4EFxImyf6oIBcf2KuLJdFOVDkdcMpTqRN2dboOb3NRDaSMymikMiYXf22icBwGeoXIUFRMW6Zhh2kG0fJThNU3aLOMmffNHk8Jg5hs5NvZSrhAHC5Go46UuHyg-xHKgkEbzVYYUP2" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1153" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwkX3DRkF7j84Xt1PekPyj4vhLbfFI-tXShz68zW2X8zUoWO2Zmgv4EFxImyf6oIBcf2KuLJdFOVDkdcMpTqRN2dboOb3NRDaSMymikMiYXf22icBwGeoXIUFRMW6Zhh2kG0fJThNU3aLOMmffNHk8Jg5hs5NvZSrhAHC5Go46UuHyg-xHKgkEbzVYYUP2=w640-h476" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpJOgHDtTxSGxoKs6473XfO66-9dOY6Zr_jqQkKzG246qk_gJbhcn2pBAUKeCvx2lYPle5i3Z8bZKthf3sy6r78XWoqNiZizGKuLklsTV10_4eSpHtYG8dlnK_ZifR34qzhqvtW4lVTvlrL8LKaYcZwMFxLliVZl_pCrJaVA7EqkH200NT9IpY2Kgq5bkw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="488" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpJOgHDtTxSGxoKs6473XfO66-9dOY6Zr_jqQkKzG246qk_gJbhcn2pBAUKeCvx2lYPle5i3Z8bZKthf3sy6r78XWoqNiZizGKuLklsTV10_4eSpHtYG8dlnK_ZifR34qzhqvtW4lVTvlrL8LKaYcZwMFxLliVZl_pCrJaVA7EqkH200NT9IpY2Kgq5bkw" width="173" /></a><br /><br /></div><p dir="ltr">Tokyo skytree:<br />
Tallest stand-alone tower in the world. <br />
450m observation hall. Going up to 350m is sufficient. Upper deck too hot and not much different. <br />
Buildings far as the eye can see: and not just small buildings, but big ones too!.... It's amazing to see the most populus city in the world from high up. <br />
Tokyo: 38 mill<br />
Shanghai: 25 mill<br />
New York: 19 mill<br />
Clear day so we could see Mt. Fuji!</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4Ut0V0jvaT1UR5Wimxnpd8dX4reD4ZOfGdFML6p6lNhPrvyn_Uh09Je8030rbnUPXwD_8axjBBtWyHwdgYVNN1qXB8RRsB8EmRiffIXtmZcP6bKMTZ9Ra3mRaEpwPfhroznVH0fplbGqIKjxw_Lh51E20AspRGa_e2rQwcNytxHm3g9_QbXm5hfoXPS8R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="651" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4Ut0V0jvaT1UR5Wimxnpd8dX4reD4ZOfGdFML6p6lNhPrvyn_Uh09Je8030rbnUPXwD_8axjBBtWyHwdgYVNN1qXB8RRsB8EmRiffIXtmZcP6bKMTZ9Ra3mRaEpwPfhroznVH0fplbGqIKjxw_Lh51E20AspRGa_e2rQwcNytxHm3g9_QbXm5hfoXPS8R=w496-h640" width="496" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Ueno park:<br />
We had lunch at ueno park Shinobazuno pond. There's a big food street/area outside of the park called Ameyoko market so we got take out there. But also someone was selling grilled squid near the pond. It was pleasant to eat by the pond. We then walked through the park to the art museum and reflection fountain. Didn't feel like going to the museum or zoo in the park. The leaves seemed like they were mostly done changing color too. Maybe spring with flowers would be prettier, but it was still a pleasant stroll. </p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe_XU5Aoo01EHurfb16u1NKAuc3TFtoNpjxmygpP2d9abF2OSiRvKimZRonSdUjEzgCtwnRmNPB_muKHgOvhaZEkdQ4246EbbpHGSgRhgG3W5GaCzevreXCeqSimp_a8ny_JebPMkecgWwhiyr8S5JaiDwFJhw_Krur4GT5WWMVXGUd2QveQctgVX8aoNo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1161" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe_XU5Aoo01EHurfb16u1NKAuc3TFtoNpjxmygpP2d9abF2OSiRvKimZRonSdUjEzgCtwnRmNPB_muKHgOvhaZEkdQ4246EbbpHGSgRhgG3W5GaCzevreXCeqSimp_a8ny_JebPMkecgWwhiyr8S5JaiDwFJhw_Krur4GT5WWMVXGUd2QveQctgVX8aoNo" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Sanbaka restaurant dinner: 5 course:<br />
1)<br />
-Ohitashi and komatsuna (greens) and chrysanthemum flowers.<br />
-Shungiku, mustard green with sesame dressing, and fish.<br />
-Meat and potatoes (traditional Japanese food).</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEjtng-Gz8_Ll18bA-BOYeUu_IiMQiMxzf3CY9IAiZVQ5FK69ncisAb5WvdhqD2LyKRbtxZ7qQZLTEHCuiJko7JkSm2wbUpAwKL95fH5maVXeCrZR5iFwsb24exPBT0P5-HQCkjt7PPuAOCoUd7o5CpUeriSAU87ztp_SB1o1h1qmNHWAtVU009GqWev4z" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1010" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEjtng-Gz8_Ll18bA-BOYeUu_IiMQiMxzf3CY9IAiZVQ5FK69ncisAb5WvdhqD2LyKRbtxZ7qQZLTEHCuiJko7JkSm2wbUpAwKL95fH5maVXeCrZR5iFwsb24exPBT0P5-HQCkjt7PPuAOCoUd7o5CpUeriSAU87ztp_SB1o1h1qmNHWAtVU009GqWev4z=w200-h163" width="200" /></a></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">2) Yellowtail, sea bass, and snapper sashimi. </p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtH5q9cQU3__taG1Qos7xXZRH2UPvT0GeoFdhold-VYH4yD-Kxlp4OS38k8rldNaiJrMBG09UVSrRwed2PgKiJwcGDvfIKGDb14eg2ZYXCAsWgHf9zyy75tZOC4lioHrCwU-8jTRYLOw6fED0rO80APT4TpnjTshnYk0TwxWMO83zQWByHDwKGHiZsn3Cy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="647" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtH5q9cQU3__taG1Qos7xXZRH2UPvT0GeoFdhold-VYH4yD-Kxlp4OS38k8rldNaiJrMBG09UVSrRwed2PgKiJwcGDvfIKGDb14eg2ZYXCAsWgHf9zyy75tZOC4lioHrCwU-8jTRYLOw6fED0rO80APT4TpnjTshnYk0TwxWMO83zQWByHDwKGHiZsn3Cy=w165-h200" width="165" /></a></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">3) Tuna marinated in soy sauce on lotus root, cooked with sake. Topped with asparagus greens. Too salty overall.<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvaejyzPThONxczoHTJCytYKv8cweLV26TPC2UUdkuXnh2phyIFSZ5ub9Yr3Lj1US20zsI5Q9bfklsDiboEq112NxzYPux2A-ljNH5Ok6M1qY6rIgevQVkzIe3UcD7jqQx00EwiU27Vxk5wv8xc_M0YxEKGyzgm7hNUTFqPSR-Jbbw8uW180XdY8w96hw5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="636" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvaejyzPThONxczoHTJCytYKv8cweLV26TPC2UUdkuXnh2phyIFSZ5ub9Yr3Lj1US20zsI5Q9bfklsDiboEq112NxzYPux2A-ljNH5Ok6M1qY6rIgevQVkzIe3UcD7jqQx00EwiU27Vxk5wv8xc_M0YxEKGyzgm7hNUTFqPSR-Jbbw8uW180XdY8w96hw5" width="187" /></a></div><br />
4) Chawanmushi: Egg custard with dashi (soup stock), bonito, clam, seaweed. Yummy, like a soup.<p></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC7DyZ5G1BEdiP-U-Mjlib5jbqrqwqtVJphtV5bNvcZKYmPd3LBHICilw5YAV68WvwglR0biMq0lGQdJFIGlIPRgPWeWSmLn8m_v_AJyy3363JC3zgGr7zXAZsjuDBIuEjMCvVIqy4YqKsfzrLgCZIQnt1qVeBXh5LvDepM6e6e4Pojj7QEjbmZ_tM-nIy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="647" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC7DyZ5G1BEdiP-U-Mjlib5jbqrqwqtVJphtV5bNvcZKYmPd3LBHICilw5YAV68WvwglR0biMq0lGQdJFIGlIPRgPWeWSmLn8m_v_AJyy3363JC3zgGr7zXAZsjuDBIuEjMCvVIqy4YqKsfzrLgCZIQnt1qVeBXh5LvDepM6e6e4Pojj7QEjbmZ_tM-nIy" width="214" /></a></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">5) Fermented soy beans, mascarpone cheese, nato. Kind of bland.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiC26kuO1lJE0ABj3mncEWdo1-3-9L42b_QyQibmjoJ6smANU6iOtUhMI6AVUx3phjEa4Nj5lAY1zIGPN4GX9Hii3QWvdvlXiDv4MhxznBvQAtucc9CSBQJfP1JpYiqqkNrviIaFuP0EwXk6IIXQWIarSV3P3LBvT6sxE10ZUdtVd4YslI3KOOV-Q3XSxk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="593" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiC26kuO1lJE0ABj3mncEWdo1-3-9L42b_QyQibmjoJ6smANU6iOtUhMI6AVUx3phjEa4Nj5lAY1zIGPN4GX9Hii3QWvdvlXiDv4MhxznBvQAtucc9CSBQJfP1JpYiqqkNrviIaFuP0EwXk6IIXQWIarSV3P3LBvT6sxE10ZUdtVd4YslI3KOOV-Q3XSxk=w200-h174" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Akihabara:<br />
So confused what's pop-up space and ensemble stars store??!!<br />
Reminded me of time square, but it was all about anime! <br /></p><p dir="ltr"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjhVXY_J1Xi_dI4JAo0bM-Nvg3PruwINthaDpKacfx8X1y1WwveqFjbJsQ4gCG0yRRcYx4Km6Z1e94w0u9b5ZCjPmKoAomD31t7nZ4WxPrURvTNK16AjUOJ88y55uKN8uxAv9Tgcygd-Q1E2-xuLNiUo65WA7NTnFf0TTtQtWDDQk6XvSREFegFzfzMycB" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="940" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjhVXY_J1Xi_dI4JAo0bM-Nvg3PruwINthaDpKacfx8X1y1WwveqFjbJsQ4gCG0yRRcYx4Km6Z1e94w0u9b5ZCjPmKoAomD31t7nZ4WxPrURvTNK16AjUOJ88y55uKN8uxAv9Tgcygd-Q1E2-xuLNiUo65WA7NTnFf0TTtQtWDDQk6XvSREFegFzfzMycB=w640-h190" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of claw machines, sell electronics. Not pictured: a lot of maid cafes (people dressed up)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFU_-TdskKR4qa9AxoGDyFJ5Ko14jP3tMRwGY2zf9YffkxpKJWxpPjIiVDyDgOyi_cyr3l3fcIAmQPWh1MkxMiDeOnfN8Oo36gmipoQRTtpL598qdVXYwZ5COY2yiim5zZ2EEmvg0D9TLrYe9FO2H1mspNHneIg1w4cvzQz2FzAD0NK6WBga74cYLLtpOo" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1172" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFU_-TdskKR4qa9AxoGDyFJ5Ko14jP3tMRwGY2zf9YffkxpKJWxpPjIiVDyDgOyi_cyr3l3fcIAmQPWh1MkxMiDeOnfN8Oo36gmipoQRTtpL598qdVXYwZ5COY2yiim5zZ2EEmvg0D9TLrYe9FO2H1mspNHneIg1w4cvzQz2FzAD0NK6WBga74cYLLtpOo=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwQGdOnF9PUT2ehoqGHYXfR3lr8fo-HcQIO2jA3dN5pfkBrcMlFmhW8JbEalVgrggYAhLAvTKojCVaA8ZP7-mrufkqgltj-GOud7tQ7QKCNhVjlyJeSFXdXmmojCep0oNlVBuqi0qzhW6mdU9zU06v8_TNejAO1fuX-IBDDvpS0HKWb1CNjXB3ai17ZkjP" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1151" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwQGdOnF9PUT2ehoqGHYXfR3lr8fo-HcQIO2jA3dN5pfkBrcMlFmhW8JbEalVgrggYAhLAvTKojCVaA8ZP7-mrufkqgltj-GOud7tQ7QKCNhVjlyJeSFXdXmmojCep0oNlVBuqi0qzhW6mdU9zU06v8_TNejAO1fuX-IBDDvpS0HKWb1CNjXB3ai17ZkjP" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Ramen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh9ARNaGv13JcbJel7UXgsVPFAeaq5wtCnaP-qNhEgdNx_xwSEPIzpzsWNX96rTac8xn09hWoLMAUNfJ1-7GzV8lvkkyrsDlwkvmrrVeToBy6d5wjjxq_Nre4un7VstdZQdH3EHniT0E8eewnrl6wAiWz74bbHn4dZln_pWMovFAsi0OIOoqmX_Vo-S4Tx" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="877" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh9ARNaGv13JcbJel7UXgsVPFAeaq5wtCnaP-qNhEgdNx_xwSEPIzpzsWNX96rTac8xn09hWoLMAUNfJ1-7GzV8lvkkyrsDlwkvmrrVeToBy6d5wjjxq_Nre4un7VstdZQdH3EHniT0E8eewnrl6wAiWz74bbHn4dZln_pWMovFAsi0OIOoqmX_Vo-S4Tx" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat cafe. Ah didn't get to go to Owl Cafe (real owls!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Day 3:<br />
Meiji Jingu:<br />
Commemorate emperor Meiji and empress Shoken. Where they are buried. <br />
1868 Meiji Restoration proclaimed Charter Path in Five Articles as new guidelines for building Japan as Japan changed from isolation policy of Edo Era to more Eastern influences. The Oath emphasized importance of making decisions based on general discussion, pursuing one's calling, uniting hearts to develop the nation, break harmful practices and gather knowledge from all over the world.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA1DGVac2fiCg_tqw0JlC-ZmC-4p0D6UBZkhEze7O-t09E1sNyXeiGcjMLhFZGaSzxpMWqn4BBoIs1SWZnTduporMLYBHPcUGDPJjovHgQ3ubgqulzXTGsFhKZ4xGTf9NlvLhG0RL7lXnb_dYg2IN-LaPoLPe-5zHirHenAiySZsaIcm9SIV-x7TrxunJi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1153" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA1DGVac2fiCg_tqw0JlC-ZmC-4p0D6UBZkhEze7O-t09E1sNyXeiGcjMLhFZGaSzxpMWqn4BBoIs1SWZnTduporMLYBHPcUGDPJjovHgQ3ubgqulzXTGsFhKZ4xGTf9NlvLhG0RL7lXnb_dYg2IN-LaPoLPe-5zHirHenAiySZsaIcm9SIV-x7TrxunJi=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwxBq2rSTP_L25Z12PHrgeZGHHR-vuZMMuqBwAynNzvHghH9mpTm18dfiXGbjgr7XQ0r0gbEWh7VFa-VcaNyrmzWDZQJm2ts8gDTjUj08TgVhN4v70JIGXn_emnSyByc7fbF7zR7tiiVRsy9ob_fbf6-YLRrN3CW7ZucW3VsRoT0eU5EcnlK4fb9pfIEHy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1171" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwxBq2rSTP_L25Z12PHrgeZGHHR-vuZMMuqBwAynNzvHghH9mpTm18dfiXGbjgr7XQ0r0gbEWh7VFa-VcaNyrmzWDZQJm2ts8gDTjUj08TgVhN4v70JIGXn_emnSyByc7fbF7zR7tiiVRsy9ob_fbf6-YLRrN3CW7ZucW3VsRoT0eU5EcnlK4fb9pfIEHy" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin1LIEmp3Z2lqk-bYnFwHQSIbIdhoQ8bo7ZDMdt6mO-t2mPj8ZKYvmvlwcqiL8Z6ds78xqixKgyb9FXcPNEcjwDzjENOIokr9RBmlLmvqnfE7fQ4tbW1ZovWrC19uT8Y933yO4CjmY8vRoxvSnMAHNYxDdnB6sQKOjtR40naM9W2WRn5tDnb7tsduj2RYi" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1172" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin1LIEmp3Z2lqk-bYnFwHQSIbIdhoQ8bo7ZDMdt6mO-t2mPj8ZKYvmvlwcqiL8Z6ds78xqixKgyb9FXcPNEcjwDzjENOIokr9RBmlLmvqnfE7fQ4tbW1ZovWrC19uT8Y933yO4CjmY8vRoxvSnMAHNYxDdnB6sQKOjtR40naM9W2WRn5tDnb7tsduj2RYi" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrysanthemum festival display</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwZbbyq38dFR9O7GLE35kQHFIqGZZ56qbeWhtWmNOUKY8Lr3NSMmz6ajfxzkOKVrcSGaeIIgihnp3RE1RPWOkTj0aLz19IrY-nO2mHYSH1B4QFwLlDTy1ah1cZ1Wm2Jpg7dJ85jhrgHl-xhEzKUsnydqmYQ3cz3wnayyIQq7c5HrbO1M-_EyWAs3mzjFW5" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1157" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwZbbyq38dFR9O7GLE35kQHFIqGZZ56qbeWhtWmNOUKY8Lr3NSMmz6ajfxzkOKVrcSGaeIIgihnp3RE1RPWOkTj0aLz19IrY-nO2mHYSH1B4QFwLlDTy1ah1cZ1Wm2Jpg7dJ85jhrgHl-xhEzKUsnydqmYQ3cz3wnayyIQq7c5HrbO1M-_EyWAs3mzjFW5" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonsai Chrysanthemum display</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTImzuDoP2U7jmJSb6UkNMTyIylGXPIcUqb2Z4TMaaGSLUzy5fGFt4EBMqo8sPwOGuyzXyzqH8c-wdd_47WjXPNB8XcTx8gFnYwFuY1d1kutktOVm64o_tXLfWQ3jZEkIzFs8uICAJomdE-dMTvCKb0q61O6CS-wmTdsqMM4UPFlry_5yz23cedkIyNVRI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1152" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTImzuDoP2U7jmJSb6UkNMTyIylGXPIcUqb2Z4TMaaGSLUzy5fGFt4EBMqo8sPwOGuyzXyzqH8c-wdd_47WjXPNB8XcTx8gFnYwFuY1d1kutktOVm64o_tXLfWQ3jZEkIzFs8uICAJomdE-dMTvCKb0q61O6CS-wmTdsqMM4UPFlry_5yz23cedkIyNVRI" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Wine vs sake<br />
Emperor tried incorporating western culture such as cutting his topknot, donning western clothing, and enjoyed wine.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG6hzWp3rpMwzYuokbEFI2rKme_qq7zv4pS9tptjhXKKAqx6gHU4FspjWdkPXGM_523lwzwDHcbmHN5EtVR2QjWsWXJ0oxQLNpG__ZMjlbLkoyB73wnPxM7FOZDqhNr6BCINuQn29bu2Fu0-nAyvdnXT60IB-EtYusEWfWK0dEAXL7CUby1VuM3Rr7AcoI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="972" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG6hzWp3rpMwzYuokbEFI2rKme_qq7zv4pS9tptjhXKKAqx6gHU4FspjWdkPXGM_523lwzwDHcbmHN5EtVR2QjWsWXJ0oxQLNpG__ZMjlbLkoyB73wnPxM7FOZDqhNr6BCINuQn29bu2Fu0-nAyvdnXT60IB-EtYusEWfWK0dEAXL7CUby1VuM3Rr7AcoI" width="277" /></a></div><br /> <br />Sake given up to dieties every year. <br /><p></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn2T-4mQW7Jpx-LDU1AX0Y2VZMi9IDuYper_z9IUDHv4DIPEihrdqTjCo63AHtHjKWUiZvVZsuuR8MKEvCksbK0Rz-VOXF-Rra9ObEtkgZIOvsnAtCst-oyx5qY-HJt4Z7jE5SUo9acoy9f1OVx7rWyW_g7b_fdeoRrMY2617mbhNDIYd7d5biB4rddGMg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1042" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn2T-4mQW7Jpx-LDU1AX0Y2VZMi9IDuYper_z9IUDHv4DIPEihrdqTjCo63AHtHjKWUiZvVZsuuR8MKEvCksbK0Rz-VOXF-Rra9ObEtkgZIOvsnAtCst-oyx5qY-HJt4Z7jE5SUo9acoy9f1OVx7rWyW_g7b_fdeoRrMY2617mbhNDIYd7d5biB4rddGMg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Shinjuku Gyoen national garden: <br />
Previously belonged to the Edo Naito family, then transfered to the Imperial family. Has English landscape, French formal, and Traditional Japanese garden styles. 1949 opened as national garden.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD0qrJqrJCMTxpO2TGr3DZsSZDd0Kk8SHUZGcUcKsIR4yJHxQR8ecI18CwkxWrA_R0y9JCvfB_Iky-TEzuVxe4j5Q91oaCg05TI78Gq2hJ_-PZEeuMjImcGHvG9kvt-faFG-Rb6n1BNym5g4CBP67LWrGsXJcFrjcNCTh96gW3pGPIG5Zw40z0kdeIY2S4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="757" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD0qrJqrJCMTxpO2TGr3DZsSZDd0Kk8SHUZGcUcKsIR4yJHxQR8ecI18CwkxWrA_R0y9JCvfB_Iky-TEzuVxe4j5Q91oaCg05TI78Gq2hJ_-PZEeuMjImcGHvG9kvt-faFG-Rb6n1BNym5g4CBP67LWrGsXJcFrjcNCTh96gW3pGPIG5Zw40z0kdeIY2S4=w640-h234" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhueHE9b2Tns-FF9NK8RSlCc-d-6SG8XdwKfo87A5_hIfu-GrV5scsBZ5wdm5r6yV1MMVFT7UzdcdAiUY1k-fpyr8XBFolKPSumP-qugcemJbdkPoDJMef_0R0w1i-vey7KjrynTAMbWioHJmqVcPQ_b_aCU3CMpLlVYFUaau6V9cyUF8zk-bDfELZ_H0kK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1172" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhueHE9b2Tns-FF9NK8RSlCc-d-6SG8XdwKfo87A5_hIfu-GrV5scsBZ5wdm5r6yV1MMVFT7UzdcdAiUY1k-fpyr8XBFolKPSumP-qugcemJbdkPoDJMef_0R0w1i-vey7KjrynTAMbWioHJmqVcPQ_b_aCU3CMpLlVYFUaau6V9cyUF8zk-bDfELZ_H0kK=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /> <br />Greenhouse: preserve seeds, orchids, Jacob's ladder.<p></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggC9_2R9K1ynSKzmhUSxnyAqI27QoLL2mwnP5q2P0uLF6IgVbqFQjoOrZE2I-99t81Yv0Nezzkywn4JH351ycZuDJ8FGBlDbSfzXSYA3H2Pfcd4Ad-VxoCkqeLjDeXBypd2SQmP_dIkoQ8iUH-Ln9QEV1V1lKz9xZx2o4S-Sx-c6aYThghIpPoTn2N31fp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="747" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggC9_2R9K1ynSKzmhUSxnyAqI27QoLL2mwnP5q2P0uLF6IgVbqFQjoOrZE2I-99t81Yv0Nezzkywn4JH351ycZuDJ8FGBlDbSfzXSYA3H2Pfcd4Ad-VxoCkqeLjDeXBypd2SQmP_dIkoQ8iUH-Ln9QEV1V1lKz9xZx2o4S-Sx-c6aYThghIpPoTn2N31fp" width="320" /></a></div><p dir="ltr"><br /></p>Chrysanthemum festival still on display! Their national flower.<p></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQACvhEiuk8c5vI1xOfNccnnJS2_O-GwFYrIj0yIzaTyxtrKQoCcMBgk0G4YvIeS98H7q41LuA6Hvsg8JAMVry7AfOjt0fIVIlkMUX8y_W3RiGhEkDiukqfVHZWoX7SnXqNYNkMSOgDN2uUcnRnTCIQcenO-m4hkkNnZXeJ5_UpIQiK3P840HhE2m4lZhQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="1143" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQACvhEiuk8c5vI1xOfNccnnJS2_O-GwFYrIj0yIzaTyxtrKQoCcMBgk0G4YvIeS98H7q41LuA6Hvsg8JAMVry7AfOjt0fIVIlkMUX8y_W3RiGhEkDiukqfVHZWoX7SnXqNYNkMSOgDN2uUcnRnTCIQcenO-m4hkkNnZXeJ5_UpIQiK3P840HhE2m4lZhQ=w640-h158" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /> <br />Tried to go to East gardens of imperial palace but found it was closed on Fridays! Google maps failed us! Also we tried booking Imperial palace tour 1 Mo in advance when it opened, but even 30min after website opened, it was all booked! <p></p><p dir="ltr">Shibuya crossing: largest crossing in the world!</p><p dir="ltr"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNLOXS-p9npoNKD5AABygErZMpnaJXNmG3jaIcTcLMiKw2O97Z9Jf8fZgzTXxuPnUQP9_x51gbxju8vADLPzJJ894aMx_Ex1i49wwhKtX7zGxzBOn9dSHs90OYddnUKXadBXTABGEhmNAlkP6xXdpS7teDitK2OV1GYiPSURgXe0ZrcJtv89pZLnTMSlZE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1143" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNLOXS-p9npoNKD5AABygErZMpnaJXNmG3jaIcTcLMiKw2O97Z9Jf8fZgzTXxuPnUQP9_x51gbxju8vADLPzJJ894aMx_Ex1i49wwhKtX7zGxzBOn9dSHs90OYddnUKXadBXTABGEhmNAlkP6xXdpS7teDitK2OV1GYiPSURgXe0ZrcJtv89pZLnTMSlZE=w400-h281" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was raining, so not as big a spectacle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Sushi Tomi: <br />
Nigiri set 2500 yen. Great sushi! Hole in the wall, traditional sit on mat if you go upstairs. We came at 5p and had the whole upstairs (small area) to ourselves. AB tried sake too.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8cfMgx4X3d8tpsZzY7QiRNcf2-xv06MB-J6PavA6frw1AQCP1QgxxiDX9mmQ7xAL2zIKT2RESjjBWYid8XXLW_L_tiwlR9AWNayRfuSm78i8nmu3xxXYEz2tsZxbLUmlGmrx3s7fGXmbK2jYNCxjIPdyPFdDO35_JG65l5EjAYyQyIffSMNk2xreMb4mO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="725" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8cfMgx4X3d8tpsZzY7QiRNcf2-xv06MB-J6PavA6frw1AQCP1QgxxiDX9mmQ7xAL2zIKT2RESjjBWYid8XXLW_L_tiwlR9AWNayRfuSm78i8nmu3xxXYEz2tsZxbLUmlGmrx3s7fGXmbK2jYNCxjIPdyPFdDO35_JG65l5EjAYyQyIffSMNk2xreMb4mO=w640-h228" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Day 4: Hakone</p><p dir="ltr">Known for: onsen-manju (red bean bun), kamaboko (fish cake), Manju: flour bun with filling, red bean bread (anpan) from Yanagi Bakery. Didn't get to see Odawara castle and Yanagiya Bakery 柳屋ベーカリnearby. Wood mosaic.</p><p dir="ltr">
We took Metro to Tokyo station, got the shinkansen (bullet train) pass at a machine. We got bento lunches for breakfast on the train. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-uMSZZ-Tu0QjOqWB5QBKXwfiViipoU0abJMB2_d8NScRxSmPbSpjsgdQzkIgm5z6ndt8ofGjQZD-90jpDNEp4mgJpi17RrLJR93MsfyQw1pOQ2iXKlSxWqTdEgR6LOutqHQjtnga6I70fjs8iEN5gBKE0aAtQILv-ApAM8yfnVr6BYXTZ_vxvkSMyx1BK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="726" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-uMSZZ-Tu0QjOqWB5QBKXwfiViipoU0abJMB2_d8NScRxSmPbSpjsgdQzkIgm5z6ndt8ofGjQZD-90jpDNEp4mgJpi17RrLJR93MsfyQw1pOQ2iXKlSxWqTdEgR6LOutqHQjtnga6I70fjs8iEN5gBKE0aAtQILv-ApAM8yfnVr6BYXTZ_vxvkSMyx1BK=w640-h234" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr">The bullet train was so fast and smooth! And there was a good clear view of Mt Fuji. Stopped at Otowara station, Hakone. Bought hakone free pass so all transport in Hakone is free for 2 days for 5000 yen (only 2 or 3 days options available) - turns out some buses still aren't included in the pass. We took train to Hakone-Yomoto station (can't get on the express train with Hakone pass), then another 40min train to Gora. That was such a steep ride, requiring multiple track changes. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Gora: <br />
Open air museum </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwP_lbRYjxSPyoXCeSB5Vo9faVY-YLXGs4VJ1VtzygTiqW1TTEhVOmLh9NOsTVd_R51ZPLCxPi-2yI9fClStEqfMPPuW8C8MyafFsXe80y7-0es-zHXydtm6xgBFaIW50GggV_WpLmATf471kRdwhBNU54CuB6Cz0L0CMBsB9ktidA6wG82fEaJ8cKd6Dc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="1140" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwP_lbRYjxSPyoXCeSB5Vo9faVY-YLXGs4VJ1VtzygTiqW1TTEhVOmLh9NOsTVd_R51ZPLCxPi-2yI9fClStEqfMPPuW8C8MyafFsXe80y7-0es-zHXydtm6xgBFaIW50GggV_WpLmATf471kRdwhBNU54CuB6Cz0L0CMBsB9ktidA6wG82fEaJ8cKd6Dc=w640-h156" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUnvkZ2FCJJ7O9044wU4if8f213HPX-0ORYcPJoW8b8luK-AkC1Ss_E4I1Ypa7VsE9RH1YsUDv4I2F1Eu9Hh01urawdTtcp5kVcxNZ7SagoWIn3f_VznlsRuValsMFZciTa6sDG3LtS6l7Cg9wpJccSNkVERGZR9KOY5Zbn68iw3QlRosUv4oG_sDuz7jp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="736" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUnvkZ2FCJJ7O9044wU4if8f213HPX-0ORYcPJoW8b8luK-AkC1Ss_E4I1Ypa7VsE9RH1YsUDv4I2F1Eu9Hh01urawdTtcp5kVcxNZ7SagoWIn3f_VznlsRuValsMFZciTa6sDG3LtS6l7Cg9wpJccSNkVERGZR9KOY5Zbn68iw3QlRosUv4oG_sDuz7jp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silliness</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBBidgI_HZ2DcEVHA6jmJ-AOHoHlFNYiQsG-Lp5GXWiibmQbwmKu9FPjp9xgeetNkPhlgVBXoE2BBvRSJ0tM4Oj9AxYVS0510ev7TxvF5c-q2aT_as4NQwOuI4Zmoqn8RuAfHenUe80eKm73lGw61adF9SLyokvrdFNAOF0WHMjIdcgzw9Qa6mEg_eJX4d" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="750" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBBidgI_HZ2DcEVHA6jmJ-AOHoHlFNYiQsG-Lp5GXWiibmQbwmKu9FPjp9xgeetNkPhlgVBXoE2BBvRSJ0tM4Oj9AxYVS0510ev7TxvF5c-q2aT_as4NQwOuI4Zmoqn8RuAfHenUe80eKm73lGw61adF9SLyokvrdFNAOF0WHMjIdcgzw9Qa6mEg_eJX4d=w400-h145" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free hot spring foot soak</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr">
Picasso exhibit: Jacqueline portraits. Married when he was 80, she was 34. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Took cablecar to Sounzan, but then found it out was too windy so the Ropeway was closed! Ah wish they told us when we were in Gora before we squeezed into a cablecar and slowly made our way up the mountain to Sounzan! We decided to take the alternative route to Owakudani: take bus to K and then walk up 30min to Owakudani. We had to wait 45 min for the bus be there first one was too full and the line too long. Thankfully when we walked, it only took 15min and we passed so many cars (traffic). </p>
<p dir="ltr">Owakudani:<br />
We were so fortunate that when we got there, the clouds cleared and we got the most beautiful view of Mt Fuji! Thank God! Beautiful creation! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIvVAxm9R2zMXObs5uXVj4XcNu885Ni1DxX1ffiD30yKssbUiYxZ2bivnehzKtG1KKYfhqkJbn_4BUE1ZCOI7R4rkqUCvq78sd-z6qAN3q12yTiXG7i9zYfYcxo7mzNz12wvDO6WzsiQu-G_K2W8bYJciJ_RcAHonR0ni_uPCQrbPa4zegrD6Hs0qg1YRA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1160" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIvVAxm9R2zMXObs5uXVj4XcNu885Ni1DxX1ffiD30yKssbUiYxZ2bivnehzKtG1KKYfhqkJbn_4BUE1ZCOI7R4rkqUCvq78sd-z6qAN3q12yTiXG7i9zYfYcxo7mzNz12wvDO6WzsiQu-G_K2W8bYJciJ_RcAHonR0ni_uPCQrbPa4zegrD6Hs0qg1YRA=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr">Sulfer fumes coming out of the Owakudani volcano:</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8dbRFirf8V0-7mtaHijPR4PUAvCLOXieM7xdkgdsQ0-U9bYIBM1R33NxTpYLvvf0mGn8fwCuk7SbPnVsuys5Y2vVDxCGNenHFBPi73VFfmQkP99d-dydbCdM5nawUDfzDr2jh2Y6XCbAbYMlSLcIC-ZAk157Uyft8smsYACIIdHzNtvHShsDtMORl3Oh5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="1087" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8dbRFirf8V0-7mtaHijPR4PUAvCLOXieM7xdkgdsQ0-U9bYIBM1R33NxTpYLvvf0mGn8fwCuk7SbPnVsuys5Y2vVDxCGNenHFBPi73VFfmQkP99d-dydbCdM5nawUDfzDr2jh2Y6XCbAbYMlSLcIC-ZAk157Uyft8smsYACIIdHzNtvHShsDtMORl3Oh5=w400-h206" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <br />The black eggs up there were interesting... But they tasted like regular eggs. The shells turn black because they cook them in the volcano and the sulfur changes the egg shell black.<p></p><p dir="ltr"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwWWx6IvOaBwd3lUgXOURcp3mH4xXp5hoTOnOZXqfL1B7IGIgiOPT4qQqoNLee2RA1d1ghQIIjQAEOKGAzviQW1F6VwGCda3IFnfFQj426zFVBUnGuuuBokyhizxe4-NpYUmPfwy4NyLjN5U4Ro_EY8eCHSkiWL5CGva4HHya1yqbtI9waIFB2k_mN_iI-" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="643" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwWWx6IvOaBwd3lUgXOURcp3mH4xXp5hoTOnOZXqfL1B7IGIgiOPT4qQqoNLee2RA1d1ghQIIjQAEOKGAzviQW1F6VwGCda3IFnfFQj426zFVBUnGuuuBokyhizxe4-NpYUmPfwy4NyLjN5U4Ro_EY8eCHSkiWL5CGva4HHya1yqbtI9waIFB2k_mN_iI-" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most delicious black curry bun on left (maybe worked up an appetite walking up mt). R: black sulfur eggs.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLi4Kxz4vef5kLmTaYyOTAt8nCg1xi6-WAmvNxLXADTAwbU8yqlAf2cikMEcTDQlI8mdbWVcsuA6Rs88RuOxvnbjUaHcikU-CNR25RpxxTp98KFJlW8LQh2jEst_IO4_MxzpcpcVECJtrGbzbANiUWq2XVW126BhljDlxmAjR4xNj2GyBDFRtOg_KXRuUH" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="227" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLi4Kxz4vef5kLmTaYyOTAt8nCg1xi6-WAmvNxLXADTAwbU8yqlAf2cikMEcTDQlI8mdbWVcsuA6Rs88RuOxvnbjUaHcikU-CNR25RpxxTp98KFJlW8LQh2jEst_IO4_MxzpcpcVECJtrGbzbANiUWq2XVW126BhljDlxmAjR4xNj2GyBDFRtOg_KXRuUH" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These eggs are supposed to add 7 more years to my life. :D</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We walked and then took the bus down to lake Ashi. <p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Lake Ashi: <br />
The lake itself was pretty, but nothing special. The fun part was taking the pirate ship to the Southeast shore. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirgsH8yTFw03rlN0pDp_eZUyDSob_60s9yMrJ-nHg4cZ79qoCFbThcApDeK3SoS56y7ygmdkKrHYgD0g5GnVMNLry2RZ59ONAj4reHmdSX7lfRmIxlvHdQXzVWJ_Ms4qLkBCT5VsWyzoL5osm9UAV_ftGKF8-dLnZZWW6c426e3gxN2jm1OBuJ-m_aw6AO" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="653" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirgsH8yTFw03rlN0pDp_eZUyDSob_60s9yMrJ-nHg4cZ79qoCFbThcApDeK3SoS56y7ygmdkKrHYgD0g5GnVMNLry2RZ59ONAj4reHmdSX7lfRmIxlvHdQXzVWJ_Ms4qLkBCT5VsWyzoL5osm9UAV_ftGKF8-dLnZZWW6c426e3gxN2jm1OBuJ-m_aw6AO" width="181" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcrE0R4Q3nGVL03rylfCBuCSKMMY30LLJBQjpoIsT-pG8LL1EfrhIH0kkZSIY9DE5Zw87tlsHsGH9x1Ab_dJ10a1CxsWkfXw6Spn_brI6xJhD98xQX0btseD_3TakUiYVzdqpiZJuShHTrc4R3xx31WBAFnP_eGBHwGFy63MKu5YqjmAluAYV9Evw9gAvx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="740" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcrE0R4Q3nGVL03rylfCBuCSKMMY30LLJBQjpoIsT-pG8LL1EfrhIH0kkZSIY9DE5Zw87tlsHsGH9x1Ab_dJ10a1CxsWkfXw6Spn_brI6xJhD98xQX0btseD_3TakUiYVzdqpiZJuShHTrc4R3xx31WBAFnP_eGBHwGFy63MKu5YqjmAluAYV9Evw9gAvx" width="209" /></a><br /></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr"><br /></p><p dir="ltr"><br /></p><p dir="ltr"><br /></p><p dir="ltr"><br /></p><p dir="ltr"><br /></p><p dir="ltr"><br /></p><p dir="ltr">I took too long in the gift shop and walked along the ancient forest trail. But then it was too late so we took the express R bus back to Halone-Yomoto station, train back to odawara, and then bullet train back to Tokyo. Had a nice meal at Casual Tappen (teppenyaki place). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitXHVlya3h9bghVBoxvrwp70HVKBV5uPGSDSZBKamHNkuG9Ps_a7Zb2Xwt6CnuvpWtifDF-J7VzWv0szVGMUdVl353Y-ZRIzjQXB_AbzT6ecguvBuqbylQKfIf_zyAJbuSyFP6IHScbZI2ZjR4XDPLALKcAqp0DQEFViUqog5jyBqWcvvjT3elLvGefwGg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="786" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitXHVlya3h9bghVBoxvrwp70HVKBV5uPGSDSZBKamHNkuG9Ps_a7Zb2Xwt6CnuvpWtifDF-J7VzWv0szVGMUdVl353Y-ZRIzjQXB_AbzT6ecguvBuqbylQKfIf_zyAJbuSyFP6IHScbZI2ZjR4XDPLALKcAqp0DQEFViUqog5jyBqWcvvjT3elLvGefwGg=w640-h218" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYfzYum1lKvVB-feyJw3eHMIgWgSM2xEec0GmLQEvob0MzX4MnUfHY43AlN8JtcaqbthOnBSlJ3ZEf65yVphprKCaVO_KS77Vv5p7M8aoViToyX4MMmDdcnjGpc2RJt32ypDASPVVovMn9lGX6FXXNCmqbNcBjymK_FLOBKdoKgqy9wWB-GHgLz25lD1iS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1133" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYfzYum1lKvVB-feyJw3eHMIgWgSM2xEec0GmLQEvob0MzX4MnUfHY43AlN8JtcaqbthOnBSlJ3ZEf65yVphprKCaVO_KS77Vv5p7M8aoViToyX4MMmDdcnjGpc2RJt32ypDASPVVovMn9lGX6FXXNCmqbNcBjymK_FLOBKdoKgqy9wWB-GHgLz25lD1iS=w400-h293" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Day 5 Kyoto: Matcha capital, eat desserts.</p><p dir="ltr">
Imperial palace and Garden:<br />
Previously capital of Japan for 500+ years until 1869 Emperor Meiji moved it to Tokyo. <br />
Kan-in-no-miya residence, now visitor center: lived here during Edo period. Kujo pond and tea ceremony house.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjERDLBjdh-BYuK9g4Ub7s5paaYXG6_z7A2pKRHSB9wPsKAHetZMRHNzBfXaCgXZ4jE92QnDt5wNS5y2ZNpGbxDCwD5TMBinqdnSZk5wePKMm5_LqlByt4fEi6VoXhbJQZJQhJrZmRNG1bXuCU0tb9eyrr7MHlYfv7KvInrnvBLEGKBgSEc-GuNag7RjEDi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1148" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjERDLBjdh-BYuK9g4Ub7s5paaYXG6_z7A2pKRHSB9wPsKAHetZMRHNzBfXaCgXZ4jE92QnDt5wNS5y2ZNpGbxDCwD5TMBinqdnSZk5wePKMm5_LqlByt4fEi6VoXhbJQZJQhJrZmRNG1bXuCU0tb9eyrr7MHlYfv7KvInrnvBLEGKBgSEc-GuNag7RjEDi=w400-h302" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr">
Imperial palace was destroyed by so many fires. And emperor had to live with noble families. <br />
