July 5, 2009

AH! I have forgotten something you did today that was so cute! I was alone with you, something happened, I called for Chi, she came inside and I quickly started talking about something completely unrelated to your cuteness (I think I was talking about carpets!), and now its one o’clock and I am sitting here trying so desperately to remember, but can only think of weird things like the theme song to the T.V. show MacGyver! Oh well, at least I got to witness first hand your turning over! It was so special to see, you were laying down when suddenly, you folded your arms and rolled as if it were the most normal thing in the world. It took only about 2 seconds!
Today you met Noah, a fellow half baby living just down the road only about 5 minutes away by foot. Nagi might be jealous as you immediately held Noah’s hand and smiled. Jon and Lisa (Noah’s parents) were very nice and I even ate dinner with Jon and some of his friends. We also left you for part of the day today Sara to go to an orchaestra performance at harmony hall. They didn’t play “ton ton ton ton higeji-chan” though so we left a little disappointed.

July 4, 2009

I totally didn’t realize today was Independence Day until my student told me. Oh well. Happy Independence Day SARA. I think all alarm clocks should have a built in firework just for the 4th of July.
You and Rento went on your first date today. He was so romantic and took you to the opera. An opera named “ANPANMAN”. Actually it was just a stage show with lots of dancing delicacies. Rento had a gas, and you just had gas. Not too excited about Anpanman yet are you. Its okay. It saves us money on all the promotions and deals.
We noticed today you started holding your toes. When you do it though you just lean forward. I think if we wouldn’t stop you you would just hold your toes and just roll down the stairs out the house and start your own little rolling adventure.

July 3, 2009

When I left for work this morning you had somehow managed to roll yourself around about 90%, but by the time I came home you had learned to master the final ten percent. Yes. Today was the first day you rolled completely over, from your back to your belly. Actually you did it in secret, when no one was watching you directly. Chiharu left you in the care of your grandmother for 3 minutes as she went upstairs to do laundry and by the time she came back down you were on your belly. So as far as we know maybe you have done this kind of thing before. I was able to spend most of the morning with you and made you laugh. You were awake when I came home and didn’t seem eager to go to bed.

July 2, 2009

We went to the library in Aossa today to take advantage of a free book offer, to encourage parents of newborns to read to their children from a young age. We got two free books, a travel tote bag, and a lot of good advice from the librarian. She made you smile a lot and overall we had a good time. So good in fact that afterwards we ran out to buy some more children’s book for you (though truthfully it was something we wanted!). One book we bought is called Moku Moku. It’s a cute 0才 book with only cute sounds and no Japanese words. Its good for very young children because they can follow the story without knowing any words. Also it gets them to practice making sounds on their own. I really love Japanese children books.
After that you went to spend time with Nagisa. He is quickly becoming a part of our family, and you see him very often. You were excited to see him and even started holding hands with him.
When I got home you were already asleep but for the second night in a row you woke up crying. When I held you, you immediately went back to sleep. I’m beginning to think that you are crying because you miss me and need my attention. I hope this is true. I’ll hold you every night for the rest of my life!

July 1, 2009

Today you got your tetanus shot but was much better about receiving it than your previous shot. Your mom told me you cried for just a couple of minutes and then you were fine. Your mom remembers your nostrils got big when you cried, and thought you looked so funny. You also wore your first Band-Aid. I got home late tonight after you fell asleep. Your mom and I were talking when suddenly you started crying from a nightmare. It was so sad to see you crying like that that we immediately picked you up and loved on you. You slept through all of this but I want you to know your mom loves you so much, and she wants you to be happy always. She takes care of you 100% of the time even when you are not aware she is there taking care of you. That’s how special she is. Today is also important because it is the first time you drank something other than milk or formula. Your first drink was MELON JUICE. Not to be confused with melon cream soda. First your mom let you taste the spoon she was using to eat a melon. You smacked your lips like it was tasty so your mom gave you some more. Soon your mom decided it was time to give you a little juice, which you promptly put in your mouth. It was so sour for you though you immediately spit it out all over yourself and cringed. Still you didn’t cry and your mom believes you did drink some of it and in some way enjoyed the experience.

