Reasons why I will miss Katie:
1. She is really thoughtful and considerate. Little things like bringing me a cake for my birthday or baking cupcakes for our friend.
2. She invites us over for pizza or japanese new year or karaoke.
3. We have fun together. It feels very natural to laugh and talk and be together. Just hanging out at our houses, going to the park, walking around the mall, hanging out at boba or coffee.
4. She's a crazy driver.
5. Her daughter loves my son. Make that, Katie and her whole family love my son! :)
6. I'm amazed and respect her hard work, that she is able to do so much even with a baby.. study and pass the CPA, take her daughter to different modeling jobs, go to different places like LA or SF, stay in good shape and hit the gym, get a job and move.
7. Who else in the world do I know that has as much in common with me?? We both are half-japanese with bilingual japanese husbands. We both went to the same elementary school. We both live with our parents. We live just minutes from each other. We both went into labor at the same hospital. Our kids are just a day apart. If they had had a boy, they would have named him Noah (which is Kai's first legal name.) If we had had a girl, we were going to name her Keila (their daughter's name!)
8. She makes me laugh.
9. Out of all the other mom friends I know, I can always count on chatting with Katie online or calling her up and just getting together, no planning or scheduling necessary.
10. She always has some great info to share from the internet, like a cooking-with-dog youtube video on cooking japanese food.
11. She gave me confidence to get out of the house and to breastfeed Kai outside the house.
12. I could talk to her about all my worries and questions about Kai and felt like someone else could relate.
13. It has been so great to watch Kai and Keila grow and change together. They really have become best friends.
14. We have shared so many great memories--singing karaoke, going for walks, playing at the park, meeting up at starbucks, sharing weird stories about "Ping" at Tapioca express, getting my butt kicked at blokus, chatting online and looking at youtube videos, going to Obon, dressing our kids up in funky christmas outfits, going trick or treating, going swimming, having "baby parties" just so we can sit around and eat cookies, playing Wii bowling with our babies, celebrating birthdays, trying zumba together, going to free salon events for free food and drinks, going to mochi tsuki. It is weird that we won't share as many memories together from now on as we have, unless we take trips to see each other..
Our friends, the Fukudas, who we have known as long as our children have been alive, have become very dear to us. They have been convenient, easy, natural, comfortable, fun, wonderful to know. You don't always meet people like that. I know that orange county life will treat them well and they will be happy and successful no matter where they go, but we will really miss them!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Reflection
So, as Kai naps and any second will wake up, I sit here looking out the window at the sunshine and hoping that this day will not go to waste. But as I wait and peruse other people's blogs and their lives, I look at the other moms out there blogging about their great recipes, their irritations, their joy and their children. I think.. who am I at this exact moment? This blog is mostly about how Kai has entered our world and how his life is changing and how he has changed us. But this blog is also about us.