Can visit the palace for free on certain days via the seishomon gate (for servants). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxQTo2ku-K-QgEXnsf4vIOOVhyS6Rr4vlGAJFSG3tjFhaFkOtn2C6A69CPRVPOuClaRbuFWg9eJIbYfQa9Z91eVpYGqelljZMhSwLTcVfvqQi11InrvXVf5Ck0TcfSt0Stet809UO4cBH24lojKvUEyLqVIwx6f1a-djIOqivxfvPYYGR0YBqsVj_5iJhw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1112" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxQTo2ku-K-QgEXnsf4vIOOVhyS6Rr4vlGAJFSG3tjFhaFkOtn2C6A69CPRVPOuClaRbuFWg9eJIbYfQa9Z91eVpYGqelljZMhSwLTcVfvqQi11InrvXVf5Ck0TcfSt0Stet809UO4cBH24lojKvUEyLqVIwx6f1a-djIOqivxfvPYYGR0YBqsVj_5iJhw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXXL5JAb341llDm6BbyWNElLQmEg1lV6nzX_n6p8UhTPB0zwXMTmuH2wjWVw2J1Z2NfW-83GQ46MAQ3GikRNIMst0Nd70Np7iPlAvA8Oio9Qfs8dhJme3wE_n-BMcstt38_FOcZILwFxu8Ni81EvoaafEopmZrhvb7IyGpE5IqnK_-KOLjnwX7kr_gcoQ0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="647" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXXL5JAb341llDm6BbyWNElLQmEg1lV6nzX_n6p8UhTPB0zwXMTmuH2wjWVw2J1Z2NfW-83GQ46MAQ3GikRNIMst0Nd70Np7iPlAvA8Oio9Qfs8dhJme3wE_n-BMcstt38_FOcZILwFxu8Ni81EvoaafEopmZrhvb7IyGpE5IqnK_-KOLjnwX7kr_gcoQ0" width="194" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Carriage porch for courtiers. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglpzO0e2yXC1Ss1fEppprJvRfFPIykFZ2aJBuSuLB5Pb2dZ2G6BY_-jMGQpWiWxy9coofIefYEuA0KRf_d8hbb_h3zL6d0g66Q9ZneZPxk2Flqs6QuzIyCO5FxX13vasRMDiDhVpSdgydDP51svX0Y-U7dfnAzUs34yfJdp8FCyo_uo4S7Pgq7d0ngjW1U" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1097" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglpzO0e2yXC1Ss1fEppprJvRfFPIykFZ2aJBuSuLB5Pb2dZ2G6BY_-jMGQpWiWxy9coofIefYEuA0KRf_d8hbb_h3zL6d0g66Q9ZneZPxk2Flqs6QuzIyCO5FxX13vasRMDiDhVpSdgydDP51svX0Y-U7dfnAzUs34yfJdp8FCyo_uo4S7Pgq7d0ngjW1U" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting Rooms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlFJbv6HGvWsyrCIexU-tRKkpRNtxfDiyl6DOCrei0D1IVRK-S17ntL3YIDeUo7Y-sjgXWT2P7beZVxFR4o6pTwZ00YomKTv08XgILOzgJ5UzYfvljBYjmU7KAiXtMMsMeAvV1SfvWufuNSMFLMY1KYQt4Y83Xz6iK-GpkhpkjkHzcX6nNmlIlqF6KEz6m" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1126" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlFJbv6HGvWsyrCIexU-tRKkpRNtxfDiyl6DOCrei0D1IVRK-S17ntL3YIDeUo7Y-sjgXWT2P7beZVxFR4o6pTwZ00YomKTv08XgILOzgJ5UzYfvljBYjmU7KAiXtMMsMeAvV1SfvWufuNSMFLMY1KYQt4Y83Xz6iK-GpkhpkjkHzcX6nNmlIlqF6KEz6m" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">New carriage porch (now emperor needs a bigger one for carriage and has to enter from south per tradition).<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiguHx0MjKU6j_u5yj9-a_b2cgJooCTU2Qz3B86q8UiteZ0ThfZqcr1jrpsHQQCUtfHBmTeChuooikhTpXHidm170DOIOGfQig8lrDJDfsLvJL5mGhyYb9eqjsNatsyqlE57kTBhCsiX0In52MJs1-1Ih3_tHnqeE0bWpeQXo-RvozcGgxq9K2znFVL-b1t" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1166" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiguHx0MjKU6j_u5yj9-a_b2cgJooCTU2Qz3B86q8UiteZ0ThfZqcr1jrpsHQQCUtfHBmTeChuooikhTpXHidm170DOIOGfQig8lrDJDfsLvJL5mGhyYb9eqjsNatsyqlE57kTBhCsiX0In52MJs1-1Ih3_tHnqeE0bWpeQXo-RvozcGgxq9K2znFVL-b1t=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Shinshinden (Hall for state ceremonies), where emperora were enthroned.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqyokwkmTS-IPgoIwx3CFR_TNTRRHHNTvlBp1YL86k_tPwe03na0z2Nq38XhFjfy7CxxLCQQb6-4szzOK1muAvJdSFrwgjLhpp5LpIySwIeDCh6PuCTOWn8sYedbXGMzEeFsQTcDxiZNF_yNLBKArz0ROZssVYze2bD5Yv1G65dmg66TSpacZzljEPmdfA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1052" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqyokwkmTS-IPgoIwx3CFR_TNTRRHHNTvlBp1YL86k_tPwe03na0z2Nq38XhFjfy7CxxLCQQb6-4szzOK1muAvJdSFrwgjLhpp5LpIySwIeDCh6PuCTOWn8sYedbXGMzEeFsQTcDxiZNF_yNLBKArz0ROZssVYze2bD5Yv1G65dmg66TSpacZzljEPmdfA" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Shukoden (Hall of the sacred mirror): mirror for enthronement ceremony kept.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhomGn15d_CC2NYrnIRgsAv213M60-_ua8S-fbnnM81Sr8h01UsEYjKTyYHK7PaaxLH0UHUDJr-GvnFsOiGKzbEa-FelCoeuGmMfck1WzKv1OTQzeX7FfpIeG8oS_5olqi3clSmIbwQi1uYqNcXD47qH_tFSmQRDvwBlYq0J3xDvi1uX-APVLhBat_D6bhk" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1172" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhomGn15d_CC2NYrnIRgsAv213M60-_ua8S-fbnnM81Sr8h01UsEYjKTyYHK7PaaxLH0UHUDJr-GvnFsOiGKzbEa-FelCoeuGmMfck1WzKv1OTQzeX7FfpIeG8oS_5olqi3clSmIbwQi1uYqNcXD47qH_tFSmQRDvwBlYq0J3xDvi1uX-APVLhBat_D6bhk" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Seiryoden (Hall for rites and rituals): also where emperor lived for a bit.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5SbES5K_kdRm4PJyal4dSV4NdJuh-LUjCdvuQwK7q_KpjEspGfnjofA15bV_EusEaU2fJkNczoJ1sRuAvKJeyXTdYwZmzo8g5FtA0NZqET6XqSeskf1c-O9e-L-ax9x-YCn-fklg12jb8orKfY8mi5IAdR0UfdtPg67TlCEbn1BXN5jX-RjZgGlzylots" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="371" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5SbES5K_kdRm4PJyal4dSV4NdJuh-LUjCdvuQwK7q_KpjEspGfnjofA15bV_EusEaU2fJkNczoJ1sRuAvKJeyXTdYwZmzo8g5FtA0NZqET6XqSeskf1c-O9e-L-ax9x-YCn-fklg12jb8orKfY8mi5IAdR0UfdtPg67TlCEbn1BXN5jX-RjZgGlzylots" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Kogosho: imperial meetings</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />
Oikeniwa Garden: so serene.<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZvhDTMXoN-CBo0esm7cak4WB7duNEYAC5wbfeao371y8TIec1VDEKIhkwjvxHlrIkkkTWrCulAt6Pyrx5dUEGKXYsLZkxNWuOSHBKOdF3V4xi9Kkm73M3XM909pxRnygQHDvC6BQTj-k3g_CQEtgmYFPf6i_DSwcujpUatQRK_2Ww5aFF44CQHQtpvaqC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="322" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZvhDTMXoN-CBo0esm7cak4WB7duNEYAC5wbfeao371y8TIec1VDEKIhkwjvxHlrIkkkTWrCulAt6Pyrx5dUEGKXYsLZkxNWuOSHBKOdF3V4xi9Kkm73M3XM909pxRnygQHDvC6BQTj-k3g_CQEtgmYFPf6i_DSwcujpUatQRK_2Ww5aFF44CQHQtpvaqC" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Otsunegpten- imperial residential palace.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Couldn't get into Ruriki-on temple bc we didn't have reservation. But maple walk beautiful. </p><p dir="ltr"><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Jisho-ji temple: <br />
Beautiful maples </p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXxrmK4aYEJWVkzKv30zYncYpMkWw_M4oHC2DIYH0eMlk3rd6kEkGbl_EMY70v9lVmY_KZyGE5HybmaoPuBRi3ssBnFnYi2lc_LN0R8l1hv9cvLuD8j72f49pEpkMrTnn7LaX8-ho5LICtV8jcqcMjRo235fsW-hE6j7aevmb67BjGcHtxpE_8b90koKn2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="653" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXxrmK4aYEJWVkzKv30zYncYpMkWw_M4oHC2DIYH0eMlk3rd6kEkGbl_EMY70v9lVmY_KZyGE5HybmaoPuBRi3ssBnFnYi2lc_LN0R8l1hv9cvLuD8j72f49pEpkMrTnn7LaX8-ho5LICtV8jcqcMjRo235fsW-hE6j7aevmb67BjGcHtxpE_8b90koKn2=w485-h640" width="485" /></a></div><br /><br />
So many yummy snacks on the walk there. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSfTLi2AzEPIMT4CmBeyFr92tfTOtT8AUXpFBEzJCJSJFzcM5AIJZ58uW1gWpKad7TCcR0mLoEwwtsAZTNzgUfIoYOsG23EsFS0NHHeZAYApQ-PhwYDEtR4iiKrol8ubr9twKPq7255gHrwv3MCzwVK3ZbbdeAY8AZdrGYc7BcjMSNOaNK0MDRlKHM-6Bf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="327" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSfTLi2AzEPIMT4CmBeyFr92tfTOtT8AUXpFBEzJCJSJFzcM5AIJZ58uW1gWpKad7TCcR0mLoEwwtsAZTNzgUfIoYOsG23EsFS0NHHeZAYApQ-PhwYDEtR4iiKrol8ubr9twKPq7255gHrwv3MCzwVK3ZbbdeAY8AZdrGYc7BcjMSNOaNK0MDRlKHM-6Bf" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Philosophers path on the way to Nanzen-ji temple. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYJnrPtF7VYt2P_6hmrkoptANE5H-QETwfT0LTLT-CmYEbsCaicn2xHYXbvChAcV9lGCRgvTzWBabo3FFk3BHfXLmRIC47RGLvgxCVuBjOerp4z737993ghZW78XwqAF3cEpbImafuuE0pzTgyudHhaublZ-52vePJIIigFZpmsNf18aWrDilTbd84aVk_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1052" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYJnrPtF7VYt2P_6hmrkoptANE5H-QETwfT0LTLT-CmYEbsCaicn2xHYXbvChAcV9lGCRgvTzWBabo3FFk3BHfXLmRIC47RGLvgxCVuBjOerp4z737993ghZW78XwqAF3cEpbImafuuE0pzTgyudHhaublZ-52vePJIIigFZpmsNf18aWrDilTbd84aVk_" width="298" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH5RRm1LB67RthrKUf22zmtiPanTkEhAgm7XguhAkmDbFrEcysjs1k9lPa8oiig-WReaSl13fjC-vj_FpUSR7T3gV0LEWJ5APy5F6y5kkHapzupSgZevZKG7s_XjAjbpF8JwuW5XTxsD8tA6tjf07S7VL_5A2Sl-4VaFL0wEXT4PQWlUFouk07oiwVmv4i" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1172" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH5RRm1LB67RthrKUf22zmtiPanTkEhAgm7XguhAkmDbFrEcysjs1k9lPa8oiig-WReaSl13fjC-vj_FpUSR7T3gV0LEWJ5APy5F6y5kkHapzupSgZevZKG7s_XjAjbpF8JwuW5XTxsD8tA6tjf07S7VL_5A2Sl-4VaFL0wEXT4PQWlUFouk07oiwVmv4i=w640-h472" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYJnrPtF7VYt2P_6hmrkoptANE5H-QETwfT0LTLT-CmYEbsCaicn2xHYXbvChAcV9lGCRgvTzWBabo3FFk3BHfXLmRIC47RGLvgxCVuBjOerp4z737993ghZW78XwqAF3cEpbImafuuE0pzTgyudHhaublZ-52vePJIIigFZpmsNf18aWrDilTbd84aVk_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Koun-ji temple with sunset in background.</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Too late to go into Nanzenji temple. But pretty to look at from the outside. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzp0mJWKp6XaDodOlJ6tMHCJb-E-YBnLfCojhTNLTjGMV0f-7kL2ZQtLIuBxOi-D9m_Mwaca5ku_o63QHqsMdoBGcDa2E-yHf_D3VNqnOacG5aVc-L5zJwEBMlMdecoJDE09Thb7RzZEXVr9D1ihMz8a_xzzMhV91jFYTFdVShCE7hsfO3PbDOPxYSoMFE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1162" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzp0mJWKp6XaDodOlJ6tMHCJb-E-YBnLfCojhTNLTjGMV0f-7kL2ZQtLIuBxOi-D9m_Mwaca5ku_o63QHqsMdoBGcDa2E-yHf_D3VNqnOacG5aVc-L5zJwEBMlMdecoJDE09Thb7RzZEXVr9D1ihMz8a_xzzMhV91jFYTFdVShCE7hsfO3PbDOPxYSoMFE" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Took train to Fushimi Inari Taisha:<br />
So many beautiful red gates-1000 of them! Built in 1633 with no nails. 1/2 mile hike up hill, then 1 hr to top (we didn't go to top). At night the gates were lit, made for interesting experience. Names of businesses that sponsored the gate on back. Initially dedicated to Inari, god of crop and business and fox statues bc messenger of Inari. <br /></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQMma8I24ly0m5NU82CehRGrhD2caVmyPPUM0rEMG0sheJjjyDHESO7qWPrr9Ip0X5MjabXiY5R8_4NOpILyqlbZ6B_4EBh6gwUBe6IOHR78_RGX9kmJ-dIA21aMjCdw7WfW72YgQUt9ZZG2ZayY4DJR7Kb7Y4othD9Q-Bu1oTQiR4wbhcBtMt8GK7zy1n" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQMma8I24ly0m5NU82CehRGrhD2caVmyPPUM0rEMG0sheJjjyDHESO7qWPrr9Ip0X5MjabXiY5R8_4NOpILyqlbZ6B_4EBh6gwUBe6IOHR78_RGX9kmJ-dIA21aMjCdw7WfW72YgQUt9ZZG2ZayY4DJR7Kb7Y4othD9Q-Bu1oTQiR4wbhcBtMt8GK7zy1n=w499-h640" width="499" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Day 6<br />
Kinkaku-ji temple<br />
Getting there was confusing. From the Kitaoji stop of the northsouth subway line, you have to go to blue platform underground to catch the bus (203, 204, or 205) to the temple. Follow the signs for bus and blue platform. We got to the temple before 9a and there was already a line to go in. </p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjekFj_-p9XyVYMFkdPt8afISRfRilmApFpYHWwra5-UxTVIWZyKVaNIxcqWtqRjEDcCOkDkWEIPto2mYHAzcYg7bl6obkdDqcKLRpVnLa7QMbt76o875L_NeumAf6ztjdGt21deqVvUIjfQ0uy2sO3Xk41UnSiiP-bwv57EMzuhTST3J-SxW5vkJOLwqho" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1133" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjekFj_-p9XyVYMFkdPt8afISRfRilmApFpYHWwra5-UxTVIWZyKVaNIxcqWtqRjEDcCOkDkWEIPto2mYHAzcYg7bl6obkdDqcKLRpVnLa7QMbt76o875L_NeumAf6ztjdGt21deqVvUIjfQ0uy2sO3Xk41UnSiiP-bwv57EMzuhTST3J-SxW5vkJOLwqho" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1lcvXv0SSNyBUvvczEgrzjM14m5OKFo-yvc0JJK8VB4LOn65QmV21YORlYqCQ0cB9qZyBShbkkIcwI9NQkUG6kbFSMKeyMs7bGQujJcqyV0EGfLZJXh0fn-3uS1wQq_wtCBsfc8lWpi3P75kVY0zgj9v_lYqL5JNssnu0j-9nUWytZHW8nnQdzNUsggRO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1147" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1lcvXv0SSNyBUvvczEgrzjM14m5OKFo-yvc0JJK8VB4LOn65QmV21YORlYqCQ0cB9qZyBShbkkIcwI9NQkUG6kbFSMKeyMs7bGQujJcqyV0EGfLZJXh0fn-3uS1wQq_wtCBsfc8lWpi3P75kVY0zgj9v_lYqL5JNssnu0j-9nUWytZHW8nnQdzNUsggRO=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNUF_8H019dGFIG8qEayigDdMwAGQ740cql65ObpaXNUjK0P7GdC2JAETta6BB6icls_tHTKC7bIWR5l_vYpeWPglzIaaOSH2_fZCj3EY56FUpGVD6n9m0Qjk6Lv0MiMQEFVtdsY9dZlIahINTsgxdtOkbkmdU_7NBcBe88wFYFGhzT6P32WUQdSFFiz3l" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="202" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNUF_8H019dGFIG8qEayigDdMwAGQ740cql65ObpaXNUjK0P7GdC2JAETta6BB6icls_tHTKC7bIWR5l_vYpeWPglzIaaOSH2_fZCj3EY56FUpGVD6n9m0Qjk6Lv0MiMQEFVtdsY9dZlIahINTsgxdtOkbkmdU_7NBcBe88wFYFGhzT6P32WUQdSFFiz3l" width="182" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These statues reminded me of the offering statues in Zelda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Most important rock zen garden.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7jLq4i5NSke6Xaq94pPTREjan2TgDckR1JSBMDZqYmptg87G9p-f0O-O4tE7_RHHzA54kWkICcqifcO1TdXZs3nJ08aRayxKC4Y0Hz8kXlLic5wV_Jh3kFgANVMyzIZD_THio1yFcYUmK1DVLPIfC5zpuKQk_jomq-hz3oCxt17U02tTECmI81yEm6fdm" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1136" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7jLq4i5NSke6Xaq94pPTREjan2TgDckR1JSBMDZqYmptg87G9p-f0O-O4tE7_RHHzA54kWkICcqifcO1TdXZs3nJ08aRayxKC4Y0Hz8kXlLic5wV_Jh3kFgANVMyzIZD_THio1yFcYUmK1DVLPIfC5zpuKQk_jomq-hz3oCxt17U02tTECmI81yEm6fdm=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smaller than I expected. Only 15 rocks. Why in the formation? No one knows...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivB5aG9TktPxRv252pGq_zcQzOrrGg1zLSvU65HxG-AfjhRNjPAIAZa15DECw1sgGgE0Sr9e5L21QABeqtlXqAI68f_tMqQZqBR11l1c3mbyOk7d5VJFEz-8abLD1a4sI83pGCVPLPBwpN5hjABkGalV4_cS04aEF9awjRntXI3EWgtNtZiC_BfDocdLfW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="651" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivB5aG9TktPxRv252pGq_zcQzOrrGg1zLSvU65HxG-AfjhRNjPAIAZa15DECw1sgGgE0Sr9e5L21QABeqtlXqAI68f_tMqQZqBR11l1c3mbyOk7d5VJFEz-8abLD1a4sI83pGCVPLPBwpN5hjABkGalV4_cS04aEF9awjRntXI3EWgtNtZiC_BfDocdLfW" width="181" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr">Took trains not on our pass to get to Ashalawara.<br />
Sooooo crowded. </p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMXXoknx_-9fDR5qxfI8tVgJNqnqV0tyJk9G1x6-qZy9f_4oxLoQg39cDCm05H-uvKYDv7syYM7t0cBpxn0fuMsZO7bYmfahbXUukjeZMrZqpTJn797Xfx7t2lWbxfM9XlUlca2S42n83eGZ7V_N2DG8Sxv_6pasWTrHYdO-hDVcokFUpSEpH1ykCTtTbO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="367" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMXXoknx_-9fDR5qxfI8tVgJNqnqV0tyJk9G1x6-qZy9f_4oxLoQg39cDCm05H-uvKYDv7syYM7t0cBpxn0fuMsZO7bYmfahbXUukjeZMrZqpTJn797Xfx7t2lWbxfM9XlUlca2S42n83eGZ7V_N2DG8Sxv_6pasWTrHYdO-hDVcokFUpSEpH1ykCTtTbO" width="320" /></a></p><p dir="ltr">The street in front had a ton of stalls and restaurants, but there were so many people, every one of them required a wait. </p><p dir="ltr">Yudofu takemura: fortunately only waited 2 min to be seated because someone just happened to leave. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgExMAYMKK-zYWIdU3HQW8jt_Ro1sq4ITQg8qWWgmzdG1YnsFMo8Wue2rgEAPUBsnT2HYnwP34qreZO62BSFdXtM9-zzoNS-1nCRuK87tcEC240111-dN_ZPGW98YJcfHJel5-2VEvWU6lllEFTh5lQD2RWTkef4hTaSv_Qjb_m4_9sepeZt25egI19OWD6" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="610" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgExMAYMKK-zYWIdU3HQW8jt_Ro1sq4ITQg8qWWgmzdG1YnsFMo8Wue2rgEAPUBsnT2HYnwP34qreZO62BSFdXtM9-zzoNS-1nCRuK87tcEC240111-dN_ZPGW98YJcfHJel5-2VEvWU6lllEFTh5lQD2RWTkef4hTaSv_Qjb_m4_9sepeZt25egI19OWD6=w640-h270" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tofu is their specialty</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgExMAYMKK-zYWIdU3HQW8jt_Ro1sq4ITQg8qWWgmzdG1YnsFMo8Wue2rgEAPUBsnT2HYnwP34qreZO62BSFdXtM9-zzoNS-1nCRuK87tcEC240111-dN_ZPGW98YJcfHJel5-2VEvWU6lllEFTh5lQD2RWTkef4hTaSv_Qjb_m4_9sepeZt25egI19OWD6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGwQu1hFwznJM2KM95LHi6wtdjemG15r-sz14NcxibyZMmRxyDCW-u-7394agvtwoalF6C4ipnTiHrec8w99T6t-jdAS_BCdbWlnJlJRDmN_mO_O_YgZqQwYrsz8sfikq0T_2hDRjElisJyqicS4AuWDhPh240Kv7S_D4Dr6uyUcvsHq2hyCTUsLArc5k0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="352" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGwQu1hFwznJM2KM95LHi6wtdjemG15r-sz14NcxibyZMmRxyDCW-u-7394agvtwoalF6C4ipnTiHrec8w99T6t-jdAS_BCdbWlnJlJRDmN_mO_O_YgZqQwYrsz8sfikq0T_2hDRjElisJyqicS4AuWDhPh240Kv7S_D4Dr6uyUcvsHq2hyCTUsLArc5k0" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We found one tofu place a little less conspicuous on that street, and managed to be seated with 2min wait. We enjoyed a milticourse tofu meal. Interesting! We boiled our own tofu for 3 min. Ate tofu in lemon with miso. Had fried tofu ball (with wood ear, other things in it). Are another form of fried saucy tofu. And then enjoyed veggie tempura.<br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Arashiyama bamboo forest:</p><p dir="ltr">The forest itself was waaaaaay too crowded. Def try to go before 9 or else it's too crazy and hard to enjoy/take good pics. People mountain people sea.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLxsrPEKuywTa3viGW6LeFV_-Vv5S0ePiXq1YoB2AjUhfj8KPQzSjAv8h2rtG61wBVhUCU4V6oSlGQ5luMjyfOXKAESCPAHuowJV7u6ic6DISXTrL0oyVOs5DDpdamPGe0pKOo1jUbLijFW3xzus7YB_Kj_ZODCMwahA5SwLvku5WM0ixUlF6ZSaa43gOS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="642" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLxsrPEKuywTa3viGW6LeFV_-Vv5S0ePiXq1YoB2AjUhfj8KPQzSjAv8h2rtG61wBVhUCU4V6oSlGQ5luMjyfOXKAESCPAHuowJV7u6ic6DISXTrL0oyVOs5DDpdamPGe0pKOo1jUbLijFW3xzus7YB_Kj_ZODCMwahA5SwLvku5WM0ixUlF6ZSaa43gOS" width="179" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwbQwRAnrP4Yy9ms3hrvlabIWVEA48HCvmSE1uhNiV8IZchuHyH2-g9Z1HuOm--nrrws4p_J2tRX2wfpcFDGpQKUzf6IzFSSlc74ICAkN2TT0qw0jSzPQj_n5e_BjFiLllmTxnMorDryj7UO78Rl_-DxyD0XH2HWIBelZ0wm1rXNUzI3HWLHdpweGdTEzz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="643" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwbQwRAnrP4Yy9ms3hrvlabIWVEA48HCvmSE1uhNiV8IZchuHyH2-g9Z1HuOm--nrrws4p_J2tRX2wfpcFDGpQKUzf6IzFSSlc74ICAkN2TT0qw0jSzPQj_n5e_BjFiLllmTxnMorDryj7UO78Rl_-DxyD0XH2HWIBelZ0wm1rXNUzI3HWLHdpweGdTEzz=w469-h640" width="469" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr">Didn't get to ride in this train that Xiao recommended: Open train from ashi forest. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3965.html</p>
<p dir="ltr">Arashiyama Monkey Park<br />
Macaque monkeys, 200 in the park. You have to walk 20min uphill, but it's worth it! The monkeys are out in the open, and you can go inside to feed them.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Yr7ZwgHHZUIaQrE80d2s-qh1Gy_2RQ9tfYJsdQd0mHvfcMGmaBcIhfg78-7jQIt1QIaPo_O4m2eoLYFy9U0BH2xN9r5IuVCjem9R1J7UMVnW0eo_tRUf9_f_6SPPtTgoHXIflOBZplRrVAk0-fGzdcSurPEU3Lx1rXBxDxCikA_1GUXaJqZj-vHc9s3A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="987" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Yr7ZwgHHZUIaQrE80d2s-qh1Gy_2RQ9tfYJsdQd0mHvfcMGmaBcIhfg78-7jQIt1QIaPo_O4m2eoLYFy9U0BH2xN9r5IuVCjem9R1J7UMVnW0eo_tRUf9_f_6SPPtTgoHXIflOBZplRrVAk0-fGzdcSurPEU3Lx1rXBxDxCikA_1GUXaJqZj-vHc9s3A" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKdcU_ahKxjzgmu9GsP4ncfzDkKBaxH61D64cPFeLgANsioFBMhcmKJrrZ7yMERO109k2QJozScwUDcEtsZobykPxBwxCUXCXeBC_KgpdGk32LudOGbn1QzgdrikaVyYmeJJEdmc1d9OEdACh-BXbmGyCrEHsbj6r7TFLumK5_utq1TsLFT5IQzT48iSqx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="742" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKdcU_ahKxjzgmu9GsP4ncfzDkKBaxH61D64cPFeLgANsioFBMhcmKJrrZ7yMERO109k2QJozScwUDcEtsZobykPxBwxCUXCXeBC_KgpdGk32LudOGbn1QzgdrikaVyYmeJJEdmc1d9OEdACh-BXbmGyCrEHsbj6r7TFLumK5_utq1TsLFT5IQzT48iSqx" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCyGgZk3kTXxMHKXDnK3RC2H00gHROAm6Az9Z35_Cy68uO2hjIBDCJMSP4fSSv1GOqUSeJFm3OcnCUwf8BYyHK3KnQHltCidDwobraDSftOyyKJmOi7E7JMcF0kAFNVMIkyxG4rO5xL7sNxln-YT3pnLzA0waf-loDCJ2XdnxDK31MY8vmNTImglNjA-fm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="802" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCyGgZk3kTXxMHKXDnK3RC2H00gHROAm6Az9Z35_Cy68uO2hjIBDCJMSP4fSSv1GOqUSeJFm3OcnCUwf8BYyHK3KnQHltCidDwobraDSftOyyKJmOi7E7JMcF0kAFNVMIkyxG4rO5xL7sNxln-YT3pnLzA0waf-loDCJ2XdnxDK31MY8vmNTImglNjA-fm" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0trNlp20OCKd6lX0kC1Ie13ekDTsEE6a7GZTz7JUZypRMIbfgnZBx6E034ZXjxy-d3FSf1BA69WY977fqCw0YgWqBLPUdF-kPJL0npUstF73MZroppW-bX-6PKfaLZtlyxpOBi5VNqMR2TbnJg2IpGMfmCEgGp_Nlyva6aNxLXAyx0lpV8wV4xHc_Yvyb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="842" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0trNlp20OCKd6lX0kC1Ie13ekDTsEE6a7GZTz7JUZypRMIbfgnZBx6E034ZXjxy-d3FSf1BA69WY977fqCw0YgWqBLPUdF-kPJL0npUstF73MZroppW-bX-6PKfaLZtlyxpOBi5VNqMR2TbnJg2IpGMfmCEgGp_Nlyva6aNxLXAyx0lpV8wV4xHc_Yvyb" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /> <br />Interesting facts:<br />
Their faces, butts, and breasts are red because of blood vessels, but the babies have lighter faces. They amhave sharp canines, but babies have no teeth, and later their baby teeth get replaced. They have cool 5th finger that help them grab tree branches. They can store food in their cheek pouches like chipmunks. Staring at them is an act of aggression. <br />
They eat soil to help with intestinal diseases. <br />
There were some baby monkeys that were so cute! Hard to feed them because the bigger monkeys chased them away. <p></p>
<p dir="ltr">We checked out Nishika Market. Wow, so many stalls and food stalls! It was really hopping. We are a lot of random foods here and there like octopus balls, wagyu beef, grilled scallop, fried crab, matcha ice cream and mochi. Mochi was sooooo soft. <br />
Of note the market closes at 5p...I think? </p><p dir="ltr"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd--cT5jDeh8Lzg0DpYhr-WBJVX8eyEGHoC4QvZ1Aa_XfclLjJpi1xRk4w5MfDpXG8qIwvJk0k7xz9mzgKU1tkAc3vhBEn-Lf_shPhMM1_O9UYujqFWVO16vEMrjLmNDYGLu_aRzvkrDcshteZ7OMkzDYUD-1o00C_SsimbQTeaEv2_w0v08GcZDJqkpGM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="875" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd--cT5jDeh8Lzg0DpYhr-WBJVX8eyEGHoC4QvZ1Aa_XfclLjJpi1xRk4w5MfDpXG8qIwvJk0k7xz9mzgKU1tkAc3vhBEn-Lf_shPhMM1_O9UYujqFWVO16vEMrjLmNDYGLu_aRzvkrDcshteZ7OMkzDYUD-1o00C_SsimbQTeaEv2_w0v08GcZDJqkpGM=w640-h218" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We then went to Gion district, didn't really see any geishas, and everything was very commercialized, but it's still fun to walk through the lantern street. The lanterns at Yasaka-jinja shrine was pretty, and there were people ringing the giant rope bells. But it was a relatively small temple.<p></p>
<p dir="ltr">We then went to eat conveyer belt sushi. It was AB's first time and he was very intrigued. We were stuffed! <br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Day 7<br />
Kiyomizu-dera</p><p dir="ltr">Beautiful temple with a massive cemetery southwest of it.</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj27G5pB2bMEgvnAcuFcqbYWYM4OAPICUOx1Mj17XhTpQXdTUBHSbCoWHRsTAIzAOUEqzNGlYi5qBoEXTJfLpjvjj1ODRJpdUF1B0DYBG_wSJ1O9GVfW3ZcrpV-9wpjD1wXj6XJMHRBGqYTx8iu6YkCVYSgWdhkwMJ1z35IMwkGyHFMxOrcAQb6fL0hl-tk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="375" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj27G5pB2bMEgvnAcuFcqbYWYM4OAPICUOx1Mj17XhTpQXdTUBHSbCoWHRsTAIzAOUEqzNGlYi5qBoEXTJfLpjvjj1ODRJpdUF1B0DYBG_wSJ1O9GVfW3ZcrpV-9wpjD1wXj6XJMHRBGqYTx8iu6YkCVYSgWdhkwMJ1z35IMwkGyHFMxOrcAQb6fL0hl-tk" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <br />There's a beautiful pogoda.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMGDKjJ8X7qfHM3yu_VSCphG900hWW7bSnxiq0at-lJdX3hEqw86BnTHjgWT-BeFH_SP2MkVZ8kaV7fj3YgM4mIAJKBu0I31r3fh5zMfHJt3CWeIxuuJZnoqWaIROOPRARW6vIWTV5XLcsK9iom6b86BIbzPMm2ZCKMkuYf9nLCJ3iB50ZfBsjivoKbC_5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="732" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMGDKjJ8X7qfHM3yu_VSCphG900hWW7bSnxiq0at-lJdX3hEqw86BnTHjgWT-BeFH_SP2MkVZ8kaV7fj3YgM4mIAJKBu0I31r3fh5zMfHJt3CWeIxuuJZnoqWaIROOPRARW6vIWTV5XLcsK9iom6b86BIbzPMm2ZCKMkuYf9nLCJ3iB50ZfBsjivoKbC_5=w640-h222" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr">
The temple itself has interesting architecture, being built onto a cliff. The autumn leaves made the whole place really brilliant. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Fushimi Inari Shrine</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1XqhH6IzjPzZLP5HQ5sGRa2LWSOiT_VOTgSYpHk5P14cB4SqGaVtEieR4civw7a6vqydQPLyvMIrEskpAmzlVS_fC_IYeYaZSMlYkoF4BYnvYex7BrnR-zei90AeA5RomkiSs0aA2rxmWXgvrXoQkKg62PgZDnUKRlyaDZUnjCFpXaOht5GXavBmoXI0S" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="655" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1XqhH6IzjPzZLP5HQ5sGRa2LWSOiT_VOTgSYpHk5P14cB4SqGaVtEieR4civw7a6vqydQPLyvMIrEskpAmzlVS_fC_IYeYaZSMlYkoF4BYnvYex7BrnR-zei90AeA5RomkiSs0aA2rxmWXgvrXoQkKg62PgZDnUKRlyaDZUnjCFpXaOht5GXavBmoXI0S=w477-h640" width="477" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiVOkZtikAu6ebDsk7yH4Aw9e47OrXIUU4pR2DkasBSpKHa45iLkPYhuQzydVVSPp14LEFeD3Ya980FD4I_ziOtBcXHP6e8SU73gVAxYKn732wQytEscKrbbPUGwY-UPpkEVwecvVVpFQ8N77nf5XihUAeRpjkyZYxSXR0K9LBD0W2INWdKY-c0IPgGNUy" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="662" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiVOkZtikAu6ebDsk7yH4Aw9e47OrXIUU4pR2DkasBSpKHa45iLkPYhuQzydVVSPp14LEFeD3Ya980FD4I_ziOtBcXHP6e8SU73gVAxYKn732wQytEscKrbbPUGwY-UPpkEVwecvVVpFQ8N77nf5XihUAeRpjkyZYxSXR0K9LBD0W2INWdKY-c0IPgGNUy=w485-h640" width="485" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5L-nVRrZ3-NledeJ5K4PjyEMqbsIByavBw_yx-oTkgCSACCpvfZVp_HEIYg1iHEELULKy0Uq8OBIlShK6VGyzddIHoBhOfAu7U5DW6wkhQZO7PSIGagKYN0HCpktT749BPyPdgZEQUUSCKUe4qTn1Q9GNOIbnWqQBmNnSx1Qo3lVvcI9y3ZQB7sgVLd8-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5L-nVRrZ3-NledeJ5K4PjyEMqbsIByavBw_yx-oTkgCSACCpvfZVp_HEIYg1iHEELULKy0Uq8OBIlShK6VGyzddIHoBhOfAu7U5DW6wkhQZO7PSIGagKYN0HCpktT749BPyPdgZEQUUSCKUe4qTn1Q9GNOIbnWqQBmNnSx1Qo3lVvcI9y3ZQB7sgVLd8-=w472-h640" width="472" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr">We decided to go climb Mt Inari. Wow, sooooo many red gates. It prob took an hour to climb to the top, and then another half hour down. Phew...it was kind of tiring. Throngs of people and kind of hard to get a good picture without people. Wish I had known there is a route back down towards bamboo forest. We went off path at Fushimi Inari Taisha and found our way to Kobogataki Falls, and then a bamboo forest farther south. Fun to wander away from the crowds. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicGH2v3Yu4SD8fAe7iFwjNbyFEGiH-Z-QF6WI_6LJE6_vrYd-Zry1NzKasQB9RQlfYNvJGxKv4_ViY8UHqgPRX-irG5Q38_hOU4R9hwkWTn23wzkX0AvuZKAtVnwN7XL3hb--iEHyEWAB7tpN9IY6HhT8dgsdwUFxFw-hDrvEIMQKm8mn1Tui_V9gTgUuP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="653" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicGH2v3Yu4SD8fAe7iFwjNbyFEGiH-Z-QF6WI_6LJE6_vrYd-Zry1NzKasQB9RQlfYNvJGxKv4_ViY8UHqgPRX-irG5Q38_hOU4R9hwkWTn23wzkX0AvuZKAtVnwN7XL3hb--iEHyEWAB7tpN9IY6HhT8dgsdwUFxFw-hDrvEIMQKm8mn1Tui_V9gTgUuP" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Fukakusa Ramen Toriton </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDP0HpNL6uqwsfTGkdY7x_K-kTPs3IdeIwn2xFVEYxjO7wwDdIxyFzq5uTqsNpb5-RrdWvdI7lYjyfglCQsEdFxEfcHfc_dDQSELX7S_w5YOKjDOMje542NZzSCFq20G8UxbiDFCgjpvr04fAu6E9gDu2vyetNgjkBhVNZEj_IcFVHsMMyJsBuM6jD2Q9L" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="582" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDP0HpNL6uqwsfTGkdY7x_K-kTPs3IdeIwn2xFVEYxjO7wwDdIxyFzq5uTqsNpb5-RrdWvdI7lYjyfglCQsEdFxEfcHfc_dDQSELX7S_w5YOKjDOMje542NZzSCFq20G8UxbiDFCgjpvr04fAu6E9gDu2vyetNgjkBhVNZEj_IcFVHsMMyJsBuM6jD2Q9L" width="166" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Yummy! A bit salty. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Byodo-in<p></p><p dir="ltr">
Beautiful temple surrounded by water with nice museum detailing interior decoration and meaning. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim_E7H_eOQLLx8Hh-vGOB9N7_gB4TPrieNTveDpwYrPwTqrCwZ7K0u5qZyfYxiQ5r0acSFzvgu35PLIEdZ3_wl96fwd-WV6wMJUwFayagsAyCjuYZEJr8aW2gsNjQY3DTu8pmmRWrQF5g-PLTLWh0t9vNpIXo8E8qWCZmmayJXLUbEhey-O5irDA6UhrXv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1165" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim_E7H_eOQLLx8Hh-vGOB9N7_gB4TPrieNTveDpwYrPwTqrCwZ7K0u5qZyfYxiQ5r0acSFzvgu35PLIEdZ3_wl96fwd-WV6wMJUwFayagsAyCjuYZEJr8aW2gsNjQY3DTu8pmmRWrQF5g-PLTLWh0t9vNpIXo8E8qWCZmmayJXLUbEhey-O5irDA6UhrXv=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p dir="ltr">Gohan-ya: Izakaya $$<br />
Online it said there's a set menu, but turned out no set menu and everything in Japanese. There was one server who spoke some English, so we asked for his recommendation, and then picked a few off the menu with Google translate camera. Should have stuck with picking off the pictures on Google. The ones we picked off the menu were so-so: radish greens salad, dried squid. The oden soup was pretty good. The recommendations were really good: sashimi (yellow tail, red snapper, flounder, salmon, tuna, 10 piece), grilled mackerel that was marinated in miso for a day. <br />
Funny part was we didn't have a good idea of the price bc we asked for recommendations, and I estimated about 10,000 yen. When we got the receipt, I thought it said 29,000...we were so surprised but accepted it was our last fancy meal. Then turned out I missed the first number, so it was actually 8,290. Went from most expensive meal to prob the best deal. We were stuffed! <br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Day 8<br />
