Blooming by the Bay
The Endless Stories of Dan & Misono & Their Beloved Mio
RSS

Our Family’s Growing…

July 2, 2013 By Misono in Milestones, News and Updates, Pregnancy & Parenthood Tags: baby, baby #2, big sister, Mio, pregnancy

Mama's Due with Baby #2!

We’re thrilled to announce that we’re expecting our second child, due to arrive in January! Our little family of three is growing into a family of four in the new year.

Mio expresses our feelings exactly about this upcoming big change in our lives…

A lot of times, we're full of excitement and anticipation...
A lot of times, we’re full of excitement and anticipation…

 

...but there are moments of fear and uncertainty.
…but we are not without those moments of fear and uncertainty.

 

 "What have we gotten ourselves into?! Can we handle this?!"
“What have we gotten ourselves into?! Can we handle this?!”

 

But yes, for the most part... we're just super excited.
But yes, for the most part… we’re just super excited.

 

And while Mio may not exactly understand yet how her life is about to drastically change...
And while Mio may not exactly understand yet how her life is about to drastically change…

 

We can be sure she's going to be an awesome big sister!
…we can be sure she’s going to be an awesome big sister!

 

It’s been hard keeping it a secret, and while we were trying to keep it to ourselves just a little longer, it’s proved impossible by the fact that my belly’s been getting noticeable a lot earlier this time around (I swear I already look like I’m 5 months along), it’s been difficult to explain my seemingly constant state of nausea and the frequent dashes to the bathroom, and the fact that my mother in her unbridled excitement spilled the news to half the people she talked to at my brother’s wedding this past weekend (“Please be understanding if my oldest daughter pukes during the ceremony… she’s PREGNANT!” Thanks, mom.) Baby #2 certainly hasn’t made it easy for me so far, as I believe my morning sickness is actually worse this time around (while I was nauseous all 9 months while pregnant with Mio, I mostly suffered from gagging and dry heaving, and only actually threw up a handful of times — this time I’ve been losing my dinner almost every night), and being pregnant while taking care of a toddler seems to triple the first trimester exhaustion… but we’re very thankful for this opportunity to be creating a nurturing yet another human life.

We’re very touched and grateful for the support and enthusiasm of everyone as we’ve announced this happy news. I know I say this often, but I feel like I can never stress enough how lucky we are to have all of your in our lives — it’s thanks to you that our family’s lives are so enriched.

Ted & Elisa’s Wedding

July 1, 2013 By Misono in Family and Friends, Local Gems, Videos Tags: Elisa, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Meadowlark Gardens, Ted, wedding

Yesterday was a very special day for our family, as my younger brother Ted got married to his girlfriend of four years, Elisa! Their wedding was at beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in the wedding, and it was great being a part of the lovely celebration of the happy couple’s love!

Mio and I before the wedding.
Mio and I before the wedding.

 

It rained a little in the afternoon, but the sun came out just in time for the ceremony!
It rained a little in the afternoon, but the sun came out just in time for the ceremony!

 

Mio sharing a moment with her favorite uncle before the wedding.
Mio sharing a moment with her favorite uncle before the wedding.

 

Oh the excitement!
Oh the excitement!

 

The ceremony begins with the mothers lighting the unity candle.
The ceremony begins with the mothers lighting the unity candle.

 

The groom Ted enters with his groomsmen.
The groom Ted enters with his groomsmen.

 

Processional of the bridesmaids
Processional of the bridesmaids led by myself.

 

Here comes the bride!
Here comes the bride!

 

Ted and Elisa at the altar
Ted and Elisa at the altar

 

Reading their vows together... they had each other in tears. (A rarity since I haven't seen Ted cry since he was a child!)
Reading their vows together… they had each other in tears. (A rarity since I haven’t seen Ted cry since he was a child!)

 

Exchange of rings
Exchange of rings

 

Officially husband and wife!
Officially husband and wife!

 

Happy groom!
Happy groom!

 

Happy bride!
Happy bride!

 

Cupcake tower at the wedding!
Cupcake tower at the wedding!

 

Loved their cake topper!
Loved their cake topper!

 

Mio got to sneak a mini cupcake before the cake cutting!
Mio got to sneak a mini cupcake before the reception began!

 

Entrance of the bride and groom at the reception
Entrance of the bride and groom at the reception

 

Mr. & Mrs. Ted & Elisa Yokoyama
Mr. & Mrs. Ted & Elisa Yokoyama

 

The couple sharing their first dance.
The couple sharing their first dance.

 

...which then turned into the Harlem Shake!
…which then turned into the Harlem Shake!

