Riding the MRT

Riding the MRT, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

First time in a Ball pit

Ball pit, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

These two were taken at the mitsukoshi play area. Henri enjoyed burying himself in the ball pit while a local little girl threw balls at him (he didn't mind).

Henri playing

A Maxime expression, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

Hen's new habit

Hen's new habit, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

Lately Henri has gotten into the habit of removing his shoes so that he can chew on them. He especially enjoys doing this at the grocery store when I'm distracted (and he's bored).

Taking a walk

Taking a walk, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

Riding the Carousel with his older lady friend Bree

Fwd: Carousel, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

So Henri has finally overcome his fear of the crazy pastel play area at mitsukoshi. Sadly today he fell out of his stroller and bumped his head right when we arrived hence the sad face and pacifier. He cheered up in no time. The reaction from the staff to his fall was very attentive - one lady rushed over with a tissue to wipe his eyes and then she turned around only to rush back with some strange ointment she suggested I put on his head - I asked what it was and she pointed to the only English words on the bottle which said "use only as directed by a physician." I took the swap she squeezed magic ointment on but didn't try it out - she then escorted me to a nurse station where we got an icepack. Nice people/good service, I think. But I had to laugh, later on Bree got Into a scuffle with another kid over a toy and she started crying (more in frustration) and a lady rushed over and started dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, even though my guess Bree's was a tearless cry.

Henri's birthday lunch

Fwd: Henri's birthday, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

Happy First Birthday, Henri!

Last week brought Henri's first birthday! Maxime came home early so we could celebrate that evening at home. Henri also had lunch with a friend that day so he had two cakes with candles! It's hard to believe that one year ago we embarked on the whole parenthood thing - how much things have changed! Henri has grown up so much. It's amazing how much they change in the first year. At one year he takes a few steps here and there, loves to open in close doors and cabinets, is absolutely obsessed with wheels and pushing his stroller around. He laughs a lot - He currently thinks lifting up my shirt to reveal my stomach or back is hillarious (not something I encourage to say the least). He is losing a lot of his baby fat and turning into a toddler. I love watching him grow. Here are a few pics of Henri on his big day.

Playing with his new puppy

Playing with his new toy (from which I'd like to forever remove the batteries)

Our first catalog!

Fwd: Modeling 3, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

Today we visited a shopping mall in dazhi and came across our first catalog with Henri's pics! They wouldn't give us the catalog so we snapped a couple pictures. Its fun to see him in print!

Modeling 2

Fwd: Modeling 2, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

Modeling

Fwd: Modeling, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

Going On the offensive...

Mosquito racket, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

The mosquito harassment has continued unabated since I first wrote about them a couple months ago. After being in the states where you can sleep a full night without them buzzing in your ears and biting whatever body part sticks out of the blanket we have decided to go on the offensive. The first step was buying this racket which, if you can hit one while holding the button, instantly kills the little critters with an electric zap.... It feels much more empowering holding this while hunting Mosquitos than a rolled up magazine, for sure!

Barbie, ken and their baby

Cartoon party, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

Maxime as "Ken"

Cartoon party2, a photo by mdelagrange on Flickr.

At Maxime's hotel they had an annual party with a cartoon theme. The executive team dressed in particularly interesting costumes... Maxime is linking arms with barbie, his GM, and the hotel manager dressed as a babie (Henri lent him a pacifier). As you can see, they take their theme very seriously...

Back in Taipei - Taking a stroll

Henri has reached the stage where he'd rather push the stroller than ride in it.

First Steps

On February 21, while visiting my grandparents and mother in Buckeye, AZ, Henri starting walking. At first we encouraged him, then he just started taking steps on his own and even followed me across the kitchen. He spent the entire day getting more and more bold and I was sure he'd be running in a month.  However... the next day it was as if he had forgotten he could walk! He has not once taken the initiative to walk since! I've gotten a few steps out of him here and there but he basically has decided that while he is perfectable capable of walking, he'd much rather crawl.

First night in big boy P.J.'s

First time in a swing!

Entertaining himself at the Tokyo Airport

On the way....

Strapped in and ready to go...

Taipei's airport has a great play area for kids - not pictured was a cave-like structure with a television inside playing cartoons...

Back from the States...

Well a week and a few days later, I think Henri and I have recovered from our jet lag from our trip to the States.  It was wonderful to see family and for them to see Henri. The Hen experienced a few firsts on our trip. His first ear infection and his first raging temperature – but also his first steps! I’m not going to lie, the trip was tougher than I expected. The traveling was exhausting, as was the jet lag. Taking care of a baby out of a suitcase, also challenging, but it was all worth it.  I’ll post some pics and video of the trip…

Looking forward, we have Henri’s first birthday on Tuesday! I can’t believe one year ago, already passed our due date, I was about as big as a whale, just waiting around for this little angel to arrive. One year later I’m blown away by how much happens in this first year – and how much I love him.