The Osaka station is sooooo crazy. Walking for 10min, and we are still in the station. Also like Tokyo and Kyoto station, tons of shops and restaurants. <br /></p><p dir="ltr">We had time for a brief stop at Osaka Castle (open too late for us to go in 9am):</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4zwY-NJ9BGYNAd3CjEQQqmHfDTpkBWLw08ny16ZqllBrTGyKQ8gA3pHNUDGVY-H3ekBlOAX0S-wnB_AgZ158b-xqLGV8VnWizy-8ua2Rg9MWzhVdHcfmKE5eRKVitKjGluQJyVIfZk-jNQJXPrjWCDi_pJOY_lsPYF5Z6wK1FrfGMm5OCZuZW0X822V06" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="647" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4zwY-NJ9BGYNAd3CjEQQqmHfDTpkBWLw08ny16ZqllBrTGyKQ8gA3pHNUDGVY-H3ekBlOAX0S-wnB_AgZ158b-xqLGV8VnWizy-8ua2Rg9MWzhVdHcfmKE5eRKVitKjGluQJyVIfZk-jNQJXPrjWCDi_pJOY_lsPYF5Z6wK1FrfGMm5OCZuZW0X822V06=w504-h640" width="504" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgouvkjIpfop-EeLv0OjdY5ptr2_nf4JPWYp2o5N64wtQ5gTuUF39qeu6PP7cyDOGqz-dAtVbuU6sZ5i3imKnEP1Dcg-i7R0NSN2Tg4-SQ2HwXMYjwodzAWBUNlphzS9jgBoiyMXjiomlwALWfgqZa14UrctVu29S4pASI8aXWwOt23U8JrnuVacLuPDkfO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1128" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgouvkjIpfop-EeLv0OjdY5ptr2_nf4JPWYp2o5N64wtQ5gTuUF39qeu6PP7cyDOGqz-dAtVbuU6sZ5i3imKnEP1Dcg-i7R0NSN2Tg4-SQ2HwXMYjwodzAWBUNlphzS9jgBoiyMXjiomlwALWfgqZa14UrctVu29S4pASI8aXWwOt23U8JrnuVacLuPDkfO" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-42435230052630207342023-09-30T17:30:00.000-07:002023-12-21T18:10:15.105-08:00San Diego 2023 Sept<p> We went to San Diego for AB's work conference: </p><p>Torrey Pines:</p><p>$20 to park up on top. Few free parking north of the park near the beach. </p><p>We did the loop trial going to Red Butte, Razor Point, Yucca Point, Flat Rock (down to the beach), and then up Broken Hill Trail. </p><p>Red Butte</p><p>Razor Point </p><p>Flat Rock</p><p>We didn't realize the north fork of the Broken Hill Trail is pretty boring. It's the south fork that actually has more interesting structures and views of the golf course. Of note, you have to walk all the way back on a paved road if you do that broken hill trail (prob not worth it). </p><p><br /></p><p>Balboa Park</p><p>We didn't have much time, so didn't do any of the paid activities: museums, zoo, etc. We went on the $3 miniature train b/c Baobao loves trains. Also saw the giant Moreton Fig Tree and walked through art center and the main center. We wanted to go see the Japanese Friendship Garden, but turns out it was closed that evening due to a wedding. How disappointing! And by the time we got to the houses of the different nations, that was closed too. Ah well, the park itself was beautiful to walk through. Maybe next time it'll be worth it to go to the zoo with Baobao. </p><p><br /></p><p>La Jolla</p><p>We went to la Jolla cove and saw sooooo many sea lions. Heard they were going to close the area soon bc people get too close to them and have gotten hurt. It's true, the sea lions go right up the stairs. </p><p>They were really noisy, barking all the time. There were baby ones too. I think we were actually not supposed to go down to the beach, bc the other places had signs not to go down. There were so many people going diving in the morning. Some of them were so big and fat. Maybe the patriarch. Baobao couldn't resist going into the water even though it was so cold. Didn't seem to bother him. </p><p>The seashell beach didn't have any seashells. But Baobao liked playing on the sand. </p><p>Later we went to mission bay beach. One near a cove so it didn't have as many waves. It was still very windy and cold though. </p><p><br /></p><p>Mission Bay beach</p><p>We went for a short walk in the morning before visiting our friend TL. It had a nice beach walk you can bike or walk on. Parking wasn't bad on a weekday morning. </p><p><br /></p><p>Fairmont Grand Del Mar</p><p>This hotel was super nice, like the other ones for AB's conference. We got to pet some horses, and enjoyed the pool and the resort walk. I got a facial and a massage...so decadent. Didn't feel like I fit the place. Also enjoyed the hot tub, jacuzzi, and saunas. It was a bit too cold for the pool for us, but Baobao jumped right in. We tried a little hike with my friend TL, but Baobao cried most of the time. Last day we got awesome seafood: lobster, oyster, crab, ceviche, ny steak, etc. It was awesome. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-62415780564217571342023-08-30T17:43:00.002-07:002023-08-30T17:43:44.181-07:00Baobao 1.5 to 2 years<p> 3/26 19mo</p><p>Baobao has been so fun lately. He tries to say some of the things we say like "hai xing" (star fish), but not having all his teeth, it sounds like "hai hing." He said my friend Amy's name today, then gave her a big smile! </p><p>He likes to go try on our shoes, and one time he put on some high heels and walked around. Way better than how I do in heels! He is very amused by our electric toothbrush, and tries to put toothpaste on it. He also tried combing his hair, but it just got more messy. </p><p>He still has an obsession with water, but at least the baths are no longer 1 hour long (now more like 45min). And he cries when we stop the water after washing hands. He still loves buckles and will sit in the car for another 15 or more min to try buckling them himself. </p><p>He is so curious, going up to strangers frequently, and strangers will give their snacks to him. But he has also gotten more separation anxiety recently. He cries when we leave for work or drop him off at the church nursery. When we take away something he's not supposed to have when he's sleepy/grouchy, he will throw himself on the ground. Awww...still cute. </p><p>He can jump with 2 feet off the floor! </p><p><br /></p><p>4/5/23 19 months old</p><p>Baobao has forgotten how to say "mamma." 😭 I'm kind of sad. Hopefully it's just a phase. When I tell him to say mamma, he says "baba" (dad). He can say "mien mien" (noodles), but when I ask him to say "mamma", he says "baba." So strange...maybe I kept on talking about baba, but not enough about myself. Sighs. </p><p><br /></p><p>4/7/23</p><p>Baobao went from being obsessed with baths to being obsessed with playing in our car. He could stay hours in one of our cars and push buttons, turn on the hazard lights, opening different things. </p><p>He can also open bottle caps now! 😬</p><p>I'm impressed when we talk about "milk," he would say "nainai."</p><p>Loves to pump soap out of the dispenser.</p><p><br /></p><p>4/28/23 20 months</p><p>Baobao actually hit the tennis ball today! Granted, the ball was resting on a tennis ball can. But I was still impressed he actually took a racket and kind of hit it. </p><p><br /></p><p>5/18/23 almost 21 months. </p><p>A week ago Baobao started refusing to sleep. Whether night time or naps. He would say "poopoo", and later say mamma mamma or Baobao (pick up) and cry a lot. It's very sad to see, but it is nice to know he cares for us and likes us around. I try to say I love you, it's night time, it's time to sleep, I'll be back...but to no avail..we just have to leave him crying. Fortunately the last few nights he only cries less than a minute. But the first night he cried half an hour and the night I went to NY he kept waking up every 5 min to cry (lasted an hour).</p><p>Baobao is also talking a lot recently. Maybe the sleep regression is due to increased words. Examples of new words: "but yao" don't want, "hai yao" want, "Augustine," "Wes", "Amy", "xie xie" thank you, "kai" open, "all done," "Google," "open." He will repeat everything we say. He likes driving his box car everywhere. Before he did try saying "gong gong qi che" bus - first word more than 2 syllables. </p><p>We love going to the school. He gets to run around, and I get to see something interesting. His favorite thing to do at the zoo is push his stroller.</p><p>During bath, he will get the soap and rub it on his cheeks.</p><p>Random strangers will come up and say heo cute he is. I'm totally biased, but Baobao is totally the cutest! He will give me a kiss and hug. He also really likes to say "Amy!" He will say Amy when he sees her picture too. So sad she's leaving soon 😞. </p><p><br /></p><p>5/21/23 almost 21 months</p><p>Baobao's sleep is getting better, but he still cries a few seconds when we leave. We've been trying to have him lie on the crib and pray with our hands on him..and he seems to like that. But it's so hard to leave him, because he is sooooo cute and his cry is so sad to listen to. But we know it's better for him in the long run to sleep. </p><p><br /></p><p>5/29/23 21 mo:</p><p>Two things that cause Baobao to be super angry and throw tantrums: </p><p>*He got something he's not supposed to have, and we take it away. Or he sees something and he's not allowed to have it.</p><p>*It's time to move on to something else and he doesn't want to transition. </p><p>We try to have him be distracted with something else, or allow him to do something else. </p><p>Man...he gets soooo angry! This morning, he got angry when we didn't let him get more cereal out of the cereal box (he already had some in his bowl), and he got angry, swiped at his bottle to knock it over and it hit AB's bowl and caused it to fall to the ground into a thousand pieces of sharp shards. Later in the day he got so angry he ran away or lie on his back crying and shouting. </p><p><br /></p><p>5/30/23 21 mo:</p><p>Wes sang "happy to you, happy to you" for the first time! Funny how when we sang it 2 days ago for grandmother, you can see him kind of mouthing the words... And then all of a sudden today he started singing it unprompted while playing with some blocks. So funny and cute!! What a smart boy! </p><p>5/31/23 Baobao said "niu, qi, ba" (6, 7, 8)! We were so surprised. We said 1, 2, 3...and then he said 6, 7,8. Didn't know he's been listening lol. Climbed up the playground ladder himself. </p><p><br /></p><p>6/16/23 almost 22mo</p><p>First time leaving Baobao with someone else (grandparents) for the weekend as we go to Vancouver a wedding. Kind of a reprieve to be able to go and do whatever we want at whatever time without his nap or hunger as a restriction. But also missed him and thought about how much fun he would have had at certain places. </p><p><br /></p><p>6/27/23 22 months</p><p>Baobao is sooooo cute! Nothing makes me smile more than when he smiles. Today we were practicing different expressions like happy, sad, angry surprised. It's amazing. How such a little person with such tiny features can wrinkle his face and be like ours or have little gasps of surprise. ☺️</p><p><br /></p><p>7/1/23 </p><p>Now Baobao is stacking 8 blocks into a tower. It's amazing how much he's progressed even though he hadn't played with blocks for a month. He also can play with box cars that drive if you pull them back. </p><p><br /></p><p>7/20/23 almost 23mo</p><p>When we ask if he wants to poopoo, he will sometimes run to his potty. But now he things poo is pee and pee is poop. </p><p>He will also say "Yi, er, liu"! Sometimes he counts correctly to 10. </p><p>He is a very clean toddler: he loves to wash his hands. When ever he sees hand sanitizer station, he will ask to get his hands sanitized. He loves baths. He wants his hands cleaned if dirtied during dinner. </p><p>He likes banging his head back and forth against the lazyboy when sitting on it. And he loves running back and forth between the beanbag and the lazyboy and collapsing on both. 🤣</p><p><br /></p><p>7/28/23 23 months </p><p>Baobao can count to 10 correctly now! He's putting words together like hot, turn on AC! (In Chinese). He is getting better at saying please and thankyou. Alex came to visit and it's fun seeing him playing with Baobao. Baobao is getting better at throwing. He doesn't have the ball go behind him now lol. He's putting soap on himself during bath time. </p><p>He's been getting a cough frequently, so he hasn't had good appetite. </p><p><br /></p><p>8/19/23 </p><p>Had Baobao 's 2 yr bday party combined with a friend. It was a lot of worry on my part if I had enough food, and sure enough, there was more than plenty. Too much! I was so nervous I woke up at 4a and couldn't sleep for another hour or 2 or more. </p><p>Party itself was kind of hectic. Went to nearby splash pad and thankfully AB has the sense to claim the heavily shaded spot farther away from the splash pad area. It remained cool and had a nice breeze. The splash pad was so crowded. Chaos. Kids everywhere playing with everyone's toys and some kids even drank the water. EW. </p><p>The party itself was fun. Nice to see everyone, but because I was watching Baobao, I didn't really talk to anyone. Baobao was happy playing in the water...minimally interacting with others and prob overwhelmed by everything. Lol. Buckets everywhere.</p><p><br /></p><p>8/20/23</p><p>Lately having some issues with Baobao eating. It's always a struggle to get him to sit at the table, and often times he doesn't want to sit in his high chair. Also wants to be held or just wants to continue playing. Trying to implement some of these suggestions: </p><p>https://mylittleeater.com/how-to-help-your-toddler-sit-and-stay-at-the-table/</p><p>*Give 5min warning</p><p>*Stick with routine to wash hands, pray, eat.</p><p>*If he doesn't want to eat, don't force him. But also no feeding if not seated at dining table. </p><p>*If gets out of chair, no more food. Kitchen is closed. </p><p>*Keep calm, happy, firm</p><p>*Make meal time enjoyable. Sing to him. It's about the meal time together, not the food. </p><p>*He's growing well!</p><p><br /></p><p>8/26/23</p><p>We made it to 2 years! Went to visit grandparents in Woodlands.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Fun moments</p><p>*Baobao hair standing up straight sure to static on the trampoline or going down the slide. </p><p>*Baobao giggling when playing chase while piggy back riding and I'm chasing him.</p><p>*Baobao use crib as a trampoline.</p><p>*When he wants to play in the car, he will point to the car, say "beep beep" and nod his head seriously.</p><p>*Friends and random people: "Is that his natural hair color? "Where did he get his hair?" 🧑🦰</p><p>*Friend regarding Baobao: "I don't think I've ever seen him wearing pants."</p><p>*wes says "ai ni" love you! </p><p>*So funny that his favorite page in "Goodnight Gorilla" is the page when the wife opens her eyes so there are only 2 open eyes and the rest of the page is all black. He also loves the Goliath story, and the all fall down part of the hickory dickory dock book.</p><p>*Likes to do "touching noses" with me or AB</p><p>*Tried to close a door, but Baobao is wearing AB's shoes so it's big and blocking the door from closing. 😂</p><p><br /></p><p>*AB: "You need to be a good boy!"</p><p>*Baobao: "booger!"</p><p>*AB: 🤦</p><p><br /></p><p>*Baobao will say "shhhh", but his finger is slightly misplaced sideways near his nose.</p><p>*Ab will copy Baobao stuffing too much food in his mouth and then gagging and spitting things out. Baobao laughed so hard. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Weird things that Baobao does:</p><p>*First thing he does when we get him in the morning is go to the far corner of his crib and throw out his Peter rabbit..and then says "tu tu?" Like he is confused and wants it back. </p><p>*Put Peter Rabbit between his legs and walk around with it that way. </p><p>*Loves to brush his teeth and wash his hands. He will continuously have a tooth rush in his mouth while he walks around. He will also wash his hands for an hour.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-20133265068306819372023-04-21T14:39:00.000-07:002023-09-23T14:39:26.687-07:00Pregnancy 2.0/Miscarriage 1.0<p> 4/2/23</p><p>Positive pregnancy test! YW videotaped Ab's reaction lol. This time we made sure to do ovulation tests from the get go. Even still, it took 3 months. My period is so irregular, but also I was a little sick the previous months. When the ovulation was positive, we made sure to try for the next 4 days. Tiring, but worth it. No symptoms yet, but keeping expectations low for now since still early. </p><p>Ab's first thoughts: childcare and how to handle 2 young kids. Scheduling time off work and longer term how to care for two (nanny vs daycare). YW: not to get hopes up bc still early.</p><p>4/17/23 6w2d</p><p>About a week ago, I started having very small amount of spotting. Dark brown spots. I would get it here and there as the week progressed. And then after I had a episode of gastro, the spotting increased. And today, it became dark red blood. I think I kind of knew this morning, as the spotting increased, that I was having a miscarriage.</p><p>Before, I had hoped that the small dark spots was just some normal bleeding that people get during pregnancy. But I should have known, cuz this never happened during my first pregnancy. Even though we tried to keep our expectations low, I am still quite disappointed and sad. I suppose I just need to wait it out at this point. </p><p>There were a lot of what ifs that went through my mind. What if I didn't play sports? What if I didn't stress out about Wes and didn't do so many activities? What if I didn't get gastro?... But none of these questions are helpful. All I can do is wait for the 1-2 weeks for my pretend late period to end. </p><p>Thank you God for Baobao. Thank you God for the family that we do have. And I pray that God will give us another child when the time is right. </p><p><br /></p><p>4/21/23</p><p>Now it's been almost a week since miscarriage started. It's strange because the total blood loss I had seemed to have been less than my typical period. Maybe it'll be more days and smaller amounts each day. I really hate going to the bathroom because then I'm reminded of it. It has helped to think of this as a delayed period. </p><p><br /></p><p>Since then, I've talked to a lot of other people and they have all shared their miscarriage stories. Almost everyone I talked to had a miscarriage. It's amazing how little we talk about it, yet how frequent it happens. Wow, even one coworker had a miscarriage at 4 months! ML gave me a really helpful book at how to look at miscarriage in a biblical manner. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-44861590776783497642023-02-26T14:29:00.000-08:002023-02-26T20:40:20.637-08:00Baobao 1yr to 1.5y<p>8/31/22 </p><p>We clapped today! Not sure if it was just because I was doing the clap motion with his hands and he continued after I let go, but he was smiling so big doing it! And then we got excited and AB made a lot of excited noise and scared him and he started to cry 😢. Haha! </p><p><br /></p><p>9/12/22</p><p>Baobao got sick again. Thankfully it was only a runny nose and cough. But we did miss church. </p><p><br /></p><p>9/25/22</p><p>Found out Baobao has allergies! Everytime he goes outside, he gets a runny nose. </p><p>Baobao discovered how to spin in circles. He started doing that, got really dizzy, and bumped into the cabinet. 😂</p><p>He started saying "duck duck." He likes his little joker rubber duckie. He also knows what as his "jiaojiao" (feet) and "tofa" (hair). He will sometimes wave. </p><p><br /></p><p>10/2/22 13mo</p><p>Baobao now knows how to open doors 😱. He will also climb into the upstairs cabinet and and through to the other side. Haha. </p><p>It's been hard to figure out nap time. He used to nap 3-4 hours a day. But recently he might sleep in the morning and refuse afternoon nap, or if we put him to nap a bit later, he will only sleep 1.5 hours and then want to stay up until we put him to sleep at 8p...then he is awake for 6-7 hours! Yikes! But also he has been sleeping longer at night: sometimes 12 hours. Fortunately he has been ok playing with his rabbit in the morning even after he wakes. </p><p><br /></p><p>10/15/22 almost 14mo: </p><p>We tried 1 nap, but it didn't work. So now we went back to 2 naps unless it's Sunday and he won't sleep at church (so we rush back after quick lunch and he sleeps at 1p). But now with 2 naps, we have to make sure to wake him by 12:30-12:45p or else he won't take an afternoon nap 3.5 hrs later. He will throw his bunny out, stand up, and roll around for an hour. Sometimes he throws his bunny out because he pooped. </p><p>Lately he has started to like reading and books again. His favorite book is the Hickory Dickory Dock book of nursery rhymes. AB does a good job doing hand motions and slapping the book and he will laugh. </p><p><br /></p><p>10/24/22 14mo</p><p>Baobao started to stomp his feet when he's not happy and when he's really excited. He also likes dancing (will wobble side to side). He will bring his shoes to us when he wants to go outside. And he'll sit down to put them on when we tell him to sit down. He sticks his tongue out when we say where is tongue in Chinese. He also opens doors now, yikes 😬.</p><p>New words: uh oh, nainai (milk), wooo, "A".</p><p><br /></p><p>11/12/22</p><p>Visiting friend in NY and then going to Portugal. Thought we had a good flight: AB was amazing and swayed for 2 hours while Baobao napped on the plane. Decided on 1 nap (kept awake before noon flight), and so he successfully napped 2 hrs. Then at night, he was able to go to sleep even though new place. Sadly Airbnb is really dingy and not even close to childproof. Ugh! </p><p>Second day started ok. Overnight cried briefly at 4am, went back to sleep. Woke eventually at 8:30a happily. We went to visit friend and went to park. With a little struggle (crying 2 min), he went to sleep at friends condo. We hung out at her place, went to Grace restaurant nearby, and said our good byes for the night. Got back 7:45pish and started gathering things for night routine, but since we took all the stuff to nap at friend's place, it took a long time to get all the sleep stuff ready. He struggled during the night routine, and then continued to stand up right away and throw out bunny. Since he was crying so vehemently, we decided on holding him to sleep. He fell asleep, I transfered him to pack n play, and was about to step out when I noticed he started getting up. Shoot, he woke up. Transfered too early when not in deep enough sleep. He refused to sleep, kept on trying to stand up when I had my hand on him, and when I sat there, he would throw the bunny out. Finally I gave up and left, maybe let him cry 5min and then Farber method. Alan decided to try, not sure what he did, but then he vomited in the pack n play, and more on the carpet and sleep sack. 🤮😨😩🤦 After a bunch of cleaning, I held him to sleep and he conked out after several minutes, finally around 10p in my arms and I successfully transfered him. Found out my friend had vomiting and diarrhea, but I suspect Baobao's vomiting was still related to the extensive crying. But who knows.... Was it because he was over tired bc he woke up from nap at 3p? Was it because lack of wind down time? Was it because new environment? Food poisoning? 🤷 But for sure, another day of feeling like the worst parent in the world. Praying God to give me wisdom.</p><p><br /></p><p>12/3/22 15mo</p><p>After the trip, it took about a week for his sleep to get back to normal. I don't think the trip was worth all the trouble. He was jetlagged, kept on waking up at 3:00 a.m., and refused to go to sleep by himself. We had to re-sleep train him. It is hard to listen to him cry, but in the end it was totally worth the retraining. </p><p>Now Baobao will play hide and seek, run really fast, and he can stack two blocks together. He has more separation anxiety, so when we leave for work, he gets a little upset. He still loves to stick his finger into holes and screws. He also loves to go to our neighbor's yard and play with the rocks. Puddles are a favorite too. </p><p>His favorite letters are O and B. Strange because he always picks out those letters on the alphabet puzzle. He also likes his tool kit with it's holes. He likes putting pencils in the holes of the egg carton. </p><p><br /></p><p>12/26/22 16mo</p><p>Few other words: owl, up, door, wow, oh no, apple (abu)</p><p>Went to parents in law for Christmas and saw his 20mo cousin. So cute to see the 2 together but they also fight over toys. Baobao is very possessive of his toys and keeps them in a firm grip in his hands.</p><p><br /></p><p>12/30/22 </p><p>New words: rabbit ("tu"). </p><p><br /></p><p>1/26/23 17 months!</p><p>He's napping well 1 nap a day from 1p to 4p. Sometimes more sometimes less. Night sleep is from 9-8ish. He's saying bubble, poo, uh oh, ah yi, do (peas), Wawa (water), mobile. </p><p>He's been taking his bunny everywhere he goes. Sometimes he would have blowouts in the morning after a ton of pee. </p><p>He's been interested in screens, so grandma has been able to give him a nice haircut. He is also interested in cars, tools, and trains now. He loves sticking things in holes like sticks and leaves. Still loves rocks! He loooooves buckles - when he sees one, he can't help putting them together. Thankfully doesn't know how to take them about yet. </p><p>He likes veggies, and usually likes fish and tofu, but has some trouble with other meats. He loves raspberries and started eating carrots. </p><p><br /></p><p>2/20/23 almost 18mo</p><p>Baobao started trying to copy our motions when we sing "Jesus Loves Me." So cute! 🥰 </p><p>He says about 20 words now: ahbu (grandma), Wawa (water), ew, uh-oh, duck duck, nainai (milk), no, ack-ack, mama, baba, bubble, mobile, ball, tutu (rabbit), ahyi (aunt), baby, Baobao (pickup), mianmian, nana (banana), wow, bing, tick tick, owl, hoot hoot. </p><p>His schedule has been pretty consistent. He usually wakes up between 7:30 and 8:30. Drink some milk, eats breakfast. Then he eats lunch at around noon, and then take a nap from around 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. . He eats dinner at around 6:00 p.m., snack at 8p, and then goes to sleep at around 9:00 p.m. </p><p>Baobao likes to grab our hand and lead us to things that he wants. Then says "baobao" to be picked up and be closer to what he wants. </p><p><br /></p><p>2/26/23 Finally made it to 1.5 years! </p><p>Actually from 1 to 1.5 years has been the best time so far. Now Baobao sleeps through the night and one nap. We get to do a lot of activities with him. He also isn't as messy when eating. He can use a spoon now, and he can drink from an open cup.</p><p>Recently he is fixated with playing with water. Anything water: water fountain, faucets, bath water, puddles... We have a hard time getting him to stop playing with the water and to move on to the next activity. We're trying the method of telling him one more minute. But he just laughs at us and sticks out his one finger. </p><p>National parks he's been to (including in the womb): Death Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, Gateway Arch; Couyahoga, Yellowstone, Grand Teton. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Funny quotes</p><p><br /></p><p>"It's so easy to give him a back massage because there's only 12 in of space (on his back)." -AB. </p><p><br /></p><p>Things that make Wes laugh now:</p><p>*Rolling golf ball down the slide.</p><p>*Playing hide and seek with daddy.</p><p>*When other people suffer (AB tongue burned from hot soup). </p><p><br /></p><p>*Played a game with AB: Who can peg the baby the most times in 15min with soft balls. I lost. Baobao was not bothered at all (laughing and confused what was going on).</p><p>*Wes buckled himself in his chair and then couldn't get out. He crawled with the chair attached to him and cried bc he couldn't get away from the chair.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ab: Do you want to go to the Vancouver wedding?</p><p>Grandma: no, not a good idea.</p><p>Baobao: No!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-67161101249581133212022-12-31T20:23:00.000-08:002023-02-26T20:40:00.570-08:002022 Highlights<p>*Omicron hit</p><p>*Sleep train Baobao and move him to own room</p><p>*Travel to Seattle and fly with Baobao for the first time</p><p>*YW Birthday grill (first big hosting event with Baobao). </p><p>*YW 's Grandmother esophageal and intestinal cancer so YW's mom went back to China to visit (3 week quarantine, 2 week no public indoor places, and 20 something tests). </p><p>*Started teaching Sunday school for 6th graders</p><p>*Friend sick</p><p>*YW and Baobao's first witness of Rice water balloon fight</p><p>*Cleveland wedding, Couyahoga national park </p><p>*AB's Hilton head conference </p><p>*Yellowstone and Grand Teton</p><p>*YW Got covid 7/11</p><p>*Seattle, Westport, Baobao's first zoo</p><p>*Baobao first visit to NYC, MZ</p><p>*<a href="https://eeex101.blogspot.com/2022/11/portugal.html" target="_blank">Portugal trip</a>: Lisbon, Castillo de Jorge, Jesus Statue, Pena Castle, Quinta de Regaliera.</p><p>*Baby beach trip to Destin, Florida (specifically Santa Rosa). With Baobao's 2 other similar age friends.</p><p>*Holiday with Baobao's cousin at Woodlands.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-53054014988715977962022-11-28T12:39:00.003-08:002022-11-28T12:41:33.018-08:00Portugal<p>Airport: talked to red headed family about Lisbon. They recommended aquarium and Cascais for families. Alas, we were not planning to go to Cascais (beach). </p><p>Arrived around 7am, but airbnb wouldn't let us check in until closer to 1p. Yikes, AB was pro-dad and let Baobao sleep in the carrier while I slept on the uncomfortable airport chairs.</p><p>Restaurant o Portas: grilled octopus (most tender and best octopus I've ever had), seafood rice (kind of salty but huge amount of seafood). Family restaurant, so delicious! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2xOJRaq1uVJPHCA8xjOPAS3hJiH8byn8LM-_jCGviwkur-PpeBdbiotoIszk0Y7ueekloWMnBZvI-razbpKgrWFOK92_DYf5ogp5LwwP3j8ogA-ogXHpVxlaDCSpdTAKZeOzpvmjS0i6Th2n3oUs1y4NOrTsgpmih9UheRqis_tqyso4LTlbpJWuDtg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="1367" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2xOJRaq1uVJPHCA8xjOPAS3hJiH8byn8LM-_jCGviwkur-PpeBdbiotoIszk0Y7ueekloWMnBZvI-razbpKgrWFOK92_DYf5ogp5LwwP3j8ogA-ogXHpVxlaDCSpdTAKZeOzpvmjS0i6Th2n3oUs1y4NOrTsgpmih9UheRqis_tqyso4LTlbpJWuDtg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I got asked if I was Japanese and AB got asked if he was Russian or Azerbaijan. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 2:</b></p><p>Baobao woke up 6am, and I slept with him on the bed until 8:30a.</p><p>We went to see the Jeronimos Monastery, and it was gorgeous. So much detail, every column carving was different. