cuteness

my first ride on public transport - yamanote line!!!

she smiled at me when she was like 4 and a half weeks old!!
what a babe! ok, so it's kind of lopsided, but it was still the (second) most beautiful grin i have ever encountered. it does really make it all worthwhile, and it makes everything good.
minato is nearly 7 weeks old now, and is really coming online. it's been amazing to watch it all happen again, with a little more foreknowledge in what is involved. although i must say, you do forget it all after 4 and a half years of busyness. especially the first 6 weeks of total intensity - all the crying, the worrying, the fussiness, the exhaustion...but this time, all this on top of keeping up with the very ever-so-busy 4 year old named JG. he is trying his best always though, and it breaks my heart. he showers minato with love and covers her with kisses (you can almost hear her say, "stop it, JG!"), reads her stories, sings to her, pushes her stroller, holds her gently in his lap, and quietly explains things to her ("minato, this is a train. we're in tokyo, which is on earth. see?"). although his life has changed GREATLY, he has been incredibly patient and understanding. so much so that it makes my heart hurt. he has been the center of the universe not just for A. and i, but for everyone in his family - all his grandparents, and all his aunts and uncles for 4 and a half years and boom! all of a sudden, he has his baby sister, AND his little cousin kintaro in his life. he loves them both so much, but it's got to be tough for the little man. i am so incredibly proud of him.

the whole family was here for a few weeks of crazy japanese summer to meet the babies. it was fantastic fun, but madness. minato irune's first 6 weeks of life was a crash course into the world of the chie familydom. she is ready for anything now. it was great to see everyone share their love with her, and for her to know her great big family so early. we are blessed.

so we are all good. things are getting easier, as she comes to terms with the new world around her and figures things out. the little young lady is a miracle baby, sleeping super well at night, and she is doing a great job with putting herself to sleep already. she is a different baby all together now from just a week ago, just like the books say - i just forgot.
a little sleep deprived, quite tired, and desperately wanting to go out for a haircut, a little shopping, dinner with A. and some serious cocktails, but happy happy and terribly in love with little miss irune.