 

The couple coming around to our table. Mio gets some love from Uncle Ted!
The couple coming around to our table. Mio gets some love from Uncle Ted!

 

Congratulations Ted & Elisa!
Congratulations Ted & Elisa!

 

Love this picture!
Love this picture!

 

The bride & groom with our parents.
The bride & groom with our parents.

 

"Bottoms up!"
“Bottoms up!” This picture of Mio cracks me up.

 

Another gem of Mio... take note of her expression.
Another gem of Mio… take note of her expression.

 

They even had goodie bags prepared for the kids at the wedding!
They even had goodie bags prepared for the kids at the wedding!

 

The cake-cutting!


 

Mio had so much fun on the dance floor!
Mio had so much fun on the dance floor!

 


 

Glowsticks in hand.
Glowsticks in hand.

 

...and in her hair.
…and in her hair.

 

Mio and Mama dancing.
Mio and Mama dancing.

 

"Congratulations Uncle Ted!" Mio loves her uncle. :)
“Congratulations Uncle Ted!” Mio loves her uncle. 🙂

The whole wedding was a beautiful celebration that reflected Ted and Elisa very well. We wish them the best in their new life together as husband and wife. Welcome to the family, Elisa! Congratulations to the couple on this wonderful start to their happily ever after. ♥

Company Picnic

June 27, 2013 By Misono in Recreational Fun Tags: company picnic, dan, Mio, Scitor

While I was in Philadelphia last weekend, Dan’s company had their annual family picnic on Saturday. He took Mio along and she had a blast! I’m so glad he took all these pictures so that I could see all the fun and share a little in the experience!

Scitor Company Picnic
Scitor Company Picnic

 

Mio loved all the toys and goodies they gave her.
Mio loved all the toys and goodies they gave her.

 

She was munching away at some watermelon when...
She was munching away at some watermelon when…

 

...someone special caught her eye!
…someone special in the distance caught her eye!

 

Elmo!!!
Elmo!!! She immediately ran over. (She’s been obsessed with Elmo latley.)

 

Getting a hug from her favorite character.
Getting a hug from her favorite character.

 

Abby Cadabby was there, too!
Abby Cadabby was there, too!

 

Giving Abby a high five!
Giving Abby a high five!

 

Mio was mesmerized.
Mio was mesmerized.

 

She kept going back to Elmo for hugs.
She kept going back to Elmo for hugs. 🙂

 

Scitor Company Picnic
There was even a petting farm set up at the picnic!

 

Mio planting a kiss on the pony.
Mio planting a kiss on the pony.

 

Petting a Peking duck.
Petting a Peking duck… yes, that kind. Who knew something so delicious is also this cute?

 

Mio also got to see a python!
Mio also got to see a python!

 

She even touched the tail! Definitely braver than her mama.
She even touched the tail! Definitely braver than her mama.

 

Mio received a balloon animal in the shape of Elmo!
Mio received a balloon animal in the shape of Elmo!

 

Such a treat! She was thrilled.
Such a treat! She was thrilled.

 

Mio also had a blast in the moonbounce!
Mio also had a blast in the moonbounce! It was her first time in one!

 

She also found Big Bird and Cookie Monster!
She also found Big Bird and Cookie Monster!

 

Giving Big Bird a huge hug!
Giving Big Bird a huge hug!

 

She kept photobombing other kids' pictures.
She kept photobombing other kids’ pictures.

 

"Ice cream!"
“Ice cream!” 😀

 

It was a hot day, and she loved cooling off in the mist.
It was a hot day, and she loved cooling off in the mist.

 

Mio had so much fun that afternoon that she conked out immediately once they got back in the car to go home. I’m glad she could have such a fun time with Daddy even while I was away! The picnic looked like so much fun and I hope that I can go with them next year! 🙂

A Weekend in Philadelphia

June 25, 2013 By Misono in Family and Friends, Foodie Love, Recreational Fun, Wanderlust Tags: banh mi, Debbie, Deborah, dim sum, Federal Donuts, fried chicken, LOVE sign, Magpie, Philadelphia, Philly, pie, The Bling Ring, University of Pennsylvania, UPenn

Reunited with the bestest! :)

My best friend Debbie moved up to Philadelphia earlier this year for her postdoc, and I’ve been wanting to visit her for a while now. Dan assured me that he could watch Mio for a weekend while I took the bus up from DC to go hang out with her, so I was able to finally make the trip this past weekend! As much as I missed Mio and Dan while I was away, it was so nice and relaxing to take a break from motherhood for a couple days and enjoy some girlfriend time. I’ve known Debbie since we were freshmen in high school, and my fondest memories are of us hanging out in college together, being roommates and watching movies and just chatting and pigging out on delicious eats. Last weekend felt almost like those good old college days all over again!