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDFbVH8KVlXtG2WzoStZIlD5vcTmdWbKjz_ggpBcU87WDWDQRGuu7j75L4OCTVT5Dw9q3cmQMiLEz5CrwnzruiUt08BUNAK1l3l6jJv0JpGYDrEEFks0BOe1TCzIylRVLqP-afAKhlQVZkd5FOIIdk9mKXii2wTiTYV1be5MEC47x20mobEHYvIrqQqw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1182" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDFbVH8KVlXtG2WzoStZIlD5vcTmdWbKjz_ggpBcU87WDWDQRGuu7j75L4OCTVT5Dw9q3cmQMiLEz5CrwnzruiUt08BUNAK1l3l6jJv0JpGYDrEEFks0BOe1TCzIylRVLqP-afAKhlQVZkd5FOIIdk9mKXii2wTiTYV1be5MEC47x20mobEHYvIrqQqw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-28Nat7wko1ib8oy-0L-AuJAT0FbHHhYE3a-nmF3WY8UsiIefYk02Jsc8b1uh4j5-SiSrW3ULdMu5PJs69yUNWk9eAQK3Ovbn8BOaN-e6wyKYNzMz8twu9Y1pXG2fEfnCOKDioAgELUvH69ZFMSV-8pFwD1Q_Bcs9_hIH_AcqhHyayZsfq1pHPKvaYA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1181" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-28Nat7wko1ib8oy-0L-AuJAT0FbHHhYE3a-nmF3WY8UsiIefYk02Jsc8b1uh4j5-SiSrW3ULdMu5PJs69yUNWk9eAQK3Ovbn8BOaN-e6wyKYNzMz8twu9Y1pXG2fEfnCOKDioAgELUvH69ZFMSV-8pFwD1Q_Bcs9_hIH_AcqhHyayZsfq1pHPKvaYA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip72Jsf9m0Xx1hyloGBFXA9s73lPMadDa8fcB7quWWHaE2hosH_CSH8FUmmwX763pmVO94oIE-G6pcqqoRA4HGKCA7ZU4r4dHhBjXeq3wTNHGcapnoQDhhUYJAUyy9X-kz5MGs_0B51sOmv-aKckxWrQk33H4QFTIdrpDF4zPLh-6T7DxfI5I8-TEZbg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip72Jsf9m0Xx1hyloGBFXA9s73lPMadDa8fcB7quWWHaE2hosH_CSH8FUmmwX763pmVO94oIE-G6pcqqoRA4HGKCA7ZU4r4dHhBjXeq3wTNHGcapnoQDhhUYJAUyy9X-kz5MGs_0B51sOmv-aKckxWrQk33H4QFTIdrpDF4zPLh-6T7DxfI5I8-TEZbg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>We walked to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument that celebrates the Portuguese age of discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries and commemorate the death of Henry the Navigator. It was definitely much bigger in person. It consists of a boat with sails and great figures of Portuguese history on either side including monarchs, cartographers, artists, explorers, scientists, and missionaries with Henry the Navigator at the front. There is an interesting map on the ground showing when the Portuguese reached different places in the world. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqVsiuBII3PcEPKA8NiwQYV5zHp73ipdPH9z1LV9L2CHaisaRrg9bBjbKnDQE5AQ-v1ZHt1kX5AaPiXbFj_PPXYX-ubirhMmmZ2JWqpef2tm0Ck4SYMJCrJLE14VX2yWfa8-Oonrw8gixeWu7ggSKQP2CilohBQIHhnZRwjyl3Sv3kVX6UpZ_mSaIZxw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="661" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqVsiuBII3PcEPKA8NiwQYV5zHp73ipdPH9z1LV9L2CHaisaRrg9bBjbKnDQE5AQ-v1ZHt1kX5AaPiXbFj_PPXYX-ubirhMmmZ2JWqpef2tm0Ck4SYMJCrJLE14VX2yWfa8-Oonrw8gixeWu7ggSKQP2CilohBQIHhnZRwjyl3Sv3kVX6UpZ_mSaIZxw" width="183" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>We then walked to Belem tower while Baobao napped. The tower was where Portuguese explorers started and ended their trips and acted as a ceremonial entrance to Lisbon on the Tagus river. It was built in Manueline style during the Renaissance. It consists of a bastion with moorish bartizan turrets and a 4 story tower. Armillary spheres and twisted rope/knots represent nautical exploration during King Manuel's reign. Going up the tower required a going up a really narrow spiral staircase. We saw the king's room and also the chapel. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKVeUA8IBr_h-zcyLnL57YJk-WeoEbgPH14d_CcUK6OpfVIlOvz415gBX0h4xvQW-WvYLPCuK4o8oOMQHc_9pC_lIrCTJ0ibaXXSH82fwCl6Jz8VO2kvisxtEukek9flN7AqVFezpKkq46dU9BxRhYabpxXdU09D_qkoiMB077E1SqGMd7HPbUP_-lOg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="661" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKVeUA8IBr_h-zcyLnL57YJk-WeoEbgPH14d_CcUK6OpfVIlOvz415gBX0h4xvQW-WvYLPCuK4o8oOMQHc_9pC_lIrCTJ0ibaXXSH82fwCl6Jz8VO2kvisxtEukek9flN7AqVFezpKkq46dU9BxRhYabpxXdU09D_qkoiMB077E1SqGMd7HPbUP_-lOg" width="180" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC-WGuBsiLWISV_nnX_vZ4hxcwWc0N8eVbNTdvozKRjaUk50xpm67M2eVxaKY4yrrlz6RVy-GSujtMhH_in4SrDUPoq6-qLhKqeEMSWzGUhNGmVeVxdIt2O-3nRRuXaEIBGluUpXAQU0lk2gSycS_W_mduDymAMYq_LeAN4rutAnx39S2cb4CcJmrgaw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="263" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC-WGuBsiLWISV_nnX_vZ4hxcwWc0N8eVbNTdvozKRjaUk50xpm67M2eVxaKY4yrrlz6RVy-GSujtMhH_in4SrDUPoq6-qLhKqeEMSWzGUhNGmVeVxdIt2O-3nRRuXaEIBGluUpXAQU0lk2gSycS_W_mduDymAMYq_LeAN4rutAnx39S2cb4CcJmrgaw" width="165" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>For lunch Ab had fried cod (too salty), and I had octopus salad. Never had octopus salad before but it was so tender again! They really know how to cook their octopus. And so cheap ($11.50)! Later found the cod is so salty because even though cod is found everywhere here, it comes in salted and dried.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 3: </b>Aquarium</p><p>Apparently largest indoor aquarium in Europe. It was pretty cool with 5 tanks showing the sealife from different parts of the world.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnLO9uYwICb8XKiLd1xMFE6roe-Upu_9p20s_1phed787PhXYD4k72zktWzdXMMx3-F48X9njFc8vMVkwPtY9Zh0qzUwhE-QZ7KeDtUZhZ9Pb2vzig3f1G81f63viZkgrsGq1BSAvoCGinK-Zkjiwyep0-xeFmk6OEKDExitWFH8Ff8OH3CVaQ73ox_g" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="598" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnLO9uYwICb8XKiLd1xMFE6roe-Upu_9p20s_1phed787PhXYD4k72zktWzdXMMx3-F48X9njFc8vMVkwPtY9Zh0qzUwhE-QZ7KeDtUZhZ9Pb2vzig3f1G81f63viZkgrsGq1BSAvoCGinK-Zkjiwyep0-xeFmk6OEKDExitWFH8Ff8OH3CVaQ73ox_g" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baobao had a lot of fun looking at the fish and sharks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p>Wed night AB got gastro! So terrible. So change of plans and we decided to sleep in. I walked around a bit with Wes using the Rick Steves audio guide. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Day 4:</b> Praca de Comercio celebrates the commerce that made Portugal wealthy.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif2YrmYXomojSPj1IQvYoaQ074ivw1mu3j-jhz-ct8SJRBSo843wGAhx_pDvl2l7HtcKgsDKe1isSwuQq98WTcFc_iKSis22ezjTcbzJTuvtr29t3tK7xDlvZcBrt3MueVY1FieYldyy7AD6WKluLExAwbqex9eUbxBAqxRT7ebrr8dNAJlXEOdkfeqQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="542" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif2YrmYXomojSPj1IQvYoaQ074ivw1mu3j-jhz-ct8SJRBSo843wGAhx_pDvl2l7HtcKgsDKe1isSwuQq98WTcFc_iKSis22ezjTcbzJTuvtr29t3tK7xDlvZcBrt3MueVY1FieYldyy7AD6WKluLExAwbqex9eUbxBAqxRT7ebrr8dNAJlXEOdkfeqQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>1755 earthquake and following 20ft tsunami destroyed most of Lisbon. The statue at Praca de Comercio is of King Jose and his prime minister Pombal who rebuilt Lisbon afterwards in the Pombal style: 5 story high, symmetric, rectangular windows, wrought-iron balconies, no-nonsense.</p><p>Arch with Lady Glory on top celebrating Portugal's glory days. Flanking statues of river Tagus god, river god Douro (source of port wine), Lusitanian, general who freed Portugal from other domination in 1400's, Vasco de Gama (first to India), Marquis de Pombal.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjopywkoJRYf0e9s44u-E_VfstXVlzK19Zf1k3Gu1KN_LqbbQgQ6OjeXdT38ErBSZp7wsSZ7BI0_heEqrYLZ1WnNjBq2-Kc4kphfZ-40meXmU5BB8KRq0zG1QFc79tZPOq8pFLpPr-Jp0x-NbXXRAElSN4l5v4ZAtUvpcmDJ0k3J_NKil0yj8LvBbKN9w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="362" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjopywkoJRYf0e9s44u-E_VfstXVlzK19Zf1k3Gu1KN_LqbbQgQ6OjeXdT38ErBSZp7wsSZ7BI0_heEqrYLZ1WnNjBq2-Kc4kphfZ-40meXmU5BB8KRq0zG1QFc79tZPOq8pFLpPr-Jp0x-NbXXRAElSN4l5v4ZAtUvpcmDJ0k3J_NKil0yj8LvBbKN9w" width="185" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Rua de Comercio: now bustling street, fun shops. Entire street and many other streets are made of mosaic aka calcada from black basalt and white limestone. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_aEZm7cSUG8tCn_n7TOhvHkKRWnjQexN5RekgaUCsE-0b8xG9mE-9YSirE7S9IQD4Eh5EqvISYRacfdvcNJuAZxb-TPqSG-agV3WAHBDvW-pTZFMT-JcWWxE5FSCPHe12u-sGnXLj3O61v6herXQMGe1ZwoU71cl1b6OJcJtx3R99x7W9CbcfleK3DQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="652" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_aEZm7cSUG8tCn_n7TOhvHkKRWnjQexN5RekgaUCsE-0b8xG9mE-9YSirE7S9IQD4Eh5EqvISYRacfdvcNJuAZxb-TPqSG-agV3WAHBDvW-pTZFMT-JcWWxE5FSCPHe12u-sGnXLj3O61v6herXQMGe1ZwoU71cl1b6OJcJtx3R99x7W9CbcfleK3DQ" width="178" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Church Saint Nicholas was built in the post earthquake era. Pombal didn't want building of churches to overshadow the needs of the people, so the churches are very no nonsense style and stark. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL7uRRrJtLjALVCGwd63aA9JCUZBqATXkC_DOHDjkoOOWS2brmrAFEWcbFcLWrQ0b8Wnmd0-nP_Nmo8l5bZbIw51bf7Oj5EXZ5IN1Fwna4sKKgO2EKlurY78mhuJUXHn-XZB-StRr7h0pemAlCZ8EeUkwSP6XVtbaYHYywUNzvd5D09TxlSlejfTrZ8A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="882" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL7uRRrJtLjALVCGwd63aA9JCUZBqATXkC_DOHDjkoOOWS2brmrAFEWcbFcLWrQ0b8Wnmd0-nP_Nmo8l5bZbIw51bf7Oj5EXZ5IN1Fwna4sKKgO2EKlurY78mhuJUXHn-XZB-StRr7h0pemAlCZ8EeUkwSP6XVtbaYHYywUNzvd5D09TxlSlejfTrZ8A" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Praca de Figueria: statue of King John the first who defeated the Spanish in 1385 at the battle of Batalha. His marriage to England's princess helped form a strong tie between them and he resigned during the Golden Age. His son was Henry the navigator.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh269HSPonzzUw3hEggu4tJSSaziriHnTB133Va8zo69jsSIUE8T11SOHTCKrQeLGP0MRcwSBwQRCkmui2VC3ZJr-_fYPQAks74zSxHliDprcOl0_paks_zEnIAIZNBoDmEoK0vYXlbVFfbm8eAK1guTSyPASIqtkNKCtw1mz1LEqUUKoC0cuk0zKxJ4g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="520" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh269HSPonzzUw3hEggu4tJSSaziriHnTB133Va8zo69jsSIUE8T11SOHTCKrQeLGP0MRcwSBwQRCkmui2VC3ZJr-_fYPQAks74zSxHliDprcOl0_paks_zEnIAIZNBoDmEoK0vYXlbVFfbm8eAK1guTSyPASIqtkNKCtw1mz1LEqUUKoC0cuk0zKxJ4g" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Confeiteria national: sweet shop since 19th century. Portugal big on sweets because of cheap sugar from Brazil and eggs from convents.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2nFr7dj28VVOldJqXDupAe1fs05F53yjIRUcvKZbzW69ofcBQH9aY23pvgKxnVhBIJbQHvdpaUnmkhzF6rAS_IcYiL5l_fYANvzYt72YbWV15bsV0p0jy8pAANwRE2If29yw3L6-MLLhWGLwtX2Sb-lb6FMoo5Ow9mSRoGApg8-WoIcJqMsN6CRs-oA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="307" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2nFr7dj28VVOldJqXDupAe1fs05F53yjIRUcvKZbzW69ofcBQH9aY23pvgKxnVhBIJbQHvdpaUnmkhzF6rAS_IcYiL5l_fYANvzYt72YbWV15bsV0p0jy8pAANwRE2If29yw3L6-MLLhWGLwtX2Sb-lb6FMoo5Ow9mSRoGApg8-WoIcJqMsN6CRs-oA" width="177" /></a></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhn5dVNHQAOvyl1kNlbO45gHbazF4CblWNgSNaP7wRLWOvM9lM0ilaaQc_gft9MNNbU2cd1nJcvXrhN7Y863XrkzChspso_VGm9Z9cfylgwfh6WJ_fOFgxsXi-JfdizyH5mCOj6lgQ4RILJ0DxoKOEiU5FpDt_gNCRmHzM4VW7FToZRSKveJyp9QK5ETw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="537" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhn5dVNHQAOvyl1kNlbO45gHbazF4CblWNgSNaP7wRLWOvM9lM0ilaaQc_gft9MNNbU2cd1nJcvXrhN7Y863XrkzChspso_VGm9Z9cfylgwfh6WJ_fOFgxsXi-JfdizyH5mCOj6lgQ4RILJ0DxoKOEiU5FpDt_gNCRmHzM4VW7FToZRSKveJyp9QK5ETw" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweets from another shop. The Portuguese like their pastries. A must try is their egg custard which is similar to the Chinese kind, but more sweet. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Went to Cod shop. Apparently Portugal has no cod in the nearby ocean, but now it's famous for salted cod. Saying goes Portuguese are fisherman, so when they heard newfoundland had boats stuck due to abundance of fish, they had to go there. And there they found cod, preserved with salt and drying to bring back. No wonder all the cod dishes here are so salty. No more cod for me!</p><p><br /></p><p>Church of Sao Domingos shows signs of the earthquake and destructive fire of 1755.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6ohdnFEK3u8jHVccj6ZeTyDc84jbboG-lopuu_xIivn3Uf3L_yWixf59rAbouGggRgxrHdOKhJiEBQqYR15OwO10sdAZsQqNaH95yCORTzyfCpmTeajcdxiEqoucMI5ua-pOmcJkVFYvnNNB7NYeNuhNxi4IQlmk8-SQulQajdoPVwGeI64byxLlCWA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1172" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6ohdnFEK3u8jHVccj6ZeTyDc84jbboG-lopuu_xIivn3Uf3L_yWixf59rAbouGggRgxrHdOKhJiEBQqYR15OwO10sdAZsQqNaH95yCORTzyfCpmTeajcdxiEqoucMI5ua-pOmcJkVFYvnNNB7NYeNuhNxi4IQlmk8-SQulQajdoPVwGeI64byxLlCWA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>The spherical monument in front is a reminder of the inquisitions. This area is also where slaves were traded. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvkkb9apA_dL4oV4NbipUt_yhHiJiNGV-0FahNDGuwDqEJB-ozA3etWhZYCNt82qKrHnNmVJoaMQqcfxZMNYx4YCLu4Cm5rVEFbQh11pdRz2qeRusn58YNNO-5sNL9WpM4v9lTSH03HD3l72ogyDS1k8yik31ej4ZnAhMF8vkninTFNo8hcmrrEq4IPQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="658" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvkkb9apA_dL4oV4NbipUt_yhHiJiNGV-0FahNDGuwDqEJB-ozA3etWhZYCNt82qKrHnNmVJoaMQqcfxZMNYx4YCLu4Cm5rVEFbQh11pdRz2qeRusn58YNNO-5sNL9WpM4v9lTSH03HD3l72ogyDS1k8yik31ej4ZnAhMF8vkninTFNo8hcmrrEq4IPQ" width="182" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwGn81hkDOkTzO1f8eAj-BAY64SOFzi9g1Gj-sQU_GlC5Aa8pXa7_vMjt--bctOlAaTpyurDftrr9eqhX-XlSxZIW8J85_y-1oRxt-EByiR3-_lMGTwyIXj5_H0_0XhXOIPdCHGeP5Xpv2dXIM86g4Ez9waPlkE3eKtxtLChY-y7HJlyx4ELLUxutNyA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="473" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwGn81hkDOkTzO1f8eAj-BAY64SOFzi9g1Gj-sQU_GlC5Aa8pXa7_vMjt--bctOlAaTpyurDftrr9eqhX-XlSxZIW8J85_y-1oRxt-EByiR3-_lMGTwyIXj5_H0_0XhXOIPdCHGeP5Xpv2dXIM86g4Ez9waPlkE3eKtxtLChY-y7HJlyx4ELLUxutNyA" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Theater</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3-hgsV-Vuhh8hAq6PGopB8nquHCIGaDNqIu_PPu0nHFiGU9ErgEHzG5lYI9OAvoTMVfMSOSekj8BETiZ1GdybpTQC3HoD-MV3cP7C3B9kJsj4yKixnPZZ6Phks5X-Fce_gG73XvQU0aHw_eY4bEmbsEMJ39DggiVeQYLbeSI25JyuOm2TvenM0PN7fw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1093" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3-hgsV-Vuhh8hAq6PGopB8nquHCIGaDNqIu_PPu0nHFiGU9ErgEHzG5lYI9OAvoTMVfMSOSekj8BETiZ1GdybpTQC3HoD-MV3cP7C3B9kJsj4yKixnPZZ6Phks5X-Fce_gG73XvQU0aHw_eY4bEmbsEMJ39DggiVeQYLbeSI25JyuOm2TvenM0PN7fw" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun Christmas Market at Rossio Square</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdydj2jehAEIzUGjTzFiHtZCJpZERH5qGT0oToA-IYql9kiWDCzYNHofKuY95WkoVqoqHKOSwBdEsz4lb3lUUl2f0Z_C4bX6BJefQFIFf-9vOfz7WZ8B-sAZCJiVuON9wlI-QPPj8lmI0xkseh_d_htgnpIZjHe9oFyCrcIfXtzg4zYZMyL7LXj1Xkgg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="562" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdydj2jehAEIzUGjTzFiHtZCJpZERH5qGT0oToA-IYql9kiWDCzYNHofKuY95WkoVqoqHKOSwBdEsz4lb3lUUl2f0Z_C4bX6BJefQFIFf-9vOfz7WZ8B-sAZCJiVuON9wlI-QPPj8lmI0xkseh_d_htgnpIZjHe9oFyCrcIfXtzg4zYZMyL7LXj1Xkgg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p>We tried to visit the Jesus Chris statue, but didn't realize the connecting bus only comes once an hour on the half hour. So it was too late to wait for the bus because the sun was going to set :(</p><p><br /></p><p>Dinner: tried a bifana (traditional Portuguese beef sandwich): it was ok... Kind of salty. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_1Hlrrk_s4eXAdsr6wK7MHu0eMMpKAzPmtA75lkNceHlWick2I6EQnzvqq5eAJnXUcsq7km_wh7GzMU8JlLZ7vp5idzaSWgbT22wpYLDH591iRyNtbmdXd8ecUhzEEHBoA7J6YB3TygBLx2Y_HZgqPuvB6aExWs8Xp-dk0aGy2_jm9nCCEE_QsY6Bog" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="258" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_1Hlrrk_s4eXAdsr6wK7MHu0eMMpKAzPmtA75lkNceHlWick2I6EQnzvqq5eAJnXUcsq7km_wh7GzMU8JlLZ7vp5idzaSWgbT22wpYLDH591iRyNtbmdXd8ecUhzEEHBoA7J6YB3TygBLx2Y_HZgqPuvB6aExWs8Xp-dk0aGy2_jm9nCCEE_QsY6Bog=w200-h194" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><b>Day 5</b></p><p>We woke up late so we went to the Cristo Rei (Jesus statue). We took the Metro to Cais do Sodre, a ferry to Calcihas, and then the 3001 bus (leaves on the half hour once an hour) to the statue. The monument is very tall, but the statue itself didn't seem THAT big, probably because we were on the bottom of the pedistal. The view was great toward the bridge and city. But we couldn't go up to the 80m viewing platform because it was 6 euro per person and they only took cash. No ATM anywhere nearby either! Oh well, the online guide says the pics from there are bad anyways because of the security bars. But it would've been nice to see exactly how big the statue it was! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzTyrMvxq3RmhQnSD7pnfc2P1BvVB8GbQI8JqiAZySIwWdqmBKnelNMsQiCDTtlypIhBjY0ejBeKOW_IiBldsYGKKhBZylBDzIy7YhU_y_OfRDEfg90_flpRUrGEv7WFTjpFnZo2DRgQuKXBBfxVqTL30ICmo4TMyIHI6t3l_4vNvVVvYlxD2BIOguaA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="662" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzTyrMvxq3RmhQnSD7pnfc2P1BvVB8GbQI8JqiAZySIwWdqmBKnelNMsQiCDTtlypIhBjY0ejBeKOW_IiBldsYGKKhBZylBDzIy7YhU_y_OfRDEfg90_flpRUrGEv7WFTjpFnZo2DRgQuKXBBfxVqTL30ICmo4TMyIHI6t3l_4vNvVVvYlxD2BIOguaA" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiifs_f4aVWC1oODr-DyRMTATodL8edXro1TN8uRHUlGSfZrs_dyzMh5Si9sHH2s5ttM-pm_T7dyZQ5Vi9RHjBjiDJZs__HqYUWAsZdufwnu3jvG1t13Se-N8-ohkEn7i8qaMb54ykl-TF_IeUajedRXSN4pDrW8cNq_bhAIK5Cs6_o7lM8MoWdLUwwg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1162" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiifs_f4aVWC1oODr-DyRMTATodL8edXro1TN8uRHUlGSfZrs_dyzMh5Si9sHH2s5ttM-pm_T7dyZQ5Vi9RHjBjiDJZs__HqYUWAsZdufwnu3jvG1t13Se-N8-ohkEn7i8qaMb54ykl-TF_IeUajedRXSN4pDrW8cNq_bhAIK5Cs6_o7lM8MoWdLUwwg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Came back for Baobao's nap. I ate some sea bass, but the fish was small and mostly bones. Also learned seabass (robalo) isn't even native to Portugal. Sighs. Apparently Portugal fish includes sea bream (dourado), mackerel (cavala), hake, tuna, sardine, squid, octopus, clam, barnacles (avoid oct-april when forbidden to capture them, also dangerous to obtain), oyster, cuttlefish (Choco).</p><p>Castilo de Jorge: </p><p>Many people came up to the castle to see the sunset. So beautiful to see the city and its red roof tops:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPPvt6k0oLhj4YTg5jykK78k607Lgk-5RWTtyqwDkjHdpoIkw2JRbaanKISD5hN4zjkQmv0xbnJkbaG_oqc9HOqqFe7hyjs6qSC1J8sKp96LCZ_qRy86HIyooS5Pk7BEt3SElk2_ufvWt89orE6Dgle9E9OEbvpj46UG_AUKI2HSH1kB64X4EVWOuffQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1180" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPPvt6k0oLhj4YTg5jykK78k607Lgk-5RWTtyqwDkjHdpoIkw2JRbaanKISD5hN4zjkQmv0xbnJkbaG_oqc9HOqqFe7hyjs6qSC1J8sKp96LCZ_qRy86HIyooS5Pk7BEt3SElk2_ufvWt89orE6Dgle9E9OEbvpj46UG_AUKI2HSH1kB64X4EVWOuffQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr13CcnafzYekqVCPSrar0fNQx_AUz2reFiAJXo3yBAHJD2si6eGuMcdUNTL1-akjehDxCPNnhurrZ8oaxJvD6V84InOCuv4jzhpWSjVHdLSNHu1f9DOfhXvFuUPVFAHNQWfXKw5B-gd9q88rv6glo7RJZqFkBMkHS3HV-OTzMaaFQxiw0qCKG_MkZ4Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="696" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr13CcnafzYekqVCPSrar0fNQx_AUz2reFiAJXo3yBAHJD2si6eGuMcdUNTL1-akjehDxCPNnhurrZ8oaxJvD6V84InOCuv4jzhpWSjVHdLSNHu1f9DOfhXvFuUPVFAHNQWfXKw5B-gd9q88rv6glo7RJZqFkBMkHS3HV-OTzMaaFQxiw0qCKG_MkZ4Q" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacocks in the courtyard</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjT2yW_NuqF0IEf7MbFDoefpwK9FOqw7laViZl6STWv9Zfeux6w7fQnv1vHfyUYP1QyTwJ2QnKTgNJiUQL4v-YwQiIxc1Ep9mb36O6oj3wrpOHWdc7IJj2EK38NFVlh-Kt_b74MBnOYyThiWKT5XbnDobVbJ83S6z_o0s55h-mHIgKb9RF8PGVxfa3Ag" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="593" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjT2yW_NuqF0IEf7MbFDoefpwK9FOqw7laViZl6STWv9Zfeux6w7fQnv1vHfyUYP1QyTwJ2QnKTgNJiUQL4v-YwQiIxc1Ep9mb36O6oj3wrpOHWdc7IJj2EK38NFVlh-Kt_b74MBnOYyThiWKT5XbnDobVbJ83S6z_o0s55h-mHIgKb9RF8PGVxfa3Ag" width="320" /></a></div><p>The castle was so much fun to walk around. It was recently renovated, so you can walk around the wall. Would be so much fun to play hide and seek here. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-5rns1Gc3qpn1Ffhl5nAgYLCkz1TNxRii70xpM7Am7B4lMOPrC_CCRf2jIWWxkrhGrzapyrb82aFWM7toqyaJYaBj1XY6zJ2XTdSlwZFi2xlCo9Nh1kaRpE3daTO7dzW1zRbdkDEIHgTMejOgraobEWtucurSSqpUcoBVWgXhTWO7IjSO1kvdDzOkZg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="657" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-5rns1Gc3qpn1Ffhl5nAgYLCkz1TNxRii70xpM7Am7B4lMOPrC_CCRf2jIWWxkrhGrzapyrb82aFWM7toqyaJYaBj1XY6zJ2XTdSlwZFi2xlCo9Nh1kaRpE3daTO7dzW1zRbdkDEIHgTMejOgraobEWtucurSSqpUcoBVWgXhTWO7IjSO1kvdDzOkZg" width="180" /></a></div><br />Uma: supposedly the place with best seafood rice (also only thing on the menu).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCD9l0tpFkcNx3RmqyI5fTBFKkFhar1knR4iybtUy2iHTL_FwzyYIlYCHJxbbOe1r68kqJM2U7E0LOPtqZExJjLgF47-4cX92KMERZtz0anhHZid6tbxn_QpMMexRUlfUNTah9wRs_4LmjT0XY2eDN1Pab9h_QcOXnognvG5A9lkdekdzjYqAjS38ePw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="555" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCD9l0tpFkcNx3RmqyI5fTBFKkFhar1knR4iybtUy2iHTL_FwzyYIlYCHJxbbOe1r68kqJM2U7E0LOPtqZExJjLgF47-4cX92KMERZtz0anhHZid6tbxn_QpMMexRUlfUNTah9wRs_4LmjT0XY2eDN1Pab9h_QcOXnognvG5A9lkdekdzjYqAjS38ePw" width="320" /></a></div><br />Evening: Baobao started vomiting every couple of hours. It was terrible. Sheets got dirty, clothing, and his lovey. And then we moved him to another bed and put towel on the bed in case he vomited again, and sure enough he did more times throughout the night. Ran out of towels and sheets. And he had to sleep with a stinky wet lovey (his peter rabbit bunny). Sighs...what a night.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>Day 6: </p><p>Despite a crazy evening, we slept in, and in the afternoon went to Sintra since it was our last chance to see Pena Palace. </p><p>Pena Palace was built on a monastery that was built in the BC's. It was in ruins until King Ferdinand (of Spain) decided to fix it up. It's so strange because it's a mixture of different styles of architecture and it has very bold bright colors. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIWfw8z8Ko6nmOzPgVElpjbaZ6on-7C4Qdzlf_jas6NzPreLJ7bi2QJOpwnHWBy8TY8YUyXY15QncrYDaM6tSH5L0o__YLA0X0FMq0GotXlRcPqEE6YmEBphcF1F-sU3YjThy1yJ2KMHOD9jWJ5blDS_4Vw8y4fo1yeSbJ6a5AbjRYpDTAtoKDPXZGKA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1172" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIWfw8z8Ko6nmOzPgVElpjbaZ6on-7C4Qdzlf_jas6NzPreLJ7bi2QJOpwnHWBy8TY8YUyXY15QncrYDaM6tSH5L0o__YLA0X0FMq0GotXlRcPqEE6YmEBphcF1F-sU3YjThy1yJ2KMHOD9jWJ5blDS_4Vw8y4fo1yeSbJ6a5AbjRYpDTAtoKDPXZGKA" width="319" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlNNTYNi8HIt6imjaP5pxdbfDXeM-PDHMT0uqtiO6KU2CmpklQPSKttaiibN9MZjGH8j1ZGqsNGZPcaoBOIuuOlLYLGRODNfnvZIzmxdVJtvZlNA9j0wzVBITXf_jiFj-eanqnycuJTdg9LqHleU-eKLR35iQ5mzdRxGoOSbezHA5h-n1VDPPfv_cY2Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlNNTYNi8HIt6imjaP5pxdbfDXeM-PDHMT0uqtiO6KU2CmpklQPSKttaiibN9MZjGH8j1ZGqsNGZPcaoBOIuuOlLYLGRODNfnvZIzmxdVJtvZlNA9j0wzVBITXf_jiFj-eanqnycuJTdg9LqHleU-eKLR35iQ5mzdRxGoOSbezHA5h-n1VDPPfv_cY2Q" width="176" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merman guards the door</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6WI7_VSADscFGxJnp1ewFdxDX_wO82BZiWV3IlgMzO65G1722WpoCkQ89lRdZY3QKh8Gx07pfCB0qfWAY51Qq6CkVu8XdyPxSZZUdcdEWkvn36ZXZw_H1Af3gRz8CO80CxQF9xeRUn8XyYc70-P6OCRqOn0R_O6zO0yiA6x3MBhvheyo0gHdaIYe4BQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1173" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6WI7_VSADscFGxJnp1ewFdxDX_wO82BZiWV3IlgMzO65G1722WpoCkQ89lRdZY3QKh8Gx07pfCB0qfWAY51Qq6CkVu8XdyPxSZZUdcdEWkvn36ZXZw_H1Af3gRz8CO80CxQF9xeRUn8XyYc70-P6OCRqOn0R_O6zO0yiA6x3MBhvheyo0gHdaIYe4BQ" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Built around a central cloister with classic tiles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAfEjtLrayjnOqR1FWnuqkYfOs0M2JyDQWrwPQZ6Juk3udmBRXLnSs-zRsyoEt6_ilNjF0IezWRwgeUDhVjSN0Mm4q5y7GzpeMiozhRoszNm5e4C1ORS71p1B1MjeVuyFmbSBFlIGNggr0-UKW1BKF-3i_8J7NoDhZW8bPBCXcIr4kknAhqdzruZnsZQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1170" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAfEjtLrayjnOqR1FWnuqkYfOs0M2JyDQWrwPQZ6Juk3udmBRXLnSs-zRsyoEt6_ilNjF0IezWRwgeUDhVjSN0Mm4q5y7GzpeMiozhRoszNm5e4C1ORS71p1B1MjeVuyFmbSBFlIGNggr0-UKW1BKF-3i_8J7NoDhZW8bPBCXcIr4kknAhqdzruZnsZQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh73Q_qaNKV3JyHMsljPImoDvCLsFGS3eun-s304nCIYrIN1VG8uzKa-hLuHiP00AxeqQf3MSKm_EwwDHMEck8pLC-3BriPdesRA-k5FlwvwTpexeDDKK_gTUKXlgeQ_0tex7Oo18_gmzptsAL5MCV40mk_iNk-NpIPKl-wJHfrhdigz99mOM1ckg-0HA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1167" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh73Q_qaNKV3JyHMsljPImoDvCLsFGS3eun-s304nCIYrIN1VG8uzKa-hLuHiP00AxeqQf3MSKm_EwwDHMEck8pLC-3BriPdesRA-k5FlwvwTpexeDDKK_gTUKXlgeQ_0tex7Oo18_gmzptsAL5MCV40mk_iNk-NpIPKl-wJHfrhdigz99mOM1ckg-0HA" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super long line outside to get in, but thankfully with a baby we got to go to the front</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p>Quinta de Regaliera:</p><p>Known as the Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire. There is a Romantic palace with an extensive park consisting of lakes, grottoes, wells, fountains, caves, secret passages. He wanted features related to alchemy, masonry, the Knights Templar, and the Rosicrucians.</p><p>Great wikipedia <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinta_da_Regaleira">article on the park, symbolism, tunnels.</a></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXxa62EadjVFugCHPhqBI5QBVYX1aHiv_7JqsR1VQ4x3DcH51UxwLDE1r1PFdXwhYodEw0nI5VfWSLHV5LG4ibngQETdoSGx5rf6Wg4VzQgST-mfd4SCJK-tODclzmq4q2kkEczH2ibQ3ywaJkKcuQwBzybHdo2SRy2vKM7G6chtURy3sQWvZ0R_Ni0Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1146" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXxa62EadjVFugCHPhqBI5QBVYX1aHiv_7JqsR1VQ4x3DcH51UxwLDE1r1PFdXwhYodEw0nI5VfWSLHV5LG4ibngQETdoSGx5rf6Wg4VzQgST-mfd4SCJK-tODclzmq4q2kkEczH2ibQ3ywaJkKcuQwBzybHdo2SRy2vKM7G6chtURy3sQWvZ0R_Ni0Q" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Castle-like structures at the entrance (East side)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmL73V5h-5Zfz31orK6gdJ8NUnoC2v0p7vy3hN59j0dMCPMregKUZOZEw6h5X0jTi2neIpIubVWX-vIZyCYix5Vp3aiBkgx_IuZzeRYi4q-WRURTWB5pQhPNNhmgJANcxR7rO86b8qDZSxHsA5JJyvSrA-NsgVNlEOWt7G0ltmzUQLVcK2jHaLHk5lyg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="583" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmL73V5h-5Zfz31orK6gdJ8NUnoC2v0p7vy3hN59j0dMCPMregKUZOZEw6h5X0jTi2neIpIubVWX-vIZyCYix5Vp3aiBkgx_IuZzeRYi4q-WRURTWB5pQhPNNhmgJANcxR7rO86b8qDZSxHsA5JJyvSrA-NsgVNlEOWt7G0ltmzUQLVcK2jHaLHk5lyg" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outside is the coolest here with wells, caves, secret tunnels.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9rrCObWzXFzhXHDki7m3U9BdDa4z0RyGmp2Z7LOxWo0jZVMO-AWc2Qdnel-rGntIv_NTQENPscPG8w_uXDTTXqfHi2DuKDxi-kXXPYU6QDl_ICCRMxO_KxPbgYZOTI9YiCsV5BfUtNxLwsrskHzq1DcAGUuhxH2Bb9iKi5eMIpLZ1CYH98pI7mdgjFg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="893" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9rrCObWzXFzhXHDki7m3U9BdDa4z0RyGmp2Z7LOxWo0jZVMO-AWc2Qdnel-rGntIv_NTQENPscPG8w_uXDTTXqfHi2DuKDxi-kXXPYU6QDl_ICCRMxO_KxPbgYZOTI9YiCsV5BfUtNxLwsrskHzq1DcAGUuhxH2Bb9iKi5eMIpLZ1CYH98pI7mdgjFg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4om-tc0C3VocsLS7rFaeXM8_i7S1RJi8ukVzf7IKMHTHLuAbrlEEys2oWwwFiKfyKuUnCsMb9oXmIsKDCXD4YB9LQx4T4jz3h9dICpzLlplEtGQgTVgc0R4KRCpsJP3lh3HqouxMv9Bzyg3qmqc5xcQ50lsLvR94FtGR4zxXaExZTdf5MBXFXm259Tg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="810" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4om-tc0C3VocsLS7rFaeXM8_i7S1RJi8ukVzf7IKMHTHLuAbrlEEys2oWwwFiKfyKuUnCsMb9oXmIsKDCXD4YB9LQx4T4jz3h9dICpzLlplEtGQgTVgc0R4KRCpsJP3lh3HqouxMv9Bzyg3qmqc5xcQ50lsLvR94FtGR4zxXaExZTdf5MBXFXm259Tg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the Well of Initiation</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbbNF67SR5uTbzRyuZJzunq7q8TSNeZJ9MTNwE1EsdA3lbetQdXFoe0ouLdRRFoMeBrltxxLesTVH2yAFQhWhK1Z5Ijkbey-VMVAl3DNZ5xl1oNB0WbiUj61XKoOjQQoSQmC_bjyiGXd3jAji0ETpeD4RmyE3lj5OapfdWfVa8HRDhAJQh30EzHSojPA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="566" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbbNF67SR5uTbzRyuZJzunq7q8TSNeZJ9MTNwE1EsdA3lbetQdXFoe0ouLdRRFoMeBrltxxLesTVH2yAFQhWhK1Z5Ijkbey-VMVAl3DNZ5xl1oNB0WbiUj61XKoOjQQoSQmC_bjyiGXd3jAji0ETpeD4RmyE3lj5OapfdWfVa8HRDhAJQh30EzHSojPA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirMGzQmEPpjaGwK_DMzRXqati0UMTxj5D9qcgLdCUGcbnwDpRxk-VjqsogBfsEPAUnf6WCcJUh4_psxr89dZSLe4riQlFQWF1fgra4fyaFfMb6fGlOSUoCHDG2MHEi9i7cQKIV1XBzMYbaYzMPCot3q_GfPUIZgDsOnKsr8svGR0qtq7PGhgP5HOHdeA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1075" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirMGzQmEPpjaGwK_DMzRXqati0UMTxj5D9qcgLdCUGcbnwDpRxk-VjqsogBfsEPAUnf6WCcJUh4_psxr89dZSLe4riQlFQWF1fgra4fyaFfMb6fGlOSUoCHDG2MHEi9i7cQKIV1XBzMYbaYzMPCot3q_GfPUIZgDsOnKsr8svGR0qtq7PGhgP5HOHdeA" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well connects to tunnels and waterfalls/lakes and ends at the grotto of oriente</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf7vlI_Loz8HCZx4K1TJbAUaX0FYF52i6_UI6amAKw3HCyax6K6_Lc2rEaaoBt0jamCTJlynxmbWNoDB5M-768xIrkbIn1xSiq3mzzEg60GMUAT2kIHxJPi09AnIMifZ0WGSP6QWqEaSKhjL6nFCkyIJoqNZ2YOVW-I4Hd4G_aWhrzDzNKSelGv2EizA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="487" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf7vlI_Loz8HCZx4K1TJbAUaX0FYF52i6_UI6amAKw3HCyax6K6_Lc2rEaaoBt0jamCTJlynxmbWNoDB5M-768xIrkbIn1xSiq3mzzEg60GMUAT2kIHxJPi09AnIMifZ0WGSP6QWqEaSKhjL6nFCkyIJoqNZ2YOVW-I4Hd4G_aWhrzDzNKSelGv2EizA" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Labyrinthine grotto was like a labyrinth</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKDBJ8iC64AHi2MiJTnFE4Ecz6xZR4gvHssQgxKa1KztNW_j9McEhmamMnRM6aphZ94QgHnVNR1VL1Q_YBR4zp_b6OL6S8XWvCHROzTgSXRt5k3QDTbiXhVXGSW8mQRI1P7gnmDhya3Q3YUrliceaO9X-P83tzq51m_JIfCZiJCcFBBKd3nL4MR3x19A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1171" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKDBJ8iC64AHi2MiJTnFE4Ecz6xZR4gvHssQgxKa1KztNW_j9McEhmamMnRM6aphZ94QgHnVNR1VL1Q_YBR4zp_b6OL6S8XWvCHROzTgSXRt5k3QDTbiXhVXGSW8mQRI1P7gnmDhya3Q3YUrliceaO9X-P83tzq51m_JIfCZiJCcFBBKd3nL4MR3x19A" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The palace itself has Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline styles. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Of note, only the 434 bus goes from Sintra train station to Pena palace (3 euro for one ride, 11 euro for unlimited rides on all the different Sintra buses). 435 bus (small bus) goes to the Quinta de Regaliera, but the way back is a long ride (45 min?) b/c it's a one way loop. