Moka turns one year old today and so I’d like to commemorate that by listing 12 things about her, one for each month she has been alive.
Feet
Moka and I share an unusual quirk. We both like to rub our feet on different textures. Who knew that podotactilia (my term) was genetic? Other traits she acquired from me: multiple sneezes and a love of watermelon.
Watermelon
She has a sixth sense for watermelon. As soon as I get it out of the fridge, she stops whatever she’s doing wherever she may be and comes running up to me and starts tugging at my shorts and raising a ruckus until I give her a piece.
Yummy?
But her favorite food is black sesame tofu. It’s crazy. She can’t get enough of it. It’s the only thing she doesn’t get tired of.

Hands
She doesn’t like her hands to be touched. By anyone. It’s amazing the number of strangers who come up to her and try to touch her hands. She shoos them all off. Sometimes she smacks their hands away.
Pink
No matter how much we’ve tried to be gender neutral, she coos at cute things, and she clearly prefers pink feminine clothes.
Walking
Moka started walking solidly at 10 months old, which by all accounts is very early. She took her first steps during her ninth month. This wasn’t some natural ability. I saw first hand how much work she put into it. She started practicing standing up since she was 6 months old, repeatedly using the full length mirror to pull herself up and then recklessly tossing herself back onto my lap. She would do this sometimes for an hour. She had a goal and she worked at it. She is a Virgo.
Smiling
In public she likes to go up to people and stand in front of them until they smile at her. Then she flashes a huge smile back. Some people just look up and don’t smile. Others don’t even look up. I kind of feel bad for her when that happens. But they have a right. If they want to ignore an irresistibly cute baby they are welcome to continue living their cold heartless lives.
People
In order, these are the kinds of people she is drawn to most.
1. Elderly ladies. We think they remind her of her grandmother.
2. Pretty mothers. But only when she’s with me and without mommy.
3. White-haired men. She loves her grandpa.
4. Elementary school age boys. She sometimes goes up to them and opens her arms for a hug. My theory is that they remind her of her cousin, JJ, who she’s only seen on skype.
5. Older girls. No hugging here. Just observing from a distance.
6. Happy young couples. She’s drawn to smiling happy people in general.
7. Dogs. Hey dogs are people too.
8. Pigeons. Uh, pigeons are people too?
Edeba
Her first word was ‘elephant’. In both English and Japanese. Well, ‘edeba’ in English and ‘doda’ in Japanese. So she’s already bilingual. It’s from a Japanese children’s song that I adapted into English. She starts singing it whenever she sees a picture of an elephant. In English with me and in Japanese with mom.
Trees
Whenever we enter a forest or a grove of trees, she makes happy chatty cooing sounds.
Chillin‘
In the morning she just lounges on my lap, leaning back into my body and just chills out. It’s one of my favorite times with her.
Facing Fears
When she falls or gets hurt she goes to mommy. When something scares or startles her she comes to me and commands me to take her to the offending thing. Already, she’s learning to face her fears. And I’m happy to chaperone her on her journey.
The Quilting Sword 
This is really nicely captured.
thanks jess.
What a kid! What a dad!
learning from the best.
Yes, Moka has a beautiful smile.
I remember Shinichi Suzuki once said ‘Children learn to smile from their parents.’ So when I look at this happy child, I can almost see her parents.
My daughter didn’t like any one to touch her hands either. It took me 20 years to find out why ….
oui, she plays piano beautifully.
hmm. i’ll be sure to expose her to the piano.
i can’t believe anyone would not give a smile to a cute baby…
she is adorable!
Great observation, Wind. Spend time together, observe and know your child well is the only way to provide the right environment for her. Moka is so lucky to have you two as her parents who would “chaperone her on her journey.” I loved that phrase!
two mins!
minwen, i just shake my head and whisk moka away.
minako, WE are lucky to have moka in our lives.
I can’t believe she is already a year old! She is awesome. Erin and I are always gathered around the computer when there is a sighting of Moka to be had. Thanks for keeping us in the loop! Thinking of you guys all of the time. Can’t wait to see you again, and meet Moka in person.
With Love,
Zach (and Erin)
i think a visit back to Japan is overdue!
That second item under People is hilarious.
Sometimes people who aren’t accustomed to being around children don’t know how to react. If they choose not to engage, then it is their loss, as such a beautiful child will quickly find the cheerful interaction she is seeking elsewhere.
always wise words. thankfully, she gets a lot of positive attention and interactions. and so far she never seems sad about people ignoring her.