First Father's Day

June 21st found us walking on the beach with the sun shining and a cool breeze that wasn't as strong as the previous days. Where is this? Fort Bragg, CA! Before my summer teaching got too hectic, the Avenells spent a few days and nights to get away from the phone, computer, and chores. It was glorious! We rented a house that we've been to before and Iris felt right at home, even though she had to sleep in her portable playpen.

What do visitors do in Fort Bragg? Well, we were thinking of going on the North Coast Brewery

tour, but walked around town on the day that there was a car show. Here's a Porsche that I liked. It's red and cute!

We took long walks along the shore, but it was very windy and a bit chilly. So we drove the Point Cabrillo lighthouse one afternoon and the nearly Botanical Garden a different afternoon. The flowers were gorgeous, but it was a real treat to see a working model train set outdoors.


We went out for dinner one evening, but saved money by cooking at "home." While Iris was sleeping, we read books, slept, watched two DVDs, slept, and snacked a lot. Needless to say, it was fun being on vacation.


Well, it's back to reality and I am praying for a favorable outcome regarding my teaching jobs. The state budget is a horrendous mess! Thank God for our ability to earn decent income, especially now that we have Iris.

We feel tired in the evening, and Iris is more "cling-y" and whiny (because she has no real words yet). I especially enjoy her backing up to sit on my legs when we're on the floor, and her grabbing my legs when I'm standing up in the kitchen. Dada is great at giving baths and putting her into her crib. Our almost 13-year old dog had a recent yeast infection (we think) and so she's been taking medicine for that and her arthritis. Poor H.G.!

As Iris is now 19 months old, I wonder what she really thinks of her parents-"They're weird! They're funny! They speak different languages." I pray that God will help her sort things out and love us as much as we love her.

Loving visitors

In the past few weeks, two of Da-da's good friends from Colorado came for quick visits. Of course, they came to see Iris and she took to them all very well.

Memorial Day weekend was full and busy. Mark and Judy S. came from Parker with a basket of Dr. Seuss books and a stuffed toy Cat in the Hat that was taller than Iris. The challenge now is for Mom and Dad to be able to read all the tongue twisting words in "Fox in Sox." We spent a sunny day at Korbel Winery, Armstrong Redwoods, and drove to Bodega Bay Head. Here are a few photos from their visit:



In early June, Dave and Denise M. came from Fort Collins -home of the CSU Rams- to spend a day with us. We had a nice walk/tour around Jack London State Park. By the next morning, Iris was so comfortable with them, that she would go to them motioning for them to pick her up. Here they each are holding Iris:

First Mother's Day!

It was our first Mother's Day together and it was truly glorious. In the morning, I was greeted with white roses from Dada (a.k.a. Brian). Then, I dressed Iris up in her Chinese dress, complete with her red Chinese style shoes that squeak when she walks. I'm glad that most of the people in the toddler room at church found that amusing instead of annoying. We all went to church and the message was on mentoring based on the book of Ruth.
In the afternoon, we went for a warm walk around a nearly lake (man-made) where we met up with another couple. Of course, Dada did the walking and pushing the stroller, while Iris sat calmly. After that we enjoyed a delicious pizza dinner at Mary's Pizza Shack (local chain) where they were serving free mud pies for mothers. What a score for me! I couldn't remember the last time I ate one of those. It was thoroughly delicious and there was definitely enough for two, but I ate most of it myself. This was in addition to the previous evening (Saturday), when we ate a great dinner with A-ma, A-gong, Aunt Ruth and her two tall boys, M and N. Praise God for a very memorable weekend!

The following week was full of fun, too. As the weather is warming up and evenings are brighter, Iris is able to get outdoors more. Here are a couple of photos. The one on the left was taken at a backyard potluck where Iris tried to feed the owners' dogs bark. It was a hot day, so wearing only a onsie worked for Iris. The other one with her playgroup friend, Michael, at a nearby park. They like the slides, climbing, and just roaming around on the sand and grassy field.

Happy Children's Day

In Japan, they celebrate Children's Day today. For us, every day seems like Children's Day because Iris is such a cutie! It's fun to play with her and watch her smile and laugh at new "games" she creates. Tonight, I brought out a plastic, neon and multi-colored slinky toy that I recently got at a rummage sale. She was stretching the ends so that her arms opened wide. So, I got an idea to have her hold one end, and I stretched it out very far. Then, I let go for the coils to spring back. She just giggled and thought that was fun. After 10 times, I think she got distracted by another "toy" (beautiful large metal canister with a painted iris flower outside) that she likes to carry and move around the living room. Oh well, ...next!

Iris still walks like she's drunk, but looks so happy and proud as she explores different rooms and spaces in our house. Last night, she was walking around to whichever room our dog was in. Our old dog pretty much sleeps a lot; and therefore, tends to avoid Iris-the noisemaker. Yesterday, I observed her doing her "butt-spin" for the first time in months. It's still a very entertaining trick of hers!

She's enjoying stroller rides, bike rides and is okay with car rides. On our walk this evening, she held out her hand as I walked next to her. So, I put my hand in hers and she grasped my hand. She wouldn't let go. She seemed to smile at the fact that she was pulling Mama along (Dada was pushing the stroller). For me, I felt warmed by her wanting to hold onto my hand. This was definitely a departure from me touching her hands, such as when I'm praying with her. When I pulled my hand away, she loudly called out to me and reached her hand towards me as I walked alongside the stroller. I loved it!

So, someone asked recently, "How's parenthood?" I still feel like such a novice, but I see Dada doing instinctively fun activites appropriate for development. He cooked playdough the other day. Iris chose play with the dough by dropping pieces on the floor. That was okay for our dog, since it's edible playdough. I imagine it didn't taste too good, though. Yet, I marvel at how much we've learned not only to care for Iris in the daily chores, but to be relaxed about the changing behaviors and communication (such as it can be without recognizable words) with her.

I wonder: What will her first real words be? Will she be a picky eater? (so far, it's not too bad) What things do we really need to buy for her as she grows-clothes, shoes, sippy cups, etc.? How will she (and we) be when she has her first bad illness? Are we not teaching her appropriate manners?
The questions continue, but there are many friends and family members sharing with us their experience. I'm very glad that we (the parents) are both learning to let Iris be Iris as she begins to exert her independence. What a ride we're on! It may be on a small scale how God watches me as I grow (and fall) in my belief, trust and spiritual walk with Him. I'm thankful that God doesn't give up on anyone who calls to Him in the name of Jesus. But that doesn't mean that he will spoil us either because He is righteous, merciful and knows His creation. Amen.