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-44546078102488915942022-08-31T19:59:00.006-07:002022-08-31T19:59:44.817-07:00Baobao 1 yr<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2IITgoKJ7UlZzeEO8L4nLrjQnfHgKGUMP-vlwkv0L4q9CvXwCFjFAUVzsFEv6gFDiixuegDfN2vuXkoQ06aT9X0sXgzAutL9Oe9ws1bSF2Z_hbn0yekQkZ2xuCZAGFCqW3rXZeyq8onKjmGkcu17x3-M_oc-MWKYyx2KZ9b6y8eh53j79CsQyjx9JA/s3316/IMG_20220827_104808083.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2294" data-original-width="3316" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2IITgoKJ7UlZzeEO8L4nLrjQnfHgKGUMP-vlwkv0L4q9CvXwCFjFAUVzsFEv6gFDiixuegDfN2vuXkoQ06aT9X0sXgzAutL9Oe9ws1bSF2Z_hbn0yekQkZ2xuCZAGFCqW3rXZeyq8onKjmGkcu17x3-M_oc-MWKYyx2KZ9b6y8eh53j79CsQyjx9JA/s320/IMG_20220827_104808083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yuOrbL7eDbMdunqPjTjrsv-RkTkFdqrG2ttWBlN87tYRoDLX9dFYpz-zj5lOhWV13GnRPwH7EXnP6PTtlIyb1Vi7Vh7PQDta9UnZeH_tIBWhz_kQZi-IsQyW2AA-eSolr9yJwBfdFRYT2J0IrQVJzy16N3VlT9rJlFXsCK9RuOfiG4yplK4cKfpbQw/s1024/20220827_105415-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yuOrbL7eDbMdunqPjTjrsv-RkTkFdqrG2ttWBlN87tYRoDLX9dFYpz-zj5lOhWV13GnRPwH7EXnP6PTtlIyb1Vi7Vh7PQDta9UnZeH_tIBWhz_kQZi-IsQyW2AA-eSolr9yJwBfdFRYT2J0IrQVJzy16N3VlT9rJlFXsCK9RuOfiG4yplK4cKfpbQw/s320/20220827_105415-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>8/27/22<div>Wow! Can't believe we finally made it to the 1 year mark! It felt like it went by so slowly day to day...yet the overall feel is so fast! Not sure if you know what I mean. <div><br /></div><div>We had a birthday celebration the day after his bday! It was hard scheduling between his naps and also coordinating with his friend who we were doing a joint bday party with..but overall it was fun to see the other pandemic babies born around same time and other friends. The theme was "ocean" so I made a lot of ocean themed food items. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmVRco_73HE72UPzdzoFOY27dD4r5a8_H2rSK2QslLrszfsfJ0xDSrbLZ-VLJM30tZyf5C6EgMOFGG_cxS-_5-_hfkB8_ArBCn5APRmRksML3EyaefevEXR6uu8owkfW90pLxmMu0PsUuh_p7W5GxCTNcnxi_22rkIZbkq6ZfKPhahU_NoTigcO-3rw/s4000/IMG_20220827_143048625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmVRco_73HE72UPzdzoFOY27dD4r5a8_H2rSK2QslLrszfsfJ0xDSrbLZ-VLJM30tZyf5C6EgMOFGG_cxS-_5-_hfkB8_ArBCn5APRmRksML3EyaefevEXR6uu8owkfW90pLxmMu0PsUuh_p7W5GxCTNcnxi_22rkIZbkq6ZfKPhahU_NoTigcO-3rw/s320/IMG_20220827_143048625.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO6GJ8JfJVsNBPeM2f3SY6uEJFkKqqcgz5txLiJMEj4lQd61E9G9us1RIlf5a30dEoIpB6Vqfiej-Qfg6Im8wu9ZgEa5E148TQh6cBPIl3d6MhIe2sz_Q0lNItafPyWaOB89Sys_TrgHTojsMd0PPe1jMjmygEjncHUr6mDs7kWvpjOComtDoMrhmKA/s4000/IMG_20220827_143058844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO6GJ8JfJVsNBPeM2f3SY6uEJFkKqqcgz5txLiJMEj4lQd61E9G9us1RIlf5a30dEoIpB6Vqfiej-Qfg6Im8wu9ZgEa5E148TQh6cBPIl3d6MhIe2sz_Q0lNItafPyWaOB89Sys_TrgHTojsMd0PPe1jMjmygEjncHUr6mDs7kWvpjOComtDoMrhmKA/s320/IMG_20220827_143058844.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTum5HGetw44pZXNqfdeYvEkwCDgwGiP9jRQM1ZYXBAKKZx5MIEjoewcN4zWoPlhcd-Q_jTDayLaQFLGVy1e11Ya9p-ACR9QVLIMskI-wWTk2HRvqKISkBQuVpuxE0Xyi9_i5GDM_AW0SNf1MAdk_R1RwuyU2Ue-lDhE1zOfUR55XyvUgXVEkFw9aHw/s4000/IMG_20220827_143109640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTum5HGetw44pZXNqfdeYvEkwCDgwGiP9jRQM1ZYXBAKKZx5MIEjoewcN4zWoPlhcd-Q_jTDayLaQFLGVy1e11Ya9p-ACR9QVLIMskI-wWTk2HRvqKISkBQuVpuxE0Xyi9_i5GDM_AW0SNf1MAdk_R1RwuyU2Ue-lDhE1zOfUR55XyvUgXVEkFw9aHw/s320/IMG_20220827_143109640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpSdmM5ru7pDks0ljDFMsRz2f9dB4NU5DeSGO2vdwQMY7nJ6IwDRtlzarFADBfawjhvUANUchSy9nwLapbjmUFqif0Emy7DR6dQX2QMCuF7L5QnLlAiur9AmJI-CZS8QZQCz2Qnq_JJ6BZhnYzMJtfVvDoUd5Yfif1IW8OXy_PrGgTuWm8PPcGKp7cg/s4000/IMG_20220827_143114888.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpSdmM5ru7pDks0ljDFMsRz2f9dB4NU5DeSGO2vdwQMY7nJ6IwDRtlzarFADBfawjhvUANUchSy9nwLapbjmUFqif0Emy7DR6dQX2QMCuF7L5QnLlAiur9AmJI-CZS8QZQCz2Qnq_JJ6BZhnYzMJtfVvDoUd5Yfif1IW8OXy_PrGgTuWm8PPcGKp7cg/s320/IMG_20220827_143114888.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqjXNGznwtLcnSTaF1hpv8Pc9G_hDtQG0M3ZEBaemyQS0wc0086CVaoB_gABZ67ZECxEdSDMzP-4JL7pFFN9iWG1uEt_57LppcCs8hSfr3tBe4Qc7UoOGUZWa5BzT3j0u3whrH8FY-bBWEUt8L8EDjDrcGM82AQrqwacePSQKmRsjMAcB7osDCgjnoA/s4000/IMG_20220827_145036352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqjXNGznwtLcnSTaF1hpv8Pc9G_hDtQG0M3ZEBaemyQS0wc0086CVaoB_gABZ67ZECxEdSDMzP-4JL7pFFN9iWG1uEt_57LppcCs8hSfr3tBe4Qc7UoOGUZWa5BzT3j0u3whrH8FY-bBWEUt8L8EDjDrcGM82AQrqwacePSQKmRsjMAcB7osDCgjnoA/s320/IMG_20220827_145036352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We also did this traditional 1st bday game of picking a future career. Guess what Baobao picked? These were the choices:</div><div><div>Spatula - cook</div><div>Stethoscope - medicine</div><div>Paintbrush - artist</div><div>Pen - writer</div><div>Masquerade Mask - actor</div><div>Mouse - programmer</div><div>Medal award - athlete</div><div>Mini bible - minister</div><div>Tape measure - engineer/architect</div><div>Screwdriver - mechanic</div><div>Flag - politician</div><div>Test tube-scientist</div><div>Planet ball- astronaut</div><div>Sheep - vet</div><div>Piano pedal- music</div><div>Calculator - finance</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Haha who would have thought he picked the mouse. And the second time, the flag! We tried to pick items he hadn't seen before. But I think he may have seen someone use a mouse before..and on our nightly walks, I always point out the neighborhood flags (although the item in the game was a small Lesotho flag).</div><div><br /></div><div>It was fun seeing Baobao walk around (most of the other babies were still crawling or immobile). Everyone was super impressed how much Baobao walked! He was even trying to run away from his own party. There was some grabbing/stealing of toys, but overall pretty well behaved! He's really grown so much over this past year! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiRuzvwHwKj0gUkTg7N2of3ZC1cYVQw5OWjAG3Z6d1eEsc_BD-TMYjavJo4KqmiN3O8D8RlmwL2FYJhzahtFXXscDz3nxjHJMKB8m9mRZE7HQaau8FHaMd0S1FGKsAoFFe1ZJlAxCxeK5L35R8AALCsIt237aboQpLBudrGtv3FIhPC4KIENsRDFJYA/s4032/IMG_0256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiRuzvwHwKj0gUkTg7N2of3ZC1cYVQw5OWjAG3Z6d1eEsc_BD-TMYjavJo4KqmiN3O8D8RlmwL2FYJhzahtFXXscDz3nxjHJMKB8m9mRZE7HQaau8FHaMd0S1FGKsAoFFe1ZJlAxCxeK5L35R8AALCsIt237aboQpLBudrGtv3FIhPC4KIENsRDFJYA/s320/IMG_0256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-26293263949813056542022-08-27T09:12:00.001-07:002022-08-27T09:15:00.549-07:00Montage at Palmetto Buff<p> Staying at the Montage (for AB's conference) was so luxurious. It's probably one of the nicest hotels I've stayed at. </p><p>We got to stay at a cottage the size of our house. Ok, not that big, but the bathroom was at least the size of ours. And the cottage was probably the size of our first floor not counting the master. </p><p>Very nice things: </p><p>*Bike with child burley attachment to go everywhere, or can call for golf cart to shuttle us around.</p><p>*Sauna in our giant bathroom shower stall </p><p>*Yoga, pilates, exercise classes</p><p>*All kinds of amenities like insect repellent, slippers, housekeeping twice a day with people coming to "turn down the lights" in the evening. </p><p>*Giant cottages with huge rooms and bathrooms right between the lagoon and bay, looking out onto the water.</p><p>*Clay tennis courts </p><p>*Concierge will open doors and take our luggage for us.</p><p>*Free cookie and lemonade hour every day. Also s'mores at night </p><p>*AC on full blast with fireplace on in the library.</p><p>*2 enormous tree houses</p><p>*Water front cabins</p><p><br /></p><p>Not so nice things:</p><p>*Having to care for a 9 month old in a new place that's not childproof by myself.</p><p>*Deer flies who suck my blood. They are apparently attracted to dark clothing and movement. </p><p>*Crying/tired baby on a bike trailer when I'm still 10 min from hotel - no way to hold him while biking!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaxBbEugJy24aEz9Vcdeq7RhGf_DzpiRDi0vQqXcAm9OW6wpAGd9hD3J-BB5CNBb4L0tPzK8OzgNOovwbQ-sgEvP4ERysj5TwlGgr2LGo7t__znIKvKkLiNLPhroBVFed7xS-xjTwGlo5SWe_VZxqpdQDcqiqo0h9qdQykjsFKSe003D9ZFhhBc53VJw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="612" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaxBbEugJy24aEz9Vcdeq7RhGf_DzpiRDi0vQqXcAm9OW6wpAGd9hD3J-BB5CNBb4L0tPzK8OzgNOovwbQ-sgEvP4ERysj5TwlGgr2LGo7t__znIKvKkLiNLPhroBVFed7xS-xjTwGlo5SWe_VZxqpdQDcqiqo0h9qdQykjsFKSe003D9ZFhhBc53VJw" width="186" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant 5 story tree house</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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He's usually very happy, and caretakers and strangers love to smile at him. The caretakers at church talk about how he never cries there. But I'm pretty sure he's going to start having stranger anxiety! This stage of life has been very pleasant for us, because of his frequent laughter and consistent sleep through the night. We also resumed several pre-baby activities recently, including sports, games, and yw's birthday BBQ celebration. These events are still a little tricky because one of us still needs to watch him at all times. Unless he's sleeping, but it's getting harder and harder for him to sleep outside.</p><p>Also last day of pumping! So relieved! Not sad at all!! So happy to be not tied and have to carry around so many things! I slowly weaned down for a month (pumping 4 times a day at 6mo, and then 3, 2, 1, after 36hr, stop). </p><p>Now we've tried so many foods! But he's starting to eat less and less formula. Not just a little less but a lot less! </p><p>3/30/30 shortly after turning 7 month, Baobao started crawling! Man, he learned quickly! He will crawl very fast to get his butt paste 🤣.</p><p>4/3/22 7.25mo: got his first tooth! Thought only a sliver, but I felt it when he tried to gnaw on my finger. Maybe that's why he hadn't been eating as well or having trouble going to sleep. </p><p>4/7/22 Baobao has been shaking his head when he eats solids. And sometimes with formula. So strange. Does it mean he doesn't like it? 🤷</p><p>4/18/22 Every day he seems to do something new. He started taking a few steps while holding the fence. We were worried that he didn't talk very much for a few weeks. But it turned out he was focusing on his motor skills, and once he started crawling and pulling to stand, he started talking a lot! </p><p>Solids have been very messy. Maybe I'm trying to increase the textures too early. He does like and eat the purees really quickly. He also seems to like toast.</p><p>Alan still can't hold him in the normal cradle hold. So strange. Yw: "I think it's because I tell you to do it, so you are rebelling."</p><p>Ab: my theory is correct that it would be easier for us when he starts crawling because he can entertain himself. We do have to watch him carefully because he tries to pull up to stand on things that are unstable.</p><p><br /></p><p>4/26/22</p><p>Yw came back from trip to NY to visit friends while AB took care of Baobao for 4.5 days. YW was uncertain how things will go, while AB did a fantastic job. How did you do it? AB: I put baobao in the playpen so I could eat and go to the bathroom. Then we would play together for a while. I would feed him simple solid foods, then return him to the playpen while I cleaned up the mess. Last, we would walk outside or read to prepare for his nap. Fortunately, he was well behaved during these four days, and YW got food for me in advance. One time I was tired and just rested while BaoBao struggle to fall asleep. Eventually I did go up and feed him because he got hungry. YW missed AB and BaoBao so much. </p><p>Baobao 17.4lb. Getting closer to 25 percentile! Maybe 21? Height about 27" (10 percentile) tho...seems to be growing slower? 🤷</p><p><br /></p><p>5/11/22 8.5 months </p><p>Baobao is getting very good at standing without falling. He is climbing up the stairs. And he is back to talking more like "babamama." He can eat some textured foods and eats some finger foods. But he prefers the purees, which he is very well now.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>5/5/22</p><p>He is crawling up stairs now! More fun at the playground because he can go up. </p><p><br /></p><p>5/25/22 9 months almost </p><p>In addition to two bottom teeth, now he has to talk teeth (barely)!</p><p>Things that he finds funny include: </p><p>"GameStop"</p><p>Making farting noises.</p><p>Throwing firewood on a fire. </p><p>Sweeping off leaves from a play structure with my foot.</p><p>Saying "Amen" really enthusiastically in the "if you're happy and you know it say amen" song.</p><p>When AB makes the cicada sound </p><p>Nice dog kisses </p><p>When he's tired and you kiss him on the cheeks</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We took him on a trip to HC and SC's wedding in Ohio and AB's conference in South Carolina. Boy was it hard! His sleep was all thrown off so he had a ton of trouble going and staying asleep in the hotel. He was also teething! Plus AB had to be in a conference from early morning to late at night, so I had to take care of him while he was having trouble sleeping 😵💫. Fortunately, he was still able to nap a bit during the day so I could catch up on sleep. And also AB's conference was at a super fancy hotel so we could put him in a semi difference section of the cottage and we didn't have to worry about him crying and waking everyone. Also I could use up endless amounts of towels. Also had to figure out how to go to the bathroom and shower myself while keeping him from getting into things. Ended up putting him on my lap when I went to the bathroom and taking a shower with him in the shower while he poked his fingers in the shower drain holes.</p><p><br /></p><p>6/7/22 9.25mo</p><p>Baobao got sick! We think rsv from visiting a friend who's kid was sick 😷. He has still been pretty active, but he has been getting sleepy earlier. His appetite has also dramatically decreased. Sometimes he would only drink one ounce, when in the past he would drink seven. Got some saline, Zarbees, benadryl, tylenol. But he does not like having things put into his mouth or nose. Even though it's probably just a cold virus, it's still stressing me out! We hope he will get better soon! </p><p>Baobao managed to climb all the way up the stairs. And he has wanted to do it more times despite being sick! Sometimes he requests us to walk him around (stands up grabbing our leg). </p><p>He babbles sometimes, but recently mostly blowing a lot of raspberries. </p><p><br /></p><p>6/29-7/4 successfully went to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. It was difficult going in and out of the car all the time and scheduling around his naps. Fortunately he can have one bad nap a day. </p><p><br /></p><p>7/22/22 11.75mo</p><p>Baobao can take a few steps by himself and successfully squat and then take a few more steps! So cute! He also likes to open all the cabinet doors and climb on things like stairs, fence, his high chair. He loves playing with the robot vacuum but when it starts vacuuming, he gets scared. He loves playing with water. He loves splash pads and loves stick his hand out to try to grab the water spraying up at Evelyn's park. </p><p>Baobao is starting to have memory of places. Every time we go on the walk and we turn the corner, he knows to stick out his hand to signal that he wants to touch the bushes. Whenever we bring him to the closet, he knows where the little ant bait is and makes a beeline for it, even if he can't see it. </p><p><br /></p><p>8/23/22 almost 1 yr</p><p>Baobao is walking like a champ!</p><p>Few weeks ago, Baobao started throwing little tantrums when he gets a toy (or our stuff) taken away. He will sit on the ground and throw his head and body forward onto the ground and cry. It's actually quite funny to watch such a little bean do this. Can't believe he already throws tantrums. </p><p>We visited Seattle a week ago and went to a retreat at Westport. It was fun but also didn't like the traffic that made the drive 4 hours instead of normal 2.5. Fortunately he slept for a portion of the ride, however there was a long period when he had trouble going to sleep and he was crying a lot. Also being a cabin and outdoors, it was difficult to keep him from chewing on his really dirty hands, since he still falls and puts his hands down on the ground (even if he didn't fall, he would still touch everything on the ground). He really enjoyed the beach and playing with the stand, but he definitely stuck his sandy fingers in his mouth a few times. He enjoyed the waves, but the water was too cold for him to swim in. Back in Seattle, he had fun in the water and the beach. We started giving him whatever food we ate, but cut up. He really loved the food because my mom is such a good cook. He ate so much and pooped so much (sometimes 3- 4 times a day!).</p><p>Baobao likes to click the washing machine buttons and watch it spin. But sometimes when it starts, it scares him. </p><p>He is such a good climber! He does pull ups on the freezer bar, climbs the baby fence, and recently climbed up on top of our kitchen island via his high chair. </p><p>Occasionally he would say "Mama" when he wants me to pick him up. And he'll say "baba" too. One time he said "duck duck" - but maybe it was just a random sound to him. He does seem to enjoy searching for his little rubber duckie when I move it around. His most common noise is "onhhhhh."</p><p><br /></p><p>Funny quotes: </p><p>Ab (speaking for Baobao): "How do you like it when I stick my finger in your nose?". Baobao sticks finger in mom's nose. </p><p>(This is in regards to us always trying to clean out his nose because he has such big ugly boogers.)</p><p><br /></p><p>While changing baobao's diaper: yw: "A piece of poop just flew away in the wind."</p><p><br /></p><p>YW: I wonder what it feels like to have teeth on the bottom and no teeth on top.</p><p><br /></p><p>YW: When he falls, it's almost comical.</p><p><br /></p><p>YW: One smile, and it makes it all worthwhile.</p><p><br /></p><p>*Baobao clicks tongue*</p><p>YW: Baobao, we don't speak a language that involves clicking!</p><p><br /></p><p>Ab: Baobao uses his head as a drill.</p><p>Baobao got stuck under the bed. And in the chair.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-22665689723341782132022-07-14T19:02:00.003-07:002022-07-14T19:20:19.884-07:00Yellowstone and Grand Teton<p>Yellowstone and Grand Teton</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY9i1-a-UngF5NK-1E6a5YSbtsLH_PiustMZXLXe-O0DS4w1lyszGLrCTm96oS7JuB-rT0sPftNfSUoQ89TxegQM3lSo_biBZCbT7IIrs2dpkLMdWtyb8KiAiTw7522A_HFyX7yHztML9VeFhcY4DlId1hqSSw1Rv3y9AJezP-pu2c6dpFghzkkMNoZg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="622" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY9i1-a-UngF5NK-1E6a5YSbtsLH_PiustMZXLXe-O0DS4w1lyszGLrCTm96oS7JuB-rT0sPftNfSUoQ89TxegQM3lSo_biBZCbT7IIrs2dpkLMdWtyb8KiAiTw7522A_HFyX7yHztML9VeFhcY4DlId1hqSSw1Rv3y9AJezP-pu2c6dpFghzkkMNoZg" width="204" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXLrHjPsrqFVjc64yaz2OTo8rj7MY05sT9XOxzMaGOUKrGu34IC2d93PaW-CwWCtx9eZ2ydm2FeFs1vA0X4knMS08JGANJfweWxmgBTM7GBqjNgjwYEabum8s0ORlbGSt9tNVrKNjo0qAMBGjmvAKU-EPNn49GCDqpNdZoIpp999u3vCzXmNjRFkU6IA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="543" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXLrHjPsrqFVjc64yaz2OTo8rj7MY05sT9XOxzMaGOUKrGu34IC2d93PaW-CwWCtx9eZ2ydm2FeFs1vA0X4knMS08JGANJfweWxmgBTM7GBqjNgjwYEabum8s0ORlbGSt9tNVrKNjo0qAMBGjmvAKU-EPNn49GCDqpNdZoIpp999u3vCzXmNjRFkU6IA" width="172" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Used Gypsy app: $15 for a driving tour, gives info and descriptions without reception. Very nice!</p><p>Day 1:</p><p>Fountain Flat Dr.: see bison with their young crossing the river.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAEAGwGbDGg7MJIy0qPmnKbxrEt13uK908U_Qp_UMSzqzREN1O2ZVGPdz--NDs8iSG5KGAc7RAWuc-kft0LZblo6kf_qvuLXff5yCGFmTS3lvnPEadUAgLXwiUrkhNn8AZGmegqizLk2ek4QWRmoNgXsHrm-YZ02ix9H7Z2WQ2zV9SbnWUc6ySk15PiA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="526" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAEAGwGbDGg7MJIy0qPmnKbxrEt13uK908U_Qp_UMSzqzREN1O2ZVGPdz--NDs8iSG5KGAc7RAWuc-kft0LZblo6kf_qvuLXff5yCGFmTS3lvnPEadUAgLXwiUrkhNn8AZGmegqizLk2ek4QWRmoNgXsHrm-YZ02ix9H7Z2WQ2zV9SbnWUc6ySk15PiA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Silex pool beautiful blue in middle.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7aHwfUfcaKxflyXTyIeL67LI4fEKfO3As1FG2puTtYdx32Wn1WRWRPOLw2ofLW9_7iWs3tdk0trtTEO5DZ4tYbQI-wDqplDGyjVKPrMUYLAymVK3ERW3PPcFxyh4zYNs32TZlSqcdiLHD0mA0irHdpHwE6DBCx6etLWHQHbU26CbpS7DXhSZH3NHCMw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1135" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7aHwfUfcaKxflyXTyIeL67LI4fEKfO3As1FG2puTtYdx32Wn1WRWRPOLw2ofLW9_7iWs3tdk0trtTEO5DZ4tYbQI-wDqplDGyjVKPrMUYLAymVK3ERW3PPcFxyh4zYNs32TZlSqcdiLHD0mA0irHdpHwE6DBCx6etLWHQHbU26CbpS7DXhSZH3NHCMw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Fountain paint pots where microorganisms turn minerals into sulfuric acid which then turn rock into clay that bubble up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvhDJnriD2TXLN36mi0V-uuE10Ub7O3AomN8FdmpzXhF8Gp2BNlhdTGnq-jt22Q2z-WVkzI8-t71eeXUbmRJ0qDgz56S7KqJ3pwVJxHGxhSVAwFKGcztSzXFA7gy2gN8l0oMbXhHP9_fYzjL6YPsIBnYiSlYxndTaZgGF-6sfGR2jfQQqKX77pltRblA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="537" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvhDJnriD2TXLN36mi0V-uuE10Ub7O3AomN8FdmpzXhF8Gp2BNlhdTGnq-jt22Q2z-WVkzI8-t71eeXUbmRJ0qDgz56S7KqJ3pwVJxHGxhSVAwFKGcztSzXFA7gy2gN8l0oMbXhHP9_fYzjL6YPsIBnYiSlYxndTaZgGF-6sfGR2jfQQqKX77pltRblA" width="170" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Jet geyser shoots up every few minutes. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikmIXzoleLadZXYmgL7Ts0h_8Ntw6EA5wYh5UmmX7z1hHWk2lN9Qx7dd2TBClR_udkdhD2nc60_xHdllEXOeOVeIRPr45dMKHnz_Bb8mv9Nv3iJmU621IVZxlvkJHD0vYgfpXG3dwPV4XsrHrIf1IbZq8BoxCBbtECLnvTBPvIWUQgmCIfiE2JUSZ80w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="785" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikmIXzoleLadZXYmgL7Ts0h_8Ntw6EA5wYh5UmmX7z1hHWk2lN9Qx7dd2TBClR_udkdhD2nc60_xHdllEXOeOVeIRPr45dMKHnz_Bb8mv9Nv3iJmU621IVZxlvkJHD0vYgfpXG3dwPV4XsrHrIf1IbZq8BoxCBbtECLnvTBPvIWUQgmCIfiE2JUSZ80w" width="263" /></a></div><br />We missed Fountain geyser every 3-4hr by a bit.<p></p><p>Clepsydra gyser (pic) that keeps on erupting.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-1r2uK4040lEa1dwejhJxqzTrzm-ddCzYat2dpgJMdme8slHuzT0KvGA-Cx0ZQ_ZtFiS5a_Rr-jlJ03nzU3Psh2N14fHSkGW10zQ8JFjBnSzzAOaFE7GwdjA62PJidpAaZNEIObKswxVRGE7z9rNL-qEbVNu688OglxUZ9Qaq0DelyiIBAQF7VLDwWg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="983" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-1r2uK4040lEa1dwejhJxqzTrzm-ddCzYat2dpgJMdme8slHuzT0KvGA-Cx0ZQ_ZtFiS5a_Rr-jlJ03nzU3Psh2N14fHSkGW10zQ8JFjBnSzzAOaFE7GwdjA62PJidpAaZNEIObKswxVRGE7z9rNL-qEbVNu688OglxUZ9Qaq0DelyiIBAQF7VLDwWg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Kepler cascades drops 150m down multiple steps. Right by the road.</p><p>Didn't realize Yellowstone is on a huge hot spot and could erupt and be a huge volcano.</p><p><br /></p><p>Grand Teton</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI74WqwXkoMYyznZgUGkJQBwLUhwANmIdZ6_u57pI16XScnHnLSVE77WI4TQ8LcWOu6yABP_v2dgG36O1ZxaYK_NdCZjocLonCv1yJuPVpEHz7EShOpLfjDQlcb8-eyFjeficdNsHTZ_ZWfgF2Vo9ww--dXEKpKcF3BVI3IPC7lhBqyJCyUaW6FT1pLw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1090" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI74WqwXkoMYyznZgUGkJQBwLUhwANmIdZ6_u57pI16XScnHnLSVE77WI4TQ8LcWOu6yABP_v2dgG36O1ZxaYK_NdCZjocLonCv1yJuPVpEHz7EShOpLfjDQlcb8-eyFjeficdNsHTZ_ZWfgF2Vo9ww--dXEKpKcF3BVI3IPC7lhBqyJCyUaW6FT1pLw" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Teton Viewpoint (on drive down from Yellowstone)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Staying at Colter Bay. </p><p>Cabins are close to the bay with a nice Lakeshore trail looking out towards Grand Teton. Didn't realize Tetons are so spectacular because they seem to rise out of the water, without surrounding hills because they are formed by plates shifting over one another, not two colliding. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6u-XaVeRlBC40se8Vdnnj99tsjq1Ltf13mBqLpq8NV5RmzcfEKkuhlbbZP0SzIzhg1Lt4Ifwb5t-nDCWQpB_LFl9djFlRVS9QDlz9NojpVloerw1gSjruS8z_Wwc292yfzz6dPgnB7-8lUJsmLGhnqMuqaq9SqyanGdo3MxvQ1Vibu7mDbLln2PjjjQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1177" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6u-XaVeRlBC40se8Vdnnj99tsjq1Ltf13mBqLpq8NV5RmzcfEKkuhlbbZP0SzIzhg1Lt4Ifwb5t-nDCWQpB_LFl9djFlRVS9QDlz9NojpVloerw1gSjruS8z_Wwc292yfzz6dPgnB7-8lUJsmLGhnqMuqaq9SqyanGdo3MxvQ1Vibu7mDbLln2PjjjQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Jenny lake ferry hike to hidden lake and inspiration point. We saw a grizzly bear crossing the lake!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlsXstdaps_FVVvjiOPbtL0BJaIdYWCPhJjA3Y1KUdcRliVWGfj4Qg0vMXNn8LvY6beVg245TV8q8S400q08jEAldrgdfPyOR6Amv6qzYsHfYO0CpJT_PabpF7wP2sqHHbwqG1s5zMxvmY8bBv2Szoicva0h8uI7AZp2WzfnzgyhDZVH-O2sVFU-7UWA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="402" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlsXstdaps_FVVvjiOPbtL0BJaIdYWCPhJjA3Y1KUdcRliVWGfj4Qg0vMXNn8LvY6beVg245TV8q8S400q08jEAldrgdfPyOR6Amv6qzYsHfYO0CpJT_PabpF7wP2sqHHbwqG1s5zMxvmY8bBv2Szoicva0h8uI7AZp2WzfnzgyhDZVH-O2sVFU-7UWA" width="318" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Schwabacker Landing: parking right by the river and pond and got to see a Moose munching in the pond!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSdHJA-9wZogMuDyYdnmx6cIFdMFhqV-EMbT341eghock6LCgLOPXLRHLbZtbllGEZ6MqeQKLN8YJe_186ZvYU0-AGHQ6OXWxmI1kO-7Esn7S2vWC8kLUBNuiL-FZGXmVJcWX0HWe9xVcyAunv4f20wQOP9jWGI25IzzBbrODwQzu0Wx90EN2gwLX1-A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1185" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSdHJA-9wZogMuDyYdnmx6cIFdMFhqV-EMbT341eghock6LCgLOPXLRHLbZtbllGEZ6MqeQKLN8YJe_186ZvYU0-AGHQ6OXWxmI1kO-7Esn7S2vWC8kLUBNuiL-FZGXmVJcWX0HWe9xVcyAunv4f20wQOP9jWGI25IzzBbrODwQzu0Wx90EN2gwLX1-A" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOiGPLgRvJrqTShVHzVSgQa35qN_Cr0ipgon4N-uQRa1bafjDLg9F5cAgK5FEQ7IzF67klGL_9PUGSovAjbmZiZGqQyvLKdxgjQV7WieL1WrRKARJNEK-v2yb6ZZA5UrZ_Hn2oaLXduNSV17-N2wkmkudMhQ3ZKxAMvlSi9o154gOu2UQRqpNmrYwBLg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="375" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOiGPLgRvJrqTShVHzVSgQa35qN_Cr0ipgon4N-uQRa1bafjDLg9F5cAgK5FEQ7IzF67klGL_9PUGSovAjbmZiZGqQyvLKdxgjQV7WieL1WrRKARJNEK-v2yb6ZZA5UrZ_Hn2oaLXduNSV17-N2wkmkudMhQ3ZKxAMvlSi9o154gOu2UQRqpNmrYwBLg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Sentinel Drive had 2 different viewpoints of Jackson Hole<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKOzb7rQKL_kZZ0Eis9DMfFEsHIGDJJ70fJVzMn-9CSG0h2JFC7kmpGJ0pdohQ0-iDU0qdJKBQllMZJkq2t6swhUp_06F0IJrYA8ySqT5uhlTMEWRTxm8qKuN23sGojEIUXx_-ej9d8Iz1T55JQZlAekDYarlcn_8pwDeCg5d9O9UC5vL4oCIFhVSAIQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="370" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKOzb7rQKL_kZZ0Eis9DMfFEsHIGDJJ70fJVzMn-9CSG0h2JFC7kmpGJ0pdohQ0-iDU0qdJKBQllMZJkq2t6swhUp_06F0IJrYA8ySqT5uhlTMEWRTxm8qKuN23sGojEIUXx_-ej9d8Iz1T55JQZlAekDYarlcn_8pwDeCg5d9O9UC5vL4oCIFhVSAIQ" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjof-i2D8uELt5kZ6iGTYwBqRZzmAekCceXlYQV2FEicneDxufPzNW9iN524GVjJtd2IGJr3rR_2Eg0KGUj5iTR4-_fjn0Uk_TybRXZXlCntre8LKcnD57xOj1lYLv43yVk3EP2mNgRdfSL4R9xRnuka9PuzswOcElqq3_WOUQzBUs1a69SBfB0JH367w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1172" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjof-i2D8uELt5kZ6iGTYwBqRZzmAekCceXlYQV2FEicneDxufPzNW9iN524GVjJtd2IGJr3rR_2Eg0KGUj5iTR4-_fjn0Uk_TybRXZXlCntre8LKcnD57xOj1lYLv43yVk3EP2mNgRdfSL4R9xRnuka9PuzswOcElqq3_WOUQzBUs1a69SBfB0JH367w" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We saw this Elk right along the side of the road: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikwuyCycYBv6C7S-WNgxx75I9USIiflDBmqRt3HMzNnChrmOFaH00Ye9K2rIvTy4mikLnZ970SvbWFAFis7OLruRULQd6Y9ruhoaayzuVwmgb0E0TnHHgo20rsOIzXRB13vhE72IJSGaOpILTcwDT38jCjmj4RlqmQidx5TANQMxNtC_FlZbOHBVZyQg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="581" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikwuyCycYBv6C7S-WNgxx75I9USIiflDBmqRt3HMzNnChrmOFaH00Ye9K2rIvTy4mikLnZ970SvbWFAFis7OLruRULQd6Y9ruhoaayzuVwmgb0E0TnHHgo20rsOIzXRB13vhE72IJSGaOpILTcwDT38jCjmj4RlqmQidx5TANQMxNtC_FlZbOHBVZyQg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div><br /><p></p><p>Day 2 Teton</p><p>Bradley and Taggart lake hike. About 5mi rt. It had some elevation but pretty easy and very scenic the entire way. The calm water of Taggart and it's reflection of the Tetons was so beautiful. We also met some people from Meyerland, Houston with a 15mo! </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHMP-1I4-d0zPvIQtsIy_1T0Xt4vHzRTbHWPSGCzH0YdojinZo-QaU9HLu-cLASLh3jnbzI7-wmurrk4gs0YOWzFd6fiLTtFlFEA-YMl7fHQcCUvjOkT9Kb5Jlps32Zt6Fj9RJpMKD8YUKb9hgyGOHG-Rcx4dTMmrou2kuXDgT5KLHtRY-ebG-Usvc5Q" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1163" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHMP-1I4-d0zPvIQtsIy_1T0Xt4vHzRTbHWPSGCzH0YdojinZo-QaU9HLu-cLASLh3jnbzI7-wmurrk4gs0YOWzFd6fiLTtFlFEA-YMl7fHQcCUvjOkT9Kb5Jlps32Zt6Fj9RJpMKD8YUKb9hgyGOHG-Rcx4dTMmrou2kuXDgT5KLHtRY-ebG-Usvc5Q" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bradley Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZDtyT8sHTHLDN4IHu6Oj034uZYZgyeN7ehazOjpSqgT3dSHIDWoa9gv7sGoSq95dnGSpCoHDKde66gM2lA5GwD8nVcyTWSyfoaUoTct2UTUVqxc9bHHVyDk4CLSDcTgqh5FH00AzGfoy0GfOOeBLKX9LrfGaKBufu2RZRMDG2DvDdohmjzqxBSbwSIw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1152" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZDtyT8sHTHLDN4IHu6Oj034uZYZgyeN7ehazOjpSqgT3dSHIDWoa9gv7sGoSq95dnGSpCoHDKde66gM2lA5GwD8nVcyTWSyfoaUoTct2UTUVqxc9bHHVyDk4CLSDcTgqh5FH00AzGfoy0GfOOeBLKX9LrfGaKBufu2RZRMDG2DvDdohmjzqxBSbwSIw" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taggart Lake (closer)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><p></p><p>Yellowstone</p><p>We were lucky when we first got there, there was a old faithful eruption. We only had to wait 5 minutes!