Nov 24, 2013

Yurakucho- the business area in Tokyo/有楽町

17 month: week 4 by fumika yamamoto
17 month: week 4, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

I had lunch with my friend yesterday in Yurakucho area.

有楽町あたりで友達とランチした。

Mia and I visited Muji before lunch. I was surprised to see a play area for children at Muji since I always had an image of Yurakucho being a business area.

友達とのランチの前に有楽町にある無印によった。そうしたら無印の中に子供達の遊び場があった。有楽町ってビジネスのイメージが強かったので。ちょっとびっくり。

Mia enjoyed playing at the play area with other children a lot.

娘は他の子供達と楽しく遊んでいました。

I had wanted to visit Dhaba India in Kyobashi for a while and I finally got to visit there for lunch! Wow, they were super busy when we went there.

久しぶりにダバインディアでランチ。お店は相変わらずめちゃめちゃ混んでいた。

I ordered half size dosa curry lunch that come with some white rice since Mia loves eating rice.

娘は白いご飯が大好きなので。白いご飯が付いてくるハーフサイズのドサとカレーのランチをオーダー。

I would love to go back to Yurakucho again!

また行きたいと思った。

Nov 19, 2013

Meruhen/メルヘン

メルヘン by fumika yamamoto
メルヘン, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.


It has been a while since I had some sandwich from Meruhen.

一年ぶりくらいのメルヘンのサンドイッチ。

I was in Shinjuku and I got little hungry, so I had some sweet potato&whipped cream sandwich.

新宿にいて小腹がすいたのでスイートポテト&生クリームを購入。

Sweet potatoes in Japan are delicious. They are in season right now!

あぁお芋が美味しい季節だわっ!

Aug 23, 2013

Swimming / スイミング

IMG_5188 by fumika yamamoto
IMG_5188, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

It has been hot and humid in Tokyo!
I took Mia for swimming.

毎日毎日暑すぎるので娘を近くの児童館のプールに連れて行った。

She looked little concerned at the beginning when I put her in a small pool, but she figured out what to do after she watched other children playing in a pool.

初めての児童館のプールでちょっと緊張気味の娘。でも他の子が楽しそうに水遊びをしているのを見て水遊びを始めた。

Mia likes water!

娘は水遊びが好きみたい。

Aug 1, 2013

Sleeping on tatami mats / 畳の上でのお昼寝

Mia was taking her nap on tatami mats today.

娘は今日の昼寝は畳の上。

I guess it was cool and comfortable to sleep on there because she slept on the tatami for 2 hours!

涼しくて気持ち良かったのか2時間くらい寝てた。

Summer in Tokyo has been hot and humid.

最近の東京は蒸し暑すぎる。

Maybe this is the best way to take a nap.

娘の畳の上での昼寝は気持ち良さそうだった。

Jun 26, 2013

Shabu shabu at Zakuro in Ginza / 銀座のざくろでしゃぶしゃぶ

IMG_5070 by fumika yamamoto
IMG_5070, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

I had some fantastic shabu shabu at Zakuro in Ginza when I was a tour guide.

初めて美味しいしゃぶしゃぶを銀座にあるざくろで食べた。

Their thinly sliced marble beef melted inside of my mouth as soon as I tasted it.

霜降りのお肉は口に入れたとたんに溶けてしまった。

Their appetizers were terrific as well.
I especially enjoyed their tomato salad.
Their tomatoes were SWEET!

どの前菜も美味しかった。
特にトマトサラダは甘くてペロリと食べてしまった。

I recommend Zakuro in Ginza when you need some good shabu shabu!

美味しいしゃぶしゃぶを食べるなら銀座のざくろさんをおすすめします。

Toddlers food cooking class / 幼児食の試食会

幼児食の試食会 by fumika yamamoto
幼児食の試食会, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

I went to a class to learn about how to make toddlers food because I am a new mum.

