the best onigiri

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THEY make the BEST onigiri I’ve ever had. Hubs rarely makes requests but he requests I buy this after my Saturday Nihongo class, in time for our lunch. Our favourite flavours thus far, tuna mayonnaise and salmon.

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Found them in B1 of Keikyu Mall, Kamiooka station.
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Onigiri are rice balls more often shaped into triangular form or oval form and usually wrapped with nori (dried seaweed). More often, they have fillings inside the ball; the more popular ones of which are salmon and tuna mayonnaise shown above. Some onigiri are also made of flavoured rice (ume/plum, shirasu and nori bits/whitebait and dried seaweed bits among others) without fillings. Great for take-outs, picnics and as food-on-the-go.

baby diaries: Secured

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Mommy had a beautiful moment with you earlier this evening, Anak. Thinking about it made me cry tears of joy at 1:30 in the morning.

Dinner was ready to be served (with miso and fresh salad at that!) but we were waiting for Daddy to arrive so we can all eat together. I had just turned off the stove and walked out the kitchen to take your hands off the iMac keyboard. But then you also left the iMac and met me halfway.

You were standing then and was gesturing for me to hold both your hands. Thinking how sweet it was of you to request so, I obliged. But then you turned gymnast. You folded your knees and beautifully arched your back so the top of your head reaches the floor. Achieving this feat, you burst into giggles and laughter and did it again and again, all the while using Mommy’s hands as anchor/gym bar(? hehe). Emboldened, you stood up, arched your back and slowly dipped your head to reach the floor. This being harder, you burst into more laughter when you reached the floor, laughter ringing with happiness because you’ve achieved something difficult. Holding your hands, I can feel how strong you’ve become, how tight your hold was on my hands.

Mommy was very happy to hear your laughter. But what really made Mom’s heart well up was the fact that you were very secured with me. That you know Mommy won’t let go. That you know Mommy can support you. That you know you can achieve a difficult feat by holding on to an anchor, a secure anchor. When you’ve grown up some more, your Dad and I will share with you some more WHO is that secure anchor who will always be with you. But know, dear child, that your Dad and I will try our best to be your anchor, when you need us.

At 19 months, you really haven’t addressed me yet as Mommy albeit there was a weekend when you called me Maman. You’ve consistently addressed me though as “eh-eh-eh”. And that doesn’t bother Mommy at all, Anak. What matters more is that we see you growing up secured, self-assured and able to care for others. These are more than enough.

Grow up well, Anak.

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baby diaries: socks in the laundry basket

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Around early autumn last year, I’ve been encouraging Yui to take off her socks by herself when we arrive at daycare and at home. By winter, it has already become a habit; she takes off her socks without much effort anymore and then hands it to me.

The other day, I thought of bringing it to a higher level and so asked her to bring her socks to her laundry basket by herself. Two nights she obediently followed Mom. This evening, after taking off her jacket, I went to the kitchen to prepare the rice cooker (which by the way has another Yui story since it’s her “work” to push the buttons of the rice cooker).

Much later in the evening when Yui was already asleep, I was putting Yui’s laundry on the washing machine when I saw the socks she wore today. Apparently, without me noticing, she took off her socks as usual and responsibly put them in her laundry basket in the very short time that I prepared the rice.

Anak, you never fail to amaze Dad and Mom by the day. Grow well, anak.

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potty training milestone

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If there’s one baby milestone that I’ve been dreading, it’s definitely potty training. I’ve read the books and articles. I’ve read the “horror stories” – one toddler dashed straight to the couch and sat around before the Mom was able to wipe his bottom. I’ve read the many ways on how to potty train – from rewards system (a cookie, a penny etc for every successful deed) to affirmations. Been looking around for training potties too for a long time now – from standalone ones with famous cartoon characters to toddler toilet seat covers that can be put on top the adults’. However, we haven’t really established yet how to really go about it.

One thing I’m sure though ever since I’ve read about potty training. That my baby has to be developmentally ready before we start to make a go for this difficult task; with my mark for “developmentally ready” being she herself making the initiative that she already wants to be trained.

From early March, Yui has been quiet interested with the toilet room. She hovers around when we go inside; sometimes even banging the door, reminding me of a very funny meme with the twilight zone words yet showing cute chubby little fingers.

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And then from last week, whenever Yui is about to do deed no. 2, (no. 1 being peeing) she would stop whatever she’s doing and present herself in front of me and put on her usual expression when she’s about to poop (mouth stretched thin, face red from effort). I always lead her to her play room for clean up but from last week, we had to make the trip to the play room twice because she still didn’t make the “go” the first time we go to the room.

And so last Friday, when she made the face, I asked her if she wants to go to the toilet. She took a couple of steps towards the toilet, hesitated, then went to the play room and did deed no. 2 there.

Saturday came and we had a spring day walk that took our whole day. When we came home and I went to the toilet, she hovered around. So I asked her if she wants to pee in the toilet. She nodded so I sat her up (no kiddie lid on! We still weren’t able to buy as we thought she still wasn’t “developmentally ready”). But nothing happened so I let her go. Later in the evening however, she came to me wearing her funny about-to-poop face. I asked her if she wants to go to toilet. She nodded yes. And so I sat her up. This time, it was a success. She just sat prim and proper and behaved while I was cleaning her up. Her Dad was very surprised that her diaper was clean still.

So relieved to get through this difficult milestone! We can only hope there won’t be a relapse. Now, we just have to make her tell us when to pee. Will push it next time, when she’s developmentally ready. >