4.8 and 1.25

These are now the approximate ages of Taisei and Mirei, respectively.

Recently, I've started to worry about obedience problems, listening problems, hyper-active problems, etc.  We're probably just normal parents worrying, but he sure seems to not listen, have too much energy (which Mirei is usually on the receiving end of), and a generally inability to focus.  Maybe he's just a boy.

Today, I went to Taisei's parent-teacher conference and talked to his preschool teacher Mary.  She was very upbeat and positive, which helped me to feel a lot more at ease.  Here are some things that were interesting to us:

• Taisei's buddies with three guys, a Ben, Simon, and Truman.  Things with Ben have cooled, since he seems to be interested in classroom activities.  Simon and Truman like to run around wild with Taisei pretending to be superheros.  The teachers have assumed that these three are bored and have tried to find activities that can redirect their focus.
• Taisei most likely does not have ADD (which I asked about) because he has no problem focusing on anything he wants to focus on.  He just has very selective focus.
• He's interested in letters and phonetics lately.  Time to start learning to read.
• He has no problems with academics.  His math is pretty good.  (I was a little surprised with this, but it's a good kind of surprise.)
• He's one of the popular kids. (Again, very surprised.)  She compared his arrivals to those in the TV show Cheers.  She says that everyone definitely knows his name, both boys and girls.  This is funny since he doesn't seem to be a social guy.  Maybe that's what makes popular people popular.  They really just don't care.  I apparently care too much.  haha
• Along the same lines, she said that he has no problems socially.  He's nice to others and people like him.  Whew - this is something he struggled with when younger.  Definitely an area in which he has matured.
• Taisei often seems not to be listening, but then can always answer questions.  So the assumption is that he is listening.  Wami says Chieko sensei (Japanese play school) says the same thing.  I suspect he's really not listening, but when is called upon, has enough short term auditory memory of the event to think back, digest quickly, and pull out an answer.  I know you know what I'm talking about.  Useful skills in a pinch, but something I'd rather he not get used to doing.
• 36.5 lbs and 3'6.5" according to Wami's measurements.

Anyway, Wami and I have reaffirmed that we will try to stop losing patience with him and resort to calmer, peaceful ways to teach him and encourage him this year.  He really is a good kid, but just seems to find ways to not pay attention and knock down Mirei or whatever.  He's good to her and loves to make her laugh.  Lately, he's the only one that she will allow to feed her.  Otherwise, she insists on eating herself.

So now, update on Mirei:

• She copies everything - especially Taisei
• She likes to put lotion on Taisei and on herself after showers, just like mom and dad.
• She takes Legos and other toys and flies them around with a roaring engine sound, just likeTaisei.
• Lately, she's very clingy.  Always wants to be held.  Likes to put her head on my shoulders.  Also likes to ride on my back, just like Taisei.
• She's not as much of a food hog anymore.  But she we did find that she had canker sores in her mouth, which made eating painful for her for several days.
• She's into drawing lately.  Pen, paper, on her belly on the floor.  She holds the pen very well.
• She points to hiragana and pretends to read it, just like Taisei.
• She's walking faster and faster, but definitely not as smooth as Taisei was at this age.
• She refuses to sit in the car seat.  She always fights it.  Lately, it has been FREEZING in Salt Lake though.  Maybe she'd just rather be home.
• She's been sleeping well at night - pretty much from 8pm to 6:30am, at which time Wami will go lie down with her for another hour or so.
• Now, she always wants to get things, touch things, grab things - a lot more demanding and sure of what she wants.
• Also, she's started to shake her head when she doesn't want something.
• She never drooled.  Phew.  She's very good at using regular cups - this was early as around 8 or 9 months.  For a while now, she holds the cup herself and drinks from it with minimal to no leakage.  Not too shabby.
• She loves her papa.  Whenever she hears "papa" throughout the day, she gets excited and starts to say it, thinking that I might be coming home.  When the phone rings, she thinks it's Papa and gets excited.
• As soon as she wakes up in the morning, she starts saying Papa and wants to come to my room.
• When I get home from work, she has a huge grin on her face, runs over to me for "dakko" and puts her head on my shoulder when she gets it.  Very endearing.
• One bad thing - lately she's started slapping people in the face, head, whatever.  She doesn't really even laugh though, so I'm not sure what gives.
• 20 lbs, 2'5", according to Wami's measurements.

Just a pic or two before I sign out:

 See me under there?  Apparently, I'm nothing but a prop.