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvzcbarMA4UrVY_06RhkRodnMztpkkddkf0SYuHejfmjZ2Byc9rtg_Cno0-xg4_TX7y7RuKWMxTCKBCdyT5tO5UCmNqI5iELiOK-rvBoiZZ8ZaqNU4IEXpSsutV6o2LRmXmg--3DgR9XSlzyLSJX2i5WuUMGg9rbQIipuJVU74KmbLnOgFc4ZdXElUwA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvzcbarMA4UrVY_06RhkRodnMztpkkddkf0SYuHejfmjZ2Byc9rtg_Cno0-xg4_TX7y7RuKWMxTCKBCdyT5tO5UCmNqI5iELiOK-rvBoiZZ8ZaqNU4IEXpSsutV6o2LRmXmg--3DgR9XSlzyLSJX2i5WuUMGg9rbQIipuJVU74KmbLnOgFc4ZdXElUwA" width="184" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvzcbarMA4UrVY_06RhkRodnMztpkkddkf0SYuHejfmjZ2Byc9rtg_Cno0-xg4_TX7y7RuKWMxTCKBCdyT5tO5UCmNqI5iELiOK-rvBoiZZ8ZaqNU4IEXpSsutV6o2LRmXmg--3DgR9XSlzyLSJX2i5WuUMGg9rbQIipuJVU74KmbLnOgFc4ZdXElUwA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgao65hBde6ROHWQT_TYFsq_jO_K1D-wekkfRTKqC9jEOdagC0E3zcDSGpwo3YJvv0s0EUpQXGkK3qMc6iA4W2ElVMJg7o-QG6Pch1Fvt_EZ3KL5M7Z3dRa6fCnnpIXLV8jQ0AqSYgIXuPJeq7aHccXUOJ5zFPsKOuonNmnQ31Ypm8AEU1cmLqH4sKBDQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="372" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgao65hBde6ROHWQT_TYFsq_jO_K1D-wekkfRTKqC9jEOdagC0E3zcDSGpwo3YJvv0s0EUpQXGkK3qMc6iA4W2ElVMJg7o-QG6Pch1Fvt_EZ3KL5M7Z3dRa6fCnnpIXLV8jQ0AqSYgIXuPJeq7aHccXUOJ5zFPsKOuonNmnQ31Ypm8AEU1cmLqH4sKBDQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>And then we thought that we would be lucky to get see the Grand Geyser, but because Rift geyser had erupted yesterday, it made the timing off. We waited an extra hour out of the waiting period. And then we had to leave cuz Baobao couldn't stand it anymore. But then as we were approaching the old faithful inn, we saw the eruption in in the distance. It really was quite grand.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7icN5aJNSy8AdjgkhBLwvEG_pNwVG5SebMRWn7Jatl2H_QqclV-nEnjGdWGuUY_6nvJO0SmrPoDe5EqcTm5aVHSfr2LvUpEGkulN6JnJnjVLJ-SgqVpREYs2CZcEqO_5-KtG_FVOOxQezhx5aLyz6XMy6GI7G8MQmmFgzOdg_IcC6iGUzEZIzvuFHLQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="372" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7icN5aJNSy8AdjgkhBLwvEG_pNwVG5SebMRWn7Jatl2H_QqclV-nEnjGdWGuUY_6nvJO0SmrPoDe5EqcTm5aVHSfr2LvUpEGkulN6JnJnjVLJ-SgqVpREYs2CZcEqO_5-KtG_FVOOxQezhx5aLyz6XMy6GI7G8MQmmFgzOdg_IcC6iGUzEZIzvuFHLQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>We want the rest of that upper geyser basin and saw some beautiful springs and geysers.</p><p><br /></p><p>Infant geyser</p><p>Giant geyser hadn't erupted since 2019. But it looked giant.</p><p>Sawmill geyser happened to be erupting while we walked by, causing us to get splashed. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjms2nSgMAr9tE_vxG5LvT6CEIpAVLzxDEE-s6_O49LSCEQ4CrhYgrNOF2IrOfTOLAqIncaGBkM8-mB9ZK29Kf1nOzwLkrMKSwRAf68b8FtHmadaul4fA40m2KYU3QsVmZrgYuDk03n3an_fiy1tOvw701smg-kUjv-5GhboXGmufLl10liinXMKT2GxA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjms2nSgMAr9tE_vxG5LvT6CEIpAVLzxDEE-s6_O49LSCEQ4CrhYgrNOF2IrOfTOLAqIncaGBkM8-mB9ZK29Kf1nOzwLkrMKSwRAf68b8FtHmadaul4fA40m2KYU3QsVmZrgYuDk03n3an_fiy1tOvw701smg-kUjv-5GhboXGmufLl10liinXMKT2GxA" width="190" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Spa geyser looked very inviting.</p><p>Morning geyser at the end was so clear and beautiful. It was totally worth it to walk all the way to end.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5eyf-OnPFNfO9gVmIUDLfig7_lJ4e3xpt9-TpkN2aCul8ZcGi0anWO_6WZcjlcXdbXc4ALO4zFomRy5ss6PnW9n6e_P83pRCNSQnN-79SnISEb1eCrTGmge6J53rK3ephWnr6FmtHAZ6XaO9uw7pwpqAY3Yp-b_ZqdZXWDjUQoX39LN5wdMjMLlrbhw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1177" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5eyf-OnPFNfO9gVmIUDLfig7_lJ4e3xpt9-TpkN2aCul8ZcGi0anWO_6WZcjlcXdbXc4ALO4zFomRy5ss6PnW9n6e_P83pRCNSQnN-79SnISEb1eCrTGmge6J53rK3ephWnr6FmtHAZ6XaO9uw7pwpqAY3Yp-b_ZqdZXWDjUQoX39LN5wdMjMLlrbhw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Castle geyser looked like a castle </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7kzjjCoti5uMUJgFqIkUc4OietHFQvB34GwQFfwClZbq5PNjKWCT_WvztajqNdNHtwN7h18u32mAR1aqZCh2L6l7PfkGIlvjzgWZ3HkUCiY6pON7LRjhn4NG_bvPnhkt2FNkhmIlKq6YIhydDtgRhOy6AnQhNHNvVIVRPeTXMcwDkP647bGWhUk-q5g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="316" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7kzjjCoti5uMUJgFqIkUc4OietHFQvB34GwQFfwClZbq5PNjKWCT_WvztajqNdNHtwN7h18u32mAR1aqZCh2L6l7PfkGIlvjzgWZ3HkUCiY6pON7LRjhn4NG_bvPnhkt2FNkhmIlKq6YIhydDtgRhOy6AnQhNHNvVIVRPeTXMcwDkP647bGWhUk-q5g" width="289" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Grotto geyser was strangely shaped. Theory is that it formed on stumps.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1A333s1qvIa4Odm1fiTgDGx9vMPtvcZft3zGNvSm_Y52sml73D6ZzuOVJU7Zws1ghsj9fe7SfhPgYuw3EFgdqdN-ujoEsn5LZvjO63gaHRoetzOicrXRsA0vDPuPdWxJ5Dmv2RYwp06mtXB2B4c98kGj7Ua8Kdvl0zJ8lQbTBTH1Z9HuJbypYmWBtSg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="947" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1A333s1qvIa4Odm1fiTgDGx9vMPtvcZft3zGNvSm_Y52sml73D6ZzuOVJU7Zws1ghsj9fe7SfhPgYuw3EFgdqdN-ujoEsn5LZvjO63gaHRoetzOicrXRsA0vDPuPdWxJ5Dmv2RYwp06mtXB2B4c98kGj7Ua8Kdvl0zJ8lQbTBTH1Z9HuJbypYmWBtSg" width="267" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>While we were waiting for grand geyser, we saw Daisy erupt and Old Faithful again. And then another time while feeding Baobao. And behive erupted as we were leaving.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNV5uA07a89WoAaR6xKwYBdAqHanE5fPusAqo22j9Num85fVqyZ8R7AiPuz-AvwAB7D5SFHvK1b0jyXixtPf6EZEIzELXoqTf-D6yxdQz76X417EbbNbtgMTiNwHZO_joG6mXpIK-ejBIcrZIod-25wFzWwVaur5fPS5YWBektVdaVAVUQikRotVnLUQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="955" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNV5uA07a89WoAaR6xKwYBdAqHanE5fPusAqo22j9Num85fVqyZ8R7AiPuz-AvwAB7D5SFHvK1b0jyXixtPf6EZEIzELXoqTf-D6yxdQz76X417EbbNbtgMTiNwHZO_joG6mXpIK-ejBIcrZIod-25wFzWwVaur5fPS5YWBektVdaVAVUQikRotVnLUQ" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daisy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3KVPQRz4Z42FIg72IehoJcnvshy7lMvFmIQdbCUxFuGPjs8EuuAtQWp_oQTlc4fzuTbjXaP1hWjyu5vW1rC7Rk_ZmVvIn1aynALikHrLy2klRhv2LxmULc6TCmwHUi2y1MODHYRg0oQvAE-2TBwu5f4tG4zkwebmFDunhNXtWDIIVEaqaY34iaRMVzg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="336" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3KVPQRz4Z42FIg72IehoJcnvshy7lMvFmIQdbCUxFuGPjs8EuuAtQWp_oQTlc4fzuTbjXaP1hWjyu5vW1rC7Rk_ZmVvIn1aynALikHrLy2klRhv2LxmULc6TCmwHUi2y1MODHYRg0oQvAE-2TBwu5f4tG4zkwebmFDunhNXtWDIIVEaqaY34iaRMVzg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Faithful from the Inn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p>The old faithful inn was definitely worth a visit! Looks like a forest on the inside! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC1ZvTs08ov8NUAxf5TVeF08dT9rfFYHLZPoFaffmcJGrh4FQDaA1HNMyf34vHVwE--5ZOUyhTLPMQP8xxeCBB9KZj1lrkV02aT2qm7dPMTq4U2QdePARtEXP2LNxhxa3qLgZSwEmWLnJfYBeRXq9dVtq28cpf7RFXeLTdEibozk8XaDYU52zcB9vqWA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="302" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC1ZvTs08ov8NUAxf5TVeF08dT9rfFYHLZPoFaffmcJGrh4FQDaA1HNMyf34vHVwE--5ZOUyhTLPMQP8xxeCBB9KZj1lrkV02aT2qm7dPMTq4U2QdePARtEXP2LNxhxa3qLgZSwEmWLnJfYBeRXq9dVtq28cpf7RFXeLTdEibozk8XaDYU52zcB9vqWA" width="181" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Yellowstone continued:</p><p>In the early cool morning, all the geysers and steam vents are steamy: looks like a bit kitchen! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwL07SFrrhGjIoVbMSM9Bvusu0WxqCevDQb9TQbu9_wHHR7AKwvmpqfk13vMqlzam-hBXnTIMxWa9jh7ENAUo6JvJJC3ZJ0-XcvdD0S00t2SaAJflUb57s5tAwQ_w-mP3wj5lT6NXxUPyv6F-uS9f-0qRd9tOMQK8ODrpxss04_1ysVBcngjLNsn1LPg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="347" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwL07SFrrhGjIoVbMSM9Bvusu0WxqCevDQb9TQbu9_wHHR7AKwvmpqfk13vMqlzam-hBXnTIMxWa9jh7ENAUo6JvJJC3ZJ0-XcvdD0S00t2SaAJflUb57s5tAwQ_w-mP3wj5lT6NXxUPyv6F-uS9f-0qRd9tOMQK8ODrpxss04_1ysVBcngjLNsn1LPg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Turquoise Pool: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqSPCTk45dgOjFwUE3OXq5IGbXeSDbe9RQi9CNUAT5NAl0YFshibeTMNdKTcdxn6E8ew9PJr9A2-GkYI4IiTADEKGRz7asNJwj_wiEryNsqiNRDjWFihZfOML0RCEtZfURDE7YE-SgWZj2OIicWhckiUaSoijl7hhlYpwJs1I6zvh62DlZ0-f8PKJmbg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1102" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqSPCTk45dgOjFwUE3OXq5IGbXeSDbe9RQi9CNUAT5NAl0YFshibeTMNdKTcdxn6E8ew9PJr9A2-GkYI4IiTADEKGRz7asNJwj_wiEryNsqiNRDjWFihZfOML0RCEtZfURDE7YE-SgWZj2OIicWhckiUaSoijl7hhlYpwJs1I6zvh62DlZ0-f8PKJmbg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Excelsior geyser hasn't erupted in a long time. But last time, it was so forceful, it messed up it's geyser plumbing. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlJzJ7_1JwjOmPoQYHWBBvnMB6hAWtRdWm7tf8Uyp9Gd6zfX1hNwg-stcZcIPB4F2z9yqu98IsEtsQ4SHyRoJNGzm0YBbKyt7MTxbOPU5ijZGUL1YnXSDuA9ZbU7AHDKHb-eo9inA-vHUTh11fakrcAQvE1UeIfhTP5MVeHwAGf6pU-DGOJ6NEK37YMQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="377" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlJzJ7_1JwjOmPoQYHWBBvnMB6hAWtRdWm7tf8Uyp9Gd6zfX1hNwg-stcZcIPB4F2z9yqu98IsEtsQ4SHyRoJNGzm0YBbKyt7MTxbOPU5ijZGUL1YnXSDuA9ZbU7AHDKHb-eo9inA-vHUTh11fakrcAQvE1UeIfhTP5MVeHwAGf6pU-DGOJ6NEK37YMQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />Grand Prismatic Spring is so impressive. The colors are like the rainbow, formed by super-heat loving organism. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_-fkvIV70q4NZQLSbGEZwZRkxZGskRR9eIZMipy8vI9fdGERLD6G1JOMphsw4MmtlI6EbzxGkOwoNj_hW6efXE73e0xbULoDyQVA1hTzrdrMH-en53SqYoacqa0iwjYXyf6ks0J7gRTphSPh3g1oAmfcoIhFKbiEhay7SzdE3YV35RwqMA35LlGIssA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="1277" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_-fkvIV70q4NZQLSbGEZwZRkxZGskRR9eIZMipy8vI9fdGERLD6G1JOMphsw4MmtlI6EbzxGkOwoNj_hW6efXE73e0xbULoDyQVA1hTzrdrMH-en53SqYoacqa0iwjYXyf6ks0J7gRTphSPh3g1oAmfcoIhFKbiEhay7SzdE3YV35RwqMA35LlGIssA=w640-h126" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnX3uXRk4epTjKg9BY3U8FTneQqbwtahlAnZvYqUYvGG1MkR2Kqo3IZ52inoNXunaA2mUuON0DaLiIuF8dbueRNxxQ77zMgrcE4FofZhNXGqNzKy_j0tn75zSOb4ttPbjrU4fSFXLo2_UYB5H_Zyp81MQG1DUcmTD08BpCZcHzBhJwoA9Lysj0U8qoHA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="352" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnX3uXRk4epTjKg9BY3U8FTneQqbwtahlAnZvYqUYvGG1MkR2Kqo3IZ52inoNXunaA2mUuON0DaLiIuF8dbueRNxxQ77zMgrcE4FofZhNXGqNzKy_j0tn75zSOb4ttPbjrU4fSFXLo2_UYB5H_Zyp81MQG1DUcmTD08BpCZcHzBhJwoA9Lysj0U8qoHA" width="312" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Better view is from the viewpoint (park at the Fairy falls parking lot).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9CTla3OpzLnw8dOUQaqX80UsSL3MNpL6-MvJdmlC3gxEuVTIIIclK6FwKJXuzkPMUKRutl8SVaBqpuXFAQecfHRDZkpSk4OxrZN5xY5LVhMMNNhyrEIT6PokvcVNeq5MwSRh7xqipWphDVr8HRahqG6kO2UKY4fcacH0lXlDqhl90s-cVyZEka4P_tQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1261" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9CTla3OpzLnw8dOUQaqX80UsSL3MNpL6-MvJdmlC3gxEuVTIIIclK6FwKJXuzkPMUKRutl8SVaBqpuXFAQecfHRDZkpSk4OxrZN5xY5LVhMMNNhyrEIT6PokvcVNeq5MwSRh7xqipWphDVr8HRahqG6kO2UKY4fcacH0lXlDqhl90s-cVyZEka4P_tQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />Bison decided to cross the road when we parked: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9ClV7PjHeMu6lljUlj2Xr_2wZM7iFFGSG_4QA7xFyuCyaDBM5f2_ywe51KSGAR74oPprjV5DE-8qwUlyKcLHYBuyeEiyN6HAn8nBvrMxOk0qJvsJvNUskM5d9xm9FngNGWYc-kn_JlxuS4FCWtaKCh9cIhBu21cWQYD8UD8p_sLhZS9zmkGakAr8jyg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="577" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9ClV7PjHeMu6lljUlj2Xr_2wZM7iFFGSG_4QA7xFyuCyaDBM5f2_ywe51KSGAR74oPprjV5DE-8qwUlyKcLHYBuyeEiyN6HAn8nBvrMxOk0qJvsJvNUskM5d9xm9FngNGWYc-kn_JlxuS4FCWtaKCh9cIhBu21cWQYD8UD8p_sLhZS9zmkGakAr8jyg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Yellowstone continued (Norris geysers): Apparently these are the hottest geysers in the world!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3gEQfjSwrNvALlMCEaMAl_OdDl64UuUp-vkVYgnko16dj7UJElundv92pkC-Zg2LMkwXmXuCxull-01fIBC38Bn9nmtRAyfe4I0nocBsrCKXj_mVO2C7Fuhlq6fCVzRnAtZeSTWyJEbb1Er_1kxBajx3qehVyconm-Xoo3enf-54rk_OEpBgvIbA_Aw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1157" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3gEQfjSwrNvALlMCEaMAl_OdDl64UuUp-vkVYgnko16dj7UJElundv92pkC-Zg2LMkwXmXuCxull-01fIBC38Bn9nmtRAyfe4I0nocBsrCKXj_mVO2C7Fuhlq6fCVzRnAtZeSTWyJEbb1Er_1kxBajx3qehVyconm-Xoo3enf-54rk_OEpBgvIbA_Aw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYoE6xt7kr8Y7EKpnB2-h04J3Su74UhvEBOuipMDSZluFgTK94JGcju_Ggj5ulzw6KXqnyzOv00brTFiWRJ3z1nBsMZzYOoSpgnYnU4HG7orWiwlukjmuzhuBQdY2cghvzB6lnvgm_MSKEQcx80Kr-9MngmhPc972ony_KWBd6_fXspt5zHdq0HXq_Cg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1133" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYoE6xt7kr8Y7EKpnB2-h04J3Su74UhvEBOuipMDSZluFgTK94JGcju_Ggj5ulzw6KXqnyzOv00brTFiWRJ3z1nBsMZzYOoSpgnYnU4HG7orWiwlukjmuzhuBQdY2cghvzB6lnvgm_MSKEQcx80Kr-9MngmhPc972ony_KWBd6_fXspt5zHdq0HXq_Cg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEcSgxCw1lEfxca8rhaivabfe5vkLRHumEsCxzhM8fqDgbQemeSY9_lyjC7PhBvhe__aABh3UHHTUZP9A8SGCb47L08npcKOlDOFL4vDqOkqbN6rc_GVAqgr9R3EDu3qpKsOQIVy0HTFHWosJ3HTD0Nh5huPtKR0m0zr_gmdyT6FHFyTSTo3lxBCehLg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="582" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEcSgxCw1lEfxca8rhaivabfe5vkLRHumEsCxzhM8fqDgbQemeSY9_lyjC7PhBvhe__aABh3UHHTUZP9A8SGCb47L08npcKOlDOFL4vDqOkqbN6rc_GVAqgr9R3EDu3qpKsOQIVy0HTFHWosJ3HTD0Nh5huPtKR0m0zr_gmdyT6FHFyTSTo3lxBCehLg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamboat geyser is the largest in the world. But it could erupt anywhere from 4 days to 50 years. We only caught a small splutter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Cistern spring drains away when Steamboat erupts: <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBolUMm0SkBIVr0tR34lFSEyW4btDc5uwj0CyYUM8C-poeXStZI_tMaqdiA-_e8KJxa2Gri1ejlgT-JAq_cwRYSrSOGZ3To_nl9LcQWjSrehdYGIiMzY3RAPi06h0sbeEHDfYLLKLYsqCdwj9Gcw81YMLxc_0fcXXbAw50tUQLVrHif52n2gZkDbqHcA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1120" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBolUMm0SkBIVr0tR34lFSEyW4btDc5uwj0CyYUM8C-poeXStZI_tMaqdiA-_e8KJxa2Gri1ejlgT-JAq_cwRYSrSOGZ3To_nl9LcQWjSrehdYGIiMzY3RAPi06h0sbeEHDfYLLKLYsqCdwj9Gcw81YMLxc_0fcXXbAw50tUQLVrHif52n2gZkDbqHcA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Most acidic geyser: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj573nWFBAOAoNbZKAWqbTugIw8i85bYLjWUT7Dc15ebAJZcEkjU4D0el2UrLzROXROoDwMsomFnFGEICHsBkefnw-gBAhTLFebs6CBTOGl8ZXisDXTz3kmYEvg0eUcRYQ-9B7It-cacOgBwQsuPjm-AInHZXbbVzTSWosYtlSNDlYDpOEZsiMcmZY4pw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1157" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj573nWFBAOAoNbZKAWqbTugIw8i85bYLjWUT7Dc15ebAJZcEkjU4D0el2UrLzROXROoDwMsomFnFGEICHsBkefnw-gBAhTLFebs6CBTOGl8ZXisDXTz3kmYEvg0eUcRYQ-9B7It-cacOgBwQsuPjm-AInHZXbbVzTSWosYtlSNDlYDpOEZsiMcmZY4pw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>So blue! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZYkoJxCJaeHqgoNXTSnzWRhBLpzwF6a0hGPbrF590UGY2qPpcB1HWvfCM54OK2_WN8oz5HaDk_WwhHEoHHGYAP-FjZRJtsPZ6sjRKX-_FKEqJmtL0tCnJGP5i7bqAgps7IuXfaR3CfpkypHJ0LKfMl3EyfcngSNGOHKHGRfl-790HR2qMmQirq_LkFA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="891" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZYkoJxCJaeHqgoNXTSnzWRhBLpzwF6a0hGPbrF590UGY2qPpcB1HWvfCM54OK2_WN8oz5HaDk_WwhHEoHHGYAP-FjZRJtsPZ6sjRKX-_FKEqJmtL0tCnJGP5i7bqAgps7IuXfaR3CfpkypHJ0LKfMl3EyfcngSNGOHKHGRfl-790HR2qMmQirq_LkFA" width="315" /></a></div><p></p><p>Caught Vixen geyser erupting </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaPYMXZJcQVClNaKU6RurRTLLJpo-Ujbw7y_UwJB5b_1g34S0Ed12-H3yxLiWiiBhqxMxxzlirh7uhleXxvCeXiRwRPxaw5huGfGtKRe6n37pg35piUfCnoR-ZNtruTTQBKWCt8Loa_0qpBBIKbh8wPRdVRpIxx03p2F25CaESUUzBgC_SvwJsF_OBjQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1073" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaPYMXZJcQVClNaKU6RurRTLLJpo-Ujbw7y_UwJB5b_1g34S0Ed12-H3yxLiWiiBhqxMxxzlirh7uhleXxvCeXiRwRPxaw5huGfGtKRe6n37pg35piUfCnoR-ZNtruTTQBKWCt8Loa_0qpBBIKbh8wPRdVRpIxx03p2F25CaESUUzBgC_SvwJsF_OBjQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: apparently this picture drew people to come to Yellowstone way back in the day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXcVDfhX_aJ5SBQvzkbIKr7yu05LnyjacSbAf2B6zf50KOQjYJHwHtpDjdXPfX-Rb49ylx42YRsLWt7jbYLJhx_17iiVl2Wl3rr9_n4RQPDNtCOhP6VGhoC8QEiTERpRFtH6WsVPEo_tL9VwNIfx-J3rT5GeqZjR6oR6EClkU3RLI3C3YJg4Ha06V8OQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1127" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXcVDfhX_aJ5SBQvzkbIKr7yu05LnyjacSbAf2B6zf50KOQjYJHwHtpDjdXPfX-Rb49ylx42YRsLWt7jbYLJhx_17iiVl2Wl3rr9_n4RQPDNtCOhP6VGhoC8QEiTERpRFtH6WsVPEo_tL9VwNIfx-J3rT5GeqZjR6oR6EClkU3RLI3C3YJg4Ha06V8OQ" width="316" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In the morning, we saw a bear cross the road!<br /><p></p><p>Big sky resort: nice to have ski lifts to go up see the view of lone peak</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDqcfnPZKE_kuaJGXtYbRtHM1KG4i_u9ETmzQAKgNoIB5EdVvUcoJO2947UGEIcL9GMcTUGcPNQsnpR2r9eOjD-JJvpdGmm5fHg2RumjXryG8yfktHoZVIORubVSNgOlI9vNptBkVFEL1H8tatamywZ3LxsG7N27bSrcyVVN8fq92nVz-5OrbISKsa1g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="962" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDqcfnPZKE_kuaJGXtYbRtHM1KG4i_u9ETmzQAKgNoIB5EdVvUcoJO2947UGEIcL9GMcTUGcPNQsnpR2r9eOjD-JJvpdGmm5fHg2RumjXryG8yfktHoZVIORubVSNgOlI9vNptBkVFEL1H8tatamywZ3LxsG7N27bSrcyVVN8fq92nVz-5OrbISKsa1g=w640-h240" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-87786038999062834842022-06-26T07:09:00.010-07:002023-02-26T20:16:29.929-08:00MilestonesMotor<div><br /></div><div>3.5mo: turn back to front left side.</div><div>4.9mo: turn front to back few times (rare)</div><div>4-5?mo: put things in mouth</div><div>5.25mo: tripod Ppl</div><div>6 mo: turn front to back. Turn back to front on right side. Sit without tripod</div><div>6.5mo: sitting with hands up, but still topple sometimes. Gets on knees and scoots backwards or shifts back and forth.</div><div>6.75mo: stand with hands on couch</div><div>7mo: few steps forward while crawling. And few days later: crawling!</div><div>7.25mo: pulled up to stand! (Very wobbly at first)</div><div>7.75mo: rudimentary pincer grasp first time. Took few steps while holding onto fence.</div><div>8mo: cruise, turn the page with his hand, bang blocks together</div><div>8.25mo: crawling up stairs. Transfer one hand to other.</div><div>10mo: standing 10 seconds, first steps! (More like falling) </div><div>10.5mo: few steps</div><div>10.75mo: stand and walk! </div><div>13mo: put shapes in shape box</div><div>15mo: stack 2 blocks, running</div><div>15.5mo: open/close oatmeal lids, climb up chair</div><div>18mo: eat with spoon pretty well, drink from open cup. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Speech: </div><div>2mo: coo</div><div>3mo: "conversation"</div><div>4mo: deep belly laugh, blowing raspberries</div><div>5mo: tons of conversation and babbling. "Dadadada"</div><div>7mo: not talking as much. 🤷</div><div>9mo: randomly mamma, dadda</div><div>1yo: mamma when want me to pick him up</div><div>18mo: about 20+ words</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Social:</div><div>Born: smile in sleep</div><div>1mo: track faces. Smile when awake. </div><div>Between 5-7mo: recognize "Baobao"</div><div>6mo: look for us when gone</div><div>7.25mo: shake his head when he doesn't like a food</div><div>12mo: wave</div><div>15-16mo: ask for things he wants like "tu" "baobao"</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-59410975105755735812022-03-28T18:33:00.001-07:002022-03-28T18:33:35.560-07:00Baby 6mo<p> 2/26/22 (6mo)</p><p>This is such a cute age! He is sleeping longer (9-9:30 to 7:30-8), his interacting more, he has little laughing fits, and he is so adorable! </p><p>We are a little worried that he seems to get angry really easily, I'm hoping it's just because he's still a little. Instead of crying sometimes he just makes angry grunts. </p><p>We try some more foods like zucchini, carrots, strawberry. At one point he did have some diarrhea one day, and we thought maybe it was from old yogurt but then he also had eaten a whole tub of recalled formula. 🤷</p><p><br /></p><p>2/27/22</p><p>Petted his first chicken..not amused. 😅</p><p><br /></p><p>3/4/22 </p><p>He started turning to his right! Which makes for difficult sleep time because he would get stuck on his stomach and be upset and not sleep. Prior when he did that only to the left, we would put him close to the left and he wouldn't be able to turn..but now we can't do that since he is turning both sides. First day we had to flip him over. But second day he learned it was ok to sleep on his stomach. And then I saw he learned to turn back onto his back! Hopefully sleeping won't be an issue! </p><p>Since he sleeps after being awake for 2.5 hours, we sometimes run into the night time issue where last nap ended at 4p and next nap starting at 6p. Do we let him keep sleeping and then risk him waking super early or do we wake him for another awake time? Fortunately recently when we've been waking him up around 7:30 to 8:00 p.m., he will go back to sleep around 9-9:30 p.m. Lately we've been feeding him right after waking, when he's a little bit more subdued, otherwise he gets super excited and doesn't want to eat very much. We are still doing some dream feedings around 11:00 p.m., and sometimes even during the day when we see him stirring from his nap. He can rotate 360 on his tummy (like if there is a toy on his left, he can turn there).</p><p>We've been trying to give him food after an hour or two hours of milk. We noticed that if he had too much milk before, he might vomit.</p><p>His eyes and cheeks have gotten bigger so many people comment on how cute he is, even strangers. Right now he seems like a very happy baby, and he gets so excited in the mornings and after he wakes up. He smiles so much and likes to laugh and kick and jump. He is always breathing hard from his excitement. His cheeks are getting big and jiggly!</p><p>I'm happy that I reached 6 months of pumping, so I'm trying to reduce it. I've been slowly moving to pump sessions closer together. At one point I think I went too fast and started having some tenderness, but it resolved after a day after I took some measures: heat, massage, lecithin, probiotics, hot shower, a little more frequent pumping. Now, pumping twice a day isn't too time consuming, and I feel more like a normal person. It's nice that I don't have to worry about it during the day, and I don't have to schedule around it. My supply has continued to drop consistently, which is good for not having engorgement and clogged ducts. </p><p>3/7/22</p><p>Started getting on his knees and scooting backwards. 😂</p><p>He also has had a major drop in bottle/formula/milk during the day. Int he morning it seems like he is too excited and will drink max 4oz. Hoping he makes up for it in solids, but I'm not too sure. Sometimes we would offer bottle all the time seeing he is making sucking motion with his mouth, and he would refuse 10 times before he will take down 7oz when he is half asleep. So strange that he eats so much better half asleep. Talked to coworker and she says sometimes babies are like that. And maybe see how things go, but may need to wean him off the bad habit. But since his weight has always been low, AB is hesitant to stop dream feeding. </p><p>We were at Teahouse and the waiter came by multiple times to look at him. At a Persian restaurant the waitress said he was "so cute!" And several other people at grocery stores and restaurants made comments too. </p><p><br /></p><p>3/21/22</p><p>He put one hand forward while on his knees! </p><p>This is really a great time! He is interactive, smiles a lot, laughs, and doesn't move around yet so I don't have to chase him. 😂 Such a cute age! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Funny quotes: </p><p>Yw: Baobao why are you always breathing so hard?</p><p>After tummy time and kicking and Baobao puts his head down to rest: Ab: Baobao got tired. </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-193381412430617672022-02-27T06:01:00.003-08:002022-02-28T06:42:38.626-08:00Baby 5mo2/4/22 4.25mo: <div>We have been feeding about some solid foods. So far we have tried baby oatmeal cereal, avocado, eggs, blueberry (juice), yogurt. He seems to have tolerated them okay. But it's hard to tell because we have only given him little tiny bits.</div><div><br /></div><div>He has not been drinking milk or formula very well. It often takes 30 minutes or longer, and sometimes he only takes 4 oz every 4 hours. We've tried singing abc's, counting in chinese, playing the bible, and sometimes it works, but now we are getting tired and just want him to eat.</div><div><br /></div><div>The good news is, he's been sleeping pretty much through the night. We put him to sleep around 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. Then we would dream feed him at around 11:00 p.m., and he sleeps until 6:30 a.m. sometimes he might cry a little in the middle, but he can go back to sleep on his own. We are thankful he hasn't been turning on his stomach and been stuck lately.</div><div><br /></div><div>He has also started smacking his lips. We pretend he i trying to give us kisses. </div><div><br /></div><div>2/5/22: </div><div>We went to a wedding! We dropped off baobao at grandparents and went to B&M wedding. It was so refreshing not having Baobao round. But then he didn't eat very well that day (only 23oz and usually eats 33oz). I was very concerned, but I guess he survived. Always have to coax him to eat, sighs...</div><div>The wedding itself was a lot of fun! Far, but beautiful, well organized, good food and fun dancing. It was an interesting mix of people, and hard to social distance or wear a mask while eating. We shall see... </div><div><br /></div><div>2/9/22 </div><div>Reduced pumping to 3 times a day around 8a, 4-5p, 11-11:30p. (except work days when I do 4 times a day bc of timing to pump at lunch break). </div><div><br /></div><div>2/20/22 (4.75mo):</div><div>We are so fortunate Baobao has been sleeping through the night since we came back from Seattle.</div><div>One of my favorite times is after dream feeding him at 11p-12 at night when I get to hold him upright a bit cheek to cheek with his warm body snug against mine and he is soundly asleep (no wiggling!). So sweet! </div><div><br /></div><div>It's also very fun to watch baobao's cheeks jiggle while we stroll him around on the grass. He's gaining weight! About 15.5lb!</div><div><br /></div><div>We started a nanny! We were fortunate to be able to do nanny share and she's from church, but she is only available for 3 months, so will have to find someone else. We were worried he wouldn't eat as well since we have to coax him to eat sometimes or dream feed him during the day (well, used to, but now sometimes he falls asleep feeding and continues feeding), but overall even though he does eat a little less, he's doing ok. Some days he eats a majority of his ounces (16 of 30) after 5p. </div><div><br /></div><div>Recently he doesn't talk as much as before. Maybe a phase. He also hasn't been as excited to eat solids. Hopefully it'll change. It's been helpful to have bibado bib that covers everything because it's so messy! We give him a spoon to chew on and Alan might also have a spoon to catch "rebounds"of puree. </div><div><br /></div><div>2/26/22</div><div>Made it to 6mo!</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-82697899617081285842022-01-29T20:01:00.000-08:002022-01-29T20:01:06.758-08:00Baby 4 mo <p>1/1/22: Can't believe it's the new year! We also just turned from front to back with the help of the mat. Still working on doing it without the mat. </p><p>1/2/22 Met up again with AB's brother, wife, and almost 8mo kid. Very cute to watch them look at each other and sometimes reach for each other. He loves his Peter Rabbit that he got from grandma. And mom and dad were very happy he hugged the rabbit when he slept. </p><p>1/4/22 Right when he turned 4 months (12/26/21), he started having sleep regression for the next 10 days. We couldn't take it so we started sleep training. He would need a pacifier reinserted multiple times throughout the night. </p><p>So far sleep training has gone well. We have been doing the Farber methods of progressively longer times to check on him: 2min, 5min, 10min, 15min, 30min. The first night, we check on him during the 10min and he was already asleep. He was very sad at first, and it was very difficult to listen to it. During the next day for naps he progressively took longer. One of the naps required the 15 minute session. I wonder if he was just not as tired during then. We moved him into the bathroom, and I had to turn off the monitor sometime so I couldn't hear his crying cuz it was too sad. But both nights he slept pretty well; he only woke up for our plan feed at around midnight or 1am.</p><p>I went back to work twice a week. I only pump once at work now, which makes it much more doable at work.</p><p>1/6/22 He said "dada"!</p><p>We are trying to feed him 7oz 5 times a day. Sometimes he doesn't take much, but sometimes he takes 7-8oz. Previously it was 6oz 6 times a day (about 2-3 weeks ago). He didn't usually drink 6oz every time, sometimes he only 3 ounces. </p><p>I also switched pumping to 4 times a day and got rid of the night pump. Such a relief! But this first night my supply sent down from around 26-27oz to 22oz.</p><p>1/8/22</p><p>We were going through the year in review, and when we started talking about GameStop, Baobao started laughing so hard! And then from then on, every time AB said GameStop, he wouldn't stop laughing 😂.</p><p>Grandma and mom don't want us to try to visit China because covid situation is too crazy there. They will quarantine a person with no notice. And they are worried if we get covid, then grandma won't be able to get her treatment. Mom did get visa to go back, so we will try to visit her in Seattle before she goes. </p><p>We noticed when he gets antsy with eating and isn't done with his 7oz, if we play the bible for him to listen, he will calm down and finish his 7oz. Also sing ABC's or count in Chinese while having him do bicep curls.