June 28, 2009

Mayson still hasn’t returned home. I am not giving up hope but everyday I grow more worried. If I knew he were happy it would put my heart at ease. It must be difficult for your mother because on one hand the cat brings only frustrations but on the other hand you do love him. Maybe it is too easy to dismiss my feelings. I don’t do it because I am happy to let go of him, but because I love him and want what’s best for him.
Today was a busy day. We had more guests come over today, but this time they were my friends. Well they are parents of one of my kindergarten students who also came over today. Its fun to think about how you might act when you become older. I want to meet you so badly. I used to think you were going to be a very outgoing baby but recently you have started to show discomfort when you are around new people and you become very quiet when you are in a new place (like today at Yaaaamaaada denKI). If this is your true personality let me just be the first to say its nice to meet you.
In the background I can hear your mom checking her weight on the scale. I think she is going to come crying to me any moment now! Nope she is losing weight! Time to celebrate with some pizza!
I’ve now been writing this diary for one month!

June 27, 2009

Your friends left today at about noon and you proceeded to nap throughout the whole day! Daddy came home at about 4 and took a nap with you. You took your bath early today and slept for about 20 minutes before you woke up and started crying. We took a walk to try and calm you down but nothing worked. But once I held you, you immediately stopped crying and started to fall asleep. It makes daddy so happy that you trust him so much to sleep peacefully in his arms every time. Even though I am at work all day I still feel so close to you.
We are nervous for Mayson. We haven’t seen him in a few days. Your daddy is more worried than anyone, but knows Mayson isn’t well loved in this house because he is hyper and ill behaved. Maybe it is for the best if he found a happy corner of the world that is his and where he can be happy.

June 26, 2009

Two of your friends came over today with their moms for a sleepover, so your mom was very busy cleaning and getting everything ready. Rento and Aiko (your friend from Gifu) are both older than you but you still seemed to be happy to see them. If anything the meeting showed us how big you have become recently. Aiko is 3 months older than you but you are a little heavier than her. Also compared to her you have almost no hair! But despite all of this you are still the most beautiful thing in this world so don’t think about going on a diet or getting hair extensions… You know you’ll just end up eating them. Then you’ll be bald again and even heavier! Recently you haven’t been sucking on your upper lip. It was a phase that lasted only a couple of days. Miyamo-chin and Hanae-san and their babies slept on the second floor. You slept next to your father.

June 25, 2009

You looked up when I called your name today three different times. You tried to play the toy trumpet today but only managed to drool all over it and yourself. Your mom bought you a new bath seat, and I came home and surprised you and mom when I found out one of my classes got canceled. Surprised is the key word because your mom got scared, because she wasn’t expecting me and even got upset when she found out it was me. I guess giving my wife a heart attack is not a romantic way to surprise her. Recently I started a new animation project just for you Sara. I hope I have enough energy to finish it. Maybe I’ll just turn it into a story book.

June 24, 2009

Mommy felt terrible today when she pinched your finger in the car seats seatbelt. You screamed really loudly and your mom was so scared. You also woke up early today which is rare for you. We hope you are feeling healthy and strong.

June 23, 2009

You laughed harder than you ever had today when you were playing with some bathroom toys. Afterward your mom and grandma thought maybe it was time to give you some tea. You didn’t think so though, and refused it. Soon we will try giving you real food. ENJOY! The scars from your shots are very easy to see on your left arm now.

June 22, 2009

You had your 4 month health check today, but I didn`t go. I hope you don`t consider me to be a bad father. I actually really wanted to go. But your mom and I had a small argument. By the end of the day your mom and dad got back together, and laid down with you between them. We are very sorry you are sometimes put between your mom and your dad’s fights. We promise to control our emotions better. That night mommy and daddy watched a movie and stayed close to each other all night.

