Stump tales and a right of passage (not necessarily related)

So, while frantic baby preparations are on-going, we also have been trying to get our derriers in gear with respect to some rudimentary landscaping. One would think that this would be a relatively easy task... think again. We are in a battle to the death with a stump and it's not at all clear to me that we have the upper hand. Let me start by introducing you to the stump





He's a stubborn old bugger who sits in the corner of our yard, coincidently in the exact spot where a fence would go. As evidenced by the old rusted gate that the stump seems to be in the process of devouring, this guy is not prepared to go gently into that good night. In fact, thus far, stump (as he is not so affectionately come to be named) has resisted all attempts at removal. Oh sure, you might say that it's because the guy who was supposed to removed the stump didn't show up, or that the company that said they would do it, when confronted with the actual act of removing the stump, decided that they don't actually have the machinery to do it! But, I am convinced that the stump has some special power to foil the slings and arrows (or chainsaws) of mere mortal men. In fact, I think that stump's going to outlive us!

Ah well, enough about the great stump (who I have now decided is a distant relation to the Great Pumpkin of Peanuts fame) and on to better, if not bigger, things like Kiyomi preparations.

This last week has marked a number of milestones towards parenthood. Kiyomi's room is coming together and actually looks kinda like a little girl's room, rather than a storage closet. Half of the back seat in the car is consumed by a baby seat and we now clamber over a baby gate at the top of our stairs (both courtesy of our friend Catherine). Yesterday, there was a baby shower hosted by Kohji's lovely and gracious sister-in-law, Aya (who would have made Kenji proud with her picture taking prowess this afternoon). Sushi and a wonderful chocolate cake with strawberry filling were promptly devoured by all. And while that was underway, Kohji and Kenji headed to Future Shop to pick out a video camera, the amazing gift from Kohji's family and, as we have been told repeatedly, a must have for any parent-type. Top that off with a bbq in the evening, where a cake (thanks to Gaby, a baking goddess) is brought in celebration of Kiyomi and a gift is snuck in for her as well (all Renee's doing)! It was indeed a day of milestones.
Now, each of these would be considered a right of passage in their own right. However, there was an even bigger and more profound right of passage that truely marks the beginning of our new lives:


Yes, you guessed it, this house now contains a Dora the Explorer chair (thanks to Kathleen and the ever jubiliant Ella). Now, we're truely ready for parenthood - as soon as someone tells who the heck Dora is and why she hangs around with that little monkey all the time?!