Max montage

This will be a random post, something to assuage my guilt for not writing more.  I'm at a loss for themes so here's a rundown of what's been happening.

1) Max started talking.  This is a pretty big deal.  We've been waiting and waiting and now words are starting to come out.  Standards such as ball, down, dog (he actually does a pretty damn good downward dog) and others like tiger, bee, baby and "inu" - Japanese for dog.

2) We have been scouting out book/toy stores that have "samples" and play areas to pass the time.  Here Max has shed his shoes per the usual instructions.

3) Max is fascinated with fish and can stare for hours at the big tank in our lobby.  We had a great time checking out the fish at the pet shop on the roof-top of Matsuya, a department store in Ginza.  I'll be getting him his very own goldfish soon.

4) We are still enjoying Starbucks and the Azuki Scone.

5) I accidentally gave Max peanuts and he survived.  (They were inside a rice cracker.)

6) We are still enjoying playgrounds.  Here, Max is playing in the sand, oblivious of the children around him - kids in the green caps are part of a school and he is using their sand toys.

7) In addition to French, Australian, Irish, British and Hungarian friends, Max and I are making Japanese friends as well.  

8) Max is eating better.  Onigiri - sticky rice molded into triangles or round discs - is proving to be a hit.  He sometimes allows me to feed him with chopsticks.  Corn was also a recent big hit.

9) And finally, Max got a spikey new haircut from new friend Monisha, who is a stylist.