June 21, 2009

Its your four month birthday AND its fathers day today. I hope that means we both get equal shares of the presents! Actually the day wasn`t very special. We all went to my students sweets shop because she was having a fair and we bought some really delicious frozen cream puffs. After that we went to Teramachi street in Ono city and walked around. By this time your mother was getting tired from driving. So we went home and called it a day.

June 20, 2009

You will be right handed! You keep grabbing at things with your right hand, even when its not your closest hand. So exciting! Although it is a safe guess. After all, 90% of the world is right handed. Tonight you also snored really loudly. So maybe it means you`ll be right handed and single! Oops. Bad joke.

June 19, 2009

Laughing has become no problem for you, but its been harder for us to write new jokes and material. Our old “ton ton ton” songs are starting to lose their effect. I noticed something Chi didn’t today! You have begun to pass objects from one hand to the other. It’s a small thing but I’m proud to be the first to notice it. You also almost rolled over in bed. We had to put our arms up to block you, but you weren’t able to complete the turn.

June 18, 2009

Welcome home! However today when you got home I was working… and when I came home you were sleeping. Why can’t you come to work with me from now on so I can be there to see you all day long?! Im sure my students won’t mind if I change your diaper in front of them! Actually tonight when you were sleeping I think you heard my voice, because you woke up just long enough to see me, smile, and go back to sleep! I decided not to get too close to you because I’m still a little bit sick, and you sneeze enough as it is … You should keep it as a hobby not a necessity! Actually when I saw you tonight I could see how much you changed in just 3 days. You look completely different to me. Your head has gotten bigger, and your facial features have all stretched out. You look more and more like a toddler and less and less like a newborn. On one hand it is exciting to see you growing up, but I wish I could have been there for those three days I missed. Mom was very proud of you during the trip home. And she is so surprised at how much you smile and laugh recently. Apparently everything is hilarious to you! I’m sure if I turn on CNN news channel you will laugh. “Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is having election troubles?! HILLARIOUS!”

June 17, 2009

Your mom sent me a video that shows you and how amazing your hands have become. You now like to hold your baby wipes box, which of course gets your dad excited, thinking you are going to be a great softball pitcher or the first female quarterback in the NFL. Or at very least its one step away from you changing your own diapers! I miss you, but you will come home tomorrow, so I will go to sleep and get healthy so I can hold you!

June 16, 2009

Went to work. Your mom sent me pictures of you from Tokushima. I took my night class off and went to bed early. I put your pictures up next to my bed so I could still sleep next to you. Being sick is one of the worst parts of life.

June 15, 2009

Your dad was even more sick today, but decided to stay for the day because your aunt wanted to take him to see the whirlpools in Naruto city. Your aunt is very kind, and is always taking care of other people. I hope she finds someone to take care of her soon. You slept all day; through lunch at Binbiya, on the Naruto boat tour, and even in the funny amusement park like “slopey” ride to daddy’s bus stop. I took a bus over to Osaka by way of Awaji island. I went over the Akashi Kaiko Bridge and dreamed about driving over it together with you. Too sick to move I got home and went to sleep.
OBOKE
KOBOKE
DREW-san NO BOKE!
(I changed the rhyme to oboke, koboke, kobe no ko no boke.)

June 14, 2009

We are off to Tokushima, but your father is sick. It can’t be pig flu because he was feeling bad in the morning, before he even left Fukui, where pig flu has yet to reach. The train ride took 5 hours, but you were such a great baby, and cried only briefly on the shinkansen to Okayama. We went to kazura bashi, but your mother decided to stay behind and not walk with you across the bridge (though truthfully I think she was scared). Actually it was a very scary bridge and even your father got scared! After that we went for a walk around your aunt’s house and saw the hospital she recently got transferred to and was currently working at that night. She was so happy to see you and I know it was hard for her to work that evening knowing you were at her apartment.

June 13, 2009

Weekend! Woohoo! Your mom hosted a small party with a couple of her friends so you spent most of the eveing with your grandmother! This morning you did some interesting things. You took the pillowcase off your pillow. This is the first step in you learning how to do your own laundry and me and your mother couldn’t be more excited by this development. You laughed a lot when I sang to you today, with a high pitched squeal that melted your father’s heart. You also started using your hands to grab at things you are interested in. Your mom’s friend Kase-chan played a song from a music book we have and you stretched your arms out far to try and grab the book. You had a great day, and we are daily learning to love you even more than before. How is that even possible?!