</p><p>Baobao has been very interested in his left foot. Often found holding it with his left hand. 😂</p><p><br /></p><p>1/15/22-1/24</p><p>We went to visit grandparents in Seattle! We were nervous traveling with baby. Going to Seattle was a bit messy. He didn't sleep or eat well, and needed to be carried up and down the aisle. Turbulence made it difficult. He ended up eating enough by the end of the day and making up the sleep the next day. </p><p>Things we learned: </p><p>-Aisle seat is valuable to walk baby around</p><p>-Baby must be carried through the metal detector.</p><p>-The stroller and car seat can be gate checked. </p><p>-Ok to bring breast milk or ice packs. Diaper bag, pump bag all additional bags and dont count as carry on. </p><p>-It's easier to buy diapers and formula at the destination. </p><p>It was our first times being without baby! We got to go to MOPOP (museum of pop culture), and also Chihuly Glass Museum! </p><p>The trip was a mixture. While we got additional help for feeding, using, sleeping, making meals...he was not in his usual environment and his schedule was a little messed up and needed more help eating/sleeping. We tried to stock with earlier bedtime and my mom was able to feed him overnight. </p><p>Week before turning 5mo: he had been turning onto his stomach at night, gets stuck, and cry for a long time in the middle of the night. Terrible 3 nights! Annoying turning him over, and then he would turn back again! Bad 😴!!</p><p><br /></p><p>Funny quotes:</p><p>YW: I feel tired just watching him. (Regarding baby jumping in the jumper). </p><p>Grandpa: Better get movin' (when we told him he likes to be in motion). </p><p>Ab: Let's put him in the mattress! (Referring to the thick sleep sack).</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-76250053681782071422022-01-09T04:32:00.002-08:002022-01-23T14:54:55.788-08:00Memories of 2021<p>*Austin hill country state parks: Colorado Bend, Longhorn Cave, Enchanted rock (raining the entire time).</p><p>*San Antonio Sea World and 5 missions bike ride</p><p>*Valley of Fire state park and Death Valley National Park</p><p>*Houston freeze while we were gone to park, and pipe burst + flooding of our home (drywall, ceiling, wood floor damage). Thankful JL and RW and KL shut off water while we were gone. Hole in ceiling for a while. We found a good handyman who could fix everything rather quickly. Only spoke Chinese! </p><p>*Pregnancy, gradually telling people</p><p>*Getting covid vaccines, signing up family/friends (AB signed up 20+ people!)</p><p>*As people got the vaccine, doing outdoor backyard birthdays. E.g. mine + RC/gender reveal. </p><p>*Book clubs: this year: Confronting Christianity: 12 difficult questions for the world's largest religion. </p><p>*Going back to in-person outdoor church service (first time Feb 6). Then indoor church service in June.</p><p>*First time eating indoors: Bao Shi Yi soup dumplings 2/5/21. </p><p>*Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde trip with church friends in May</p><p>*Travel to Iceland and Greece on one trip:</p><p>https://eeex101.blogspot.com/2021/06/iceland-geldingadalir-volcano.html?m=0</p><p>https://eeex101.blogspot.com/2021/08/greece-days-1-4.html?m=0</p><p>*Going back to meeting in person bible study and having people over for dinner. </p><p>*Finishing Pandemic Legacy Season 1 - so surreal. </p><p>*First time feeling baby kick. </p><p>*Went to first wedding in a while in Seattle with Game of Thrones Theme (TL and TT)</p><p>*Brother getting knee surgery for 3rd knee dislocation</p><p>*Continuing YouTube workouts twice weekly on Zoom, and playing tennis when weather is nice.</p><p>*Our baby's <a href="https://eeex101.blogspot.com/2021/09/labor-delivery.html?m=1" target="_blank">delivery</a>!</p><p>*Going to a live bball rockets game Dec!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-11910287852304921522022-01-01T20:15:00.003-08:002023-04-09T19:31:12.780-07:00Baby 3 month old<p>Baobao made it to 3 month old! He is so cute now! But he is still very small (7-8 percentile by weight). </p><p>*Since his weight is still low, we decided to do exclusive pumping and bottle feeding. Maybe nurse once very few days for fun. Since then, he has increased his daily intake a lot! Some days taking 33oz! (I pump avg 27oz). He will take 5oz every 3-4 hours, sometimes more frequently. Sometimes for no reason, he stops early. Sometimes we have to shake his hand while eats to coax him to eat. Strange kid! </p><p>*He loves to lie on his playmat and hit his hanging toys! He will do a little tummy time, but then get frustrated. </p><p>*(3.5mo) He has started to have "conversations" with us. In reality, it's just us gently screaming at each other. At one point, maybe got him to laugh. It was so adorable!</p><p>*He has started to turn from his side to facing upwards. One time he was even able to flip from front to back. But I never got him to do it again.</p><p>*Sleep: now he's able to sleep 6 to 7 hours at night time. It has helped us get more sleep for sure. But sometimes he still wakes up around 1:00 or 2:00 and requires the pacifier. And occasionally when he gets too much sleep in the later evening or for no reason, he wakes up a lot.</p><p>*We got his passport! He is so cute.</p><p>*I went back to work part-time. There was some miscommunication about when I can use my continuing medical education time, so now I end up with a bunch at the end to use up in december. Fortunately they let me use it, so it's like I got 4 months maternity leave. In the meantime, it's been a hassle trying to pump at work. I'm only allotted a 20 minute slot, in the morning and one at afternoon, which actually ends up only being 10 minutes each because of overbooking. I decided to use flex time, which means I have to make it up later. On the days that I'm working, Alan has been using up his PTO for the year, and he has been very happy to be at home. </p><p>*We are hoping to have a nanny from February to May part time. We will be doing nanny sharing.</p><p>*We found out that my grandmother has gastric and intestinal cancer. We're still waiting on the prognosis, but I'm really hoping that she can see Baobao in person. It will be really hard because I think visa to China is almost impossible, and it will require a 3-week quarantine.</p><p>*We've managed to play tennis a few times. We've been lucky that both times baby fell asleep in the stroller so we could play uninterrupted.</p><p>*We've been able to go to several events now: Thanksgiving with friends and family, and a holiday musical. All with the help of the freemie pump which I can keep in my pocket. It's not as comfortable or as efficient as the spectrum pump, but it's discreet enough.</p><p><br /></p><p>3.5mo:</p><p>*Still small. 12.5lb (8th percentile) and 24" (10-15 percentile). Eats anywhere from 26 to 35 ounces (that was a record). 5oz once at 4am and then about 5oz about 5 times during the day (q3hrs). </p><p>*He can now turn lying back to his side. And one time he rotated 180 degrees so whole body facing left and then faced right where his feet were. He also started putting his hands together in the middle. So cute! He will also laugh a few times. 🥰</p><p>*12/15/21 3.75mo: he consistently turns from back to front now! Earlier in the week I had turned around, and when I turned back he had done it. Now he does it so effortlessly. Even when he's sleeping he spends most of his time on his side, and sometimes does 360s in the bed.</p><p>*12/20/21 Baobao is blowing raspberries! How funny! </p><p>*Seems like he is always hyperactive. Really hope he doesn't have ADHD in the future. Especially during eating he kicks soooooo much. And subsequently he also breathes really fast. Another new annoying thing he is doing is he sticks his tongue out all the time now. Even when eating. </p><p><br /></p><p>Funny quotes: </p><p>Yw: Baobao is a night owl and a morning person. </p><p>Random kid on playground: "I want to see the baby's face!"</p><p>AB's friend's daughter: "I want to hold the baby!"</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-10420663069192558732021-12-05T16:03:00.001-08:002023-04-09T19:29:28.428-07:00Baby's 3rd Month<p> *After baby's vaccines, he got really sleepy and didn't eat very well. Unfortunately he lost a bit of weight. Took him 2 days to recover. </p><p>*We managed to play tennis for the first time since his birth! We played with 2 other friends and fortunately baby went to sleep so we were able to play for an hour! </p><p>*Baby went to his first Diwali party! And I wore my saree for the first time. </p><p>*Sleep has been varying. A good day he could sleep 5+hours in one stretch. But a had day he might wake up every 2-3 hours. His wake up time seems to be around 6:37 a.m. We're trying this new thing where we have him wake up from his nap by 6:30 p.m. and then go to sleep by 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. It seems to help a little bit.</p><p>* We dressed up as Wizard of Oz characters for Halloween. We were given a small lion costume. YW and AB made Dorothy and Tin Man costumes.</p><p>*We walked to the polling station for Baobao's first experience voting.</p><p>*Baobao went to church and to a Christmas musical. We were worried he would fuss, so we always look for aisle seats near the exit. But he has always been comforted by the pacifier or bottle feeding.</p><p>*YW has been trying to pump at least 7 times per day, for 20 minutes each. YW has reduced down to pumping once at night. YW can't wait to reduce more pumping sessions, and is worried about returning to work (twice/week). She produces 24-27 ounces per day, so has been enough for Baobao this past month.</p><p>*On Thanksgiving, we had calls with AB's family and YW's family. On this day, Baobao started verbally responding to our voices (having "conversations"). He has also started to smile more when we smile at him. </p><p>*He enjoys looking at ceiling lights, but he has not learned that the sun is different. If you stare at the sun, you will hurt your eyes. </p><p>Funny quotes: </p><p>*Yw: it's funny how he goes from very happy to very sad to very happy very quickly.</p><p>*(regarding baby): He laughed so much in his sleep he woke himself up! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-23286341590733705612021-11-06T12:46:00.003-07:002023-04-07T17:55:05.156-07:00Baby's 2nd Month<p> 5 weeks:</p><p>Around 9-11pm I would breastfeed and then AB help supplement another 2-4 ounces with bottle. It has helped sleep well and wake up once overnight around 3am. And then after bottle feeding 4oz, he can sleep till the morning (6-9am). </p><p>The challenge lately is knowing when to burp. He will not stop eating on his own. Occasionally he has vomited 0.5-1 ounce when we fed him too fast or too much or without burping enough. Sometimes when we try to burp him, he would be crying so hard for more food. But we know we have to burp him and not give up otherwise he may have a big spit up/vomit. </p><p>Positives: gaining a bit of weight, alert during the day, good eye contact and tracking. A tiny bit of cooing (making noises other than crying).</p><p>Recently I had a day when I was my myself (my mom went back home and AB was at work before starting paternity leave), and it was rough! I felt like I was constantly multitasking and doing things. At one point I was trying to pump while bottle feeding baby and eating delayed breakfast at 11am. It definitely helps to have another person help! Even mundane tasks like turning on the fan was difficult while breastfeeding or pumping. Definitely helpful to have a cordless pump (thankful for friend who let me borrow hers). </p><p>Now at the middle of the night pump I can get 4-4.5oz! Before I was only able to get 2-3, so a big improvement! But during the day, still ranges from 0.75 to 3oz, so still has ways to improve. And varies depending on how recently baby bf. </p><p><br /></p><p>Funny moments:</p><p>*YW: while baby breastfeeds and doesn't make eye contact with me: "typical male, he doesn't look at my eyes and only looks at my boobs."</p><p>*Alan: "look, I'm breastfeeding"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMny4CaDsuH1_K5dMV8q2EEP6jLYQp1vJg3oEGsJxPRV_eJyCnlLrMLgIrQKVe42Am97ogeRfLUUrfTOjfgoeLCfn2TjDrE3RWFk1o6skfRm6hTrTqRTFSJ-RVVvOvJlrZ5HwMi-ELZFNM/s4096/IMG_20211002_214742196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMny4CaDsuH1_K5dMV8q2EEP6jLYQp1vJg3oEGsJxPRV_eJyCnlLrMLgIrQKVe42Am97ogeRfLUUrfTOjfgoeLCfn2TjDrE3RWFk1o6skfRm6hTrTqRTFSJ-RVVvOvJlrZ5HwMi-ELZFNM/s320/IMG_20211002_214742196.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>*Alan: "have you seen him with his shirt off? He's definitely gained weight! (Pointing out his man-boobs). He's definitely got a double chin!"</p><p>*Alan: calls baby "Mr. Bao Bao" because he looks like an old man when he scrunches his eyebrows.</p><p><br /></p><p>6 weeks: </p><p>*Smiled while awake for the first time! </p><p>*Did a weighted feed and found he took less than 1 ounce after 40 minutes :( So he isn't breastfeeding well. That's probably why even after breastfeeding for an hour he would still take 4 ounces! </p><p>6.5 weeks:</p><p>*Now I pump less at night - maybe I'm not pumping enough? </p><p>*Also when we weight him, sometimes he takes 1 ounce, sometimes he doesn't take any. We had a lactation person come visit us in house to give some advice. Sometimes he does latch, but then quickly reverts to a shallow latch where his lower lip is at the base of my nipple instead of covering the areola. And his lip is always turned in. When the LC was here, we also pushed on his head a lot to try to keep him latched on, and he got soooooo frustrated. The next day, it appears he won't even try breastfeeding anymore - not even a little bit for comfort. He would just cry, cry, cry until we give him a bottle. I suppose he's too used to the bottle now. Maybe it's too late. Seems like a catch 22 because if we don't give him his bottle, he won't gain weight, and if we do, he won't breastfeed. I suppose I just have to be okay with pumping and giving bottle. We have to give him bottle because he's only 7th percentile by weight! I wish had watched these <a href="https://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/attaching-your-baby-at-the-breast/">latching videos</a> earlier. But then again, maybe it wouldn't have helped because my nipple size is too big compared to his small mouth. </p><p><br /></p><p>7 weeks:</p><p>*I think my milk supply is finally increasing a bit. Or maybe the flow is slightly increasing. I even saw a squirt one time (previously just drops). We did a weighted feed and baby took in 1-2oz now. So it's possible that it's not the latch at all because his latch is still the same. We shall see. I was worried my supply was decreasing a few days because I was only pumping 6 times a day, so I'm trying to increase frequency and also do some power pumping along with messaging and expressing. But I've come to terms with pumping and bottle feeding. Prayers that all will be well. </p><p>*Baby is definitely more alert during the day. Surprised he is actually staying awake during some breastfeeding sessions. Perhaps he's actually getting milk? However, recently he's been fussy every day at 8pm. </p><p>*He's been pooping every 5-6 days. Initially kind of disconcerting, but now we are used to it. So many wet diapers though, so we think he's getting plenty - at least 24oz/day. </p><p>*After my mom left, we finally gave him a bath...2.5 weeks later O_o</p><p><br /></p><p>8 weeks:</p><p>*He was started to have a social smile and do some back and forth cooing. So cute! He also laughed in his sleep. I was so surprised by the sound when I first heard it!</p><p>*He is resisting going to sleep at night. He will stare off in the distance, but cry when we put him in the crib. We got a fancy mamaroo crib, but he doesn't seem to like it that much. Sometimes we can fool him into falling asleep in it by swinging him and imitating the mamaroo motion. </p><p>*I've determined my supply is low and his tolerance for waiting for next letdown is low, so he often falls asleep at the breast or gets frustrated with lack of milk. We are still supplementing with bottle after breastfeeding to help him gain weight. Now almost 10 percentile. I'm coming to appreciate bottle feeding and it's convenience, and ability to see exactly how much he takes. Our goal is 24oz/day. Also he is still pooping every 5-6 days! </p><p>*Now AB went back to work, so I'm at home alone with baby. It's been tough but manageable. I've had to really learn to multitask like pump while bottle feeding baby in the bouncer while myself eating using my left hand. Church friends have been so nice to start a meal train for us! It's also been hard having to pump and bottle feed in the middle of the night bc AB has to work now. He still tries to help at night...so sweet. It's also been hard to fall back asleep after getting up at night. </p><p>*I've been trying out different pumps including spectra s1, s2, freemie. It's nice with s1 I can move around, although the S2 power seems better. Freemie is nice bc it can fit in my pocket, but still a lot of tubing and not as effective. Trying out larger 28mm flange. I tried pumping 15-20min, but I think to empty to have to pump 40min! Also when I decreased to 6 pumps a day, I think my supply went down. Also trying oatmeal, mother's milk tea. </p><p><br /></p><p>2 months:</p><p>*I was worried about being home by myself, but it's been okay. Taking it day by day. And Alan has a full week off for paternity leave next week, so looking forward to that. AB had been worried about getting sleep when he has to work the next day, but it's been ok. There have been some frustrating days, when he will wake up after 2 hours. But since we go to bed early, and I finish some of the night feeds, AB has been able to sleep a bit more.</p><p>*My milk supply has been increasing little by little and my breastfeeding has been improving slowly. Now I have enough milk for a full days supply!</p><p>*We finally made it to vaccine day! He got his 2 months vaccines, but afterwards he had been very sleepy and didn't want to eat very much. He even lost a little bit of weight! Fortunately, the third day he recovered. </p><p>*We went to our small group costume party at someone else's house, which was our first outing seeing so many people indoors. I also took him by myself to the park (MOLO) one time. I was a little nervous taking him somewhere by myself, but we made it okay. Although we were very late because he wanted to eat right before we were about to leave and I realized I forgot to change his diaper after I put him in the car. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-61179981666654813022021-09-26T08:13:00.007-07:002022-04-18T19:31:09.167-07:00Baby's first month<p>2wk:</p><p>So when things looked like they were improving...</p><p>1) Baby started eating very frequently again, seems like endless breastfeeding because he would feed, semi-fall asleep. But then when we tried to put him down, he would wake up after a few minutes needing to feed. So feeding sessions would be hour long (with burping between), and sometimes continue to other side and then other side and then other side endlessly. </p><p>Because of these endless feeding sessions, we decided to do bottle + pumping at night time. Thank goodness for awesome hubby's help. </p><p>Helpful to understand these cluster feedings.</p><p>http://www.mother-2-mother.com/normal.htm#BreastChanges</p><p>2) I started getting breastfeeding nausea. Kind of like first trimester pregnancy nausea. I hate nausea - it's one of the worst feelings. It was also associated with gas - both above and below. Looks like it won't go away till 6-8 weeks postpartum 😑. It's gonna be a long 4 weeks minimum... Sounds like I need to drink more water and eat more before breastfeeding/pumping: https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nausea-bf/. However I still get nausea/gassy. </p><p>3) After trial of stopping ibuprofen, I started getting breastfeeding cramps too. </p><p>2.5 weeks:</p><p>*Seemed like baby was taking a long time to feed because he was falling asleep and not actually feeding. Helped to keep him awake by pinching or doing tear duct massage, also putting him on cold hard floor and diaper change. Then after feeding for 25 min on each side, he seemed satisfied and could sleep for at least 1-2 hours. </p><p>Doing bottle feeding of pumped milk has been a life saver. Baby could sleep for 3-4 hours, which was a much needed break for me and I only needed to pump for 30min (I'd be up 1 hr getting ready, pumping, putting things away, etc). I pumped about 2-3 ounces.</p><p>We started using pacifier and that's been super helpful too. AB can get him to suck on it for a bit and so we don't have to be nonstop feeding him. Sometimes he just wants something to suck on to go to sleep. </p><p>3 week: </p><p>He seemed not satisfied again with 1hr of feed. Not sure if it's because of growth spurt or if I haven't been diligent with keeping him awake, but decided to bottle feed (pumped or formula) him after 1 hr breastfeed. When he bottle-fed, I pumped. I think this keep me sane and allowed me time to rest. Sadly I could only pump about 1 ounce after I breastfed. Baby's weight gain is also not that great. Still at 5th percentile only!</p><p>Encouraging things for increasing supply: https://parentsrightsusa.com/breastfeeding-and-pumping-at-the-same-time/</p><p>I tried doing power pumping a few times to increase milk supply. Maybe too inconsistent with it. I think I got too complacent when there was a good day or when one time I got 3.5 oz at night. But then the next day I might only get 2 oz at night. The amount pumped varied so much! </p><p>Also nausea and epigastric stomach pains may be related to constipation. Not moving out exercising much probably made my bowels stop. I would get 1-2 good days/evenings without nausea, and then it would return. </p><p><br /></p><p>3 weeks: </p><p>YW's dad and brother came to visit for a week. We were worried how it would go, will we be so stressed out that there would be so much conflict? Will we be overly tired and unable to get along? What would be so tired from needing to entertain them? How are the trip went pretty well! It was really good to see them, and they really enjoyed seeing the baby. Since baby was sleeping in longer stretches, we were able to do some fun activities together. Like playing games, having a barbecue, taking walks outside and watching TV series. YW even drove her brother around some of the local neighborhoods.</p><p><br /></p><p>3.5 weeks: </p><p>Worthless, worthless, worthless. That's a lot of what's going through my mind as I think about how I can't even keep my child fed. Not enough breastmilk, and his weight gain isn't sufficient. Makes me think how worthless I am. Before he would sleep at the breast and cry shortly after we put him down to sleep. But now he won't even stay on the breast. He will suck a bit, and then cry and not latch/stay on the breast. I'm guessing it's because he's not getting much when he sucks. </p><p>I was extra down on myself that evening, and certain things trigger it. But I feel much better after a few minutes. </p><p><br /></p><p>1 month! </p><p>We've had better sleep by feeding him a lot via bottle (pumped or formula) before bedtime. And then feeding him a lot when he wakes up around 4:00 a.m. this way we only have to wake up once overnight usually... sometimes.</p><p>We visited paternal grandparents yesterday. It was our first big trip! Fortunately on the hour ride there and back he mostly slept. We packed more items then our two week trip to Europe. We brought breastfeeding/pumping equipment, diaper changing supplies, extra clothes, play area. Grandparents were very happy to see him and took many pictures. They prepared good food, and we talked about their experience raising us as children. It was a great trip overall, but we were pooped at the end.</p><p>We like watching him track our faces. We also like watching him sleep. Sometimes he smiles in his sleep. We've been able to go on longer and longer walks, since he's sleeping for longer stretches and eating bigger portions. We walked to a nearby park and watched a softball game and a high school football game. A couple weeks ago, we were nervous even to get him to the end of the block. But now he can stay out for more than an hour. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-39150156842305972492021-09-06T17:24:00.009-07:002022-04-18T19:39:04.462-07:00Baby's First Week<div><b>Joys</b>:</div><div>Simple actions like looking around, smiling, winking, yawning, sneezing, hiccups look very cute. Watching him adopt new poses or make faces, like "Blue Steel". </div><div><br /></div><div>Telling family and friends the good news. Hearing family's happiness and friends' comments about the baby's looks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Studying and holding the sleeping baby. Thinking about which of his features match which parent or grandparent. We think eyes and nose are like YW. Mouth and hair are like AB. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thinking about how amazing that a baby was created. Always makes YW teary to think about. A tangible human representing this connection between the parents. </div><div><br /></div><div>Umbilical stump feel off day 7. Phew! One less thing to worry about and take care of (not getting vasaline/poo/pee on it. Also circumcision healed in about a week too! No more vasaline ice cream cone needed on the site! </div><div><br /></div><div>We like the app babytime to track all the poops, pees, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, etc. Ovia parenting has had some helpful articles and milestones. BabyG has some good milestones and activities too. Too many apps! </div><div><br /></div><p> <b>Challenges</b>:<br />YW's physical recovery. YW has always been in good shape, and had a pregnancy without complications. So it was an unusual experience for her to stay in bed, and need assistance with day-to-day tasks, like getting to the bathroom and turning in bed. These bathroom trips require peri bottle spray, frozen pads, hydrocortisone cream, tucks pad, dermoplast spray, vasaline on the wound. (Vasaline really helped tear healing, water based vaginal gel helped vaginal dryness/itching). Pelvic floor pains even make sitting uncomfortable. The donut pillow we brought to the hospital was a life saver. YW has never taken so much pain and other medications (Colace/Miralax stool softener, Tylenol/ibuprofen for pain, prenatal). </p><p>YW's emotional rollercoaster because of hormones. YW is not typically very emotional, but since delivery, have cried or teared up daily whether from sad things, happy things, or unexpected things. Getting admitted for jaundice was particularly hard. </p><p>Balancing the different approaches of parents and friends. During pregnancy, we received much advice from friends. YW's mom is staying with us for the first 6 weeks also. While their advice and contributions have been very helpful, it is hard to balance all their different ideas with our own desires and research.</p><p>Feeding: when they say feed the baby every 2-3 hours, it may not seem THAT bad... But the problem is it takes 1 hour to feed the baby (20mim each side, unknown time to burp), another hour to change diaper, hold up to prevent spit up, put him to sleep, mom to go to the bathroom/eat...and by the time that's done, barely any time to nap before the 2-3 hours is up. And it's 2-3 hours from BEGINNING of one feed to the BEGINNING of next. NOT from end of one feed to beginning of next. Time is so precious! </p><p>When to use formula. Fear if baby is fed too much formula early on, the baby might reject breast milk later, or reject breastfeeding later, or YW's milk supply might be negatively affected (but if pump at same time, shouldn't be an issue). We learned that women with longer deliveries and induced labor may have delayed milk, so we did use some formula early because he lost too much weight. YW's milk came in at day 4-5, but demand exceeded supply during the early days, so YW started pumping to increase supply and AB supplemented with a half to 2 ounces of formula.</p><p>Baby's billirubin was high (20.2 at 4 day checkup; 19.8 in ER, LUL 20), so he spent one night getting phototherapy in the hospital. Maybe if it was checked the day before or day after he would have been fine, but ultimately, probably didn't get enough to eat. Since only 1 parent was allowed to stay with him, the night was very difficult, since YW had to take care of herself and the baby. YW was not allowed to have visitors or leave the room, due to COVID protocols. YW couldn't even leave the room to get dinner, so didn't get to eat till midnight. Can't imagine being a single parent! It was a completely sleepless night. Also YW felt very guilty baby needed to be admitted to the hospital. She felt like a failure both as a new mom and as a pediatrician, even though she knew that's not true. </p><div>Sleep. AB was most worried about this. It has been OK for him so far, since he has gotten adept at bottle feeding, burping and diaper changes. However, it has been tough for YW due to breastfeeding demands. Trying to use every last minute effectively, AB would feed YW while YW fed baby. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Things I would have done differently:</b></div><div>-Ask for epidural earlier, not during shift change.</div><div>-Supplement with a little (half to 1 oz) formula earlier like day 2 before reaching 10% weight drop.</div><div>-given high rate of jaundice in Asians and family history, give formula and exposed to indirect Sun earlier.</div><div>-not be so worried about vaginal tearing, which seems inevitable in Asians.</div><div>-pump earlier to increase milk supply (I only got a few drops in the hospital so stopped until day 4-5, but I should have used the electric pump earlier and more persistently.)