新米ママの私は幼児食の試食会に参加する事にした。

I have been little frustrated about Mia not being interesting in food and not eating a lot of solid food also.

あまり、ご飯を食べる事に興味をなかなか出してくれない娘。

The teacher taught us about some new recipe, how soft rice should be and how much food that we can give our toddler in 1 serving.

先生が幼児の為の献立を紹介。
そしてどのくらい幼児に出す白米がやわらい方がいいのかとその分量などなどを実際にご飯を器によそって親切に指導。

Mia only ate some white rice and a piece of carrot when we tasted the meal.

美味しそうな豆腐入りの柔らかいハンバーグは口に入れたらすぐに出してしまい。
ほうれん草のおひたしもきなこマカロニのおやつも同じにペッと口から出した。
ブロッコリーもダメ〜
ゆいいつ食べたのは白米と人参だけ。

I looked around and I saw none of toddlers being able to finish the meal that made me to feel okay.

こんなに食べないのはみあちゃんだけ?と周りを見渡したら、けっこう他の子も食べてなかったので少し安心。

Jun 24, 2013

The farmer's market at omotesando / 表参道のファーマーズマーケット

Mia and I went to the farmer's market in Omotesando for the first time.

初めて表参道のファーマーズマーケットに娘と行ってきた。

Gosh, it was busy!

さすが、日曜日!
めちゃめちゃ混んでいた。

We saw many dogs hanging out.
I thought Mia might be interested in playing with dogs, but she got scared.

なぜだか、犬がたくさんいたので、娘が喜ぶかなと犬の近くによってみたら怖がっていた。

Her hair is getting long and she has her 6th tooth coming out.

だんだんと娘の髪の毛はストレートヘアの私では手がつけられない感じになってきた。

ちなみに今は6本目の歯が生え途中。

I think I want to go back to the farmer's market in the morning rather than in the afternoon since it was hot outside.

今度、ファーマーズマーケットに行く時はもうちょっと涼しい朝に行きたいなぁ。

Jun 19, 2013

Green tea rice cake croissant / 抹茶大福チョコ黒

When I walked in front of Saint Marc Cafe in Takadanobaba, I saw green tea rice cake croissant sign.

サンマルクカフェの前を通ったら抹茶大福チョコ黒が季節限定で売られていた。

I love green tea rice cake and I like their famous chocolate croissant.

I became curious, so I bought one.

どんな味だろうと気になったので買ってみた。

I think their normal chocolate croissant is better than this green tea one.

味はちょっと残念な味だった。
普通のチョコ黒の方が美味しい。

Jun 17, 2013

Lunch with Makiko / 牧子とランチ

IMG_5055 by fumika yamamoto
IMG_5055, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

Mia and I went to Meguro to see Makiko.
Makiko's belly was not that big when I saw her last time in January, but this time her belly was big because her baby is almost in full term.

久しぶりの牧子とのランチ。
妊婦の牧子のお腹は大きくなっていたのでびっくり!

We had some delicious Chinese lunch at the restaurant near Meguro station!

ランチは目黒駅の側にある中華レストランで美味しい中華を頂きました。

After that I had a slice of lemon chocolate tart from a la campagne!

その後で神戸発の a la campagneのレモンチョコレートタルト〜

I think I ate too much!

ちょっと食べ過ぎた。

I cannot believe that both of us are going to be a mum soon!

二十代の頃から振り返ってみて、二人そろってママになるのがちょっと不思議な気分。

Jun 16, 2013

100 yen shop / 100円ショップ

IMG_5052 by fumika yamamoto
IMG_5052, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

Japanese 100 yen shop often surprises me.

日本の100円ショップには驚かされる事が多い。

I became quite impressed by their 100 yen toys, so I ended up buying them today.

今日、たまたま100円ショップに行ったらそこで売られているおもちゃに感心してついつい買ってしまった。

Mia enjoyed playing with them for 1 hour until she bot bored with them.

