So what have I been up to this past month??
Here I am in the "GC," as my parents call this. It stands for "Gated Community." Here I can safely play and practice my standing/balancing while Mommy works in the kitchen or while the adults eat at the kitchen table. Does this mean I don't get to sit on Daddy's lap anymore during mealtimes?
Here I am with my "Music Man" toy that will grow with me...keep looking for the new ways it will change. It's fun because I can get it to make sounds like a drum, play "Peek-a-Boo" (in Japanese "I-nai. Inai. BA!"), and all sorts of things. I'm discovering new capabilities every day :-)
It's funny! Mommy was so surprised to see me trying to stand up in my crib (after she put me to bed one night.) The next night (Tuesday, Sept. 29th), I nailed it! Then, I got to stay up extra in Mommy's arms while Daddy lowered my bed right away :-) 
They say I'm going to keep Mommy & Daddy "on their toes." I don't know what that means, but I know I love toes :-D
Ta Da!! 
Ready to go on our Sunday morning walk!
My Breakfast Picnic of Formula...Yummy!
Our hoped for MisDo (Mister Donuts) closed on us, so we ended up with McD's. Neither are too "healthy," but their the best as far as "fun" breakfast out here. (Those of you who have enjoyed - or should I say, "experienced" - breakfast out in Japan know what I mean!) 
Enjoying the park in the middle of downtown Sannomiya, not far from Daddy's work.
Earlier in the month I ate here in my chair that I like to sit in to watch Baby Einstein sometimes.
Now, I'm moving up in the house - I eat twice a day in my own High Chair! So far I like Rice Cereal, Japanese Pumpkin (Kabocha), Sweet Potato (did you know they're YELLOW?),Carrots, Applesauce and Bananas! When I'm done eating I signal by looking down at my colorful floor mat and seeing if I can find all the food that I've helped find it's way to the floor :-D
Kobe Waterfront Boardwalk (conveniently located near Babies-R-Us)
This fall weather is perfect - not too hot, not too cool!
Enjoying my "Who Loves Baby" Chew Book with my grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts & uncles and cousins pictures :-) 
Future Buckeye?!?
Daddy's boy
You should see me chase & roll my football around the living room! Come play with me :-)ADOPTION PROCESS UPDATE/PRAISE REPORT:
We've had two meetings with our social worker from the family court. We are very thankful as she seems very thorough, proactive and is nice to work with. A friend from church went with us as Japanese support for our first meeting (to help with the more technical aspects and make sure we were all staying on the same page.) Then, the social worker came and checked things out here in our home.
Now it appears that our part is done and we wait for the duration of the required six-month waiting period, while the court continues gathering their information from the other parties. Our six-month waiting period ends at the end of February. It is very encouraging that our social worker has already said that she'll call us toward the end of January to schedule our final home visit, so that she can submit her findings to the judge for a decision as soon as the six-months is up! We had heard from friends who also adopted in our area (same family court) that things went very quickly and smoothly for them. We are excited, as it seems that way for us too! Let's keep praying that the adoption will be finalized by Joshua's 1st Birthday!
