A Fish Out of Water

Rain, rain

Rain, rain, don't go away. Little Shuma wants to play!

Yup, the kid loves rain, and who am I to keep him out of it? Thankfully his grandma sent him a raincoat a few months back, so he can keep dry in style. She sent some adorable rainboots too, but they're still too big so I got him a pair with froggies on them. He loves them and has been wearing them around the house, so was very glad to get to use them for their intended purpose.

Just one problem: he very quickly found a puddle that was deeper than his boots. Mom, you're going to have to send some thigh-high waders next!

 

Dinosaur Suit

Grandma sent this stripey number from Canada, and even though it's meant for the summer Shuma's already wearing it. A long-sleeved onsie and skinny pants add warmth without distracting from the friendly T-Rex.

Here's a closer look. I didn't think I'd get Shuma to stand still, but then he learned how to blow bubbles and all he wanted to do was stand around doing bubbles. I'm really proud of him, but it's kind of boring- when I was blowing bubbles for him at least I had something to do. He's cute to watch though, especially when he takes a break from blowing to say "Bubble" (pronounced "ba-bow" with a long, drawn-out last syllable).

This outfit even offers something for the back view, thanks to his nifty new shoes.

I love dirt

Here's a t-shirt Grandma sent from Canada with a very gender-stereotyped message. It is also true, and also very colourful so I'm not complaining. You could find many similar things in Japan only they'd be navy or brown or some other drab colour and the English would be wrong or just weird. It would probably say "HAPPY TIME WITH DUST EXCITE!!!" with a few additional phrases to fill up any blank spaces ("BOYS JOY LIFE", "GREAT PLAY", "GO GO VEHICLE!!"). So I like this shirt.

Paired with pants sent last fall (they still fit!), a navy onesie (doesn't fit but I refuse to give up on it) and a backpack, full of his most treasured possesions (snacks, a cat puppet).

Beachwear

Here is Shuma modelling his various beach fashions in Thailand earlier this month. First we have a simple look consisting of a Nemo-adorned swim diaper paired with a drawstring hat.

The ripped look is is still going strong, so it wasn't a problem when mom accidentally poked a hole in the too-small diaper (a leftover from last summer).

 

Of course, the only essential item on the beach is a hat; diapers and swimsuits are completely optional.

The feeling of the waves gently lapping at your bits? That's what freedom feels like.

Of course, there's a fine line between enjoying the freedom of the naturist lifestyle and plain old flaunting, so to avoid looking like too much of a show-off Shuma did occasionally wear this modest one-piece. It features a snorkeling otter and slimming side panels.

The same old headgear can get boring though, so for extra sun protection a glamorous oversize sun hat is just the ticket.

The versatile one-piece segues perfectly from beach to work. Here Shuma takes an important business call on his phone.

His coconut phone. It's the latest thing in Thailand.

Resort Wear

This Resort Wear edition of Fashion Show features Shuma on location in Phuket. He wears an outfit that announces "I am on vacation in Thailand!" consisting of a nifty hat, a Thai fisherman's shirt, and beige shorts. Yes they're shorts, but he's wearing them low, though less due to personal style and more to do with a full diaper. Accessories (snazzy sunglasses, sandals and sippy cup) not shown, either because they were losing or stored away in mom's bag. Two bags, actually, giant ones, but I'm used to that; what really bothered me was losing his sunglasses before he even got to use them. But I'm used to losing stuff too.

Anyway, the fisherman's shirt is a type that was ubiquitous in souvenir stalls, often plain for adults and with some kind of elephant-related design for kids. Surprisingly we didn't buy it in Thailand- it was a hand-me-down we got in Tokyo- but I'm glad we brought it because it looked really cool and comfortable on him. I bought another in a larger size but that was the only thing we bought the whole trip (other than a few food-related obligatory souvenirs) and now I regret not getting one for Hideaki. Oh well, we'll just have to go back.

More pictures to come soon!

Overalls

This entire outfit comes from Shuma's gramma. OK, at least half of his clothes come from gramma, and I'm really grateful because I really prefer Canadian clothes for this age. Not that Japan doesn't have great baby clothes, but Shuma is more of a toddler and toddler clothes here are exactly like older kid's clothes: boring (unless you're talking about girl toddlers, in which case there is no shortage of frilly pink princess wear).