娘は楽しそうに一時間くらいおもちゃと遊んでた。

Jun 15, 2013

Beautiful hydrangea / あじさい

IMG_5050 by fumika yamamoto
IMG_5050, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

Last time I saw hydrangea in Japan was 2009.

I became excited when I saw them blooming on the street because they are just gorgeous!

最後に日本であじさいを見たのは2009年だったな。

久しぶりに見たあじさいはやっぱり美しい。

The rain season in Tokyo = hydrangea

梅雨=あじさいという印象があるのは私だけかな?

The weather news forecast said the rain season is about to start in Tokyo.

お天気のお姉さんがもうすぐ梅雨が東京で始まりますと言っていた。

Apr 6, 2013

Coffee Catz

IMG_4928 by fumika yamamoto
IMG_4928, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

Coffee Catz is the smallest coffee shop that I have ever been in my life.

エルゴンにあるとても小さなコーヒー屋さんを訪れた。

Their coffee was good for coffee in the U.S.

アメリカにしてはコーヒーの味はまぁーまぁーだった。

I also got a muffin from there, but I did not like it because it tasted like a muffin from HEB...

マフィンもオーダーしたけどアメリカのスーパーで買ったマフィンのような味で失敗。

The lady at the coffee shop was nice and friendly.

お店の人はきさくで親切でした。

Mar 26, 2013

Elgin / エルゴン

Untitled by fumika yamamoto
Untitled, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

Mia and I move to Elgin, Texas!

エルゴン、テキサスにお引っ越し



Our new space has so much space!

今度の場所はとにかく広い!

Mar 17, 2013

Zocalo cafe / ゾカロカフェ

Eggs Benedict by fumika yamamoto
Eggs Benedict, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

I missed greasy American brunch!

日本にいた時に時々食べたくなったエッグズベネディクト。

Mia and I went to Zocalo cafe for brunch.

さっそくゾカロカフェで食してきた。

I love their eggs benedict because their biscuits are made by sweet potato and jalapeno. They are delicious!

ここのビスケットはスイートポテトとハラペーニョがでできているので甘辛くて最高!

Not only I like their eggs benedict, but also I love their interior with a lot of sun light.

カフェのインテリアも素敵。

Last time when Mia and I came here with Stephanie, Mia could not eat anything from here.

最後にここに友達のステファニーと来た時は娘は何も食べれななったなぁ。

I cannot believe now she can sit in a high chair by myself and enjoy eating some fruits with me.

でも今では一人でハイチェアーに座ってフルーツを食べるまで成長した。

She is growing fast!

娘の成長の早さにはとにかくびっくりする。

Mar 7, 2013

Family room at United Airline Club / ユナイテッド航空のファミリールーム使用

My friend gave us the ticket to United Airline Club because he knew how hard to fly with a baby.

友達が赤ちゃんとの飛行機は大変だよねとユナイテッドのクラブが使えるチケットをくれた。

I used the ticket at Narita airport.

成田空港でさっそく使用。

It was lovely that Mia got to crawl around before her long flight to Austin!

娘は長いオースチンまでの旅の前に遊べて楽しそうだった。

Feb 20, 2013

After the fire / 火事の翌日

After the fire by fumika yamamoto
After the fire, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

Gosh, I read a woman and a man died from the fire last night, and it could be a murder.

There are police outside and investigating what happened last night at the house.

I feel like I am watching a movie.

昨日の火事はどうやら殺人事件みたい。

妹と母がよくあそこの家には色々な男の人達が出入りしていて喧嘩があったのよと言っていた。

The fire / 火事

IMG_4870 by fumika yamamoto
IMG_4870, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.


I heard a woman and a man screaming and windows breaking outside.

女の人と男の人の叫び声がして窓ガラスの割れる音がした。

I went to the balcony to see outside because I thought there was a fight.