</div><div>It's pretty disheartening when you first pump, because you only get a few drops but with each subsequent pump you get more and more milk. See following website for different pumping settings for a different uses: https://pumpingmamas.com/spectra-pump-settings/</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-35713270940281634682021-09-05T16:33:00.002-07:002022-08-27T09:17:53.738-07:00Labor / Delivery<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday August 25 due date:</span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">3:30 AM YW water broke, but just a stream<br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">5:30 AM more water discharge, like a gush. YW called nursing line, and told to go to triage.<br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">7:00 AM we go to the Texas Women's Pavilion hospital with YW mom after eating food and gathering supplies.</span></span><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">7:30 AM to 9:30 AM in triage (only 1 visitor allowed). YW did not feel any contractions at this point, but contractions had started. Resting and conserving energy for a long day. <br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">9:30 AM we are admitted to room. It is large, with a private bathroom, recliner and couch. 2 visitors are allowed. Since water is broken, YW has an IV lines in arm, and a fetal heartbeat monitor on her abdomen. Inserting the IV was painful, since a vein broke on first attempt. YW's going to the bathroom is difficult, since the monitoring machines must be unhooked and re-hooked each time. Also amniotic fluid was leaking. <br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">11 AM cervix is only dilated 1 cm. Doctor starts administering pitocin to dilate cervix. Doctor says labor can continue up to 48 hours after water breaks, if fluids are administered. And dilation from 6cm to 10cm is often fast. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">YW is only allowed to eat clears, but was allowed jello and apple sauce. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">AB and YW's mom eat food from hospital cafeteria. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">4 PM cervix is only dilated 2cm. Nurse advises to start pain medication, but says it is too soon for an epidural, since effectiveness may weaken after 18-24 hours. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">AB does back massages and encourages deep breathing, but pain worsening. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">6:30 PM YW asks for an epidural due to increasing pain. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">7 PM is shift change, so a new anesthesiologist must come. Contractions have increased in severity and frequency (now every 1-3 min).<br /></span></span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">7:30 PM epidural is administered, and YW feels much better. AB and YW's mom wait in a separate room during the procedure. <br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">8 PM cervix is only 3.5 cm dilated. When YW changes positions, or pitocin is increased, the fetal heartbeat decreases. All of us can see the fetal heartbeat declines on an overhead monitor, which increases our anxiety. The night-shift OBGYN doctor suggests a C-section may be unavoidable, since the baby will not tolerate stronger contractions and pushing.<br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">11 PM cervix is dilated 5 cm. <br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">1:20 AM cervix is dilated 7 cm. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">While that is encouraging, the fetal heartbeat continues to decline during contractions. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">YW is afraid to fall asleep, since her deep breathing and use of oxygen blow-by mask seem to increase fetal heartbeat during contractions (we could be imagining things). AB sits in chair next to YW bed, encouraging deep breathing and resting to conserve strength for pushing later.</span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">3:30 AM cervix is still 7 cm dilated, pitocin is restarted at a low level. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">Nurse is optimistic that C-section can be avoided, but doctor suggests C-section is likely. <br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">6:50 AM cervix is 9-9.5 cm dilated. Good news, since the resident and nurse say that YW will at least be given the chance to avoid C-section. <br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">8:00 AM next day's OBGYN doctor (Crabtree) assesses situation. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">At 10 cm dilation, she says vaginal delivery is possible. But </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">fetal heartbeat decelerations are concerning, and baby will not tolerate pushing very long. At this point, we do not know if a C-section is 10% likely or 90% likely. <br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">8:30 AM many staff enter room: delivery nurses, neonatologist. Dr. Crabtree says vacuum will be used if possible, for extraction. But after 3 failed attempts with vacuum, will do C-section. Room is prepared on 4th floor for emergency c-section. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">Doctor moves to base of bed, 5 others prepare around bed. Doctor says to push 3 times with each contractions, for a 10-second duration each. Nurse and AB count aloud. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">1st contraction: Some nurses encourage YW pushing, others communicate need for tools or body positioning (legs/chin). Doctor says good progress made. All are worried when they hear the heart rate (beeping) fall after contraction. Desperately hoping to hear the beeping go faster.</span></span><br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">2nd contraction: Doctor said she liked the way baby turned. Heartbeat falls again, and does not rebound as quickly. We are worried that heartbeat won't recover: would a C-section be needed, or a birth complication result? The heartbeat does slowly recover over an agonizing minute. Doctor says do not push next contraction. AB thinks this can not continue for much longer.<br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">4th contraction: Doctor tells a nurse to prepare a table. This is the first time we start to have hope: could everything be ok? YW pushed, the doctor applied the vacuum. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">The vacuum falls off, but the last push is enough. Tears of emotion from AB and YW seeing the baby, and knowing emergency C-section is not needed, and baby appears OK. 8:40 AM is official time of birth. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">9:00 AM Nurses say baby appears fine, and YW gets stitches. Both eager to see what he looks like. His measurements are taken, and APGAR is 8 & 9. He is purple, but nurses say that is normal. Doctor says baby would have been born without vacuum in 2 more pushes, but she didn't think baby would've tolerated 2 more pushes. She says no obvious reason for previous heart decelerations, maybe old placenta (calcifications)? Did not have nuchal cord (around neck). </span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;">Pathology report came back for the placenta: the cord was hypercoiled (associated with non-reassuring fetal heart tones/decrease in heart rate). The placenta also had some calcifications and fibrin clots. The chorionic villi had increase syncytial knots and intervillous hematomas, also associated with older placenta. So in short, older placenta with some issues that may have contributed to the decrease in heart rates. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6034656793962352625.post-59724173668479992572021-09-04T13:36:00.002-07:002021-09-04T13:36:54.448-07:00Pregnancy<p>12/13/20:</p><p>Period late by 2 days, got pregnancy test: it's positive! According to pregnancy week by week app, I'm 4 weeks along. Poppyseed size, developing diff layers that will become the heart and skeleton, the internal organs, and the nervous system. Need time for info to settle. </p><p>We found doing ovulation tests was much more accurate than calendar for me. We did ovulation test for 2 months, and now I'm pregnant. It had been about 1 year since I had stopped birth control, 4 months of not trying too hard, 3-4 months of using calendar, and maybe about 2-3 months of using ovulation testing. Turns out my ovulation date is 5-6 days later than what the calendar had been showing, so we hadn't been trying on the right days. In fact, we would try too much too early and by the time ovulation day rolled around, we were out of stamina. Also helped to track vaginal fluid. </p><p>YW first impression: couldn't stop smiling, happy.</p><p>AB: mix of excitement and anxiety. Anxiety that everything is going to change like travel, seeing friends. </p><p>AB: "When I heard you were smiling, then I was happy" </p><p>YW: why? Because you thought I wasn't going to be happy? </p><p>AB: Because all I care about is you being happy.</p><p>Other first thoughts: <br />*Yay! (but also kind of expecting it because I was 2 days late for my period). <br />*Good to know that we are able to get pregnant after a few months of uncertainty. <br />*Thinking about next year what to do for childcare. <br />*Download pregnancy week by week app. Fetus is supposed to be size of poppy seed or sesame seed. </p><p><br /></p><p>12/14/20:<br />AB: Oh my gosh! Can't believe it's developing circulatory and digestive systems! Seems craaaazy!</p><p><br /></p><p>12/18/20: week 5 sesame size. </p><p>Tadpole with tail.</p><p>AB: it's crazy that something can develop a heart out of nothing. </p><p><br /></p><p>1/4/20: Week 7: </p><p>AB: Oh my gosh it looks like an alien! </p><p>First OB visit. First ultrasound, we saw and heard the heartbeat (133 bps). YW got teary seeing the heartbeat. AB was very surprised it was already visible. It's a confusing time, bc miscarriages are most frequent during this stage, but we are seeing the first signs of new life. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwBPRLuWj6plMz8UUnBcTHbNMElqNN2RMVCN21wj2eMo1vLBZG1KkO9YOtYAmnTzJrmCfZ9eCi1nHpe4dqucgj3aW1-HDWnT0TZMyTe9M4NE0vFIsN8TdaAkjxDuEUUmLaRM25YuwztnU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="632" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwBPRLuWj6plMz8UUnBcTHbNMElqNN2RMVCN21wj2eMo1vLBZG1KkO9YOtYAmnTzJrmCfZ9eCi1nHpe4dqucgj3aW1-HDWnT0TZMyTe9M4NE0vFIsN8TdaAkjxDuEUUmLaRM25YuwztnU/w200-h113/image.png" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Em95U-FMPJlMTePTQDo_TVFg5HjJLTTE1yHp1rvcD-Cgz0rtDlPX3c9R-czoPNE2M_HVevvMThA0bgEM8klGDLEr_YtNX7od0SENslzg5tHSf5RPpVFSewDcMdyEUqI96GeVzs_5uW7n/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="461" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Em95U-FMPJlMTePTQDo_TVFg5HjJLTTE1yHp1rvcD-Cgz0rtDlPX3c9R-czoPNE2M_HVevvMThA0bgEM8klGDLEr_YtNX7od0SENslzg5tHSf5RPpVFSewDcMdyEUqI96GeVzs_5uW7n/w200-h169/image.png" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><p></p><p>YW has started feeling more nausea. Usually, it is in the evenings, or when a passenger in a car. Not sure if it is connected to hunger or meals. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCieNXYszVZvtOa3JLGmxh_ETflM2bABCx7nbUov-kWhkS5TvgEv2Wthl8fuTZ1vkr9iE6ZWFe_AZs3JVjDw_uPbTjOXsDDj_UrkvI0IcETJGqWGMqi4EUl8oHCVwABOPp57stO8vKd-t5/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="212" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCieNXYszVZvtOa3JLGmxh_ETflM2bABCx7nbUov-kWhkS5TvgEv2Wthl8fuTZ1vkr9iE6ZWFe_AZs3JVjDw_uPbTjOXsDDj_UrkvI0IcETJGqWGMqi4EUl8oHCVwABOPp57stO8vKd-t5/" width="185" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no baby bump yet</td></tr></tbody></table><br />1/23/21<p></p><p>Yay week 10! Baby is size of a kumquat! Last week, blueberry. Oh man, this past week nausea has been it's worst! Nausea and feeling full every evening and vomited 2 nights! Seems like exercise helps. Hope this week is better! </p><p><br /></p><p>1/30/21</p><p>Told parents pregnant. Dad was way too excited and told my grandmother before I could tell him not to tell anyone yet because it was still early. They were all pretty excited :) </p><p>2/9/21</p><p>Told AB's parents about pregnancy. AB wanted to wait until after parents had gotten 2nd COVID vaccine. Before this week, he thought Mom would be distracted or worried about getting a COVID vaccine appointment. It has been a chaotic and stressful process getting appointments for everyone. Now that process is finished, parents can relax and be happy, without distraction. </p><p>AB talked to Dad about our vaccine appointment and side effect experiences. Then AB asked to share some news with Mom also (who was upstairs). Mom talked about her vaccine experience. Then she considered telling a dark story (likely some misfortune of a neighbor or a friend's friend). But Dad said that wasn't a good idea right then, and AB/YW had some news to share. AB's parents were very happy about the news! We talked about AB as a child, who did not sleep through the night until 2 years old. AB was worried our child could be like this. But YW thinks that sleep training methods could encourage better sleep patterns. We asked AB's parents not to tell anyone yet, since genetic testing is next week. </p><p>2/19/21 </p><p>First trimester nuchal scan and NIPT test. Strange to see a little head, body, arms and legs moving around. Glad we had good news on the NIPT test regarding no mutations. We decided not to read the gender and do a gender reveal video with help of our friends MC and TC. Idea is AB will hit a ball filled with the powder colored with the gender. Very creative idea from AB (and to make the balls from Easter eggs!). Hope to reveal pregnancy and gender to friends and family at birthday party. 🎉</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2w5EqB8Wm8hvcqcjW4zJcGcoFfZUIJMoqF9mS_TU6BS9HD_vHUwlPMDJQ6eqBX51IfdaqrZhVF9aTLNWf71EmkKGQYSnHcyZ1hoSl_g6s2fvblf17RCte95wli4nTkuFPWLITWFledgSh/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="416" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2w5EqB8Wm8hvcqcjW4zJcGcoFfZUIJMoqF9mS_TU6BS9HD_vHUwlPMDJQ6eqBX51IfdaqrZhVF9aTLNWf71EmkKGQYSnHcyZ1hoSl_g6s2fvblf17RCte95wli4nTkuFPWLITWFledgSh/w200-h193/image.png" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcmMoraM85m7wVgRfmRu4puXieU26wDXS0yJsqwuTOHWe40hXTMwsZsQTJPZ55kd2SMj0kU4w7wwt6keFo7OJw209-5s0_4RKbdqsiOxexJ9Q7KjqC-JsMrJ9fZgLuuQcKQyl3BiTiJ0v/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="524" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcmMoraM85m7wVgRfmRu4puXieU26wDXS0yJsqwuTOHWe40hXTMwsZsQTJPZ55kd2SMj0kU4w7wwt6keFo7OJw209-5s0_4RKbdqsiOxexJ9Q7KjqC-JsMrJ9fZgLuuQcKQyl3BiTiJ0v/w200-h151/image.png" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4oiagSBahCDLAz0P-rQS_vWdkQ9PGImDLr0IJZ09qep9qZay6O6iJP2nkoRBlca3JGMj7tKJ4kBsJ1E0AgDsnEE2i-5cqKUtGMtSxxrRjzYaq8SlyUUI-lZ1k4MqedPWt0YdKIEPTHLk/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="583" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4oiagSBahCDLAz0P-rQS_vWdkQ9PGImDLr0IJZ09qep9qZay6O6iJP2nkoRBlca3JGMj7tKJ4kBsJ1E0AgDsnEE2i-5cqKUtGMtSxxrRjzYaq8SlyUUI-lZ1k4MqedPWt0YdKIEPTHLk/w200-h136/image.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">159 bpm</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p>3/8/21</p><p>We completed the gender reveal. AB guessed we would have a girl, because many of our friends had boys. YW thought we would have a boy. MC and TC looked at the chromosome test results, and gave us an Easter egg filled with the correct color chalk. (AB made chalk Easter eggs for both results). YW was not nervous, but AB was anxious to visualize our family and parenting. After YW tossed the egg in the air, AB thought time stood still. In a few seconds, would he see pink chalk as he guessed? After years of imagining having a family, the moment was here: would our first-born child be a older brother or sister? </p><p>AB was shocked to see the blue chalk. The chalk was lighter than expected, so YW was not sure. AB thought about how a son might interact with our friends' kids and AB's brother's son. We could also have more clarity in names and buying supplies.</p><p><br /></p><p>Next day, we went to AB's parents, and AB's dad hit a chalk egg. They had not heard of gender reveal games or videos. The families of AB's parents had included many boys, so they were amused at the results. </p><p>3/13/21 </p><p>Birthday party and gender reveal for community group and friends. Blue center cupcakes with blueberries and blue ice cream cake with blueberries. Too much effort to make! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjoldiM0Rz6CNvvJwXjvj0Bk8dww_V3vdVm85ouzybUQIBkGoTYqDg9wW3_AcswTOy0cAMzj_aIfr3hGQtMrUfFlOi1eO8_z7ea5ZJBvZwfXJjlMbKOH5GhCf0GrN4C8bx37oRzyCmfq0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="520" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjoldiM0Rz6CNvvJwXjvj0Bk8dww_V3vdVm85ouzybUQIBkGoTYqDg9wW3_AcswTOy0cAMzj_aIfr3hGQtMrUfFlOi1eO8_z7ea5ZJBvZwfXJjlMbKOH5GhCf0GrN4C8bx37oRzyCmfq0/w200-h145/image.png" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1giFWJmzhkGyIooOju6Iw2KjC1lW15nML7mf32glPgZ6nRQB98laPpKpffDfVOIbbkzFk2vQZSAuiA9QvxCK6a2TEDUSE8hDHKBeSLWaWgsQAO97QxfgGNXDkEE6XOVpyVgTyJaF5fiaP/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="519" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1giFWJmzhkGyIooOju6Iw2KjC1lW15nML7mf32glPgZ6nRQB98laPpKpffDfVOIbbkzFk2vQZSAuiA9QvxCK6a2TEDUSE8hDHKBeSLWaWgsQAO97QxfgGNXDkEE6XOVpyVgTyJaF5fiaP/w200-h141/image.png" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSmCXrlxJXvngkDTjVzBCrDKMjiXR_3heljoI9N595EAyUM7v8lwfKeUscmY6jl20YCxBNfZnV6b-PSbqQBMdkamvSY4Ovkc8lpBbIg62mz8NvIrpfb7s4qH01W9RNYjl0gu0Z0KmCR-L/s4096/IMG_20210407_000730318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxGX-AHY2SYWJoLTUqwkNMLBpmBujmlki635nzfWyORi5vQlsFYVW3ty263X28sej8JV8N6wgP4qLqx0S_g1g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></a><br /><p></p><p>3/25/21</p><p>Deciding where to go for babymoon. Iceland opened to vaccinated people, so we are planning to go there. But not sure about Greece yet, who said maybe open May 14th. Fingers crossed! We would like to travel before the kid, because it might be more difficult afterwards, and it has been a while since we've gone international. </p><p>Nausea has improved! But still need to make sure not to overeat at dinner. </p><p>We've gotten some supplies from our friend MLC. Now that more people know, we've been asking people for advice Re taking time off work, parents visiting, etc. </p><p><br /></p><p>3/31/21<br />Notes from Pavillion tour:<br />3rd floor registration <br />11th floor for normal delivery, ask for jacuzzi tub. Bridge on 3rd floor to icu <br />5th floor planned C-section<br />9th surgery unplanned (induced)<br />Button down shirt for skin to skin<br />Bring pillows , car seat, 1 outfit, nail file, toothbrush etc<br />Floors 12/14 for mom/baby</p><p>What to take from hospital: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thebump.com/a/what-to-take-home-from-the-hospital?utc_medium%3Dsms&source=gmail&ust=1626968051892000&usg=AFQjCNF5qc4b6VIpCit4C966t-2-hIGUfQ" href="https://www.thebump.com/a/what-to-take-home-from-the-hospital?utc_medium=sms" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">https://www.thebump.com/a/<wbr></wbr>what-to-take-home-from-the-<wbr></wbr>hospital?utc_medium=sms</a></p><p>$750 for suite</p><p><br /></p><p>4/7/21<br />Anatomy scan went smoothly! Got to see baby who is now 12oz big. Size of a belgian endive or ear of corn, 10 inches. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcwD1hAQ1KEJzS1bhoCme-2mE_YQtnR81NKUZCNgO6pSBoaWutMqnTc0gM_2nMAPQt7UT4T6oJ9LznfDxj0eIZegZOtXawDTw37-aopfWmn9sUwApCdAlr2-o9cUmjPIuadekYZpZoVQ4/s800/us2+download+%25286%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="800" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcwD1hAQ1KEJzS1bhoCme-2mE_YQtnR81NKUZCNgO6pSBoaWutMqnTc0gM_2nMAPQt7UT4T6oJ9LznfDxj0eIZegZOtXawDTw37-aopfWmn9sUwApCdAlr2-o9cUmjPIuadekYZpZoVQ4/w200-h139/us2+download+%25286%2529.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EpQnDOzQIlBhyphenhyphenyOwLyOGY4uLun01DNkTaJWbCCK105Nvpfp-C04Af_G3GNeNDIFkDQD_2xLDE4DhpduE8P0ymjzw9N0zMuOL8yyT_IB5ZEytpAWDdqmgbJTgF1RRmxAccWynS8SCQ1ME/s800/us2+download+%25285%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="800" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EpQnDOzQIlBhyphenhyphenyOwLyOGY4uLun01DNkTaJWbCCK105Nvpfp-C04Af_G3GNeNDIFkDQD_2xLDE4DhpduE8P0ymjzw9N0zMuOL8yyT_IB5ZEytpAWDdqmgbJTgF1RRmxAccWynS8SCQ1ME/w200-h139/us2+download+%25285%2529.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ7J5vSfr6GrYSkmBKKoBiX0b2KemSDwRQ9WtiV8DyZ85uZbpBzrbFbapRH6sspKbHYW2iLlXSIBvCvjpLfiYR9YjwPXFvtQIHYf81ztzc1Zw09LIfP2TE0q3tX3tuHSKxxz67UP1Jj1U/s800/us2+download+%25284%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="800" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ7J5vSfr6GrYSkmBKKoBiX0b2KemSDwRQ9WtiV8DyZ85uZbpBzrbFbapRH6sspKbHYW2iLlXSIBvCvjpLfiYR9YjwPXFvtQIHYf81ztzc1Zw09LIfP2TE0q3tX3tuHSKxxz67UP1Jj1U/w200-h139/us2+download+%25284%2529.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VjC-Eo3jQJ85AoxvcGgWJRj0p3Qmgi-EXN__peOI5pHDEXJOfYF69njjc3h4qqR-gxtNipa4bdTVQzQmD-YL-TxvtS6Z3ph_6QCeYsKQLbUv4oDQy6n2lfCn94LuKCpBcQXfiIrSom0G/s800/us2+download+%25288%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="800" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VjC-Eo3jQJ85AoxvcGgWJRj0p3Qmgi-EXN__peOI5pHDEXJOfYF69njjc3h4qqR-gxtNipa4bdTVQzQmD-YL-TxvtS6Z3ph_6QCeYsKQLbUv4oDQy6n2lfCn94LuKCpBcQXfiIrSom0G/w200-h139/us2+download+%25288%2529.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p>Took a baby bump pic:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSmCXrlxJXvngkDTjVzBCrDKMjiXR_3heljoI9N595EAyUM7v8lwfKeUscmY6jl20YCxBNfZnV6b-PSbqQBMdkamvSY4Ovkc8lpBbIg62mz8NvIrpfb7s4qH01W9RNYjl0gu0Z0KmCR-L/s4096/IMG_20210407_000730318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSmCXrlxJXvngkDTjVzBCrDKMjiXR_3heljoI9N595EAyUM7v8lwfKeUscmY6jl20YCxBNfZnV6b-PSbqQBMdkamvSY4Ovkc8lpBbIg62mz8NvIrpfb7s4qH01W9RNYjl0gu0Z0KmCR-L/w150-h200/IMG_20210407_000730318.jpg" width="150" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></a></div>And felt first kick! <div><br /><p>4/24/21</p><p>Trying to think of names. Nothing seems perfect yet. Ab says I'm over compensating so that's why I keep on trying to find strange names. 😂</p><br /></div><div>5/4/21</div><div>Feeling a lot more kicking and AB is able to feel it too. Went camping while pregnant, not too bad! A little trouble sleeping sometimes, but the maternity pillow helps. Belly is also getting bigger and noticeable for the casual observer. </div><div>Talked to work and learned I can be part-time after maternity leave, which is a big benefit because with AB's paternity leave and PTO, we can be sure to have someone with baby for the first 6 month. </div><div><br /></div><div>5/11/21</div><div>24 weeks and 6 days: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoVMFB-X5SMxdvtrGpsg4i7oLZWxUnRSpny5ZXupuT2Ec3O1T6DmORJ_yAWw-DZaQk7rJJ1iS7y2UhA3sYwyvXF0hmMLvEtPUc5EQRerZCSj6AvZ-Bv16ADM5LbhIf3XhjpXDv3I4ceQk/s2048/IMG_20210511_203934113_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoVMFB-X5SMxdvtrGpsg4i7oLZWxUnRSpny5ZXupuT2Ec3O1T6DmORJ_yAWw-DZaQk7rJJ1iS7y2UhA3sYwyvXF0hmMLvEtPUc5EQRerZCSj6AvZ-Bv16ADM5LbhIf3XhjpXDv3I4ceQk/w134-h178/IMG_20210511_203934113_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoaEGljEJSoRoJ_5pQl1jPzXnFtIbT-9xECrJWhUdOoOMRnRUwf4uyaTCHlSW3urVXvtUtnEPSl65UQK1rFZslXeD9Nq0nBJuwoBMZZzV27vmrdwiTbfdX8qtrsZkdgIFSOvp6QXtHybV/s2048/IMG_20210511_204144641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoaEGljEJSoRoJ_5pQl1jPzXnFtIbT-9xECrJWhUdOoOMRnRUwf4uyaTCHlSW3urVXvtUtnEPSl65UQK1rFZslXeD9Nq0nBJuwoBMZZzV27vmrdwiTbfdX8qtrsZkdgIFSOvp6QXtHybV/w146-h194/IMG_20210511_204144641.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><br /><div> 25 week 5/16/21</div><div>Very thankful that my glucose tolerance test came back normal! </div><div>Celebrated with eating cake and sweets (office birthday parties). But still gotta remember to be careful.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>5/27/21 </div><div>Learned from lactation class:</div><div dir="auto">6 months goal breastfeed </div><div dir="auto">Baby does not need feeding immediately. Wait 45 min</div><div dir="auto">Don’t swaddle - they will be too hot to feed</div><div dir="auto">Hold lower skull</div><div dir="auto">Good latch produce more swallowing. If not latch, reposition tummy to tummy. Bring baby to breast (not vice verse). Offer both breasts. If cry and not eating, just hold. </div><div dir="auto">2nd day: 2 diapers. 5 days: 5 diapers</div><div dir="auto">1st day: eat 1oz only. 3-5 days: 24 ozs</div><div>1st 2 weeks determines milk supply. More milk produced when more used. </div><div><br /></div><div>Learned from birth video:</div><div><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto">Cold compress on face, hot compress back </div><div dir="auto">5-1-1 go to hospital</div><div dir="auto">Bring massage devices and change positions often (video 2- times with contractions)</div><div dir="auto">Usually water break at hospital, clear ok</div><div dir="auto">Everyone gets iv , still move</div><div dir="auto">Induce only medical reasons (41 weeks)</div><div dir="auto">Episiotomy (incision) if necessary </div>Bathroom shower before epidural (after 4cm) 15 min to take effect, 2 hrs to wear off after delivery </div><div dir="auto">Csection due to position</div></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">5/28-6/14: </div><div dir="auto">1 week in Iceland</div><div dir="auto">1 week in Greece. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">6/23/21:</div><div dir="auto">Installed car seat! A little more difficult than expected. Finished packing hospital bag. Still so surreal. </div><div dir="auto">Made calendar of baby-care after delivery (who's gonna be with kid for first 6 months). We are fortunate due to my future part time schedule, my mom coming, and AB's paternity leave, we won't need daycare/nanny for the first 6 months. Thank God! </div><div dir="auto">Booked flight for mom to come for a month after delivery. </div><div dir="auto">Attended some more church informational zoom sessions on becoming parents. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">7/25/21:</div><div dir="auto">Measured low fundal height at in-person appointment. Doctor ordered ultrasound for 2 days later, and images showed normal growth. Thank God for good news and smooth pregnancy so far. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Friends threw baby shower with National Park theme. We were not sure how large of an event to have, due to space and other considerations. YW's friends did a great job doing creative decorations, organizing snacks and games. The games were able to entertain both in-person attendees and online guests, which is hard to do. We have been blessed with many supplies from church community and friends, and we have continued to accumulate supplies from Nextdoor as well. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">We narrowed our list of names to our favorite couple picks. We want a name to be: not easy to make fun of, not too common, not too difficult to spell, and not identical to someone we know personally. YW has always liked the name Wesley, so that is our current plan. Our other final options are Atticus , August and Tobias.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">7/27/21</div><div dir="auto">36 week NP appointment went smoothly. Baby's pulse 135. Cervix 25 percent effaced and less than 1 cm dilated. GBS negative. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">8/1/21</div><div dir="auto">Started to feel more full and burp more often. Definitely feeling those kicks. Also my feet started to swell if I let them hang too long. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">8/2/21</div><div dir="auto">Doctor appointment went smoothly. Got my maternity band prescription. Cervical check still fingertip. But afterwards I had some spotting for a day. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">8/8/21 37wk and 4 days.</div><div dir="auto">We got the dresser for baby cloths, which also came with bed frame and night stands. Thankfully friends helped move it upstairs (since I wasn't able to help). </div><div dir="auto">Been trying to eat out while we can! </div><div dir="auto">Baby's been having a lot of hiccups. He has also been poking his butt or leg or arm out occasionally. I'm still having some pubic symphysis pain and also my left flank hurts when I sleep on my L side sometimes (goes away when I change position/stand up). I'm hoping the maternity band will help! </div><div dir="auto">We've been watching the Olympics as well - inspirational! </div><div dir="auto">Fellow pregnant friend delivered today! What an auspicious day! </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">8/21/21</div><div dir="auto">Went to play tennis few days ago, and maybe over did it because pelvic pain was worse the next day. Today we went to a community water park, and it was so nice to be in the water and not feel super heavy. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Ab: Everytime my phone rang at work, or YW expressed discomfort, I would think that it might be time to go to the hospital.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">8/25/21 Wed - Due date!!!</div><div dir="auto">Yesterday had my 40w appointment (39w6d)! Baby's pulse 140. Cervix 50 percent effaced and 1cm dilated. No contractions or Braxton Hicks yet. Just waiting! Scheduled non stress test, ultrasound, covid test Friday. And induction likely Sunday evening. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Baby moving a lot and a lot of people asking how I'm doing..baby still chilling! Now that mom made it in ok Monday evening, ready for baby to come. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">3am: some wetness on my pad...did my water break? Little bit, slight pink. A little cramping. Will watch and see...</div><div dir="auto">5:30am: gush of fluid! Water definitely broke! No contractions yet though. Heading to the hospital...</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0