Anyway, I especially like the overalls. These are his first Oshkosh B'Gosh overalls, and after trying several other types I can see why they're so popular. I'm not into brand names and designer labels, but these are very well made, good fit, and they stay on. If gramma doesn't send more I will just have to buy a bunch on my next visit. (They have Oshkosh here too but believe it or not they don't have overalls for baby boys, at least not at the ones I've been to. Girl overalls, with a skirt instead of pants? Tonnes. Those are big here for some reason.) But enough about overalls, what I really want to show you is this:

Look at that hair. Still no haircut, and it may just never happen because look at that hair! Yes, he does get mistaken for a girl occasionally, but it doesn't seem to offend him. Besides, if I need to cut his hair in a particular way to signal to the world that he's a boy then there's something wrong. I mean, he's wearing overalls!

Time of chocolates

Here's a cute little romper adorned with an Engrish phrase and what appear to be Smarties. But it turns out they're not Smarties at all. When Hideaki asked why Shuma's outfit said "Time of chocolates" I said it was because of all the Smarties and he asked "What are Smarties?". Can you imagine? He's never heard of them, and they don't seem to exist here. Even after explaining what they are he wasn't convinced, and thought the candy depicted on the romper must be M&M's. Which is pretty dumb, because then they'd all be stamped with a little "m". Instead some of them have little smiley faces, which doesn't seem to match any known candy. Very mysterious.

Shuma couldn't care less, since he has yet to taste chocolate. He still thinks that bananas are the best thing ever.

This last picture, if only it were in focus, would be my favourite as it seems to show a fun-loving, slightly mischevious side of him. Or maybe it shows something else, and will some day end up on Born This Way.

Frog Legs

I found the perfect way to get Shuma to hold still for a Fashion Show picture: stick him in one of the fold-down baby seats found in public restroom stalls. OK, there must be a name for those. Or maybe not, as I don't remember seeing them in Canada- maybe it's a Japan thing? If so that's a shame, because they sure are handy. And not just for taking pictures.

The focal point of this outfit is these frog legwarmers, and the froggy theme continues to his shoes. Which is totally accidental, because Shuma does not have a closet full of shoes featuring different animals that he can match to each outfit.

He was all dressed up for lunch with a friend at Sizzler, which I think is an American chain and I get the impression that it's not really a place people dress up for in its native land. But in Japan a salad bar is a rare and wonderful thing, especially for a toddler learning to eat. I never know what to expect: one day he'll eat everything we feed him, the next he won't want anything but cucumbers. Or pears, or spaghetti, or whatever little food fad he's following at the time. Of course when he decides he loves a particular food I'm happy to feed him just that- as long as he's eating, right? And as soon as he notices I've stocked up on it, he'll suddenly stop liking it. Is every toddler like this?

So at the salad bar he gamely tried a few different things before he noticed the edamame on my plate, which I knew to be one of his favourite foods and was trying to hide, in hopes that he'd eat a variety of food. So I had to give in and give him some, and that was it- he didn't eat a single other thing. Just piles and piles of edamame.

All that bean-eating is hard work, so he had a little nap while the grown-ups had dessert. Hmm, maybe if I indulged his edamame habit more often he'd turn into a regular napper...

Motorcycle top

This outfit doesn't look very fancy, but that is the most expensive top I've ever bought for Shuma. We're not talking about designer prices or anything, but when you're used to buying baby clothes at discount retailers (not to mention all the clothes we've received as gifts) it's a big deal to pay full price at Baby Gap. The pants are hand-me-downs though, so I guess they cancel eachother out.

We just couldn't resist the top when we saw it, because it's got motorcycles on it. Or rather, his father the ex-motorcycle racer couldn't resist it.

Ha, dream on kid. That's as close as you're ever going to get to a motorcycle if I can help it.

 

 

Panda legs

Normally I'm thrilled when Shuma takes an unexpected nap. He doesn't nap well or regularly, so when it happens I get to do stuff that I usually don't get to do. Or at least get to do in peace.

But yesterday he fell asleep at the jidoukan (children's centre) while we ate lunch after a playgroup session. I was tempted to try to get him into his carrier as gently as possible and head for the nearest cafe so I could do a little reading and relaxing, but I was sure he'd wake up at some point and spoil my plans. So I put him in the centre's crib (thank goodness they have one) and miracle of miracles, he stayed asleep. And there we were, Shuma fast asleep and leaving me free in the one place I had nothing to do.

Well, not completely. I got to chat with some other moms without being interrupted every fifteen seconds by a baby needing my attention. And I got to take these pictures.

If I'd known I'd get to take pictures I would have chosen a more exciting outfit (he has loads of nifty clothes that I've been trying to get him to model). But the legwarmers are pretty neat, with their stripes, pandas, and descriptive lettering. Just in case you weren't sure what kind of creature that is.