近所で喧嘩なのかと思いベランダから外を見るとなんと近所の家が燃えていた。

However, I saw the fire in front of my apartment.

It was the first time to see the actual fire this close. I could feel the heat of the fire when I saw it from the window.

こんなに近くで火事を見たのは生まれて初めて。窓から火を見るだけでも火の熱さは伝わってきた。

It was a cold, windy and dry day, so the fire burned down the house quickly.

今日は寒くて風が強く空気が乾燥していたので火は恐ろしい勢いで家を全焼した。

There was a lot of smoke too.

煙ももくもくとめちゃめちゃ出ていた。

10 minutes later about 20 fighter fighters showed up. I think it took about 20 minutes to put out the fire.

私が火を発見した10分後くらいに消防士が20人がかりで20分くらいかけて火を消していた。

I appreciate firefighters everyday's hard work.

消防士さん、毎日ご苦労様です。

Feb 18, 2013

Hinamatsuri dolls / おひな様

おひな様 by fumika yamamoto
おひな様, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

I do not remember when was the last time I made Hinamatsuri dolls by holding some origami.

最後におひな様を折り紙で折ったのがいつなんて覚えていない。

Because March 3rd is the Japanese doll festival (girl's day) and I keep seeing Hinamatsuri dolls and and sweets whenever I go outside, I decided to hold some Hinamatsuri dolls for Mia.

3月3日はひな祭り。外に出ればひな祭りの音楽やお菓子が目につく。

I looked up some Hina dolls online, but gosh they are expensive! I could not afford for them. Also finding a space to store them in Tokyo will be an issue.

オンラインでひな人形を探してみたけど、素敵だなと思うのは、とても手の出る金額ではなかったし収納するスペースも東京だと大変。

なので折り紙で折ってみた。

I think my Hina dolls turned out to be pretty good.

なかなか可愛くできたので満足。

Mia liked them too.

娘も私の作ったひな人形を見て素敵とキャッキャッと声を出していた。

Feb 14, 2013

Windy day / 風が強かった

Windy day by fumika yamamoto
Windy day, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

What a windy day!

今日はめちゃめちゃ風が強かった。

I put out my futon outside this morning because it was nice and sunny.

I realized it got windy around 11 AM from the noise of wind. When I saw the balcony, my futon was gone!

朝から天気が良かったのでお布団を外に干していたらいつの間にか強風に。

I looked down from the balcony and I saw my futon laying on top of someone's house roof!!!

ベランダを見た時はすでに干していたはずの布団は見当たらず、ベランダから下を見下ろしたらなんと知らないお家の屋根の上に!

I went to the house to get back my futon, but it looked like no one lived there.

布団の乗ったお家をピンポンしても誰も出てこない。

Finally, firefighters came to help us getting back the futon.

最後には消防士さん達に手伝ってもらって無事に布団を取り戻せた。

What an adventurous day!

ハラハラドキドキの一日だった。

Feb 11, 2013

호떡/ホットク/Hotteok

IMG_4858 by fumika yamamoto
IMG_4858, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

I went to Korean town because I wanted to try a hotteok.

A hotteok is a Korean pancake.

Last time when I was there, it was a hot and humid summer time, thus I did not want to eat any hot stuff.

A Korean staff kept shouting how honey&cheese hotteok is the best, so I got what he recommended.

It was hot and fresh; it got some cinnamon in it too.

I think I want to try ham&cheese next time.

Korean town was very crowded...

Feb 10, 2013

2 teeth / 乳歯が二本

Time flies!

Mia's 2 lower front teeth are coming out.

These 2 beautiful little white teeth add a shine to her cute smile.

ついに娘の下の前歯が生えてきました。

授乳する時は少し怖いけど、歯が生えて笑顔がもっと可愛くなった。

Feb 8, 2013

Crawling / ハイハイ

Mia learned to by herself after moving backward by pushing herself with her hands.

She stopped going backward after being able to move forward.