Somer
I love water color paint and how it is soft and how it moves. I love music that makes me cry or feel alive and want to dance or to get on a mic and sing really loud at a karaoke with my friends. I love eating and will eat almost anything. Sushi, donburi, comfort foods, pasta, korean bbq, thai noodles, indian curries with naan, kim chi, dim sum, things with hot melting cheese, spicy stuff... I love God. I love my husband for all that he is and everything about him that is different than me that I can learn from. I love learning new things and that sense of wonder, of beginnings, that a new concept or idea has arrived, of the light bulb turning on (which is probably why I became a teacher.) I love cuddling and people who give affectionate hugs. I love being a mom. I love my friends who inspire me, who teach me, who draw me out, who understand me. I love sunny days. Especially flip-flop-sort-of-days. I love getting dressed up and wearing makeup. I love winning and accomplishing. They are some of my best memories. Humor seems to always make things better. Why is that? Being weird can sometimes be very brilliant! Familiarity and comfort are two of my best friends, but also can be my downfalls. Same with TV. I am loyal. I work hard and can be pretty reliable and trustworthy, especially with secrets. My first dreams in life were to be a butterfly and to be a ballerina. I'm scared to talk in front of large groups, unless they are children. I don't easily give my heart to just anyone. I don't think I'm the easiest person to get to know. My mom was one of my first heroes. All my life has been learning how to say goodbye and also how to stay close at the same time. Some of my favorite places in the world are the hot sandy beaches of Hawaii where I can soak up the sun and enjoy the scenery and the lush nature and sink my toes in the sand or cool off in the wonderful ocean, my old haunts and the small streets I'd ride my bicycle through in Kyoto, that one day in Paris just absorbing all the architecture and atmosphere and art and saying I'd one day return. Oh! And DISNEYLAND will always be a magical place for me. I don't understand people who can't love Mickey. I'm still learning how to cook and take real satisfaction in seeing my husband truly enjoy something I've prepared. I'm not the leader I wish I was. I am always looking for a great leader who will motivate me. I can do some pretty great things with the right coach. I'm a perfectionist--in a great way, clean, organized, doing things in that 110% Japanese job-well-done way, but also in an irritating, stressful, guilt-provoking, anal way. I can't stand smutty literature. I want to read something that keeps my attention, but isn't total smut and I'm not someone who will read something just because it is popular. However, I will read something if it is recommended by a trusted friend. I'm into Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis. I believe that the ideals of true, pure religion and true, pure education match pretty similarly with the ideals of socialism. Some good goals in life are to strive for purity and real-ness. I can think in very hypocritical ways-- like I dislike greed and people's obsessions with money, but also, I can really enjoy the things that money can offer, like nice homes, traveling, ability to get good educations. I'm learning to find value in people's character, godly values, spiritual values, the important stuff. I spent most of my twenties trying to figure out who I was and once I had my son, I feel like I'm starting over again. The build up to 30 was learning that I was a teacher, that I have a great husband, that I want to keep seeking after God. Now, I'm 31 and who knows what's next!
Somer
I love water color paint and how it is soft and how it moves. I love music that makes me cry or feel alive and want to dance or to get on a mic and sing really loud at a karaoke with my friends. I love eating and will eat almost anything. Sushi, donburi, comfort foods, pasta, korean bbq, thai noodles, indian curries with naan, kim chi, dim sum, things with hot melting cheese, spicy stuff... I love God. I love my husband for all that he is and everything about him that is different than me that I can learn from. I love learning new things and that sense of wonder, of beginnings, that a new concept or idea has arrived, of the light bulb turning on (which is probably why I became a teacher.) I love cuddling and people who give affectionate hugs. I love being a mom. I love my friends who inspire me, who teach me, who draw me out, who understand me. I love sunny days. Especially flip-flop-sort-of-days. I love getting dressed up and wearing makeup. I love winning and accomplishing. They are some of my best memories. Humor seems to always make things better. Why is that? Being weird can sometimes be very brilliant! Familiarity and comfort are two of my best friends, but also can be my downfalls. Same with TV. I am loyal. I work hard and can be pretty reliable and trustworthy, especially with secrets. My first dreams in life were to be a butterfly and to be a ballerina. I'm scared to talk in front of large groups, unless they are children. I don't easily give my heart to just anyone. I don't think I'm the easiest person to get to know. My mom was one of my first heroes. All my life has been learning how to say goodbye and also how to stay close at the same time. Some of my favorite places in the world are the hot sandy beaches of Hawaii where I can soak up the sun and enjoy the scenery and the lush nature and sink my toes in the sand or cool off in the wonderful ocean, my old haunts and the small streets I'd ride my bicycle through in Kyoto, that one day in Paris just absorbing all the architecture and atmosphere and art and saying I'd one day return. Oh! And DISNEYLAND will always be a magical place for me. I don't understand people who can't love