June 12, 2009

AMAZING! You have decided to give your mom a big gift for her birthday (which is one more than I will give her L though I have some surprises next week that we need to keep a secret between us)! You performed a breakdancing move especially for her. You spun on your back a whole 180 degrees! Sure it took about 30 minutes to do and you are likely not going to be in any new breakdancing movies, but it was amazing none the less. It means your back must be getting very strong. Perhaps soon you will be rolling, and then crawling and then walking and then stealing daddy’s wallet… It is all happening so quick, and your dad is so proud of you! Mom says you have been moving your legs a lot during feeding. Like you are already trying to exercise after eating a big meal… Yup… you are a girl.
Today your mom told me I was the best at holding you and making you fall asleep. That’s either a really nice compliment or it means I put you to sleep because I’m boring…Because its Chi Im thinking its because Im boring.

June 11, 2009

Today was a difficult day at work for your father. He didn’t see you more than 10 minutes all day. Sara please understand that if I had a choice in life I would be travelling the world with you and your mother, not caring about all the negative things that come with working.

June 10, 2009

Your hands are becoming so strong. You now easily reach for anything we are holding, and you immediately bring it to your mouth. Are you that desperate for food? You also have been grabbing at the soft foam support of your playpen, and threaten to pull the whole thing down on you!!! You went to English class today and met another half child. But you shouldn’t get too attached as it seems they will be going back to the states sometime in the next few years. You also went over to your mom’s new friend’s house. She is from Okinawa and has a child who is 8 months old. 5 months is such a big difference to a young baby isn’t it. But later in life it is a small thing. Can you believe some people are married despite being 40 years apart?!

June 9, 2009

You went to massage class and held hands with Nagisa. Im not liking how fast he moves. Just know you aren’t allowed to kiss him until you are at least 1 year old. You recently showed your displeasure with music. Everytime we play your toy trumpet you cry. I guess that means you will be a singer.

June 8, 2009

We went to Daianzenji to see some flowers and to bury your mother’s former pet Run the cat, who was the sweetest thing ever, and who I wish you had the chance to meet. You wore a Mickey Mouse outfit that I think you secretly hate because you aren’t very fond of hats. Your grandmother was worried you would be eaten by Mayson, but I know Mayson’s thinking is reversed. He loves attacking dogs and therefore is likely afraid of mice. You went to see Fujipan Obasan, and had a rough day, crying through most of it. You are sleeping peacefully now.

June 7, 2009

I just learned that you went to bed at 5:00pm yesterday! No wonder you woke up so early today, and started getting all grumpy around 4:00pm. Today was a busy day for you, but it started with your clothes. You wore a pink shirt and jeans your American grandma gave you. I also wore the same kind of outfit and it was the first time daddy and daughter wore what in Japan is referred to as a “pair look”. Although it is the first time it won’t be the last, but I promise to stop all “pair looks” by your 21st birthday (does that mean I have to wear a schoolgirl uniform?)! After we took enough pictures, we went out to Aossa to see your friend Nagisa at the free day care center. Because the emperor is in town the entire city is buzzing with many street festivals and parades and we walked around the station, running into two of my preschool students, which maybe made you a little jealous (Im popular with other kids too!). Then we went to a park and saw Aunt baba, and then onwards to see your great grandmother. You might never get a chance to really meet your great grandmother but she is a truly wonderful person. Today as she was eating her dinner, your Akemi grandma remarked that Great grandma’s food looked good. Without any hesitation your great grandmother stuck out her spoon to give your grandma a little taste of mabodofu. In the end she dropped the tofu on the table, but that quick reaction of giving whatever she has to her daughter shows her true mind. I hope I can give to you like she gave to your grandmother. Finally we went home, you went to sleep, and the parents went out to eat with your grandmother stuck on babysitting duties.