Although Pineapple's birthday was two months ago, I was finally able to take her for the 3-year-old health check--now that Basketball is old enough to go out for a few hours, and I'm strong enough to take both kids out at the same time.
Before the check-up, we had to see how she does with her ears and eyes. There were some tests using picture cards that we could do at home, like how far she can see and how well she can hear. It was interesting to learn how it was done. Pineapple had fun imitating what I asked her to do after these tests.
First, we talked to a public health nurse to see if we have any questions and/or concerns when we went to the health center. Then, we went to have her weight, height, and teeth checked. She is now 95.4 cm tall and weighs 13.8 kg. No wonder she looks so big, especially when she's right by Basketball. Last of all a pediatrician checked her heart and lungs with a stethoscope and watched the way she interacts. Everything went well, and it seemed that Pineapple had fun looking around at all the activity. Some children were crying and refusing to open their mouths for teeth check-up, and Pineapple was wondering why it was such hard work. She didn't remember she has the same issue at home sometimes.
Meanwhile, Basketball did a great job staying calm or sleeping most of the time. When he needed to be nursed or have his diaper changed, Pineapple tried to soothe him a lot.
The picture shows Pineapple with her outfit stuffed full of toys so that she could have a big tummy and look like there is a baby in her belly!
パイナップルは２ヶ月前に３歳になりましたが、バスケットボールが数時間外出できる時期になったし、私も二人の子どもを連れて歩く程度には体力も回復してきたので、やっと娘を３歳児健診に連れて行くことが出来ました。
健診の前に、聴力と視力の検査をして行かなければなりませんでした。絵が書いてあるカードを使って家で出来るテストだったのですが、遠くまで見えるかよく聞こえるかをチェックするものでした。こんな風にしてやれるんだと、やっていて面白かったです。パイナップルも私がやったテストの後で、真似をして遊んでいました。
保健センターに行って、まずはじめに保健師さんに何か質問や気になる事がないか聞かれました。それから、身体測定と歯の検査がありました。今の身長は95.4cm、体重は13.8kgでした。どうりで大きく見えるわけです！特にバスケットボールのそばにいるときはね。最後に小児科の先生が聴診器などで身体の様子をみたり、娘にいくつかの質問をしてその反応を見ていたようです。すべて問題なく終わり、パイナップルも周りでどんな事をやっているのか楽しそうに見ていました。ある子が歯科検診のときに泣いて口を開けるのをいやがっているのを見て、娘はなんでそんなに大変なんだろうね〜なんて言っていました。自分が家でもたまに同じような状況になる事を忘れてしまったようです。
この間バスケットボールは、ほとんど静かにしているか寝ているかのどちらかでした。授乳やおむつ替えが必要な時には、パイナップルが落ち着かせようとなでてくれたりしました。
写真はパイナップルが服におもちゃをたくさん入れて、大きなお腹を作り、お腹に赤ちゃんが入っているかのように見せようとしていたところです！
When we were walking in the neighborhood, I noticed this small creature on the cover of the stroller. I realized that fall is getting closer and closer even though we are still having hot weather in Tokyo. We hear cicadas during the day and crickets after it gets dark. It seems that we are just turning the corner from summer to fall!
Another picture of them playing imaginatively... This time, they were lining up to "go for a walk," as Pineapple was saying.
Pineapple loves to touch her little brother whenever she can. It makes me nervous since she gets carried away rather easily, but when I see her giving him a kiss I can see that she cares for him so much.
They are all lining up nicely on the floor, though some of them forgot to put a mattress underneath!
Although Pineapple's birthday was two months ago, I was finally able to take her for the 3-year-old health check--now that Basketball is old enough to go out for a few hours, and I'm strong enough to take both kids out at the same time. 
Eggplant is another summer veggie that we get a lot of from the farm. Sometimes there's way too much for us to finish, so we share them with neighbors. Last night, I decided to make several dishes using eggplants. From the right, they are steamed eggplant with ginger and soy sauce, eggplant with ground pork in a spicy sauce, and eggplant with mashed edamame. I made quite a bit of each dish, so I may not have to do any cooking for a day or two. 
For the first weekend since Basketball was born, we didn't have anybody come and visit and we had a quiet weekend. We did go out a few times, but there was nothing like the chaos of the past month. 
When both of our children take a nap at the same time, I try to take advantage of the quiet time. Most of the time that means laundry, cooking, or other household chores. When I'm tired and I feel like I won't last until bedtime, I take a nap with them as well. Yeah, it feels so good when I can sleep!! It also helps to keep my energy up. 
Finally, I have time to sit down and write the entries that have been piling up. Time flies!! It's already been a month since Basketball(BB) was born. We've been very busy, as you can imagine, taking care of two children 24/7 and having people visit us to see BB and his big sister, Pineapple. 
Today Basketball and I both had our one month check-up at the hospital. My husband came along this time (he was on a business trip three years ago when it was Pineapple's turn). My dad was kind enough to stay with Pineapple, so it made it easy for all of us. Thank you, Jiiji! 