Mickey. I'm still learning how to cook and take real satisfaction in seeing my husband truly enjoy something I've prepared. I'm not the leader I wish I was. I am always looking for a great leader who will motivate me. I can do some pretty great things with the right coach. I'm a perfectionist--in a great way, clean, organized, doing things in that 110% Japanese job-well-done way, but also in an irritating, stressful, guilt-provoking, anal way. I can't stand smutty literature. I want to read something that keeps my attention, but isn't total smut and I'm not someone who will read something just because it is popular. However, I will read something if it is recommended by a trusted friend. I'm into Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis. I believe that the ideals of true, pure religion and true, pure education match pretty similarly with the ideals of socialism. Some good goals in life are to strive for purity and real-ness. I can think in very hypocritical ways-- like I dislike greed and people's obsessions with money, but also, I can really enjoy the things that money can offer, like nice homes, traveling, ability to get good educations. I'm learning to find value in people's character, godly values, spiritual values, the important stuff. I spent most of my twenties trying to figure out who I was and once I had my son, I feel like I'm starting over again. The build up to 30 was learning that I was a teacher, that I have a great husband, that I want to keep seeking after God. Now, I'm 31 and who knows what's next!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Funny video from Christmas
I think I already mentioned, but Kai had a blast at Christmas with all of his cousins... :)
Pictures from Habitot
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| The water area was awesome! Kai didn't want to leave it. He kept escaping from us and trying to run back here... |
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| Yay for lunch! |
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| Our astronaut hard at work in the control center |
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| Mama & astro boy |
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| LOVE <3 his sweet smile... |
Our 16 month-old toddler boy
Working mama?
Today Kai is 16 months. It is amazing, scary, wonderful, tiring, and everything, to watch him grow up. I have gotten calls to go back to work, but have turned them down. I'm not sure when I will go back to the classroom. It's strange that I feel this way because I never thought I'd be a stay-at-home mom or that I'd actually feel satisfied with it. I think it must have come from all the praying during pregnancy for contentment and being okay with whatever would be best for our family. There are definitely days and weeks that are hard. Especially the grouchy, fussy, whiny, sick days. Especially the days we look outside and it is raining and we are stuck! Especially the days that are sunny and beautiful, but we are sick. But, overall, I'm grateful that I get to be the one to see Kai in the morning when he is awake, alert, happy, and at his best. I get to be there and see it and I understand that it is a luxury. End of November, early December, I subbed a few days and learned how all my energy poured into that work day and when I got home, I was happy to see Kai, but I had already given away my energy to someone else. I just wanted to crash on the sofa and vegge in front of the TV. I respect the moms out there who have to work and still have something to give at the end of the day to their kids!
Baby Scarlett
During the holidays, a co-worker started posting on facebook and writing a blog about their baby girl Scarlett. At her 2 month appointment, the doctors caught that she had a growing cancerous tumor on her brain. I followed it daily and cried. When Kai and I pray at night, we'd pray for Scarlett, and her family, and the doctors. Their hardship brought about lots of prayers from many people, a miracle (her surgeries were a success!), and my own gratitude that my son can be healthy. You just never know what the future may bring or that one day you or someone you love could be diagnosed with something scary. I am still following their blog and keeping up with Scarlett's health. Scarlett's story is one of a fighter and of miracles and of their parents' love. This is their blog: brandiandchris.blogspot.com.
Change
Happy New Year! It is 2011 now. Some of my resolutions and goals for this year that I'm working on are: (1) start exercising again (so far, I've been starting a habit of going every Thursday), (2) to fight for my faith and for my friendships, to perservere with my friends when they are going through something hard, (3) to work on being a better listener. I also told Ryuta that I'd like to work on being a more inviting and welcoming person, that people feel welcomed into our lives and into our home. It's been interesting to ask other people what their resolutions are... Some responses-- "None." "I stopped making resolutions." "I don't make resolutions because if I see something that I need to do, I just do it." My brother said that if I have goals, it is best to write it down and put it in a place where you can see it. I think about this scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
I can be a very forgetful person and I always tell Ryuta that if he needs me to do something, he needs to write it down. I have to SEE it and read it or I forget. I've been trying to write down in my journal everyday about things I'm grateful to God for, things I need to work on, things that worry me, and also my goals so that I don't forget. Our preacher, Scott, when he talked about resolutions said that another friend told him-- "Don't make a resolution. Make it a conviction." I guess it is like what they say about dieting and weight loss. It has to be a total lifestyle change.
