Praying Mantis

Found in our entryway this morning, about three inches long. Could it be one of the ones we released this spring?

Shiao Yang

G changed locations this weekend, to Shiao YeePoh's in a suburb of Taipei, the capital city. She got to spend the evening with her cousin, who's 10 mos younger than X. Apparently the two got on very well together, it probably also helps that G has experience with little boys. :)

Threatening

X was mad at one of his sisters, threatening, "I [am going to] tell Daddy. He's goin' [to] spank your bottle!"

Seaside

River Mangrove

Typhoon Meranti

Add super typhoon, reportedly the strongest in 21 years, to G's Taiwan experiences. Where she is in the northwestern part of the island is relatively sheltered, they had strong winds and rain – compared to the southern half of the island (above)...

Under the Table

X has been taking his afternoon naps in the living room, usually under the ottoman, sometimes out in the open. If you try to move him to his crib, he gets upset and won't go back to sleep, which leads us to believe he likes being in the middle of the action at all times, sleeps more soundly with the noise.

Success!

I've grown sweet potatoes!!!

Relatives

G attended Shiao Bao JioJio's wedding reception – they were actually married 2-3 years ago – on Sunday, their son (18mos old) is "driving" the flowers.

With Shiao YeePoh.

Left to right: JioGong, AhPoh, G, San YeePoh, and Er YeePoh.

Aunts Wendy (left) and Amber (right).

The cousin – we refer to him as Lu ShiaoYang – who was in the car.

Day 2

Fresh papaya, soybean milk, brown rice milk for breakfast. Sharing two pork and two beef mini burgers at the Bistro 302 (Hsinchu) for lunch, where they also found the giant bear.