Bear hat

Here's an outfit from back in May, when Shuma was just eight months old and still couldn't really pull off a collared shirt, due to having no neck. But we know of a way to overcome that:

Ears on a hat. Guaranteed to make any baby 25% cuter.

LUCKY!

Here's a sweet little romper featuring a basket full of desserts with happy smiley faces. I guess if you were in possession of such a basket you'd be lucky. Four delicious goodies to eat! And/or four new friends to play with! Or maybe you'd be unlucky, because you'd have to choose between friendship and tasty snacks. How could you possibly eat something with a cute happy face? On the other hand, how could you resist such delicous baked goods?

Oh what a sweet dilemna!

Sleeping bag

Here Shuma models his new Ikea sleeping bag. When I was buying it last week I noticed that his old ones, which he was still using, were only meant for up to six months. Oops.

I do love footed pajamas, but sleeping bags keep him just a little warmer. When it's cold enough he can wear jammies AND a the bag, but until he's old enough not to kick off/get tangled in blankets we're sticking with a regular long-sleeved onsie and a sleeping bag. And of course his trusty mittens, which keep those little razor-sharp nails from messing up his pretty face while he scratches in his sleep.

This is the sleeping bag in use, with Shuma peacefully asleep. Little does he know that he's about to be rudely awakened with a camera in his face. Poor little guy.

Here's a better view of the giraffe on the bottom of the bag (it's a hedgehog up top).

And here is Shuma's morning stretch routine, showing the range of movement possible in the bag.

And I might as well keep showing pictures, because I got some nice ones.

Those teeth! Seven so far, and not a new one in months. Note the chip in his front tooth- no idea how it happened, I just noticed it one day. And ouch- was it ever sharp at first!

That hair!

This is a particularly spectacular example of his morning bedhead.

I know, it looks like he spent hours getting it just right.

I guess he's just naturally perfect.

Stepping in style

And now for a very special episode of Fashion Show, documenting a major milestone in Shuma's development. And he did it in style, wearing brand-new duds sent from his grandma for his birthday.

This was the first time for him to wear long sleeves and long pants since our trip to Canada, so as cool as he looked I was a little sad. I've always hated saying good-bye to summer, but this year was especially hard because most of those summery things we never get around to doing, or never do enough of, are really fun for babies too.

Let's get a closer look at the dinosaur. It's saying "RAAW-WWHHH!", as dinosaurs do. Shuma doesn't know that yet though, so when a playmate's Mom read his shirt to him he looked a little nervous. That's OK, he'll learn about dinosaurs and the sounds they make soon enough. He's going to have to, seeing as how he's going to be a paleontologist when he grows up.

So back to this milestone. We were at the jidoukan (public children's hall) after our weekly playgroup, and he started off by going through his usual repertoire: crawling, walking while pushing (is there an official baby milestone term for that?) and cruising (walking while holding on to stationary objects).

And then he just started walking! Just like that!

I'd actually seen him take a step the day before, but figured it was just a fluke. I assumed that since he was such a late crawler he'd be a late walker too. Actually "hoped" is a better word than "assumed", since people keep telling me how hard things get once babies start walking. Apparently now I'm never going to get to sit down for more than a minute's peace and quiet. Also the chubby thighs are going to melt away (his, I mean, but all the better if mine do too). I quite like my peace and quiet and really like his thigh rolls, so this all makes me a bit sad.

But also, proud. Because look at him! But sad. Because he's growing up way too fast. This all happened a week after his first birthday, and it still feels like he was just born. Hell, I still feel like I'm 23 most of the time. Slow down, life!

Please, just a little. You're making our heads spin!

Circus Jumper

This sweet little romper features circus monkeys and elephants. I have several similar rompers and love them all, and am a bit sad that it is now too cool for them. It's so easy dressing Shuma in a single garment, I hate having to pull two or three pieces onto a squirming baby. Please come back, summer!

Jimbei Romper

Here's a piece that is going in to retirement after being worn all summer. It's a one-piece that has a jimbei (a summery short robe and shorts set for men) thing going on on top but snaps up like a romper on the bottom. A genious design, and I'm sad to see it go.

It's got a froggy and lilypad print, and along with the colour further identify it as a summer design. He has another with a kabutomushi (rhino beetle) and kuwagata (stag beetle) print, which screams "summer" and "boys" even more.

It's perfect for a day at the park, or for playing on the beach.

It works well as a pair look (when two people wear the same outfit).

It's also great for just hanging out.

On Safari

Another oldie from May. I'm glad we got a lot of wear out of this hat and t-shirt (both from Joe Fresh), because they no longer fit. Quit growing so much, kid!