Kai
Over the past month, we have spent 3/4 of it, SICK! Last week, the sun was shining, Kai seemed okay and healthy... so I totally took advantage of it and went a little crazy. We went out every single day and met up with someone everyday. By Friday, Kai was sick again. :(
One sick day, I thought, "When I was a kid, what did I like about staying home and being sick?" Well, I like staying in my PJs, eating my favorite foods, being cozy on the couch, and watching TV and movies all day. So, I thought Kai would like that. Wrong. I put in 101 Dalmations (his first movie) because I thought he'd appreciate the puppies. Kai was so upset. I don't know if it was the wrong the movie or just that he had to play by himself while mama watched the movie in her PJs on the sofa!
I don't know if it's been his teething (we're at 7 teeth now) or the sicknesses, OR that Kai is just totally sick of the same foods, but Kai doesn't want to eat his "favorite foods." Chicken has lost its appeal. His favorite veggies are okay, but he's not totally loving it. Kai's favorite foods this month have been cereal (not the baby kind) and fruit. I'm learning how to be disciplined and how to not get swayed by his crying. He can't just eat whatever he wants or he'll be starting some really bad eating habits. We have to be okay with him skipping a meal if he won't eat what is offered. It is hard. You just want to see them eat and be happy..
Kai still isn't really talking or saying words. He can sign for milk, more, all done, dog, bye-bye, and he understands eat, drink, and I think he understands what we are saying to him. Sometimes I worry and other times I just have to understand that everyone develops differently. Boys can be slower verbally. Kai IS good at puzzles and building things with his blocks. He still loves books and being read to. We've been spending more time with family and Kai is getting more comfortable having lots of different people at our house. This past weekend, my uncle was in town for his buddy Dave's birthday. The whole family got dressed up and had a surprise party for him. This was Kai's 2nd time being babysat by a non-family member. The Giffords babysat him and he (and they.. thanks, guys!) did great! Kai also really loves animals. Whenever he sees an animal, he starts tapping his leg signing "dog" and making this happy dog panting sound. Kai has been throwing more tantrums lately and I question whether he is being spoiled too much or he is just stubborn and strong-willed. But deep down, he is still my sweetheart and my gentle boy.
Okay. That's it for now. Over and out. Until next time...
Today Kai is 16 months. It is amazing, scary, wonderful, tiring, and everything, to watch him grow up. I have gotten calls to go back to work, but have turned them down. I'm not sure when I will go back to the classroom. It's strange that I feel this way because I never thought I'd be a stay-at-home mom or that I'd actually feel satisfied with it. I think it must have come from all the praying during pregnancy for contentment and being okay with whatever would be best for our family. There are definitely days and weeks that are hard. Especially the grouchy, fussy, whiny, sick days. Especially the days we look outside and it is raining and we are stuck! Especially the days that are sunny and beautiful, but we are sick. But, overall, I'm grateful that I get to be the one to see Kai in the morning when he is awake, alert, happy, and at his best. I get to be there and see it and I understand that it is a luxury. End of November, early December, I subbed a few days and learned how all my energy poured into that work day and when I got home, I was happy to see Kai, but I had already given away my energy to someone else. I just wanted to crash on the sofa and vegge in front of the TV. I respect the moms out there who have to work and still have something to give at the end of the day to their kids!