I woke up at dark o’clock to go into DC and take the bus from Union Station up to Philly, and got there in the late morning. We promptly headed over to Chinatown to get some dim sum!

Dim sum brunch at Ocean Harbor
Dim sum  at Ocean Harbor. We ordered a lot more on top of this, but the dumplings are always my favorites!

 

After brunch, we got us some bubble teas and walked around some of the parks in Philadelphia and UPenn’s campus.

 

Domino sculptures in Philly
Domino sculptures in Philly

 

Giant gamepieces
Giant gamepieces

 

In the city of brotherly love!
In the city of brotherly love!

 

Cool structure in the middle of UPenn's campus
Cool structure in the middle of UPenn’s campus

 

Later in the afternoon, we went to the movie theater and watched Sofia Coppola’s latest film The Bling Ring. It was really interesting, especially because it’s based on true events and how accurate its portrayal is.

 

Stopping by Magpie for some delicious pie!
Stopping by Magpie for some delicious pie!

 

The menu at Magpie
The menu at Magpie. So hard to choose!

 

We settled on Berry Lavender Crumb.
We settled on Berry Lavender Crumb.

 

Digging in!
Digging in!

 

Gourmet banh mi with chicken and duck confit
For dinner, we had gourmet banh mi with slow-cooked chicken and duck confit. So amazing!

 

We stayed up late chatting and watching criminal documentary shows like 48 Hours, and reminiscing about high school and college days! It felt like we were in our old dorm room 251 Slusher all over again (except Debbie’s apartment is much much nicer!). We got to sleep in until almost 11am the following morning (unheard of these days as Mio is usually sure to wake me by at latest 8am), and then we went out to get some lunch before I had to catch the bus to go back down to DC.

 

Eating shabazzi fried chicken from Federal Donuts at Rittenhouse Square.
Eating shabazzi fried chicken from Federal Donuts at Rittenhouse Square.

 

Goodbye Philly, it's been a fun (and delicious) weekend!
Goodbye Philly, it’s been a fun (and delicious) weekend!

 

Many thanks to Debbie for her awesome hospitality and taking me around to eat so many delicious things and see such cool sights in Philadelphia! I felt like we ate so much in a short weekend — my tummy, heart and soul returned to DC full and happy. ♥ Thank you so much bestest!

Father’s Day

June 16, 2013 By Misono in Seasonal Celebrations Tags: Dad, Daddy, dan, father, Father's Day

Happy Father’s Day to my husband, the best Daddy ever! Thank you for your continued unconditional love and dedication to our family. Can’t wait to share more adventures in this wonderful journey together. ♥

Dan loved his Father’s Day gift – Pilsner mustache glasses!

Dan loved his Father's Day gift - Pilsner mustache glasses!

 

Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my own father on this special day. Happy Father’s Day Papa! Thank you for everything. 今までありがとう❤ これからは側でもっと親孝行できるといいです。

My Papa and I, circa 1985.
My Papa and I, circa December 1985.

 

Hope everyone had a great weekend celebrating all the wonderful fathers out there! We had a delicious dinner celebration with sashimi, lobster and crab. 😀

«‹ 52 53 54 55›»

Search the Blog

Our Favorite Moments …













Pages

  • About Us
  • Contact

Post Categories

  • All Things Reviewed
  • Arts and Culture
  • Beauty Bar
  • Creative Corner
  • Dan's Tech Spot
  • Family and Friends
  • Foodie Love
  • Furry Friends
  • Home Sweet Home
  • In the Headlines
  • Kitchen Concoctions
  • Local Gems
  • Milestones
  • Mio
  • Mio Says
  • Mio's Monthly Photo
  • Mirei
  • Mirei Says
  • Mirei’s Monthly Photo
  • Miscellaneous Musings
  • Music & Lyrics
  • News and Updates
  • Pregnancy & Parenthood
  • Quoteworthy
  • Recreational Fun
  • Seasonal Celebrations
  • Telly Talk
  • Videos
  • Wanderlust

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Mio’s Pre-K Holiday Concert
  • It’s Complicated.
  • Gingerbread Turkey
  • “Princess with the Buns”
  • September Videos

Recent Comments

  • JasonSag: Керамическая плитка это один из …
  • Nicoleexisa: Между нами говоря, я бы попросил …
  • Elizabethsag: И что в таком случае нужно делат…
  • JasonSag: Керамическая плитка это один из …
  • Isaacfut: Tottenham Hotspur, founded in 1882, is inseparable of Engla…
Blooming by the Bay
© Blooming by the Bay 2026
Powered by WordPress • Themify WordPress Themes

↑ Back to top