She is into standing up by herself these days.

I wonder when she is going to start walking around.

Here is the link to Mia crawling video!

後ろ向きにずりハイしていた娘がいつの間にかハイハイをするようになぅた。

ハイハイができるようになったらずりハイはしなくなり。

最近は立つ練習に夢中。

もうすぐ歩き始める予感。

ハイハイのビデオです。

Feb 4, 2013

I found Texas in Tokyo!/東京でテキサスを発見!

I will be in Austin again from 6th of March.

Should I try Texas Burger while I am in Tokyo?!

3月6日からまたオースチン。

マックのテキサスバーガーがちょっと気になった。

でもバーガーはやっぱりオースチンの方が美味しいからなぁ〜

Feb 2, 2013

Kanda river walk/神田川

I walked around Kanda river with Mia because it was warmer outside.

外が暖かかったので近所の神田川周辺を娘と散歩。

A woman that I met during our walk offered to take a photo of us when I was taking a picture of Mia.

娘の写真を撮っていたら見知らぬおばさんが私たちの写真を撮ってくれた。

After being a pregnant and having a baby, many women told me about their baby stories. And of course she started telling me about her life story with her daughter and her husband.

写真を撮った後でおばさんはおばさんの娘の事や旦那さんのことを話してきた。

I wonder having a baby make other women to share their baby stories or?!

娘が生まれてから色々な女の人に話しかけられて赤ちゃん話を聞く事が増えたなぁ〜

Jan 18, 2013

100 yen shop / 100円ショップ

Stroller hooks by fumika yamamoto
Stroller hooks, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

!00 yen shop in Tokyo got everything!

日本の100円ショップはなんでもあるなぁと今日は感心。

I was going to buy stroller hooks for 1500 yen online, but I found them at 100 yen shop.

オンラインで1500円でベビーカー用のママフックを購入しようと考えていたけど100円ショップで見つけたのでそっちを購入。

Although they were 100 yen, they were durable enough to hang my diaper bag.

100円だったけど2キロまでなので私のママバックもしっかり引っ掛けられた。

I used the footmuff in the car seat, so Mia could see my face while I pushed my stroller this time. Thus she did not cry, and I did not have to use my carrier.

私のベビーカーはアメリカ製なのでチャイルドシートの装置が可能。ベビーカーにチャイルドシートを使うと私の顔が見れるようになるのでチャイルドシートにこの間、買ったフットマフを装着。そしたら今回は娘は泣きませんでした。

I do not use my stroller everyday like I did in Austin anymore. I think Mia has forgotten about it already...

日本に来てからはベビーカーはほとんど使えていないのでなんだか娘はベビーカーを忘れてしまった感じ。

Jan 16, 2013

Still slippery outside / まだまだ外はツルツル

After snowy day by fumika yamamoto
After snowy day, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

I went outside with Mia by using the carrier.

雪が降った次の日に娘とだっこ紐でお出かけ。

Mia weighted over 20 lbs about a month ago, and I feel like she got heavier recently.

娘は七ヶ月にして体重がすでに10キロくらい。

There was still some icy snow on sidewalks.

まだ凍った雪の歩道が近所にはあって。

I did not make big steps when I walked on snow, however I almost fell while carrying Mia in front of me!

雪の上を歩く時は歩幅を小さめにを意識しながら歩いていたけどやっぱり滑りそうになった。

I learned never walk on snow if I am carrying a baby in a carrier.

今度から赤ちゃんをだっこしたりしている時は雪の上を歩くのはやめようと感じた。

Jan 15, 2013

Snow in Tokyo! / 雪、雪、雪の東京

The weather forecast said it will rain in Tokyo today this morning, however it has started to snow from this morning.

朝の天気予報では東京は雨となっていたけど午前中から雪がちらほら。

Today is a national holiday in Japan; it is Coming-of-Age Day. I feel like it snows often in Tokyo on 14th of January somehow.