Baby Scarlett
During the holidays, a co-worker started posting on facebook and writing a blog about their baby girl Scarlett. At her 2 month appointment, the doctors caught that she had a growing cancerous tumor on her brain. I followed it daily and cried. When Kai and I pray at night, we'd pray for Scarlett, and her family, and the doctors. Their hardship brought about lots of prayers from many people, a miracle (her surgeries were a success!), and my own gratitude that my son can be healthy. You just never know what the future may bring or that one day you or someone you love could be diagnosed with something scary. I am still following their blog and keeping up with Scarlett's health. Scarlett's story is one of a fighter and of miracles and of their parents' love. This is their blog: brandiandchris.blogspot.com.
Change
Happy New Year! It is 2011 now. Some of my resolutions and goals for this year that I'm working on are: (1) start exercising again (so far, I've been starting a habit of going every Thursday), (2) to fight for my faith and for my friendships, to perservere with my friends when they are going through something hard, (3) to work on being a better listener. I also told Ryuta that I'd like to work on being a more inviting and welcoming person, that people feel welcomed into our lives and into our home. It's been interesting to ask other people what their resolutions are... Some responses-- "None." "I stopped making resolutions." "I don't make resolutions because if I see something that I need to do, I just do it." My brother said that if I have goals, it is best to write it down and put it in a place where you can see it. I think about this scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
I can be a very forgetful person and I always tell Ryuta that if he needs me to do something, he needs to write it down. I have to SEE it and read it or I forget. I've been trying to write down in my journal everyday about things I'm grateful to God for, things I need to work on, things that worry me, and also my goals so that I don't forget. Our preacher, Scott, when he talked about resolutions said that another friend told him-- "Don't make a resolution. Make it a conviction." I guess it is like what they say about dieting and weight loss. It has to be a total lifestyle change.
Kai
Over the past month, we have spent 3/4 of it, SICK! Last week, the sun was shining, Kai seemed okay and healthy... so I totally took advantage of it and went a little crazy. We went out every single day and met up with someone everyday. By Friday, Kai was sick again. :(
One sick day, I thought, "When I was a kid, what did I like about staying home and being sick?" Well, I like staying in my PJs, eating my favorite foods, being cozy on the couch, and watching TV and movies all day. So, I thought Kai would like that. Wrong. I put in 101 Dalmations (his first movie) because I thought he'd appreciate the puppies. Kai was so upset. I don't know if it was the wrong the movie or just that he had to play by himself while mama watched the movie in her PJs on the sofa!
I don't know if it's been his teething (we're at 7 teeth now) or the sicknesses, OR that Kai is just totally sick of the same foods, but Kai doesn't want to eat his "favorite foods." Chicken has lost its appeal. His favorite veggies are okay, but he's not totally loving it. Kai's favorite foods this month have been cereal (not the baby kind) and fruit. I'm learning how to be disciplined and how to not get swayed by his crying. He can't just eat whatever he wants or he'll be starting some really bad eating habits. We have to be okay with him skipping a meal if he won't eat what is offered. It is hard. You just want to see them eat and be happy..
Kai still isn't really talking or saying words. He can sign for milk, more, all done, dog, bye-bye, and he understands eat, drink, and I think he understands what we are saying to him. Sometimes I worry and other times I just have to understand that everyone develops differently. Boys can be slower verbally. Kai IS good at puzzles and building things with his blocks. He still loves books and being read to. We've been spending more time with family and Kai is getting more comfortable having lots of different people at our house. This past weekend, my uncle was in town for his buddy Dave's birthday. The whole family got dressed up and had a surprise party for him. This was Kai's 2nd time being babysat by a non-family member. The Giffords babysat him and he (and they.. thanks, guys!) did great! Kai also really loves animals. Whenever he sees an animal, he starts tapping his leg signing "dog" and making this happy dog panting sound. Kai has been throwing more tantrums lately and I question whether he is being spoiled too much or he is just stubborn and strong-willed. But deep down, he is still my sweetheart and my gentle boy.
Okay. That's it for now. Over and out. Until next time...
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