SO hot, SO humid, I think I'll grow some teeth...

It is hot, it is humid, and we are homesick. Jackson has also decided that now is the right time to sprout some more choppers...

Jackson has his two top front teeth coming in, and it looks like they are racing for a debut. His bottom two teeth were not red, nor swollen, nor did they show any preliminary signs of emerging. Just prest-o, one day I felt a little sharp tooth. These top two, however, are so red, so swollen. It looks as if he would bite down on something even as soft as a marshmallow that they would just pop through. But they haven't.

Wouldn't that be so bizarre; to remember having no teeth, and then the pain of getting them? Yikes. I can't imagine being a baby and remembering it. Gumming everything, and then having the discomfort Jackson is clearly feeling, and then having sharp little baby teeth. Bring on the steak, y'all! Haha.

(My niece just got her braces off. I remember that. So exciting! And then - so slimy. The slick teeth felt so foreign. I felt gorgeous. She is gorgeous...)

We took Jackson out for some fresh (hot and humid) air today, and we saw a black lab/mix at a cafe. It isn't uncommon to see dogs in Tokyo, but they are usually small or toy breeds, and they usually wear clothes. This was a real hound. He was nice. The owners were admiring Jackson; we were admiring the dog. I was anxious to see if Jackson would be hesitant or scared, since he hasn't seen Dixie (or any dog bigger than he is) in 3 months. He was in Heaven! He was squealing and screeching and laughing and trying to pet this really friendly sweet dog! Of course, I tested him out to make sure he was not the biting kind (the dog, not jackson!). The owner spoke a little English and was surprised Jackson wasn't afraid.

I was grateful for the encounter. I want him to love dogs. I want him to have his dog Dixie to pet. I really want them to grow up together. We miss her a lot, clearly, and we are ready to come HOME. I love Japan. The people here are so kind and polite. The country is beautiful. There is so much culture and convenience; the best of both worlds. But no Dixie, no family, no dryer or oven hahahha. So we either need a visit from one of you, or a plane ticket home. So get here already!!

Love, the Smiling Choppers.