今日は成人式。なんだか成人式は雪が多気がするのは私だけ?

I hope girls who are wearing Kimono (Haregi) for this national holiday is okay with this snowy weather.

晴れ着姿のお姉さん達は大変だろなぁ〜

Jan 13, 2013

Baby Muji / 無印ベビー

Baby Muji outfit by fumika yamamoto
Baby Muji outfit, a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

A lot of sales are going on in Tokyo.

最近は出歩くと、そこいらじゅうで衣料品のセールが目につく。

Although Mia is 7 month-old, her 12 month-old baby clothes are getting tight for her, so I decided to look for her clothes at Muji in Shinjuku.

まだ七ヶ月の娘ですが、十二ヶ月の服がだんだんきつくなってきたので西武新宿ぺぺに入っている無印で娘の服を探す事になった。

I found 50% off baby clothes!

なんと50%オフのベビー服をゲット!

I bought size 100 since Mia keeps growing really fast. I am hoping that she can wear them this coming fall also.

娘の成長は予測できないのでサイズは大きめの100を購入。

It has been a lot of work for me to look for her clothes in Tokyo since she is my first baby!

東京でベビー服を購入した経験はあまりないので娘の服探しはけっこう悪戦苦闘。

Jan 10, 2013

Footmuff / フットマフ

Mia (7 months Week 1) by fumika yamamoto
Mia (7 months Week 1), a photo by fumika yamamoto on Flickr.

I finally got a footmuff for Mia after not using my stroller for over 3 weeks in Tokyo.

色々と悩んだ末にやっと購入したフットマフで娘とお出かけ。約3週間ぶりくらいにベビーカーを使用できてうれしかった。

I was super excited to use my footmuff installed stroller today, however after pushing it for five minutes, Mia started to make her uncomfortable noises.

しかし•••ベビーカーを5分位押していたら娘が私は嫌なのと言う感じの声を出し始めた。

When I saw her face, I saw some tears running on her face.

娘の顔をのぞくと目には涙が•••

It was her first time to be in the stroller facing the front. I always put the car seat in the stroller, so she was facing the back. She probably thought I was gone, and that made her to cry.

娘は恥めて前向きにベビーカーに座ったので私がいなくなったと思ったみたい。

After that my stroller became a place to put my bag, haha...

おかげで今日はベビーカーが荷物置きに。

Jan 5, 2013

Harajuku / 原宿

After reading a lot about how popular pancakes are in Tokyo, I finally got to eat the famous pancakes at bills in Omotesando.

Their fluffy pancakes were delicious. A sliced banana looking honeycomb butter made these pancakes richer!

去年から気になっていた噂のパンケーキ。日本のヴォーグでもbillsは取り上げられていたので行けて嬉しかった〜

パンケーキはふかふかの生地で美味しかった。最初はバナナかと思って口に入れたハニーバター。パンケーキと一緒に食べたハニーのバターはパンケーキの味を一層リッチに。

They had many art books and some modern art on the wall.

中のインテリアはアートの本とモダンアートが店内の壁をおおっていた。
Because Takeshita street was on our way to bills, we walked through the crowded Takeshita street like a tourist.

billsに行く途中に竹下通りがあったので観光客のように普通ならさける竹下通りを通ったり。

When we went to bills, we were told the waiting was going to be about 2 hours and half, thus we visited Meiji shrine as Hatsumode.

I was hoping Meiji shrine won't be as crowded as bills since today was 4th of January, but still... there was a big line to visit the shrine!

お正月も三日を終えたから明治神宮はそんなに混んでないかなと期待してお参りに行ったらめちゃめちゃ混んでいた。

Although everywhere we went was crowded, Mia was a good baby, so we all enjoyed going out.

今回はどこも混んでいたので娘は期限が悪くなるかなと思ったけど、思ったよりもぐずらずに楽しくお出かけできて良かった〜