We have been on lockdown here on Rokko Island since Saturday afternoon when the first domestic case of the N1H1 flu (swine flu) was reported in the Kobe area. They decided to cancel school for the upcoming week, advised people to stay away from from large public gatherings, limit train use, and to wear masks, wash hands regularly and gargle (not sure about the last one). So needless to say we have been pretty bored.
The one thing that has been keeping us busy has been the new bike we purchased. Callie has been obsessed with bikes lately. Every time we are at the playground and she sees a kid bike she wants to go over to it, stand by it, and sit on the seat. And when we are walking in the stroller she loves to point out all the bikes, which are pretty much everywhere! So we thought getting a bike with a seat for Callie would be a good idea, and we were right, she loves it! We have been going on morning bike rides and Callie talks pretty much the entire time. At times she gets so excited and starts kicking her legs that she ends up kicking me in the bootie :) She has also started poking me and tickling me in the back when we have to stop to wait to cross the street. I'm so glad we got the bike, it's a great way to exercise and Callie really enjoys it. Once Scott comes back from this road trip we are going to get a bike for him too so we can have family rides :)
Callie and Daddy on their first bike ride!
She was so excited! I planned on waiting to let her on the bike until we purchased a helmet (she has a helmet now and wears it every time she is on the bike), but she saw the bike parked outside our front door when we were on the way inside and got so excited. This picture was actually taken in our apartment building in the outdoor hallway. It's a big square so it was a pretty good track. Callie was yelling "Mama, Mama" the entire time, like she was saying Mama look at me, this is so cool!
Callie also had a big "first" today. After dinner we were playing and I got out her little shopping cart push toy. Callie was excited to see it and stood up behind it right away and started walking with it! She went back and forth through the living room a couple of times and even navigated her way from the living room, turned down the hallway and then into the kitchen! I was only inches behind her the entire time, and at first still hand my hands on her hips, but eventually was just hovering making sure I would be there to catch her if she stumbled! I am so excited that she has started doing this. The last week she has been getting stronger at walking with us holding onto her arms and now she is one step closer to walking independently! Below is a short video of her pushing the basket, but you can see her take a couple of steps. It's pretty short because it was hard to film and be close enough so she didn't fall :) Also, please excuse my scratchy voice in the beginning of the clip. I have been suffering from Spring allergies and am pretty congested, and no, I don't have the Swine Flu! Enjoy!!