Eye of the Tiger

Here's  little taste of history: a outfit worn way back in May. Let's call it the Eye of the Tiger.

Crazy eye of the tiger, that is.

Look at those crazy eyes! If they ever do a baby version of Nosferitu (not impossible, the only thing Hollywood seems to love more than baby movies is remakes) I think Shuma will be first pick for leading actor.

But enough about my baby's crazy eyes- check out the duds. This is a bigger version of an earlier tiger romper (look how small he is! was Shuma ever really that little?).

Here is the back, with a bamboo branch decorated wishes for Tanabata, the Star Festival. The kanji is 笹 (sasa), which is the particular type of bamboo used; the front of the romper has 虎 (tora, the kanji for tiger) but it can't really be seen in these pictures.

ENJOY MUSIC

 

Today we have a number of poses showing off this romper, which features a dinosaur rock band.

 

ENJOY MUSIC!

GO! GO!

COME TO OUR CONCERT!

Sailor Boy

Here are a couple of rare pictures of Shuma consenting to wear both hat and shoes. I LOVE his sailor hat and would have him wearing it all day, every day if he'd let me.

Pokemon Jimbei

Last month our landlady, who lives next door, asked me out of the blue what size Shuma was and a few days later showed up with a present for him: a set of jimbei (pajama-like outfit consisting of a short robe and shorts, worn in the summer) and two little kinchaku (drawstring bags) she'd sewed. She made the jimbei a little large on purpose, and although it fits just fine now it should also still be OK next summer.

I've been trying to get a picture of him wearing it ever since, but with a very active young boy and seriously crappy lighting in my apartment I haven't had any luck. So before the official jimbei season is over, here's a blurry sideways picture of him. And a bonus pantsless shot!

I was finally able to get him to fall asleep while wearing his new jimbei, but he's such a poor napper that was too scared to adjust it lest he wake up. But I love sleeping baby pictures so here goes.

The print is a summer Pokemon pattern (you can tell it's summer because of the fireworks and uchiwa fans), and I am proud to say that I only recognise Pikachu. I'm sure by next summer Shuma will be able to tell me who the other characters are, and it's only a few years before we're both Pokemon experts able to name all 473 of them.

Just Chilling

This is what Shuma wears when he's hanging around at home, relaxing. You know, just chilling.

Here's a better look at the outfit- note how it shows off his jelly belly. Very chill.

Sail away

I wanted to get a picture of Shuma in a complete sailor outfit, but he never keeps his little sailor hat on long enough so this is it.

And why should he wear a hat, when it covers up his fabulous hair?

It's not like he needs any accessories to draw attention to those chubby cheeks.

Aw shucks mom, you're embarrassing me...

Shark Patrol

It's getting harder and harder to take pictures of Shuma. If I try to get his attention with silly faces or a toy then he spazzes out and the picture is just a blur of waving limbs. If I try to take a more candid shot, he'll notice the camera right away and turn into a space cadet, staring blankly at the camera as above. And forget about just lying him down and getting a picture of the day's outfit. The instant I let go he flips over and crawls away. Sigh. My little guy is growing up.

But there's still one way to keep him lying down: strap him onto his change table. So here's an outfit I've been meaning to show you for a while. It's a marine-themed outfit consisting of a polo-style onesie with matching shorts, a present from his Aunt Sherry in Canada.

The shirt says "SHARK PATROL" in big letters, and "On Duty" in smaller letters. I'm not sure if he's fully qualified for shark patroling, but he certainly looks the part.

Of course, he's going to have to grow a neck if he hopes to pull off a polo collar, but there's time for that. Until then, he'll be busy keeping our beaches safe.

Stripes

After promising some sleeping pajama shots this is what happens: Shuma decides to stop crawling and standing and squirming long enough to take some awake pictures. Here he's modeling a romper bought at Fashion Center Shimamura (a discount clothing and housewares chain taking over the suburbs- like T.J. Maxx or Winners in North America) for 500 yen.

And later on, when we were romping around in my bed he posed for some more.

Here he is showing his crawling technique: always exactly like this, with his left knee up in the air and doing the work, and his right leg dragging along.

Here he shows of a magnificent curl.

And here he shows off his new clapping skills. He loves clapping, and tends to do it when he's excited about something, but also does it randomly. And occasionally completely appropriately, like at a seal show at the aquarium a few weeks ago, or at a fireworks show last night (he just has to get the timing right, as he usually starts clapping about five seconds after everyone's stopped).

And finally, he did let me take a sleeping shot.